Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream to Offer 10 Open-Air Scare Zones

There’s some actual Halloween happening this year after all. Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream will open with a modified twist this year. For the sake of safety, there will be a focus on open-air scare zones instead of indoor houses to give haunt fans the frights they crave in a physically distanced setting. With 10 scare zones, 4 of them new for 2020, this year has a lot to offer, even if it’s different than any Howl-O-Scream previously held. I hope you’re ready to be scared . . . let’s take a look . . . 

Howl-O-Scream Scare Zones

Please Note: Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience. This event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore, and blood. Howl-O-Scream 2020 is a separately-ticketed nighttime event. Protective Face Coverings are required, but no costumes are allowed.

This year’s event will rely on scare zones that guests will walk through for an atmospheric horror experience. There will be 10 scare zones, 6 are returning favorites with 4 brand new ones. Here’s the new lineup:

• Lycan Landing: It’s always a full moon at this campground and the park rangers can’t hear you scream. When the campfires burn out, will you escape the glowing eyes leering through the trees or will you share their cursed fate?
  
• The Shortcut: Cutting through the cemetery may seem like an easy way out, except when the corpses rise from the ground to invite you into their graves.
  
• The Junkyard: You’ll find more than spare parts as you explore this surly scrap site. Will you make it out in one piece or be devoured by the haunted rubble?
  
• The Escape:  In this treacherous realm, chaos reigns and rules are made to be broken. The escaped inmates of Grey Echo Penitentiary seek their own twisted form of justice and they’re ready to deliver your sentence.
  

The returning scare zones are a collection of fan favorites. As much as I’m looking forward to the new zones, sometimes you can’t beat the classics. Here are the other 6 scares zones for Howl-O-Scream this year:

• First Fear: The icons of Howl-O-Scream’s haunted past are the first frights to greet you, rising from the dead and bringing over 20 years of fear back to life. (Author’s note: can you believe that Howl-O-Scream has been happening since 1999? Where does the time go?!)
• Little Nightmares: It’s all tricks and no treats down this dark and eerie street, but there’s no turning back now as childhood memories resurface with a horrifying twist.
• Maniac Midway: Go backstage at “scariest show on earth” with Sparky and his terrifying carnie-crew as they take over Pantopia and make the midway their own stage of torture creating a frenzy of fear.
• Deadly Toys: Your childhood play date is now a slay date as giant toys spring to life in a murderous rampage with you in their sights.
  
• Hell On Wheels: In a post-apocalyptic world, the surly survivors will stop at nothing for food and supplies, destroying all who stand in their way. Can you run the gauntlet of a murderous crazed biker gang to make it out alive?
• Dia de los Muertos: Honoring the souls and spirits of those who have gone before us, guests can dance the night away in this festive zone featuring a vibrant celebration of life and the traditions of Mexico. (Author’s Note: This scare zone is actually more beautiful than spooky/scary, but it’s a fun addition to the roster.)

Come For the Scares, Stay For the Beer!

Bierfest is taking place at the same time as Howl-O-Scream this year, and guests are invited to sample a taste of Bierfest as they make their way to the Festival Field to catch the ever-popular Fiends show (now on its largest stage ever). Select Bierfest food and beverage options will be available. Bench seating for Fiends 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.

For more about Busch Garden Tampa’s Bierfest, take a look at the article below.

Busch Gardens Tampa Fun Card Adds Extra Months and Bier Fest Round 3

 

Reservations are required to enjoy Howl-O-Scream (which is a separately ticketed event), and Busch Gardens strongly recommends making reservations early, as capacity will be very limited to keep the event safe for everyone.

 

For more info about Howl-O-Scream this year, be sure to check out the article below.

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