The Rise and Fall of Busch Gardens Tampa (Part 1) | A Complete History

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

Growing up in FL in the 90s/00s, we always hoped for school trips to Busch Gardens. Disney was fun but Busch Gardens had better rides

[@hyruleanraven81]

Recently visited Busch Gardens and I still see a uniqueness of this park. It is clean and has great rides. Compared to other park across the US it is still caliber of a park to visit. Most people just don’t go pass Orlando but if one does, this park still a worthy visit.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

It's a great park at a fundamental level, but they're running it poorly and future investment isn't particularly exciting. I remember when it used to be packed in the early 2000s and it was a ghost town when I went today.

[@matthewolson9704]

​@@PoseidonEntertainmentany thoughts or insight on the new BGT project? RMC Wild Moose to replace Sand Serpent? Or a Vekoma boomerang? 👀

[@harlandeke]

​@@PoseidonEntertainment conversely I went a couple of months ago and it was packed. The economy is having an adverse effect on a lot of parks imo.

[@kb6530]

There was super slow days back in its prime too dude , we woukd go on weekdays and have no line ,and not even need tk get off the roller coaster when it was done, those are the good days tho , sometimes it's super packed and miserable

[@AventaEdits]

@@PoseidonEntertainmentikr like one of the rides has been shut down for like 3 years

[@VideosJacked]

I always felt like this channel was one of the best theme park explainy type videos and then he's like I'm from Tampa. A fellow Floridian, hell yeah.

[@chinortega3]

That's what I said lmao

[@epeeypen]

I grew up in tampa. I am 35 years old. I have seen the park change so much over those years. My great grandmother used to tell me about what it was kind when it first opened. I really appreciate you doing this work

[@Chaotic-po8oj]

I LOVE Busch Gardens. My middle and elementary school would often do field trips to the park because it was usually the cheapest but also because it was a really fun place. I have many childhood memories there. My favorite place is the Sesame Street part of the park, so many good memories. Hell, I cured my fear of heights at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. I got a caricature of me done back in 2010, and the Jungla area (I don’t remember the name because it’s been so long since I have gone) was also super fun. So many amazing memories at that park and pictures. I need to go back to Busch Gardens.

[@trentboring3426]

Losing their most themed attractions (Akbars Adventure Tours and Tidal Wave) that helped guests beat florida heat, with the former providing a ride that operated during tampas lightning storms, were the biggest losses. Losing an african themed broadway style show and a quality sit down restaurant also played key parts in its demise. These were essential experiences to the park, they closed more attractions than they've opened the past 20 yrs. Maintenance also a serious issue now, thanks to budget cuts and a revolving door of management. This just breaks my heart

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I agree…

[@carminecdinoproductions]

I want those attractions to come back along with the show and the sit-down restaurants.

[@oxy134]

It's been years since I've been to BG, I think when sheikra opened, I am now dismayed Tidal wave was closed and I will continue my apparent protest of not going haha. But I really have been itching for those new coasters.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

Tidal Wave was always interesting. I liked how it kept the village from the African Queen.

[@trentboring3426]

​@@PoseidonEntertainment REPLY FROM THE GOD HIMSELF. YOUR AFRICAN QUEEN BOAT RIDE POV AND NARRATION IS THE MOST LEGENDARY PIECE OF THEME PARK LORE I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!!!

[@Ataraxia462]

BGT is the only park I bought a season pass for when we moved to Florida, mainly because of how close it is to us and the affordability. Love the park, love their Halloween and Christmas events, but I do wish they had more rides. When we visited cedar point this summer I realized just how much there is to do at that park besides the coasters. BGT needs more flat rides and they definitely need a dark ride or two.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

When I went in the early 2000s as a child, there were so many flat rides. Many were mostly for children and located around Timbuktu and Congo but it did a lot in terms of capacity. I do think they need more accessible, family oriented attractions though. Most of their coasters are great, but the park is unbalanced.

[@karenbouchard7098]

We did as well and enjoy all their concerts!

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

​@@PoseidonEntertainmentI agree and I think SeaWorld is also suffering from the same neglect. The fact that SeaWorld has 2 standing / not operating dark rides (Wild Artic / Antarctica) kinda says it all. Busch and SeaWorld desperately need a new indoor dark ride to get some air conditioning in the summer. Busch offering refunds for too much heat is crazy -- Disney and Universal don't need that policy because they have plenty of indoor attractions.

