Howl-O-Scream Tampa Was A Scream

As darkness comes about, you look at your watch and see it is 7:30. You start to hear some music in the background and follow it to its source. You come upon the entrance to Busch Gardens Tampa and the music draws you through the gate. DON'T LISTEN!!!!!!   For you will be CURSED!!!!

Cursed is the theme this year for Howl-O-Scream in Tampa. "Can you survive the Curse" is how it is titled for those whom dare enter the front gates. I myself visited HOS twice this year. Opening night and this past weekend. Knowing that sometimes things are changed up from opening night, and that it was raining, I wanted to do my review after a visit in which the attraction is established for the season. I am glad I did.

Earlier I wrote a preview on the haunted houses that were featured this year. Considering I visit HOS every year and that Busch Gardens repeats some houses with a new twist, I brought along a guest reviewer Jeff @Eachann to give a fresh perspective from never having been to HOS before. As before, I have a rating of 1-10 screams, 10 being scariest and 1 being not scary at all.
WARNNING: THIS SECTION CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS INVOLVING THE HAUNTED HOUSES!!! PLEASE SKIP PAST THIS SECTION IF YOU WANT TO VISIT AND BE SURPRISED!!!!!!!!

Dead Fall is a new house this year where certain elements were voted on by fans from facebook. It is a very Victorian feel to it and well designed. We found the set to be great and the scares were good. Jeff thought that some of the plant scares involved were forced and did not work as anticipated



DAVE THRILLS ------- 6 Screams
JEFF @Eachann -------- 6 Screams


Zombie Containment Unit 15 is a new concept introduced at HOS that gives you a feel of running through a zombie infested area armed with your Zombie Eradication Device (laser gun) to slow the zombie approach. This is a great concept. I really liked how they set you up to enter. Once inside though it really seemed too tight. After the initial encounter the whole feel seemed very repetitive. I really hope they keep this idea and expand upon it next year. Maybe not make it a haunted house, but an attraction where it is featured to escape from zombies in of itself. I feel that if I was not looking to be scared, but entering with a mission of destruction, my expectations would have been met and scored this higher.

DAVE THRILLS -------3 Screams (would be a 9 if rated on fun versus scares)
JEFF @Eachann  ------- 5 Screams


Death Water Bayou returned for a second year and the Voodoo Queen did not disappoint in the scares from her evil minions. Jeff especially liked how the scares were unexpected and came from directions he never would have anticipated. This was my highest rated house last year and paves its way to the top for two years in a row. I LOVE IT!!!!

DAVE THRILLS ------- 8 Screams
Jeff @Eachann     ------- 8 Screams


The Basement is another one that debuted last year that is in the area formerly known as the solo walk through house "Alone." Momma's meats is still a hit and the scares were there. I really thought there were a lot of areas under-utilized that could have added a scare actor to really improve my score. Jeff loved the set, but thought it was too dark to really appreciate it.

DAVE THRILLS ------- 6 Screams
Jeff @Eachann     ------- 7 Screams


Blood Asylum is the longest running house currently at HOS. The "Creature" escapes from its high-security cell and makes the hospital his own torture chamber. WE both love the props in this house, really makes the feel of what is trying to be presented. The execution of the concept was lacking though. Would have been nice to see this "creature" on the loose or identify it as such.

DAVE THRILLS ------- 4 Screams
JEFF @Eachann  ------- 5 Screams


The Circus of Superstition in 3D is another repeat house in a different location. I was never a fan of it in its first year, but now it is one of my favorite ones to visit. The concept of 3D is really what makes it. Lots of mannequins that really make you wonder what is real and what is fake. Scared of clowns? Plenty of clowns in here. Jeff really loved how well the scare actors blended into the scenery

DAVE THRILLS ------- 7 Screams
Jeff @Eachann     ------- 7 Screams


Zombie Mortuary returns for another year. This has been a must-see the past 3 years and still is this year. I do miss that HOS took away the photo op in this house capturing your fear. As always, the scares were great and the misdirection worked very well in here. Jeff thought it was too dark to really enjoy but thought the scares were the best.

DAVE THRILLS ------- 7 Screams
Jeff @Eachann     ------- 8 Screams


The Experiment is an interactive challenge to test your fears. Close to a "Fear Factor" style. If you are unable to finish a challenge, the experiment is over (cockroaches, snakes, spiders, blood?). I chose not to do this one this year but did it previously. It has an upcharge starting at $50. Worth going through if you want that solo challenge dedicated just for you.

The wandering mobs and scare zones were very good and diverse. I personally loved the vampire group led around by their masters. Whereas Jeff loved the skateboarders. I was really impressed with their enthusiasm in trying to keep the scares going through the night even thought it was obvious some individuals were getting tired (skateboards running and grinding on their knees). It shows the determination the scare actors at HOS has in making it work for you.


"Fiends" is a live entertainment show in the Pantopia Theater that is a staple of HOS. See this show once, you are addicted. This evening we had the pleasure of seeing @FrankDavisAndCo play the lead role of Dr. Freakenstein. Be sure to join the Dr. at Freakenstein University as his students and meet the deranged professors for a lot of fun and jokes. Be sure to stay afterwards and get a "selfie" with your favorite professor or the "Naughty Nurses" themselves.


I took advantage of Fright Feast this evening and if you are truly here to experience ALL that HOS has to offer, than this upcharge is a must. It includes a buffet dinner that loaded with a large selection of eats as well as a taco bar. Do not forget to get your pumpkin cheesecake before they run out thought. The best part is that you get an exclusive showing of the "Fiends" show while you eat and exclusive use of the haunted houses from 7:00-7:30 AND front of line access to haunted houses until 8:30. I was able to visit all but one haunted house in that period to avoid the longer lines and then enjoy everything else HOS had to offer.

HOS does offer a variety of photo opportunities throughout the evening. If you take advantage of the photokey you will find all of the photos taken by park photographers are included from HOS (roller coasters too). The one thing I will say I was disappointed about though. They did take away the area where you had the opportunity to take pictures with the Naughty Nurses. Maybe it did not do well in the past? If you want your pic taken with a nurse, be sure to stay after the Fiends show to do so.


Overall HOS is an experience that rivals other offerings out there in the state of Florida. Tickets start at $89. The best way to take advantage is order your tickets online in advance and save up to $39 for a single ticket. Also be sure to look at the other upgrades and VIP experiences that HOS has to offer and make it a Halloween event to remember.

I am David "Thrills" and I am an avid goer to Busch Gardens. I will be one to admit Halloween is like my Christmas and HOS is the event I look forward to every year. As always, if you have any questions I may be able to help you with, or just want to hear my updates and live in-park tweeting, follow me @TampaAmazeMe or email me at TampaThrillMe@gmail.com