Busch Gardens is organized around thematic areas linked to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy. Each area allows visitors to explore unique restaurants, shops and attractions representing each country. Guests can see replicas of Big Ben and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in the England area, or roam around a rustic French trader's village and a Bavarian-inspired hamlet. Other attractions include Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, home to endangered and exotic animals from around the world, including gray wolves, American bald eagles and lorikeets.
Among the park's thrill rides is the Griffon, the world's first floorless diving machine roller coaster. The Griffon is also the world's fastest diving machine roller coaster, attaining speeds of 75 mph. Opening in 2011, the Mach Tower is the park's tallest roller coaster, lifting riders approximately 240 feet before dropping at 60 mph. Reaching speeds over 70 mph, Apollo's Chariot drops guests a total of 825 feet, more than any other steel roller coaster in the world.
The park has four water rides, including a boat ride through the ruins of Pompeii as Mount Vesuvius begins erupting. The Roman Rapids, another water ride, includes Roman ruins, erupting geysers and waterfalls. Several rides and attractions cater specifically to children, including the Sesame Street Forest of Fun. This attraction features the Elmo's Castle play area, a shot-n-drop ride called Prince Elmo's Spire and Grover's Alpine Express, a child-friendly roller coaster . In the Germany area, children can also explore a three-story treehouse in the mythical play area Land of the Dragons.
Visitors to Busch Gardens can enjoy live musical performances, films and animal shows. In 2011, two 4-D movies allowed guests to experience multi-sensory visual effects. In the 4-D experience "Pirates," visitors feel sprays of water and other surprises. Shows in the Ireland area include tricks from birds, cats, dogs and other animals, and Irish musicians and dancers at the Celtic Fyre. Visitors can also eat German, French, British and Italian dishes at 25 restaurants, including Der Marktplatz, a traditional German marketplace.
Busch Gardens offers information to visitors with disabilities at the Guest Assistance Center, and offers a program to match guests with ride requirements. The park offers assisted listening devices, manual and electric wheelchairs and strollers for rent. Trained service animals are permitted in the park to assist patrons. For a fee, guests can leave their pets at the Pet Center near the park's main entrance. A first aid station staffed with registered nurses and emergency medical technicians is also located in the park.
From 1990 to 2009, Busch Gardens was selected as the "Most Beautiful Park" by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. The park was also awarded "Best Landscaping - Amusement Park" in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards from 1998 to 2010. In the 2007 Readers' Choice Awards by Theme Parks Magazine, it was voted as the most beautiful park and placed third in the best food category, and Apollo's Chariot, the Griffon and Alpengeist ranked among the top 10 steel roller coasters in the United States.
