Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza at Busch Gardens Tampa offers a filling meal with a view. We review the sandwich, garlic knots, and dining plan value.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers guests a wide variety of dining options, from a sit-down restaurant to quick-service spots perfect for recharging between rides. One of the most scenic counter-service locations is Oasis Pizza at Serengeti Overlook, where guests can enjoy indoor or outdoor seating with sweeping views of the Serengeti plain. Conveniently located near the Giraffe Bar, Oasis Pizza also participates in the park’s All-Day Dining Deal, making it a popular stop for visitors looking to maximize their dining plan.
On a recent visit, we made our way back to Oasis Pizza to sample the Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza. So, how did it go? .
Atmosphere and Setup
The main draw of Oasis Pizza is its setting. Whether you’re sitting inside with air conditioning or outdoors overlooking the Serengeti, this location provides one of the most relaxing dining environments in the park. It’s a scenic escape from the busy walkways and roller coasters.
That said, the logistics of ordering can sometimes be less than serene. On our visit, only one register was open despite the busy day, which led to a 12-minute wait in line just to place an order. If you’re visiting during peak times, be prepared for a slower process. After ordering, we had to wait for our order to be prepared.
Menu at Oasis Pizza
Since a recent overhaul, the menu here is rather limited. Choices include:
- Three flatbread pizzas: buffalo chicken, pepperoni, and cheese
- Two sandwiches: chicken parmesan and meatball
- A salad option – we would not recommend
Desserts are typically available, but during our visit, none could be found. With the dining plan, which meant we defaulted to garlic knots as our side item.
The Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza
Priced at $17.79 with fries, the Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza is one of the heartier offerings on the menu. Since none were pre-made, ours was freshly prepared, which worked in our favor.
The sandwich featured three decent-sized meatballs topped with mozzarella-like cheese on toasted bread. It arrived warm and stayed that way throughout the meal, which was a pleasant surprise for counter-service dining. The bread held up for the first half of the sandwich but, like many meatball subs, became tricky to eat as a handheld toward the end.
The sauce added adequate moisture and flavor, but don’t expect bold or standout seasoning. For a pizza-centric location, the flavors were relatively mild. Still, the sandwich was filling enough that we’d caution against hopping on Cheetah Hunt or Iron Gwazi immediately afterward.
Garlic Knots and Sides
Since dessert wasn’t available, we ended up with garlic knots again. They were the same as on previous visits—serviceable. The Garlic Knots fail to be something we’d recommend. We had hoped to try the Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, but sadly, it wasn’t being served.
The portion of fries alongside the Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza was standard theme park fare, though adding a light side salad would have made the meal feel more balanced, similar to what’s offered with the Roast Beef Sandwich at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort.
Value with the Dining Plan
Here’s where Oasis Pizza redeems itself: the All-Day Dining Deal. Normally priced at around $60 per person, we purchased ours during a special promotion for about $30. Using the plan, meals like the Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza represent good value, especially given the portion sizes.
However, paying full price out of pocket is a tougher sell. At nearly $18 for the sandwich alone, the quality and flavor don’t justify the cost unless you’re on the dining plan or using discounts.
Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza is warm, filling, and a reliable use of the dining plan, but it won’t blow anyone away with flavor or presentation. It’s a solid choice if you’re already in the area, want to sit down with Serengeti views, or are maximizing your All-Day Dining Deal.
If you’re paying a la carte, however, we’d suggest exploring other dining locations in Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for better value and variety. In short, Oasis Pizza is a scenic and convenient stop for a quick meal, but the limited menu, inconsistent service, and underwhelming sides keep it from being a must-try dining destination.
Meatball Sub Oasis Pizza Verdict:
Good for dining plan users, scenic location, average food quality.
📍 Location: Oasis Pizza at Serengeti Overlook, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
💲 Price: $17.79 (with fries, dining plan eligible)
🥤 Dining Plan: Yes, but note recent reduction in drink sizes (from 24 oz. to 16 oz.)
🍴 Best For: Quick service with a view, dining plan value
We publish theme park dining reviews every weekday at noon Eastern Time at MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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