Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has managed to provide an excellent experience that puts health and safety at the forefront when it comes to concerns over COVID-19. They’ve even managed to have some fun with the inconvenience of needing to wear face masks right now, by placing one on their lion sculpture at the main entrance.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an amusement park located on the north side of the City of Tampa. It is known for its thrill rides and animal advocacy. It’s kind of like a zoo with rollercoasters. After hopping off your favorite ride, you can wander around the park observing and learning about giraffes, cheetahs, lions, tigers, elephants, penguins, and many other species.
My six-year-old was excited that he was finally tall enough to ride Cheetah Hunt for the first-time. He provided entertainment for all of our fellow passengers when the ride launched and he started screaming, “God, help me!!” – but that quickly melted into enthusiastic cries of, “This is the best ride ever!” It was hard to catch my breath on the ride from laughing so hard.
The final verdict: He loved it! If your child is not a roller-coaster enthusiast, though, there are plenty of rides that appeal to all ages.
Let’s address the first question that is probably on the mind of parents considering a visit with their family: Is it safe to visit Busch Gardens right now with COVID-19 being a concern?
COVID-19 Precautions: Busch Gardens is taking COVID-19 seriously! We were really impressed with the precautions that have been put in place. The park is limiting admission to those who have made a reservation for the specific attendance date. Newly purchased Busch Gardens tickets are now date-specific. Passholders and existing ticket holders will only be permitted admission by reservation. Hours vary by day, and the park is no longer open every day of the week. You can check the schedule HERE.
Your temperature will be taken before proceeding to the entrance and face masks are required once inside the park. If you don’t have a face mask, the park has them available for purchase. Designated “Mask Relaxation Zone” areas are marked for visitors to remove their masks to cool down and get some fresh air. Social distancing is also encouraged. Ride lines are clearly marked with six-foot markers. Hand sanitizer and hand washing stations are placed at regular intervals throughout the park, with additional locations placed when entering and leaving a ride. Additional information may be found on their Health and Safety page and their Health and Safety FAQ page.
We found most of the park’s COVID precautions made the visit even more enjoyable than the typical amusement park experience. Waiting in line with six feet between our party and the next was a welcome departure from the normal expectation of fellow visitors being crowded against each other in the heat. Everyone seemed to be respectful of each other and the enhanced rules.
We’ve decided to err on the side of caution regarding public spaces and COVID concerns, but Busch Gardens has done an excellent job of providing as safe an environment as possible.
One drawback is that their playground areas and carnival games are closed. There are additionally none of the typical amusement park things available like face painting. In addition, indoor shows have been temporarily canceled. If you plan on attending, just be aware that you’re going to be limited to riding rides, looking at animals, eating, or shopping for souvenirs.
If you are able to take a day off and go during the week, we highly recommend it! Our most recent visit was on a Tuesday, and the longest line we waited in was around 45 minutes. Most of the lines were 20 minutes or less. However, with the reservation requirement, weekends aren’t overly crowded either.
Overall, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a fun and safe escape for those parents and children who are going stir-crazy from months of sheltering in place and social distancing.
Visit https://buschgardens.com/tampa/ to schedule your visit!
Tampa Bay Explorer 