We Tried the $10.29 Strawberry Shortcake at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (And We Have Thoughts)
We tried the new Busch Gardens Strawberry Shortcake at Dragon Fire Grill. Find out why this Summer Nights treat might leave you wanting more real fruit.
Hey there, theme park foodies. Get ready to sprinkle some extra fun onto your summer because Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Summer Nights is in full session. We’ve been covering all the exciting entertainment, but we know what you’re really interested in: the treats. We recently stopped by to check out one of the special offerings for the season, the Strawberry Shortcake.
You’ve probably seen the signs around the park. This limited-time cake is priced at $10.29 a slice and can be found at several quick-service spots, like Dragon Fire Grill, where we ultimately decided to give it a try. We were lucky enough to get a preview of this cake during a media event, so we had an idea of what we were getting into, but for a true, on-the-ground review, we knew we had to go back and experience it like any regular guest.
Not a Traditional Strawberry Shortcake!
Let’s get one thing straight from the start: this is not your grandma’s traditional strawberry shortcake. Forget the flaky biscuits and freshly sliced strawberries. This is more of a tiered cake. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily, but it’s definitely a point of clarification.
The cake itself is quite good, and by “quite good,” we mean it’s a perfectly acceptable theme park dessert. Is it going to change your life or win an award? Probably not, but it’s tasty enough. The vanilla shortcake layers were solid, although we wouldn’t quite call them “fluffy” as described. They were more on the standard cake side, which is fine, just maybe not what the description promises.
The biggest topic of conversation was the strawberries. The sign explicitly mentions layers of “macerated fresh strawberries.” Our reality check slice, unfortunately, was significantly lacking in the strawberry department within those layers. What we did get was one solitary, slightly small, real strawberry slice perched on the very edge of the plate, embedded in a little bit of glaze, next to a dollop of whipped cream. While that single slice was good, it definitely didn’t make up for the distinct lack of fruit throughout the cake itself.
As for the icing layers, they were enjoyable, but be forewarned: they lean heavily into that classic, slightly artificial “fake” strawberry flavor that we all recognize. If you’re a fan of that taste (think vintage strawberry bubblegum or a classic strawberry-flavored milkshake), you’ll likely love it. If artificial flavoring isn’t your thing, this cake is definitely one to skip.
So, is this Busch Gardens Strawberry Shortcake worth your precious vacation dollars? It’s complicated. Overall, it’s a perfectly fine dessert choice for a sunny theme park day. If you are a fan of that artificial strawberry taste and are just looking for a sugary pick-me-up, this might hit the spot.
Busch Gardens Strawberry Shortcake Review Hot Take
Here’s our hot take: If you are using the Busch Gardens All-Day Dining Plan, this is a phenomenal use of your extra side or dessert credits. You’re getting a substantial slice of Busch Gardens Strawberry Shortcake, and the value proposition makes total sense.
However, if you are paying out of pocket, it is very hard for us to rationalize spending over $10 on a Busch Gardens Strawberry Shortcake single slice. For context, if you are willing to make the drive over to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and spend less than a dollar more, you can get a slice of cake at Gideon’s Bakehouse that is larger, incredibly unique, and genuinely one of the best desserts you’ll ever have. Let’s just say, comparing the two isn’t even a fair fight.
So, there you have it. If you’re on the dining plan, by all means, go get that limited-time “Strawberry Shortcake” (minus the actual strawberries). However, if you’re pulling out your wallet, you might find a bit more satisfaction, and strawberries, elsewhere.
For more theme park dining reviews, visit MSM News every weekday at noon Eastern Time. Additionally, we sometimes post bonus theme park dining reviews. As always, eat like you mean it!
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