Check out the News & Notes for January 2017, with a review of some of the recent changes and news from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, along with a look at the month ahead!
Looking Ahead
Pass Member Instant Rewards: For January 2017, Pass Members get $10 Busch Gardens Bucks. Pass Members can also save 50% the regular price of single day tickets for guests (available through May 31st). For more details on these and other current offers, visit the Pass Member website.
Scheduled Refurbishments: Cobra’s Curse will be closed January 10th through February 2nd. Two Sesame Street Safari of Fun attractions are also scheduled for refurbishments: The Count’s Rally from January 23rd to 27th, and Elmo’s Safari-Go-Round from January 30th to February 24th. While these dates are taken directly from the park’s website, they are subject to change.
Real Music Series
The Real Music Series, the longest running event at Busch Gardens, kicks off January 9th and runs through March 4th. The event features eight different artists and groups performing music from a number of genres. Concerts take place Monday through Saturday in the Stanleyville Theater each week, with two performances scheduled each day at 11:30 a.m and 1:30 p.m.
You can grab your free tickets for the 11:30 a.m. show just inside the entrance gates in Morocco. Tickets for the 1:30 p.m. show and any left for the 11:30 a.m. show are available at a tent just outside Stanleyville Theater.
This year’s concert line-up:
- January 9 – 14: Shirley Alston Reeves – original lead singer of The Shirelles
- January 16 – 21: The Diamonds
- January 23 – 28: The Platters
- January 30 – February 4: Fernando Varela
- February 6 – 11: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- February 13 – 18: Beginnings: The Ultimate Chicago Tribute Band
- February 20 – 25: Micky Dolenz
- February 27 – March 4: Lee Greenwood
Run for the Fund 5K
Support the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund by participating in the Run for the Fund 5K at the park on Saturday, January 21st. Registration is $30 for the public, and $15 for SEAS ambassadors. The course begins and ends out in the main parking lot, but much of the 3.1 miles is within the park itself. Special character and animal ambassador experiences are scheduled along the course. For all the details and to register, visit the park’s website.
One important note – race packets must be picked up either Thursday or Friday during designated hours. No pickups or registrations are available on the day of the race.
Walking Around
Christmas Town is now over for the season, with the final night for the holiday event taking place on New Year’s Eve. Our visit on Christmas Day found moderate crowds, even with the great weather and the holiday falling on a Sunday. Across the park, animals received a variety of special enrichment to mark the occasion.
The Serengeti Overlook Restaurant, the third-floor full service eatery across from Cheetah Hunt, has returned to seasonal operation. The schedule for the restaurant to open through August 2017 is below; along with weekends, it should also be open for Spring Break, Easter, and most of the summer season.
A fence has been installed in front of one of the windows along Tiger Trails to keep guests back from the low rock wall.
For the latest on Busch Gardens Tampa and other theme parks, attractions, dining venues and more across the region, be sure to follow Touring Central Florida on twitter @TourCentralFL & @androckb, and give our facebook page a like.