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Howl-O-Scream 2011 Website MINOR UPDATE!!!

 

The website has been updated...a little but it's still an update

 

The teaser saying at the bottom of the screen has changed to:

"The garden is blooming, the garden does grow. But under the moon, evil begins to show."

 

Also, I don't remember there being red eyes on the entrance statue. The zombie lady's face has disappeared. There are now eye balls in the middle of the roses and there is a creepy hand trying to get in!

 

In the next few weeks, the whole website will be up! Stay tuned.

 

http://seaworldparks.com/howloscream_com_2011

 

Also, HOSinsider released another teaser picture of the commercial:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c5ePo2lDvY4/TjBCRSSamvI/AAAAAAAAEOI/BPgcb5_N_f4/s1600/272850_10150245805041302_88288666301_8012559_4664213_o.jpg

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Howl-O-Scream 2011 Website Update #3

 

This last update shows a zombie lady that we have previously seen on the BGW's Howl-O-Scream site and the statue is gone. There is know a bloody hand on the remaining stone. There is also a new quote at the bottom. This is probably the last update before the actual site goes up. Howl-O-Scream is looking really good this year.

 

http://BGTNation.net seems to have a Howl-O-Scream Construction Central page and they updated showing a new commercial screenshot and the updated site.

 

Check out the updated site: http://seaworldparks.com/howloscream_com_2011

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TRIP REPORT: 8/12/11

 

Today I went to Busch Gardens with my younger cousin. The park opened at 9:30 on a Friday during Summer Nights...found that shocking! We headed straight for Cheetah Hunt and we only waited one ride for the front! We enjoyed it...Cheetah Hunt closed at around 11:30 and for the remainder of the time I was there (about 2:00). There was a train with the restraints up in the trench of the second launch. The restraints were up because they had to evacuate riders...it was closed a lot during the day. We headed to Montu and there was an empty station! We rode the front and back. One train we were on in the front was a little rough and the restraints were really dirty. The time we went in the back row...it seemed like there were new restraints put in...there were actually 6 black colored restraints! After Montu, we took the Skyride to Sheikra. We rode Sheikra in the back first, it was rough. Sheikra didn't seem like it was running well today...it was rough in the back and it smelled bad on the lift hill. Then we rode the front...smooth but the smell was still irking me...it gave me a headache. We then went on Stanley Falls, Tidal Wave, and Jungala. My younger cousin (12) took me to Jungala and climbed and went on the Wild Surge. The Wild Surge is amazing!!! It is an airtime machine!!! I was out of my seat on every drop we stayed on for another ride and I put me legs out at it was even better!!!

 

Howl O Scream Update:

The Bumper Cars were still open!?!?? The Timbuktu storage building (Trapped in the Walls) was unloading all of it's crap that's been there for like 6 years??? When I was on Sheikra, I looked over to the Gwazi field to see the work on the house...there were boxes around the pavilion and inside it...there were construction guys there too and there seemed to be some walls for the maze sitting in the pavilion. The Nightshade building saw some action but little...there were guys going in and out. The Death Row maze seems to be getting close to completion, I saw construction guys bringing in the props and details and seems like they were testing the trap door thingy (thingy that comes down that makes a loud noise and a person pops out) and starting on the outside/entrance to the maze.

 

Montu:

After riding a lot of rides...my younger cousin wanted to go on Montu again and this was the scary part. We went in the back row and it was the old dirty train...going down the drop my restraint came up and I quickly pulled it down really tight on me holding with all of my muscles and after the first loop, it locked in place but I didn't let go. I tried to tell the worker but as I was talking to him, he went to talk to another worker and forogt the conversation I was having with him...that made me mad. I felt unsafe on the ride, it was very rough, it made a lot of noise (rattling noise) but my younger cousin loved it...Hopefully they fix that train soon.

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^ I would have gotten that ride op's attention and made sure they were aware of the restraint issue. That IS scary!

