Busch Gardens has welcomed its newest resident: an adorable aardvark born Tuesday, Feb. 6. The healthy baby is expected to grow to more than 120 lbs. within its first year of life.
Aardvarks are solitary by nature, and aardvark births are not common. The animal care team is very proud to announce this birth as the third baby born to parents “Izzy” and “Friz.” The baby’s sister “Adazee” was born on March 26 last year and its older brother “Zawadi” will be two years old on April 10.
The baby, whose sex is unknown at this time, is receiving primary care from its mother and additional care from members of the Busch Gardens animal care team.
Stay tuned to Busch Gardens’ Facebook and Blog to learn more about the more than 12,000 animals that call Busch Gardens Tampa home.
— New Live Show Debuts at Busch Gardens Tampa® and SeaWorld San Diego in 2013 —
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment today announced it will premiere Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation, an original live musical show featuring the characters from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) beloved Madagascar franchise, at two of the company’s parks this summer.
Celebrating the box office success of Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted, which has grossed more than $740 million at the worldwide box office, Alex the Lion and friends will party while on vacation with guests at Busch Gardens Tampa® and SeaWorld® throughout 2013.
The 20-minute musical show follows the antics of Alex the Lion, Gloria the Hippo, King Julien, Mort and the Penguins during a vacation adventure. The show will feature rock/pop music performed by a live band and include both classic and original songs. The characters also will conduct meet and greets with park guests. Additionally, special co-branded merchandise exclusive to the parks, will be available.
These two locations will be the only theme parks in the U.S. where fans can see the characters of Madagascar live. The new show “Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation” premieres in the following locations:
The company also has the opportunity to expand the show to other parks in the SeaWorld family in the future.
“Audiences around the world have embraced the characters of Madagascar, and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks are the ideal places for families to enjoy this immersive live entertainment experience,” said DreamWorks Animation’s Head of Worldwide Licensing & Consumer Products, Kerry Phelan. “The entire creative team behind this uniquely original version of “Madagascar Live!” has done an impressive job of translating the beloved world from screen to stage, bringing it to life for young park guests and family audiences alike.”
“Our parks both entertain and inspire guests to care about animals,” said Scott Helmstedter, Chief Creative Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Likewise, the Madagascar movies also inspire animal lovers, but in a different way with their inimitable charm and humor. We welcome these characters to our family with open arms and look forward to working with DreamWorks Animation on this incredibly funny and engaging new show.”
Madagascar is one of the most successful CG animated movie franchises of all time, grossing more than $1.8 billion at the worldwide box office. In 2012 “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” grossed over $740 million at the global box office, becoming the highest grossing film of the series.
If you are looking for a new way to experience the holidays in a theme park, look no further than Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! This new nighttime event takes places on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from November 30 – December 23 from 6 – 11pm. We were fortunate enough to get to take part in this great new offering from Busch Gardens on opening night, and I cannot wait to go back again.
There are so many great things to do and see during this after hours party that requires a separate ticket for admission. Annual Passholder and advance discounted tickets are available so get your tickets ahead of time to be able to maximize your savings. Throughout the park beautiful decorations of gorgeous flora and spectacular lights are showcased with Christmas music floating around along with unique holiday food and beverage offerings.
We started off by exploring the schedule of shows to try to catch as many of the things with set times that we could. First up was the ice skating show Angels of Peace in the Moroccan Palace Theater. This was a beautiful presentation of nationally ranked ice skaters to some of your favorite Christmas carols. Next up we went to see the Hallelujah Chorus, which this evening was a local high school madrigal group performing classic Christmas songs.
After we explored Morocco and the gorgeous lights around the entrance to Christmas Town, we decided to head to Cheetah Hunt to catch a couple of back to back rides since it was a walk on. This was the case with practically no wait on Gwazi and Sheikra later too. While we rode, our friends watched the Carol of the Bells show projected on the Crown Colony House. This dancing lights show was amazing, especially catching it from Cheetah Hunt.
One of our favorite activities of the evening was the Christmas Town Sing-Along Train. We had so much fun singing Christmas carols with other guests while riding around the park on the Serengeti Express Train. We even got to see a few animals while riding around the Serengeti Plain! I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys Christmas carols or even just having fun as a group.
