Howl-O-Scream (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)

For other events of the same name, see Howl-O-Scream (disambiguation).
Howl-O-Scream
Genre Halloween
Frequency Annual
Location(s) Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
28°02′16″N 82°25′18″W / 28.0379°N 82.4216°W / 28.0379; -82.4216 (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)Coordinates: 28°02′16″N 82°25′18″W / 28.0379°N 82.4216°W / 28.0379; -82.4216 (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)
Inaugurated 1999
Website
Official website

Howl-O-Scream is an annual Halloween event which takes place at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Tampa, Florida. This event primarily competes with another central Florida Halloween event, named Halloween Horror Nights, held at Universal Orlando Resort, also known for its grotesque and macabre themed haunted houses and scare zones.

The event takes place during select nights in October (typically on the weekends). The event places focus on haunted houses, "Scare Zones," and shows that pertain to a specific theme. The haunted houses are enclosed areas with specific storylines and highly themed decor. Typically, they lead guests through a somewhat claustrophobic maze with various features designed to startle, confuse, or disquiet those who enter using a combination of strobe lights, fog machines, and other instruments of this sort. Scare zones are similar to haunted houses; however, they are outdoor areas set in the main paths. Scare Zones also feature a specific theme and contain objects used in haunted houses: typically people dressed up as creatures pertaining to the theme, fog machines, strobe lights, and also decor (boxes, broken street lights, and similar accoutrement) pertaining to the theme. The shows are similar in structure to the standard stage shows shown at Busch Gardens; however, they have a Halloween setting, and feature dark humor and grotesque scenery.

1999: Spooky Safari

1999: Spooky Safari

Howl-O-Scream was not the first Halloween event at Busch Gardens. One year prior to Howl-O-Scream's debut (in 2000), the park featured a PG-13 Halloween attraction called Spooky Safari. It had such attractions as an outdoor sprawling haunted experience "Haunted Jungle Trail", a pyrotechnic/magic show, pumpkin patch, hayrides, and face-painting for the children.[1]

2000

The year 2000 saw the debut of Howl-O-Scream. The event replaced a smaller event called "Spooky Safari," expanding an event oriented primarily toward younger children into one that offered Halloween-themed attractions, shows, and events for younger children, teens, and adults.[1]

Haunted Houses

Shows

Scare Zones

Event icon

Dr. Livingsdoom - A mad scientist character.

2001: Horror Has a Home (This Time, Terror Takes Control!/You Wanted Scary? Be Careful What You Ask For!)

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

This year scare zones were not listed on the park map, a 'feature that would make a resurgence in later years with a description of zones simply being listed after houses in the key.

Shows

Event icons

Torment, Mangler, and Pernicia Gloom

Controversies

The original slogan, "This time, terror takes control!" was changed to "Horror Has a Home" early in the publicity campaign mostly due to the September 11 Attacks. The character icon of Pernicia Gloom was originally deemed too sexual for the event, and was given a slight change in costume design for approval.

2002: Face Your Fear

In 2002, Howl-O-Scream replaced most, if not all, of the previous year's activities, but kept the same overall concept and demographic target.[1]

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Event icon

Death Spirit- A walking zombie with African voodoo roots and the power to bring deceased spirits back to life as animals.

2003: Fear Has a New Face

The park further refined their formula for 2003. Many of the Haunted Houses from the previous year returned, with a focus on furthering their themes.[1]

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Event Icon

F.E.A.R., The maniacal controller of terror.

2004: No Escape. No Mercy. Nowhere Else

Howl-O-Scream returned to the theme park again in 2004. Although multiple storms from the 2004 atlantic hurricane season delayed the event, it was still able to run by early October.[1][29]

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Event icon

Hack, an evil taxicab driver who would not let his passengers leave his cab.

Weather Impact

In late summer, Hurricane Jeanne caused a possible EF1 tornado touchdown on the original building for the Corporate Nightmare haunted house, destroying it. The hurricane itself also caused moderate damage to the props in the Garden of the Cursed and Agony Express scare zones. Corporate Nightmare was then moved to Tut's Tomb on the second night of the event, and the props in the two scare zones were rebuilt.