 

I was at the park yesterday (got there around 3:30) to catch the finale of Summer Nights. It was HOT (93 with a heat index of 104). Only coaster I rode was Montu, front row. I can only do front row on most coasters (or the first few rows) as the G forces in the back give me really bad migraines. Saw the cheesy awesome "Dance to the Music" show at Desert Grill. I just love that show as I'm a disco fan.

 

Saw the very last performance of Kinetix. I love, love, LOVE that show! I really hope they bring it back again next summer. The music, the acrobatics... just awesome. I talked with some of the cast afterwards and they were all pretty cool.

 

Fed the kangaroos and wallabys and went over to Edge of Africa to wish the lioness', Rose and Iris, a happy 5th birthday. The park had a little birthday celebration for them earlier in the day. The male lion, Simon, turned 5 earlier this year.

 

Forgot to go over by Jambo Junction to see the progress on the Death Row Vengeance maze construction. I'm not a big Halloween event person, so this stuff is usually off my radar unless it's right in my face.

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TRIP REPORT: 8/12/11

Montu:

After riding a lot of rides...my younger cousin wanted to go on Montu again and this was the scary part. We went in the back row and it was the old dirty train...going down the drop my restraint came up and I quickly pulled it down really tight on me holding with all of my muscles and after the first loop, it locked in place but I didn't let go. I tried to tell the worker but as I was talking to him, he went to talk to another worker and forogt the conversation I was having with him...that made me mad. I felt unsafe on the ride, it was very rough, it made a lot of noise (rattling noise) but my younger cousin loved it...Hopefully they fix that train soon.

 

I highly doubt that the maintenance staff at Busch Gardens would release a train into operation that had any sort of issues with the safety devices. Your restraint was probably stuck in between locking positions and released into the slightly more open position and at some point during the circuit and then locked in place. When I used to work in operations we would get stories and complaints like this from the guests quite often, but it was always their imagination making the situation much more harrowing that it really is.

 

Whenever someone (GP) says "the lap bars came open and I almost fell out, that ride aint safe!" this is probably what happened.

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^ I bet it's still scary as hell though. My cousin and I experienced the good old fashioned total restraint failure on the Flying Daredevil at Circus World. He was able to push it all the way up as we entered the station. That was a long time ago and he really didn't seem all that freaked out by it, he simply held on to my fully functioning restraint through the loop and laughed his ass off. Many years later we rode Weiner Looping there and while fully operational lap bars were had by all it was still quite a bit more harrowing.

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Howl-O-Scream 2011 COMMERCIAL

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IZX6ZEgVC4&feature=player_embedded

 

Also, all of the Haunted Houses names has been released...there is no house in the bumper cars anymore so there will be only 7 houses this year. Projected plan, I think the Zombie house should go to the Orchid Canyon building (DED) because it was surrounded by gardens and statues when it was DED and I think that would perfectly fit the house!!! The Vampires Casino house will probably go to myX, and Poe to Trapped in the Walls.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Looks like Busch Gardens will be having an announcement about their new show. Unfortunately I have class so I can't make it.

 

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=278420872173625

 

We're unveiling a cool new adventure. Be one of the first to hear the newest details about Busch Gardens' all-new show. Enjoy complimentary dessert and coffee as well as fun photo opportunities with our newest stars. The event will be held at the Moroccan Palace Theater and begin promptly at 10:30 am.
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Busch Gardens announced their new show for 2012... an ice show called "Iceploration"!

 

http://www.buschgardenstampablog.com/busch-gardens-announces-all-new-epic-ice-show

 

For more than five decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has set the industry’s standard for delivering unforgettable entertainment experiences, with Broadway-style stage spectaculars like KaTonga: Musical Tales From the Jungle and innovative ice shows like World Rhythms on Ice. This winter, the park will combine some of the most amazing aspects of its entertainment history and debut its biggest ice show to date: Iceploration takes the stage on Feb. 2, 2012.

 

Starting February 2, a cast of 20 brings to life an all-new adventure filled with world-class skaters, amazing aerial performances, master puppetry and live animal stars, with shows daily in the Moroccan Palace.

