http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog Orlando area attractions and theme park information and news Fri, 25 May 2012 14:26:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/04/04/photo-update-emporium-remodeled-and-more-at-busch-gardens-tampa/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/04/04/photo-update-emporium-remodeled-and-more-at-busch-gardens-tampa/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 22:01:21 +0000 Anthony Armenia http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=12285 After a long refurbishment, The Emporium has now reopened and is better than ever with an all new design, merchandise and more. Check out the brand new vibrant sign above the entrance above.  The new store features tons of new merchandise along with a sleek new look. 2012 themed merchandise is now for sale too. [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/04/04/photo-update-emporium-remodeled-and-more-at-busch-gardens-tampa/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/03/03/adventure-island-water-park-to-open-for-the-season-on-march-10/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/03/03/adventure-island-water-park-to-open-for-the-season-on-march-10/#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:46:07 +0000 Anthony Armenia http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=11820 Adventure Island, Busch Garden’s water park, kicks off another season of fun on Saturday, March 10, 2012. There will be extended hours all summer long this year too, not just during Island Nights. Race down Ridetide slides, splash along in the wave pool, and kick back and relax on the white sanded beach, all in [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/03/03/adventure-island-water-park-to-open-for-the-season-on-march-10/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/02/new-iceploration-show-at-busch-gardens-mixes-skating-animals-and-puppets/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/02/new-iceploration-show-at-busch-gardens-mixes-skating-animals-and-puppets/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:54:30 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=11633 A brand new show started today at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Iceploration continues the theme park’s tradition of broadway style shows and ice shows in one. A cast of 20 brings to life a new adventure filled with world-class skaters, more than 75 original costumes, aerial performances, puppetry and live animals, with shows daily in [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/02/02/new-iceploration-show-at-busch-gardens-mixes-skating-animals-and-puppets/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/23/brand-new-animal-care-center-now-open-at-busch-gardens/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/23/brand-new-animal-care-center-now-open-at-busch-gardens/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:36:31 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=11545 “Jungle” Jack Hanna was on hand last week to help open the brand new Animal Care Center at Busch Gardens. Although animal care has always been happening at the theme park, the new facility better allows guests a chance to see a lot of what goes into caring for the many wild animals. Guests are [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/23/brand-new-animal-care-center-now-open-at-busch-gardens/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/16/festival-of-chocolate-in-tampa-gives-a-taste-of-whats-to-come-in-orlando/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/16/festival-of-chocolate-in-tampa-gives-a-taste-of-whats-to-come-in-orlando/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:03:45 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=11463 By Anthony Armenia The Festival of Chocolate was held at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa this past weekend. It is the largest chocolate themed event in the southeast. The event will be in Orlando from April 27 through 29 at the UCF Arena. We were there yesterday to check it all [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/16/festival-of-chocolate-in-tampa-gives-a-taste-of-whats-to-come-in-orlando/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/09/the-festival-of-chocolate-is-coming-to-mosi-in-tampa/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/09/the-festival-of-chocolate-is-coming-to-mosi-in-tampa/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:47:03 +0000 Darcie Vance http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=11381 Tampa’s second annual Festival of Chocolate will be held at MOSI from Jan. 14 to 16. This festival is Florida’s largest chocolate themed event. The event will showcase the area’s best chocolate and confection companies as they sell tastes and treats. Popular chocolate items such as truffles, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies and ice creams will [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/01/09/the-festival-of-chocolate-is-coming-to-mosi-in-tampa/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/30/the-12th-annual-wild-wonderland-returns-to-tampa%e2%80%99s-lowry-park-zoo/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/30/the-12th-annual-wild-wonderland-returns-to-tampa%e2%80%99s-lowry-park-zoo/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:48:12 +0000 Darcie Vance http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10772 This December the Lowry Park Zoo will transform into a Wild Wonderland. Guests will be able to enjoy festive holiday music, lights, unlimited Zoo rides and real reindeer. Special holiday hours will be from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Dec. 3, 9-11, 16-23, and 26-31. Holiday décor will light up the Zoo’s pathways. The castle [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/30/the-12th-annual-wild-wonderland-returns-to-tampa%e2%80%99s-lowry-park-zoo/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/11/busch-gardens-to-celebrate-the-season-with-holiday-shows-and-santa/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/11/busch-gardens-to-celebrate-the-season-with-holiday-shows-and-santa/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:40:44 +0000 Darcie Vance http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=10593 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is gearing up for another holiday season filled with special shows and decorations. Holidays at Busch Gardens will include live performances, themed breakfasts and a New Years Eve celebration. “Christmas on Ice”, an ice-skating show with a holiday theme, will delight guests from Nov. 19 until Jan. 1, 2012 in the [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/11/11/busch-gardens-to-celebrate-the-season-with-holiday-shows-and-santa/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/18/lowry-park-zoo-zooboos/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/18/lowry-park-zoo-zooboos/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:02:39 +0000 Darcie Vance http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9920 Halloween is coming to Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. One of Tampa’s largest family Halloween events is getting ready for its 13th year. Meander through monstrous marshes and escape carnivorous creeping vines during ZooBoo. The Lowry Park Zoo is offering guests a “Shriek Peek” preview of ZooBoo on Sept. 23 and 24 for $10 per person. [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/18/lowry-park-zoo-zooboos/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/07/royal-caribbeans-universal-orlando-package-offers-land-and-sea-deals-from-both-coasts-of-florida/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/07/royal-caribbeans-universal-orlando-package-offers-land-and-sea-deals-from-both-coasts-of-florida/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:43:58 +0000 Darcie Vance http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9785 Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando are now offering packages from both the East Coast and the West Coast of Florida. The land and sea vacation packages combine a three- or four-night stay at Universal Orlando Resort with a three- or four-night Bahamas cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas, a four- or five-night Western Caribbean [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/09/07/royal-caribbeans-universal-orlando-package-offers-land-and-sea-deals-from-both-coasts-of-florida/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/15/zombies-from-the-dark-side-will-invade-busch-gardens-for-howl-o-scream-2011/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/15/zombies-from-the-dark-side-will-invade-busch-gardens-for-howl-o-scream-2011/#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:16:40 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9513 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been teasing a zombie theme for a few months, and now it’s been made official. The theme for Howl-O-Scream 2011 will be The Dark Side of the Gardens: Zombies live here. Busch Gardens officials posted this on their Facebook page: … for the first time in HOS history, BOTH BG [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/07/15/zombies-from-the-dark-side-will-invade-busch-gardens-for-howl-o-scream-2011/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/24/expect-the-unexpected-flash-mob-breaks-out-at-busch-gardens-videophotos/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/24/expect-the-unexpected-flash-mob-breaks-out-at-busch-gardens-videophotos/#comments Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:50:14 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9416 By Anthony Armenia Today Busch Gardens debuted a new entertainment experience. Flash mobs will perform on a regular basis in the park providing unexpected experiences for guests. While times and locations of the mobs aren’t released, we happened to catch the first one today. This one took place on the Zagora Café patio, which is [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/24/expect-the-unexpected-flash-mob-breaks-out-at-busch-gardens-videophotos/feed/ 3 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/21/new-sky-trail-ropes-course-opening-this-summer-at-mosi-in-tampa/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/21/new-sky-trail-ropes-course-opening-this-summer-at-mosi-in-tampa/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:28:41 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9117 This June, MOSI, the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, will introduce a new Sky Trail Ropes Course, which features a 12- to 36-foot-high, multi level course with 36 different elements. The ropes course is designed for all ages and does not require a minimum number of people to participate to experience the course. [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/21/new-sky-trail-ropes-course-opening-this-summer-at-mosi-in-tampa/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/09/adventure-island-welcomes-summer-with-island-nights-and-extended-hours/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/09/adventure-island-welcomes-summer-with-island-nights-and-extended-hours/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:10:32 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9214 Island Nights at Adventure Island water park in Tampa has returned. From 5 to 9 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Aug. 13, guests will enjoy island music, authentic entertainment, and unique food offerings. Exotic birds, stilt walkers and steel drum bands will be on hand to greet guests throughout the park, as well [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/06/09/adventure-island-welcomes-summer-with-island-nights-and-extended-hours/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/05/25/take-a-video-first-ride-on-busch-gardens-new-cheetah-hunt-roller-coaster/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/05/25/take-a-video-first-ride-on-busch-gardens-new-cheetah-hunt-roller-coaster/#comments Wed, 25 May 2011 18:10:44 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=9128 Busch Gardens has released a full point-of-view ride video from the front row of Cheetah Hunt, their newest roller coaster. So what are you waiting for? Click play to be launched now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAOf-zh0HA4 This video didn’t include any sound so we added the African-inspired music. It’s hard to tell in the video, but in addition [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/05/25/take-a-video-first-ride-on-busch-gardens-new-cheetah-hunt-roller-coaster/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/02/02/cheetahs-arrive-at-busch-gardens-in-anticipation-of-new-attraction/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/02/02/cheetahs-arrive-at-busch-gardens-in-anticipation-of-new-attraction/#comments Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:05:37 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=8189 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, [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/02/02/cheetahs-arrive-at-busch-gardens-in-anticipation-of-new-attraction/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/01/26/busch-gardens-launches-blog-exclusively-for-tampa-park/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/01/26/busch-gardens-launches-blog-exclusively-for-tampa-park/#comments Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:37:08 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=8118 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 showcase [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2011/01/26/busch-gardens-launches-blog-exclusively-for-tampa-park/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/12/serengeti-night-safari-offers-a-fun-unique-busch-gardens-tour/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/12/serengeti-night-safari-offers-a-fun-unique-busch-gardens-tour/#comments Fri, 12 Nov 2010 21:15:46 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7596 For a unique night of fun and facts, check out the Serengeti Night Safari at Busch Gardens. The tour isn’t offered year-round, so make plans soon if you’d like to experience it. One of the things that makes this tour is unique is that it’s for adults only. Because of the included Anheuser-Busch beverages, and [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/12/serengeti-night-safari-offers-a-fun-unique-busch-gardens-tour/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/11/high-speed-rail-to-offer-a-new-option-for-getting-to-some-central-florida-attractions/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/11/high-speed-rail-to-offer-a-new-option-for-getting-to-some-central-florida-attractions/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:29:28 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7594 Article, photos and video by Don Gworek Plans are in progress for a 220 mph high speed rail in Florida. The first segment from Orlando to Tampa is expected to be completed in 2014, with Miami to Orlando to follow. With proposed stops at the Orlando airport, the Orange County Convention Center and Walt Disney [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/11/11/high-speed-rail-to-offer-a-new-option-for-getting-to-some-central-florida-attractions/feed/ 6 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/09/07/photo-update-busch-gardens-ready-for-howl-o-scream/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/09/07/photo-update-busch-gardens-ready-for-howl-o-scream/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:47:39 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=7180 I took the hour drive from Orlando to Tampa Bay on Saturday to see the KaTonga show before it ended (more on that later). But I was surprised to see how much of their PG-13 Halloween event, Howl-O-Scream, looked ready to go. As you can see above, the main sign for Howl-O-Scream is already greeting [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/09/07/photo-update-busch-gardens-ready-for-howl-o-scream/feed/ 1 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/08/08/new-busch-gardens-addition-features-animals-from-down-under/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/08/08/new-busch-gardens-addition-features-animals-from-down-under/#comments Sun, 08 Aug 2010 15:32:38 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=6497 Guests are able to get up-close and personal with animals indigenous to the Land Down Under in Busch Gardens’ new Walkabout Way. Park guests are able to hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, and learn about kookaburra, magpie geese, Australian black swans and other Australian species. “Offering encounters with Australian animals fits into our park’s theme, which [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/08/08/new-busch-gardens-addition-features-animals-from-down-under/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/06/04/busch-gardens-howl-o-scream-2010-theme-revealed/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/06/04/busch-gardens-howl-o-scream-2010-theme-revealed/#comments Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:37:43 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=6456 Not many details are revealed but Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has updated their Howl-O-Scream Web site for 2010′s event. From the graphics on the site (seen above), it appears this year’s theme will be one of going to a rock concert. It lists it as one of the “most electrifying” ever. One can only assume [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/06/04/busch-gardens-howl-o-scream-2010-theme-revealed/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/27/real-music-concert-series-continues-at-busch-gardens-with-early-rock-n-roll-artists/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/27/real-music-concert-series-continues-at-busch-gardens-with-early-rock-n-roll-artists/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:13:53 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=5094 The Real Music Concert Series continues at Busch Gardens Thursdays through Saturdays with big band, pop and rock ‘n roll from some of music’s most memorable eras. In January, classic sounds of the ‘30s and ‘40s big-band era were featured. The last of this series runs today through Saturday with The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Then, [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/27/real-music-concert-series-continues-at-busch-gardens-with-early-rock-n-roll-artists/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/15/detailed-look-at-the-upcoming-sesame-street-safari-of-fun-at-busch-gardens/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/15/detailed-look-at-the-upcoming-sesame-street-safari-of-fun-at-busch-gardens/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:33:56 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=4967 This spring, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will welcome families to an all-new, Sesame Street-themed play land. Sesame Street Safari of Fun will be filled with kid-size rides, water fun, shows and adventures that celebrate the spirit of Africa. “This new attraction is going to be unlike anything families have encountered before, with unique African-inspired costumes [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2010/01/15/detailed-look-at-the-upcoming-sesame-street-safari-of-fun-at-busch-gardens/feed/ 0 http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/10/07/blackstone-to-buy-buschinbev-theme-parks-for-up-to-27-billion/ http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/10/07/blackstone-to-buy-buschinbev-theme-parks-for-up-to-27-billion/#comments Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:58:36 +0000 Matt Roseboom http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/blog/?p=3835 Anheuser-Busch InBev and The Blackstone Group announced today that Anheuser-Busch InBev will sell its entertainment business to Blackstone Capital Partners V L.P. for up to $2.7 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Blackstone will acquire Anheuser-Busch InBev’s wholly owned subsidiary, Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC), the second largest entertainment park operator in the United States with approximately 25 million annual visitors The [...]]]> http://attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2009/10/07/blackstone-to-buy-buschinbev-theme-parks-for-up-to-27-billion/feed/ 1