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New in 2003 at Busch Gardens

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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers one of the most diverse arrays of attractions in Central Florida. In 2003, the adventure park continues its commitment to innovation by introducing a variety of face-to-face encounters, restaurants, shows and attractions.

These new attractions include:

· New Brand Identity - As a symbol of the park's diversity and continuous growth, Busch Gardens is updating its logo for the first time in more than 20 years. The new logo, two years in development, reflects Busch Gardens' contemporary image as the ultimate family adventure park offering world-class animal habitats, thrill rides and live entertainment. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay's sister park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, also is adopting the new logo.

· White Rhinoceros Habitat - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was the first zoological institution to feature free-roaming herds of animals when it opened the 65-acre Serengeti Plain more than 40 years ago. Today, Busch Gardens continues its leadership in innovative animal care with the creation of a white rhinoceros habitat. Scheduled to open in March 2003, Busch Gardens' 26-acre Northern Serengeti Plain - located north of the Rhino Rally attraction - will be converted into the new habitat for the park's endangered white rhinoceros.
Park guests will be able to get an up-close view of the white rhinos via the Serengeti Express Train, which traverses the habitat. The Skyride and Rhino Rally also will provide views of these endangered animals. Sable antelope, greater kudu, Defassa waterbuck, sitatunga, wildebeests, ostriches and African crowned cranes also will share this naturalistic African terrain.

· Keeper-For-The-Day - Much like Busch Gardens' Adventure Camps program, the new Keeper-For-The-Day program will give guests an opportunity to work alongside the park's zoological team assisting in the care of exotic and endangered animals. The 6 1/2-hour program pairs participants with a zoological educator for a one-on-one experience offering a wide variety of hands-on training sessions and animal care for large and small mammals, birds and reptiles. The program is scheduled to begin this spring.

· Timbuktu Redesign - The Timbuktu area of Busch Gardens, opened in 1979, re-creates an ancient desert-trading region and combines thrill rides with a large games area. This spring, freshly painted facades, new signs and banners, and colorful fabric awnings will combine to create a festive Arabian atmosphere throughout Timbuktu. In addition, a portion of the Sultan's Arcade - located in the heart of Timbuktu - will be converted into The Oasis, where guests can enjoy a variety of snacks and beverages including beer brewed by Anheuser-Busch. The Oasis also will provide a covered outdoor seating area where guests can relax and enjoy Florida's tropical weather.

· Das Festhaus Renovations - As part of the area's redesign, Timbuktu's signature restaurant, Das Festhaus, will be renovated and renamed The Kasbah. The Kasbah's interior will be highlighted by domed facades with desert scenes, palm trees, colorful fabrics and tassels and multi-colored lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The Kasbah will showcase continuous entertainment throughout the day, with two new shows when it opens this spring. State-of-the-art theatrical lighting and effects will augment The Kasbah's high-energy entertainment offerings. In addition, the current menu of German- and Italian-influenced dishes will be updated to reflect The Kasbah's Arabian theme.

· R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse - Across from The Kasbah, guests can experience R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse in 4-D. Opening this May, R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse is a spooky, 22-minute adventure film that combines 3-D visual technology with multi-sensory theater effects for an exciting "4-D" experience. Based on an original story by the popular "Goosebumps" author, the film stars veteran actors Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson and was directed by Joe Dante. The new theater will seat 750 guests and queue an additional 750 in the lobby.

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