Iron Gwazi
48" (121 cm) or taller
Things to know before you go - Busch Gardens
Park Hours
Our opening times vary between 9:00am – 10:00pm. Times are subject to change depending on the season. Check here before you travel.Driving
Busch Gardens is located at the corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street on N McKinley Drive. Busch Gardens is 8 miles northeast of downtown Tampa, approximately 1 hour from Orlando via Interstate 4 and 30 minutes east of area beaches and Tampa International Airport.
Address:
10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa, Florida 33612.
Driving Directions:
From the North:
- Travel south on I-75 to Fowler Avenue exit #265. This exit is also the exit for the University of South Florida
- Bear right on the exit ramp, and it will lead you directly onto Fowler Avenue
- Proceed west on Fowler Avenue to McKinley Drive. McKinley Drive is the first light past the main entrance to the University of South Florida
- Turn left on McKinley
- Proceed south on McKinley to parking and the main entrance to the park
From the South:
- Travel north on I-75, past the intersection of I-4, to the Fowler Avenue exit #265. This exit is also the exit for the University of South Florida
- Bear left on the exit ramp, and it will lead you directly onto Fowler Avenue
- Proceed west on Fowler Avenue to McKinley Drive. McKinley Drive is the first light past the main entrance to the University of South Florida
- Turn left on McKinley
- Proceed south on McKinley to parking and the main entrance to the park
From Orlando:
- Travel west on I-4 to I-75
- Go north on I-75 to the Fowler Avenue exit #265. This exit is also the exit for the University of South Florida
- Bear left on the exit ramp, and it will lead you directly onto Fowler Avenue
- Proceed west on Fowler Avenue to McKinley Drive. McKinley Drive is the first light past the main entrance to the University of South Florida
- Turn left on McKinley
- Proceed south on McKinley to parking and the main entrance to the park
From St. Petersburg:
- Travel north on I-275 to the Fowler Avenue exit (exit #51, exit #34)
- Turn east (right) onto Fowler Avenue and proceed 2.5 miles to McKinley Drive.
- Turn south (right) onto McKinley and proceed to the main parking lot entrance.
Busch Gardens Shuttle Express:
Free return bus transportation to Busch Gardens is included on the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express service for any guests who have purchased a Busch Gardens inclusive ticket. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 800-221-1339 or visiting https://buschgardens.mears.com. Service schedule and stops are subject to change.
Parking:
Spaces are available for cars, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. Preferred parking is also available.
Parking is free for guests who have purchased the 3-Park Ticket or the Discovery Ultimate Package. Just show your ticket to the parking attendant.
Food & Drink
Looking for great value?
All-Day Dining Deal
Pay just once and enjoy a day of great food with Busch Garden’s All-Day Dining Deal.
Every hour you can choose a main course with a choice of either a side course or dessert and a soft drink; ensuring you’ll have the energy to tackle Florida’s best thrill rides all day long.
Participating restaurants:
Zagora Café
Oasis Pizza at Serengeti Overlook
Dragon Fire Grill
Zambia Smokehouse
Chick-fil-A®
Looking for great choice?
Dragon Fire Grill
Reimagine the traditional culinary experience with market-style dining, featuring Italian, American, Southwestern and Asian cuisine. Plus, guests over 21 can enjoy the expanded beverage line-up with a selection of refreshing craft brews and cocktails.
Menu includes: Shrimp Lo Mein, Rotisserie Chicken, Flatbread Pizzas, Paninis and Seasonal Fruits.
Menu is subject to change without notice.
Zagora Café
Breakfast, lunch or dinner - head to Zagora Cafe for a variety of tasty food options.
Menu includes: Double Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Fajita Wrap, Veggie Wrap
Hamburger Platter, Grilled Chicken Sandwich and Chicken Tenders.
Children’s menu includes: Hot Dog Meal and Chicken Nuggets.
Menu is subject to change without notice.
Zambia Smokehouse
After a thrilling ride on SheiKra, come here to satisfy your taste buds with some delicious smokehouse barbecue.
Menu includes: BBQ Chicken and Ribs, Smoked Beef Brisket, Chicken Strips, Specialty Sandwich, Corn on the Cob, Smokehouse Baked Beans, Macaroni and Cheese, Hot Apple Cobbler and Warm Bread Pudding.
