Howl-O-Scream 2024 Celebrates 25 Spine Tingling Years at Busch Gardens

In 1999, Busch Gardens Tampa held Spooky Safari, a family-friendly Halloween event. The following year, Spooky Safari got a terrifying makeover, and was transformed into Howl-O-Scream. 25 years later, Howl-O-Scream 2024 is still sending chills down the spines of those brave enough to enter the fog.

I’ll be honest, I’m a Halloween scaredy cat. But although I don’t do the haunted houses, I LOVE the scare zones and shows. It makes for a delightfully eerie, but not too scary time for me. But fear not, I include everything you need to know about the event (including the houses) below.

Howl-O-Scream’s 25th year runs select nights now through November 2, and is a separate ticket event (not included with regular daytime admission).

This year’s event features 8 scare zones, 5 haunted houses, shows and more! Let’s take a look at what awaits the brave hearted…

Howl-O-Scream 2024 Scare Zones

The 8 scare zones are spread across the park… and 4 of them are brand new.

NEW Terror Through Time

Enter The Architect’s twisted gallery of horror, where the past 25 years of Howl-O-Scream nightmares come to life.

This scare zone is located near the front of the park (where the former Junkyard scare zone was), and while it uses a lot of the sets and props from The Junkyard, some new ones have also popped up to pay homage to 25 years of Howl-O-Scream. We like how this scare zone is actually off the main pathway, so it feels like a “mini haunted house” when you walk through.

NEW Tree Lot Massacre

The once-festive Evergreen Acres Christmas Tree Farm hides a dark secret. Whispers tell of a Christmas Eve massacre, where disgruntled farmhand Silas Evergreen sought revenge.

What happens when holidays collide…. oh wait, wrong park. First year scare zones can be a tricky thing. This zone shows promising potential to really ramp up some holiday fear (is it wrong we’d love to see this nestled into a corner during the Christmas Town event?)

NEW Sawgrass Slaughter: Legend Of The Skunk Ape

Venture into the depths of the Everglades, where the stench of decay and a pungent, musky odor fill the air.

This scare zone was a total home run! Incorporating the local Florida legend of the Skunk Ape (our version of Bigfoot) was a stroke of genius. The theming and sets are also absolutely top notch, and the scareactors were a lot of fun. Really hope this one sticks around for at least a few more years.

NEW Ragnar’s Wrath

The icy winds of Niflheim howl as you approach a charred Viking longhouse, its stench of death a prelude to the horrors within.

Yo-ho! Yo-ho! A viking’s life for me…. wait wrong park again. This is another new scare zone that definitely showed some potential to be even better. We loved the viking theme.

Little Nightmares: Trick Or Treat

Years ago, on Halloween night, a group of children vanished. Every Halloween, they return, reliving their final trick-or-treat.

The Howl-O-Scream site says this is a new scare zone, but it’s actually a returning one. We love the creepy costumes the “children” are wearing in this area.

Raven’s Mill: The Blood Harvest

Within the walls of the corn field lies a horrific nightmare you cannot awaken.

This was probably our favorite scare zone of the night. We loved the creepy cornfield premise already, but this zone moved to a new location in Gwazi Field this year and it’s even bigger and better than before! Again, it’s like it’s own little haunted house as it’s off the main path, and it’s HUGE! This scare zone is now double the size and now includes a “meat market” section that actually made me stop dead in my tracks a couple times.

Sin City Zombies

On the outskirts of the Vegas strip lies a small motel that is home to some of the best entertainers to ever live, and is overrun by zombies who run rampant.

This is a scare zone that shows so much potential, but it still just not there yet. Still a fun little zone, but could be so much more with some re-imagining.

Beyond The Veil

The dark fairies and orcs are dying for you to experience the depths of their magically sinister forest.

This scare zone has seriously improved since it first debuted. The atmosphere is creepier and we still love the neon blacklight effects used here.

Howl-O-Scream 2024 Haunted Houses

There is one brand new house this year, with the remaining houses being returning favorites with new twists.

NEW Shadows Of Wonderland

Step back into Wonderland, but not as you remember it. This warped dreamscape has come from years of torment under the Queen of Hearts’ reign of terror. Once playful characters have become bitter shadows, their anger fueled by Alice’s abandonment. Now, you must confront this distorted reality and face a vengeful Queen who wants Alice and you gone.

D.H. Baggum’s Circus Of Fear

Step right up, step right up, to the most horrifying spectacle ever witnessed! D.H. Baggum’s collection of grotesque creatures will chill you to the bone. Beware, for the midway is a hunting ground. D.H. stalks the unsuspecting, snatching them away for a sinister purpose.

