Haunt: Howl-O-Scream 13
Where: Busch Gardens Tampa- Tampa, Florida.
When: September 27th, 2013
Price: Ranges from $30 to $80
Dates/Times: Thursday-Saturday (Visit Website for Details)
Rating: Very Good
Recommendation: Worth the Price, Go if your in Florida.
Website Link:
Howl-O-Scream 13- Evil Comes Out to Play
!Disclaimer!
We where invited to Howl-O-Scream's Media Event, as part of this we where given a few perks in return such as front of the line passes and two free drinks. As such we where able to visit every house and scarezone to give you the best review possible.
Busch Gardens also asks that we remind you, this is not an event for small children.
Upon entering the park you get no break, no time to make your plans because your very first encounter with the "13 Evils" begins the moment your inside. 13 Doorways for 13 Evils, the scarezone is just as you enter the gates and the actors who portray each are absolutely excellent at their parts. They are high energy, in your face and just as fully twisted as their characters. It's truly an excellent opening and sets the tone for a great event.
At A Glance:
Howl-O-Scream
13 is a great event and the new theme for this year "13 Evils" works
excellent for the park. The new theme and the re-design of some of the
older houses just works, it's bumped the event up highly in my opinion
from the last time we saw it 3 years ago.
However,
I have a few minor issue with the event which seems to be a problem
with both Howl-O-Scream events in general. While the houses in Tampa
where all well done and excellently themed, the clowns just need to go.
Nothing about that haunt is scary and most of it falls into the realm of
just plain annoying. If your looking for a house to skip, make it the
clowns because it's not worth waiting more then 15 minutes maxium for.
My
second issue was the scarezones, which desperately need more actors in
them. Now, I can't tell you if this was "first night" problem or not
but these areas are well themed and they should be staffed by far more
people. If that happens, I'd rate them as excellent and bump the park's
rating up to Excellent. However, as I saw it.. their grossly
understaffed.
Below I'm breaking out the event into two categories: The Houses and The Scarezones.
This is to not only keep things straight in my own mind but to allow the reader an easier time. Each "House" will be giving a rating and description along with letting you know which of the "13 Evils" can be found there. In an effort to keep the scares a secret for your future enjoyment, I will be rather vague but shall attempt to explain as much as possible.
Read on for a FULL breakdown!
As an admitted fan of Castle Blood, when Gravely told me they had a show unlike anything before, that would 'really be a challenge' I should have listened to the wise caretaker. By now, you'd think, I'd know better.. yet I had doubts.
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