November

Below are noteworthy events from Busch Gardens Tampa’s history that occurred in the month of November.

Specific Dates:

• 1st – (2011) The 2012 Fun Card is introduced, allowing unlimited admission through December 31, 2012. Priced at $79.99 for adults and $71.99 for children age 3 – 9. (Busch Gardens 11/1/2011)
• 2nd – (1981) Admission raised to $11.05 ($10.52 + tax) per person, with children under 3 free. Parking is $1. Regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Ledger 10/30/1981 & 11/6/1981)
• 2nd – (2015) 2016 Fun Card is available for admission through December 31, 2016. The price is $99 for ages 3 and up. (Press Release)
• 3rd – (2016) 2017 Fun Card is available for admission through December 31, 2017. (Twitter 11/3/2016)
• 4th – (1987) Mary, a female gorilla, is born at Gladys Porter Zoo. She was moved to Busch Gardens’ Myombe Reserve in 2010.
• 4th – (2011) A female Grant’s zebra is born.
• 5th – (2014) 2015 Fun Card is available for admission through December 31, 2015. Prices are $95 for adults, $90 for children ages 3 to 9. (Press Release)
• 5th – (2016) Pass Member Appreciation Night is held at the park from 6 to 11 pm.
• 5th – (2021) Park closes at 1 p.m. due to inclement weather. (Twitter 11/5/2021)
• 8th – 9th – (1975) “Africa Goes Latino” weekend at the park when the park presents Latin American singers, guitarists and flamenco dancers, including the Carmen Morales Dancers of Tampa, adagio dancers Mikki and Kenny McDowell, guitarist Henry Valdez and the Tampa Spanish Ensemble of Jose Vega. (Ledger 11/7/1975)
• 11th – (2020) Park is closed for the day due to the threat from Tropical Storm Eta. It reopens as scheduled the following day. (Twitter 11/11/2020 & 11/12/2020)
• 13th – (2017) A is for Africa ends its regular season run and Christmas from the Heart opens for the holiday season in Stanleyville Theater.
• 13th – (2020) Park starts its Black Friday Sale two weeks early. (Twitter 11/13/2020)
• 15th – 16th – (1980) “Carload Weekend” offer for admission for all occupants in one car (trucks, vans, etc. excluded) for $30 with coupon available from Maas Brothers or in Sunday newspapers. (Ledger 11/14/1980)
• 15th – (2013) Florida Governor Rick Scott holds a press conference outside Crown Colony House to tout record tourism numbers for the state, and also present park president Jim Dean with a Governor’s Business Ambassador Award for job creation. (Tampa Bay Times 11/15/2013)
• 15th – (2016) Park is awarded prestigious Liseberg Applause Award at 2016 IAAPA Attractions Expo. The award honors a park “whose management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with their foresight, originality and sound business development.” (Press Release)
• 15th – (2016) The park announces they will be the exclusive sponsor of the main NHL rink at the new Florida Hospital Center Ice sports facility in Wesley Chapel. (Press Release)
• 16th – (2017) Elmo’s Christmas Wish opens for the holiday season in the Sunny Day Theater.
• 18th – (2005) Bolingo, a male gorilla, is born at the park. He is the first successful gorilla birth at Busch Gardens Tampa.
• 18th – (2017) Christmas Celebration and Christmas on Ice both open for the holiday season.
• 22nd – (2014) Tendai and Thabo, cheetahs, are born.
• 22nd – (2018) Black Friday Sale begins online at 8 a.m. and includes the return of a Fun Card for 2019 at a special price of $60, available only for the first 60 hours. Afterwards, 2019 Fun Card remained on sale through Cyber Monday for $74.99. Other Black Friday deals that ran through Cyber Monday included Serengeti Safari 4-Pack for $60, and discounts ranging from 30 to 50% off tickets, Christmas Town tours, Summer Camps, PhotoKey, and online merchandise purchases. (Busch Gardens Black Friday 1 & 2)
• 23rd – (2017) Quinn, a male reticulated giraffe, is born to mother Celina.
• 25th – (2016) Black Friday Sale includes 25% off select tours at the park. Sale runs through November 28, 2016. (Twitter 11/24/2016)
• 25th – (2022) Guests could grab a free Coke Zero from 4-9 p.m. at Festival Field when the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan visited the park. (BGT 11/22/2022)
• 26th – (1985) Budweiser racing star Bobby Rahal appears at the park with autograph signing from 2 to 4 p.m. The Budweiser sponsored Porsche 962 race car is also on display. (Ledger 11/22/1985)
• 27th – (2015) Park launches Black Friday Sale including three free months on annual pass. (Twitter 11/27/2015)

During the Month:

• 1959 – Winter hours listed as Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 1 to 6 p.m. (Salt Lake Tribune 11/15/1959)
• 1980 – Senior Safari Days offer for guests 55 and older. Discount coupon of $2.55 off regular price (of $9.35) available at many mobile home parks, condos, and senior centers across Florida, or by writing to park. Offer valid through December 21, 1980. (Ledger 11/14/1980)
• 1981 – Carload Weekends offer on November 8 & 9, 14 & 15, and 21 & 22 for admission for all occupants in one car (trucks, vans, etc. excluded) for $30 with coupon available from area Farm Stores. (Ledger 11/6/1981)
• 1985 – Through April 20, 1986, a Canadian Pass is offered for residents of Canada allowing unlimited visits for $20. (Ledger 11/15/1985)
• 1986 – Admission listed at $16.50 with children 2 and under admitted free. Parking listed at $2. Several pass specials available through January 31, 1987 including: annual pass for $54.95; senior pass for $29.95; Canadian six month pass for $29.95. (Orlando Sentinel 11/16/1986)
• 1987 – Admission listed at $18.95 with children under 3 admitted free. Parking listed at $2. (Orlando Sentinel 11/15/1987)
• 2006 – As part of a promotion for the release of new LucasArts game Thrillville, the Busch Gardens parks in Williamsburg and Tampa are voted Best Overall Theme Parks in the country. The parks also won in the Best Roller Coaster, Best Midway Games, and Best Hang-Out categories. (Ultimate Rollercoaster 11/17/2006)
• 2011 – The park wins two Brass Ring Awards at the IAAPA Attractions Expo, including Cirque Dream Jungle Fantasy for Best Production in its category. Senior Manager of Production Costuming Kristine Morgan won the Spirit Award. Additionally, the park received three nominations for Christmas from the Heart and Lets Dance – Featuring Burn the Floor, each for Best Production in their respective categories, and Ashley Zweig for Best Performer. (Sources: 1, 2, 3)
• 2016 – VacationIdea names Busch Gardens Tampa one of the 25 Best Things to do in Florida. (VacationIdea 11/21/2016)