If you have little ones in your family I’m sure they (and you) will enjoy the dancing of the elves at Club Elf by Sheikra. You can even get your picture taken with the elves at the end of their set. This is a great interactive dance party for the young ones or those just young at heart. Also in this area you can find some unique holiday treats to Christmas Town. The Candy Cane Sprite Delight was one of our favorites.
Great light displays are dispersed around the park featuring some of the animals found at Busch Gardens like cheetahs, zebras, elephants and flamingos. These were some of the most beautiful areas of the park lit up at night. Next up we explored Christmas Town Village with great crafts, food and drinks to choose from. My snack of choice was delicious in the warm ham and swiss cheese sandwich on pretzel bread and honey mustard.
Gwazi Park plays host to the Contemporary Christian band Jars of Clay each night of Christmas Town. We were treated to a great show of Christmas carols as well as their hit song Flood. Definitely make this a don’t miss part of your evening! Next to the park you will find Snow World, a play area where kids can slide down a small snowy hill on inner tubes and kids big and small can throw snowballs at targets.
We ended the evening watching a performance of We Three Kings who sang and told the story of the nativity. On our way out of the park we caught the Enchanted Flamingo Valley, which was lit up with brilliant pink lights on the trees. All in all it was a fabulous evening filled with food, fun and Christmas spirit at Busch Garden’s Christmas Town. I am looking forward to going back again soon to catch several things I didn’t get to experience like Sesame Street: A Very Furry Christmas, Santa’s House and checking out some of the other amazing sounding dining options special to the Christmas Town celebration.
If you get a chance, hook up your sleigh and head on over to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to take advantage of the great special event that is Christmas Town! There are tons of fun things to do, great shows, live entertainment, animals, and of course some of your favorite rides. What better way to spend time getting in the holiday spirit than by visiting Christmas Town with family and friends.
Have you been to Christmas Town? What did you think? What are you most looking forward to seeing?
Read more about tickets for this special event here.
Busch Gardens sign
Christmas palm trees
Lights at the entrance
Carolers in Morocco
Zagora Cafe lights
Christmas tree with Cheetah Hunt
Moroccan Palace Theater
Angels of Peace Ice Show
Aerial acrobats
Little girl ice skater
Ice skating finale
Hallelujah Chorus
Cheetahs
Crown Colony House
Cheetah Hunt
Candy Cane Lane to Train Station
Pathway to Train Station
Penguin Point
Train Station
Christmas Town Sing-Along Train
Cheetah Hunt by moonlight
Resting giraffes
Giraffe in negative
Angels
Nativity scene
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Christmas Town snacks
Candy Cane Sprite Delight
Club Elf
Elephants
Entrance to Santa’s House
Tree outside Santa’s House
Merry Christmas blocks
Warm ham and swiss on pretzel bread with honey mustard
CHRISTMAS TOWN BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Santa is ready to celebrate the Season with Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, starting November 30th!
Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay launched the web site for the park’s biggest Christmas celebration ever. Tickets are now available online for Christmas Town, an event that will transform the park into a nighttime holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, filling guests’ senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and creating a beautiful new tradition for Tampa’s families. The event takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, Nov. 30 through Dec. 23.
On the Christmas Town web site, guests can also find information about the event’s all-new attractions, special entertainment, live music, festive treats and holiday shopping and display of thousands of twinkling lights.
Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ticket information:
Children’s tickets purchased in advance online are $9.99 (ages 3 to 9)
General admission for Christmas Town is $39.99 plus tax
Busch Gardens will share a special promo code for tickets at $29.99 on the park’s Facebook page
Busch Gardens annual pass members will receive the best discounts, and special offers are available for guests wishing to upgrade their paid daily admission to Busch Gardens and through promotional codes from select retail partners
Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed night event, and regular daytime admission is not required or included
Christmas Town will also offer some magnificent new opportunities for groups looking to book a unique holiday party. For details, call the Busch Gardens Events Team at (813) 987-5523.
The Adventure Park Announces Seventh Calf Since 2004
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Welcomes Seventh Baby White Rhinoceros
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed a baby white rhinoceros on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. The female rhino was born 26-acre white rhino habitat on Busch Gardens’ Serengeti Plain.
The baby is the second calf born to mother Kisiri and the seventh calf born to father Tambo. Busch Gardens has celebrated a total of seventh white rhino births since October 2004. The new baby weighed an estimated 140 pounds at the time of the birth. The newborn – who has yet to be named – will gain approximately four pounds each day until it reaches an adult weight of approximately 3,500 to 4,000 pounds.