[@weston407]

that's ironic considering that roller coasters are the main draw for Cedar Point!

[@Irreve-rsible]

Cedar Point is considered the "Roller Coaster Capital of The World". Only one other park in the world even has close to the same amount of rides, not a very good comparision in my opinion.

[@bdablader95]

Lived in Tampa for 25 of my 28 years of my life. I remember growing up with BG being THE park. If you ask any Bay area local, we'll all say BG is better than driving to Orlando for Disney and Universal. I remember skipping school with my dad when Sheikra has it's Grand opening, words don't describe the excitement in the cities around BG, EVERYONE was so hyped. It's sad seeing the park slowly deteriorate. They still have the best horror nights vs Universal and despite the condition, us locals all go at least once a year, it's a nice place to hang out with some friends for the day without paying an arm & leg or driving 90 minutes up to Disney Springs/Universal.

[@stot2614]

Deteriorate?? I think not... if anything it is the lack of employees that is the problem. BGT is doing everything it can within the confines of it now being a SeaWorld owned entity for a quite a number of years now since InBev bought the Budweiser company. Coaster building is huge in Florida and pretty much the entire industry these days. I wish intellectual properties weren't so oversaturated in the theme park industry, but at least BGT keeps that to a minimum unlike Seaworld and its Sesame Street I.P. If there were a better pool of folks wanting to be employees at theme parks like BGT, the park itself wouldn't have the appearance of deterioration. That being said, being in competition with the powerhouse that Orlando is, I do think that has a lot to do with the worker pool being weaker in the Tampa area compared to the metropolis of O Town.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@stot2614 The issue is that they don't pay people well enough and they cut hours to the bone. I don't recall what I've heard their most recent minimum pay is, but I think it's just over $9 an hour which is ridiculous for a place like Tampa. I know that SeaWorld pays a bit better (but is not at all competitive with Disney or Universal) but I know people who have worked there hourly and have said that they try to cut hours as much as possible, even closing coasters early to send people home to save money.

[@stot2614]

The cost of doing business in a competitive market... sucks but some of us understand that. Inflation because of spending on the federal scale is what is forcing this to happen not just here but in many industries.@@PoseidonEntertainment

[@fireflyfox93]

​@@PoseidonEntertainmentspot on, they're not competitive enough. You can't live off that job alone. Most employees are part time and the pay is still laughable for the area. I think it has gotten up around $10-11/hr but at only part time hours you still need a second job.

[@Afineaddition]

@@PoseidonEntertainment Sheesh, $9/hr? That's tough, especially considering Universal starts you at $17/hr.

[@LChatmanFL]

This is also my home park. I really miss Rhino Valley. It was such a unique ride. I've never seen another attraction that went from land based ride to river rapids ride. I also used to operate the Black Mamba, the Python and Scorpion back in the early 90's. Only the Scorpion remains. Lastly, I wish the parks could have gotten that rumored make over before the Blackfish film killed momentum. The concept art looked stunning with onsite hotels etc.

[@DreadedWhiteKong]

Rhino Rally was so good. It was a nice break to get off your feet and the ride was also cool because the driver could really make it fun with a good sense of humor. It reminds me a bit of Jaws at Universal in that way. Completely forgot about that ride until you said it, thanks for the memory.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I always felt that Rhino Rally was better than Kilimanjaro. The water part was also really novel and made it stand out well.

[@nicktorres1744]

Rhino rally was sick Python sucked ass though don’t miss that at all and there’s a lot of new coasters and rides

[@jessesims6232]

@@nicktorres1744Python was so shakey. It would slam your head into the seat 😂

[@happgood]

I'm a Tampa Bay native who first visited the park in 1966 at age 4, and every year since. (I've also worked in the park on creating Spooky Safari & Howl O Scream events in the 1990s). Your overview is wonderful, so much fun to see the home movies and the background stories. I remember both iterations of the Jungle Cruise style boat ride well, my friend was one of the Skippers. As for the Escalator, for many years sea lions swam underneath to entertain the guests. When I was very young the Escalator scared me and thrilled me, but not as much as the rollercoasters to come. Thank you for your well researched videos and looking forward to Python, Scorpion and all their descendants in Part 2!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I had no idea there were sea lions under the escalator. I did find video of African Penguins underneath though. Also, what was Livingstone's Landing like? I've only found a few pics and 30 seconds of footage but absolutely no information on the ride experience.

