What is the Busch Gardens Bag Policy? | Know Before You Go

by Theme Park Center January 02, 2024

Every theme park has its own rules of what you can or can't bring, and it can get a little overwhelming trying to figure it out while also trying to plan your vacation.

On this page, we explain exactly what you can and can't bring into Busch Gardens.

What is the Busch Gardens Bag Policy?

In both Busch Gardens Tampa and Busch Gardens Williamsburg, visitors are allowed to bring backpacks into the park as long as the bags do not have wheels (items such as luggage and coolers are not allowed).

bringing a bag to busch gardens

Visitors will also be able to rent a locker at the Busch Gardens Park and conveniently store their backpacks and valuables inside of the locker, allowing them to walk around the park, or ride their favorite rides stress-free.

Mandatory Bag Inspection Before Entering the Park

Visitors should be aware that all guests, bags, packages, and other items are subject to inspection, including metal detection or other screening measures before entering the park.

Guests will be screened for prohibited items via metal detectors before entering the park.

Can You Bring Bags On Rides?

For the safety of all guests, no bags or any loose items are allowed on rides, as they must be stored inside a locker, or left with a non-rider for the duration of the ride.

Can You Have a Backpack at the Howl O Scream Event?

As of September 24, no bags will be permitted after 4 pm at Howl O Scream.

Wristlets and small packs measuring less than 8”x 5” are permitted and subject to security inspection.

To help ensure all guests & Ambassadors have a safe and enjoyable Howl-O-Scream experience, bags will not be permitted with entry after 4 p.m. effective this Friday, Sept. 24 through Oct. 31. For FULL details, please see here: https://t.co/ImsdphWI0p pic.twitter.com/gOKAOV1ZvT
— Busch Gardens VA (@BuschGardensVA) September 23, 2021

What If I Brought a Bag Earlier in the Day?

Do you have to leave the park to put your bag away, and then re-enter the park?

No, bags brought into the park before 4 pm aren't an issue and may remain in the park with the owner while they're at the park during the entire event.

Why Was This Bag Rule Implemented?

For the safety of both guests and park team members, as Howl O Scream takes place at night, which means the park is naturally much darker.

Howl O Scream is a limited-time event that occurs around the Halloween season featuring 5 haunted houses, 8 scare zones, 2 fan-favorite shows & exhilarating rides.

Bags are not allowed inside Haunted Houses.

Can You Bring Food or Water Into the Park?

Visitors are not able to bring outside food into the park unless they have a special dietary restriction.

Visitors however can bring unopened or empty water bottles and baby food.

Other than that, no food, snacks, or drinks are allowed to be brought into Busch Gardens Park.

According to Busch Gardens, the below items are acceptable and prohibited at the park:

Acceptable Items to Bring

Bottled Water
Empty Water Bottles
Any food required for medical purposes and medically indicated nutritional supplements
Any food required for special dietary needs
Baby food/baby formula