Celebrating its tenth anniversary, Busch Gardens Christmas Town returns as the longest holiday celebration in the Tampa Bay area offering brand new experiences to celebrate the holidays and create memories to cherish for a lifetime. Christmas Town joyfully bundles millions of twinkling lights, uplifting shows, iconic holiday light displays, culinary delights and award-winning attractions such Iron Gwazi every day from Nov. 14 through Jan. 9. Running for 57 consecutive days, the beloved event is included with park admission.

New Activities

• New! Holiday in the Sky – The evening sky comes to life with a colorful display of festive fireworks while an added spectacular water fountain show dances to the rhythm of a reimagined soundtrack with classic holiday tunes. Holiday in the Sky will take place on the Festival Field on select event nights.   
• New! A mesmerizing and enchanting musical light and projection show will adorn the Serengeti Overlook building. Guests will not want to miss this spectacle, which will run daily every 15 minutes starting at 6 p.m.  
• Christmas with the Celts – A wonderful combination of Christmas Carols and Irish dance will captivate guests with the spirited and energetic entertainment of Christmas with the Celts. The renowned group of vocalists, musicians and dancers will perform live at Stanleyville Theater’s stage Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 16 through Dec. 25. 
• New! Land of the Sweets – At this sweet winter wonderland, guests will findthe Sugar Plum ballerina stilt walker and her Cavalier soldier, the newest characters to join the Sugar Plum Princess in her magnificent new realm.  
• New! Right in the heart of Jungala, guests will be in awe with a new 32-foot-tall Christmas tree surrounded by a red and white winter wonderland.  

Returning fan-favorites include:

• Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola, a unique experience where jolly elves guide guests to interact with Santa in his workshop as he prepares for the holiday season. Parked outside, guests will see Santa’s sleigh for the merriest photo opportunity.
• Joyful songs fill the air and holiday tales come to life for Storytime with Mrs. Claus.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is joined by Clarice and Bumble at Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland, where guests get to meet and greet to find the most famous reindeer of all.
• “Christmas on Ice” – The Moroccan Palace Theater is the home of Busch Gardens’ longest running holiday show, a winter-wonderland on ice and an unmissable skating show set to classic holiday tunes.  
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish – Guests can join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun area of the park as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish! Families are sure to be singing and dancing along while watching this fun holiday show. 
• Three Kings Journey – The musical tale of the three wise men famed journey to Bethlehem is celebrated at Dragonfire Grill. Only during select nights from Nov. 18 through Jan. 8. 
• Holly Jolly Express – All aboard for Christmas Cheer! The merriest train will transport guests into the celebration as they loop around the park aboard this sing-along journey playing the favorite songs of the season.  

There are lots of new and returning entertainment options but I was really hoping that “Christmas Is..”, “The Most Wonderful Time”, or “Christmas from the Heart” music spectaculars would be returning. I don’t ride many rides at Busch Gardens so the shows are what make me happy.

Of course we will be riding the Holly Jolly Express, that is a family must-do as is singing at the top of our lungs the entire ride. We are a family of musicians so its a lot of fun!

New Seasonal Menu Items

• New! Red Curry Shrimp and Jasmine Rice  
• New! Wild Mushroom Tart with Boursin Cheese Crema 
• New! Braised Beef and Roasted Garlic Smashed Potato  
• New! Unique cabin serving Wine and Chocolate Truffles  
• New! A “Decorate Your Own Cookie” Cabin for kids 

And because the holidays are all about tradition, guests will also enjoy the signature Christmas Town Hot Chocolate located in various locations throughout the park. YUM! Christmas Town Hot Cocoa is a requirement on our visit! Hopefully having additional locations will make it easier to get. We have often waited in 30+ minute lines to get hot cocoa on a warm Florida night.

The absolute best way to experience the jolliest of all seasons at Busch Gardens is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $40 and redeemable at the numerous cabins located throughout the entire park, Samplers offer the best value for guests and will be available in quantities of five and 10. An exclusive 12-item Sampler for the same price as a 10-item is available for all Pass Members. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages.   

