It is that time of year again when Howl-O-Scream is back at Busch Gardens. The theme this year is “Evil Encore.”  What once was thought of the chills of the past coming back to haunt us, is really about the curtain rises in a theater type setting (hence, encore). This year there will be 2 new haunted houses and what looks like to be 6 scare zones by looking at the park map. Do not think the rest of the park is safe though. This year Howl-O-Scream is going to have more roaming mobs then ever before in the past, so always look with your third eye open. Of course Fiends is returning to entertain us again and the big 6 rides will be open to experience at night.

There will be 6 haunted houses this year with the addition of 2 new ones and 4 returning popular ones. The zombies will be returning to the town mortuary to feast on the guest’s brain in Zombie Mortuary. Death Water Bayou also returns along with the Voodoo Queen. The interactive house where you can be the zombie hunter yourself is back once again with Zombie Containment Unit 15. The evils beneath the old Gwazi coaster has still not been buried in Unearthed. Every one’s favorite experience in 3D is back with the clown attack in Circus of Superstition: The Last Laugh. I was visited by one of the clowns earlier and they are looking to wreck some fear.

The new houses this year will be The Black Spot, which should be a popular one in the Tampa Bay area because it is a pirate-themed house where an infamous pirate has marked you for death and has you right where he wants you. The second new one, Motel Hell, happens to be a hotel in the back of Busch Gardens that they have been trying to get rid of for years, even attempting to demolish it, but the evil spirits within always drive the workers away and it stands here to make nightmares a reality. I was lucky enough to go through part of Motel Hell during the media preview and it was a frightening experience and one I shall not soon forget. I anxiously await to explore the rest of it.

Of course there will be spirits aplenty and food. Most of the restaurants will be open for your dining pleasure and there will be full service liquor bars nearby those establishments. Be sure to to try this year’s signature drinks “Karver’s Creation” and “Evil Encore.” Of course, Dr Freakenstein and his naughty nurses will be back with their music filled show with lots of laughter and dance in Fiends. Want an exclusive showing of Fiends? Enjoy the infamous Fright Feast which, in my opinion is by far the best value of an upgrade Howl-O-Scream offers. Not only do you get a nice buffet and viewing of the show, you get front-of-the-line privileges of the haunted houses until 8:30 pm. There are also other great upgrades with the Front Line Fear and Front Line Fear Extreme passes. There are also VIP tours for the ultimate Howl-O-Scream experience.

Howl-O-Scream opens for the Freaky Preview on Sep. 23-24. Then open on select dates and weekends all the way through Oct 30th. The best way to get tickets for Howl-O-Scream is ordering them in advance on the Howl-O-Scream ticket part of the website. Not only is it cheaper, you do not run the risk of it getting sold out on you. Howl-O-Scream is the premiere scare park in the Tampa Bay area and a must-visit if you live anywhere in Florida. For more information, visit howloscream.com, facebook, twitter, and instagram.

David “Thrills”
The Thrill Freak

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Area. Be sure to follow me on twitter @TampaAmazeMe for live tweets, instagram @thrillfreak just or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns. Pictures were taken at a preview event and the property of David “Thrills” and logos are property of Busch Gardens.