We’re back with another Busch Gardens Tampa update! We have news regarding Gwazi’s closing date as well as information on some ongoing and upcoming events at the park.
Goodbye Gwazi
The park has announced that Gwazi is closing for good on February 1, so if you haven’t gotten your final ride in yet, now is the time. No word yet as to what will be replacing the coaster (which opened in 1999 and is the largest wooden coaster in the Southeastern United States).
Real Music Concert Series
The popular concert series is back again for another year, featuring entertainers from days gone by. The day I visited the park, Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone was at the park performing, I happened to catch their final show of the day. Peter is still in great form and a lot of fun. He’s a regular during Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival, so definitely check him out if you can when he’s there!
Here’s the remaining schedule for the Real Music Series:
The Diamonds: January 26-30
Fernando Varela: February 2-6
The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Terry Myers Salute to Benny Goodman: February 9-13
Ricky Nelson Remembered Featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson: February 16-20
Shirley Jones: February 23-27
Exile & Juice Newton: March 2-6
The Real Music concerts held in the Stanleyville Theater and are included with park admission, however you do need a ticket to enter. You can obtain the free tickets at a tent outside the theater. Showtimes are at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm Monday through Friday.
Food & Wine Festival
Busch Gardens Tampa is hosting their first ever Food & Wine Festival this spring, The Festival has been a staple at the Willamsburg park for several years. Festival events will take place Fridays and Saturdays from March 7 through April 26. As well as food and drink, there will be live music from some big names.
The park has so far announced the following concert lineup:
March 7: Gavin DeGraw
March 8: Fifth Harmony
March 14: Kool & the Gang
March 15: Boys Like Girls
March 21: Kenny Rogers
March 22: PENTATONIX
March 28: Stephen Curtis Chapman
March 29: El Gran Combo
There are also concerts schedule through April, but the park has yet to announced who those performer will be. The Food & Wine Festival and the concerts will be included with park admission.
Generation Nature LIVE With Bindi Irwin
Youth animal ambassador Bindi Irwin will be making her first visit to Busch Gardens Tampa February 7 and 8, bringing a high-energy and full-filled show of cool and quirky animal facts designed to inspire kids to become involved with nature and conservation efforts.
The park is also offering a special VIP dining experience that includes a meet & greet with Bindi (and autograph), breakfast and priority access to the 11am show at the Stanleyville Theater. Cost is $20 for adults and $14 for children age 3-9. Passholders receive a discount.
Pantiopa Grill Redo
In an unexpected move, the park recently closed the Pantopia Grill for a total retheming inside. When it re-opens later this year as the Dragonfire Grill, the stage and seating area will be pretty much the same. However, the food service lines will be a variety of food stations offering Italian, Asian, American, and Mexican cuisine. Guests will have more dining options such as teriyaki chicken, flatbread pizza, shrimp lo mein, rotisserie chicken, panini’s and more! There will also be a grab and go station featuring a Starbucks counter (the park has already been serving Starbucks coffee at Sultan’s Sweets for several years). Craft beer lovers will appreciate the selection of craft brews that will be added to the current beer lineup.
Around The Park
And let’s wrap things up with some photos of the park and the amazing animals who inhabit it.
That should do it for today’s update! Are you sad to see Gwazi go? What do you hope the park replaces it with? Let us know your thoughts in the poll and comments below.