List of attractions at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

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Attraction/Show Year Opened Year Closed Notes Section Ref(s) African Queen Boat Ride 1977 1989 A boat ride (similar to Disney’s Jungle Cruise attraction) that included live animals and was located in what is Tigris today. It originally operated as Livingstone’s Landing from 1972 to 1977. The ride was transformed into Tanganyika Tidal Wave in 1989 with new boats and a drop section. Stanleyville [22][23] Kaleidoscope 1986 1990 The Moroccan Palace Theater was built to accommodate the show.

Kaleidoscope was a Broadway-style musical, transplanted from Busch Gardens Williamsburg, where the show was performed at the Magic Lantern Theater years earlier. The show operated with a swing cast. Accordingly, about twenty performers were available to fill the twelve roles which comprised the show. Many of the performers were required to learn more than one role, and could therefore “swing” into another part as needed. As a result, Kaleidoscope was performed four times a day every day for over five years.

Morocco [24] Swinging Vines 1977 Circa 1991 A wave swinger flat ride that swings its riders around in a circle. Congo [25] Stanleyville Amphitheater Variety Show 1980 1994 A variety show featuring a collection of circus, animal, and novelty acts which changed on a regular basis. The 30-40-minute show was hosted by a master of ceremonies. Stanleyville [26] Around the World on Ice 1990 1994 A musical revue show at the Moroccan Palace theater that took the audience to various places around the world, including Egypt, France, and Russia. This show replaced “Kaleidoscope” at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Morocco [24] Stairway to the Stars 1959 1995 Guests boarded what was said to be the world’s longest outdoor escalator for a ride up to an observation platform, on the roof of the on-site Anheuser-Busch beer brewery. From there, guests wended their way back down in a walking tour of the brewery. Bird Gardens [27] Monstrous Mamba 1976 1995 A flat ride that spun riders around as arms raised the cars up and down. Congo [25] Dwarf Village 1983 1995 A small children’s area that was replaced by Land of the Dragons. It contained statues of dwarves and mushrooms. Dwarf Village [28] Hollywood Live on Ice 1994 1998 An ice show which included James Bond and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. This show replaced “Around the World on Ice” at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Morocco [24] Questor 1991 1998 A motion simulator ride that revolved around guests going on an adventure with Sir Edison Fitzwilly to search for the Crystal of Zed, who needs the crystal’s power to finish his work. It was replaced in 1998 by Akbar’s Adventure Tours. The ride was manufactured by Reflectone.[29] Crown Colony Plaza [30] Veldt Monorail 1966 1999 Allowed guests to get up close with animals on the Serengeti Plain. The ride was removed due to upkeep cost. The station is now used for Cheetah Hunt, an Intamin launched roller coaster. Crown Colony Plaza [31] World Rhythms on Ice 1998 2003 A live show featuring various dancers performing acts from around the world. This show replaced “Hollywood Live on Ice” at the Moroccan Palace Theater.

