Are you trying to figure out if one day is enough from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? Today I’m going go over the perfect Busch Gardens itinerary.
On your visit, you notice that Busch Gardens is divided up into different sections, themed around the African locations such as: Egypt, Congo, Jungala, Morocco, Nairobi, and Pantopia.
There’s also the Cheetah Hunt area, Sesame Street: Safari of Fun, and Stanleyville (a classic location in Busch gardens).
Let’s dive right in!
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Your Busch Gardens Itinerary: How to Plan the Perfect Day
Now that you know some of the basics for your trip, let’s go through how to do Busch Gardens in a day.
1. Download and go over the park map
You’ll first want to purchase your Busch Gardens tickets, download the park guide, and map out your day prior to coming to the park.
2. Plan to arrive prior to the gates opening
Try to arrive thirty-five minutes prior to the gates opening. This will give you enough time to park and catch the tram to the front gates.
3. Ride Iron Gwazi
This is North America’s TALLEST AND WORLD’S FASTEST & STEEPEST HYBRID COASTER! Iron Gwazi is also a Busch Gardens must-do for your trip!
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4. Check out the famous Florida gators in Morocco
I love watching the gators when I first get to Busch Gardens. It’s kind of like a theme park tradition for me whenever I visit the park.
5. Join the Cheetah Hunt
Located in the Cheetah Hunt Area, this triple launch coaster will have you flying with cheetah like speed. It’s also the park’s longest ride (4400 feet).
It’s one of my favorite roller coasters in Florida and one that you cannot miss!
6. Ride Cobra’s Curse
Be sure to board this Egyptian-inspired spin coaster. It features a vertical lift that takes you through the dark legend of the King Snake.
Some of the parts of this Busch Gardens roller coaster is exploring the queue and getting deep into the folklore of the reptilian king!
Get started on Your Tampa Bay Travel Plans here!
7. Experience Montu Roller Coaster
Montu is the Egyptian god named high speed roller coaster that has seven inversions and is one of my absolute must-do rides at Busch Gardens.
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
8. Enjoy a stroll on the Edge of Africa or in the Myombe Reserve to relax
I love relaxing in this area of Busch Gardens.
There are so many little nooks and crannies to sit and enjoy a nice book with a cold beverage while taking in all the wonderful views of the Florida theme park.
9. Take the SkyRide over to the middle area of the park
The SkyRide is located in both the Cheetah Hunt Area and Stanleyville of Busch Gardens.
This is your chance to get a bird’s eye view of Busch Gardens in the classic cable car.
10. Ride SheiKra
Now it’s time for you to dive deep on the mother of ALL dive coasters, SheiKra! Just know that the thrill levels are high for this Busch Gardens roller coaster.
At 200-feet tall with two heart-stopping 90-degree drops, this giant roars along the rails at a nerve-racking 70 miles per hour (mph).
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11. Conquer Tigris!
When it opened, Tigris was dubbed as Florida’s tallest launch roller coaster with a height of 150-feet and a speed maxing out around 60 miles per hours.
It may not look intimidating, but this ride built on pure thrills!
12. Have Lunch at Zambia Smokehouse
Before you even get off of Tigris or SheiKra, you will smell the heavenly scent of southern barbecue coming from Zambia Smokehouse.
While you’re there, you must get the Beef Brisket AND the chocolate cake!
13. Ride Stanley Falls
This is a classic water flume ride and one that always brings me so many memories from when I was a child!
14. Conquer the Congo River Rapids
This classic Busch Gardens water ride is still popular today. It’s also a great way to cool down and beat the Florida summer heat.
15. Ride Kumba
Kumba is a classic and the BEST ride at Busch Gardens! Yes, I did just say that!!!
This Florida roller coaster will push you through a 135-foot drop through one of the world’s largest vertical loops with 3 seconds of absolute weightlessness.
Kumba is my absolute FAVORITE ride at Busch Gardens and it can still compete with many of the top roller coasters today.
So, be sure to add Kumba to your Busch Gardens itinerary.
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
16. Dive into the Scorpion Roller Coaster
Scorpion at Busch Gardens Tampa is one of the few remaining attractions in the park.
I remember as a kid, I would be fascinated by how much people screamed on roller coasters.
So, I would stand beside the ride, looking at the riders and then deem the ride worthy or unworthy based on how much people were screaming.
Scorpion will take you to the highest heights of exhilaration, drop you into the depths of stomach-lurching fear and finish with a high-speed 360-degree pirouette.
17. Experience the NEW Phoenix Rising Roller Coaster
This will be a crazy, wild ride that feels more like an obstacle course, than a roller coaster.
It’s perfect for coaster newbies who aren’t into the intense thrills of the other rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
18. Conquer Falcon’s Fury
Pivot 90 degrees in midair to a face-down dive in the tallest (335 feet) freestanding drop tower in America.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, then you’ll love this ride!
Get started on Your Tampa Bay Travel Plans here!
19. Grab a delicious pretzel and beer at Twisted Tails Pretzels
This is your time to have a delicious pretzel and beer at Twisted Tails Pretzels inside the colorful Pantopia area of the park.
You can relax with your treat and reflect on just how awesome your day has been!
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20. Ride the Serengeti Flyer
This is one of the MOST INTENSE rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! It looks so unassuming as you approach it but don’t let its simple design fool you.
The Serengeti Flyer is the world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind.
You will experience multiple negative-G moments on the twin dueling arms while reaching speeds of 68 mph and a maximum height of 135 feet at the ride’s peak!
So, be prepared for another level of thrills on this Florida attraction.
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21. Catch up on any park shows that you want to watch
Now you can go back and redo some of your favorite Busch Gardens Tampa rides or watch a show while at the park.
You can also use this time hop on the train and have a relaxing ride around the park.
Read: 17 Busch Gardens Must Do’s You Have to Experience
How to Get to Busch Gardens from Disney World
If you are coming from Disney and you’re trying to get over to Busch Gardens, you’ll be happy to know that it’s a straight shot. You will need to take Interstate 4 to Tampa.
Once you hit the Interstate 75 and Interstate 4 intersection, you’re going to take that going north for about two or three exits down.
You will see a sign that will say, “Busch Gardens.” Once you see that exit sign, you will get off at that location. You will then be about 10-minutes from the park.
Overall, it’s about an hour in a little bit of change from Disney, but it’s not too far.
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Arriving at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Once you get into the park, you’ll notice one of the top roller coasters close to the street called Montu.
A fan-favorite roller coaster that has a powerful roaring sound that’s quite intimidating.
You’ll then take the tram over to the main gates of Busch Gardens.
Is One Day Enough for Busch Gardens Tampa?
As you can, it is possible to do Busch Gardens Tampa in one day if you follow this itinerary.
I hope you have a fun day at one of my favorite theme parks in the world. AIso, I look forward to hearing about your experience.
Listen to Podcast Episode 63 Below for Your Busch Gardens Itinerary
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Have you ever been to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay? If so, what’s your favorite ride?
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
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(Original Article Date: July 5, 2020/Updated on February 15, 2024)