Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is offering new experiences like never before at Howl-O-Scream 2010, with eight haunted houses, five scare zones, three shows, and a nightly live rock concert put on by the “rock stars of horror” – Sylvie and her “killer band,” My X.
Howl-O-Scream 2010 takes place during 18 select nights in September and October and features more haunted houses than ever before, including one unique adventure that may frighten even the most hardcore Halloween fan.
Howl-O-Scream 2010 Haunted Houses
Among the two new haunted mazes for this eleventh year of Howl-O-Scream is a unique house called Alone… (A personal experience in horror) in which Busch Gardens is inviting guests to wander through all-alone. The house requires separate admission, $24.95 in advance or $34.95 at the park, and guests can opt to traverse the maze all by themselves or with up to 3 companions (including in the price). Those that brave the house alone will emerge with a bonus: an exclusive “Alone” t-shirt.
The “Alone” house description is: The deranged Master Alexander Daedalus opened Minotaur Storage to house his vast collection of “cultural” remains. But now his sinister obsession with hoarding has expanded to stockpiling people. Escape this lunatic’s labyrinth or you will become part of his collection. Can you make it out ALONE?
The other haunted house new for Howl-O-Scream 2010 is My X: Revenge Rocks described as:
My X is the hottest underground band in town, and its devoted fans are dying to meet Sylvie and her killer group. After sneaking backstage and discovering the disturbing truth behind the cruel lyrics, the quest to “get in with the band” quickly changes to a life-or-death race to get out.
Returning this year are five favorite houses from the past, with new twists:
Howl-O-Scream 2010 Scare Zones
Five all-new scare zones will attempt to frighten guests as they wander the streets of Busch Gardens during Howl-O-Scream:
Howl-O-Scream 2010 Shows
Two new shows plus one returning favorite are included in this year’s event:
Other Howl-O-Scream 2010 Experiences
Club X – Grab your entourage and head to the transformed Marrakesh Theater to party like a rock star at Howl-O-Scream’s exclusive 21+ dance club. This adults-only nighttime playground keeps the energy pumping all night long with non-stop music, premium signature cocktails, drink specials and exclusive appearances by Howl-O-Scream’s most terrifying stars.
Howl-O-Scream Shop of Horrors – Remember your evening of evil with the perfect Howl-O-Scream souvenir, including Sylvie’s signature jewelry, exclusive My X concert tees and other Halloween-themed gifts. Then, smile through the pain and snap the perfect party pic with the ΔΕΔ girls at an exclusive photo op that’s not for the faint of heart.
To pull it all together, here’s a map of Howl-O-Scream 2010 (click to enlarge in new window):
Howl-O-Scream 2010 Tickets and Prices
Busch Gardens offers several all-inclusive VIP Packages, which include event admission and a tour guide. There are three levels of terrifying special treatment: Super, Mega and Ultimate. The Super experience is a three-hour group tour of haunted houses that includes front-of-the-line access. The five-hour Mega experience adds reserved show seating, front-of-the-line access to several roller coasters and preferred parking, and the Ultimate experience adds the Fright Feast dinner buffet, meet and greet with the Howl-O-Scream creative team and a $5 games card. All tours include commemorative photos, merchandise discounts and complimentary beverages. Packages start at $79, and Passport Member discounts are available.
For those who prefer to self-guide themselves through the event but want the front-of-the-line perks, there’s the Front Line Fear pass for $35, which grants no-wait access to seven houses, excluding Alone. The Front Line Fear Extreme pass ups the access and lets guests skip the line at four freaky coasters as well for $50.
The Thrills & Chills Weekend Pass lets true Halloween fans face their fears over and over again with a long weekend (Thursday through Sunday) of unlimited access to Busch Gardens’ thrills by day and Howl-O-Scream’s chills by night – all for just $79.95!
For out-of-town guests, Overnight Fright Packages include Howl-O-Scream admission for two, plus one-night accommodations at one of Busch Gardens’ preferred partner hotels. Prices start at $168.90 plus tax, based on double occupancy. Stay two nights as part of the Thrills and Chills Weekend Package, and get in to Busch Gardens day and night, and enjoy two nights of accommodations. Prices start at $337.70 plus tax.
And if there’s one thing worse than being terrified, it’s being terrified on an empty stomach. Fright Feast is the most deranged dinner show in town, featuring a buffet of monstrous main courses and devilish desserts, plus an exclusive performance of Blood Relations. Fright Feast guests are also the first to brave the dark with a half-hour of early access to the all-new haunted houses. Fright Feast is $24.95 per person, with group rates and discounts for Passport and Fun Card members available.
General admission is $74.95, but savings are available on advance ticket purchases at participating Publix Supermarkets and at MyXRocks.com for Passport Members and Florida Residents. Discounts are also available with promotional codes from select Pepsi, Domino’s Pizza, Applebee’s, Smoothie King and Muvico theaters purchases statewide.
The event runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night beginning Sept. 30. Dates include: Sept. 30–Oct. 2, Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30 and Oct. 31. Freaky Preview puts guests in the front row a week early on Sept. 24-25 for discounted rates as low as $29.95 for general admission and $24.95 for Passport members. Operating hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. during Freaky Preview and on Thursday nights and Halloween night. Friday and Saturday hours are 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.