Busch Gardens participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) to ensure genetic diversification among threatened and endangered animals in zoological facilities. The birth brings the total white and black rhino population at the adventure park to eight.
Kisiri, Tambo and another female white rhino were airlifted from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2001 through the efforts of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of rhinos. Fewer than 15,000 white rhinos remain in the wild, and approximately 200 live in zoological facilities across North America.
Since its inception in 2003, The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has granted $7 million USD to more than 500 projects in the U.S. and around the world, including $194,000 USD grants to rhino conservation projects. The Fund was created by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives.
Team USA Olympians Visit Animal Athletes At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
McKayla Maroney Was “Impressed” At Busch Gardens
McKayla Maroney and Jonathan Horton at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Members of Team USA visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Wednesday, October 24. Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney and two-time Olympian Jonathan Horton met several of Busch Gardens’ animal “athletes.” First, Zeny the red-ruffed lemur and Tufts the African ground hornbill impressed the gymnasts with their balance skills before the duo was introduced to a group of the fastest land mammals. Maroney and Horton encountered a coalition of cheetahs at the new Cheetah Run exhibit near Cheetah Hunt, Florida’s first triple-launch roller coaster.
McKayla and Tufts the African ground hornbill
The two Olympians will join other award-winning gymnasts this Sunday, October 28, in Tampa for the Sunday’s Kellogg’s® Tour of Gymnastics event at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, a national tour featuring Team USA’s top-performing gymnasts.
McKayla and Jonathan with Zeny the red-ruffed lemur
McKayla Maroney won the 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medal, and Jonathan Horton was a 2012 Olympian who earned the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal on the horizontal bar, and was recognized with the 2008 Olympic Bronze Team Medal.
Vacationers with Food Allergies Now Have New and Personalized Dining Options at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place Parks
SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place Parks now catering to guests with Food Allergies!
As many as 15 million Americans suffer from a food allergy. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has introduced this fall a new line of allergy-friendly dining initiatives for guests at its 10 parks including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place. These initiatives range from personalized service to new menu options.
“We serve millions of guests each year and are committed to provide each a great experience. For families with allergen concerns, we understand how challenging it can be to safely dine out, especially while on vacation,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Our new initiatives ‘serve up’ a family experience that everyone can enjoy.”
The company partnered with the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN™) to educate and train more than 6,000 culinary employees to assist guests with allergen needs. With more than 22,000 members worldwide, FAAN is a trusted source of information, programs, and resources related to food allergy and anaphylaxis.
The new initiatives include:
Increased personal attention to ensure the safety of each meal. Park restaurant managers and supervisors will work one-on-one with guests and oversee the preparation of each allergen-friendly meal from start to finish. “Chef Cards,” filled out in advance by guests to outline the foods to avoid, are handed to a chef before the preparation of the meal.
All park restaurants are equipped and trained to take care of guests with allergen needs.
More menu options, ranging from gluten-free pizza to an allergen-friendly Shamu-shaped chocolate bar, enhance the experience for dining guests. For those on the go, the parks also provide prepackaged snacks such as cookies from companies that specialize in allergen-friendly foods including Divvies and Gluten Free to Go.
To help guests plan, detailed information on allergen-friendly services and helpful safety tips can be found online at each park’s web site. Guests can also download the Chef Cards and fill it out prior to their visit. At the parks, in-park educational handouts are available.
“We commend SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment for implementing a comprehensive food allergy training program, which we were pleased to help carry out,” said John Lehr, FAAN’s Chief Executive Officer. “Families often exhaustively research vacation options that will keep their loved ones with food allergies safe. SeaWorld has taken extra steps to educate its employees about the risks that families managing food allergies face on a daily basis.”
Betsy took us along as she cooled off playing the Summer Course at the Winterland Summerland Miniature Golf Course.
Join us as we play the Summer Course at Winter Summerland!
This Week LEGOLAND Florida announced that they wouldn’t be raising ticket prices!
LEGOLAND Florida Prices Stay The Same
In Videos this week, we got see something we thought we would never do…We got to see Vanilla Ice Perform at the Gaylord Palms Christmas in July Event! We’ll be bringing you more details about what Gaylord Palms has in store for the Holidays next week, but here is someIce, Ice Baby goodness to hold you over…
The Gaylord Palms will be having a Merry Madagascar Ice starting in November!
