Busch Gardens Just Tightened Entry Rules – Here’s Who Can and Can’t Get In
In the shadow of recent high-profile disturbances at Florida theme parks, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has quietly moved to tighten its rules. The measure didn’t come with a splashy announcement. Instead, it was a quiet update on the park’s website—one that speaks volumes about the pressures facing park operators this summer.
The move follows mounting concerns over social-media-fueled “takeovers,” events that have recently disrupted parks across the state. Now, Busch Gardens is taking no chances.
Aquatica Orlando, a water park under the same parent company as SeaWorld, saw one of the more visible consequences of this growing trend earlier this month. On June 12, the park went into lockdown after a crowd of teens overwhelmed the property. TikTok videos later surfaced showing disappointed attendees who said the park had shut before they could get in.
This wasn’t Aquatica’s first encounter with such a scenario. In 2024, the park abruptly closed early when an earlier teen takeover spiraled into violence. Police reported that more than 100 people were involved in a fight that broke out during the chaos. By the time order was restored, the park was shut for the day.
Social Media Pressure Builds Ahead of Busch Gardens Gathering
Against this backdrop, Busch Gardens became the next target.
A planned June 28 event circulated online, prompting concern from annual passholders, local guests, and park fans. Warnings quickly spread across platforms like X, formerly known as Twitter, urging people to avoid the park altogether.
“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,” one user wrote. “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… @TampaPD please take care of this since the park is too poorly managed to.”
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.
Despite advertising it online heavily last year, park management did… pic.twitter.com/vqYYA1gxNt
— Roller Coaster 𝕏cyclopedia (@RCXcyclopedia) June 19, 2025
The comments struck a nerve with guests already uneasy over the growing trend. Critics began questioning whether theme parks were equipped to respond to crowd-driven disruptions, especially when those events are coordinated in public view.
New Policy Quietly Enforced With No End Date Announced
Busch Gardens didn’t release a statement in response. Instead, it updated its guest entry policy.
“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.”
Effective immediately, the chaperone policy requires all guests aged 17 and under to be accompanied by a chaperone over the age of 21. That adult must remain onsite and available by phone throughout the day. Each adult can supervise up to five minors, and unchaperoned minors may be removed without refund. Unaccompanied guests who are 18 or older must show a valid photo ID for age verification.
This isn’t the first time Busch Gardens has used this rule—it’s been deployed previously during select events or holidays. But this time, the park has placed it into effect “daily until further notice,” marking a significant shift in how it plans to manage guest behavior during the busy summer season.
As Florida’s parks continue to navigate an increasingly volatile landscape, Busch Gardens’ low-profile but decisive move may serve as a blueprint for others. Whether the change is temporary or becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen.
What do you think of the chaperone policy at Busch Gardens?