2005: Your Childhood Fears Don't Go Away. They Just Get Worse.

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Event icon

An evil jack-in-the-box in a child's bedroom. Oddly, this character was a feature of Darkheart's Fear Fair the year before. But did not actually appear in Freaked or the rest of the park as a character this year.

Controversies

Ironically, a small fire caught in the front of new house The Hunted (a storied burned out hunting lodge) about half way through the run. It was evacuated and closed while the set was checked and aired out; no injuries were reported and the house reopened within a matter of hours. The fire was traced to a guest's cigarette, put out carelessly on a burned couch in the opening hallway of the house. Security in the lines was increased to avoid further incidents.

2006: NO ONE 2 TRUST (I'm Closer Than You Think)

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Event icon

There was no event icon for this year. Instead, there was a victim lying on the ground, dead, covered in blood and holding a cell phone with a grisly text message on it that reads "I'm closer than u think."

2007: A New Spin On Horror

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Mini zones

These much smaller free-roaming zones were not listed on park maps or the official website and primarily involved performers intermingling with guests. They would later inspire the "Roaming Hordes" parkwide scare zone in 2008, 2009, and 2011.

Shows

Event icon

The Death Jockey, an evil DJ who killed his victims with burning lights and earsplitting music; his exploits were chronicled in comic book form on the website for 2007's event. He also performed at the Front Gate.

2008: Raven Twins: Bad Twin. Worse Twin. (Not All Nightmares Happen When You Sleep)

Howl-O-Scream 2008 was notable for being the first event since 2001 to have multiple event icons. This action would later follow suit in 2009.

History

Preparation for the 2008 year event began in late 2007. In December 2007, the website page for the 2007 event was replaced by a small page showing the Howl-O-Scream logo in front of red symbols and reading "If you think the Death Jockey had his audience captivated, Wait until next year!". This page remained on the website until June 13, 2008, when a new page was released wishing readers a "Happy Friday the 13th" and detailing in a short summary how the event would become scarier and grislier then previously. It also included a calendar displaying the year's dates for the event. In mid-July 2008, the site was updated again, this time having the events synopsis shortened slightly, and including an option to buy tickets and a link for scare actor auditions, along with usual Privacy Policy and Terms of Use links which appear at the bottom of most Busch Entertainment websites. In August 2008, the website was given a link showing Howl-O-Scream ticket options. The site was completely updated on August 30, including complete listings of the event's attractions, though it is intended for ages over 18.

Haunted Houses

Shows

Scare Zones

Event icon

The Raven Twins, two female twins who were born conjoined connected by the face, but separated themselves with a piece of broken glass when they were called "freaks" by the man they both loved. They then became twisted serial killers who murder anyone unlucky enough to see their disfigured faces and refuse to see their inner beauty.

2009: The House of Vayne (Evil Never Goes Out Of Fashion)

This Fall, Howl-O-Scream celebrates its 10th anniversary and features the fictional House of Vayne, a fashion show run by vampires, as the main theme.

History

The website went live on May 25 with a video of a starlet walking onto a stage followed by darkness and screams. Dates and tickets are now available. It was updated in early June, 2009 with a video detailing the costumes of the mysterious House of Vayne's fashion designer. It has been said that this year, Howl-O-Scream will have 7 haunted houses, two of them brand new. On August 20 the entire website was updated and everything was revealed.

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows and Entertainment

Entrance to Howl-O-Scream Shop of Horrors

Rides

Event Icon

Ms. Vayne, the evil vampire fashion designer who operates the House of Vayne, where her vampire models attack and kill photographers.[30]

Minor Icons: Anya,[31] Erik,[32] and Elsa,[33] Vayne's models

2010:My X (Revenge Rocks)

History

A teaser website went live on June 4. The website has a rock concert theme. On July 28, The "HOS" insider Twitter account released pictures of a torture chamber themed back stage teaser shots, one of the captions were "Revenge is "ELECTRIFRYING"". On July 29, The website had another big update. On August 19 the entire website was up with all the info for the event.

