looking for Busch Gardens info - October

[Luv2Roam]

DH and I live in central FL and know nothing about the Tampa area.
We have tickets covered to get into BG for regular days. What we are considering is staying at a Tampa resort for two nights and go to Howl-O-Scream one evening. (Have done MNSSHP and HHN many times. Looking for something new for us.)
We will need to buy tickets for that event.
Now -- what would be a good resort to stay, and why?
Suggestions?
And tips for Howl-O-Scream?
TIA

 

[MattM]

I wouldnt really want to stay near Busch Gardens, as its not in a great area. There are some nice resorts in downtown Tampa and around the International Plaza (Marriott, Westin, Intercontinental, Hyatt, etc).

I havent been to Howl-O-Scream in years, but I do remember that it never seemed to be as busy as MNSSHP or HHN, which was great since Busch Gardens has excellent roller coasters, and their haunted houses werent bad either!

 

[drag n' fly]

DH and I live in central FL and know nothing about the Tampa area.
We have tickets covered to get into BG for regular days. What we are considering is staying at a Tampa resort for two nights and go to Howl-O-Scream one evening. (Have done MNSSHP and HHN many times. Looking for something new for us.)
We will need to buy tickets for that event.
Now -- what would be a good resort to stay, and why?
Suggestions?
And tips for Howl-O-Scream?
TIA

Have no idea if this is the not so great part of town like MattM mentioned and not sure how fancy you want.
We are going to BG in December and booked at the Embassy Suites for a really good price. They have a cook to order Continental brekkie, a manager reception with free drinks and snackies in the evening and a shuttle to BG also if you want to leave the car at the hotel.
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en...usch-Gardens-Florida/index.do?ctyhocn=TPAFRES

If you want something more upscale check Trip Advisor for reviews.

 

[DOOM1001]

Howl-O-Scream is not as well known or glitzy as Halloween Horror Nights,but believe me that most of the houses and scare zones are just as good as the ones at Universal.As someone else pointed out with the park being so much bigger and spread out than Universal it doesn't feel as crowded.You definitely will need a ticket,but this event is definitely worth it.I do both events every year and since I have the Busch Platinum passes the first 2 nights of the event are known as Freaky previews and Platinum passholders get in free,I think I've only paid once in the many years I've been going.As far as hotels there are a few decent hotels in the Busch Gardens are like the Embassy Suites,but your options are limited.It's not Orlando where hotels are everywhere and many of the hotels by Busch are not great.

 

[FireDancer]

I really liked Howl-O-Scream. It is definitely not as busy as MHSSHP or HHN. Doing the rollercoasters in the dark is a lot of fun and there is a good mix of rides and haunted houses. If you want to stay closer to the park without staying at International Plaza you can look north of USF. If you stay up off of Bruce B Downs north of Bearss it is a nice neighborhood.

That being said the International Plaza has some good restaurants.

 

[Momelie]

I live in Tampa, not too far away from Busch Gardens. Whatever you do, do NOT choose any hotel on Busch Boulevard!!!! Your neighbors will be renting by the hour, trust me. Look for addresses on 30th Street, Fowler Avenue, or Bruce B. Downs.

 

[drag n' fly]

I live in Tampa, not too far away from Busch Gardens. Whatever you do, do NOT choose any hotel on Busch Boulevard!!!! Your neighbors will be renting by the hour, trust me. Look for addresses on 30th Street, Fowler Avenue, or Bruce B. Downs.

Is the Embassy Suites safe?

 

[MattM]

The Embassy Suites is fine. You just dont want to stay on Busch Blvd. The Embassy Suites is right by USF.

 

[Princess_Christina26]

If you go to Fowler Avenue they have some nice hotels and it is still close to Bush Gardens. You can try downtown Tampa or Westshore area but its a bit of a drive from Bush Gardens