We found some great new Merchandise this week at Walt Disney World!!! First we took at look at the new Limited Edition Ear Hat Ornaments that are sure to get you in the Holiday Spirit!
WALL-E Resin Ear Hat Ornament – Front
Then we found some Halloween Trading Pins and the Halloween Lanyard out at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
2012 Halloween Pin – Duffy
In More Halloween News, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been hard at work getting ready for Howl-O-Scream by growing some crazy pumpkins.
A member of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Horticulture Team showing off one of their many pumpkins!
For Wordless Wednesday, we take a look at the Mickey made of Mickeys at D Street at Walt Disney World Downtown Disney West Side.
Vinylmation Mickey at D Street at Downtown Disney West Side
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When It Comes to Creating “The Dark Side Of The Gardens” for Halloween,
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Horticulture Team has to Start Early
TAMPA, Fla. (July 2012) – As Busch Gardens began preparations earlier this year to transform the park into “The Dark Side of the Gardens” for its 13th annual Howl-O-Scream event this fall, the horticulture team realized that they faced a challenge: It’s hard to find heirloom pumpkins and winter squash in Tampa in October.
Their solution? To research seeds and plant their own heirloom pumpkin patch. Heirloom pumpkins are the antique varieties of fruits and vegetables not normally found in mainstream produce markets. Heirlooms often feature unusual shapes, unexpected colors, plus a very flavorful flesh. Busch Gardens’ crop of pumpkins is destined not for pies, however, but for the delight of park guests who will be ready for the cooler temperatures and Halloween fun that pumpkin season signals.
Pumpkins growing on a tree at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
“Last year was our first try at pumpkin farming which ended in miserable results due to heavy rains,” said Busch Gardens’ Director of Horticulture, Joe Parr. “This year, we started in February with raised beds of rich compost made right here at the park with zoo and landscaping debris, and are watering with a water-conserving drip irrigation system.”
It must be working: The pumpkin experiment has yielded more than 60 fruits so far, much to the excitement of the proud gardeners who coaxed the vines from seeds by hand-pollinating the flowers with cotton swabs… and who are now sharing their office with piles of pumpkins.
Some examples of the different varieties of pumpkins they have grown at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Pumpkins are all American members of the squash family and have been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. When Columbus discovered America, he found the native people growing a variety of pumpkin which would come to be named Seminole. Busch Gardens’ pumpkin patch features the Seminole, as well as La Estrellas, a tropical pumpkin hybrid from the University of Florida. Both thrive in Florida’s heat and humidity. Parr’s team is also growing Rouge Vif d’Etampes (also known as the “Cinderella pumpkin”,) tiny Jack-Be-Littles, warty, dark-green Marina di Chioggias, the 50- to 60-pound“Big Max,” and even a “Pumpkin Tree,” which is actually a rare orange eggplant with tiny, ribbed fruits.
The challenge now will be to keep the ripe fruits looking their best until September when autumn harvest displays appear in the park for both day guests and Howl-O-Scream visitors to enjoy. If properly stored, pumpkins can last up to a year in Florida.
A member of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay horticulture team with one of their many pumpkins!
“As the summer temperatures soar,” says Parr, “it’s nice to think that October’s chill and pumpkins are coming soon.”
Living and working near the parks in Central Florida affords those of us locals an opportunity to experience the theme parks in a little bit different way than those of you who come here for vacation. We have the luxury and privilege, if you will, to visit the parks for just a few hours at a time since we have access within about 15 minutes from either work or home. Last night was one such evening for me. I work just a short distance from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and was able to make a quick jaunt over to the park from 7pm until park closing at 9. So how do you spend just a couple hours? What do you do, what do you do?
A practically perfect evening for me consists of a nice balance of seeing some of my favorite animals, riding at least one or two rides, grabbing a bite to eat or drink, and seeing what the special events are that the park has to offer. Right now there is an event running until August 12th called Summer Nights. This was my first time seeing this nighttime spectacular that features a special concert/show called Kinetix. After the show, guests are treated to an awesome fireworks show.
So, this evening started off by making a bee line for my favorite ride, Cheetah Hunt. If you have not yet experienced this roller coaster, what are you waiting for?!?!?!? It is amazing!!! You have three super fast launches at close to 60mph. I love this ride, especially in the evening and it is one of the longer coasters around at almost a mile long lasting about four minutes. This typically has a 45 minute to an hour long wait, so coming in at 7pm, I knew I had to head here first.
