December

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

Specific Dates:

  • 3rd – (2018) Prices for Bronze, Silver, and Gold annual pass options increase by $1 per month. Bronze $10.99/mo or $131.88, Silver $14.99/mo or $179.88, Gold $17.99/mo or $215.88. Florida Platinum remained at $29.99/mo or $359.88. (Busch Gardens 12/3/2018)
  • 6th – (2016) A glitch causes emails to be sent to a number of guests about non-existent Busch Gardens Williamsburg vacation packages, with some reporting receiving multiple versions. The company said there was no data breach. (Orlando Sentinel 12/7/2016)
  • 7th – (2016) Jambo Junction closes, a day after layoffs across SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment properties.
  • 7th – (2020) A water main break affecting the entire city forces the park to close early at 5 p.m. The park remains closed the following day, December 8, due to the issue. (Twitter 12/7/2020 & BGT 12/8/2020)
  • 12th – (2018) Park announces receipt of the American Humane Conservation Program’s Humane Certified Seal, a designation only a select group of facilities in the country have qualified for. (Twitter 12/12/2018)
  • 16th – (2014) Enzi, a male gorilla, is born at the park.
  • 19th – (2011) The park rolls out an Android version of the digital app they rolled out for iPhones in August. (Busch Gardens 12/19/2011)
  • 20th – (2018) Park closed for the day due to inclement weather. (Twitter 12/20/2018)
  • 21st – (1995) Anheuser-Busch Brewery closes, part of corporate restructuring.
  • 23rd – (2009) A male giant anteater is born at the park to mother Adelhi.
  • 26th – (1963) Largest single-day attendance to date recorded at 35,000 guests. (Orlando Sentinel 12/29/1966)
  • 27th – (1965) Attendance reported as 2,139,000 year to date. (Orlando Sentinel 12/29/1966)
  • 27th – (1966) New record single-day attendance of 42,000 guests was recorded at the park, pushing total attendance for the year up to 2,776,000. (Orlando Sentinel 12/29/1966)
  • 27th – (2011) Female giraffe was born, bringing the reticulated giraffe population at the park to 18.
  • 28th – (2011) Outback Bowl contenders Michigan State Spartans and Georgia Bulldogs visit the park. (Twitter 12/26/2011)
  • 28th – (2022) Springs Taproom soft opens to guests.
  • 31st – (2018) Opening Night Critters holds its last performances.



During the Month:

  • 1960 – Attendance for the month reported at 60,000. (Tampa Tribune 1/3/1962)
  • 1961 – Attendance for the month reported at 90,000. (Tampa Tribune 1/3/1962)
  • 1972 – Attendance for the month reported at 145,000. (Chicago Tribune 1/11/1974)
  • 1973 – In the weeks leading up to Christmas, admission listed at $4.25 for adults, $3 for children age 5 to 11, and free for children under 5. Parking is free. Extended hours of 9 a.m to 7 or 8 p.m. After the Christmas holiday, rates and hours revert to previous ($3.75 for adults, $2.50 for children age 6 to 11, and $1 for children under 6; hours 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) (Ledger 12/7/1973 & 12/28/1973)
  • 1973 – Attendance for the month reported at 128,000. Lower than the previous December, it is blamed on three days of rain following Christmas. (Chicago Tribune 1/11/1974)
  • 1977 – Admission listed at $7.25, free for children 3 and under. Moroccan Village hours extended until 9 p.m. for Christmas break, with regular park closing time of 6 p.m. (Ledger 12/30/1977)
  • 1980 – Daily admission early in the month listed at $9.35 per person, with children under 3 free. By the end of the month, admission listed at $10.50, per person, with children under 3 free. Annual passes available for $25; offer valid through January 1981. Parking is $1. (Ledger 12/12/1980 & 12/26/1980)
  • 1981 – Daily admission late in the month listed at $11.05 per person plus tax, with children under 3 free. Annual passes available for $30; offer valid through January 1982. Parking is $1. Extended hours from December 26 to 30 of 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on December 31 from 9 a.m. to 7 pm. (Ledger 12/25/1981)
  • 1982 – By the middle of the month, admission listed at $12.50 per person, children 2 and under free. Parking is $1. (Ledger 12/10/1982)
  • 1983 – For the Christmas holiday, the park offers annual passes for seniors age 55 and above at $20, which is half the regular price of $40. (Ledger 12/23/1983)
  • 1991 – Admission prices raised about 4% to $28.70 including tax for adults, and $24.45 for children age 3 to 9. (Orlando Sentinel 7/17/1992)
  • 2013 – The 2014 Fun Card, which includes admission through the end of 2013, is available at $89 for adults, $81 for children age 3 to 9. (Press Release)