For as low as $14 per month and with exclusive benefits valued at more than $400, a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Annual Pass will allow guests to get a sneak preview of this year’s Christmas Town. Also, pass members get to be the first to ride Serengeti Flyer, the park’s all-new 2023 ride opening in 2023, and have unlimited visits to the park’s seasonal events that are included with admission. 

For a limited-time, guests looking for not just the best gift but also great savings can pay for a day with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Fun Card which provides unlimited access to the park’s world-class attractions, award-winning entertainment, up-close animal encounters, and vibrant seasonal events through 2023 with the rest of 2022 free.  

The post Busch Gardens Christmas Town Celebrates a Decade of Holiday Cheer appeared first on The Mom Maven.

I have a friend who has been bugging me for over 2 years to take him to the media event, if there is one, so he can ride this coaster for me. Coaster enthusiasts are so excited to ride the world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster, right here in Tampa, Florida.

About Iron Gwazi

Being North America’s tallest hybrid coaster, this ride takes thrills to new heights, plunging riders from a 206-foot-tall peak down a 91-degree drop and reaching top speeds of 76 miles per hour. Iron Gwazi is Busch Gardens’ tenth coaster and an exhilarating addition to the park’s collection of thrill rides. Riders will experience a dozen airtime moments, including three inversions, while racing along more than 4,000 feet of steel track. With a 48” height requirement, this invigorating attraction is a ride the whole family can conquer together.

“The incredible anticipation for Iron Gwazi is shared by both our guests and Ambassadors, and we are beyond excited to open this amazing coaster,” said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President. “Iron Gwazi diversifies our thrill ride portfolio and is an impressive addition to the Tampa skyline. Combining classic elements of a wooden coaster with a smooth, steel track will provide thrill seekers with an unforgettable experience.”

Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, the newest addition at Busch Gardens is a wood and steel hybrid coaster design, combining the innovation of a steel coaster and the nostalgia of a wooden coaster. While elements of Gwazi, the classic wooden coaster, are integrated into the new ride, all-new thrill components and a reimagined track layout take Iron Gwazi to another level.

Busch Gardens Tickets

Buy a Busch Gardens Annual Pass and be among the first to ride the most anticipated hybrid coaster in the world!  For even more fun, guests can add Adventure Island to enjoythree new attractions across the two Tampa parks.  Along with priority access to Iron Gwazi and Adventure Island’s new attractions, Annual Pass Members also receive 12 months of visits with special benefits including exclusive ride opportunities, FREE parking, up to six free guest tickets, savings on merchandise, and more!

In addition to the unbeatable benefits of a Busch Gardens’ Annual Pass, guests can also take advantage of these all-new thrills with a 2022 Fun Card. Right now, guests can visit both parks again and again for just $120.99. Plus, thrill seekers can receive a complimentary one-time Quick Queue for Iron Gwazi when they purchase a Fun Card by January 30 and visit by February 20. Get your Busch Gardens tickets here.

The post Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Opening March 11, 2022 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Tampa’s biggest and brightest holiday event opens earlier this year with millions of twinkling holiday lights throughout the park’s 335 acres, spectacular fireworks, and a brand-new experience with Santa that will create merry memories for guests of all ages. Included in park admission, the award-winning holiday event features all-new activities for the whole family, including:

• New! Holiday in the Sky Fireworks Show: Enjoy classic holiday tunes and watch festive bursts of Christmas colors as they cover the sky in a dazzling fireworks display. Holiday in the Sky is offered on the Festival Field every Saturday and select event nights, beginning November 13
•  New! Storytime with Mrs. Claus: Located in the Coke Canopy near the Christmas Town Village, Mrs. Claus will share traditional holiday tales and a joyful song. 
• New! Santa’s North Pole Experience, presented by Coca-Cola: Jolly elves guide guests to see Santa in his workshop as he prepares for the holiday season.