Stranglewood Estate

Once a hub of lavish parties, Stranglewood Estate now echoes with the whispers of its dark past. Madame Stranglewood, a beloved socialite with a hidden penchant for cruelty, ruled this town with an iron fist. She lured unsuspecting servants into a secret room in the basement, where she ended their lives, trapping their souls in eternal torment.

The Forgotten: Uprising

A blood-soaked year has passed since the hunters first confronted the slumbering vampire army. Victory remains elusive, despair hangs heavy in the air, yet hope flickers in their weary eyes. With gritted teeth and trembling hands, they prepare for the final stand.

Witch Of The Woods: Rise Of The Coven

A malevolent force has awakened in the woods. The Witch of the Woods, Seraphina, fueled by vengeance and dark magic, has finally summoned her coven – Brand, the Fire Bringer, and Kael, the Storm Caller. Together, they have twisted the once-serene forest into a grotesque reflection of their power, leaving behind a trail of poisoned air, stagnant water, and withered life.

Howl-O-Scream Entertainment

Haunted houses and scare zones aren’t all that Howl-O-Scream has to offer…

Cirque X-Scream

Electrifying & mesmerizing stunt show that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

This show, located in the Stanleyville Theatre, is very similar to the Cirque show that has played during Summer Nights. Fantastic stunts with a booming soundtrack.

Don’t miss the electrifying & mesmerizing stunt show that will leave you on the edge of your seat..💀😱🎪 Cirque X-Scream is the ultimate mix of jaw-dropping acrobatics and heart-pounding stunts that brings a whole new meaning to thrills with a terrifying twist! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/OdiNyLNYfq

— Howl-O-Scream (@howloscream) September 14, 2024

NEW The Reckoning

Join mortal Lark as she faces her ultimate judgement day in the fiery depths of Hell.

We caught this show, located in the Dragon Fire Grill, by chance. While the set was very well done (we loved the screen effects which gave the stage a feeling of more depth), this show was a little too serious and ended up dragging for longer than it needed to. We appreciate the park for wanting to try new things, but this was a big swing and miss, though it was definitely better than the Rolling Bones hair metal cover band that they had in this location for a few years. Overall, a return of the extremely popular Fiends show would make event-goers happy.

Be among the first to experience mortal Lark as she faces her ultimate judgement day in the fiery depths of Hell. 🔥 Come see The Reckoning in Dragon Fire Grill this weekend and get a head-start on all your frightful festivities. pic.twitter.com/I5nUYsyUYT

— Howl-O-Scream (@howloscream) September 5, 2024

 Scare-E-Oke

Take your turn behind the mic at the “Scare-E-Oke” experience at Gwazi Plaza. Guests can select their song of choice and take a memorable photo of their experience.

While this is a fun and unique idea, this is another that’s kind of a miss. It’s never busy, and if someone did get brave enough to go up and sing, the sound mix was so bad you couldn’t really hear them.

Thrill Rides In the Dark

What’s more fun than roller coasters? Roller coasters in the dark! All the park’s major thrill rides are open during Howl-O-Scream (usually with lower wait times as most people are in line for the haunted houses).

One bit of sad news, though… the monster bumper cars did not return this year. Very disappointing as this was one of our favorite things at Howl-O-Scream. Something that made the event truly unique. Hopefully they’ll bring it back in the future.

Howl-O-Scream Merchandise

What’s a special park event without merchandise? Everything from t-shirts, spirit jerseys, and a really cool denim jacket, to Loungefly bags, snow globes, glassware and more!

Evil Upgrades and Fright Feast

If you want to make the most of your Howl-O-Scream experience, the Ultimate VIP Tour is the way to go. Costing $299.99 per person (minimum 2 guests required to book – annual pass members get a 10% discount), you’ll get admission to Howl-O-Scream, a private VIP tour guide, front of the line access to the haunted houses and thrill rides, access to a private VIP lounge with complimentary snacks as well as beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages, dinner at the Dragon Fire Grill with reserved seating to The Reckoning show… and more!

If you’d like a unique Howl-O-Scream experience before the event, the Behind The Screams Tour gives you a daytime, lights-on look at your choice of two houses (Stranglewood Estate or D.H. Baggum’s Circus Of Fear), along with photo opportunities. The tour does not include admission to Howl-O-Scream, but it does include a one-time one-house priority access to the house of your choice during the event if you do have tickets.

And… Fright Feast is back! This popular dining experience from 6 pm-7 pm on event nights gives event goers the opportunity to fuel up on cuisine such as Flaming Cheetos Mac & Cheese, loaded tater tots, chicken tenders, burgers, nachos, gourmet cupcakes and more! There are also special meet & greet opportunities during Fright Feast, as well as front of the line access to the haunted houses from 7 pm-8 pm. Admission to Howl-O-Scream is required for Fright Feast, but is not included.

For more information regarding tours and Fright Feast, please visit the Howl-O-Scream website.

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