Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT Discussion Thread)

[pandorazboxx]

Looks like there's some sort of golden key theme this year?

 

[jjune4991]

So I'm a little surprised this was not posted here in a month.

 

attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/07/13/hos-insider-teases-howl-o-scream-2012-line-up/

 

All day today on Friday the 13th – a fitting day since it’s Howl-O-Scream’s 13th year – details have emerged about the new houses, scare zones and which houses are coming back along with their twists to Busch Garden’s annual Howl-O-Scream event. They have also mentioned that there will be an icon this year and it will be a he.

 

 

Each year, a few of the houses from the previous year return with a twist. Nightshade Toy Factory and Ultimate Gamble will have the most dramatic tweaks with Nevermore, Zombie Mortuary and Alone having minor tweaks. Returning haunted houses this year include:

 

-Nightshade Toy Factory: Mutation: Crazed toymaker, demonic teddies and mutants. Mr. Nightshade is back, but in “Nightshade Toy Factory: Mutation,” a radioactive leak nearby has given the toys the power they need to finally take over…

 

-Ultimate Gamble: Condemned- Vampires have fallen out of fashion, and the casino has been shuttered. But a brave, curious few may still get inside to explore… with only a flashlight to light your way!

 

-Nevermore: Beating hearts, swinging pendulums and a raven’s cries haunt the manor of Lenore, creating a demented and twisted nightmare. Step inside to experience the gothic terror that maddens the lord of the house. and feel delusion overcome reality. Find your way out of this horror story before paranoia authors your final chapter.

 

-Zombie Mortuary: No one remembers how the epidemic started, but now, zombies live here. The undead that infest this small town funeral home feed on the fresh flesh and brains of mortuary mourners to satisfy their insatiable hunger. Avoid the walking dead or you may find yourself deeper than six feet under.

 

-Alone… (a personal experience in horror): The deranged Master Alexander Daedal us opened Minotaur Storage to house his vast collection of “cultural” remains. But now his sinister obsession with hoarding has expanded to stockpiling people. Escape this lunatic’s labyrinth or you will become part of his collection. Can you make it out Alone?

 

There are also always a few new haunted houses:

 

-Blood Asylum: As lightning rages and thunder crashes outside, ‘The Creature’ escapes from his holding cell in a high-security asylum for the criminally insane. Now this sadistic deviant is running rampant, skinning his former cellmates and turning the mental hospital into his own torture chamber. This serial killer’s bloody playground will drive you out of your mind with fear.

 

-Circus of Superstition 3-D: You’ve been taught to avoid black cats and sidewalk cracks your whole life, but all those years of bad luck have caught up with you. Crazed circus clowns challenge you to survive thirteen superstitions in their 3-D Tent of Terror, but it will take more than luck to escape this whole new dimension of fear.

 

This year, scare zones will be back along with the roaming hordes:

 

-Faded Memories: featuring signature set pieces and props from the classic houses of Howl-O-Scream’s 13-year history, providing the ideal scare situation for some of your favorite HOS characters ever.

 

Check back for more information about this years scare zones.

 

Live shows announced so far this year include:

 

-Fiends: A “deranged dance party” thrown by Dr. Frankenstein and his naughty nurses.

Another popular feature of the event returning will be the chance to ride coasters SheiKra, Montu, Cheetah Hunt, Gwazi and Kumba in the dark.

 

In addition, Howl-O-Scream Shop of Horrors will also return for guests to purchase all their Howl-O-Scream swag and the popular Fright Feast dinner show will return to Desert Grill. The adult bar/dance club will make a return in the Marrakesh Theater as well.

 

The event will take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from Sept. 21 through Oct. 27, 2012. Stay tuned for Orlando Attractions Magazine for more Howl-O-Scream information.

 

I for one am excited for Zombie Mortuary, Ultimate Gamble, Blood Asylum, and Circus of Superstitions. And Scarezones plus walking hordes? This could be better than last year! I hope we can have another TPR event, or at least a TPoRlando group.

[chargersmichael]

^I had most posted on page 390.

 

According to Howl-O-Scream's FB Page...a new haunted house named Blood Asylum is on its way! Another one will be themed to a circus and will be in 3D!!! Also, they will bring back some old haunts in their new scarezone, Faded Memories. There will be roaming hordes too. Also on their FB Page, Nightshade, Nevermore, Alone, and Vampire Ultimate Gamble are coming back and some with a twist. There will only be two new houses this year also. Now we await the shows and the scarezones.

 

NEW HOUSE #2! "Circus of Superstition 3-D" Here's what I know: You’ve been taught to avoid black cats and sidewalk cracks your whole life, but all those years of bad luck have caught up with you. Crazed circus clowns challenge you to survive thirteen superstitions in their 3-D Tent of Terror, but it will take more than luck to escape this whole new dimension of fear.

 

You asked for it, YOU GOT IT! HOS 2012 will once again feature an insane asylum house... BLOOD ASYLUM! From the official BG files: "As lightning rages and thunder crashes outside, 'The Creature' escapes from his holding cell in a high-security asylum for the criminally insane. Now this sadistic deviant is running rampant, skinning his former cellmates and turning the mental hospital into his own torture chamber. This serial killer’s bloody playground will drive you out of your mind with fear."