Other fan favorite holiday entertainment returning to this year’s Florida-style winter wonderland includes:

•  “Christmas on Ice”: Busch Gardens’ longest running holiday show returns to the Moroccan Palace Theater. This inspiring skating production transforms the stage with incredible feats of skating athleticism for a truly unmissable show set to holiday classic songs.
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Join Cookie Monster, Rosita, Grover, and Zoe as they help Elmo find his Christmas wish! Families are sure to be singing and dancing along while watching this fun holiday show.
• Three Kings Journey: The musical tale of the famed journey to Bethlehem is celebrated in the round at the Stanleyville Theater.
• Holly Jolly Express: All aboard for Christmas Cheer! This locomotive is on track to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the favorite songs of the season as guests venture through the park.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Journey to Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland to find the most famous reindeer of all.

As guests dash through the night between iconic rollercoasters, they can explore the Christmas Town Village: a delicious destination filled with drinks and dishes from an indulgent holiday menu. These unique, limited time options include NEW specialty cocktails like the “Mistletoe Margarita” and the “Apple Brandy Hot Toddy”. Complete the night with a signature Christmas Town Hot Chocolate featuring festive flavors like peppermint or gingerbread. Feel the spirit of the season in each bite with the new maple bourbon pecan pie or feast on holiday favorites like the smoked brisket “totchos.” The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $44.99 for an 8-punch lanyard.

We can’t wait to nibble on treats and drink Christmas Town Hot Chocolate while we wander through Christmas Town Village. We are excited for a new fireworks show and to see “Christmas on Ice” back in the Moroccan Palace Theater. We hope we get to meet Rudolph and Santa this year as well. I am sad to see the “The Most Wonderful Time” show isn’t listed this year. It’s a family tradition to watch that while we eat dinner. Hopefully it is still there, just not listed on the program…yet.

It’s time to send out the family text and choose a date to visit Christmas Town! I’m ready to get my Christmas on!

The post Busch Gardens Christmas Town 2021 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Sizzling Summer Nights Experiences

Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular

Long before the first burst of “Spark!” covers the night sky, guests can join in the evening excitement with NEW entertainment, music, food and drinks for the park’s biggest and brightest summer celebration:

For an epic finale to a coaster-filled day of adventure, guests will be drawn to the vibrant energy radiating from a unique new production on the Festival Field. As the most stunning show ever to light the park’s sky, “Spark!” will feature an explosive array of fireworks and exciting effects from dazzling lasers to graceful water elements and dramatic pyrotechnics.  “Spark!” is offered every evening!

NEW! Pre-Party on the Festival Pathway: Greeted by glowing lights strung among the trees, live music and more, the stunning visual journey on the Festival Pathway will spark the spirit of summer in everyone.

NEW! Seasonal Summer Menu: Senses will ignite with delicious bursts of flavor from a special menu inspired by backyard summer cookouts with a Busch Gardens twist. Guests will discover a walkable take on grilled classics, decadent sweet treats and more along the festival pathway and new locations throughout the park. Adults 21+ can indulge in NEW glow-in-the-dark summer cocktails or refreshing non-alcoholic drinks that are equally beautiful and satisfying for the perfect end to a summer night.

NEW! DJ Block Parties: As the sun goes down, electric summer vibes amp up on the Festival Field. It’s an open-air dance party with DJs, dancing, and endless energy to build the excitement before “Spark!” ignites the sky.

NEW! Giraffe Bar: Combining a perfect Serengeti sunset, delicious cocktails and savory snacks is the best way to fuel a night of summer fun at the NEW Giraffe Bar located on the second floor of Serengeti Overlook.

ALL NEW! “Cirque Electric” show opens: For awe-inspiring feats that spark the imagination, the dynamic performance of “Cirque Electric”, an ALL-NEW acrobatic stunt show exclusively produced for Busch Gardens, opening May 28 at the Stanleyville Theater. From the daring airborne aerialist to stunning displays of balance and strength and a fascinating act on wheels that cannot be missed, guests will be dazzled by world-class performers during select dates for Summer Nights.

Returning Fan Favorites

Award-winning “Turn It Up!” ice skating show returns: Starting May 28, the Moroccan Palace Theater will once again be home to “Turn It Up!” the award-winning ice-skating show, including late shows on select dates for Summer Nights.  

