Howl-O-Scream is taking over Busch Gardens and is ready to send shivers down visitors’ spines. The park in Tampa Bay is transformed with haunted houses, scare zones, spooky shows, and more. Each haunted house offers unique themes and storylines. They immerse guests in terrifying tales. Once the sun sets, the park is completely taken over by the spirit of Halloween and the real fun begins. The park is open on select dates. From Thursdays to Sundays, guests can immerse themselves in the bone chilling experiences from 7 p.m. to midnight. Fridays and Saturdays they extend the frightful festivities to 1 a.m. This after-hours event is strictly for mature audiences, so it’s important to leave the kids at home.
To gain admission into the sinister world, tickets start at $48.99. Thrill seekers won’t want to miss the top ride at Busch Gardens, the Cobra’s Curse. As brave souls navigate the park, they might encounter a zombie hitching a ride on the same coaster. The ride has a 70-foot vertical lift that takes riders on up to an 80-foot snake that wants you off his land. Other exhilarating coasters are the Iron Gwazi, Shei Kra, Cheetah Hunt, and Tigris. All the favorite blood pumping rides will be in operation. There are five haunted houses this year. This year includes a new haunted house, D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear. The house includes creepy clowns lurking around each corner ready to jump out. A returning favorite haunted house is Witch of the Woods. Visitors will travel through a dark forest infested with jump scares. Deeper and deeper into the woods the louder the screams are to get out.
For those looking for a different kind of thrill, a high-energy show at the park called “Rock the Grave” performs classic hits into a spooky Halloween Theme. Another pulse-pounding live musical performance is by The Rolling Bones. If guests are feeling extra brave, they can conquer another fear with the all-new karaoke experience at Gwazi Plaza.
There are many themed bars through out the park offering liquid courage. Sip on drinks such as the Poison Apple, Vampire Bite, Screamsicle, and the Gin Makes Me Sin. These are sure to add an extra layer of spine tingling excitement to the experience. There are also exclusive restaurants around the park. The shops offer new Howl-O-Scream merchandise with an added 90s throwback design. They offer all-new shirts, jackets and light up lanyards. The new neon skeleton backpack and skeleton crossbody bags are favorites.
So, if visitors are ready to embrace the darkness and seek heart-pounding thrills they should head to Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream and prepare for a night of unforgettable terror and excitement.