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Brian Bacica is returning to lead Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island, replacing Jon Vigue, who has left United Parks & Resorts. The company has not said why Vigue left or when his last day was. Bacica held the same job from July through December 2025, so this is his second stint in the role.
Who is running the Tampa parks now
Business Observer reported on October 8, 2026 that Bacica is coming back to run both Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island. AOL carried the same succession story, updated the same day. Both reports describe the move as a return, not a new hire from outside the company.
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Why Vigue left: not disclosed
United Parks & Resorts confirmed that Vigue is no longer with the company but gave no reason for his departure and did not specify his last working day. Nothing in the reporting reviewed links his exit to the parks’ performance, to the ride closures noted below, or to the investment plan. Any explanation beyond the company’s own statement would be speculation.
The company’s framing of Bacica’s return is the only direct commentary available. Scott Maupin, Chief Parks Operating Officer, said: “Brian was there for the beginning of this transformation and he’s the right person to finish it.” Bacica said in the company release: “Coming back was an easy decision.” He also said: “There is nowhere else in the world like Busch Gardens, and I know what this team and these parks are capable of.” These are company statements, not an independent account of the change.
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Bacica’s track record
According to reporting, Bacica was president of Six Flags Great Adventure before joining Busch Gardens. He has also held leadership roles at Universal Parks & Resorts, Disneyland Resort, and Legoland Florida. His 2025 tenure in Tampa ended in December 2025, when he moved to Legoland Florida Resort. That move is the reason his return now is a “second time” story.
Five presidents in about three years
Business Observer counts five people who have held the Tampa presidency over roughly three years. The sequence matters because it shows how unsettled the top job has been, even though the reporting does not tie any single change to a specific cause.
| President | Period or key date | Notes from reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Neal Thurman | Not stated | Named in Business Observer’s list of five presidents |
| Stewart Clark | Not stated | Named in Business Observer’s list of five presidents |
| Jeff Davis | Arrived February 2025 | Came from SeaWorld San Antonio; departure date not stated |
| Brian Bacica | July to December 2025 | Moved to Legoland Florida Resort in December 2025 |
| Jon Vigue | Appointment announced June 18, 2026; left by October 2026 | Reporting describes a tenure of roughly five months; reason and last day not stated |
| Brian Bacica (returning) | Announced October 8, 2026 | Replaces Vigue |
The investment figures: two different numbers
Two investment figures have circulated, and they describe different things. Keep them apart when quoting either one.
| Figure | Amount and scope | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Five-year program | $200 million planned across Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, covering attractions, animal experiences, dining, and entertainment | United Parks & Resorts announcement as reported by Business Observer, October 2026 |
| Park enhancement announcement | More than $100 million for new attractions and park enhancements at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay release announcing Vigue’s appointment, June 18, 2026 |
The two numbers come from different dates and describe different scopes, so they should not be added together or presented as one verified budget.
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Other park changes in the same period
Lion & Hyena Ridge, a 38,000-square-foot habitat, opened on July 25, 2026, according to Business Observer. It houses five male lions and two spotted hyenas. The June 18 release had described the planned inhabitants as five young male lions and two spotted hyenas. Wild Oasis opened in 2025.
AOL reported that Kumba closed during summer 2026 and that the park announced Kumba’s Revenge as an extension of the coaster. Neither report connects these ride changes to the leadership change, so they are best read as the operating context at the time.
Separate company-wide promotions
On September 22, 2026, United Parks & Resorts announced that Kyle Miller had been promoted to company President and Scott Maupin to Chief Parks Operating Officer, both effective that day. That update covers the whole company and is separate from the October succession at the Tampa parks.
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Quick Recap
What is established and what is not
- Established: Bacica is returning to lead Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Adventure Island after Vigue’s departure, as reported October 8, 2026.
- Established: the company gave no reason for Vigue’s exit and no exact last day.
- Established: the $200 million figure is a five-year plan, and the “more than $100 million” figure is a June 18, 2026 announcement for attractions and enhancements.
- Not established: any cause for the leadership change, or any link between it and the ride closures or investment plans.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