After Cheetah Hunt I decided to catch a show. The one I wanted to see I guess is out of rotation for the summer, so I opted to go see Pirates 4D for the first time. On the way there I was able to snap a few pics of some animals including a pretty cool one of the lion up pretty close. The movie was cute, definitely geared toward a younger audience and I guess I chose my seat poorly because the last row I was in didn’t have any of the 4D effects.
About this time I was starting to get hungry and thought it might be a good idea to get a spot for Kinetix in Gwazi Park, which is situated behind Gwazi, the wooden rollercoaster. I wasn’t starving so I opted just for a churro and a frozen coke for dinner. I know this wasn’t the best meal, but it hit the spot and was only about $5 with my passholder discount. Arriving around 8:30, I was able to find a seat on the end of one of the rows of metal benches with backs that are setup in the park. If you are coming with more than one person, I would definitely recommend getting there closer to 8pm if you all want to sit together. Keep in mind I was there on a Monday night and I’m sure it is even more popular on the weekends.
Kinetix is an incredible show featuring current pop music (LMFAO, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj, Adele, Maroon 5, etc.) performed live on stage by singers, a band, dancers, acrobats and includes some crazy stunts from balancing to aerials to trick bikes. I love the energy that this show brings from all of the performers, and it is very appropriately named with all the kinetic energy you feel from the stage. I am going to include videos below since I don’t think pictures will begin to do it justice. Please go see this and the Summer Nights fireworks show that follows. I think this is probably the closest I’ve ever been to fireworks of this magnitude.
All in all it was a great way to spend a few hours in the park. I got my thrills on Cheetah Hunt. I was able to sit and relax in air conditioned comfort, a huge plus in July in Florida, at the Pirate 4D film and was entertained. Dinner could have been much more substantial, but I really wasn’t hungry for more than the churro and frozen coke, which I got to enjoy while seated on a bench with a nice breeze while listening to pop music before the Kinetix show. That was another thing I noticed that I think is new for the summer, or maybe just in the evening, but from the time I arrived at 7pm until I left a little before 10pm the music being played throughout the park was mostly familiar pop music. I thought this really added to the fun summer vibe I felt from the Summer Nights celebration.
How do you like to spend a quick few hours at Busch Gardens? Have you been to Summer Nights? What was your favorite part?
Cheetah!
Meerkats
Zebras in the distance
Lions
Lionesses
Lions up close
Hyenas
Tommies
Elephant
My favorite ride!!!
Finishing up my ride on Cheetah Hunt
Cheetah Hunt – awesome coaster!
Kinetix
Summer Nights & Kinetix sign
Gwazi behind Summer Nights
Love the refillable souvenirs
Churro … it’s what’s for dinner
Sheikra in the distance
Image Copyright Busch Gardens
Check out our YouTube page here to see other great videos from around Central Florida parks and activities.
This week I’d like to focus on two great apps for smartphones from Busch Gardens and Sea World. I have often being accused of being attached to my phone while in the parks, but in this case, this is a good thing. These apps are amazing! They have some great features that I will explore a little further with a bit more detail.
First off, the layout for both Busch Gardens is similar as you can see from the pictures below. On the first screen upon opening the app for the first time after downloading it, you will be asked to choose which park location you’d like to choose from to install that specific park’s information on your phone. Seen below are the screen shots for the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Sea World Orlando. The next screen you will see is the home screen with a built in compass. The screen is broken up into categories of Animals, Search, Shows, Attractions/Rides & Wait Times, Restrooms, Stay Connected, Food and Explore More. I have also taken a picture of the park maps with some of the search options.
Across the bottom of each screen you have the Home, Events, Camera, Map and More options. With the Busch Gardens map above I just zoomed out to see the whole park. For the Sea World map I opted to search for the companion restrooms at the park.
Since the features are practically identical for the two parks, I will focus just on one from this point forward since I went to Sea World most recently and much of the functionality is brought out best while in the park based on GPS location.
Animals
For the Animals section you are able to sort alphabetically by name or distance from your current location within the park.
Search
Search allows you to type in a keyword and gives your results in alphabetical order, but also shows your distance and a brief description. If you are wanting more specific information about dolphins, click on the listed links.