[@cassandra6577]

I love the era appropriate music you included. It really adds to the feel of each time period of the park!

[@TampaJohn]

Oh my god, the memories! My wife and I used to get the annual pass just to ride the coasters. Once you do the other stuff enough, it gets old, but the coasters never did!

[@mandaschroeder1578]

St Pete native and I grew up with this park - it’s so cool learning where some of the buildings started so I’m excited for Part 2. I have so many memories of this park (30 y/o now) and photos with attractions that aren’t there anymore. I was actually picked as a kid to pet the dolphin at the dolphin show RIP. Ahhh, I needed this itch of nostalgia so thank you!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

That dolphin show was my first memory, so the park is definitely a personal interest too.

[@matthewolson9704]

I'm 37yo but I have so many core memories from visiting in the 90s ❤ miss what it was, but I think its more that as an adult I see it for what it is 😂 the magic is long gone, but I still enjoy myself every time 🤌

[@ShardsOfNarsil]

No joke my friends little brother snuck in the park late at night and swam around with the dolphins. @@PoseidonEntertainment

[@makdaddi3921]

I went to Bush Gardens many times when it was just a brewery tour with some animals and most notably penguins. The escalator was a phenomenon in those days and I do remember the dwarf attraction. Home movies of old Bush Gardens were watched by us kids over and over... fond memories...

[@Visible7777]

I remember going as a kid with my family riding rides and seeing the shows, then being dropped off with friends and we'd run through the park all day, finally slowing down and riding the buckets or train around to cool off. I haven't been in 20 years. Thank you.

[@THE_EXPERTS_SHOW1]

Tampa Native, my grandma snuck me my first sip of beer here back in the day when they used to do the brewery tours. Place has gotten trashy, but the coasters are better than ever! Thank you for this video!

[@diegeticfridge9167]

Part 1??? Well I’m hooked!!!!!

[@rennie823]

Thank you so much for making this video. I moved to Temple Terrace in 90' and found Busch Gardens right down the street. I loved going there. It was an adventure and for me to put my fear of roller coasters to the test!!! I began to love them. I enjoyed all the shows, the food, the shopping and exercise!!! Sad to hear that it's not like it use to be....

[@lifekeepsflowing]

Thank you for all the work you put into these videos! I’ve been watching you since the start of the pandemic in 2020, and your quality has only increased and your storytelling has improved. The backstory of Busch Gardens was fascinating, along with the early days of the park. I’m excited for part 2 :)

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I appreciate you continuing to watch!

[@harrisonlichtenberg3162]

I was a child and lived within 2 miles of Busch Gardens during its heyday in the late 90s and early 2000s. I'm just glad I got to enjoy it when it was good.

[@testuser55]

Cool video. Went there a ton in the 80s as a kid! Brings back a lot of memories!

[@mikemarquette924]

Id give anything to go back to my first visit and every time since. I didn't know what I had and what I was living through. I miss it so much

[@deannapeterson2217]

Thanks for taking me back to my early childhood.

[@jl6714]

Born and raised in Tampa, This brings back so many great memories. Growing up we use to go at least twice a year as a family then when I had my own children I bought annual passes and we went about once a week. Thank you for sharing!

[@conundrumming3532]

Brought back lots of memories from the 70s. You never disappoint

[@JustBeingMe1984]

Wow what a great trip down memory lane! I remember most if not all of it. My dad started working there in 71.

[@rototiller345]

Loved busch Gardens in the 2000-2010's. Was so much fun

[@emma82032]

I used to go to Busch Gardens multiple times a summer almost every summer of my childhood. Great park and amazing memories.

[@canileaveitblank1476]

While living in Tampa in the early 80’s I had a yearly pass to Busch Gardens. Loved it back then!! Only downfall was the scammers in the parking lot, claiming to have run out of gas. ❤️🍀

[@danielknauss5019]

I also grew up in Tampa. I attended Chamberlain High school, literally right down Busch blvd from this park. I haven’t been back to the park in almost 20 years but have very fond memories of Kumba and Montu.

