Happy Holidays! It’s time to celebrate Thanksgiving at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. If you don’t have any dinner plans, then I have a few fun ways to enjoy your holiday at the park.
Among the coasters and animals is one of the best fall festival dining experiences right here in Florida.
So if you’re looking for a fun thing to do on Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2024, then keep reading!
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Visiting the Busch Gardens Tampa for Thanksgiving Day at a Glance:
- Thanksgiving Day takes place on Thursday, November 28, 2024
- Enjoy Busch Gardens Christmas Town on Your Visit
- Be sure to check out 40-foot pixelated tree in Cheetah Hunt Plaza
- Explore all of the magical Christmas decorations that are sure to lift your spirits this season.
- Get a photo with Santa Claus
- Step into the majestic light tunnel near the Bird Gardens area
- Capture the most incredible photo with a group of your beloved Universal Orlando Hipster Friends all decked out in their festive holiday attire!
- Upgrade your day with Busch Gardens Christmas VIP Tour
- Eat your way through the holiday treats (my favorite thing to do)!
Keep reading to get a full guide on how to conquer Thanksgiving Day at Busch Gardens like a pro!
Thanksgiving Day Taste Of The Holidays Buffet
Before the pandemic, Busch Gardens usually offered a hearty feast for you and your family to compliment your Thanksgiving Day adventure at the Serengeti Overlook Restaurant.
This feast would include a special prix fixe feast with delicious sliced turkey and fixings, plus soups, salads and dessert options.
As a result of the pandemic, instead of enjoying a Thanksgiving Day buffet dinner at Busch Gardens Tampa, you can enjoy the holiday treats in Christmas Town Village.
So, be sure to look out for zebras, giraffes, roller coasters and more while enjoying your holiday feast.
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Cost of the Thanksgiving Day Holiday Treats at Busch Gardens
Starting at $45 and redeemable at the numerous holiday cabins located throughout the entire park, samplers offer the best value for guests and will be available in quantities of 5 and 10.
There’s an exclusive 12-item Sampler for the same price as a 10-item is available for all Pass Members.
Pass Members can save on this dining adventure. You can read more about Busch Gardens Pass Member perks here!
Holiday Menu at Busch Gardens Tampa 2024
You can create your own holiday food touring experience for each person in your party with the new items below.
Now we’re at my favorite part of the Christmas Town adventure…the food! I do have a few of my favorite items being added to this year’s holiday festival below.
My Top Picks for the Best Food for Thanksgiving Day at Busch Gardens
Please note that the number indicates which booth the food is at on the map below:
- Jingle & Mingle: Mistletoe Smash (Gin, blood orange, pomegranate, mojito mix)
- Coca-Cola® Joy Café: Fireplace S’mores Float (Vanilla ice cream, Monin® Toasted marshmallow syrup, Coke® Coca-Cola)
- The Reindeer Rendezvous: Pumpkin Cheesecake (Creamy pumpkin cheesecake, cinnamon dusted whipped cream)
- Cookies & Carols: Baileys’ Floaters (Chocolate, espresso cream, vanilla cinnamon, salted caramel)
- Santas’s Shindig: Braised Short Rib, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese (Slow braised beef shortribs, red wine sauce, smoked gouda mac and cheese)
- Frosty Festivities: Mushroom Ravioli, Truffle Cream Sauce (Stuffed pasta with mushrooms, alfredo cream sauce infused with truffle)
- Yuletide Jubilee: Shrimp Fried Rice (Shrimp, rice, soy sauce, sesame oil, plum sauce, chili-garlic sauce, eggs, peas, carrots) AND Coconut – Pineapple Cake (Yellow cake, crushed pineapples, coconut shavings topping)
- The Holly Jolly Fest: Holiday Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing (Roasted turkey, country style cornbread stuffing, turkey gravy)
- Silent Night: Roasted Lamb Rack, Fall Root Vegetables (Roasted lamb rack, carrots, parsnips, red bell peppers, turnips and kale, mint demi glaze) AND Warm Bread Pudding (Brioche bread, rum & egg custard, Rum soaked raisins)
- Polar Pavilion: Mistletoe Margarita and Apple Pie Cider
- Snow Globe Spectacular: Holiday Sundae Bowl (Choice of toppings: crushed peppermint, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, cherries, holidays sprinkles, whipped cream in a waffle bowl)
- Christmas Cheer: Peppermint Cheesecake (Creamy cheesecake mix, crushed peppermint candy, whipped cream)
- Springs Taproom: Honey Bourbon – Apple Cider Cocktail (Bourbon, honey, fresh apple cider)
- Gingerbread Dreams: Cookie & Gingerbread Cookie Decorating/Holiday Cookies
- TOMA: Chicken Croquetas (Chicken croquettes are a classic Cuban appetizer, shredded chicken filling is coated in breadcrumbs then fried in vegetable oil until perfectly golden)
- Elves & Evergreen: Puerto Rican Rice (Rice, saffron, tomatoes, onions, olives, pimento peppers, sofrito sauce)
- Sugar Plum: Hot Cocoa
- Smokehouse Express: Smoked Chicken Platter (Smoked chicken, red bliss mashed potatoes, green beans, mushroom gravy)
- Winter Wonderland: Ginger Cranberry Sour (Bourbon, cranberry juice, triple sec, ginger syrup, margarita mix)
- Coca-Cola Mug: Holiday Cookies (Snickerdoodle cookie, chocolate chip cookie, sugar cookie, gingerbread man cookie, peppermint brownie, cinnamon swirl)
- Giraffe Bar: Holiday Turkey, Cornbread Stuffing (Roasted turkey breast, country style cornbread stuffing, turkey gravy)
- Sleigh Bells Soiree: Apple Cider Mimosa (Sparkling apple cider, tequila, apple pucker, paloma mix)
- Zagora Mobile/Patio Bar: Spicy Turkey Burger (Turkey burger patty, potato burger bun, sweet potato fries, cranberry sauce)
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What to Know Before You Go to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Now that you know what to expect for Thanksgiving Day at Busch Gardens, let’s go over a few things to make your trip the best!