ShowsA'Lure DirectionsA'Lure
One of my favorite things about the app is the show listings. I love all of the shows Sea World to offer and the function of sorting by name, distance or show time is great! I used this to find my way to explore a new show for me: A’Lure. It directed me and kept constantly updating my distance to the show.
Ride & Wait Times
Similar to shows, Ride & Wait Times allows you to sort by name, distance or wait time if you are looking for something to ride.
Restrooms
Again with the Restrooms you are able to sort by name or distance. If you want GPS directions, just click on the name of the restroom and the app will direct you with step by step map using GPS.
Stay Connected
On the Stay Connected tab, you can get more information on Sea World by following them on Twitter, liking them on Facebook, following the Sea World blog or signing up for the email list.
Food
Much like the other categories, with Food you can sort by name or distance. Once you select a location you can see more like sample menu items and pricing.
Explore More - Up-Close ToursExplore More - In-Park DiningExplore More - Animal InteractionsExplore More - Adventure Camps - SleepoversExplore More - Quick Queue
For the Explore More section of the app you can learn more about Tours, Camps, Animal Interaction programs, the Quick Queue program and the All Day Dining Deal (which I highly recommend).
Events
Events lists upcoming things like concert series and special events for the next few months along with more information and specific dates.
Camera
I absolutely loved the Camera function of the app. It was so cool to take pictures in the park and add fun borders right then to save to your phone to upload or send to friends and family. However, this was the only part of the app that I had some issues with it acting a little buggy going back to my phone’s home screen instead of to the app’s home screen when I was done take the picture.
Map
You can see the interactive footsteps on the map once you have selected your destination. Along the top you have options of searching or pre-selected categories of Animal Connections, Shows, Rides, First Aid, Restroom, Nursing Facility, Defibrillator, Drinks, Snacks & Refills, Companion Restrooms, ATM, Amenities, Dining, Lockers, Guest Information, Events, Gifts & Souvenirs, Smoking, and Clear All. You can select multiple options at the same time and can move the map around as well as zoom in and out. Also included is the ability to recenter the GPS to your current position.
More - Contact Us/General Information
If you are wanting to contact Sea World or get more general info about the park, like their address for GPS, you can find this under the More – Contact Us/General Information section.
More - Park Hours
Park Hours is pretty self explanatory and shows the hours for each day of the month when you click on the calendar.
More - Directions
The directions tab is particularly useful if you don’t have a GPS program. When I went to the Directions my phone verified my current location and calculated distance and time based on GPS.
More - Weather
There is even a built in Weather app to give you the forecast for the day.
More - Commitment
If you are wanting to learn more about Sea World’s mission and pledge to environmental education and protection, visit the Commitment section under More.
More - Car FinderCar FinderCar FinderCar Finder
I think my favorite thing using the GPS was the Car Finder function. When you park your car you drop a pin to mark the GPS location of where you parked. When you are leaving for the day you can revisit the car finder to find your car! No more do you have to try to remember where exactly you parked. I found this to be very reliable and it even recognized when I reached my car.
All in all, I am very impressed with the Sea World and Busch Gardens apps. Even though I know my way around the parks well enough to not need a park map, it is nice to have the GPS to show you the shortest distance or alternate routes to get where you are going. There are tons of great features that these apps offer using the GPS technology and search functions. I use these apps pretty much every time I’m in these parks, especially for the show times to see what I can catch on a whim and also for wait times and exploring what is in the area. Honestly, the only thing I had any issues with was the camera function on occasion. I’d say it worked fine three out of five times I tried it. I think these are some of the nicest apps for parks in the area and wish some of the other parks would adopt some of these features and ease of use. Check them out next time you’re in the area or even if you just want to check to see what is going on in the parks in advance of your trip!
Busch Gardens’ Summer Nights amps up the excitement year after year, and 2012 promises to offer even more after-dark entertainment and fun for the whole family with a new Latin-infused show at the Desert Grill and—for the first time ever—an amazing fireworks finale every night of the event.
From June 9 through Aug. 12, guests will experience extended park hours, special entertainment, high-energy DJs, and the thrill of riding world-class coasters in the dark, including Busch Gardens’ new triple-launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt.
