A big theme park and animal park in Tampa with a 30-minute Sensory-Friendly Animal Insider tour in a sound and light-controlled classroom, a safe space beside it, a social story for the tour, and a Ride Accessibility Program you enroll in at Guest Relations.
Sensory supports. Busch Gardens' sensory-friendly offer is one paid, bookable animal tour, the Sensory-Friendly Animal Insider. For the rest of the park it lists no quiet room or sensory kits, so bring your own supports.
Hours
Park hours change by day and are on the park hours calendar; ride hours can differ from park hours. Holiday hours: Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26, 2026) 10 am to 9 pm; Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24, 2026) 9 am to 8 pm; Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 2026) 9 am to 10 pm; New Year's Eve (Thursday, December 31, 2026) 9 am to 1 am; New Year's Day (Friday, January 1, 2027) 10 am to 8 pm.
“This tour is held in our Nairobi classroom, which is an indoor location with chairs provided and an alternative seating option of floor mats if preferred. Additionally, this classroom offers a sound and light-controlled environment.”
“This tour is a 30-minute experience with the opportunity to leave the tour at any time if needed. Additionally, there will be a safe space directly connected to the Nairobi classroom in the event that a participant requires time away from the tour group.”
“However, participants for this tour will have to walk through the park to the tour location and may experience higher volume levels.”
“Our Ride Accessibility Program (RAP) aligns the individual abilities of our guests to the requirements of each ride, allowing guests to enjoy the park while keeping in mind the safety requirements of our rides and attractions.”
Busch Gardens gives two answers on sensory tools for the tour: it will not provide personal sensory supplies (noise canceling headphones, sunshades, fidget toys, lap pads) and encourages guests to bring their own, and it also says a quiet space and a limited number of sensory tools are available by request during the tour. Bring your own to be sure.
The tour's social story, made with USF's Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, walks through the day: waiting under the tent, water and restrooms at check-in, hand sanitizer, seats on a chair, carpet square or bean bag chair, a sensory table to share, and washing hands at the end. Animals named in the story include a tenrec, macaw, porcupine, tortoise, snake and opossum; animal interactions may vary with animal behavior.
For the Ride Accessibility Program, you enroll at Guest Relations, just inside the park entrance, and receive a list of the rides and attractions the guest can ride, based on each ride's requirements. Special Access then lets a guest who is not able to wait in line because of a disability get a boarding time through a Virtual Queue at listed rides; it does not cover shows, special events, parades, meet and greet priority access, gift shop or restaurant lines. The enrolled guest must ride, with up to 5 additional guests.
Christmas Town runs on select dates from November 13, 2026 through January 4, 2027, from park open to park close, with nearly 70 miles of lights, shows and a drone show. Christmas on Ice seating is first come, first served, and doors may close when the theater is full. New Year's Eve ends with a fireworks finale.
Any Ambassador in the park can call for assistance on your behalf.
The walk through the park to the tour in Nairobi (participants may experience higher volume levels)not stated
The wait under the tent at Animal Interactions & Tours (you might hear loud sounds or be near other people)not stated
Quieter, in the park's words
The Nairobi classroom, during the tourquiet zone
The safe space connected to the Nairobi classroomquiet zone
Tour: ages 3 and up can attend, ages 5 and up can take part in interactions, and guests under 14 must be with a responsible party 14 or older. Up to 12 participants. Reservations are required and limited each day; every guest joining the tour needs a reservation. Check in at Animal Interactions & Tours in Nairobi at least 15 minutes before your time.
Tour price: $19.99 per guest age 3 and up, plus tax; park admission is required and not included. Busch Gardens lists it at $19.99 each and says tour prices are per person, but also calls its listed prices per group, so confirm at (813) 884-4FUN (4386). Cancel at least 24 hours ahead or the payment is forfeited; changes within 24 hours have a change fee; there is no refund if you miss your tour time.
Park tickets are for a set date and priced by date; children 2 and under do not need a ticket. Tickets are nonrefundable, but you can move to a different date by calling 813-884-4FUN between 9 am and 6 pm Eastern; you pay more for a higher-priced date and get no refund or credit for a lower one. Fun Cards, annual passes, military offers, CityPASS and group tickets are on the park's tickets pages.
Parking: general parking from $32.00 plus tax; preferred parking from $35. Accessible parking is in Lot A near the main entrance, first come, first served, for the general parking fee with a valid permit; all those spaces are van-accessible. There is a drop-off and pick-up area near the park entrance.
All bags are inspected, and guests are screened with walk-through or hand-held metal detectors. Not allowed: weapons, disposable straws, hard or soft coolers, luggage and bags with wheels. All-day lockers in Morocco cost $15, $20 or $25 a day by size, and riders can't bring loose articles on the major rides.
Food: no outside food, drinks or coolers, except bottled water or a refillable water bottle. Exceptions may be made for special dietary needs, including food allergies and baby food or formula. Busch Gardens gives two routes: email BGT-AccessibilityServices@BuschGardens.com before your visit, or contact Park Security when you arrive for approval. Doing both is safest.
Costumes and costume masks are not permitted (children may wear costumes to the Spooktacular event), and face painting is only allowed by park artists. On select dates a chaperone policy may be activated without notice: guests 17 and under must be with a chaperone 21 or older, one chaperone for up to five.
First Aid is in Pantopia, Sesame Street Safari of Fun, Security and near Cheetah Hunt, staffed by Registered Nurses or Emergency Medical Technicians. Family or companion restrooms: Stanleyville (next to Stanley Falls, also listed as next to SheiKra), Egypt (next to Montu), Nairobi (next to Kenya Kanteen), Pantopia (inside Main First Aid), Congo (next to Bumper Cars), Sesame Street Safari of Fun (behind Snack-n-geti) and Stanleyville (next to Zambia Smokehouse).
Wheelchairs and ECVs rent inside the park to the right of Guest Relations, based on availability, and can be reserved online; strollers rent at Stroller Rental near the front gate in Morocco. Complimentary ASL interpreters are available on request at least 14 days ahead by email or phone. Service animals are limited to dogs and miniature horses; emotional support animals are not permitted.
Accessibility questions: BGT-AccessibilityServices@BuschGardens.com or (813) 884-4FUN, or Guest Relations on the day.