Two of the haunted houses for this year,Revenge Rocks and Alone, are brand new, while the remaining six houses are sequels to the prior years renditions.

Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Entertainment

Event Icon

Sylvie the lead singer of MyX.

Theme

MyX (formerly known as YX) is an alternative rock band headed by Sylvie, who discovered her boyfriend (the band's former leader) with another woman. She now lures young men at her concert backstage, seduces them, and then uses her guitar strings to amputate their index finger, which she collects in a small vial; dozens of fingers hang from her room.

2011: The Dark Side of the Gardens (Zombies Live Here)

Haunted Houses

Shows

Other Attractions

  • Zombie hordes- Cheerleader, Clowns, Homeless, Junkyard Dogs, Construction, Doctors and Nurses, Radioactive, Sliderz, Hillbilly, Street Creeps, Family, Mummy, Motorcycle/chainsaw gang, and more. There was also a "Containment Horde" that contained one of each horde that was captured and in a chain gang.

2012: The Dark Side of the Gardens (Unlock the Fear Inside)

History

On July 13, 2012 all of the haunted houses and one of the scare zones were announced on Facebook. This will be Howl-o-Screams 13th year. On August 15, 2012 the website went live with all the info about the event.

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Other Attractions

Event Icon

Trickster

2013: The 13 (Once Every Century, On Precisely The Thirteenth Year, Evil Comes Out To Play)

The website has updated saying the words "The 13" on a door. The slogan says, "Once every century, on precisely the thirteenth year, evil comes out to play." Then later on in July the website was updated again with an option "Who Are The 13?" in which there were thirteen doors which would then be broken down to reveal the icons.

Haunted Houses

Scare Zones

Shows

Other attractions

Icons

The 13

  1. The Possessed
  2. The Torturer
  3. The Hunter
  4. The Butcher
  5. The Banshee
  6. Voodoo Queen
  7. The Surgeon
  8. The Demon
  9. The Zombie
  10. The Cannibal
  11. The Psychopath
  12. The Hangman
  13. The Clown

2014: Cursed (Don't Listen)

The website was updated in June with an old and grey wooden fence and some dying branches as its background, the word "SOON" in the middle. Later on in the month, the words "Don't Listen" were carved into the wood in one of the bottom corners. In early August, the site finally revealed the year's theme, Cursed, along with a song. There is a sweeping the nation, appearing on phones, internet, and television alike, and once you've heard it, you're cursed, and the only way to break the curse is to survive a night at Howl-o-Scream.

Haunted Houses:

Shows:

Other attractions

Icons

The Cursed Ones

2015: Unearthed (We dug too far)

Haunted Houses:

Scare Zones

Shows

Other attractions

Icon Scarlett

Haunted House Locations

The following list contains the facilities used by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to house haunted houses for Howl-O-Scream. They range from Warehouses, existing queue lines, or temporary buildings.