Back by popular demand! Open-air block parties throughout the park: Complete with seasonal eats and electric beats, guests will encounter sizzling summer entertainment throughout the spacious 300-acre park, including:

• Cheetah Hunt Plaza: Between dashing through the night sky on Cheetah Hunt and Cobra’s Curse, guests can dance to DJ beats throughout the evening.
• Stanleyville Plaza: After taking on the daring launches of Tigris, guests will find refreshing tunes and classic summer flavors with a twist in the shadow of SheiKra.

Party All Summer with a Busch Gardens Annual Pass or Fun Card!

Celebrate all summer long and visit again and again with a Busch Gardens Fun Card, where guests can pay for a day and play all year!* For the price of a single-day ticket to Busch Gardens, the Fun Card allows access throughout the year, so you can visit again and again, and experience great events like Summer Nights, Bier Fest, Christmas Town,  and more! For the best value and benefits, guests can upgrade to a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Annual Pass to enjoy the perks they want most throughout 2021. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits with the best benefits ever, including FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, and up to 50-percent savings on merchandise, Quick Queue, and more!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and the animals in our care.  We have enhanced our already strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards to keep our guests safe. To learn more about our health and safety guidelines visit buschgardens.com/tampa/safety.

The post Summer Nights Fun at Busch Gardens appeared first on The Mom Maven.

The Show Will Safely Go On

Beginning Friday, May 28. “Turn It Up!”, the park’s award-winning ice-skating production and an all-NEW acrobatic show, “Cirque Electric,” modified operations in the park’s theaters will make it possible for guests to once again enjoy incredible shows as they explore Busch Gardens’ 300 acres of exhilarating rollercoasters and fascinating animal habitats. In addition to the park’s already strict health and safety measures, which include enhanced cleaning and sanitization, and **face covering requirements, many modifications will be in place at Busch Gardens’ theaters upon reopening, including:

• Significantly limited capacity inside the parks’ expansive theaters to accommodate plenty of space between parties.
• Staggered entering and exiting procedures to keep guests physically distant.
• Protective Face Coverings required by all guests (who have not been fully vaccinated-see below), ambassadors and performers at all times, covering the nose and mouth.
• No eating or drinking permitted inside the theaters.
• Hand sanitizing stations available at the entrance and exit points of the theater.
• Extensive sanitation of all seats conducted between shows.

“Bringing more live entertainment safely back to the park is another huge step in returning to world class entertainment at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,” said Neal Thurman, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park President. “Since our reopening in June, our park teams have been incredibly innovative and adaptable with bringing our productions to life in new ways and we’re thrilled to expand our offering to include new programs in addition to fan-favorite shows.”

Turn It Up!

Thursday – Monday, multiple shows per day

The Moroccan Palace Theater will once again be home to Busch Gardens’ spectacular, year-round ice-skating shows, including “Turn It Up!” With contemporary performances, dazzling aerial moments and eclectic pop music, it’s no wonder this production has earned a spot on “USA TODAY’S 10Best” Readers’ Choice Awards.

ALL NEW: Cirque Electric

  Friday – Monday, multiple shows per day

For awe-inspiring feats that spark the imagination, the dynamic performance of “Cirque Electric,” an all-new acrobatic stunt show exclusively produced for Busch Gardens, will soon thrill guests at the Stanleyville Theater. From the daring airborne aerialist to stunning displays of balance and strength and a fascinating act on wheels that cannot be missed, guests will be dazzled by world-class performers.

Guests can visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com for more information and reservations—and to purchase tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes. Fans can stay up to date with park events, attractions

**As of 5-14-21 the updated Busch Gardens Face Coverings guidelines are as follows:

Based on the recently announced guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, we are modifying our policy regarding face coverings at Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island. Face coverings will no longer be required for guests at Busch Gardens Tampa and Adventure Island who are fully vaccinated in accordance with CDC guidance. We will not require proof of vaccine, but ask our guests to respectfully comply with our revised policy. All Busch Gardens, Adventure Island park employees will be required to continue to wear face coverings at this time. The safety of our guests, Ambassadors and animals in our care remains our top priority. We will continue to monitor and address this changing environment as necessary.

