Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[pǝʇɹǝʌuı]

I'm so excited for this! I'm planning on heading out to Florida later this year to get the BGT/SWO credits.

[thrillseeker4552]

I laughed when people said a mid-March opening, but holy crap that may be possible (at least for a soft opening). I stand corrected. This looks insane!

[DoinItForTheFame]

Time to start searching for those super cheap flights everyone is talking about.

[RCjunkie]

Very sexy!

[cfc]

Looks like a great addition to what is already the strongest coaster lineup in Florida.

[sfkk]

They were also testing the break run and lift before the track was even complete. They would drag the train backwards through the transfer track area and up the break run to test the breaks. I predict it will open in the next few days. Sometimes they can do these things quickly. At Kentucky Kingdom they had to get a certain number of cycles in on lightning run, so they tested it through the night to get it open in time for opening day.

[ALT2870]

We're going to be down there at the end of the month. Wasn't planning on stopping by but just might if they open it. (Very likely at this point.)

[bgtlover]

^Just watch and be sure the park is going to be open first. They hadn't announced a closing yet, but with Disney (WDW) and Universal Orlando closing at the end of regular operating hours on Sunday, BGT (& SW and others) are likely to follow.

[djcoastermark]

^ good advice. Things are not changing by the day around here, but by the hour. An example, Tampa pride, at 3:30 pm , said the parade was still on. By 5:30 pm, they announced it was postponed.

[Hilltopper39]

FYI if anyone is planning a trip to central Florida in the next few months, despite all the Coronavirus scare, BGT and SW both launched a pretty good flash sale on single day single park and two park tickets yesterday, and the sale runs through this Monday. Kind of odd timing to launch a ticket sale when everyone else in town is preparing to shut down but hey, get em while you can! And if they do end up closing then I'm sure they'd find a way to honor tickets past the expiration date.

[PKI Jizzman]

FYI if anyone is planning a trip to central Florida in the next few months, despite all the Coronavirus scare, BGT and SW both launched a pretty good flash sale on single day single park and two park tickets yesterday, and the sale runs through this Monday. Kind of odd timing to launch a ticket sale when everyone else in town is preparing to shut down but hey, get em while you can! And if they do end up closing then I'm sure they'd find a way to honor tickets past the expiration date.

 

Right now it says you must visit before May 17th. That's a pretty tight window.

[Hilltopper39]

FYI if anyone is planning a trip to central Florida in the next few months, despite all the Coronavirus scare, BGT and SW both launched a pretty good flash sale on single day single park and two park tickets yesterday, and the sale runs through this Monday. Kind of odd timing to launch a ticket sale when everyone else in town is preparing to shut down but hey, get em while you can! And if they do end up closing then I'm sure they'd find a way to honor tickets past the expiration date.

 

Right now it says you must visit before May 17th. That's a pretty tight window.

 

Yeah it is, but again I feel like if they close the parks for 2 weeks they'd probably find a way to extend that deadline out, then again maybe not who knows at this point. I've been telling my friends here locally to grab some tickets since the window as is if you're close enough for a weekend or day trip is pretty doable, but yeah if you're coming from far away and don't have a trip already scheduled buyer beware I guess.

[tndank]

I'm going to bet we some strong sales and offers from parks if/when this blows over. Not suggesting this is a bad play at all, but I think we might see some out of ordinary deals this year.

[bgtlover]

Sorry folks, park's closed.

 

[RollerManic]

So much for that March 14th opening date now.

[CarolinaJay]

Watch out for it .... SUCH A FREAKING TEASE.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sPIUFF4fZ/

[djcoastermark]

I haven't seen much on this, but BGT lit up Iron Gwazi blue on Thursday, along with the front gate signage, as part of the "Light it Blue" campaign honoring those risking their lives to help others. Pretty cool look. Here's a link to the short article and a pic. https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/attractions/2020/04/17/busch-gardens-turns-iron-gwazi-blue-to-honor-health-care-workers

[DoinItForTheFame]

^ Wow!! What an amazing photo!! It doesn’t even look real! (Even though I know it is.) Looks like something out of NoLimits. LOL

[bachir]

Was really hoping to find an African Queen video on YouTube. No Luck. Anyone know of one? That ride used to scare the he11 out of me as a little kid.

[Hilltopper39]

Looks like Busch Gardens has their calendar updated, June 11th opening. Ironically it looks like they're going to be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays instead of Tuesday Thursday like SeaWorld.

 

If Iron Gwazi opens with the park on the 11th I'll probably try to get down there shortly after.

 

Busch Gardens Tampa Theme Park Hours

[A.J.]

If Iron Gwazi opens with the park on the 11th I'll probably try to get down there shortly after.

Same, probably a week or two after the initial opening for me. We'll know how good the prospects are once random internet people start posting photos / video of Iron Gwazi testing again. Here's hoping!

[Hilltopper39]

If Iron Gwazi opens with the park on the 11th I'll probably try to get down there shortly after.

Same, probably a week or two after the initial opening for me. We'll know how good the prospects are once random internet people start posting photos / video of Iron Gwazi testing again. Here's hoping!

 

Yeah, my initial thought with going to parks after they re-open was to either wait a little while maybe a month or two, or go ASAP while the capacity is still being limited and people are, you would hope atleast, still being a little more cautions. I'll be keeping an eye on how things go the first couple days then figure it out from there.

 

I still hope they do something for passholders maybe, I wonder if that's maybe why both SeaWorld properties are staying closed a few days a week. Not days specifically for pass holders only, but I wonder if they're maybe planning on using those days to do something different operationally, private tours, private events, limited capacity special events or something.

[Mr Stratosphere]

With the announcement of Busch Gardens Tampa Reopening on Thursday, June 11, 2020. The park has announced today that advanced reservations will be required to visit the park.

 

To manage capacity, guests with tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes must make a reservation prior to visiting the park. Guests must bring their reservation eticket and their original ticket, Fun Card, or Annual Pass to the front gate for entry into the park.

 

Reservations will be accepted starting Monday, June 8, 2020 at 10:00AM EST.

 

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/reservation/

[pǝʇɹǝʌuı]

The park did say in their instagram comments that Iron Gwazi will not be opening with the park, but to keep your eye out for further updates.

 

While Iron Gwazi won’t be ready for our reopening on June 11, we have a ton of other great park attractions that will be sure to keep you busy. Be sure to check back for updates on Iron Gwazi’s opening date. Believe us, we’re as excited as you are!

 

This is the post I'm referring to.

[Mr Stratosphere]

Reservation requests started this morning, was super easy to complete. Just need to have your barcode numbers handy for your Passholder ID Number, Fun Card Number or Ticket Barcodes ready for validation though their system. Excited to get down to Orlando later this month.