[@Kreege]

I havent watched the video yet but I lived very close to BGT as a kid and had season passes from 2001-05. I've got tons of great memories of the park from those days. looking forward to this video!

[@shenanitims4006]

Thank you so much! I grew up going to Busch Gardens, and it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. Especially, since, living in Tampa, you could buy a year pass for the cost of admission plus something minuscule (like + $5), and be able to go year round. Getting off of work with your friends around 4PM? Let’s go to Busch Gardens, ride a few coasters, and/or people watch.

[@dennisd9804]

Absolutely amazing! I did not realize how detailed the history of Busch Gardens was. Stanleyville was an excellent additon to the park, and Stanley Falls is arguably my favorite log flume ride!

[@jadedk1tten]

I grew up always going to BG Williamsburg due to living in that area of VA my whole life so I love seeing coverage on BG Tampa

[@brandonbyrne4753]

BGT has a very strange layout but seeing the timeline of the park’s construction and evolving purpose and focus helps to understand why the park flows the way that it does. Great video, about to watch part 2

[@_SuniTea_]

As someone who has been going to Busch Gardens since 2010 and worked there for a little over a year, many people still go and it’s not dying down anytime soon. However the charm is definitely fading. They favor profit over enjoyment, and as someone who’s worked in the summer heat, there are now very few options to cool down when it comes to rides. There’s always something down for service, food is expensive and not always good, the fun rides are well over a hour wait, and after you’ve been on 2-3 rides you’re tired and ready to go home. However, there are many places to visit in the park that are enjoyable for adults/kids to help cool off and take a break from walking.

[@donkeypunchout]

Busch gardens is still my favorite park to go to..I have been going here for over thirty years and still like it just as much as the first time I ever went..

[@kellykerr5225]

I miss the bird shows and their tricks. Now they just fly across. It was so cute. I moved to Tampa when I was 15

[@willswalkingwest7267]

This is a video long overdue. I give you props for the hard work and research. Busch Gardens WAS at one day a fantastic wildlife park. Good people working there with the animals, a good budget to see to their welfare. Those days are over. I knew many of the people there. They are no longer there. I long for the days past when this and other parks had quality missions. I love rides, coasters and such. But live animals and extreme rides don't belong together. Thank you again. I hope people will watch all parts to this.

[@notpunkproductions]

I watched this the same hour it came out and then again today. Really looking forward to Part 2. I find it so fascinating that Busch Gardens is so intertwined with the brewery. Today it seems like building a family theme park on the site of one of the largest breweries and distilleries in the world is sort of a terrible idea, but we’re very lucky that we do have it. Not that I personally would have a problem taking my children to a brewery, but I know some people are weird about sheltering their kids from the existence of alcohol.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I only ever knew it without the brewery, but it is interesting that it played such a large role for a little over 4 decades.

[@mmontes15]

It wasn't like people were standing around back in the 70's getting hammered with their kids there. At least not that I ever saw. It wasn't like Epcot's Food & Wine festival or anything like that. There everything is spaced out all over the park, and you can get alcohol anywhere you want. So it's not inconvenient for people to buy it whenever they want. It's easy to get your drink on there. The brewery at Busch Gardens was tucked away beyond the Bird Gardens, away from all the rides, and was one of the few places you could get beer in the park. They used to give out 1 free beer per visit when you went. So we would go over there so my mom could get her free beer, but it was so far away from everything that we kids wanted to do, that we didn't spend any time over there. No one did really, because it's not like there were "Busch Garden adults" back then 😂😂😂😂 that went to the park without their kids like you have with Disney today. I think The Festhaus in Tibuktu also served beer but that was probably about it. I do remember the betrayal the brewery workers felt when they made the decision to close it because it was right before Christmas, and it was such a fixture of the park. Those people had worked at that brewery, and lived in the community for years, and the company just sprung it on them, and then like a month later, cut them right before Christmas. I remember feeling terrible for those workers.

