We have some surprising Halloween news for you . . . Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has announced that its annual Howl-O-Scream Halloween event WILL RETURN this fall for its 21st year. The park’s creative production team has been consulting with medical experts and has modified this year’s event to focus on open-air scare zones and entertainment, as well as enhanced health and safety measures while maintaining that Halloween feeling the event is so well known for.
A Different Kind of Halloween Event
With significantly limited event capacity to create plenty of open space, guests will experience the heart-pounding fear of unexpected horrors including freakishly fun themed open-air scare zones throughout the 335-acre park, in addition to Busch Gardens’ thrilling coasters at night. A reminder that as always, Howl-O-Scream is a separately ticketed event, available during 18 horrifying nights every Friday through Sunday from September 25-November 1, 2020.
One thing that Busch Gardens didn’t mention in their announcement were haunted houses. We don’t know if that means they are gone completely, but the focus of the event will certainly be outdoors this year!
In addition to enhancing the park’s already strict health and safety measures, including consulting with medical experts, face covering requirements and temperature screenings, park capacity will be significantly limited to create even more open space for guests to be scared, terrified, and thrilled throughout one of Florida’s largest theme parks. Guests are strongly encouraged to make reservations early as reservations are required and space is limited. Reservations are available now at www.HowlOScream.com.
New Outdoor Venue for Fiends Show
The fan-favorite Fiends show, starring Dr. Freakenstein and his frightful entourage, will take to its largest stage ever for outdoor performances on the Festival Field Stage. Bench seating will be arranged in a physically distant manner to ensure there is plenty of space for a limited number of guests to enjoy each performance.
Remotely Terrifying – Virtual Auditions for Scare Actors
As an extension of the park’s commitment to health and safety, the annual recruitment of scare actors has also transformed for 2020. New applicants interested in performing for Howl-O-Scream can virtually audition for a number of frightful roles by submitting their application at www.buschgardensjobs.com.
Expanded Health and Safety Measures
The park has worked with state and local health experts, outside consultants and attraction industry leaders to enhance health, safety and cleanliness standards for the event. These protocols and guidelines will be modified based on evolving industry standards and methodologies, public health, and governmental directives.
Let’s Hear From You
After weeks of major Halloween event cancelations, this one surprised us. How does the all-outdoor version of a Halloween haunt sound to you? Do you think it will be too difficult for guests to keep their safe distance in the dark, or does this sound like a workable plan? Let us know your thoughts on what is currently one of the few major haunts left for this Halloween. What other parks might be able to pull something like this off?