The show is now being considered for a re-opening at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Morocco [32] Crazy Camel 1979 2003 A Chance Rides “Trabant” flat ride replaced by Sand Serpent. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [27] Dolphin Theatre 1986 2003 A typical animal park dolphin show. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [33] Python 1976 2006 An Arrow Dynamics designed steel corkscrew roller coaster with two inversions that opened on July 1, 1976 as Florida’s first inverting coaster. The ride closed on October 31, 2006 after more than thirty years of operation. The ride was demolished throughout November 2006, with the track being scrapped. The trains, however, were sent to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for use on their Loch Ness Monster roller coaster. The new section “Jungala” has taken the place where Python once stood. Congo [34] R. L. Stine’s Haunted Lighthouse 4-D 2003 2006 A “4-D” movie about two children spending a night inside a haunted lighthouse. Based on a story written by author R. L. Stine. The attraction opened up in May 2003 as the first film in the newly redone Pantopia Theatre (previously Dolphin Theatre). Timbuktu (Pantopia) [35] Akbar’s Adventure Tours 1998 2007 A motion simulator experience of a wacky tour of Egypt with Akbar (played by Martin Short), encountering markets, pyramids, and more. The ride opened up in May 1998 as the first family-oriented attraction (despite some scare factors) in the Egypt section. As of January 2005, the attraction was closed. In August 2007, the ride has reportedly been demolished, with anything of value going to other simulator rides in Busch-owned parks.[36] Its location is now used as a haunted house location for the park’s Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream. The ride was manufactured by Reflectone.[29] Egypt [37] Land of the Dragons 1995 2010 A small children’s area that was replaced by Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Sesame Street Safari of Fun [38][39] Katonga 2004 2010 An African-themed Broadway type show. This show replaced “World Rhythms on Ice” in April 2004 at the Moroccan Palace Theater. Morocco [40] Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! 2010 Before 2013 A “4-D” movie starring characters from Sesame Street. It played in the morning at the Pantopia Theater. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [citation needed] Pirates 4D 2006 2013 A “4-D” movie about Pirates, starring Leslie Nielsen. It played in the afternoon at the Pantopia Theater. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [41][42] Sandstorm 1980 2013 An orbiter ride with three arms that spins riders around. It was removed to make way for the Falcon’s Fury drop tower. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [43] Dance to the Music 2009 Circa 2013 Enjoy the sounds of the Disco era as singers and dancers perform hits from the ’70s. Timbuktu (Pantopia) [citation needed] King Tut’s Tomb 1996 Winter 2013 A walk through attraction that let visitors explore the replicas of King Tutankhamen’s tomb. The entire attraction was converted into the ride station for Cobra’s Curse. Egypt [44][45][46] Critter Castaways 2007 2014 A show featuring familiar pets and exotic creatures with almost 80 animals in all. In the Bird Garden Theater. Bird Gardens [47] Rhino Rally 2001 2014 Originally a one of a kind Vekoma River Adventure ride. Riders board inside modified Land Rovers and go on an off-road African safari. Originally the ride contained a water section where the Land Rovers floated down the river on a collapsed bridge. This portion of the ride is now closed although the area is used as scenery of part of the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and Serengeti Flyer was added in this area in 2023. Nairobi [48] Gwazi 1999 2015 A 90-foot-tall (27 m) Great Coasters International dueling wooden roller coaster. It has received a #38 Golden Ticket Awards ranking. Gwazi closed in September 2015. Gwazi’s trains are now used on InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Texas Stingray at SeaWorld San Antonio. It reopened in March 2022 as the wood-steel hybrid roller coaster Iron Gwazi. Morocco [49] Tanganyika Tidal Wave 1989 2016 A 20-passenger shoot the chutes water ride with a 55-foot (17 m) drop. Most of the theming from the African Queen Boat ride was still intact such as the African Village. The ride’s final day of operation was April 10, 2016, before it was left vacant for 2 years until its demolition in 2018 to make way for Tigris. Stanleyville [50] Iceploration 2012 2017 An ice, aerialist, acrobatics, and animal show that highlighted various parts of the world. It replaced “Katonga” at the Moroccan Palace Theater. After 5 years, Iceploration was replaced by Turn It Up. Morocco [51] Motor City Groove 2011 2018 Classics from the Motown era presented in the Stanleyville Theatre. The show was closed due to low attendance. Stanleyville [52] Opening Night Critters 2014 2018 Featured animals such as dogs, cats, kangaroos, birds, and a horse. Show closed by new years of 2019 and the theater was reopened for Critters Inn Charge Pantopia [53][54] Jungle Flyers 2008 2018 Three pairs of zip lines with single person suspended vehicles themed like hang gliders. The cables at the loading area raised and lowered to allow the vehicle to leave and then return to the station. Jungala [55] Phoenix 1984 2018 A swinging boat ride that went completely upside down. It was themed to an Egyptian cargo vessel. Pantopia [56][failed verification]