[@JodieWithanIEOfficial]

I love your channel. All of your video essays are so well thought out, researched and presented. I’m from St Louis so I only know a smidge of the history of the Busch family, so getting to see this new aspect of it outside of St. Louis is a real treat. Can’t wait for episode two.

[@mmontes15]

I grew up in Tampa and went to college in St. Louis. STL is such a great city. I loved my time there, and I honestly think that City Museum is one of the great, largely unknown treasures in the nation. It's so unique, and fun to explore!

[@stj53]

I was there as a kid in the early 60's (10 yo from small town who had never seen such..) and then again with my wife and children in the mid-90's. I have wonderful memories of both visits.

[@Theworldisyouroyster156]

It’s evident how many hours work of research you put into this. Very interesting and enjoyable.

[@Sludge73]

Enjoyed Busch Gardens as a kid in the 80s. Took the family there around 5 years ago. We loved it. I enjoyed riding some of the same rides.

[@nikolascsernus8581]

Thank you for the history of Bushgardens, very interesting! I'm a Tampa native, been going to the park since I was born! The park is not what it used to be. Gone are the street entertainment, Gone are the great African or animal themed shows around the park... what happened to the snake charmer lady, she was good 👍 entertainment! All they add these days are big Rollercoasters 🎢 ...not everyone likes coasters 😢😅

[@taylorkarlberg2060]

Went last November on a Thursday; it was almost empty. Getting to ride all the coasters w no line was great, but the place is definitely showing it's age and lack of direction. I left by 2pm because apparently serially riding coasters 30+ times in a morning will give you a headache

[@WBG123098]

I owned a Fun Pass (year passes) for about 15 of my 34 years alive, born and raised in South Florida. Busch Gardens in the summer for summer nights, where the park is open late and you can hit your favorite rides in the dark, and Hallowscream, the Hallowween Haunted Houses they do up every year, are two musts. Huge, defining part of my childhood and growing up, up until the year before covid, 2019, last year I held a Fun Pass. Not sure if it's lost any of its magic post-covid, but I have nothing but fond memories of the place, my most frequented out-of-town attraction. Long live BGT Shoutout to Gwazi, scariest wooden coaster I've ever been on.

[@StevenSmith-pr7gw]

I’ve never been to the Tampa park but Bush Gardens Williamsburg is an amazing park with outstanding shows, great rides, and beautiful theming!

[@happyyad]

Always look forward and appreciate the work you do on your videos. Can’t wait for part 2. We have a park here in Santa Fe Springs Ca, and back in the early 1900 was a lush garden with fountains and sculptures that was visited by people around LA, and was referred to as a fairy garden, similar to Busch Gardens. Must have been a popular back at that time. Hell, I enjoy the day there even today. The city of SFS has restored the area back to what it was in the late 1800’s.

[@AmericanConstellation]

I was born in Tampa, 1958. I went there all the time when I was a kid. As a young man in my 20's it was still fun. They had a brewery there, free beer and it was a great zoo with lots of room for the animals to free run. I lived on Bush Blvd in the early 80's. I could walk there and I did. Now that neighborhood has since then gone to crap. I got a season pass for me and my girlfriend. I enjoyed the brewery. I could smell it where I lived. I loved to visit the animals. Then the place got carried away with roller coasters and got rid of the brewery. Budweiser was sold to a Belgium company and it's gone down the toilet ever since. I haven't been there in years and don't care to go back.

[@yoongiyuu3086]

so many of my early childhood memories were made at this park. it feels crazy to see a youtube video about it

[@chester82gtstang]

They are losing their roots. Anheuser-Busch doesn't know anything about their target audience. I was an employee at BG 20 years ago and it was headed downhill back then. I watched tenured employees lose some fun benefits like a free case of beer every month. I know that doesn't seem like a big deal but I think its a cool benefit most employers wouldn't give. They also used to give guests a complimentary beer. I think they are bringing that back this year but hell for the ticket price you should get a case of beer LOL.

[@serennosquadcast8297]

We have Busch Gardens Williamsburg here in Virginia. I’ve been going since 1999 and so much has changed! It’s cool to experience Tampas park in this video, thanks for the history!

