Busch Gardens: Crown Colony


Tampa, Florida: The Crown Colony region of Busch Gardens is the smallest portion of the park. Nestled between Nairobi and Egypt, the Crown Colony is home to the only table service restaurant in the park. It is also home to the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

Opened in 1966, Crown Colony opened with the introduction of the monorail. The monorail provided a half mile ride through the Serengeti Plain. Due to mechanical problems, the monorail was closed for good in

The Skyride was added to the park in 1974. Here guests ride in a gondola thirty feet over the safari, giving riders a birds eye view of the Serengeti. The Skyride is a one way trip from Crown Colony to Stanleyville or vice versa.

During the thirtieth anniversary of the park, Busch Gardens opened the Clydesdale Hamlet. Here you can get an up close look at the signature Budweiser Clydesdales. The Hamlet also includes a museum of pictures looking back on the history of the Clydesdale. Most recently added to the Hamlet is Bud, the donkey that thinks he’s a Clydesdale. This area of the park is also home to the Show Jumping Hall of Fame; a museum dedicated to show horses.

The icon of the region, the Crown Colony House opened in 1990. The three story restaurant overlooks the Serengeti Plain. The Crown Colony House is divided into two separate restaurants, the Crown Colony Café and the Crown Colony Restaurant. They café is a cafeteria style restaurant on the second floor featuring pizza and sandwiches. On the third floor is Busch Gardens only table service restaurant, here guests can dine on seafood and steaks while over looking the animals on the Serengeti Plain.

The only shopping stop in Crown Colony is the Edge of Africa Gifts. Here guests can buy animal themed products and souvenirs.

During the fiftieth anniversary of the park in 2009, the region Crown Colony was retired and this portion of the park was merged into Egypt. A museum showcasing the past fifty years of the park was also opened across from the Crown Colony House.

For more pictures, click the picture above or visit my Busch Gardens photo page.

Updated: November 9, 2009

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