Howl-O-Scream 2016: What to Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – The lights have gone down and the curtains are up on this year’s Howl-O-Scream, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is ready for its Evil Encore.

The 2016 version of the theme park’s annual Halloween launched this weekend with its Freaky Preview and will begin its regular run next week. This year’s theme, Evil Encore, runs rampant through the park – as well as many tormenting creatures.

For those looking to take in its frights and sounds, here’s what you need to know before you go to Howl-O-Scream 2016:

When

Howl-O-Scream begins with its Freaky Preview on Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24 from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The main event begins Thursday, Sept. 29 and runs every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sunday, Oct. 30 from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The one exception will be Sunday, Oct. 2, when there will be no event scheduled.

Where

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is located at the corner of Busch Boulevard and 40th Street in Tampa. The street address for the main parking entrance is 10165 N. McKinley Drive.

Parking

Parking for Howl-O-Scream is $20. Daytime Annual Pass and Platinum Pass members can park for free.

Tickets

Prices vary for Howl-O-Scream depending on the date and package:

• Freaky Preview general admission: $45.99 per person per day
• General admission: $70.99 on Saturday, Oct. 8, 15, 22 and 29; $65.99 all other days
• 4-Pack Deal: Prices range from $35.99 per person to $50.99, only available on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays; can be used to purchase more than four tickets for the same night
• Recurring Nightmare Pass: Only available at the gate, provides unlimited admission on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays

Daytime tickets to Busch Gardens and Howl-O-Scream are separate admissions. However, daytime patrons may purchase an in-park upgrade for Howl-O-Scream 2016 for $45.99 and stay inside the Stanleyville and Pantopia areas as the park transitions to the event.

The Wild & Wicked Weekend Ticket, $99 per person, offers unlimited visits to Busch Gardens and Howl-O-Scream 2016 for one consecutive weekend from Thursday to Sunday.

There are also three different tour packages, ranging from $89 to $229 per person offering various discounts, tours and VIP access.

Attractions

Howl-O-Scream offers several different thrilling and scary adventures, including several new ones for 2016.

Haunted Houses

This year’s Howl-O-Scream features seven different haunted houses:

• The Black Spot: New for 2016, escape from Saw Tooth Silas, the infamous pirate, and The Black Spot – or meet your doom
• Motel Hell: The former owners of this deserted motel haunt their property to this day, preventing anyone from tearing it down. Guests can check out the motel, but they may never leave this new attraction.
• Circus of Superstition: The Last Laugh: This 3D adventure sends people through a carnival of their worst fears: Their own superstitions.
• Unearthed: A park maintenance crew uncovered a centuries-old house beneath the ground. Unfortunately, the demon who made the house her home was not too pleased.
• Zombie Containment Unit 15: Moving Targets: You’re the next target if you’re not quick enough to hold off the zombie hoard with your trusty Zombie Eradication Device in this interactive attraction.
• Death Water Bayou: Don’t get lost trying to escape the swamps and its terrors: The Voodoo Queen and her evil minions.
• Zombie Mortuary: The living aren’t safe in this small town funeral home, home to a zombie hoard that feeds on the mourners that come through.

Scare Zones and Roaming Hoards

For the first time, roaming hordes of monsters will be roaming during Howl-O-Scream, from the front gates to the dark recesses of the park.

‘Fiends’ Show

Nobody told them undeath would be this way: Creatures of the night star in this deranged dance party.

Thrill Rides

All of Busch Gardens’ famous roller coasters will be running during Howl-O-Scream 2016: Cobra’s Curse, Falcon’s Fury, Sheikra, Cheetah Hunt, Kumba and Montu.

Refreshments

Fright Feast

The Dragon Fire Grill hosts a monstrous dinner buffet and a side of the show ‘Fiends’ every night of Howl-O-Scream. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and guests will get to enter the park and enter certain haunted houses 30 minutes before the public, plus front-of-line access until 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $21, and reservations are required and can be made by following this link.

Food will also be available at the Howl-O-Scream Food Truck in the Gwazi Plaza area. Beer tents will be scattered around the park, along with roaming servers. There will also be full-service liquor bars throughout the park. And dance the night away at The Bar at Club Karver.

Restrictions and Accessibility

Howl-O-Scream is intended for mature audiences. The event features intense adult content, such as violence, gore and blood. Children younger than 18 will be admitted, but there is no discounted rate and refunds will not be issued.

All of the haunted houses are ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. Due to many tight corners to turn, guests who use motorized wheelchairs will be asked to transfer to a standard wheelchair to tour the haunted houses. Wheelchairs will be provided by hosts at each house. Motorized wheelchairs that were rented during daytime hours at Busch Gardens must be returned by 6 p.m.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.HowlOScream.com.

Images courtesy of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.