[@STSGuitar16]

Great video as always, my friend. I'd love to see some Halloween Horror Nights history and/or reviews coming up in the spooky season! Or just any spooky content at all. How cool it would be to see you rank classic haunted house dark rides. Love what you do, brother!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I don't really touch HHN history because Expedition Theme Park has already covered it pretty thoroughly and I don't even really know that much about it. I'm sure I'll touch HHN in some capacity this year though.

[@STSGuitar16]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I do love Expedition’s vids on HHN for sure, it’s just that I’ve watched it like five times now and am craving some new HHN-related content lol. One angle you might be able to get into on that topic that Expedition didn’t cover much was the theming of the mazes themselves. I could picture you doing something similar to your video about the Universal Tribute Store where you covered the details of the theming itself. Obviously that would probably take a lot of in-person investigation to get to the level you usually take things, but I do think it would be really cool to see a video covering the small details in the theming of the various mazes/scare zones. Just my $0.02! Yours is one of my absolute favorite channels out there and by far my favorite theme park content creator, so I couldn’t help but to selfishly request HHN content lmao. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll gladly be watching!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

@@STSGuitar16 Yeah, I agree that something like that would be cool but it's difficult to find full run-throughs of houses. When they let media through to film them, they only allow channels to upload segments of the houses and they all tend to share the same highlights so it's difficult to piece the footage together into a full house run to comment over.

[@STSGuitar16]

@@PoseidonEntertainment I feel like I have seen a lot of full walkthroughs on some of them on here but I get what you mean. It would be super difficult to pull off. I doubt they’d ever do this at Universal, but it may be worth a shot actually contacting them and seeing if they could hook you up with a behind the scenes tour of some of the mazes for a video. It’s unlikely they’d say yes, but you never know. I do know that a lot of non-universal haunted attractions will gladly give KZbinrs a lights-on behind the scenes tour of their attractions. There are actually a lot of smaller channels who I have seen get full tours of even the more popular haunted houses out there, so much more source material to go off of. A lot of the bigger attractions develop full stories behind the houses and include tons of details into their scenes, too, which is fitting for this channel. Not exactly theme park related, but it would definitely be adjacent to your normal content. Even just comparing a big high tech haunted attraction to a smaller local attraction would also be cool. Maybe even comparing a non-universal haunt to some of the universal mazes that are uploaded on here. Usually the owners of those smaller places are completely happy to give tours to people in that way, so you’d be able to take your time and fully soak everything in. There are also a lot of videos of a lot of different haunted attractions on KZbin, so you’d have plenty to draw from even if you didn’t visit one in person. Again, just my extra $0.02 about having some potential spooky season content lol.

[@brycevo]

This is so neat. Great video!

[@trayne5151]

I live next door and have a fun pass so I can walk around the park. It’s hardly busy at all which is nice for me to see some animals and move my body. They had 2 main entrances with 16 gate attendants and a line to get in when I was a kid. Now they usually have 1 attendant and no line

[@howardlloyd9183]

I grew up in Mad beach and now live in T.I. but I haven't been to Busch gardens in probably 10 years. Great content.

[@karennadeau8251]

My kids and I always had years pass. We loved it. On my days off, I would go alone and enjoy the animals and garden.

[@typicaluser4116]

Even though I did not care for you in the past, great video, this is something that needed to be done with the parks 65th year coming, the facts where said exactly of the parks decline from great theming to your everyday amusement park. Thank you.

[@fearlv1rattata]

As a Tampa native, thanks for this! I grew up on BG doing the flume ride with my grandpa probably more than he wanted to.

[@novelgiani]

Man, I remember going to Busch Gardens every year through middle school. The moment I jumped on the Montu, I fell in love with roller-coasters. Unfortunately I haven't gone to any theme park because I had surgery back in 2018 that made me afraid of going on a roller-coaster for fear of health complications, but I wanted to go back. I didn't know that it was going under these past years.

[@SanktaLo]

How are you not already at 100k?! Definitely one of my favorite channels!

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I'm getting pretty close lol

[@TSkillz407]

First time finding one of your videos. As a central Florida native this is really well done and learned a lot I didn’t know. I remember early 90s Busch gardens and going later in life and being lost as things just got so separated. Have a Seaworld pass now and even they seem like a thing of the past and could do so much more with the space they have. But left a like and subscribe. Great job!!

