Busch Gardens in Tampa has some amazing new developments coming your way this month. From two great new stage shows, to a visit from Jack Hanna, Busch Gardens is really showing off some fun new stuff!

Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation

Busch Gardens debuted their newest show, Madagascar Live! Operation: Vacation on May 18 in the newly enclosed (and air-conditioned!) Stanleyville Theater. The show follows Alex the Lion, the Penguins, and King Julien & Mort as they try to help Gloria the Hippo get in the spirit of being on vacation. This high-energy show features a live band playing a mix of original and well-known pop and rock songs, along with several dancers to keep things shaking. MiceChat was invited to a media preview of the show a couple days before the official debut and it did not disappoint. The show is just plain fun for all ages. Definitely check out the show next time you’re at the park!

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa
Jim Dean, the President of Busch Gardens

I had the opportunity to interview Jim Dean, the President of Busch Gardens, after the media preview of the Madagascar show and he was more than happy to answer some questions. Many of these questions are from your, our readers, as we asked on the MiceChat Facebook Group for the questions you’d like to hear answered:

MiceChat: Disney has done very well with their popular Run Disney program, which hosts races and marathons at the Disney resorts. Does Busch Gardens Tampa have any plans of possibly hosting a race/marathon in the future? The Busch Gardens Williamsburg park holds an 8k race during Christmastime.

Jim Dean: We actually have a race we currently do for our Team Members, but we have plans to eventually put on a race or marathon of some sort to raise money for our Conservation Fun. We don’t know yet if it’ll be a 5k, 8k, 12k or something more, but it will take place in Busch Gardens and the surrounding area.

MiceChat: With Universal’s Harry Potter expansion under construction and Disney finishing up their Fantasyland expansion with the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, both opening in 2014, does Busch Gardens Tampa have any tricks up its sleeve to help keep the crowds “roaring” in?

Jim Dean: Well, over at SeaWorld, Antarctica is opening later this month and since SeaWorld is our sister park, we like to cross-promote each other. And, of course, here at Busch Gardens we have Madagascar Live!

MiceChat: Now that Madagascar Live! is in the Stanleyville Theater, what will happen with the Real Music Concert Series (which runs from mid January to early March)?

Jim Dean: The Real Music Concert Series will still be held here in Stanleyville Theater.

MiceChat: So, what’s going on with Rhino Rally? There have been rumors it may be closing soon or that a planned refresh/expansion is in the works.

Jim Dean: Rhino Rally is open every day. As you know, the ride used to be longer and had a great water element. However, when we built Cheetah Hunt, that element was removed. We are working on plans of a possible expansion of Rhino Rally in the future.

Mice Chat: Finally, what’s going on with the Timbuktu Theater? All the signage for the 4D movies have been removed. Can you tell us anything?

Jim Dean: We have something big planned, but unfortunately right now, I can’t tell you what those plans are. But keep watching!

Born To Rock

Magascar Live! isn’t the only new show at Busch Gardens. Over at the Desert Grill, Born To Rock performs several times a day. Born To Rock follows goofy Arvin, who, through a series of comical events, finds himself in the middle of a rock and roll musical production! The show features singers, a live guitar player, dancers and acrobatics set to a soundtrack of pop and rock songs throughout the decades. You’ll hear everything from “Born to be Wild” to “Party Rock Anthem” to “Let’s Go Crazy”.

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

Jack Hanna Visits Busch Gardens

Animal expert ,“Jungle” Jack Hanna, made his annual visit to Busch Gardens this past weekend and this year’s show was his biggest and best yet! The show took place in Gwazi Park (in the past, shows were held in Stanleyville Theater). Audiences were treated to a variety of critters ranging from a zebra, to fennec foxes, to a full grown cheetah, and even two camels, while Jack educated the crowd about each animal.

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

Around the Park

We’ll end today’s update with some photos around this great park. Next time you’re in Central Florida, remember that Busch Gardens is only an hour away from the Orlando theme parks and well worth the drive for a visit.

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

busch gardens, Madagascar Live at Busch Gardens Tampa

That’ll do it for this visit to Busch Gardens Tampa. We’ll be back soon and would love to hear from you in the comments below.

 

Amy VandenBoogert
Amy is lucky to live in beautiful Tampa Bay, Florida and frequently visits the Busch Gardens theme park in that city. You can find Amy's updates on Busch Gardens and other Central Florida attractions in MiceChat's Orlando Parkhopper columns.