For many families, summer at Florida’s theme parks offers a chance to unwind. But recent trends suggest it might be time to check the calendar before buying tickets.
In recent weeks, social media has been ablaze with warnings from parkgoers and fans about planned “takeover” events—gatherings that begin as mass meetups, often organized by teenagers, and occasionally spiral into full-blown security incidents. Some have already caused temporary closures, lockdowns, and online backlash against park management.
Now, attention is shifting to Tampa.
Trouble Brewing at Busch Gardens?
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is facing fresh scrutiny as another teen-led event is reportedly scheduled for June 28. The park, located roughly 90 minutes from Orlando, has been mentioned repeatedly on X, formerly known as Twitter, where concerned users are urging the park—and even local police—to intervene before problems erupt.
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
“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 X, formerly known as Twitter, post reads. Another user added, “Please do something to prevent this from escalating before it happens. If anything happens that day, you can’t claim you haven’t been warned.”
The warnings come less than two weeks after a similar event forced SeaWorld’s Aquatica Orlando into lockdown. On June 12, a planned teen takeover at the water park ended with early closure—some guests said the gates were shut before they could even arrive. That incident mirrored a 2024 event at the same park, which had escalated into a fight involving more than 100 people.
Busch Gardens has had its own share of disruptions. In 2024, another teen-planned event triggered a fight among guests—one video appeared to show a gun being pulled, though that claim was never verified. Despite cancellation efforts at the time, a large crowd still gathered. The park saw attendance fall below expectations that year.
Theme Parks Tighten the Rules
Other operators are already acting. Six Flags and Knott’s Berry Farm have implemented structured chaperone policies that require minors to be accompanied by an adult during peak hours. These policies vary by park but are often activated during periods of high attendance or in anticipation of large youth gatherings.
Six Flags Great Adventure states that guests aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by someone 21 or older starting at 5:00 p.m. daily. Meanwhile, Knott’s requires chaperones from as early as 1:00 p.m. on weekends. Both parks reserve the right to begin enforcement earlier as needed.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, however, does not have a permanent chaperone policy. According to its website, the rule “may be activated on select dates.” The most recent enforcement took place on May 31, 2025. Whether the park will reintroduce it for June 28 remains unconfirmed.
When enforced, the policy outlines strict guidelines: all guests aged 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older; chaperones must remain on park grounds and be reachable at all times. Those found violating the rule may be ejected without a refund.
What Happens Next?
While not every teen-organized gathering turns chaotic, the frequency of these events—and the fear they generate—is prompting broader questions about how theme parks handle crowd control. As video clips of altercations circulate online, public pressure on parks to act swiftly has grown.
For Busch Gardens, the challenge lies in getting ahead of potential issues without alienating young visitors entirely. Whether park management decides to implement its chaperone policy again—or take more proactive steps—could determine how the day unfolds.
With June 28 approaching, guests may want to keep a close eye on updates. For some, it could mean the difference between a fun day out and an unexpected shutdown.
What do you think of the current teen takeover theme park trend?