[@mandilyndunn2520]

Wow this video was so wonderful and nostalgic! Great storytelling, can’t wait for part 2!

[@dustinkennedy2238]

Another great video! Keep them coming friend 🤠

[@BytheCaye]

Used to go to this park a ton in high school, learning it's history is wild. Your videos continue to cover places I've been and it feels super weird lol, love em though.

[@feistyy]

Seeing a Poseidon upload really makes the week better. And it's only Monday!

[@floridalife2419]

This was my home park growing up and I worked there in my college years from 2017-2020 up until the pandemic. From a guest perspective, the downfall was evident in lack of upkeep and cutting different offerings. It was painfully apparent in 2019 that BGT was in trouble. Seaworld Parks seemed to view BGT as a problem child and focused way more attention on BGW in renovating and expanding. Soon different services begun being outsourced to 3rd party companies. Games was first and the next up were security and food. I’m not sure if the two mentioned went through because COVID happened during that time. I made a lot of amazing memories there both as a guest and employee and it’s sad to see the potential rotting away

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I think that COVID just really solidified a lot of those issues and made them way worse in a way that I didn't notice prior. I didn't know that BGT was ever considered problematic though. In fact, I thought that it was second best in attendance just below SeaWorld Orlando?

[@MauriSky2437]

Growing up in the Bahamas, I fantasized about Busch Garden each time the commercials aired, wishing to one day experience the fun. When I came to the USA for high school and college, I totally forgot, thanks to distractions and life.

[@THELORDOFTHEHOLLOW]

Busch gardens is still around and it's still an amazing park to visit

[@yousaysilver]

it's really interesting hearing more about the history of this park- i'm looking forward to the second part

[@helenwalker716]

I grew up in Sarasota and went to Busch Gardens a lot. It was such fun.

[@stephenraeburn3263]

I'm a theme park junkie and I LOVE all of your videos. Thank you for all that you do, and keep up the good work!

[@unboxinghype813]

Can’t wait for part 2

[@gregrichey840]

Once InBev acquired Anheuser Busch the theme parks took a nosedive in every way. The park looks blighted.

[@JakeCoasters]

Phenomenal job on this! BGT is my home park and I grew up at this park throughout the 90's and 2000s...It's still my home park, but something definintely feels off....From the main park, to the dinning, to the exhibits and even to the special events like Howl-O-Scream...it feels like a shell of its former self sometimes...Hopefully brighter days are ahread

[@skh1964]

Can’t wait for pt. 2, I love Bush Gardens

[@pookerville]

I was there on New Year's Eve 1989, and it was fantastic. How it has declined! I can't wait for part 2!

[@briandavies1001]

Love the video, great history of the subject as always. I visited the park in the mid 70s and again in the late 80's. Can't wait to see what it has become😀

[@dillonworrall2739]

My grandfather was the vp of finance for BG for north of 10 years in the early 2000s, once Anheuser lost Seaworld Entertainment in 2009 Blackstone got it and basically used it to dump debt so from then to a few years before COVID the whole company was extremely in debt and was talking about shutting down the smaller parks( i forgot to add this but he worked there for around 30ish years and first started as a light technician for at the time Fest House, he retired about 6-8 years back but he still consults when he feels like it)

[@sarahsusan3753]

I grew up in clearwater and I love Busch gardens and SeaWorld as a kid....like the Montu Era was the best. SeaWorld was a magical place and gave me my love and passion for marine life. I also went to zoo camp at BG and that was one of my favorite memories as a kid.

[@csbluechip]

Half way in. Already looking forward to part 2 :)

[@angiedillman7963]

This is gonna be interesting, I love Bush Gardens, it helps that its like 30miles away, but we'd get the yearly pass, and go all the time...I remember when they only had 2 roller coasters, the python, and the scorpion..

[@BriahnAznable]

Lived near here my whole life, Grandparents were like 30 minutes away max back in the early 90s. It’s such a wildly different vibe now. Shout out to all the good memories people have had there though ❤

[@bjvincent8786]

Excellent video while I have never been to Busch Gardens Tampa I am very fascinated with hearing about it's backstory concerning the early days of the park. I look forward to seeing part 2.

