BGTNation | Busch Gardens Tampa Nation

Onto New Adventures...

2012-02-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

As some have already heard, I recently got a position writing for Orlando Attractions Magazine. While I'd love to still update the BGTNation blog and write for OAM, it has been a little too much for me to take on along with school. From now on you can find my coverage of Busch Gardens Tampa on Orlando Attractions Magazine's website at http://attractionsmagazine.com/, by following me on Twitter @

Bands, Brew & BBQ 2012 Food & Beer Line-Up

2012-02-08T15:54:00.002-05:00

Remember, Bands, Brew and BBQ kicks off for 2012 this Sunday with Lynyrd Skynyrd. For four weekends of rockin' bands, smokin' BBQ and dozens of craft beers. Performances also include Bret Michaels, 38 Special and REO Speedwagon! Each Sunday, Gwazi Field opens at at 4 p.m. and the shows begin at 5 p.m. Check out the food & beer menus below: Food Menus: Kojak's House of Ribs Georgia Hot Smoked

First Giraffe Baby of 2012 Born on Busch Gardens' Serengeti Plain

2012-02-05T11:25:00.000-05:00

Busch Gardens Tampa is celebrating Valentines Day a few weeks early this year with a new baby female reticulated giraffe on Monday, January 27, 2011 born to Cupid, a female giraffe on the Serengeti Plain. This is Jafari’s second calf, and Cupid’s fifth. She stood tall at 6 foot, 2 inches and weighed in at approximately 176 pounds. This new addition brings the park’s reticulated giraffe

Iceploration Review at Busch Gardens Tampa

2012-02-01T13:33:00.007-05:00

While Iceploration doesn't open it's curtains to the public until tomorrow, February 2nd, we had a sneak peek this morning of the new show. The new ice skating show combines 2 dozen skaters, amazing costumes, life-sized puppets, live animals including huskies, acrobats, high tech video mapping and an original score. There is so much imagery and emotion in the show you are going to have to see

Viva La Musica 2012 Line-Up

2012-01-26T15:13:00.002-05:00

Viva La Musica is back for 2012! Feel the fiesta fire rising all around Busch Gardens with Viva la Musica! Hear top Latin performers play their Grammy-winning music or Enjoy festival atmosphere and spicy, flavorful Latin food. The event runs on April 15, 22, 29 & May 6. 2012 Line-Up: April 15th- Victor Manuelle April 22nd- Grupo Mania April 29th- Dyland & Lenny May 6th- Jerry Rivera

Emus Arrive in Walkabout Way

2012-01-23T15:15:00.026-05:00

The Emus have arrived in Walkabout Way! Emus belong to a group of flightless birds which are known as "ratites". As you might have already guessed by their looks, ostriches among other birds like kiwis are related to them and in the ratites family. They are fitting in perfectly in Walkabout Way. They are native to Australia and very curious animals so they love seeing guests each and every day.

Let's Dance Featuring Burn The Floor 2012 Review

2012-01-21T10:03:00.001-05:00

Let's Dance Featuring Burn the Floor opened its curtains for the 4th year in a row on January 18th and will be performing through April 15th. It is a high pace contemporary ballroom dance performance and will dazzle people of all ages. This year there are a ton of new dances and songs added. From the waltz to the tango and from Sway by Michael Buble and Proud Mary by Tina Turner you don't want

Adventure Island Opens For The 2012 Season On March 10th

2012-01-19T18:56:00.000-05:00

Adventure Island kicks off another season of fun in the sun on March 10th! It will continue daily operation through September 3rd and weekend operation through October 14th. Island Nights is also returning this Summer with dates to be announced this Spring. You can now get some great deals on tickets by buying them online now! The 2012 Weekday Pass is only 49.99 for adults and 45.99 for children

Iceploration Pass Member Event Dates Announced

2012-01-16T10:24:00.000-05:00

Busch Gardens will be offering Pass Members exclusive show times for Iceploration all next month! Every Friday and Saturday in February Pass Members can enter through the Nairobi Gate and see an exclusive show of the all new Iceploration. Show time is at 10am and runs every Friday and Saturday from February 3rd-25th. Pass Members can also enjoy 20% off Iceploration merchandise and photos with

Mystical Mirage In Desert Grill Review

2012-01-13T12:52:00.002-05:00

Between major shows like Christmas Celebration and Let's Dance Feat. Burn the Floor, Desert Grill has "filler" shows. This years might be the best one yet! Mystical Mirage is an up beat African themed show featuring percussionists, an acrobat, and the returning favorite, belly dancers. While the belly dancers were outside last Summer in the Cheetah Hunt realm, they are now in doors with multiple

Animal Care Center Preview With Pictures and Video

2012-01-12T17:01:00.001-05:00

While the Animal Care Center officially opens on the 23rd of January, we got a sneak peak of it today with a tour from Jack Hanna! For the first time ever everything that happened behind the scenes is now conducted in guest view. From nutrition to surgeries you can see everything first hand in this state of art facility. Jack Hanna lead our tour today and told us about how unique the Animal Care

2012 Preschool Pass For Busch Gardens Tampa & SeaWorld Orlando

2012-01-04T15:02:00.002-05:00

Children five and younger can now explore the wonders of Africa and the depths of the ocean for FREE with the new SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Preschool Pass. The Preschool Pass offers unlimited admission to both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa for all of 2012. Little ones can experience kid-size thrills, get up close to their favorite animals and see shows brought to life in ways that

What To Expect In 2012

2012-01-03T15:53:00.000-05:00

Each and every year Busch Gardens Tampa has tons of new offerings for guests, from attractions to special events you don't want to miss a second of all the action. In 2012 the tradition continues with the all new epic ice show Iceploration, the Animal Care Center's opening, and the return of special events like Bands, Brew and BBQ, Real Music Series, Howl-O-Scream and much more! Check out the

Desert Grill Opens A New Full-Service Bar

2012-01-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

Celebrate the new year with a drink at the brand new full service bar the "Desert Pub". The Desert Pub is located inside the Desert Grill in the Timbuktu Realm at Busch Gardens Tampa. Drinks offered vary from Margaritas to Beer. Check out pictures of the bar and all of it's offerings below and Happy New Year everyone! Keep checking back for all the latest news at Busch Gardens Tampa!

