Credit: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (left) / Universal Orlando Resort (Right)Sin City has a new boss, and it’s not Universal, as a popular Florida theme park is gaining on the entertainment giant.
Earlier this year, Universal announced expansion plans to create new theme park experiences, bringing fun for all families to Frisco, Texas, and thrills and screams to Las Vegas, Nevada, with a year-round horror experience that has had Universal’s global horror and Halloween Horror Nights fans on the edge of their seats hoping for updates on the project’s progress since it was first announced in January.
Related: Fate of Universal’s New Park Decided, Sparks Fierce Backlash
Unfortunately, the project in Texas sparked mixed reactions among fans and locals, though Universal continues to work closely with the community to keep plans moving. And while Universal’s Sin City plans were well received by locals and the AREA15 project in Las Vegas is reportedly on track, a popular Florida theme park took a chance to gain on the entertainment giant with a bone-chilling announcement.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay — which recently had to deal with a witless Guest who broke into a restricted area endangering his life — announced that the glitz, glamor, and screams from Las Vegas would arrive at the Florida theme park later this year with an all-new scare zone inspired by Sin City.
“On the outskirts of the Vegas strip lies a small town that is home to some of the best entertainers to ever live, along with zombies who run rampant. You better hope your number wins because this is one town you don’t want to lose in,” stated Busch Gardens Tampa Bay through the Howl-O-Scream (@howloscream) Twitter account, revealing the Park’s upcoming scare zone, Sin City Zombies.
NEW SCARE ZONE REVEAL: Sin City Zombies
On the outskirts of the Vegas strip lies a small town that is home to some of the best entertainers to ever live, along with zombies who run rampant. You better hope your number wins because this is one town you don’t want to lose in. pic.twitter.com/hZk8naWWW6
— Howl-O-Scream (@howloscream) June 22, 2023
The Sin City Zombies scare zone will welcome Guests this year during Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream event, kicking off on September 8 and taking place on select nights through October 31. You can click here to learn more about Tampa Bay’s premier Halloween event.
Last year, Busch Gardens, along with other SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. theme parks, offered a special upgrade for Guests who are timider when it comes to frights, which will hopefully return this year, giving more Guests a chance to experience Howl-O-Scream. However, the “No Boo Necklace” upgrade is not available for purchase yet.
Will you visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for this year’s Howl-O-Scream? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments below!
*This article has been updated since its original publishing date to correct outdated information and inaccuracies