Should I visit Busch Gardens on Super Bowl Day?

[DISCostaRica]

Hi,

I´m staying at Pop Century Jan 27th - Feb 4th and I was planning to spend a day on Busch Gardens Theme Park.
With the Super Bowl week in Tampa Bay and don´t know if this is actually a good idea?
What do you think?
My initial plan was going to Busch Gardens on Feb 1st (Super Bowl GameDay)

 

[Willow1213]

I think the park itself would be empty on the day of the game. However, getting into and around Tampa that day would be HORRIBLE! I don't know where the park is in relation to the stadium, but I wouldn't want to put myself anywhere that people would be trying to get to the stadium.

 

[CleveRocks]

I think it might be the very worst day of the year to go.

I think the park will be CROWDED, not empty. There will be a lot of men who fly to Tampa for the game, going to the game with a buddy or 2 or 3, and they all flew in with their families. The families need something to do that day, as, in this scenario, they don't have game tickets and they couldn't care less about the game.

There will also be press there from all over the world. Many have never been to Tampa and will never go back. They, too, might bring the spouse and kids, and the spouse and kids may go to the park that day, again because they can.

And the game itself doesn't start until after 6 p.m., so you might also get some game-goers at the park earlier in the day, if they aren't into the whole tail-gating atmosphere.

Just my opinion, but I can see it going down that way.

 

[mrzrich]

I think crowdwise, Super Bowl Sunday would be your best bet that week. The day before and day after the Super Bowl will be much busier. I really doubt people that are in town and going to the game will go to Busch Gardens on the same day as the game.

Super Bowl Day is an all day event culminating in the game. Outside the Stadium there is a carnival atmosphere, giant inflatables, hall of fame meet and greets, yummy food, etc. People do bring their spouses and children to this.

Even without the super bowl, parking at Raymond James Sadium on a normal game day is often a hike of a walk and then getting in to the Stadium for the super bowl will have more extensive security than usual. Not worth going to Busch that day, to leave for the game by 2 PM, to ensure I get a parked and in my seat.

Also locals who live in the outskirts of the city will be avoiding going into Tampa that day. (All the news around here is saying to stay away that day)
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/1/15/426164.html

Traffic may be the tough part, but is probably do-able. The park is open from 9:30 to 6 PM that day. With the game starting at 6 PM I would imagine that if you got in early and stayed till 6 the roads will be deserted at 6 with many people home or at Ray Jay watching the game.

 

[DWFan4Life]

I think crowdwise, Super Bowl Sunday would be your best bet that week. The day before and day after the Super Bowl will be much busier. I really doubt people that are in town and going to the game will go to Busch Gardens on the same day as the game.

Super Bowl Day is an all day event culminating in the game. Outside the Stadium there is a carnival atmosphere, giant inflatables, hall of fame meet and greets, yummy food, etc. People do bring their spouses and children to this.

Even without the super bowl, parking at Raymond James Sadium on a normal game day is often a hike of a walk and then getting in to the Stadium for the super bowl will have more extensive security than usual. Not worth going to Busch that day, to leave for the game by 2 PM, to ensure I get a parked and in my seat.

Also locals who live in the outskirts of the city will be avoiding going into Tampa that day. (All the news around here is saying to stay away that day)
http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/1/15/426164.html

Traffic may be the tough part, but is probably do-able. The park is open from 9:30 to 6 PM that day. With the game starting at 6 PM I would imagine that if you got in early and stayed till 6 the roads will be deserted at 6 with many people home or at Ray Jay watching the game.

Thank you for this information. Some of our friends are having a trip on the last week of Jan to first week of Feb. Thanks a lot.

Have a nice day.

 

[Joshua_me]

Any Sunday in Jan will be busy at The Gardens. It's the height of our 'season', and the west coast of FL in general is packed with people from all over the world. (We're in Sarasota)

The weather is predicted to be nice and sunny and in the 70's, so prepare for a good sized crowd.

 

[mrzrich]

Any Sunday in Jan will be busy at The Gardens. It's the height of our 'season', and the west coast of FL in general is packed with people from all over the world. (We're in Sarasota)

The weather is predicted to be nice and sunny and in the 70's, so prepare for a good sized crowd.

Ya really think? I know all the local news is saying "Stay out of Tampa" that day.

I guess the answer is "your guess is as good as mine."

OP: If you do go tht day please report back and let us know how you made out.