[@bonniehowell9206]

My first memory of Busch Gardens was after my dad found an injured sandhill crane in the road, loaded him up in his van, and called the local animal shelter. From there he was put into contact with Busch Garden's animal sanctuary and we were given free tickets and access to their sanctuary to transport the bird to their park. (3 hour drive) It was such a bizzare experience ,but at least I have pictures to prove it.

[@LazarusTRP]

Holy shit, it's crazy to see a whole video essay on a amusement park so close to home. I resonate so much with the opinion on the parks Downfall. Excellent.

[@ThisIsMeOTHY]

Absolutely Wonderful Work!! I am so excited to see Part 2!!!

[@rrsaga]

Watching your videos makes me miss the Florida I grew up in..

[@CoasternautYT]

A fantastic insight here, I love BGT personally but this creation is amazing, dropped a sub!

[@Section8dc]

Its surreal to see this having grown up in Florida, I probably went to this place 20 times when I was a kid, my grandparents got passes and took us so much we actually got tired of it lol, it was one of the only good parts of my childhood, and its strange to see something talking about its demise in my feed, very nostalgic

[@SageAsuka]

Grew up in Tampa and this is incredibly nostalgic seeing all the early clips and remembering the transformation of the park from late 1990s to now. I do agree it isn't as spectacular as it used to be, but it is still a favorite of mine. I once tried to memorize the different cheetahs there :> Also totally forgot about that monorail ride, but after seeing it I have faint memories of being on it. Definitely credit this park for my early fascination in different cultures and animals. also shout out to the time I was in the hippo exhibit and some high schooler ran up to the glass and enthusiastically told his friends 'LOOK RHINOS'. That moment lives rent free in my head alongside the kid who called an African Crowned Crane a penguin.

[@DixonCider954]

Will always remember getting lost here for like 4 hours from my family as a kid in the early 2000s!

[@superdonavanbrosgaming6206]

Conductor for the train ride here. Had to learn a lot about the park and both videos helped out greatly! if you need to add anything else in let me know!

[@optimize0]

Never went to the Tampa park, but the Busch Gardens in Williamsburg was one of my favorites.

[@moonkittenk]

Looking forward to Part 2!

[@reiaino]

Oh this was great! I remember going to the park in the early 90's and loved how it was both a zoo and had roller coasters! It was also much closer, and more affordable than going to Orlando for us at the time. I actually tried to convince some friends to go to Bush Gardens and Weeki Wachee while we were in Florida a few years ago. But the pull of the Mouse was too strong to get them out of Orlando. I can't wait for part 2!

[@clamcrewcarclub6017]

I don’t care, I still love BG. Two of my favorite memories were going with my mom when I was in middle school and riding all the rides at the time, and more recently going by myself for free with my universal Orlando ID, and riding all the current coasters multiple times bc none of my friends like roller coasters. Walked around all day by myself eating, looking at animals, and walking on rides

[@DreadedWhiteKong]

Much like you I grew up in Tampa. Outside of a short stint in Texas I have lived here my entire life. I’ve always had season passes as it was a fun way to get out of the house in my teenaged years, into my early 20s, and even now as a father to a 6 month old. I went a few days ago for the first time in about a year to take my baby to see the animals and I was shocked to see how much had changed. Half of the animal exhibits were shut down, the gorilla exhibit was closed, and it was just an all around disappointing experience. I appreciate your history recap of the park, I learned a lot. I dread watching part 2 because it’s going to make me sad to see the good times that are no more. I remember going to watch the dolphin show with my grandparents, Tidal Wave, Akbars Adventure, King Tut’s attraction, Katonga, Land of Dragons, and many more. I always looked forward to the day I could enjoy Land of Dragons with my kids and now it’s just not the same. Your content is great. Thanks for putting it all together. Between Busch Gardens and some of your Universal videos it gives me the nostalgia I need sometimes.

[@PoseidonEntertainment]

I did go today and saw that Myombe Reserve is open, but you can only go in through the exit. I didn't try going in, but I assume they must be doing something to the pathway. At least it's partially open. I also went up in the tree house in Sesame Street and saw that all of the interactive elements were gone.

[@marakelley6832]

This is really well done and I appreciate the skill, research and passion poured into this project. Thank you!