New Born Reticulated Giraffe To Join Herd In The Spring!

2011-12-29T11:30:00.001-05:00

The baby boom continues at Busch Gardens Tampa with the welcoming of a new baby female reticulated giraffe on Tuesday, December 27, 2011. At 5 foot, 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 127 pounds, the newborn is the calf of father, Jafari and mother, Tesa, who has previously given birth to four other calves at Busch Gardens. This new addition brings the park’s reticulated giraffe population

Best of 2011 at Busch Gardens Tampa

2011-12-28T15:15:00.003-05:00

Each and every year Busch Gardens Tampa has new and exciting offerings for their guests. From entertainment to thrilling new attractions there is so much to see year after year. This year brought Cheetah Hunt, Florida's 1st triple launch coaster, Cheetah Run, the adjacent cheetah habitat, and one of Howl-O-Scream's, the yearly Halloween event, biggest years ever! Vote below in our poll what was

Animal Care Center Building Revealed

2011-12-23T13:08:00.001-05:00

Early today the construction walls finally came down around the new Animal Care Center opening at Busch Gardens Tampa in late January. We were there to get some birds eye and ground views of the new building which looks fantastic. The building goes nicely with the new Serengeti Outpost, which opened earlier this year, next door. It has nice yellows and oranges with lots of cool artwork and

Let's Dance Feat. Burn The Floor & Rock A Doo Wop Return In January

2011-12-21T17:15:00.001-05:00

Busch Gardens Tampa is always changing up the entertainment offerings for guests to enjoy and in January they switch from their Christmas shows over to their regular year round shows. Starting Thursday, January 5th, Rock A Doo Wop. Rock A Doo Wop is musical production featuring the greatest hits of the 50's and 60's. It features favorite songs like "This Magic Moment" & "Sherry". It will be

Coca-Cola Becomes The Official Refreshment Beverage Of Busch Gardens Tampa!

2011-12-17T09:56:00.001-05:00

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced today a 10-year agreement with The Coca-Cola Company that will make Coca-Cola® the “Official Refreshment Beverage” of Busch Gardens Tampa and other SeaWorld Parks beginning January 1, 2012. “The Coca-Cola Company’s exceptional beverage brands, significant global reach and, most importantly, inspiring commitment to global citizenship will make for

Win a Prize Every Day During SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s “25 Days of Giveaways”

2011-12-04T21:22:00.000-05:00

Everyday in December through Christmas SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment are celebrating the season of giving by giving away 25 different prizes. Companies featured in the giveaway include Pepsi, Southwest Airlines, CBS, Jack Hanna and more! During the “25 Days of Giveaways,” a different prize will be awarded every day, culminating with a $25,000 giveaway on Christmas Day. Entrants can win

Guide To Beat The Holiday Crowds at Busch Gardens Tampa

2011-11-21T10:50:00.005-05:00

Holiday crowds can be a hassle in any theme park during the months of November and December. If your wanting a more relaxing trip to the park here are 5 tips that will definitely make your trip more enjoyable: 1. Use the new iPhone and Android App to plan out your day. It's free to download and gives you wait times, show times, and a guide to get you around the park! 2.Pre-Purchase your

Holidays at Busch Gardens 2011 Review

2011-11-20T19:02:00.002-05:00

This weekend was the start of Holidays at Busch Gardens 2011. This year the Holiday spirit is in full swing with 3 returning shows, tons of festive decorations and more! The decorations around the park this year were definitely amped up with more red and green around the park than ever. My favorite new addition was the cheetah themed Christmas Tree in the Cheetah Hunt realm. Be sure to click

Busch Gardens Tampa Gives Back To Pass Members With Discounted Tickets & More

2011-11-20T10:00:00.002-05:00

Busch Gardens Tampa is always having special previews and deals for Pass Members. The trend continues with discounted single day tickets through Christmas and more! Busch Gardens Pass Members receive $20 off Single Day Guest Admissions for friends and family. Take advantage of this special offer now through December 25, 2011. Must purchase and visit by December 25, 2011. Not valid for Fun

Jack Hanna Returns to Busch Gardens Tampa on January 13th, 2012

2011-11-16T15:03:00.000-05:00

Join “Jungle Jack” Hanna for a day of wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet and greets when he visits Busch Gardens on Jan. 13. For only day only, the internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales during animal shows in the Stanleyville Theater. Showtimes are at 11:30am and 1:30pm! He will also join families for a memorable Serengeti Night

Perez Hilton and Kat Graham Visit Busch Gardens Tampa

2011-11-14T15:34:00.001-05:00

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and his good friend, actress Kat Graham of The Vampire Diaries, spent an afternoon at Busch Gardens during a trip to Tampa over the weekend. From hand-feeding giraffes on the park’s 65-acre Serengeti Plain to riding the new triple-launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt, Hilton and Graham experienced all of the wild animals and wild rides that Busch Gardens is known for. After