Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Closed Early After Severe Storms

Overview

• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay closed for the rest of the day on Thursday, Aug. 27, notifying visitors by an Instagram story and loudspeaker announcements to those inside the park.
• Local weather alerts reported strong thunderstorms and wind gusts up to 40 mph, and park officials cited the venue’s largely outdoor, wildlife-focused layout when explaining the safety-driven shutdown.
• The park’s Weather-or-Not Assurance (called Worry-Free Fun) lets guests request a complimentary replacement visit when weather forces an early closure, when rides are down more than 60 minutes, or when the park’s heat index reaches 110°F.
• Guests affected by the Aug. 27 closure must submit replacement-ticket requests within one week at Guest Services or through the park’s online form, with most admission types eligible except certain promotional tickets.
• Busch Gardens reopened on schedule on Friday, Aug. 28, operated normally through the weekend, and is running regular hours while preparing for its Howl-O-Scream seasonal event beginning Sept. 11.