In order to maximize social distancing and guest safety during their New Year’s Eve celebrations, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will split their available park reservations into two different time slots: Play By Day and Play By Night. Each session offers it’s own unique characteristics and programming. Let’s take a look at Busch Gardens New Years reservation type and what they offer:
Busch Gardens Announces 2021 Mardi Gras Festivities
Play By Day: 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Guests with daytime reservations will enjoy all of Busch Gardens’ standard rides and animal encounters. Christmas Town, with its holiday treats and festivities, will be open to guests as well. This reservation allows guests to bid farewell to 2020 with a somewhat traditional day at the theme park.
Play By Night 6:00PM-1:00AM
If you’re looking for an evening celebration, you can make a Play By Night reservation to ring in the New Year with socially-distant fireworks, Christmas lights, and nighttime roller coaster rides.
There will be two fireworks presentations: 8:30PM and 11:30PM. While fireworks are included in your park admission, access to field viewing (the “ideal” firework watching area) does require an additional purchase. HOWEVER, fireworks are viewable from multiple areas around the park, including Stanleyville, Bird Gardens, and Pantopia.
You can see the best firework viewing locations on the map below:
How To Make A New Year’s Eve Reservation
You can reserve your Play By Day or Play By Night time slot using a single day ticket, Fun Card, or Annual Pass. You must visit the website to select either a daytime or nighttime reservation. Make sure you have your ticket or pass barcode handy to secure your slot, and bring your reservation with you to the park gate!
Ticket Deals
Until December 27, you can purchase specially priced tickets and annual passes for Busch Gardens!
Details from a recent Busch Gardens statement below:
Save up to 50% on tickets, or keep the fun going all year with a Fun Card or Annual Pass to use now and thru all of 2021! Get 25% off the purchase of a 2021 Fun Card, offering access to visit again and again through 2021 with the rest of 2020 FREE to enjoy Christmas Town and New Year’s Eve! For bigger value and benefits, upgrade to a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Annual Pass and save 10–25%. Depending on your selected pass level, you’ll receive special benefits including free parking, guest tickets, and exclusive events.
