It is that time of year when Halloween approaches and all of the Florida Theme Parks figure out how to scare us. Busch Gardens is no different with Howloscream 2017.  Howloscream returns to Busch Gardens this year on Sep. 22 through Oct 29th for select dates.  The theme this year is “Nowhere to hide.” It is interesting as there really is no overriding presence or evil other than …. everywhere. The commercials and promos even hint at the rides are not even safe at times. What this means remains to be seen. This year will also bring us 7 haunted houses with 2 new ones. 5 scare zones, entertainment featuring “Fiends.” various food items (with me reading grasshopper tacos included), gift shops, games and alcohol. From a preview standpoint 2017 looks to be another excellent outing for Howloscream, so of course I would recommend you attending as I will be.

As with previous years, Howloscream will have various Evil Upgrades to offer including the ever popular Fright Feast, which gives front of line access to select haunted houses for a while. They also offer Front of Line Fear passes which gives you front of the line access to 6 haunted houses. NEW this year will be the sampler lanyard where you can enjoy 5 or 10 samples of the various food, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks available throughout the evening. There are also VIP tours available that allows you to have that customized experience for the evening.

HAUNTED HOUSES

This year gives us 7 haunted houses with 2 new ones and 5 popular older ones:

Demented Dimensions

This house replaces Zombie Mortuary (which was my favorite) in the back of the park. This house was constructed above a vortex of otherworldly energies, the abandoned Sterling Manor houses every door to unwanted worlds, creating a series of portals in Demented Dimensions. Every room and hallway holds a door to a different universe where rules of your world do not apply and escape is nearly impossible.

Undead Arena

Another New house appearing is undead Arena, which will be in Gwazi Field where the 3D Carnival houses were the past few years. It is about a post-apocalyptic world, survivors of the Great Conflict have been divided into The Worthy and The Unworthy. Now for sport, you are The Unworthy and the stars of a gruesome event at the Undead Arena: Live. Infested with Brain Eaters, this gauntlet is an almost impossible feat without guarantee that your group will stay together.

The Black Spot

A returning house has Saw Tooth Silas decides that one should no longer exist, he marks them for death. Victims are then sent to The Black Spot, where they meet their horrifying end. The trick lies within the dimly-lit corners of the mysterious retreat, holding the secret to escape… or demise.





Motel Hell

A new house last year and one of the better ones I have seen here in a while is Motel Hell. Here the paranormal presence of its former owners still lurk on the untouched property, mysteriously preventing the brave souls who have attempted to tear it down. Guests who dare to enter will find themselves face-to-face with their worst nightmares and inescapable fate.




Unearthed

Another returning classic from the depths of the old Gwazi roller coaster has us entering a house where a sinister force is Unearthed. The vengeful demon takes her revenge by collecting the eyes of all who enter the house. DO NOT COVER YOUR EYES!!!!!






Zombie Containment Unit 15 

This is a popular one among the patrons that I do not really care for, but I appreciate the shooting the zombies theme it presents. Here an undead invasion leads to a containment failure in Z.C.U.15, leaving zombies in search of flesh. Armed with only a Z.E.D. (Zombie Eradication Device), you’re the next target, and it’s up to you to hold off an undead mob in this interactive zombie hunting experience. Shoot the zombies only please.



Death Water Bayou

A house I remember premiering years ago and thought it might disappear this year, but am pleasantly happy to see it’s return behind the alligators. Here, In the depths of the Bayou, the Voodoo Queen and her sadistic creatures transform wanderers into evil minions with dark magic. Descend into the swamps if you dare as you try to escape the evils that lurk in the shadows.  Get out before you fall victim to her spell.  



SCARE ZONES

The scare zones this year will have 5 in all, but as Howloscream states …. There is nowhere to Hide. A scare zone if just a themed area, but you can be scared anywhere.

Class Deceased

A new zone this year. See what happens when savage school kids punish their cruel headmaster in this abandoned schoolhouse-inspired scare zone. The name of this zone was decided by the Facebook fans.






Carnie Camp

Another new one this year has The backstage area of an old carnival breathes new life with its lingering dirty inhabitants. Eerie music fills the air as spine-chilling fairground performers prowl for new test subjects to be featured in the next spectacle of this horrid attraction.  






Meat Market

Meat Market is another new one where a band of sinister and cannibalistic creatures feast on the weak. With chainsaws and sheer disregard, they might just smell your fear and add you to their monstrous menu.







Wasteland

Wasteland returns this year. Do you dare to enter through the perils of the post-apocalyptic Wasteland where scenes of past and present atrocities still linger in an abandoned strip of roadway. Rush through the rusting and rotting piles of debris because those who remain will do the unimaginable to survive and make escape nearly impossible for newcomers.  





Playground

This was a very spooky scare zone for me last year and I am glad to see it return. A paranormal Playground lurks in the shadows of Howl-O-Scream 2017. Squeaking swings and rusty merry-go-rounds are now inhabited by hordes of deadly toys and lost children eager to stalk unsuspecting guests. Will you play hopscotch with the spirits?





What is Howloscream without entertainment, and what would be proper entertainment other than the return of Dr Freakenstein and Igor, I.E. FIENDS!!!!!     I know it really is all about the Naughty Nurses for everyone including myself. This year it heads back home to Stanleyville Theater, it’s true home. After a few years at Dragon Fire Grill, Dr. Freakenstein returns to Stanleyville to make us laugh and dance again. Make sure you know how to and ready to do the “Time Warp” before entering this show. Also, as I learned 3 years ago, know the modern dances so you are not doing a fail Wobble dance in front of everyone. AT END OF ARTICLE IS EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO THE TIME WARP FROM DAVID THRILLS!!!!!!

THRILLFREAK SHOWS YOU HOW TO DO THE TIME WARP