We’re back with another Busch Gardens Tampa update. We have a few new things to share with you, including an update on the delayed Falcon’s Fury drop tower ride, some changes and additions, and information on a special passholder event.

Falcon’s Fury Delay

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As you’re most likely aware of, the opening of Falcon’s Fury has been delayed as the park ran into an issue with the ride’s brake system as well as some other issues during testing. The park released the following statement on May 28:

Busch Gardens’ new thrill ride Falcon’s Fury includes first-of-its kind design elements, systems and parts. Due to a delay in the fabrication of key component parts, neither the manufacturer nor Busch Gardens are able to complete the lengthy testing processes needed to open the ride to the public. The safety of our guests and team members remains Busch Gardens’ top priority and none of these delays involve safety systems. The ride has been safely operated in the initial stages of the testing process, and all other elements of the park’s newest re-imagined land Pantopia are now open to guests. Busch Gardens will provide updates on the ride opening as events warrant. We are committed to delivering world-class thrills and the best possible ride experience, and we look forward to the launch of Falcon’s Fury, North America’s tallest freestanding drop tower, later this summer.

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I’m glad the park is making safety its top priority and wants the ride to be 100% ready to go instead of just something “good enough” so they can get it open and then have something go wrong and guests and/or park employees getting injured. We’re keeping an eye on this one and once Busch Gardens announces a new opening date later this summer, we’ll share it with you right away.


Refresh Market

In my last update, I reported about a new beverage location next to the Stanleyville train station (under the SheikRa roller coaster splashdown) called the Refresh Market, which sells a variety of Minute Maid lemonades and Peak iced teas. I forgot to get photos last time, so here they are now.

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The Spice & Tea Exchange

Over at the new Painted Camel Bazaar in Pantopia, they recently added a section dedicated to loose-leaf teas, spices and more. They have an amazing variety to choose from! This section of the shop also smells incredible!

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Rhino Rally

Rhino Rally is open again (it was closed and behind walls during my last visit to the park). I didn’t get a chance to ride, but this was probably just for routine maintenance with no major changes.

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June Passholder Deal

Each month, Busch Gardens offers a special deal for passholders and the one for June is really good. The park is giving $10 in Busch Gardens Bucks, which can be used for dining, shopping or even the various tours the park offers! This offer is even offered for Fun Card holders. Some restrictions apply, and if you spend less than the $10, no change will be given. Passholders can claim their Busch Gardens Bucks by logging into the passholder area of the park’s website: http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/passmembers/?from=Top_Nav#tab85D81FA23A91411ABB3F3E9E3AAB3AE4

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When you redeem your Busch Gardens Bucks at one of the self-serve ticket kiosks (either outside the main entrance by the tram stop or at locations throughout the park), you get two vouchers worth $5 each. This is a nice way to break it up so you can just spend $5 at a time instead of having to give up the whole $10 at once. The vouchers are good only the day they’re claimed though.

Passholder Appreciation Event

And if giving passholders $10 to spend in the park wasn’t enough, Busch Gardens is also holding special passholder appreciation nights called Sidwalk Safari Nights. The event will take place June 13-14 and June 20-21 from 7:30pm to 11:00pm each night. Again, this also includes Fun Card holders as well as regular 1 & 2 year and Platinum passholders. In addition to being able to check out some of the rides at night, passholders will be able to enjoy 20% off food and merchandise (double the normal 10% discount), meet various animal ambassadors and get special behind the scenes looks at two of the park’s shows (Iceploration and Burn the Floor: Untapped). To participate in Sidewalk Safari Nights, passholders just need to present their pass at the Nairobi Gate (near the Cheetah Hunt figure 8 tower) starting at 7:30pm on event nights. For more information, visit the Sidewalk Safari Nights page: http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa/pages/sidewalksafarinights/

Around the Park

As always, let’s wrap things up with some photos from around this great park that’s just an hour away from Orlando.

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Baby Ducks!
Baby Ducks!

 

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The lion cubs are now a year old. You can see Kembe's mane is growing in nicely.
The lion cubs are now a year old. You can see Kembe’s mane is growing in nicely.

 

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A trio of Flamenco guitarists entertain guests at the Paintopia Grill between performances of Burn the Floor: Untapped
A trio of Flamenco guitarists entertain guests at the Paintopia Grill between performances of Burn the Floor: Untapped

 

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Acrobat defying gravity in Pantopia
Acrobat defying gravity in Pantopia

 

At Twisted Tails Pretzels they're now offering beer flights for $10 plus tax
At Twisted Tails Pretzels they’re now offering beer flights for $10 plus tax

 

Gave the Shock Top Twisted Pretzel Wheat beer a try. It smells just like pretzels and tasted very good. The Woodchuck Summer Cider next to it was also really good.
Gave the Shock Top Twisted Pretzel Wheat beer a try. It smells just like pretzels and tasted very good. The Woodchuck Summer Cider next to it was also really good.

 

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Tried the ham & cheese pretzel sandwich from Twisted Tails Pretzels for lunch, which comes with homemade potato chips. Delicious!
Tried the ham & cheese pretzel sandwich from Twisted Tails Pretzels for lunch, which comes with homemade potato chips. Delicious!

 

The meerkat habitat is still getting some work done.
The meerkat habitat is still getting some work done.

 

Sultan's Sweets has been serving Starbucks coffee for several years. Prices pretty much the same as your local Starbucks too.
Sultan’s Sweets has been serving Starbucks coffee for several years. Prices pretty much the same as your local Starbucks too.

 

That should do it for this update. Are you still excited about Falcon’s Fury despite the delay? Will you be checking out the passholder appreciation event? Let us know 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.