About Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a unique blend of family-friendly rides, animal exhibits, and engaging shows, making it a versatile destination for families with children of various ages. The park's combination of thrill rides and kid-friendly attractions, along with ample dining options, enhances the overall experience.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families looking for a mix of thrill and educational experiencesParents wanting a full day of activities without excessive travelChildren who enjoy animals and interactive exhibitsToddlers (2-4 years): Enjoy splash pads and gentle rides.Young children (5-8 years): Suitable for animal exhibits and bumper cars.
Why families love it
- Large splash pad for younger children
- Variety of rides for different age groups
- Animal exhibits and shows for educational entertainment
- Multiple food options available throughout the park
- Efficient transit options including a train to navigate the park
- Kid-friendly areas with dedicated attractions
Insider tips
- Consider visiting during off-peak times to avoid crowds.
- Arrive early to secure parking and maximize your day.
- Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, as there are refill stations.
- Check the ride availability before planning your day to avoid disappointment.
Good to know before you go
- Visiting during major events like the food and wine festival if you prefer diverse food options
- Peak holiday periods when the park may be overcrowded
- Limited food options during special events like the food and wine festival
- Long wait times for certain rides due to operational issues
- Inconsistent staff behavior, with reports of rudeness
- Crowds
- Expect larger crowds during weekends and holidays, particularly during special events.
- Value
- Parking is $40, and while the entry fee is comparable to other parks, the value comes from the variety of attractions and experiences offered. However, be aware of potential hidden costs like food prices and locker rentals.
- Food
- Food options may be limited during special events, and some parents reported difficulty finding suitable meals.
- Accessibility
- The park offers accommodations for special needs, but specific details were not mentioned in the reviews.
- Safety
- Rides have specific bag policies that may require renting lockers for personal items.
What parents say
"So much fun for the entire family!! They have a kids section for the littles with a large splash pad to cool off in, rides for kids, animal exhibits, food/snack foods and some pretty amazing adult rollercoasters! There are restrooms with places to fill up water bottles throughout the park, and transit to help you get through parking, along with a train inside that has three different stations to get you where you want to go! Definitely a place to check out!"
a week ago
"It was good not great. I am a platinum pass holder and sometimes I wonder if I should keep it. I took my daughter for Easter and it was an act of God to find something to eat outside of the food and wine festival so we settled on a pretzel. Also we tried to participate in the Golden Egg hunt buttttt when people were able to get 2 and 3 eggs when you're only allowed 1, defeats the purpose but my little one still enjoyed herself! We did leave early after all of this."
a week ago
"Honest review: I thought Busch gardens was bigger and had more things to do. The layout is a tad bit confusing but overall the park is nice. I like the fact that there are animals and shows to watch as well as rides. The coasters are fun and the lines aren’t that bad so you really don’t need the fast pass to skip the lines unless you wanna ride them back to back. I think the bag policy is a tad ridiculous on the cheetah ride when there’s way more intense rides in the parks. If I want to carry my small none 3 prong Fanny pack that I’ve taken on all the other rides, I should be able to instead o"
2 weeks ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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