Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[ZeroG001]

29 minutes ago, YoshiFan said:

Last year Sunday was a lot less crowded than Monday but that was probably because the Buccaneers played a playoff game that day. This year they are playing Monday night so it probably won’t make Monday less crowded at least not until later in the day.

If you can get there at opening Monday, I’d probably go then. If you stay ahead of the crowd you should be able to get to Iron Gwazi and then Montu before it gets too crowded. Montu has been running 1 train a lot and the line can get bad by late morning on weekends/holidays. 

Yeah I'll be able to get there at opening on Monday. I just saw too that they are including a free meal at the park with admission, so I could take a spin on the coasters and then enjoy some lunch before heading out.  Thank you for the input!

[YoshiFan]

Sheikra has reopened

[DJ_Sillybootz]

Has anyone purchased the two park ticket before? I was wondering if I both that, if both tickets could be used the same day? Basically looking to get me and a friend in a little cheaper. Do they do twilight hours or anything?

[AmyUD06]

8 minutes ago, DJ_Sillybootz said:

Has anyone purchased the two park ticket before? I was wondering if I both that, if both tickets could be used the same day? Basically looking to get me and a friend in a little cheaper. Do they do twilight hours or anything?

I presume you mean a BGT/SWO two-park ticket.  If that's the case, yes I bought one back in 2021 through TicketsatWork.com.  I don't recall if there was a restriction on using them the same day, but I do know that there was only one printout/barcode that I used.  Sorry if this doesn't help.

[DJ_Sillybootz]

8 hours ago, AmyUD06 said:

I presume you mean a BGT/SWO two-park ticket.  If that's the case, yes I bought one back in 2021 through TicketsatWork.com.  I don't recall if there was a restriction on using them the same day, but I do know that there was only one printout/barcode that I used.  Sorry if this doesn't help.

That's important, thanks!

[grsupercity]

11 hours ago, DJ_Sillybootz said:

Has anyone purchased the two park ticket before? I was wondering if I both that, if both tickets could be used the same day? Basically looking to get me and a friend in a little cheaper. Do they do twilight hours or anything?

A few years back we bought a sea world orlando ticket combo with a Busch Gardens Tampa ticket. Included parking and meals at both parks. It was pretty slick 

[YoshiFan]

Serengeti Flyer's entrance sign is up (picture taken from the train). Cobra's Curse has also been closed the past 2 days, hopefully it's not going to be an extended closure like some past times over the last 2 years.

[rydrmr9]

Heading to the park Friday February 10th, what should I expect crowd wise? 

[tndank]

Fairly dead.

 

[YoshiFan]

If all coasters are open, nothing should be that much of a wait. Iron Gwazi, Cobra’s Curse, Montu and Cheetah Hunt might have some lines early in the day but nothing too bad. 
 

By afternoon it should be walk ons or close to it, if Cobra’s Curse is still closed, Cheetah Hunt and Montu will have longer lines more of the day.

 

Also Falcon's Fury is supposed to open again this spring. I hope it actually does open then and it won't be like the Skyride that had signs up for opening in summer 2022 and never did open.

https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/theme-parks/2023/01/25/busch-gardens-says-drop-ride-falcons-fury-will-reopen-this-spring/

[Skysthelimit]

I took today off to go tandem skydiving for the first time. With the jump spot roughly half way between Tampa and Orlando, I thought I’d make the Trek to Tampa. It was a really amazing experience and no where near as nauseating as the Stratosphere Sky Jump (I found the Vegas strip lights to make the sensation of height a bit much) and the whole thing was very serene yet thrilling. Highly recommend! 
 

Ever since I moved to Orlando, one of my favorite things to do is visit this park on a weekday during January or March.  Today was no exception and the added bonus was that the ride availability was probably the best I‘ve seen in 5 years. 4 rides on Montu, IG, and   Kumba, and a single ride on Cheetah Hunt, Sheikra and Tigris. Just a few notes :

- Ops were good with 2 train operation on Sheikra, Iron Gwazi and Cheetah Hunt. Everything but the front rows were a walk on. 
- Montu and Sheikra were running like a dream. I really do prefer the latter to Dr. D, as much as it pains me. It’s so much smoother and the “loop and swoop” (as I can the  Immelmann and sweeping turn before the block brake) is still my favorite moment on any dive coaster. Montu was nearly trimless and running like a bat out of hell despite half full trains. 
- I’m a huge Kumba advocate but it was pretty gnarly going into the first corkscrew in the back. I had a Zen ride in the front which was ironically smooth. 
- I rode in the front seat of Tigris with a nice younger guy. I think we were the only ones on the ride and we started chatting about parks afterwards when we noticed we both had coaster apparel. We both agreed that SV has the edge to IG, which I know is an unpopular opinion. I just love the sheer setting and length, but Iron Gwazi is fierce (to quote the safety spiel) and so much more accessible, so I’ll take it. 
 

Best day I’ve had lately!

 

[DJeXeL]

On 1/26/2023 at 8:48 AM, YoshiFan said:

Also Falcon's Fury is supposed to open again this spring. I hope it actually does open then and it won't be like the Skyride that had signs up for opening in summer 2022 and never did open.

https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/entertainment/theme-parks/2023/01/25/busch-gardens-says-drop-ride-falcons-fury-will-reopen-this-spring/

Sorry if I missed it but why has Sky Ride been down so long?

