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Busch Gardens, Tampa
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Things to Do in Tampa: Busch Gardens tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tampa locals.
Busch Gardens
Corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street
• 58 Photos
• 65 Reviews
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Tampa Busch Gardens ReviewsTips 1 - 10 of 65  
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Busch Gardens: Great fun!!!
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  • Updated By priscila_h on November 14, 2004
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  • Busch Gardens - Tampa
    by priscila_h
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    Gusch Gardens is a great place to visit for every member of the family. There's always something going on and they have all kinds of animals =0)

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  • Phone: 1-888-800-5447
  • Directions: Eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa · Two miles east of Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit · Two miles west of Interstate 75 at exit 265 · One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4
  • Website: www.buschgardens.com

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    Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens
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  • Updated By tafurojo on March 20, 2005
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  • Gwazi - Wood Rollercoaster - Tampa
    Gwazi - Wood Rollercoaster
    by tafurojo
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    If you are in love with the beautiful "Dark Continent" of Africa like I am then you will definitely not want to miss Busch Gardens... its an excellent zoo/ride park. Of course living in Florida I tend to try to go during the winter season when its cooler but the lines are usually longer because everyone else has the same idea. There is plenty to do here... I enjoy taking the skyride over the exhibits in the Serengetti Plains and the many shows they have to offer as well as the Nairobi Reserve with lots of primates straight out of Central Africa! Be sure to grab your 2 free Budweisers at the hospitality house at some point. Aside from the zoo portion of Busch Gardens the other main attractions are the many roller coasters spread throughout the park... from a classic wooden dueler called "Gwazi" to a suspended loop coaster called "Montu"... explore every corner of Africa from the plains of Tanzania to the bizzares of Morocco and back into the thick jungles of the Congo!

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  • Phone: 1-888-800-5447
  • Directions: Eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa · Two miles east of Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit · Two miles west of Interstate 75 at exit 265 · One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4

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    Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens Tampa
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  • Updated By tampa_shawn on June 29, 2008
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  • Busch Gardens - Tampa
    by tampa_shawn
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    Tampa has a premier amusement park, called Busch Gardens.

    Bucsh Gardens is an extra special treat to those who love animals and roller coasters. The park is essentially built around a zoo so there are tons of animal to see, in fact you can spend a day looking at the animals and gardens and not go on any rides.

    There are a few ?Tricks? to Bucsh Garden?s that will make a big difference in your trip

    Discounts on Admission
    1) Discounts to the park are available. Discount are always available from the Bucsh Garden website when you buy your ticket in advance.
    2) AAA Auto also has discounted tickets and fast food places like Wendy?s and McDonalds in the area often offer discounts off of the admission price. Discounts are also regularly found on locally sold Coke cans.
    3) Buy today and ride free all year ? if you?re a Florida resident Bucsh Gardens has a special promotion at least once a year where if you buy a ticket into the park you can get into the park for free for the rest of the year. Note this promotion does not include parking which can be quite expensive.
    4) If you live in the local area yearly passes are often the equivalent to 1 to 2 visits to the park AND include free parking. These passes also offer discounts on food and concessions within the park as well as discounted admission to other parks. I get these passes every few years and they are well worth it

    Current day pass pricing - $61.95 for adults and $51.95 for children ages 3-9
    Check website for latest on Senior Pricing

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  • Phone: 1-888-800-5447
  • Directions: Eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa ? Two miles east of Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit ? Two miles west of Interstate 75 at exit 265 ? One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4
  • Website: http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/fla/default.aspx

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    Busch Gardens: Make the Most of Your Visit to Busch Garden
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  • Updated By tampa_shawn on June 29, 2008
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  • Tiger Cub at Bucsh Gardens - Tampa
    Tiger Cub at Bucsh Gardens
    by tampa_shawn
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    Tips on making the most of the park
    1) Be sure to get a map and show schedule when you enter the park or print the map and show schedule from the website listed below.
    2) The park is large so plan your day to avoid continually walking back and forth across the park. I would recommend starting at the back of the park and working forward
    3) The park gets VERY crowded during its peak hours 11 am to 2 PM. This is the best time to take in the numerous shows and take a long lunch
    4) There are some wonderful places to have that long lunch. My favorite on hot days is the restaurant that overlooks the African Plain and Animals. Its cool, has a great view & the food is excellent. Another favorite is the German Dining hall that offers hot dog, beer and a show