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/park-safety/

The post Busch Garden Indoor Entertainment Returns May 28 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

With more weekends to celebrate safely, Busch Gardens is getting jazzed up with music, beads and more for open-air festivities with French-Quarter flair. Guests will have the opportunity to catch some beads from physically distant New Orleans street performers periodically strolling throughout the day. There will be plenty of room to dance through spacious walkways while enjoying festive tunes from live musicians while flavorful dishes and cocktails tempt the senses.

Busch Gardens Mardi Gras Dates and Times

The Mardi Gras celebration will be held select dates and run from noon to closing time. Most of those dates are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with a few Mondays, and of course Fat Tuesday as well.

• January 16 noon-9pm
• January 17 noon-9pm
• January 18 noon-7pm
• January 22 noon-6pm
• January 23 noon-8pm
• January 24 noon-6pm
• January 29 noon-6pm
• January 30 noon-8pm
• January 31 noon-6pm
• February 5 noon-6pm
• February 6 noon-8pm
• February 7 noon-6 pm
• February 12 noon-6pm
• February 13 noon-8pm
• February 14 noon-8pm
• February 15 noon-8pm
• February 16 noon-5pm

Feast like Kings and Queens on Classic Cajun Cuisine at Busch Garden Mardi Gras

Busch Gardens has brought the “Big Easy” to Tampa Bay with Mardi Gras-inspired food including a signature shrimp po’ boy, hearty jambalaya, and hot and fresh beignets. Handcrafted cocktail classics like Hurricanes join new signature drinks for a perfect pairing with the park’s carefully crafted culinary offering, which can be best enjoyed with a Mardi Gras Sampler Lanyard. Starting at $34.99 for a 5-punch lanyard with a 10-punch option and an exclusive 12-punch lanyard for Pass Members, Sampler Lanyards make it easy for guests to embrace that “Fat Tuesday” feeling!

Returning Spring Events

Sesame Street Kids Weekends, January 30 – February 14

For kids and kids-at-heart, there are more special moments with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and the rest of their Sesame Street friends coming up this season! Fans won’t want to miss new physically distant celebrations for Elmo’s birthday and Valentine’s Day this year.

Food & Wine Festival, Friday to Sunday, February 20 – April 25

Taste buds will bloom this spring with a delicious menu of dishes and drinks as dynamic and unique as the park’s thrilling roller coaster collection. Guests will also enjoy a taste of local musical talent throughout the open-air festival to accompany their sweet and savory samples.

Busch Gardens Health and Safety

The Busch Gardens team has consulted with medical experts to offer modified events with required reservations and limited capacity for safe celebrations. All seasonal events feature open-air entertainment throughout the park’s more than 300 spacious acres as well as enhanced health and safety measures including increased cleaning and sanitation, temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Reservations are required and limited and can be made at www.BuschGardensTampa.com.

Mom Maven’s Thoughts on visiting Busch Gardens Right Now

We plan to attend Mardi Gras, not sure of which date yet. We purchased Busch Gardens Fun Passes last year on Black Friday. We attended Christmas Town in December, our favorite Busch Gardens event. I shared on my personal Facebook wall then, and I am sharing publicly here, if you have fears of crowds because of Covid, Busch Gardens isn’t the place for you.

I don’t know what percent of capacity they are at but, it was crowded, like a normal Christmas Town night. Workers were not enforcing the proper wearing of masks, as other theme parks are. There was an occasional message over the PA speakers reminding everyone to wear masks and social distance, but that was it.

There were few social distancing markers throughout the park, in ride queues, or in food areas. If you are immune compromised or living in fear, stay home. I am neither and I will be visiting again soon.

The post 2021 Busch Gardens Mardi Gras appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Christmas Town,

To bring the merriment to life, Busch Gardens’ creative team has consulted with medical experts to offer a modified event with required reservations and limited capacity that celebrates the spirit of the season safely. This seasonal event features open-air entertainment and experiences as well as enhanced health, safety and sanitation measures, including temperature checks, face covering requirements and physical distancing. Included in park admission, park guests can enjoy holiday traditions with a twist, from millions of twinkling lights throughout the park’s 335 acres to physically distant holiday shows, breathtaking animal encounters and contact-free visits with Santa and Rudolph® the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Heartwarming Holiday Entertainment

A warm-weather winter wonderland awaits park guests with a variety of holiday programs offered throughout the event. Guests are encouraged to check the park’s website before visiting to learn which programs are available each date.

