Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced the appointment of Jon Vigue as its new park president. The strategic leadership change comes as the major attraction undergoes an investment programme exceeding $100 million (£79 million) aimed at introducing new attractions and park-wide enhancements.
Vigue joins the Florida-based theme park with nearly 30 years of experience in the attractions sector. He previously served a long-term tenure at Wild Adventures in Georgia, where he led operational strategies and development initiatives focused on elevating the guest experience. Prior to that role, Vigue spent nearly two decades at Lake Compounce, contributing to the property's revitalization. He has also been actively involved with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) since 2007, recently serving as Chair of the Food & Beverage Committee for North America.
The appointment aligns with a period of significant capital deployment by parent company United Parks & Resorts. The ongoing investment strategy spans new rides, immersive animal habitats, and upgrades to food, beverage, and entertainment offerings designed to extend guest stay times from day to night.
Recent developments at the 300-acre park include the 2025 debut of Wild Oasis, an immersive family adventure area. This year, the park is launching Lion and Hyena Ridge, its largest and most immersive animal habitat project in more than a decade. The new multi-species realm features 270-degree viewing areas, water features, and elevated rocky overlooks to house five young male lions and a pair of hyenas.
Kyle Miller, Co-Chief Parks Operations Officer at United Parks & Resorts, commented on the appointment:
"We are strategically focused on enhancing every aspect of the guest experience at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Jon's extensive industry experience makes him the ideal leader to help guide that vision forward. As we continue making meaningful investments across the park, we are confident Jon's leadership, operational excellence and passion for innovation will help drive our next chapter of growth."
In addition to capital infrastructure improvements, the Florida park is leveraging seasonal event programming to drive summer attendance. The Summer Nights event, running through 9 August, features extended evening operating hours, new indoor entertainment such as the Beach Bash, and Wild Skies: Drone Show & Fireworks Spectacular, which utilises 400 synchronized drones.
Vigue said in a statement:
"I'm incredibly honoured to join the talented team at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and help lead one of the most iconic theme parks in the country. The park has an extraordinary legacy of combining world-class thrills, inspiring animal experiences and immersive entertainment unlike anywhere else. I look forward to working alongside our passionate ambassadors as we continue building on that legacy, investing in the future and creating unforgettable experiences for guests and families across Tampa Bay and beyond."
