Experience May Weekends at Busch Gardens

[Stu]

May weekends at Busch Gardens include some new experiences and some returning favourite events.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay continues its 60th anniversary celebration with 52 weeks of events, including the return of fan favourite experiences and NEW offerings in the month of May. With the brand new thrill of Tigris, Florida's tallest launch coaster, Sesame Street Kids' Weekends and animal encounters, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

NEW! Cinco De Mayo Celebration: Saturday & Sunday, 4 & 5 May
Park guests can head to the Stanleyville region of the park to enjoy a DJ party zone including festive dancing, food and beverages. Guests 21 and older can stop by the Garden Gate Café or Kettle Corn in Pantopia for two free beers, featuring Corona for Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends: Saturdays & Sundays, 4 – 19 May
Busch Gardens is celebrating Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary with spring weekend events and a new friend! Meet Julia, a sweet and curious 4-year-old girl with autism, who recently joined her friends Elmo and Abby Cadabby at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Guests can meet Julia and friends in all-new area Abby Cadabby’s Garden, located on the pathway to Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Also NEW this year, families can enjoy build-your-own ice cream sundaes at the Sesame Kids’ Pavilion.

Created with children in mind, each weekend offers interactive entertainment and activities. From character dance parties to scavenger hunts, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. In addition, each weekend is themed to fan-favourite characters:

• Elmo Weekend, 4 & 5 May: Guests can help Elmo and his pet goldfish, Dorothy, find her friends as they make their way through the Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street Safari of Fun play area and discover treasures along their way!
• Rubber Duckie Weekend, 11 & 12 May: Join the search for Ernie’s favourite rubber duckie! Guests will experience all Sesame Street Safari of Fun has to offer while spending quality time with Bert and Ernie!
• C0okie Monster Weekend, 18 & 19 May: Look for cookies among the flowers with the one and only Cookie Monster and his closest friends. Guests can enjoy arts and crafts and more during this special family-friendly weekend.

Guy Harvey Weekend: Saturday & Sunday, 11 – 12 May
Guests will have the chance to meet world-renowned artist and conservationist Guy Harvey through autograph sessions and meet and greets on Saturday, 11 May and Sunday, 12 May. In addition, Guy Harvey will host a special Conservation Connections session highlighting his partnership with SeaWorld Parks and his conservation efforts.

Jack Hanna Weekend: Saturday & Sunday, 18 - 19 May
Join "Jungle Jack" Hanna at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for one-of-a-kind shows, autograph signings, special meet-and-greets, and more! The internationally-known animal expert will share animal facts and his travel tales throughout the day at Stanleyville Theater. The daily shows are included with park admission.

• Tails and Tales Cocktail Hour
  Guests can book more time with Jack Hanna at an exclusive cocktail hour complete with autographs, photo opportunities and animal ambassadors. The night ends with Jack Hanna sharing stories and his animal expertise. The Tails and Tales experience costs $99.99.
• VIP Meet and Greet with Jack Hanna
  For the ultimate Jack Hanna fan, guests can book a VIP Meet and Greet with Jack including up-close encounters with animal ambassadors. VIPs will also receive a commemorative photo, autograph and reserved seating to the Jack Hanna show. The VIP Meet and Greet costs $34.99.

NEW! Memorial Day Weekend Pin Trading Event: Saturday & Sunday, 25 – 27 May

Park guests can check out the latest pin collections arriving just in time for the unofficial kick-off to summer. Plus, park ambassadors will offer rare pins to trade at different locations around the park.

Summer Nights: Every night from 31 May to 11 August

The thrills go late and the fun lasts longer during Summer Nights at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Each night from 31 May to 11 August, park guests can take on their favourite thrills in the dark, now including Tigris, Florida’s tallest launch coaster. Guests can dance the night away in themed party zones and enjoy a fireworks finale each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night all summer long.

©SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

[Tea]

I see the park is open til 10pm every night in June- so is the summer nights "just" that there are food stands, music and fireworks; sort of like Food and Wine on a lesser scale, or is it a separate event? thanks. (I read the Busch Gardens website and am none the wiser- it appears to be the former)

[ELLENUT]

We have purchased the all day dining. Does anyone know if the food places stay open into the evening? Im sure when we did this last time the food places closed around 5:30pm - which is bad really when you want to stay until late ( not that we ever have done, but maybe will this time).