What should I pack for Busch Gardens?
- Comfy Shoes
- Water
- Small Bag
- Breathable Clothing
- Sun Protection
- Small Umbrella
- Hand Sanitizer
- Phone
- Park Ticket
If you are wearing loose-fitting shoes, you should leave them at the loading platform. Any other loose articles can be placed inside any locker located throughout the park.
How to Get to Busch Gardens Tampa from Disney World
- Travel WEST on I-4 to I-75 (About 58 Miles)
- Merge onto I-75 NORTH via EXIT 9 toward Ocala (stay on I-75 for about 3.74 miles)
- Take EXIT 265 toward Temple Terrace (this exit is also the exit for the University of South Florida)
- You will merge onto E Fowler Ave/FL-582 W via EXIT 265 and stay on here for about 4.65 miles
- Turn left onto N McKinley Dr/County Hwy-585A (stay on here for about 1 mile)
- Make a U-turn onto N McKinley Dr/County Hwy-585A
- Arrive and park at Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens Tampa Address
The address for Busch Gardens is 10165 N McKinley Drive Tampa, FL 33612.
Busch Gardens Tampa Hours
Busch Gardens usually opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. However, during the peak of the holidays, the park may be open until 10 p.m.
Remember when planning your trip, always check the park’s website or mobile app for the current hours and wait times.
Is Busch Gardens Busy on Thanksgiving Day?
Holiday peaks, crowd sizes, weather, and a few other factors have a lot to do with your Busch Gardens experience, including how long you’ll be waiting in line for your favorite rides.
Because of this, expect a slightly higher crowd level as the day progresses on both Thanksgiving Day and the weekend following the holiday.
Thanksgiving Day at Busch Gardens Itinerary Just for You!
- Download and go over the park map.
- Plan to arrive prior to the gates opening.
- Ride Iron Gwazi
- Check out the famous Florida gators in Morocco.
- Join the Cheetah Hunt.
- Ride Cobra’s Curse.
- Experience Montu.
- Have Your Thanksgiving Day Feast.
- Enjoy a stroll on the Edge of Africa or in the Myombe Reserve to relax.
- Walk over to the middle area of the park.
- Ride Sheikra.
- Conquer Tigris!
- Ride Stanley Falls.
- Conquer the Congo River Rapids
- Ride Kumba.
- Dive into the Phoenix Rising Roller Coaster
- Conquer Falcon’s Fury.
- Visit Christmas Town Village.
- Watch all the Christmas Town Shows.
Get Your full Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Guide here!
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa
After your Thanksgiving Day Feast, be sure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas at Busch Gardens.
During the holiday season at Busch Garden’s you will be able to:
- Watch world-class ice skaters
- Listen to melodious tunes
- Visit your favorite Sesame Street characters
- Discover Christmas Town® Village
- Shop for the perfect gifts
- Taste special Christmas treats
- Ride a holiday train
- See Rudolph and friends, including Sam the Snowman, at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland
- Visit Santa’s House
- Watch the AMAZING fireworks show!
This event is everyday from November 15, 2025 – January 5, 2025 with holiday activities starting around the afternoon time.
Admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Christmas Town is included with park admission.
Anyone with a ticket to Busch Gardens, a valid Fun Card or Annual Pass can enjoy this festive holiday event.
Recommended: 12 Most Festive Things to Do in Tampa for Christmas
My Final Thoughts on Going to Busch Gardens for Thanksgiving
Overall, you’re going to have an incredible Thanksgiving holiday at Busch Gardens.
Just make sure that you plan our your day in advance and don’t forget to partake in the Christmas Town experience.
What are your Thanksgiving Day plans? Let me know in the comments section below.
If you enjoyed this article, then you’ll love these:
- Christmas Guide to the Florida Theme Parks
- How to Go to Busch Gardens Alone (11 Easy Solo Travel Tips)
- Thanksgiving Day at Universal Orlando Resort
- Where to Find THE BEST Busch Gardens Coupons and Deals!
- 17 Busch Gardens Must Do’s You Have to Experience
- Complete Busch Gardens Guide
- SeaWorld Complete Guide
- How to Do SeaWorld Orlando Solo
- Ways to Use Groupon for Your Busch Gardens Ticket
Happy Thanksgiving Hipsters!
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.
Connect with me on Instagram!
(Original Article Date: November 6, 2016/Updated November 14, 2024)