We were recently invited to take a guided hard hat tour of Busch Gardens’ newest attraction. The Cheetah Hunt roller coaster and Cheetah Run animal habitat are set to open at 9 a.m. on May 27, 2011. Let’s see how the construction is coming along. Let’s start with the video of our tour, led by [...]

By Don Gworek Track installation for the new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster at Busch Gardens will soon be done. This doesn’t mean the ride is ready, but the track will be in place so work on landscaping and theme elements can continue. Full ride construction won’t be complete for several more weeks, as you can [...]

By Don Gworek One of the “Up Close Tours” offered by Busch Gardens is the Elephant Keeper Experience. It’s a 90-minute visit with the five Asian elephants that live there. The tour begins with a walk backstage to the Pachyderm Palace. It’s a building where the elephants can find shelter from inclement weather and also [...]

Feb. 10, 2011 – Join hosts Samantha Sanders and Jessica Steele Allen as they bring you the latest Orlando theme park and attraction news and more on this week’s episode. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoxXUHoccA8 This week’s show covers these topics and more: • Motorcade for Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers at the Magic Kingdom • SeaWorld’s New Whale [...]

Feb. 3, 2011 – Join hosts Greg Hutson and Jessica Steele Allen as they bring you the latest Orlando theme park and attraction news and more on this week’s episode. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8txdDZ-1nCI This weeks show covers these topics and more: • Monster Jam monster truck show • Disney Channel stars Friends for Change at Castaway Cay [...]

Busch Gardens recently announced an upcoming addition to their Endangered Species Safari – a chance for guests to have an intimate experience with five new arrivals to the park … cheetahs! In accordance with the international Cheetah Species Survival Plan, Busch Gardens Tampa recently welcomed Steelman (12-year-old male), Ngoma (10-year-old female), and littermates Jagati, Iraja, [...]

By Don Gworek Construction of Busch Gardens’ new roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt, is well under way for a Spring 2011 launch. The site meanders in the Edge of Africa area of the Serengeti, between the Crown Colony House and the Rhino Rally. A good amount of the track is now in place, and it is [...]

Jan. 27, 2011 – Join hosts Greg Hutson and Samantha Sanders as they bring you the latest Orlando theme park and attraction news and more on this week’s episode. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoAJcQprSKg This weeks show covers these topics and more: • The Disney Dream cruise ship christening ceremony • Disney World media event – What’s New and [...]

By Don Gworek Gwazi, the dueling wooden roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reopened this past Saturday with new “Millenium Flyer” trains. The coaster has long been known as giving a rough ride, but with the new vehicles built by the original manufacturer, Great Coasters International, the ride is now a lot smoother. The [...]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay recently launched a park-specific blog at buschgardenstampablog.com The new blog features stories from all areas of the park, including animal training, engineering, entertainment, horticulture, culinary, merchandise and more. It will also focus on providing behind-the-scenes details and other unique content that can’t be found elsewhere online. The blog will also …

Jan. 20, 2011 – Join hosts JD Trussell and Jessica Steele Allen as they bring you Orlando theme park and attraction news and more on this week’s episode. This weeks show covers these topics and more: • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus • Wild Africa Trek at Disney’s Animal Kingdom • Gwazi Roller [...]

Dec. 31, 2010 – This week’s show brings you 2010 in review. Join hosts Samantha and JD as they bring you all the Orlando theme park and attraction highlights of the past year, with some news thrown in. We’ll review all the big news at Disney World, Universal, Busch Gardens and SeaWorld. Then they’ll let [...]

Another year has passed and that means it’s time to take a look back. Over the year, we published four print editions of Orlando Attractions Magazine, launched a free iPad app, switched our free e-mail newsletter from monthly to weekly and launched our new weekly video show. This week’s Show will present a review of [...]

The Winter 2011 issue of Orlando Attractions Magazine is now available to order. The magazine is at the printer and will be shipping out within the next week or two. Look for it in our iPad app soon, and in major bookstores nationwide sometime in January. Subscribers should receive their copy within the next four [...]

Many of the theme parks and attractions are holding special events to welcome the new year on Dec. 31. Some are included with your park admission and some cost extra. Here’s a look at what’s happening. Universal Orlando Multi-platinum rock artist Bret Michaels will be in concert at Universal CityWalk. Known for being the lead [...]

Big names in country, Latin, contemporary Christian and classic rock are coming to Busch Gardens and SeaWorld in 2011. It’s the biggest lineup yet with country and classic rock legends at Bands, Brew & BBQ, Viva La Música’s salsa and meringue and Glory at the Gardens’ contemporary Christian music. Memorable Music Gets Your Toes Tapping [...]

Dec. 9, 2010 – Episode two of Orlando Attractions Magazine – The Show comes to you from the Gaylord Palms Resort. Join hosts Greg Hutson and Samantha Sanders as they bring you to both SeaWorld and Universal’s holiday celebrations. Plus you’ll find this week’s theme park and attraction news, viewer feedback, a fan video, rumors [...]

A new limited engagement show opened yesterday in Busch Gardens’ Moroccan Palace Theater. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is an exotic encounter inspired by nature’s unpredictable creations, brought to life by an international cast of aerialists, contortionists, acrobats, jugglers and musicians. In addition to the astounding feats performed in the show, are enhanced many elaborite costumes, [...]

Article by Derek Burgan The only sure things in this world are death, taxes … and theme park annual ticket price hikes. SeaWorld finally followed in the steps of Disney World and Universal when they recently hiked some ticket prices for SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Busch Gardens. But SeaWorld is offering many specials and incentives [...]

Now through Jan. 2, there’s a festive chill in the air at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay as they celebrate the spirit of the season with the return of several holiday classics. The park has been transformed into a holiday wonderland featuring strolling carolers and Christmas characters, spectacular poinsettias, festive decorations and classic holiday music. But [...]