Howl-O-Scream 2012 Review
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Review from our Friday, September 21, 2012 visit.
We will be rating each house on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best, scariest, down-right don't miss this one! Please keep in mind this was opening weekend and the event grows & changes over the course of it's run.
Overall Atmosphere
We arrived at Busch Gardens early in the afternoon to get in some regular park time before Howl-O-Scream (HOS) began. While we enjoyed the extra time, because of our early entry we didn't get to see if they had scareactors out in the parking lot again - which was a great touch last year. We also missed out on the experience of the grand entrance of the event, with the garden gate, fog and scareactors. However we did walk through on the way out, and found Trickster tending to his garden.
Busch Gardens hit it out of the park again with their general theming. Nearly every tree or bush has a special lighting effect, machines are spewing fog around every corner and you never know where you'll come across a scary prop - or a ghillie suit!
This year they had 3 DJ booths jammin' throughout the park. You'll find them by Cheetah Hunt, Sheikra and in Jungala. We found that the one by Sheikra seemed to be the busiest, with the most people dancing and hanging out. ;)
Shop of Horrors
Just past the main gates you'll find the Shop of Horrors. This is their wonderfully themed and decorated gift shop just for the Halloween event. Everyone needs to walk through to see the incredible detail and care they put into this shop. This year they even expanded into the back storage room for "Trickster's Lair" with even more merchandise and gory props. HOS also has the best merchandise between them and HHN. Lots of fun and unique items that you actually want to buy. (I may have picked up a 13 keychain myself).;)
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Fright Feast
In the name of research, we decided to take part in the Fright Feast this year. The Desert Grill became fairly busy at 6pm, but not jam-packed as there were plenty of seats to choose from. Once everyone got through the buffet the first round, going back for seconds took no time at all.
The buffet consisted of beef brisket, macaroni & cheese, fish filets, chicken nuggets, various salads, mashed potatoes, a taco bar and more. There are seperate display tables for desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. You can purchase a beer or a mixed drink at the Dessert Grill Bar as well. The buffet is your basic "safe, pleasing to everyone" kind of buffet. Let's face it - you're not getting this package for the food - it's for the early house access. However, there is one exception - the pumpkin cheesecake. We've read comments from others who were drooling and dreaming over eating this again, and we have to say - they are right! Creamy, smooth with just the right amount of pumpkin flavor, this is nearly enough reason for the buffet!
The buffet is from 6-7pm, and Fiends begins at 6:30. As far as Fiends goes, we've never been big fans, but maybe it was something in the food because this year we found ourselves enjoying the campy, raunchy, naughty nurse show more than before. Could it be because we were inside in the A/C? The more intimate atmosphere? Whatever the reason, it makes for fun entertainment while eating.;)
As we mentioned, the real reason to get this package is for the early house admission. From 7-7:30pm, you get exclusive early access to all houses, and then front of the line access to the houses until 8:30pm. This is a great option to knock out several houses early in the night. The Trickster was messing with the weather tonight, and we spent nearly two hours taking shelter from the torrential downpour. Mother Nature owes us a refund - we ended up losing out on our hour of front of the line access. Fortunately, the rain cleared out the park pretty well and we didn't really need front of the line for the rest of the night.
Food & Cocktails
We were thrilled to see the stand in front of Zambia Smokehouse brought back our favorite menu item - individually priced ribs! Grab one to go instead of a whole meal for a zombie-approved snack. For a full review of HOS Specialty Drinks, visit our other post here.;)
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Roaming Hoards
HOS had a hit on their hands with last year's roaming hoards, so they gave it another go for this year. As we mentioned the downpour earlier, we didn't get to fully experience the hoards this year. Most of them leave during the rain, but we did find a few dedicated scareactors toughing it out in the rain. Major kudos to them for their dedication to their role. Costumes were soaked, prosthetics were falling off, but they shoved on, scaring as if nothing was happening. It was great to watch - from under the safety our our canopy! ;)
After the rain disappeared, the hoards we did come across were zombie football players and cheerleaders - who we found circled around a pour soul, taunting her. Don't they know bullying isn't PC? Other hoards out there consisted of evil clowns, little children riding tricycles, and others that don't fall into a recognizable category. We still love their random traditional scareactors with the creepy babies and strollers, and the fake janitors - who blend in seamlessly until you look close. And the ghillie suits - we can't forget to mention one of the best parts. Yes, that bush did just move - and it wants to get you!
They did have one regular scarezone set up - Faded Memories - in the walkway from the Kangaroo area up to Seasame Street area. Several old icons of the past each had their own small stage area themed to them. We got some very good scares here, as the actors played very well off each other, and stayed true to their character. Can't help but be a bit disappointed that our favorite icon (that we've experienced so far) Ms. Vayne wasn't part of the act. This is an area you don't want to miss walking through. Fun and very well done.
At risk of sounding like a broken record, we have to repeat our thoughts that the scareactors are absolutely top-notch at creating a personalized experience. They actually interact with you instead of just a quick "boo". You might find yourself with a scareactor that you just can't shake (check your car's backseat before you leave-you don't want that following you home!). You can tell they love their job and it shows through with their contagious enthusiasm.