Name Description Houses Hosted
Employee Parking Lot A large parking lot for BGT team members is located in a backstage area behind the Marrakesh Theater and part of the Bird Gardens land. During the Fall, team members were required to park elsewhere as the space was used for Howl-O-Scream. The space, however, has not been used for Howl-O-Scream since 2005. Labyrinth of Lost Souls (2000), The Mortuary (2002), The Mortuary (2003), The Mortuary (2004), The Mortuary: The Mourning After (2005)
Bird Gardens Pavilion The open area in the Bird Gardens land houses an animal exhibit featuring flamingos. In the past, large tents were constructed just for Howl-O-Scream, allowing compatible space for haunted mazes. Screaming Reality (2001), Bloody Bayou (2002), Darkheart's Fear Fair (2003), Darkheart's Fear Fair (2004), Freaked! (2005), Freaked! (2006), Alone (2010), Alone (2011), Alone (2012), The Basement (2013), The Basement (2014), The Basement (2015)
Nairobi Pavilion A long, rectangle shaped pavilion is located next to Jambo Junction in the Nairobi area. For Howl-O-Scream, the Pavilion is converted into a haunted house. In 2004, the pavilion was damaged by a tornado, and had to be rebuilt while its would-be haunted house, Corporate Nightmare, was moved to Tut's Tomb. Nightstalker in 3-D (2000), Ripper Row (2002), Ripper Row (2003), The Hunted (2005), The Hunted (2006), The Hunted (2007), Death Row Vengeance (2008), Death Row Vengeance (2009), Death Row Vengeance: No Escape (2010), Death Row Vengeance: Fear the Dead (2011), Circus of Superstition: 3D (2012), Circus of Superstition: 3D (2013), Zombie Containment Unit 15 (2014)
Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars The Ubanga Banga Bumper Cars attraction is located in the Congo area of the theme park. During the event. the vehicles used in the attraction are temporarily removed for haunted mazes. The space, however, has not been used for Howl-O-Scream since 2010. Tortured (2002), Tortured (2003), Till' Death Do Us Part (2004), Deathly Departed (2005), Deathly Departed (2006), Taste of Blood (2007), Taste of Blood (2008), Taste of Blood (2009), Taste of Blood: A Different Vein (2010)
Pantopia Warehouse A storage space building located between the Pantopia Theater and Sand Serpent attractions. It became a spot for haunted mazes. Trapped in the Walls (2006), Trapped in the Walls (2007), Trapped in the Walls (2008), Trapped in the Walls (2009), Trapped in the Walls: GhostChasers (2010), Zombie Mortuary (2011), Zombie Mortuary (2012), Zombie Mortuatry (2013), Zombie Mortuary (2014), Zombie Mortuary (2015)
Akbar's Adventure Tours Akbar's Adventure Tours was a simulator ride at the Egypt area of the park. In 2002, the attraction was shut down and only operated seasonally due to its manufacturer going out of business, allowing for Howl-O-Scream mazes to take place throughout its unused queue areas. In 2007, the attraction was dismantled when it became impossible to continue running it; however, haunted mazes still continue to call the building home during the event. Demented Dimensions (2002), Demented Dimensions (2003), Chaos! (2004), The 3rd Dementia (2005), The 3rd Dementia (2006), Radiation Alert 3-D (2007), Reconstruction: The Doctor is In (2008), Reconstruction: The Doctor is In (2009), Deconstruction: The Doctor is Out of Control (2010), Deconstruction: The Doctor is Out of Control (2011), Blood Asylum (2012), Blood Asylum (2013), Blood Asylum (2014), Zombie Containment Unit 15: Moving Targets (2015)
Tut's Tomb An attraction located in the Egypt area of the park. Its first haunted house, in 2001, was portrayed to be an evil version of the Tut's Tomb attraction itself. In 2004, "Corporate Nightmare" was relocated to Tut's Tomb after a tornado damaged its former location at the Nairobi Pavilion. Following the closure of the Tut's Tomb attraction in 2014 to make way for the up-coming Cobra's Curse roller coaster, it is now impossible for future haunted houses to be constructed in this area of the park. Curse of King Tut's Tomb (2001), Corporate Nightmare (2004), The Experiment (2013), The Experiment: The Final Test (2014)
Myombe Reserve An animal exhibit located in the Crown Colony area with an emphasis on protecting Gorilla habitats. An outdoor haunted house was constructed on the attraction's pathways in 2000. For the following year, 2001, the outdoor maze was replaced by a smaller scare zone which did not cover as much of the attraction. Haunted Jungle Trail (1999-2000)
Serengeti Safari Tours An added cost sightseeing tour located on the Edge of Africa. In 2000, it was "horrified" as part of the first official Howl-O-Scream event. Evening Serengeti Safari Tours (2000)
Curiosity Caverns This cave-themed animal attraction is located in the Nairobi area of the park. It was horrified at Howl-O-Scream 2000, and once again served as a haunted house location in 2001. Dark Caverns (2000), Creeper's Crypt (2001)
Orchid Canyon Building The Orchid canyon Building was used for the park's former Tile exhibit museum. Starting in 2009, it was used to house haunted mazes for Howl-O-Scream. Delta Epsilon Delta: Pledge Week (2009), Delta Epsilon Delta: Extreme Rush (2010), Nevermore (2011), Nevermore (2012), Nevermore (2013), Deadfall (2014), Deadfall: Thirst for Blood (2015)
Crown Colony Skyride Station The CC Skyride station serves as the main entrance to the SkyRide from the southern area of the theme park. Haunted Houses which take place in the station have an entrance at the former Veldt Monorail entrance of the station. The queue then weaves around to an employees only area underneath the station where the maze begins. Due to the construction and opening of the Cheetah Hunt roller coaster in 2011, it is now impossible for any future haunted houses to be constructed in this area of the park.. Escape From Insanity (2001), Escape From Insanity (2002), Escape From Insanity: Resident's Revenge (2003), Escape From Insanity: Lockdown (2004), After Hours: Dead of Night (2005), After Hours: Club Muse (2006), After Hours: Club Muse (2007), After Hours: Last Call (2008), Nightshade Toy Factory (2009)
Gwazi Event Yard A large open yard located next to the former Gwazi roller coaster is used specially for the park's annual events, such as Viva la Musica, Summer Nights and Christmas Town. During Howl-O-Scream, haunted houses are built on the yard Catch Your Breath (2007), Eat Your Heart Out (2008), 13 (2009), MyX: Revenge Rocks (2010), Ultimate Gamble: Vampire Casino (2011), Ultimate Gamble: Condemned (2012), Ultimate Gamble: Reversal of Fortune (2013), Circus of Superstition 3-D: The Show Must Go On (2014), Circus of Superstition 3-D: The Last Laugh (2015)
Morocco/Nairobi Building A new indoor location was built behind Zagora restaurant, next to the Gwazi roller coaster, to serve as a site for Haunted mazes. Nightshade Toy Factory: Son of Nightshade (2010), Nightshade Toy Factory (2011), Nightshade Toy Factory:Mutation (2012), Death Water Bayou (2013), Death Water Bayou (2014), Death Water Bayou (2015)
Gwazi Queue The former Gwazi wooden roller coaster operated in the Morocco area of the park from 1998 until 2015. Following the attraction's closure in early 2015, the space now allows for HOS houses to be built within the ride's former queue areas and ground level. Unearthed: Scarlett's Revenge (2015)

