Home » Theme Parks » Busch Gardens

Icesploration ice show announced for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to debut in February 2012

in Busch Gardens, Entertainment, Theme Parks

Posted on by Ricky Brigante 1 Comment
The vibrant "Icesploration at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay" logo features playful animals and a dynamic ice skater, accompanied by the slogan "Explore the world on ice," capturing the excitement and spectacle of this signature Busch Gardens live ice show.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay today announced a new ice show called Icesploration, taking the stage in the theme park beginning on Feb. 2, 2012. A cast of 20 world-class skaters, amazing aerial performances, master puppetry and live animal stars will perform daily in park’s Moroccan Palace.

The 30-minute Iceploration show follows a story set around the world will feature theatrical skating and an all-new original score. “The grand scale of Iceploration sets a new standard of entertainment that further solidifies Busch Gardens as one of Florida’s premier theme parks,” said Busch Gardens Park President Jim Dean. “This show reintroduces the ice show to our most loyal fans while bringing together the things Busch Gardens stage productions do best: world-class entertainment with top-notch skaters, amazing costumes, original music, larger-than-life puppets and even animal stars.”

Video: Teaser/announcement of Icesploration at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens describes the show as follows (with concept artwork):

The show opens with Austin, a digital-savvy preteen, explaining how technology has made his generation more connected to the world than ever before. But his grandfather – and old-world explorer – argues that the boy is more disconnected than he realizes, and takes him on an adventure around the globe. Through their travels they visit the African Serengeti, Great Barrier Reef, the Arctic and the Amazon rainforest.

The adventure unfolds as they arrive in the African Serengeti. Here, larger-than-life puppets and spectacular set design bring elephants and other awe-inspiring animals to life at a watering hole. Solo and chorus skating performances accompanied by acrobatics tell an anecdote of an agile cheetah stalking graceful gazelles and meerkats.

A radiant Serengeti sunset sets the stage behind iconic acacia and baobab tree silhouettes, crowned by bold "SERENGETI" lettering—evoking the thrilling spectacle and adventure of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Icesploration ice show.

A graceful figure skater from Icesploration takes center stage in a flowing dress, arms extended in a dazzling pose against a bold yellow backdrop, perfectly embodying the show-stopping elegance and excitement of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s famous ice spectacular.

Austin and Grandpa then dive into the Great Barrier Reef to explore the harmony of life on the ocean floor. An amazing black light transition and never-before-seen helium-filled puppets immerse the audience in the wonders of the sea, filled with parrotfish and lionfish, sea urchins, turtles and a moray eel.

A vibrant underwater scene featuring a lively coral reef teeming with colorful fish and graceful jellyfish, with the words "Great Barrier Reef" displayed boldly at the top. The imagery is inspired by Icesploration, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s spectacular aquatic-themed ice show, blending oceanic wonder and theme park entertainment.

An Icesploration show performer dazzles in a vibrant orange and black butterfly costume, posing against a striking blue backdrop.

In the Arctic, majestic skaters become striking snow flurries as a winter storm threatens the travelers. Austin and Grandpa witness even more beauty as they encounter the Aurora Borealis phenomenon, represented with theatrical lighting and projections. Then, they share the stage with amazing live animal stars, including a Siberian lynx and a sled of Siberian huskies as they continue to traverse the tundra.

Icesploration performers dazzle the audience at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, taking the stage as glowing, ice-inspired figures amid vibrant blue and purple lights; the “Arctic” sign shines above, setting an unforgettable wintry scene.

Experience the magic of Icesploration as a dazzling performer in a shimmering, bejeweled bodysuit strikes a graceful pose on stage, set against an icy blue backdrop at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Austin and Grandpa wrap up their adventure around the globe immersed in the lush, tropical Amazon Rainforest. Squirrel monkeys, sun conures and colorful macaws fill the air as playful frogs and a graceful dragonfly skate into the grand finale: a new signature song called “Meet the World.”

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Icesploration ice show stage, decked out in a lush rainforest theme with vibrant plants, a dramatic rope bridge, and "RAINFOREST" displayed overhead—capturing the immersive adventure and spectacular entertainment that makes the park’s shows unforgettable.

Cheeta, the energetic ice-skating mascot of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Icesploration show, strikes a playful pose on glistening skates before a vibrant pink and orange backdrop, capturing the show’s thrilling and colorful atmosphere.

Construction has already begun to transform the Moroccan Palace into the icy new site for this show, along with a new version of Busch Gardens’ classic holiday ice show. This holiday season, the Moroccan Palace will host Christmas on Ice with several shows daily from November 21 to January 1.

Iceploration performances are included with any daily park admission or annual Pass. For more information, visit BuschGardens.com

View Comment (1)