Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Review: Rides, Animals, Family Fun & More

If you are planning a vacation to Tampa Bay, Florida, there is one major attraction that deserves a place near the top of your list: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This unique Florida theme park combines exciting roller coasters, family rides, live entertainment, animal habitats, safari-style experiences, restaurants, and activities for younger children all in one place.

One of the things that makes Busch Gardens different from many of Florida’s other major theme parks is the combination of thrill rides and animals. One person in your family can be looking forward to a high-speed roller coaster while someone else may be more excited about watching giraffes, elephants, lions, or other animals. That variety was exactly what made our own visit so enjoyable.

Years ago, my husband and I had already spent a lot of time visiting the Orlando theme parks and wanted to try something different. We decided to drive over to Tampa and spend the day at Busch Gardens. My husband was immediately excited about the roller coasters. I was a little more cautious. He loves anything involving speed, drops, and adrenaline. I would much rather keep my feet on solid ground and spend time with the animals!

We could have stayed closer to Busch Gardens at hotels such as the Embassy Suites Busch Gardens or Wingate by Wyndham, but on that trip we chose to drive from our Orlando hotel. Today, travelers can easily make Busch Gardens part of a larger Central Florida vacation that includes Tampa Bay, Orlando, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and other nearby destinations.

Animal Experiences at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Although Busch Gardens has become famous for its roller coasters, the animals are still one of my favorite reasons to visit. The park offers opportunities to see and learn about many different animal species, and there are special safari and animal experiences available for guests who want something more personal than simply walking through the park.

For me, one experience stands above the rest.

My Favorite Memory: Feeding the Giraffes

I may be a little biased, but my all-time favorite Busch Gardens experience was feeding the giraffes during a Serengeti safari experience. My husband and I joined a small group and climbed aboard an open safari-style vehicle that took us onto the Serengeti Plain. Since it was Florida, we made sure to wear comfortable clothing and plenty of sunscreen.

Once we entered the animal area, the atmosphere changed completely. Instead of feeling like we were inside a theme park, we suddenly felt as though we were on a small safari. Our guide explained interesting facts about the giraffes and other animals while we enjoyed the chance to see them much closer than we could from a normal walkway.

Then came the part I had been waiting for: feeding the giraffes.

Getting that close to such a large but gentle animal is hard to describe until you experience it yourself. We were able to offer food while the giraffes reached toward us, and it created some wonderful photo opportunities. Our guide joked that the safari vehicle was almost like an ice cream truck arriving for the giraffes because they seemed to know something special was coming.

That experience also gave us a chance to learn instead of simply taking photographs. Our guide talked about giraffes, zebras, ostriches, antelope, and other animals on the Serengeti Plain. Being able to hear those stories while seeing the animals right in front of us made the entire experience much more meaningful.

For families traveling with children, an animal experience like this can be especially memorable. Kids may arrive thinking only about rides and roller coasters and leave talking about the giraffe that ate right from their hand.

More Animals to Discover

The giraffes may have captured my heart, but there are many other animals throughout Busch Gardens. Depending on the areas and experiences available during your visit, you may see everything from African wildlife to birds, primates, big cats, and other fascinating species.

The park continues to invest heavily in animal care and animal-viewing experiences. For visitors like me who are not planning to spend the entire day riding roller coasters, this is one of the biggest advantages of Busch Gardens. You can slow down, walk through an animal area, watch a presentation, take photographs, and learn something new before moving on to the next attraction.

Animal lovers should check the current schedule before arriving because special tours and encounters may require an additional reservation or fee. Some experiences also have limited capacity, so planning ahead can be worthwhile.

Busch Gardens Roller Coasters and Thrill Rides

Now we get to my husband’s favorite part of Busch Gardens: roller coasters.

If you love speed, steep drops, inversions, and the feeling that your stomach has temporarily stayed behind while the rest of you races down a track, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is definitely worth considering. The park has built an impressive reputation for thrill rides, with attractions such as Iron Gwazi, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Tigris, Montu, Kumba, Serengeti Flyer, and other rides offering very different experiences.

SheiKra: One Ride I Was Happy to Watch!

On our visit, SheiKra was the ride my husband could not stop talking about. The famous dive coaster climbs high above the park before sending riders through a dramatic drop. My husband loved the adrenaline rush and talked about the ride long after he got off.

Me? You could not have paid me enough to join him.

That is one of the funny things about visiting Busch Gardens as a couple or family. Not everyone has to like the same attractions. While he was looking for his next thrill, I was perfectly happy knowing another animal area, show, restaurant, or relaxing attraction was probably nearby.

Today’s Thrill Ride Choices

The coaster lineup has changed significantly since our original visit. Guests today can choose from several major thrill rides, including Iron Gwazi, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Tigris, Montu, Kumba, and other attractions. Families with children who are beginning to enjoy bigger rides can also look for experiences that offer excitement without necessarily jumping immediately to the park’s most intense coasters.

If riding as much as possible is your main goal, consider checking ride wait times through the Busch Gardens app. The park also sells Quick Queue options on many dates, although prices and participating attractions can change.

Family-Friendly Rides and Things to Do With Children

Busch Gardens is not just for adults and teenagers chasing roller-coaster thrills. Families with younger children can find play areas, kid-friendly rides, character experiences, animal exhibits, and entertainment throughout the park.

This is something I appreciated during our visit. Even though some of the attractions have changed since then, the idea remains the same: parents do not have to spend the day trying to convince a six-year-old to ride something designed for an adrenaline-loving teenager.

