Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to Busch Gardens to attend the first presentation of their newest show: Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation this past weekend and it was an awesome experience.
Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All Rights Reserved.
During this past weekend Busch Gardens Tampa was abuzz celebrating the premier of it’s new and highly anticipated show: Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation. Members of the park staff where wearing rainbow colored wigs in honor of the big event and as we walked through the park there where many things going on as part of the celebration: dancers and DJs in Stanleyville, Gwazi and Cheetah Hunt plazas where giving park attendees an opportunity to “Move It, Move It” every hour and “Jungle Jack” Hanna was also at the park doing wild animal shows, autograph signings and special meet and greets at Gwazi Park.
There was a real festive environment and you could see that people where excited about the new Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation show and so where my kids, who just love the Madagascar movies and couldn’t wait to see the characters in person! This was also a very special day for our family as it was my daughter’s 8th Birthday that day.
Enjoying lunch and doing some coloring at King Julian’s Royal Treatment lunch at the Zambia Smokehouse. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All Rights Reserved.
We started our Madagascar experience by attending King Julian’s Royal Treatment lunch event. This is a exclusive experience that includes buffet lunch at the Zambia Smokehouse in a separate room. There we received a visit from King Julian himself who after showing us some of his awesome dance moves went to each and every table greeting all the kids and taking pictures with them.
King Julian’s Royal Treatment experience at Busch Gardens. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All Rights Reserved.
My daughter loves the Madagascar characters and was thrilled to have the chance to meet King Julian who grabbed her by the hands and danced with her around our table. We where then escorted from the Zambia Smokehouse to the Stanleyville theater where we were shown to the best seats in the house which had been reserved specially for us!
The dancers and singers getting the audience to sing along during the show. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All Rights Reserved.
The Stanleyville Theater was filled to capacity and soon a live band appeared on the colorful stage to the cheers and happy screams of everyone in the crowd. Gloria the Hippo was having a hard time enjoying her vacation as she was missing New York so the Alex, King Julian, Mort and the Penguins along with the lively pop band and the dancers convinced her to have fun and enjoy her vacation time to the fullest.
Check out the video of the Move it! Move it! performed at the Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation show below:
My kids loved the upbeat music and where singing, dancing and clapping along to the classic Madagascar songs and the original productions. The show lasted for about 20 minutes of non-stop musical fun in true Madagascar style and I was amazed by the character’s great dance moves on stage.
Below you can see the performance of one of the original production songs: Operation Vacation.
After the show you have the opportunity to get up on stage with all the characters and some of the dancers, meet them and take pictures right there on the stage! My kids felt so special and loved getting to shake hands with Gloria, Alex and Mort.
Madagascar characters meet and greet after the show. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All Rights Reserved.
The Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation show was a lot of fun and my kids have not stopped talking about it. My daughter could not wait to tell all her friends at school. I have to say that it’s one of the best shows in Busch Gardens and has instantly become my family’s favorite live show. I really liked that it was a show that was lots of fun for audiences of all ages and it really got the kids participating, singing along and dancing.
Alex showing all his dance moves at the Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation show. Photo: Paula Bendfeldt-Diaz. All Rights Reserved.
You can learn more about the Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation show at Busch Gardens HERE and you can find out more details about the King Julian’s Royal Treatment HERE. Like Busch Gardens on Facebook and follow them Busch Gardens on Twitter @BuschGardens to stay up to date with all the fun stuff they have going on this summer. And if you are going to Busch Gardens Tampa don’t miss Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation, it’s awesome!
Disclosure: I received complimentary entrance to Busch Gardens and King Julian’s Royal Treatment dining experience. However all opinions are sincere and are my own.
This is part of a series of articles: Tampa with Kids read more articles HERE. #TampaWithKids
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21 comments
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That looks like so much fun!
Wow, what an experience for your family. So many great activities and things to do in Florida.
This looks like it would be so much fun.
Oh my goodness – that looks like SO much fun! I’m so jealous of all the great stuff you have down in Florida. I’m going to have to come camp on your couch pretty soon. 🙂
What a memorable day!! I think I’ll have to take the grandbabies to see this one, I know they’ll love it as much as your daughter did. Abrazos to all of you. BB2U
This looks like an amazing show — I’m sure most kids would positively LOVE it!
A mi sobrina le encantaría disfrutar de este show! Se ve que la pasaron fabuloso.
This looks like so much fun! I will add to my list of things to see when we travel to Tampa. Thanks for sharing.
Pero que hermosura lindos tu hijos y que experiencia tan bonita me encantan las fotos y los videos excelente trabajo amiga!
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Gracias amiguita! 🙂
I would love to bring my kids there.. Looks like you all had a great time..
Looks like it was a fun and amazing show
Thanks for sharing it
So nice that you guys had a great time there! I love Madagascar! Your daughter looks so happy!
I can’t wait to take my 5 yr old G’son to one of these spectacular events!! Madagascar is one of his favorites. We use the “I like to move it, move it” verse from the song to do daily activities. An Absolute favorite!!
my goodness, that looks like a great time! i love the madagascar series!! ^.^ super cute!!!
Mi hija estaría dichosa viendo este espectáculo. Me encanta que al final los niños pueden acercarse a los personajes y tomarse fotos con ellos. Genial!
Que maravillosa experiencia, que felices tus nenes, en mi familia nos gusta mucho Madagascar y seguramente este será un buen sitio para programar las vacaciones con mis hijas, muchas gracias !
Que lindo show y experiencia! y como siempre tus pequeños disfrutaron de lo lindo! como todos los niños! Me encantaron las fotos!
¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
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Looks like a fun show for the whole family.
My kids love this movie! they are always singing the i like to move it song.
my grand daughter is just starting to be old enough to go to these shows and this one looks amazing i only hope it comes to our area at some point she would love this so fun
What an amazing birthday for your eight year old. I think my six – soon to be seven year old would love the royal treatment as he too loves Madascar at its characters lol…Busch Gardens – just the idea makes me tired – but i think that my adhd son – which is like also known as an excess of exuberance – would just love it – it would be the one thing that tires him out lol.