Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has enacted a strict guest policy after plans emerged for a mass takeover of the Florida theme park.

Like most of Florida’s theme parks, Busch Gardens is designed to entertain guests of all ages. With thrill rides like SheiKra, Iron Gwazi, and Kumba, as well as kid-friendly attractions such as the Serengeti Express, Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars, and Rosita’s Djembe Fly-Away, there’s something for every guest to enjoy – at least, on a normal operating day.

Two women riding on Serengeti Flyer
Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Teen Takeover Event Planned for Busch Gardens

Earlier this month, the internet was hit by news that local teenagers were planning a “takeover” event.

The event was set to take place on June 28 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Theme park fans took to social media to warn others off visiting the park, as well as encouraging Busch Gardens or local police to step in and save the park from chaos.

“If anyone was planning on going to BGT on Saturday June 28, please be aware that a bunch of ghetto, degenerate thugs are planning on invading the park to cause violence and chaos that could injure your family,” said one X, formerly known as Twitter, user.

“Despite advertising it online heavily last year, park management did nothing to prevent it and allowed it to get way out of hand. Hey @BuschGardens if you allow this to happen despite ample warning again this summer I’m canceling my pass, I shouldn’t have to worry about my safety at your parks [because] you can’t have your security team form a plan. @TampaPD please take care of this since the park is too poorly managed to.”

This came on the heels of a similar takeover event at Aquatica Orlando. The water park – which, like its sister park of SeaWorld Orlando, is owned by United Parks & Resorts and contains an abundance of marine life – was the site of a planned teen takeover on June 12. However, the park soon went into lockdown as young guests swarmed the park. Teenagers who planned to attend the event shared their disappointment on TikTok, with some claiming that the water park had closed before they could even arrive.

Aquatica previously made headlines in 2024 after it was also forced into an abrupt early closure. A crowd of teenagers swarmed the park as part of another planned takeover event, which soon led to a fight breaking out that allegedly involved over 100 people. Police were eventually summoned to shut down the situation, and the park was locked down for the day.

A man and a woman enjoy drinks while standing in front of a roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a Florida theme park.
Credit: Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Takes Action Against Teen Takeover

While Busch Gardens Tampa Bay didn’t actively comment on the planned takeover, it did make a quiet change that thwarted the event.

The Florida theme park reinstated its chaperone policy until further notice, meaning that any guest 17 years of age or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone over the age of 21 to enter or remain in the park. The park has enforced this policy on and off, but has now implemented it on an indefinite basis.

“The safety of our guests and Ambassadors has always been our top priority at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,” the park states on its website. “We’re committed to keeping Busch Gardens Tampa Bay a place where guests of all ages can come together to enjoy everything our park has to offer. As part of that commitment, a chaperone policy may be activated on select dates. At this time, a Chaperone Policy is in effect daily until further notice. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay reserves the right to activate and enforce the Chaperone Policy any time without prior notice.”

A family walking through Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with a roller coaster in the background at this Florida theme park.
Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

One adult is permitted to supervise up to five minors. Chaperones must enter the park with their group, stay onsite throughout the visit, and remain reachable by phone. Minors found without a present, contactable chaperone may be removed without a refund. Guests 18 and older must show a valid photo ID to verify age if unaccompanied. This rule applies to all ticket types.

What do you think of the chaperone policy at Busch Gardens?

The post Confirmed: Busch Gardens Will Start Limiting Who Can Enter Florida Theme Park appeared first on Inside the Magic.

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