Looking for Howl-o-Scream info please

[MartDM]

Hi,

I know this is a bit off topic but, since everyone comes here for info on Universal's HHN, I thought maybe somebody might be able to provide me with some info about Busch Gardens' Howl-o-Scream. We're visiting Universal the second weekend in October to attend HHN & thought we might take an evening and hit HOS as well.

I understand it isn't quite as high test as HHN but is still worthwhile, yes? Any tips on driving time, how early to arrive, how long it will take to see everything, what rides are open, etc.?

I really appreciate any info anyone can provide me with. I haven't really lucked out finding more than an odd review or two on the Internet.

Thanks!

 

[ines248]

Hi,

I know this is a bit off topic but, since everyone comes here for info on Universal's HHN, I thought maybe somebody might be able to provide me with some info about Busch Gardens' Howl-o-Scream. We're visiting Universal the second weekend in October to attend HHN & thought we might take an evening and hit HOS as well.

I understand it isn't quite as high test as HHN but is still worthwhile, yes? Any tips on driving time, how early to arrive, how long it will take to see everything, what rides are open, etc.?

I really appreciate any info anyone can provide me with. I haven't really lucked out finding more than an odd review or two on the Internet.

Thanks!

Hi!
I started to look for this info , too! aw:
Maybe I should post my last year trip to howl-o-scream.
I went on opening day Sept 2004, during a hurricane. It was windy, raining sometimes, clouds were color black like I have never seen before, the whole enviroment was scarier than the houses .......... but if anyone is interested in the whole trip report maybe he/she can send me a pm with the correct link to where I can post this type of trip report info, too.

This link may also help you with for now with lots and lots of pictures.
http://www.hauntfreaks.com/hauntfreaks/howloscream2.html

bye

 

[MartDM]

Thank you very much! That's excellent information and will be very helpful!

 

[robvia]

Nothing can compare to HHN, but HOS is worth going if you've never been.
I'd do it first though, otherwise you'll be spoiled if you visit HHN first. Agree with arriving early and getting to the gate first. You can go thru a couple houses with no one in front of you that way. Otherwise, it's just a line of people moving thru the mazes. Eventually, it all seems the same. A maze, with a bunch of people who jump out and do boo scares.

They have DJ booths set up playing music, similar to what they're doing now, which is called Summer Nights. And of coarse, they sell beer and drinks all over the place. It's more of a fun event if you ask me.

The reason why HOS can't compare, is because HHN uses sound stages, and when you walk into a sound stage house, it seems like a movie.

The drive over is 75 miles and takes 1.5 hours to get there. The official web site shows it starting at 07:30pm each night. If I was driving over from Orlando, I'd leave at 04:30pm to miss the rush hour traffic. You can park, then walk to a McDonalds if you want to eat for cheap.

 

[MartDM]

Thanks Robvia...more good information! I had the same thought you did about HOS being not quite as intense as HHN so we have it planned for the night before we're going to HHN.

You brought up a good point about parking & finding somewhere to hang out. We have a late lunch planned in Orlando so we probably won't be hungry, but we'd obviously rather wait somewhere more comfortable than the parking lot. It's been quite a few years since we've been there...is McDonalds the only option within walking distance of the parking lots at BG or are there other choices were we could get some coffee or a drink & sit for an hour or so?

 

[MartDM]

You've been incredibly helpful and I really appreciate it!

 

[tampaman]

I just wanted to respond to the suggestion to leave at 4:30 to avoid rush hour, but traffic is so unpredictable that I would leave at like 3 or so and have dinner somewhere in Tampa and wait out rush hour. But that's just me.

 

[tampaman]

oh...and about the places to hang out, there's a Mel's Hot Dogs, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, IHOP, and KFC pretty much across the street. There are some more places like Taco Bell, Dennys, Red Lobster, and Olive Garden a little bit farther down, but still walking distance.

 

[robvia]

Yes, great advice. I'd get to the gate around 06:30, even if it means sitting on the ground for an hour. At first everyone just kinda hangs out near the gate, but then they get in lines, so you wanna be up front. If you make it in first, you can head right towards Montu. There are usually two houses in that section of the park. One house will be where the sky tram runs, and another will be near Montu in the King Tut building or the Akabar Tour building. After that, turn around, and the next house will be across from Gwazi.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Thanks Robvia...more good information! I had the same thought you did about HOS being not quite as intense as HHN so we have it planned for the night before we're going to HHN.

You brought up a good point about parking & finding somewhere to hang out. We have a late lunch planned in Orlando so we probably won't be hungry, but we'd obviously rather wait somewhere more comfortable than the parking lot. It's been quite a few years since we've been there...is McDonalds the only option within walking distance of the parking lots at BG or are there other choices were we could get some coffee or a drink & sit for an hour or so?

You might want to consider the BGT Fright Feast which is a dinner and show (extra $) that will get you a head start on the rest of the HOS guests.

 

[MartDM]

Well now you all having me rethinking my whole plan for the day. I'm wondering if we aren't better off planning our pigout at Emeril's for a different day altogether & just doing the dining at BGT.

It's starting to seem like it makes more sense to get to Tampa and just do the dinner show at HOS to get a jump on things. Has anyone been to it? Is it any good?

One other question occurred to me...do they have an express pass for HOS like they do for HHN? We found it invaluable at HHN!

 

[robvia]

Yeah, I'd plan the visit at Emeril's for another day.
I haven't done the dinner thing at BGT. I'm sure the food is good. I wouldn't expect Emeril's level or anything like that. But being able to do a few houses before the crowd arrives would be worth it.

 

[Motherfletcher]

http://howl-o-scream.com/Tampa/index.htm

You can get tickets for the dinner (about $20) at this website.

 

[MartDM]

I don't see anything related to the dinner in the ticket info on the HOS site MotherFletcher...am I missing it?

 

[Motherfletcher]

Click on purchase eticket. Its under "dinners". It's a buffet but I they are going to make money on my family. It would be kind of stupid to pig out and jump on Sheikra or go to a house and get the hurlage scared out of you.

 

[ines248]

Click on purchase eticket. Its under "dinners". It's a buffet but I they are going to make money on my family. It would be kind of stupid to pig out and jump on Sheikra or go to a house and get the hurlage scared out of you.

Hi MotherFletcher
I found this one "Bypass the crowds, get early access to the haunted houses and enjoy great food from our Monsterous Dinner Buffet while mixing and mingling with our Howl-O-Scream Creature Crew at our New Monster Party in the Gwazi Pavilion. "


but I have some questions!

How early can you eat? I will like to eat earliest time and then rest alittle bit around the restaurant before running to the houses.
Why there are only 3 available dates?
sat 10-08
sat 10-15
sat 10-22

Am I looking at the wrong dining experiences?
Thanks MotherFletcher This may be my first time doing this type of dining experience at BG.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Good catch on the dates! I wanted to do it on the 14th. I have never done the dinner but either heard or have a feeling that it starts an hour more or less before the gates open and when you are done you can tour the houses. Anyone know? My other guess is that they will have other dining experiences that may include their Bill and Ted type show.???

 

[MartDM]

Ah, I was looking under Ticket Info, not Purchase! Thanks!

Looks like the Monster Party is limited to the dates above & the Fright Feast is on the other days.

I guess I have the same questions as ines248. Any insight?