Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (BGT BGA) Discussion Thread

[KDcoasterMANFluffy, Fluffy, Donkeys Filled With Medicine and Goo!]

^much obliged!

[jjune4991Jar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

I would imagine that they wouldn't give everyone a flashlight, so some type of grouping will inevitably be necessary. I wonder if this flashlight trick will cause the house to be an upcharge? Either way sounds cool.

Probably not. HHN did a house a few years back that was "Under Construction" and they gave every 9th or 10th person a miner's hat.

[jedimaster1227Open Up Happiness]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has sent us a press release announcing their preparation for the return of The Dark Side of the Gardens (the first hint of the year's possible Howl-O-Scream theme)...

As Busch Gardens began preparations earlier this year to transform the park into “The Dark Side of the Gardens” for its 13th annual Howl-O-Scream event this fall, the horticulture team realized that they faced a challenge: It's hard to find heirloom pumpkins and winter squash in Tampa in October.

Their solution? To research seeds and plant their own heirloom pumpkin patch. Heirloom pumpkins are the antique varieties of fruits and vegetables not normally found in mainstream produce markets. Heirlooms often feature unusual shapes, unexpected colors, plus a very flavorful flesh. Busch Gardens’ crop of pumpkins is destined not for pies, however, but for the delight of park guests who will be ready for the cooler temperatures and Halloween fun that pumpkin season signals.

“Last year was our first try at pumpkin farming which ended in miserable results due to heavy rains,” said Busch Gardens’ Director of Horticulture, Joe Parr. “This year, we started in February with raised beds of rich compost made right here at the park with zoo and landscaping debris, and are watering with a water-conserving drip irrigation system.”

It must be working: The pumpkin experiment has yielded more than 60 fruits so far, much to the excitement of the proud gardeners who coaxed the vines from seeds by hand-pollinating the flowers with cotton swabs… and who are now sharing their office with piles of pumpkins.

Pumpkins are all American members of the squash family and have been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. When Columbus discovered America, he found the native people growing a variety of pumpkin which would come to be named Seminole. Busch Gardens’ pumpkin patch features the Seminole, as well as La Estrellas, a tropical pumpkin hybrid from the University of Florida. Both thrive in Florida's heat and humidity. Parr’s team is also growing Rouge Vif d'Etampes (also known as the “Cinderella pumpkin”,) tiny Jack-Be-Littles, warty, dark-green Marina di Chioggias, the 50- to 60-pound“Big Max,” and even a “Pumpkin Tree,” which is actually a rare orange eggplant with tiny, ribbed fruits.

The challenge now will be to keep the ripe fruits looking their best until September when autumn harvest displays appear in the park for both day guests and Howl-O-Scream visitors to enjoy. If properly stored, pumpkins can last up to a year in Florida.

“As the summer temperatures soar,” says Parr, “it’s nice to think that October’s chill and pumpkins are coming soon.”

[BGTFanI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

Howl-O-Scream construction has starte don the new houses: attractionsmagazine.com/blog/2012/07/20/photo-update-howl-o-scream-construction-skyride-on-ride-photos-and-more-at-busch-gardens-tampa/

[pandorazboxxI Love Donkeys!]

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

https://twitter.com/HOSInsider/status/230680429345263618

[jjune4991Jar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

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.

[chargersmichaelIndiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Donkey.]

^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!!

[jjune4991Jar-Jar Binks smells like Donkey]

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

[pandorazboxxI Love Donkeys!]

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

[JamesDI Guess Donkeys Are Okay]

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