[YoshiFan]

I remember someone saying it might have been a staffing issue and then it could have had to shut down again for Serengeti Flyer construction. 

[coasterbill]

On 2/4/2023 at 8:54 PM, DJeXeL said:

Sorry if I missed it but why has Sky Ride been down so long?

Because it costs more than $6 to operate and they're Busch Gardens Tampa.

[YoshiFan]

Dates have been announced for Serengeti Flyer’s Passport to Thrills and Annual Pass preview dates

“Passport to Thrills
February 24, 10am - 2pm 

Platinum
February 24, 2pm - 8pm 
Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze
February 25, 10am - 6pm”

It looks like opening to the public might be at the end of February based on how past previews were with the ride opening a day or two after previews ended.

[jedimaster1227]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that Serengeti Flyer will be opening on February 27th, 2023!

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/rides/serengeti-flyer/ 

Have you heard about the record-breaking Serengeti Flyer coming to Busch Gardens February 27, 2023? With each swing, riders will soar higher and higher above Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s expansive 65-acre Serengeti Plain while experiencing multiple negative-G moments before plunging back toward the Earth. If you have an Annual Pass and have been collecting your Passport to Thrills tickets, your exclusive time to ride is almost here! Guests who have visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay one time each in December and January AND collected those tickets, have until February 23, 2023 to collect their February ticket. Come back on February 24, 2023 from 10am – 2pm and present your December, January, and February tickets for entry into the exclusive Passport to Thrills event. The event includes the FIRST opportunity for Pass Members to ride Serengeti Flyer, free popcorn, soda, button, and more. February tickets will not be distributed on February 24, 2023.

[SharkTums]

This will be a great fit for the park...now get Falcon's Fury open again please!

[coastersandhockey]

Hi all, making my first trip to the park this coming Saturday. I know it is a holiday weekend so I am expecting it to be busy, so we bought Quick Queue to account for that. So with that in mind is there any tips you can provide about the park, how to attack it, hidden gems aside from the rides, and if I'll have to wait hours in line to get some food? I also see Scorpion is suddenly listed as temporarily closed. That seemed rather sudden as it doesn't have a scheduled closure until March. Any locals know whats going on there?

Thanks in advance!

[SharkTums]

^I assume you have the Quick Queue with only one Iron Gwazi?  In that case, make sure to run right there and get a ride without using QQ and use the QQ later in the day, and then get in line for it right before park close so at least you can get a few rides with minimal waiting. Montu has only been running one train so even with Quick Queue be prepared to wait.  Scorpion was down a lot last weekend but we did get on it...I wonder if it was having issues and they just pulled it early.  Food at the park isn't as good as it used to be so don't waste time waiting in line at any of the real places...do the Mardi Gras food booths or the Pretzels (my fav if you can get a fresh one!) near Scorpion. If you need 'real' food, try one of the places that does mobile ordering so there's less waiting. 

 

Good luck! Saturday of a Holiday weekend!! Eeek!

[coastersandhockey]

2 hours ago, SharkTums said:

^I assume you have the Quick Queue with only one Iron Gwazi?  In that case, make sure to run right there and get a ride without using QQ and use the QQ later in the day, and then get in line for it right before park close so at least you can get a few rides with minimal waiting. Montu has only been running one train so even with Quick Queue be prepared to wait.  Scorpion was down a lot last weekend but we did get on it...I wonder if it was having issues and they just pulled it early.  Food at the park isn't as good as it used to be so don't waste time waiting in line at any of the real places...do the Mardi Gras food booths or the Pretzels (my fav if you can get a fresh one!) near Scorpion. If you need 'real' food, try one of the places that does mobile ordering so there's less waiting. 

 

Good luck! Saturday of a Holiday weekend!! Eeek!

Thank you for the pointers!

Your assumption is correct on the QQ, and that was pretty much our plan. Glad to hear a local back up that plan. 

Sad to hear about Scorpion. Oh well, gives me a reason to come back. 

Question on the dining. We have the all day dining pass, can we use that in conjunction with the mobile ordering? Also, does the park have any sort of souviner drink cup with all day free refills? I don't see anything on the website but it feels strange that a regional park wouldn't have that. Bonus points if they have it and its also good at Seaworld Orlando

 

And yes, I'm terrified of the crowds I will encounter all weekend here and at Universal. But, it's my first opportunity to ever go to Florida so I had to take it LOL

[YoshiFan]

Small update from today. Crowds were minimal as usual for this time of year. Only Cheetah Hunt was more than 15 minutes.

Work being done on Falcon's Fury. That's a good sign and I hope it opens soon.

 

I went to see what was going on at Scorpion. Some signs up at the entrance.

Scorpion's 2nd train on the transfer track, I don't think I have seen that on any visit to the park in the last year and a half since I moved to FL.

[bert425]

BGT has increased height restriction on Scorpion to 48" . . with a caveat.

Guests between 48” and 54” must be accompanied by a supervising companion 14 years of age or older who is at least 54” tall.

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/roller-coasters/scorpion/

 

still not back open yet, but hopefully soon.

 

[SharkTums]

^oof.  That's a big increase.

[coasterbill]

I'm fine with this as long as they don't screw with the ride, but I'm also a childless adult who selfishly doesn't care. I feel bad for the kids impacted by this.

[SharkTums]

^I don't know Bill, your wife is kind of short!