    THE WAY to visit the park
    1) Arrive early & chill out during the hot/crowed times
    2) The real trick to this and any amusement park is to be at the gate before the park opens. Factor in parking, take the shuttle and buy tickets (20 minutes minimum). Arriving early will allow you to go on 3 to 5 of the rides in the first hour, during peak times this same feat may take you 4 hours!
    3) The parks hours change based on the day and season so check the website for that day/seasons opening times and get there 30 MINUTES BEFORE the opening time. It will take you at least 20 minutes to park, ride the tram from the parking garage to the park and get your tickets.
    4) The park often opens a few minutes before the posted time so be there
    5) Do the roller coasters and more popular rides in during the off peak times (do them first if you get to the park early)
    6) When it gets hot and busy take a long lunch within the park and see a show or two. Both the heat and crowds die down by 3 PM and then you will be re-energized to enjoy the park
    7) During the shoulder seasons (and week days) the park is less crowed and lines are minimal. This is when Bucsh Garden has the most price specials too.

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  • Phone: 1-888-800-5447
  • Directions: Eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa Two miles east of Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit Two miles west of Interstate 75 at exit 265 ? One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4
  • Website: http://www.buschgardens.com/buschgardens/fla/default.aspx

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    Busch Gardens: All the Animal Exhibits
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  • By westpalmchickee on July 16, 2004
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  • White Tiger - Tampa
    White Tiger
    by westpalmchickee
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    I've been to theme parks that also have animals... such as Sea World, but I've never been to one that had both such a large number of creatures AND plenty of rides.

    If you like zoos and amusement parks this is a perfect combination.

    Like all theme parks wear comfy shoes and be prepared for inflated food prices (duh).

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  • Phone: 1-888-800-5447
  • Directions: Eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa · Two miles east of Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit · Two miles west of Interstate 75 at exit 265 · One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4

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    Busch Gardens: busch gardens
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  • By doug48 on October 21, 2007
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  • busch gardens - Tampa
    busch gardens
    by doug48
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    busch gardens is the most visited attraction in tampa. you need a full day to experience all of the attractions of the park. busch gardens offer high tech thrill rides, water flumes, animal exhibits, and motion picture shows. the park has an african safari theme. of course you can sample some of busch's products at the brewmaster's club. a fun family oriented theme park.

  • Phone: 1-888-800-5447
  • Directions: Eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa · Two miles east of Interstate 275 at the Busch Boulevard exit · Two miles west of Interstate 75 at exit 265 · One hour from Orlando via Interstate 4
  • Website: http://www.buschgardens.com

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    Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens
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  • Updated By sumit_b on September 15, 2002
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  • The East African Railways (fake ofcourse) - Tampa
    The East African Railways
    (fake ofcourse)
    by sumit_b
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    Busch Gardens is supposed to be a zoo of sorts. But the main attraction here are the roller coasters. These, I hear, are top of the line coasters. For a smooth side, try out the Montu and if you want to break a few bones, ride the wooden Gwazi :)

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  • Phone: +1-813- 987-5082
  • Directions: Take Fowler Avenue exit from I-75 or Busch exit from I-275. If you find yourself on Fowler, Busch is 1 block south.
  • Website: http://www.buschgardens.com

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    Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens - The Rides!
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  • Updated By bugalugs on March 23, 2003
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  • Montu - Tampa
    Montu
    by bugalugs
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    No theme park would be complete without scarey rollercoaster rides and you certainly get them here in usch Gardens.
    Gwazi is a double roller coaster ride, built in wood with tracks running alongside each other which each set of cars in effect racing against each other. This ride can reach speeds of 100mph and as I dont like rollercoasters, my husband Wayne and son Joe had gone on without me. When they returned, they said it was really mild and I would like it. Consequently I was persuaded to go on and I can assure you there is nothing 'mild' about this ride. In fact I was terrified!
    This photo is of Wayne and Joe on 'Montu' all set for take off!
    There are height restrictions on some of the rides in the park.

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  • Phone: 813 987 5082

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    Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens
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  • Updated By bugalugs on March 23, 2003
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  • The Sky Ride - Tampa
    The Sky Ride
    by bugalugs
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    On entering the park I would advise that you take a ride on the sky ride (monorail) first. It doesnt go completely around the park, but it gives you an idea of your bearings and what you would like to see first.
    At the time we visited there was a lot of work being done and further attractions were due to open in May 2001.
    Admission price is about $50.
    Concessions for children between 3-9 years.

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  • Phone: 813 987 5082
  • Directions: One hour from Orlando on Interstate 4

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    Busch Gardens: Busch Gardens
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  • Updated By bugalugs on March 23, 2003
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  • Lioness - Tampa
    Lioness
    by bugalugs
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    The park is a mixture of rollercoaster rides, park and zoo. The animals are in lovely surroundings considering they are away from the natural habitat.
    This photo is a lioness is taken through the plate glass window which separates her from 'us'!

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  • Phone: 813 987 5082

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