 

“The grand scale of Iceploration sets a new standard of entertainment that further solidifies Busch Gardens as one of Florida’s premier theme parks,” said Busch Gardens Park President Jim Dean. “This show reintroduces the ice show to our most loyal fans while bringing together the things Busch Gardens stage productions do best: world-class entertainment with top-notch skaters, amazing costumes, original music, larger-than-life puppets and even animal stars.”

 

Iceploration inspires audiences to “explore the world” on a 30-minute journey to the four corners of the earth. This multi-sensory story, told through theatrical skating and an all-new original score, is the collaboration of an award-winning creative team with Broadway credentials, including Tony Award-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes (The Drowsy Chaperone, Best Costume Design Tony winner 2007; Legally Blonde the Musical, Best Costume Design Tony nominee 2007).

 

The 30-minute show opens with Austin, a digital-savvy preteen, explaining how technology has made his generation more connected to the world than ever before. But his grandfather – and old-world explorer – argues that the boy is more disconnected than he realizes, and takes him on an adventure around the globe. Through their travels they visit the African Serengeti, Great Barrier Reef, the Arctic and the Amazon rainforest.

 

The adventure unfolds as they arrive in the African Serengeti. Here, larger-than-life puppets and spectacular set design bring elephants and other awe-inspiring animals to life at a watering hole. Solo and chorus skating performances accompanied by acrobatics tell an anecdote of an agile cheetah stalking graceful gazelles and meerkats.

 

Austin and Grandpa then dive into the Great Barrier Reef to explore the harmony of life on the ocean floor. An amazing black light transition and never-before-seen helium-filled puppets immerse the audience in the wonders of the sea, filled with parrotfish and lionfish, sea urchins, turtles and a moray eel.

 

In the Arctic, majestic skaters become striking snow flurries as a winter storm threatens the travelers. Austin and Grandpa witness even more beauty as they encounter the Aurora Borealis phenomenon, represented with theatrical lighting and projections. Then, they share the stage with amazing live animal stars, including a Siberian lynx and a sled of Siberian huskies as they continue to traverse the tundra.

 

Austin and Grandpa wrap up their adventure around the globe immersed in the lush, tropical Amazon Rainforest. Squirrel monkeys, sun conures and colorful macaws fill the air as playful frogs and a graceful dragonfly skate into the grand finale: a new signature song called “Meet the World.”

 

Construction has already begun to transform the Moroccan Palace into the icy new site for this ground-breaking show, as well as an exciting version of Busch Gardens’ classic holiday ice show. This holiday season, the Moroccan Palace will host Christmas on Ice with several shows daily from November 21 to January 1.

Iceploration performances are included with any daily park admission or annual Pass. For more information, visit BuschGardens.com

 

Over the next few months, Busch Gardens will be sharing more details about this amazing new show. If you’re not already a fan, “Like” Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Facebook to get all of the latest updates.

 

There's concept art of the costumes at the link above. Sounds like it's going to be a pretty good show! Looking forward to checking it out next year. I'm glad it's going to be an ice show! The park hasn't had one (besides the Christmas show) in a long time.

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Surprised not to see this posted already, but a 21 year old Aquatic Supervisor was struck and killed by Lightning yesterday at Adventure Island. Very sad.

 

From http://www.wtsp.com/

TAMPA, Florida -- An Adventure Island employee has died after being struck by lightning on Saturday.

 

The sheriff's office released a statement saying in part," Justin showed great promise as a young man and he cared a great deal about the safety of others. His actions not only to save the lives of the people in the park but his entire life demonstrated that he is and will always be a hero. His strong faith led him to live a courageous life of service. There is no question he is in the comfort of our Lord looking down on us."

 

Tampa Fire Rescue says the 21-year-old male lifeguard supervisor went into cardiac arrest after being struck while standing in about 2-3 feet of water while working on the Key West Rapids Ride. Park employees removed the man from the water and began CPR before Fire Rescue arrived.