One of the current family-oriented coaster options is Phoenix Rising, a suspended roller coaster designed to provide families with an exciting ride while having a lower height requirement than many of the park’s biggest thrill coasters.

Families should always check current height requirements before visiting, especially when children have their hearts set on a particular ride. Knowing ahead of time what everyone can ride can prevent disappointment once you arrive.

Take a Break on the Serengeti Express

One of my favorite ways to slow down during a busy day at Busch Gardens is to take the train around the park. After walking in the Florida heat, sitting down for a while can feel wonderful.

The Serengeti railway also offers another perspective of the animal areas. Instead of rushing from ride to ride, you can relax, look across the landscape, and enjoy seeing animals from the train. For parents with children, grandparents, or anyone who simply needs a break from walking, this can be a welcome change of pace.

I also loved listening to the reactions of people riding the big roller coasters while we were enjoying our much more peaceful journey. My husband probably wished he were on the coaster. I was perfectly happy on the train!

Shows and Entertainment

Live entertainment gives families another opportunity to rest between rides and animal exhibits. Busch Gardens offers presentations and entertainment throughout the year, and some shows or seasonal events change depending on when you visit.

I have always enjoyed the way animal parks can combine entertainment with education. A good show gives everyone time to sit down while still feeling like you are experiencing something rather than simply taking a break.

Because entertainment schedules can change, check the park’s current daily schedule before planning your day around a particular show. Seating may also be limited for popular presentations.

Eating at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

You certainly will not have to go hungry while spending the day at Busch Gardens. Restaurants, snack locations, drinks, and quick-service options are spread throughout the park.

One of my best tips is to think about when you want to eat before everyone in your family gets hungry at the same time. Theme park days are much easier when you stop for lunch before children—and sometimes adults—reach the point where everyone suddenly becomes tired and cranky.

Dining options change over time, so I recommend checking the current Busch Gardens restaurant list before your visit if you have dietary preferences or are looking for a particular type of food. All-day dining packages may also be available depending on your ticket and visit date.

How Much Time Should You Spend at Busch Gardens?

For a first-time visitor, I recommend planning on spending the majority of a day at Busch Gardens. There is simply too much to see if you try to race through the park in a few hours.

If your family wants to ride several major roller coasters, visit the animal areas, enjoy a show, take the train, eat lunch, and possibly add a safari or animal tour, the hours disappear surprisingly quickly.

Wear comfortable walking shoes because this is a large park. During warmer months, bring sunscreen and take breaks during the hottest part of the afternoon. Florida weather can also change quickly, so checking the forecast before leaving your hotel is always a good idea.

Ride availability, shows, animal experiences, and park hours can change, so use the official Busch Gardens schedule or mobile app on the day of your visit rather than relying completely on an older itinerary.

Want to Swim With Dolphins Near Tampa Bay?

Busch Gardens may be one of Tampa Bay’s biggest attractions, but what if your Florida vacation wish list includes dolphins? Travelers searching for a place to Swim with Dolphins Near Tampa Bay should know that there is currently no traditional dolphin swim facility directly inside Tampa Bay. However, there are several dolphin experience options within driving distance that can easily be added to a Tampa vacation.

One of the closest major choices is Discovery Cove in Orlando, approximately 1½ hours from Tampa depending on traffic. Discovery Cove offers a full-day resort-style experience that can include swimming with a dolphin along with snorkeling and other activities. Travelers looking for a shorter dolphin interaction can also consider a poolside dolphin encounter in Orlando, while guests who primarily want a dolphin-focused swim or shallow-water encounter can make the longer trip to St. Augustine Beach.

If dolphins are high on your Florida vacation list, take a look at the complete Swim with Dolphins Near Tampa Bay guide before finalizing your itinerary. It compares several dolphin-program choices so you can decide which experience makes the most sense for your family, ages, schedule, and vacation plans.

Make Busch Gardens Part of a Tampa Bay Vacation

Another reason I like Busch Gardens is that it does not have to be your entire vacation. Tampa Bay gives you many opportunities to create a trip around several different experiences.

You could spend one day riding coasters and seeing animals at Busch Gardens, another exploring the Tampa waterfront, and another making a trip toward Clearwater or St. Petersburg. If you are dividing your vacation between Tampa and Orlando, you can also visit some of Central Florida’s major attractions without having to choose only one destination.

This flexibility works especially well for families where everyone wants something different. One person may want roller coasters, another wants animals, another wants the beach, and someone else may have dreamed about swimming with dolphins. A Tampa Bay vacation gives you a good central location for combining many of these experiences.

Shakira’s Final Thoughts on Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

When I think back on our visit, my husband and I remember very different things. He remembers the roller coasters. I remember those wonderful giraffes.

And that may be one of the best compliments I can give Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

We went to the same park on the same day and both found something we loved.

The park has changed and added many attractions since that original visit, but that combination of thrilling rides, fascinating animals, family activities, and memorable experiences is still the reason Busch Gardens deserves consideration when planning a Tampa Bay vacation.

My biggest advice is not to rush. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, check the current attraction schedule, and give yourself enough time to explore areas of the park you may not have originally planned to visit. Sometimes the attraction you almost skipped becomes the part of the vacation you remember most.

For me, that was standing face-to-face with a giraffe and realizing that my favorite Busch Gardens memory did not involve a roller coaster at all.

For More Information:
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
www.buschgardens.com

By Shakira McNamara