For decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has attracted visitors with a blend of exotic wildlife, lush theming, and an increasingly daring lineup of roller coasters. From SheiKra’s vertical drop to Montu’s twisting inversions, the park has carved out a place among Florida’s most competitive theme park destinations.
Now, though, many longtime fans say a recent change has soured the thrill — not because of a ride itself, but because of what it now costs to experience it.
Since its 1959 debut as an Anheuser-Busch brewery-adjacent attraction, Busch Gardens has expanded from a relatively low-key animal park into a full-scale theme park. Its transformation accelerated in the late 20th century, when the park began adding high-profile roller coasters to its lineup. Montu, Kumba, and SheiKra each elevated its status, helping establish Tampa as a serious competitor to Orlando’s sprawling resort complexes.
By 2022, Busch Gardens made headlines worldwide with Iron Gwazi, a Rocky Mountain Construction hybrid billed as the tallest and fastest of its kind. Enthusiasts celebrated its record-breaking plunge and relentless pacing, with many calling it one of the best rides on the planet. For some, the price of admission felt justified by Iron Gwazi alone.
Locker Controversy at Iron Gwazi
In recent weeks, however, guests hoping to ride the coaster have been met with a new requirement: mandatory paid lockers. According to parkgoers, riders are no longer permitted to bring loose items aboard and must instead store them aside for a fee before boarding.
The change follows a troubling incident in which a rider was struck in the face by a cellphone that flew loose mid-ride. Busch Gardens introduced the lockers as a precaution — but the policy has been met with anger from fans who see it as a hidden fee.
“Most stupid rule in the world why not make them free if mandatory?” one frustrated Reddit user posted, encapsulating the backlash.
Some visitors, though, acknowledged the reasoning. “The rule was implemented because nobody was following instructions… phones flying out of people’s hands… I do think a free alternative for the lockers should be offered though. Universal does it for most of their rides and they seem to be doing fine.”
Another echoed that perspective but noted the park’s execution remains inconsistent. “Despite all the signs people are still bringing stuff on they can't as staff aren't telling them until they get on the ride. Today I was told to put stuff in locker at the entrance but looks like others weren't.”
Fans Say Policy Feels Like an Upcharge
The anger stems less from the lockers themselves and more from the additional cost tacked onto an already expensive park visit. Day tickets often exceed $120, and with food, parking, and other add-ons, families can easily spend several hundred dollars.
“That’s total BS. If you are going to force people through metal detectors, you’re going to need to offer free lockers at the ride like Universal does. This needs to be made national and on X and all social media and shame BG until they make it free,” wrote one guest.
A former employee offered insight into why the policy matters: “I was walking behind the scenes near Gwazi and I was hit by a guest’s phone. Ridiculous that people can’t understand the gravity of the situation.”
Others remain more sympathetic to Busch Gardens’ stance, noting that enforcing locker use helps ensure smoother ride operations. “Yes, it does suck to have to pay for a locker but it sucks even more to… watch someone realize they can’t take something as they are trying to get seated. Riders need to realize… they are ruining the ride experience for everyone.”
Whether the lockers become a permanent fixture or evolve into a free system like those at Universal Orlando Resort remains to be seen. For now, the move highlights a growing debate at theme parks worldwide: balancing safety with customer satisfaction in an era when costs already feel higher than ever.
What do you think of Busch Gardens making roller coaster fans pay to rent lockers?
This is ridiculous, and horrible for solo travelers. I know that Disney and Universal are more money, and people are saying well, they’re saving money because Busch Gardens is cheaper. But They also have more rides and areas to visit. I can understand why some of my friends in Florida are now foregoing to buy season passes this year. It’s just the idea that they are charging four dollars per person/party, were they really don’t have to. It’s a shame.