The award-winning Kinetix show returns to Summer Nights with nightly performances of its rock-fueled blast of music and acrobatics. Kinetix’s energizing performances include live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world. Their thrilling performance – along with modern music and pyrotechnic effects – will pump up the crowd every night in Gwazi Park at 9 p.m. Gates open at 8 p.m., so arrive early to ensure a good spot and enjoy the Party Starters’ pre-show interactive games and dancing.
NEW Fireworks Light Up the Sky Every Night
Celebrate the perfect end to the evening with an amazing fireworks finale. Busch Gardens lights up the sky every night of the event with an incredible aerial display set to popular music. The best views are in Gwazi Park, right after the nightly Kinetix show, but the fireworks are visible from all over the park.
NEW “Let’s Get Loud” Takes the Stage in the Desert Grill
Singers, dancers and musicians heat up Summer Nights with popular contemporary music and dance, incorporating the Latin flair of Miami’s South Beach. “Let’s Get Loud,” a Miami Dance Party, opens June 9 and will feature music and dance infused with Hispanic heat from well-known artists like Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the Party Starters will host dance challenges all day throughout the park and pick the most outgoing guests to compete in the Dance-Off competition that evening. The Dance-Off will be a three-round competition starting at 7 p.m. in the Desert Grill. The audience picks the winner with “the best moves” by applause, and first prize is four tickets to come back to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Don’t forget that Busch Gardens is the place to be this summer – both day AND night – with brand-new attractions that offer exciting entertainment for everyone. Busch Gardens just opened its biggest ice show ever, Iceploration, bringing to life an all-new adventure filled with world-class skaters, original costumes, amazing aerial performances, master puppetry and live animal stars. The park’s new Animal Care Center welcomes guests to closely observe and even take part in the animal care experience in this new state-of-the-art facility. And the park’s newest mega-attraction and Florida’s first triple-launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt, launches riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. If going from zero to cheetah is not your speed, guests can watch as Busch Gardens’ cheetahs sprint several times a day in Cheetah Run.
Park hours for Summer Nights are extended until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Summer Nights is included with a day’s paid admission or any annual pass.
For more information on Summer Nights and Busch Gardens, visit BuschGardens.comor call 1-888-800-5447.
In a press release earlier this week SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay released the following information.
Paper or plastic? Soon there will be just one choice at the 10 theme parks of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment — paper — as the company eliminates plastic shopping bags within the next year. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment will be the largest theme park operator to make this commitment.
Park gift shops will offer paper bags made from 100 percent recycled paper or guests can choose to purchase reusable bags.
“This is a significant change for our company, one we hope will provide a model for our industry overall,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Eliminating plastic bags is an important statement about our commitment to the environment, as well as the need to help protect marine animals from debris. It also allows our guests to play a direct part in making a difference on our planet.”
This move will keep an estimated 4 million plastic bags from entering landfills and the environment each year. Approximately 1.4 billion tons of trash, including plastic bags, enters the ocean annually. Wildlife such as endangered sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their favorite foods.
The company began exploring the concept at SeaWorld San Diego in 2011, when the park discontinued the use of plastic gift bags to mark the opening of its new Turtle Reef attraction. SeaWorld Orlando is eliminating the bags this month in conjunction with the opening of its new attraction, TurtleTrek.
Opening April 27, TurtleTrek combines naturalistic habitats (sea turtles and manatees) with the world’s first 3-D, 360-degree dome theater film. The film immerses guests in a sea turtle’s extraordinary journey.
Another Refreshing…and Renewable Change:
Also adding to the ways park guests can consume responsibly, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and The Coca-Cola Company introduced paper cups for guests made with 85 percent renewable resources as part of a new 10-year partnership. Guests use more than 13 million paper cups each year throughout the 10 parks.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
The 10 parks of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment inspire 23 million guests a year to celebrate and conserve the natural world. Through up-close animal encounters, educational attractions and innovative entertainment, each guest leaves with a heightened sensitivity to the world around them and an awareness of the plight of animals in the wild.
The company, headquartered in Orlando, Fla., owns and operates SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego, Busch Gardens Tampa, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando, Adventure Island in Tampa, Water Country USA in Williamsburg and Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa. near Philadelphia.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment also is a global leader in animal care and conservation. The company has rescued more than 20,000 orphaned, injured or ill animals over the past four decades and contributed more than $50 million to conservation worldwide. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a portfolio company of Blackstone.