• NEW “Spark the Night” Fireworks Show: This year, guests will have several opportunities to enjoy festive bursts of Christmas colors as they cover the sky in a dazzling display. Fireworks are offered select nights throughout the event at the Festival field, offering plenty of space for guests to spread out and enjoy the sights.
• “Christmas on Ice”: For the first time ever, park guests can enjoy Busch Gardens’ longest-running holiday show at a NEW outdoor location on the Festival Stage. This fan-favorite skating production will perform awe-inspiring delights on real ice for physically distant audiences every Friday through Sunday and additional holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish: Families can sing and dance with their favorite furry friends in this fun holiday show. Celebrate the Christmas spirit with Sesame Street in the outdoor Sunny Day Theater with physically distant seating.
• Three Kings Journey: The musical tale of the famed journey to Bethlehem is now offered alongside festive eats at the spacious Dragon Fire Grill.
• Holly Jolly Express: All aboard for Christmas Cheer! With limited capacity, this locomotive is on track to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with favorite songs of the season as guests venture through the park in festive fashion. **A Schultz family favorite**

Contact-Free Photo Ops

• Santa’s Merry Meet & Greet: Jolly elves guide guests to see Santa for a physically distant photo at a spacious new outdoor location this holiday season.
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Jingle all the way to Pantopia to Rudolph’s Winter Wonderland to find the most famous reindeer of all and snap some contact-free pictures with Rudolph and Clarice.
• Original Christmas Town Characters: For moments that sparkle, guests will encounter the Poinsettia Princess, Sugar Plum Princess, Ice Princess and jolly snowmen throughout their Christmas Town journey.
• Sesame Street Friends: Enjoy physically distant photo opportunities with everyone’s favorite furry friends in their festive holiday attire.

Christmas Town Food and Shopping

As guests dash through the night between iconic rollercoasters, they can explore the Christmas Town Village: a delicious destination filled with drinks and dishes from an all-NEW chef and mixologist created holiday menu. Beyond a selection of fan-favorite seasonal beers and mulled wine, guests can also choose from a variety of NEW holiday inspired beverages rooted in classic Christmas traditions. These unique, limited time options include specialty cocktails like the “Winter Wonderland Hot Toddy” made with winter cider, honey whiskey and a chai infusion and the festive “Spiked Hot Cocoa” with gingerbread crumbles, caramel and whipped cream.

The spirit of the season is in every bite of holiday dishes throughout the park such as sliced pork tenderloin, smoked turkey legs with pumpkin cider glaze, harvest turkey and prosciutto sliders and a variety of peppermint desserts.  The best way for guests to savor and save during the holidays is with a Christmas Town Sampler Lanyard, starting at ONLY $34.99 for a 5-punch lanyard. Pass members can enjoy an extra special offer with an exclusive 12-punch lanyard for the price of a 10-punch lanyard to sip and savor throughout the event.

After fueling up for festive fun, guests can check everyone off their holiday shopping list from dazzling ornaments to charming nutcrackers with Busch Gardens exclusive 2020 holiday merchandise which is only available during this special event. 

We LOVE visiting Christmas Town to help kick off our family holiday season. We love the lights and music, food, visiting Santa, and a ride on the Holly Jolly Express is a must-do.

Give the Gift of Busch Gardens

I am all about giving experiences as gifts whenever possible. A Busch Gardens Fun Card or Annual Pass makes a great gift. If any of my friends or family are reading this….Ron and I would love Annual Passes for Christmas

For a limited time, buy a 2021 Fun Card and get the rest of 2020 FREE or upgrade to an Annual Pass starting as low as $11.50 per month with no down payment. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits, now with the best benefits ever such as FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, Pass Member VIP Ride Nights, an exclusive 2020 Pass Member Ornament, and up to 50% savings on merchandise, photo prints, Quick Queue, and more.