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 http://www.hauntedattraction.com/40/currentissue_coverstory.shtml
  2. ↑ "Escape From Insanity". Web.archive.org. 2002-12-07. Archived from the original on 2002-12-07. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  3. ↑ "Bloody Bayou". Web.archive.org. 2002-10-17. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  4. ↑ "Tortured". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  5. ↑ "Ripper Row". Web.archive.org. 2003-02-05. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  6. ↑ "The Mortuary". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  7. ↑ "Demented Dimensions". Web.archive.org. 2003-02-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  8. ↑ "Grisly Gardens". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  9. ↑ "Cursed". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  10. ↑ "Agony Express". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  11. ↑ "The X-ecutioners". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  12. ↑ "RIP TV 2". Web.archive.org. 2003-06-19. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  13. ↑ "Fiends". Web.archive.org. 2003-02-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  14. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  15. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  16. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  17. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  18. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  19. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  20. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  21. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  22. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  23. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  24. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  25. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  26. ↑ "Busch Gardens' Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay". Web.archive.org. 2004-08-06. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  27. ↑ "guillotine execution live Halloween show". Halloweenmagicshows.com. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  28. ↑ "Howl-O-Scream Diabolical Decade - Ten Years of Terror". YouTube. 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  29. ↑ Gershman, Rick (October 14, 2004). "Scare tactics". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2009-08-22.
  30. ↑ "Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream 2012". Howl-o-scream.com. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  31. ↑ "Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream 2012". Howl-o-scream.com. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  32. ↑ "Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream 2012". Howl-o-scream.com. Retrieved 2013-02-09.
  33. ↑ "Busch Gardens and SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream 2012". Howl-o-scream.com. Retrieved 2013-02-09.

External links

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