Do the roaming hoardes work at Busch Gardens? Yes. Does that mean we want to see them return for a third year in a row in 2013? No. It was fun but it would be best if they return to actual scarezones - along with their original roaming scareactors - next year.
Sideshows
Yet again because of the rain, (and running out of time), we didn't get to see The Awakening or Slip of the Tongue street shows. The Awakening takes place by Sheikra plaza, and Slip of the Tongue is over by Cheetah Hunt. These sounded like something we would've enjoyed, and we're sad we missed them. We'll say it again - one night just isn't enough to see everything and still take time to chill and enjoy yourself at this event.
Houses
Busch Gardens has elaborately themed house queues, and this year is no exception - in fact, they've taken it to the next level with one of the houses…
Blood Asylum - New!
8/10
Located in the former Deconstruction building, Blood Asylum has some gory shoes to fill - which it does with some guts left over. Gory, gross and downright disturbing, which provide some excellent startle scares. If you were a big fan of Deconstruction, you'll find enough similarities here to satisfy you.;)
Circus of Superstition 3D - New!
6/10
This is the house that breaks new ground on themed queues. The bright lights of the circus can be seen just before the creepy circus music hits your ears. The entire area leading up to the house is heavily decorated with a grand lighted entrance and giant circus sign. Clown barkers are yelling into megaphones, trying to draw in more victims, umm.. guests. They even have a clown working the line, making bad jokes and inappropriate comments to the guests - such a great "why didn't they think of this earlier" addition. It makes waiting in line go much faster when you have entertainment to interact with. ;)
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This house is about superstitions, and you will be forced to break them in the house, heck you start out by walking under a giant ladder, which happens to have a creepy clown (are there other kinds?) hanging on the ladder grabbing and yelling at you. He looks a bit like the Trickster, but not sure if he's supposed to be or not. Sadly, we found the exterior and queue the best part of the house, and that's coming from someone here who HATES clowns that didn't find this house very scary. Lots of colorful rooms with different superstitions to experience, but not that many good startle scares. More creepy and fun than truly scary. Still a good one to see.
Ultimate Gamble: Condemned
6/10
We went through this one early in the night, so we suffered from some light leakage. We were looking forward to the flashlight prop, but the house was so bright, the flashlight was unnecessary. Wait until nightfall to hit this one. Nevertheless, they took last year's brand new house and put a different spin on it. Compared to last year's Ultimate Gamble, we think they lost the bet with this revision. The house seemed a bit lifeless and lacking the energy that the previous incarnate had. The former great detail of the house is now hidden by dark corners or tarps to appear more "condemned", which is a shame. It has some fun scenes with its residents, but lacks big scares overall. We wish we could've had time to do this again after nightfall to give it a second chance. Great exterior on this one too!;)
Nevermore
10/10
This house premiered last year, and with it being one of the stand-out favorites then, we were happy to see as one of the houses that returned. Busch Gardens outdoes themselves with the queue theming again with this one - both at the beginning and, where you least expect it, the exit. Right before you enter the house, you'll pass a cavernous scene with a skeleton reciting "The Raven", which is frightening and funny at the same time. Remember to look up just as you enter the house to see Poe himself yelling down at his guests. After entering the giant gothic-style house of Lenore, you become immersed into the dark, demented world of Edgar Allen Poe. You'll get multiple startles and perfectly tag-teamed misdirection scares throughout this house. You travel through several scenes of Poe's work and troubled life as you try to find your way out of this haunted mansion. You might think you're safe as you exit, but those garden statues have other plans…;)
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Zombie Mortuary
10/10
This was by far our favorite house last year, and it gets to keep that title for another year. Horrific zombies have taken over the mortuary - and they're looking for their next meal - you! A very unique storyline mixed with incredible detail make this a house you need to experience a few times to take it all in. Ever want to know what it's like to be 6 feet under? This house does the best job of pulling you into the story and making you believe what's happening. A definite don't miss.;)
Nightshade Toy Factory
2/10
We've never been big fans of this house, and this year is no exception. We think it's time to send this house to the big world of dead haunted houses in the sky…err, or would that be below? Yet again, we say that toys come to life should be scary, but it just feels tired, and for the first time, the scareactors are even starting to show it. Leave this one for last...if you have time...and if it's a short wait.;)
Alone
We decided that one house for another $60 for the two of us just wasn't a good value for us this year.;)
Club XIII
We can't believe we didn't make it to the club this visit, but expect loud music, dancing characters and drinks. A nice escape to dance and chill with fellow adults.
Parting Thoughts
While we did get skunked because of the weather and lost nearly 2 hours of wandering the grounds, we still had an absolute blast and hopefully we can squeeze in one more trip before it ends. We stand by our comment from last year that one night just isn't enough to fully enjoy this event.
Overall, we are always thrilled and excited to return to Howl-O-Scream because the designers take it just a bit further with fun, excitement and entertainment every year. Yet again, Howl-O-Scream catches the heart, soul and spirit of Halloween, along with best overall integrated park theming and atmosphere.
PartyThroughTheParks
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