 

The employee was taken to University Community Hospital, where he later died. His name has not yet been released.

 

Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Park President Jim Dean says that this is the first incident on its kind at the park. He adds that the park has a system that monitors wind, lightning and other conditions that may affect guest and employee safety, and that all of Adventure Island's rides are closed if lightning is detected in the area.

 

Dean said today in a statement, "We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our employee and will do everything possible to assist them in this difficult time."

 

Other articles say that he basically hurried guests off of the platform and ride just before the lightning struck. Sad to see a caring, hard working employee get killed in a freak accident like this.

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Sad story, especially considering the incident at Discovery Cove not but 2-3 weeks ago...

 

But... Was he one of the guards in the middle sections of the slide, the catch pool, the top of the tower? I just find it odd to have "measures in place" for lightning but then have your employee in 2-3 feet of water....

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^ If he was trying to get everyone off of the ride, he very well may have still been in the water. Can't really blame him for trying to get everyone else safe, the only question that comes to my mind is how fast is their closing procedures for lightning? Did the call not go out fast enough? Everything else is just sad, and as Elissa said, very much a freak accident

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^^Remember Key West Rapids is a REALLY messed up ride. Did anyone ride it when it had those four interlocking tubes? Basically a bad ancestor of the cloverleaf technology.

 

There are several sections with standing water 2-3 feet deep which requires that a real lifeguard be there and not leave any guests in the area. I'm assuming he was in one of those sections (again there are several) and had to wait for the all clear that guests were off the tower and slide completely.

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^^Remember Key West Rapids is a REALLY messed up ride. Did anyone ride it when it had those four interlocking tubes? Basically a bad ancestor of the cloverleaf technology.

 

There are several sections with standing water 2-3 feet deep which requires that a real lifeguard be there and not leave any guests in the area. I'm assuming he was in one of those sections (again there are several) and had to wait for the all clear that guests were off the tower and slide completely.

 

I rode it in the early years of interlocking tubes, always wished they could somehow re-add a 4-person raft back to the slide.

 

This story is really sad. Jack and I waited out the storm in the line queue at Montu. At BGT they closed all the rides as usual, about 15 minutes before the storm got to us. They are always on top of closing the rides when lightning is detected a certain mile radius from the parks. I think this was a freak accident. As discussed above, the Key West Rapids is a unique attraction with 4 splash pools (1 at the beginning (where you enter), 2 in the middle and then the final regular end pool. The only other slide I have ever seen that is similar but smaller is one at Morey's Piers. It's hard to find a full photo of the Key West Rapids. But I did find a few You Tube videos of the slide in action. Warning, the first video is not too bad, but the 2nd one is really jerky, but you can get a better idea of how the slide is set up. Again very sad, I'm sure the life guard was just trying to get everyone off of the attraction, which I can imagine can take awhile. Deepest sympathies go to the family.

 

 

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I just find it odd to have "measures in place" for lightning but then have your employee in 2-3 feet of water....

In fairness to water park employees everywhere, a park can have excellent "measures in place" for lightning, but you're dealing with a very unpredictable creature. Growing up in South Florida, I can attest to seeing some really odd things involving thunderstorms. I've seen lightning strike anywhere from 10-20+ miles off of what would seem to be the general area of storm activity.....in otherwise "clear skies."

 

So while a park and it's employees may do everything possible to prepare and clear an area of all employees and guests, you just can't predict what's gonna happen. It's scary stuff.

 

Definitely a sad story. And considering the amount of thunderstorm activity in Central Florida, it's actually somewhat impressive that stories like this and what happened recently at Discovery Cove don't happen more often.

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This picture from Google Earth shows the ride layout. I highlighted the splash pools in the middle of the ride. He may have been there, trying to get some of the riders off the ride. From the videos, you can see a lifeguard standing in one of them, so that may be the area.

7833098_KeyWestRapids.jpg.981420be7c74a42f14d0723bdbceb3a4.jpg

Blue is water!!!

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