 

Last tidbit of the day: A bunch of people have been asking if HOS was going to bring back anything from the past to celebrate big number 13, and the answer is YES! "Faded Memories" will be a new scare zone featuring signature set pieces and props from the classic houses of HOS's 13-year history, providing the ideal scare situation for some of your favorite HOS characters ever!

 

According to HowlOScream's Twitter feed, Vampire Casino will have you use a flashlight!!!

 

Updated house the first: Vampire Casino: Condemned. The casino is closed, but you can still explore... with a flashlight!!

[jjune4991]

Most, not all. But I digress, all of these houses look amazing. I can't wait to see what the theme is.

[pandorazboxx]

I didn't see anything from them that said they'd have the roaming hoards again.

[JamesD]

They ..... and...... and....... oh and..........

[chargersmichael]

According to Howl-o-Scream's FB Page:

 

The Icon! (Can you find the key?)

 

 

Fiends Show moves to Desert Grill...

THIS JUST IN: We all knew that the famous (infamous?) Fiends show was returning for HOS XIII, but wrap your Freakenstein around this... for 2012, it will be MOVING TO THE DESERT GRILL!

[pandorazboxx]

Midnight Hour is also there right? Ant chance they move that too?

[chargersmichael]

The new icon has been revealed today as it is the 13th!

 

The Trickster is the new icon for HOS this year!

 

HOS FB Page:

They can’t resist The Golden Key.

That taunts and calls and beckons thee.

I hang it there so they will use it…

To come in and play with me.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Trickster.

 

 

[vacoaster09]

THE KEYMASTER!!!!!!.... Oh .......Wait!

[Lone Wanderer]

THE KEYMASTER!!!!!!.... Oh .......Wait!

[chargersmichael]

Howl-O-Scream 2012 TV Commercial:

[chargersmichael]

The Howl O Scream website is live with all the details and tickets!

 

It seems they have the one scare zone...maybe they will have 13 zones from the past 13 years!

 

http://howloscream.com/tampa/homepage.aspx

[Hilltopper39]

Just checked out the website and the event looks pretty standard, I'm kind of disappointed they moved Fiends and didn't bring back the show that was in the Desert Grill last year, I thought that show was pretty decent. Anyways should be a great event as usual. Looking as pricing the VIP mega tour that includes admission, preferred parking, as well as front of the line access to all houses and coasters for $110 is the way to go, can't beat that!

[Whodey]

Hi, I am new to this board. I live next to Kings Island and just visited Cedar Point. Next spring I will be going to Six Flags Great Adventure. I am only interested in roller coasters. I am going to be in Tallahassee for 30 hours. Is it worth the 4 hour drive to Tampa to go to this park? I would leave at 5am and have to be back by 11. Is there any better options for roller coaster parks. Orlando is same distance so I am debating about going there. If you think I should go to BGT any advice about the crowd for early sept.? Thanks for your help.

 

PS I would check out flats and animal things but primary purpose is big roller coasters. I know from the reviews BGT flats are not good.

[Hilltopper39]

That's a long long day but the coasters at Busch Gardens are definitely worth it if that is all you are looking for, and Busch Gardens is the park to go to compared to anything in Orlando is coasters is all you want.

[Whodey]

Thanks. I was hoping since schools are going back into session I should get plenty of rides. I went there 12 years ago and walked on every ride but can't remember what time of year it was. I just know I was in college and was skipping class to go.

[jjune4991]

If it's a weekday, then 9am-7pm (based on your estimated time) is "almost" too much time. I mean that based on how tired you will be. You could get away with leaving at 7 or 8 and do a 11/12-7 day. Even a weekend day in September would be slow, but we don't know if there will be millions of Brazilian tours that day. As for comparing coasters to Orlando, there is none. Flats are not great, but the animal enclosures are a nice break for a large park. If you're up for the drive, I'd say do it!

[Whodey]

I would go Sept 7. The park is only open 10-6. I was thinking Friday might be slightly larger crowd. After being at Cedar Point last week and making a few rookie mistakes I want to do this park correctly. I want to be there at opening and hit the most popular rides. What coaster have the longest or slowest lines? Any good strategy for the day? I like to maximize roller coaster ride but would like to see other stuff. Thanks for helping me out. ANy good discounts on tickets besides buying from their website?

[jynx242]

Start with Cheetah Hunt!! Then Gwazi (both sides.) Those seem to be the rides with the long LONG loading times. Then work your way around the park and end with about 100 rides on Kumba and you will be good to go!

[dragonskeep]

^ That really is solid advice.

 

The Skyride is your friend.

[SharkTums]

FYI - Busch Gardens will be closed tomorrow 8/27 due to the Tropical Storm / Hurricane.

[jjune4991]

So I have 2 updates, all coming from my roommate who works on skyride. First, he said that the Drop Tower may have been put on hold...permanently. So we may not see it in awhile, if ever. Second, he learned that all of the employees from Rhino Ralley have been fired or moved. I have not been in the park to confirm its closure, but it looks like it may be removed eventually. I guess we'll see.

[Mrlittle]

Hey, this is for you guys who live in Tampa. I was thinking about going to Busch towards the end of September 13-15th or the next week 20th -22th . Does it get crowded in September? I figure I will have enough time to do everything regardless but I'm just wondering.

[SharkTums]

^If you hit that magic sweet time between all schools going back and before Halloween Stuff the place should be pretty dead.