Children ages five and younger can now explore the wonders of Africa and the depths of the ocean for FREE with the new Busch Gardens & SeaWorld Preschool Pass. Little ones will experience kid-size thrills at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun and SeaWorld’s Shamu’s Happy Harbor play areas, get up close to their favorite furry and feathered friends, and see new shows brought to life.
The pass is valid for all of 2012 at both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Kids are welcome to experience all there is to do for the preschool set, including seasonal events such as Summer Nights at Busch Gardens, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular and festive holiday events at both parks. New this year, Busch Gardens will delight guests with its biggest ice show ever, Iceploration, premiering Feb. 2.AndSeaWorld is introducing an all-new festival this year, “Just for Kids!” featuring concerts by Lazy Town, Max & Ruby, the Doodlebops and Choo-Choo Soul, along with plenty of family-friendly fun and activities on Saturdays Jan. 14 through Feb. 4.
Parents and older kids can join in on all the excitement with a Fun Card, which invites guests to pay for a day and play all year through Dec. 31, 2012, with no blackout dates.
The Free SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Preschool Pass is an online-only offer, available here. It is exclusively for Florida residents ages 5 and younger and is valid for unlimited admission – with no blackout dates – through Dec. 31, 2012 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and SeaWorld Orlando. The Preschool Pass does not include parking or Premium Passport discounts or benefits.
After registering through either park’s website, registrants can pick up the Preschool Pass for their child by bringing a printed confirmation and a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate to any ticket window at Busch Gardens’ or SeaWorld’s front gate.
“Must-see” preschool attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Preschoolers will delight in Sesame Street Safari of Fun, a sunny, funny play land, filled with moments that your family can share for the first time — like a first coaster experience aboard Air Grover. And everyday smiles can be repeated again and again: clapping along to original shows, splashing in an expansive water play area and enjoying kid-size rides.
Also available in Sesame Street Safari of Fun, families can Dine with Elmo and Friends on select days and enjoy special event dining experiences with the characters to mark holidays, character birthdays and more. Beginning in March, opt for the Family Fun Buffet, offered on select days. It’s the perfect way to feed your hungry family during your busy day and not miss out on any of the fun! Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet along with the chance to meet beloved Sesame Street characters between 12 and 4 p.m. on select days in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun Dining Pavilion. Reservations are not required.
In February, children’s imaginations will go wild when Iceploration takes the ice. The all-new, 30-minute show combines ethereal ice skating, larger-than-life puppets, amazing costumes and even animal stars. Iceploration opens Feb. 2, 2012 with shows daily in the Moroccan Palace Theatre. Another family favorite at Busch Gardens is “Critter Castaways,” in which a cast of unlikely characters – including dogs, cats, parrots and exotic animals – come together to create a side-splitting show with surprise twists that will have the whole family laughing.
There are plenty of animal encounters and pint-sized rides for families with young children to enjoy as well. In Jungala, families can connect with the jungle through a three-story play land, enjoy a water play zone and come face to face with exotic and endangered animals. At Jambo Junction, guests can have up-close interactions with animals such as flamingos, lemurs and sloths. And in Timbuktu, a carousel and other junior rides will delight those not ready for the major coasters. And what preschooler doesn’t enjoy a train ride? You and your little one can journey across the Serengeti Plains to view zebra, rhino and giraffes aboard the Serengeti Express.
Some additional features that Busch Gardens offers families with young kids include stroller parking and reduced prices on kids’ meals in 2012. Parking spots are available within our preferred parking area designated strictly for guests with strollers, so they can bypass the tram. No additional fee is required, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests who request them at the parking tollbooths. At the park’s restaurants, kids’ meals are now just $5.99, including a drink, making it even more affordable to not only entertain, but also feed your little ones at Busch Gardens.
SeaWorld loves kids, too
And don’t forget that this awesome new FREE Preschool Pass also includes admission to SeaWorld Orlando. Just a short hour’s drive away, SeaWorld’s littlest guests can enjoy the wildly popular 4-acre play area, Shamu’s Happy Harbor. It’s a kid’s dream come true, complete with kid-size rides, a 4-story net climb, and a great place for parents to relax in the shade. The park’s first family-oriented roller coaster, Shamu Express, can be found here, along with many other kiddie rides to explore.
And that’s in addition to all the wondrous animal encounters at SeaWorld. Your family can meet penguins, dolphins, fish, rays, sharks, and, of course, Shamu!