The Fun Card gives park-goers unlimited access to the park to visit again and again for the remainder of 2020 calendar year and all of 2021¹ for one low price, but does not include the additional pass benefits!  Visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com for more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, Fun Cards or Annual Passes.

The post Christmas Town Returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Contact Free Trick or Treating

Children can dress up in their Halloween costumes to enjoy traditional trick-or-treating that is safe with physical distancing at Busch Gardens Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends this fall. Candy stations will be spread out throughout the park’s spacious, open play area where ambassadors wearing gloves and protective masks will distribute candy in a contact-free manner. As an additional safety measure, guests who participate in Trick-Or-Treating will be asked to purchase a new reusable bag to prevent contact between individuals.

New Sesame Street Experiences at the Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends

After collecting their candy, families can enjoy physically distant photo opportunities with Sesame Street friends like Big Bird, Oscar and Grover in their finest Halloween attire and upgrade their day with the NEW Cookie Decorating with Cookie Monster. “C” is for cookie when you join Cookie Monster to decorate his favorite snack! This fun-filled family experience features physically distanced photo opportunities and new measures to keep the cookie decorating safe and fun, including single-party tables with ample spacing and enhanced cleaning procedures. 

The Count’s Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show

The Count’s Not-Too-Spooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show is sure to entertain the whole family in the outdoor, Sunny Day Theater with physically distant seating. In this Sesame Street Halloween show, Count von Count serves as the master of scare-emonies as he leads his friends through some of his favorite tunes. With help from his friends—Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Grover, Oscar and Elmo—The Count produces a not-too-spooky Halloween show that features song and dance numbers that get everyone involved! You can “count” on fun for the whole family during this spirited Halloween show.

Expanded health and safety measures visit: https://buschgardens.com/tampa/park-info/park-safety/

The post Sesame Street Kids’ Weekends at Busch Gardens appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Summer Nights

In addition to the recently added Big Bird Weekends and upcoming debut of the Wildly Amazing! animal program, Summer Nights has been extended each Friday-Sunday now through Labor Day weekend. Park guests can enjoy extended hours on Florida’s best thrill rides and limited-time barbeque and s’more-inspired dishes before they head to physically-distant seating arranged on the park’s expansive Festival Field for the NEW laser and fireworks finale. Cooler nighttime temperatures and enhanced health and safety measures provide guests at Busch Gardens a more comfortable summer escape with their favorite thrills.

Adventure Island

Good news for water park fans! Guests can now enjoy an extra splash of summer during the week with Thursdays now on the calendar at Adventure Island through Labor Day. Adventure Island has been a Tampa Bay summer staple for 40 splash-filled years, offering guests a variety of experiences to beat the heat with lots of space to cool off: a winding lazy river, massive wave pool, exciting play areas and thrilling water slides like the NEW Solar Vortex, which just opened this season. From high-banking rotations and rapid descents, Solar Vortex sends riders on a swirling journey through two open tailspin features and three dynamic AquaLucent elements – harnessing the power of the Florida sun into colorful patterns.

SeaWorld Orlando

Good news for SeaWorld fans! Guests can now enjoy an extra day of summer fun during the week with Thursdays now offered at SeaWorld Orlando through Labor Day. All guests with existing tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes must make a reservation to visit in advance in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing.  Requiring reservations allows the park to limit the number of guests on property each day, further enhancing the park’s vigorous safety protocols.  Seaworld.com/orlando/tickets/reservations/ 

Special Events

Electric Ocean Remix: Fridays and Saturdays, through September 5 and Sunday, September 6

As the sun goes down, SeaWorld comes alive with the glow of Electric Ocean Remix, premiering July 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Guests are invited to stay late on summer weekends to enjoy electrifying dance music and a brilliant evening of energy that sparks as the sun sets, while maintaining safe physical distancing. The fun glows on with Light Up The Sky, a fireworks and pyrotechnic spectacular that brings the brilliance of the sea to the sky above for guests.

