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Note: This article has been heavily modified from its original form in an attempt to correct false or not-entirely complete information we received. Some of that information remains below, crossed out for the sake of completeness.
Just a few days ago, an official message was posted on Howl-O-Scream’s Facebook page indicating that the TV commercial for this year’s Busch Gardens Halloween event has already been shot. The post reads, “So I happened to see a preview of the new HOS 2011 TV commercial yesterday. I cannot even explain to all of you how royally messed up it is… in a very, very good way!”
Enter the rumor. A little bird (perhaps a raven?) has shared with me some details regarding the theme of Howl-O-Scream 2011, as it unfolds in this commercial. From previous hints, we know that this year’s Howl-O-Scream will involve zombies. But how about a zombie love story?
Apparently we will see a couple of undead star-crossed lovers in a garden, surrounded by roses and other beautiful, yet appropriate scenery. Details are unclear at this point, but signs point to a woman, we’ll call her the lady in the garden, and a man – both of whom are zombies – being part of the headline campaign and theme for Howl-O-Scream 2011. And we’ll leave it at that, letting Busch Gardens fill in the details soon when they release the commercial. (And don’t forget… this is technically a rumor and as such may be incomplete or simply wrong. We’ll find out soon enough.)
UPDATE: Busch Gardens has reached out to squash this rumor, letting me know that a “zombie love story” is definitely not in the works for Howl-O-Scream 2011. Previous hints do indicate zombies… but we don’t know to what extent in the overall event theme. But at least we know what it’s not, eh? (Yeah, this is why we tend not to run rumors…)
In the meantime, a valid tidbit has emerged from the Howl-O-Scream Facebook page. It seems the popular and unique Alone haunted house that debuted in 2010 will be returning, in some form, for 2011.
Nick Sadowski asked on Facebook, “r they gonna have somthin like alone again this year.” The official reply from Busch Gardens was surprisingly honest, “From what I’m hearing, YES! (And the crowds rejoiced…)”
Will this year’s personal experience in horror be totally different from last year? Will it involve zombies? We don’t know yet. But last year’s Alone house was certainly a highlight of the event. (Check out my spoiler-free and spoiler-filled reviews.)
And between Alone and zombies, what fan can’t get excited as summer Halloween event announcements lurk just around the corner?
