HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — As a major winter storm pummels the South, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced an early closure on Tuesday.
Theme park staff said it would be closed starting at 2 p.m. on social media.
Despite remaining open during most uncooperative weather, the park will shut its doors for the following reasons:
- Inclement weather causes early closure or negatively impacts the park’s operating hours.
- Rides are closed for over 60 minutes due to lightning, strong winds, heat, rain or snow.
- If park temperatures reach a heat index of 110 degrees or above.
Luckily, if you did have plans to visit today, the park's Weather-or-Not Policy could provide you with a return trip free of charge.
While other parts of the state are seeing snow, the Tampa Bay area has been dealing with chilly temperatures and showers. But the heaviest of the rain is expected to fall overnight Tuesday into early Wednesday morning. During that time period, pockets of heavier rain and maybe even a rumble of thunder are possible.
Brides, families fighting for refunds after event venue closes suddenly
“We’ve struggled so hard to scrape the money to be able to do this for her,” Irizarry said. “She’s my only girl and I wanted this so much for her.”
Couples and families who had weddings and events planned at a well-known venue that abruptly closed claim they’re out thousands of dollars and aren’t being given refunds. Annette Irizarry was supposed to hold her 15-year-old daughter’s quinceañera in August at the Clearwater location and said she’s now out the $6,160 she paid. Without that money, Irizarry said she can’t afford to have her daughter’s celebration somewhere else.
