>>>Busch Gardens in the Spring and Summer    As the weather heats up (and up, and up), the number of tourists at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay begin to increase over the typical number in the fall and winter. The good news is that most or all of the attractions should be operating; the bad news is that the crowds may be bigger.   Unlike some of the other central Florida parks, Busch Gardens is not always packed. There are days during the spring and summer where the park is empty like in the spring. It is usually hit or miss, and rain can play a big role. During March and April, many people are on spring break. What this usually means is longer lines during the week. Lines on the weekend, which are typically longer than during the week anytime of the year, may just be a bit longer.   The summer is rather random for crowds, but you do want to avoid holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day and the Fourth of July if you are not looking to fight the crowds. If the Summer Nights promotion in running during June, you have time to do everything even if the park is crowded. The rides that are almost always crowded are the water rides because of how hot outside it is. Try to hit them early to avoid waiting in huge lines. Again, Busch Gardens is very hit or miss when it comes to the crowds, so just hope you are lucky.   One thing you can count on is that it will be hot and humid. Clothing for the park in the spring and summer is shorts and a shirt, period. There may be a couple cool days in the spring, but don't expect that in the summer. It is always a good idea to wear solid shoes (sneakers) and not sandals. Sunscreen is also crucial. Another item you might want to include is a poncho, because it does rain often in Florida, and you should expect it on your visit. There are days where it will rain all day, but typically, it will pour and be over with. Since most of the thunderstorms occur in the afternoon, be sure to get to the park early, and try to get most of what you want to do in. Busch Gardens essentially shuts down when there is lightning: all of the outdoor rides will close as soon as they can get all of the passengers off.   In the late summer, it is very important to stay tuned to the weather forecasts for any possible tropical systems. If you are a tourist from out-of-state or country, you do not want to be caught in a hurricane. If you happen to be in the area already and a hurricane is coming, evacuate with all the other people.   In short, the spring and summer is a variable and unpredictable time for Busch Gardens. Typically the park is not super crowded, but there are those days that it is. Good luck and hope you pick an un-crowded day. Last Updated: March 21st, 2006