Busch Gardens Tampa Bay logo
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Slogan | Born for Busch Gardens |
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Location | Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
Coordinates | 28°02′16″N 82°25′18″W / 28.0379°N 82.4216°WCoordinates: 28°02′16″N 82°25′18″W / 28.0379°N 82.4216°W |
Theme | Africa |
Owner | SeaWorld Entertainment |
Operated by | SeaWorld Entertainment |
Opened | March 31, 1959 |
Previous names |
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Operating season | Year-round |
Visitors per annum | 4,169,000 (2016) |
Area |
335 acres (136 ha) |
Rides | |
Total | 20+ (as of 2017) |
Roller coasters | 8 |
Water rides | 2 |
Website | seaworldparks |
335 acres (136 ha)
Busch Gardens Tampa (formerly known as Busch Gardens Africa and Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent) is a 335-acre (136 ha) 19th century African-themed animal theme park located in the city of Tampa, Florida. Busch Gardens Tampa is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is their 2nd largest park in terms of attendance behind SeaWorld Orlando. The park officially features 8 roller coasters and 2 water rides amongst other rides and animal attractions. Its newest roller coaster, Cobra's Curse, was opened in June 2016.
Alongside sister waterpark Adventure Island (30-acre (12 ha)), Busch Gardens is the anchor of Tampa's 365-acre (148 ha) amusement multiplex. Currently Busch Gardens competes with other such parks in Florida and charges comparable fees. Busch Gardens is currently accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). In 2015, the park hosted 4.2 million people, placing 11th as the most-visited theme parks in the United States.
Busch Gardens Tampa opened on March 31, 1959, as an admission-free hospitality facility for Tampa Anheuser-Busch; in addition to various beer tastings, they had a bird garden and the Stairway to the Stars, which was an escalator that took guests to the roof of the brewery.
Busch Gardens continued to grow, and in 1965, opened the 29-acre (12 ha) Serengeti Plains, which allowed the African wildlife to roam freely. It continued to focus on its tropical landscape, exotic animals, and amusements to draw visitors. Busch Gardens began charging admission as the entertainment became more complex, with extra fees for the thrill rides, such as the roller coasters for which Busch Gardens is now known.
The park's main entrance. Treats can be purchased at the Sultan's Sweets and the Zagora Cafe. The Moroccan Palace is located here, as well as the outdoor Marrakesh Theater. Gwazi was the major ride in this area.
Former "Land of the Dragons" children's section of the park. Land of the Dragons, which itself replaced the Dwarf Village in 1995, was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun on March 27, 2010. It contains all the attractions from Land of the Dragons which are now re-themed. It also contains four new attractions.