Flicks and Fireworks: Fridays and Saturdays through September 5 and Sunday, September 6

Experience the fun, nostalgia and magic of a drive-in-movie experience under the stars with SeaWorld’s park-and-view drive-in movie theatre! Start the night by enjoying locally-sourced food trucks, then sit back in the comfort of your car and watch the park’s spectacular fireworks display. Then…the main event, enjoy the movie of the evening with friends and family. This package is only available through Labor Day Weekend, and only at SeaWorld Orlando. https://seaworld.com/orlando/events/flicks-and-fireworks/

We will do our best to keep you updated on any other changes with the parks in the SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment family.

The post Updates from SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment appeared first on The Mom Maven.

As the theme parks plan to reopen, those plans will include enhanced health and safety protocols for cleaning and sanitizing, physical distancing, face covering requirements, and temperature screening, as well as a focus on contactless payments. A new online reservation system will also help manage capacity so that guests can enjoy a safe and fun experience while maintaining physical distancing. The phased reopening plan was approved by the State of Florida.

In their announcement, SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.’s interim CEO Mark Swanson, thanked Governor Desantis, Orange County Mayor Demings, Orlando Mayor Dyer, The Members of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, Tampa Mayor Castor, and Hillsborough County Administrator Merrill for their support of tourism in Central Florida as they prepare to open their Central Florida Parks.

Over the past two months, we have worked with state and local health officials, third party medical and epidemiology experts, and attraction industry leaders to enhance our strict health, safety, and cleanliness standards. We are committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees, and animals in our care, and will continue to follow the guidance from health officials as conditions evolve

Mark Swanson interim CEO SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.

Online Reservation System

To help manage capacity to maintain physical distancing within the parks, all parks will require advance online reservations. Guests will be asked to visit the reservation pages of park websites (listed below) where reservations will be required to guarantee entry given anticipated demand. Reservations will be available starting at 10:00AM ET on June 8, 2020.

All guests with existing tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes must make a reservation using this system in advance in order to manage park capacity and maintain physical distancing so you can enjoy your day. They have reserved daily capacity for their valued Pass Members and Fun Card holders. Once you receive your reservation confirmation via email, you must bring that confirmation along with your single-day ticket, Fun Card, or Annual Pass to enter the park.

You do not need to use this system if you already purchased a date-specific single-day ticket.

• SeaWorld Orlando
• Aquatica Orlando
• Discovery Cove
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• Adventure Island

Park Hours

I took a look at all 5 park’s hours for June-August of 2020. What I found is that each park will be closed at least 2 days a week throughout the summer months.

• SeaWorld Orlando 10am-6pm closed Tuesday and Wednesday
• Aquatica Orlando 10am-5pm closed Monday and Wednesday
• Discovery Cove hours not listed closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 10am-6pm closed Tuesday and Wednesday
• Adventure Island 10am-6pm closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday

Animal Interactions

All animal exhibits will be open at SeaWorld Orlando. Line queues, viewing area, exhibit capacity and guest flow through exhibits may be adjusted or modified to maintain physical distancing. Guests will be able to enjoy presentations with modified seating to follow physical distancing measures; certain schedules and formats may be temporarily adjusted to maintain physical distancing requirements. For a list of temporary changes, please visit the park website.

As part of modified operational plans built into the Discovery Cove re-opening timeline, certain components of animal meet-and-greets will be temporarily modified or unavailable. A special beach side dolphin presentation will be available to Discovery Cove guests with Signature Dolphin Swim reservations in lieu of the fully immersive experience to help maintain physical distancing. 

In all open animal viewing spaces at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, they will add markings to queues to indicate required distancing. Certain animal interactions will be modified and only tours allowing for physical distancing will operate. Some tours and interactions will be restricted to one-party at a time.

When will You Visit a Central Florida Theme Park?

I am not a passholder to any of these 5 parks so, unless there is a media event, I won’t be visiting any time soon. I could really enjoy a day at any of these parks though. I have a work event on June 11th so I wouldn’t be able to be at any of the re-openings any way.

It’s ok though. I am just happy that the Central Florida theme parks plan to reopen in the near future and the travel business is starting to come alive again.

The post 5 More Central Florida Theme Parks Plan to Reopen June 11 appeared first on The Mom Maven.