Busch Gardens Tampa

Busch Gardens Tampa (formerly known as Busch Gardens Africa and Busch Gardens: The Dark Continent) is an African-themed animal park and theme park located in Tampa, Florida. Busch Gardens Tampa is owned and operated by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

In 2009, Busch Gardens Williamsburg opened a Sesame Street-themed attraction area, "Sesame Street Forest of Fun". This was followed in spring 2010 by the "Sesame Street Safari of Fun" attraction area at Busch Gardens Tampa. The area depicts the Sesame Street characters in costumes and settings that "celebrate the spirit of Africa."

Attractions

Air GroverJunior roller coaster

Bert and Ernie's Watering HoleWater attraction

Big Bird's Whirly BirdieFerris wheel

Cookie Monster's Canopy CrawlThree-story interactive climbing area

The Count's Zambezi RallyCar ride attraction in which guests ride in the Countmobile.

Elmo's Safari-Go-RoundCarousel ride

Elmo's Treehouse TrekThree-story interactive play structure

Rosita's Djembe Fly-AwayChair swing ride themed around a djembe, a West African drum

Slimey's Sahara SandsSand play area

Snuffy's Elephant RompFlying elephant ride similar to Disneyland's Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction

Telly's Jungle JamInteractive play area where kids can explore "sounds, shapes and shadows"

Zoe-Patra and the Hippos of the NileFlume ride down the Nile river

Former attractions

Oscar's Swamp StompWater play area

Sesame Street Presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!4-D film attraction; English version of Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic at Universal Studios Japan
(2010-13)

Sunny Day Theater

Outdoor theater where live shows are performed.

• A is for Africa
• Elmo Rocks
• Let's Play Together
• The Count's Not-Too-Scary Halloween Spooktacular (seasonal, 2018-)
• Elmo's Christmas Wish (seasonal)

Stores and Dining

Abby Cadabby's Treasure Hut

Big Bird's 123 Smile with MeCharacter Photo Op

Cookie Monster's Trading Post

Dine with Elmo and Friends!Character dining

Snack-N-Geti Tribal Treats

Characters

Elmo

Abby Cadabby

Big Bird

Cookie Monster

Ernie and Bert

Grover

Rosita

Zoe

Oscar the Grouch(joined the cast in 2016 after appearing as a guest the previous year)

Count von Count

Telly Monster (joined in 2015)

Julia(joined in 2019)

Former & One-Shot

Baby Bear(2016-17)

Gongerappeared during Sesame Street's 50th birthday event in late 2019

SnuffyFebruary 1-2, 2020

Sesame Street Kids' Weekends

Special weekend event with games, activities, dance parties, and character photo ops. Some weekends will revolve around a certain theme (e.g.: Rubber Duckie Weekend, Pirate Weekend, etc.) It is also the only time when all characters appear together.

The Sesame Street gang decked out in pirate gear for Pirates Weekend

Merchandise

Busch Gardens Tampa has two exclusive Sesame Street Safari of Fun toys -- plush dolls of Elmo and Zoe in safari gear. Elmo has binoculars and Zoe has a camera; they're both toting green backpacks with the "Safari of Fun" logo. Visitors can also make a set of pressed pennies in the park.

Promotion and grand opening

A construction worker named Bif (Peter Linz) appeared at a press event promoting the section in January 2010, while Elmo (Kevin Clash) appeared with park General Manager Jim Dean at the attraction's March 2010 opening. (YouTube)

Elmo and Jim Dean at the opening

See also

• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Busch Gardens stage shows