By Sharon Kennedy Wynne
Tampa Bay Times
TAMPA, Fla.—As vacation season kicks into gear, Tampa Bay attractions and Florida’s theme parks are back in the habit of creating new lands and rides to draw guests back for a return visit.
After dealing with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, many places took a few years to recover financially before investing some capital in new attractions. In addition to the first brand-new Orlando theme park in 25 years, Epic Universe, there’s a new rainforest-themed land for kids at Busch Gardens, an eye-popping planetarium screen at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), and new shows and rides to check out this summer.
Busch Gardens Wild Oasis
Busch Gardens, which opened its 14th roller coaster, Phoenix Rising, in July 2024, is remaking its Jungala area. It is being turned into a new rainforest-themed land for kids called Wild Oasis. Aimed at tweens, it will include kid-friendly attractions such as a new drop tower ride, climbing structures, a splash pad, and even some new animal species.
The newly arrived species—including a giant anteater, capybaras, squirrel monkeys, and tropical birds—have come from zoo-accredited facilities across the country. They will reside in Habitat Hideaway, one of several areas in the all-new adventure realm.
“We’re beyond thrilled to welcome these incredible species to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay—some for the very first time,” said Kayla Wendzel, zoological curator of Wild Oasis.
Guests will be able to view the animals at ground level and from above.
New attractions include the Tree Top Drop, a 35-foot drop tower in which riders will be surrounded by jungle scenes displayed on screens. Riders must be at least 38 inches tall if accompanied by an adult and 42 inches tall if riding alone.
An interactive splash pad and play area dubbed Enchanted Falls will include fountains and spray towers. Canopy Climb is set to feature four levels of climbing structures, 200 feet of horizontal climbing trails, and vertical climbs that reach as high as 45 feet.
Busch Gardens describes Rainforest Quest as a “self-guided educational scavenger hunt” with a focus on various species found in the rainforest.
Admission starts at $89.99 and includes special events like the Food & Wine Festival and Christmas Town. It’s located at 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa. Call 407-545-5550 or visit buschgardens.com for more information.
Museum of Science and Industry
One of MOSI’s biggest upgrades in years arrived in April, when it opened the new Digital Dome Theatre in the former IMAX theater, an eight-story planetarium screen that is the second largest in the nation.
Dizzying images appear on a 10,000-square-foot curved screen that uses high-tech graphics to zoom across the solar system. The theater that previously sat 46 people can now seat more than 300.
A planetarium show is included with admission. There are five shows per day, and it is $5 if you want to see more shows on your visit.
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20, $15 for ages 3-17. It’s located at 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa.
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is commemorating its 30th anniversary this year while in the midst of a multiyear, $45 million expansion project. It began with the 2023 opening of MORPH’D, a gallery that highlights how animals adapt or camouflage themselves.
Coming this summer is a redesigned second-floor mezzanine featuring a larger touch experience and a tide pool water feature.
Next year, the aquarium will debut Florida’s only Pacific puffin habitat, featuring a kelp forest, a variety of fish, and expansive viewing windows. The final phase will bring a state-of-the-art sea lion exhibit, bringing California sea lions to the west coast of Florida for the first time, along with an expanded African penguin habitat.
Open weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $36.70; ages 3-11 $31. Online timed tickets are now required. It’s located at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Call 813-273-4000 or visit FLAquarium.org for more information.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
As part of a multiyear expansion, the zoo last summer opened Stingray Shores, an upgraded exhibit of the stingrays found on Tampa Bay’s beaches that invites guests to pet and feed the rays.
This summer, you can still catch the Dinos Unearthed exhibit with animatronic dinosaurs that is running through August.
There’s also a new Manatee Live Stream that allows guests in the park or online to view manatees in care. The Giraffe Encounter is now open to all ages to feed and pet giraffes, which is a separate ticket ($19.95–$29.95).
Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Pay for a day” and come back all year tickets are $49.95, $39.95 for ages 3 to 11. One-day tickets are $5 less. It’s located at 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa. Visit ZooTampa.org for more information.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Clearwater marine animal hospital made famous in the “Dolphin Tale” movies is working to rebound from a tough stretch: $2.5 million worth of damage to the building from the two hurricanes last fall.
The aquarium does have a new dazzling display of ocean jellies as part of its expanded immersive guest experiences. And the Florida Wild and Exotic display lets guests discover a variety of fascinating native and invasive species found around Florida in this new exhibit located in the Atlantis Theater. And this summer, from Memorial Day weekend through July 10, a new family of four 9-week-old capybaras will be ready to steal the show. In partnership with Amazing Animals, Inc., these social, swimming creatures are the world’s largest rodents and also some of the most laid-back.
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets cost $41.95, $32. 95 for ages 3 to 12. It’s located at 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater. Call 727-441-1790 or visit CMAquarium.org for more information.
Walt Disney World
Disney Starlight: Disney will unveil a new parade at Magic Kingdom this summer called Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away, marking the resort’s first year-round nighttime parade in more than 30 years. The classic Main Street Electrical Parade took its final bow in 2016.
This parade, led by the Blue Fairy from “Pinocchio,” will feature illuminated floats featuring Disney’s most beloved stories, from “Peter Pan” and “Frozen” to “Encanto” and “Moana.” Disney has only stated that it will begin later this summer, speculated to be about the July 4 holiday.
Test Track 3.0: The long-overdue overhaul of Epcot’s speed-racing attraction is set to debut in late summer, expected to be August.
It will focus on innovation, personalization, and the future of automotive design. Sponsored once again by General Motors, Test Track 3.0 shifts gears from its Chevrolet-themed predecessor to highlight GM’s advancements in technology and customization. Riders will still experience the outdoor race sequence, reaching speeds of up to 65 miles per hour—the fastest at Disney World—while navigating an upgraded course.
Disney Villains: The bad guys of Disney movies, from Cruella de Vil to Captain Hook, Maleficent, and more star in a new show at Hollywood Studios, opening May 27, called “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After.” Musical numbers with a touch of sinister flair will share their untold side of the story. The show replaces Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy at the park with multiple shows per day.
“The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure”: Also opening May 27 at Hollywood Studios is a reboot of the live musical show inspired by the 1989 animation classic, with Disney promising “stunning new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design.” Musical numbers from the iconic film will include “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Soul,” and “Kiss the Girl.”
SeaWorld Orlando
Expedition Odyssey: SeaWorld’s new immersive ride experience takes riders through the icy wonders of the Arctic. Nestled near the Wild Arctic walk-through exhibit, this ride blends education, exploration, and ride innovation.
After a preshow video that offers both a safety rundown and a sneak peek at your upcoming expedition, you board a “flight.” The motion-based simulator soars over glaciers, dives beneath icy waves, and sometimes pauses mid-flight to witness the Arctic animal behavior of beluga whales, orcas, and walruses. Wind gusts and splashes of water add to the realism of the adventure, which opened on May 9.
Admission starts at $89.99 online, but there are multiple combo deals with Busch Gardens and Florida resident deals found on SeaWorld.com. Call 407-545-5550 for more information.
Legoland Florida
SEA Life Florida Resort: Legoland continues to expand its lands and offerings. The Merlin Entertainment-owned property, which has a SEA Life aquarium on International Drive in Orlando, on May 23 is opening a much larger version of the marine attraction at Legoland.
It has 25 interactive exhibits, including 10 immersive galleries, a stingray bay, a hands-on invertebrate touch pool, and a 180-degree viewing tunnel. The main ocean display will serve as the aquarium’s star attraction and will feature a unique “theme park under the sea” design, not found at any other SEA Life aquarium. The display will include coral castles, a sea-inspired Ferris wheel, and “hotel-like spaces for the resident animals to safely explore.“
Once open, the new aquarium will operate as a stand-alone attraction within the Legoland Florida Resort. A one-day ticket to both Legoland and SEALife starts at $94 at LegolandFlorida.com.
Copyright 2025 Tampa Bay Times. Visit at tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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