News Summary
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced a significant investment of nearly $40 million aimed at enhancing visitor experiences. The new family-friendly area, Wild Oasis at Jungala, is set to open in May 2025 and will feature attractions like Tree Top Drop, Canopy Climb, and Enchanted Falls. Additionally, a new animal exhibit, Habitat Hideaway, will showcase diverse wildlife. Improvements will also be made to the park’s infrastructure and operations, ensuring a more enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Tampa Bay, Florida – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has unveiled a significant investment of nearly $40 million aimed at enhancing visitor experiences and adding new attractions to the park. This initiative includes the introduction of a new family-friendly area called Wild Oasis at Jungala, which is slated to open in May 2025.
Wild Oasis will feature several exciting attractions designed to engage young guests. Among these is the Tree Top Drop, a 35-foot drop tower that promises an exhilarating experience. There will also be Canopy Climb, an interactive climbing structure that offers four levels of challenges and vertical climbs reaching up to 45 feet. Additionally, the area will boast an immersive splash pad named Enchanted Falls, which will include fountains and spray towers to provide refreshing fun. Children can also participate in a self-guided educational scavenger hunt called Rainforest Quest, which will focus on various rainforest species.
In conjunction with these new attractions, the park will unveil a new exhibit called Habitat Hideaway, which will feature a variety of animals including capybaras, giant anteaters, squirrel monkeys, and tropical birds. Furthermore, Busch Gardens plans to introduce meerkats in a reimagined habitat, set to open this summer.
Beyond new attractions, the investment will extend to numerous improvements across the park’s infrastructure and operations. Enhancements will be implemented to streamline operations, improve employee recruitment, and upgrade existing equipment. These modifications are designed to boost the park’s aesthetics with increased gardens and additional plant life throughout the grounds.
Adventure Island, Busch Gardens’ water park subsidiary, will also experience a facelift. The park will introduce a new splash and play area named Castaway Falls, which will feature multi-level attractions and slides to enhance the visitor experience.
Jeff Davis, the president of Busch Gardens, who took on the role in February, emphasized that the primary goal of these improvements is to create unforgettable experiences for guests of all ages. Annual Pass Members will have the privilege of experiencing Wild Oasis before its public opening.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which first opened its doors in 1959, is home to 16,000 animals representing 200 different species. The park welcomed approximately 4 million visitors in 2023, affirming its status as a key attraction in the region.
Additionally, the park has scheduled to bring back its Summer Nights event, which will run on select dates from May 23 to August 10, 2025, promising extended hours and special programming for visitors during the summer season.
Overall, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s $40 million investment marks a significant commitment to enhancing the visitor experience while fostering education and engagement through interactive features and animal exhibits.
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Additional Resources
- Business Observer
- Wikipedia: Busch Gardens
- Orlando Sentinel
- Google Search: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay investments
- Fox 13 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theme Park
- WFLA News
- Google News: Busch Gardens new attractions
- PR Newswire
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