New Sesame Street Attraction in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, FL

Written by Carol Cain on 23 March 2010

I was invited to attend an event in Tampa, FL this week which unfortunately I was unable to attend, which is sad for me for two reasons: I missed an event targeting exclusively Latino press and writers in travel (thank you for the efforts in reaching out to us beyond the scope of beauty and cleaning products, RL Public Relations) and I missed revisiting one of the most fun places in FL for traveling families: Bush Gardens Tampa Bay.

The event was to announce that as of this week Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is welcoming families to an all-new, Sesame Street-themed, sunny, funny play land featuring Elmo, Big Bird and all their friends.

Sesame Street Safari of Fun will be filled with kid-size rides, cool water fun, shows and adventures that celebrate the spirit of Africa as Sesame Street and Busch Gardens unite to create a signature attraction found nowhere else.

“This new attraction is going to be unlike anything families have encountered before, with unique African-inspired costumes for Elmo, Big Bird and their friends, and exciting adventures for families to share,” says Donnie Mills, Busch Gardens’ executive vice president and general manager. “With the addition of Sesame Street Safari of Fun, Busch Gardens truly has something for all ages, and this new destination in the park is certain to be a hit among families and kids.”

Sesame Street Safari of Fun will provide kid-size rides aplenty to delight kids and kids-at-heart. One highlight is a new junior roller coaster designed for parents and children to ride together. “Air Grover” is full of mini-dives and twisty turns as families soar through the Sahara. “Oscar’s Swamp Stomp” provides cool water fun, and “Bert & Ernie’s Water Hole” is a wet adventure filled with bubblers, geysers, jets, dumping buckets and more. “Big Bird’s 123-Smile with Me” photography studio gives kids the chance to share a hug and a smile with Sesame Street friends, and musical performances bring safari tales to life. The new destination for family-friendly adventure is being created where Land of the Dragons exists, and will double the area’s current size to 2.5 acres.

In addition to the rides and play areas, families will also be able to watch their favorite characters on the big screen. “Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!” will run in the park’s 4-D theater, located in Timbuktu. The fun-filled, 4-D movie brings Sesame Street Muppets’ adventures to life with zany 3-D gags and special effects like wind, water and jump-out-of-your-seat surprises.

Families will be able to share breakfast and lunch with Elmo and his friends on select days at an outdoor dining facility adjacent to Sesame Street Safari of Fun.

The addition of the Sesame Street Safari of Fun makes the fun experience families have at Busch Gardens even more so. I have fond memories of the many rides, award-winning shows and exotic up-close animal encounters Busch Gardens provides. In my previous visits to Bush Gardens, and especially when my now 12 year old was younger, I never felt that I missed out on the fun because I was traveling with small children. This addition will only serve to further compliment our experience and cater to our search for a fun vacation.

For more information about Busch Garden Tampa Bay’s Sesame Streets Safari of Fun visit their website here.