Menu is subject to change without notice.
Height Restrictions
Cheetah Hunt
48" (122 cm) or taller
SheiKra
54" (137 cm) to 77" (196 cm)
Montu
54" (137 cm) to 77" (196 cm)
Stanley Falls
Guests under 46" (117 cm) and over 2 years old must ride with a Supervising Companion*
Tigris
54" (137 cm) or taller
Falcon's Fury
54" (137 cm) to 77" (196 cm)
Jungala
Jungle Flyers:
48" (122 cm) or taller and at least 6 years old
The Wild Surge
38" (97 cm) or taller
Guests between 38" and 42" tall must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion*
Cobra's Curse
42" (107 cm) or taller
Guests between 42" and 48" tall must be accompanied by a Supervising Companion*
Kumba
54" (137 cm) to 77" (196 cm)
Congo River Rapids
42" (107 cm) or taller
Scorpion
42" (107 cm) or taller
*A Supervising Companion is a person 14 years of age or older
FAQs
General Questions
If you’ve purchased the 3 for 2 Ticket or the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package then you will receive free parking at SeaWorld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens for the entire 14 day duration of your ticket.
The free parking offer is not available on the 2-Park Ticket or the standard Discovery Cove Package.
You just need to enter the park as usual. Free parking will be activated on first use. Once you’ve shown your tickets and ID at the parking booth, your ticket will be scanned by the booth attendant, if you have the 3 for 2 Ticket or the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package, then you will proceed to the parking area without charge.
We do carry out random spot checks at the park entrance for security reasons. If you are over 18, then you may be required to present photo ID at the park gate. We accept passports or driving licenses only. Minors (under the age of 18) do not need to present a photo ID to enter the park.
All bags, backpacks and packages are subject to inspection prior to entering the parks. The following items are not permitted for the safety of our animals and our guests: weapons, knives, any other type of sharp objects, straws, large hard or soft coolers and any hazardous items or materials.
We do accept the UK badges for guests with disabilities. Please make sure you show the badge to our parking team members (in the kiosk upon arrival) in order to be directed to the correct area to park. These spaces are taken on a first come first served basis, so we suggest that you arrive early to be parked as close as possible to the entrance.
Busch Gardens
Free return bus transportation to Busch Gardens is included on the Busch Gardens Shuttle Express service for any guests who have purchased a Busch Gardens inclusive ticket. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 800-221-1339 or visiting https://buschgardens.mears.com. Service schedule and stops are subject to change.
Tour times are allocated on the day of your visit. We advise you to check in at the Adventure Outpost (inside the park) no later than 10:00am. You will then be advised when and where to meet your tour guide.
Exchange your ticket for a wristband at the Adventure Outpost.
Large hard or soft coolers, glass containers, food such as sandwiches, meals, snacks etc., and flavoured drinks may not be taken into the park. Water bottles may be taken into the park. Guests with special dietary needs, should contact Guest Relations.
All day self-service lockers are available for rent in the Morocco section of the park, near the entrance. The multi-use, key pad operated lockers can be used as often as you like throughout your day. Self-service kiosks accept cash and credit cards. For your convenience, there are three dimensions of All-Day Lockers available for rent.
Riders are not permitted to have any loose articles on any of our major attractions. One-time use locker pricing: $2.00 for the first two hours, and $1.00 for each additional hour, with a $20.00 per day maximum. Prices are subject to change. Transferable lockers are available for $8.
Selfie Sticks or any hand-held extension poles for mobile devices are not permitted on any ride.
Chest-mounted and wrist-mounted harnesses are allowed. The following conditions must be met for any hands free cameras/camera harnesses to be permitted on a ride:
• Camera must be secured by a 3-point or more harness, over the riders shoulders and around the torso, that is snapped or buckled closed and cannot be detached by bumping.
• Cameras with a case must be tightly snapped closed and the case must be securely attached to the harness with a screw-type pin or similar device. Similarly, an uncased camera can be directly and securely attached to the harness with a screw-type pin or similar device.
• Please see ride attendant for ride-specific procedures
ATMs are located throughout the park. MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover are accepted at all restaurants and gift shops with ID.
Wi-Fi is available and free of charge for all guests. Simply search for the Busch Gardens network upon arrival at the park.