Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Howl-O-Scream Reviews

Over the past few years I have been attending Howl-O-Scream and it always was great fun. If you are a Halloween freak, you are gonna love this place. There are haunted houses, scare zones, live shows and lots to drink and eat. The best about this place is that they send people in small groups so there is enough timing and room for the actors to perform. This has enhanced the quality of scares. Insomnia was my personal favorite. The asylum theme was inviting and we got lost in the maze several times. The scares were like out of a nightmare. The slaughterhouse was for people 17+ as it was quite violent. We were split into small groups and were asked to explore from different rooms. This was really cool. Toys you would recognize from childhood rehashed into deadly avatars with chainsaw will make you scream and howl. Great time well spent within our budget.

November 2018

Howl-O-Scream is certainly different from other haunts and definitely in a good way. With six separate houses and scare zones, they reinvent each year and it always gets better. A few areas are quite intense and gore and are recommended only for 17 and above, and that includes the gutsy mean market and thunderous slaughter house. The actors knew their job and performed each scare with so much enthusiasm. They were so in the character. The bungee actors in the swamp evoked a lot of fun and laughter. Definitely going to come back.

October 2018

I must admit that Busch Gardens had some spine-chilling terrors. Insomnia got the better of my GF and she screamed non-stop. It had some scary special effects including projections and lighting effects. Flickering flashlights in Unearthed gave a glance of the details in the dark corners of the house and it provided a distraction therein amplifying the scares. Special effects in Deathwater Bayou was also awesome. Overall, it was a nice scary experience. Recommend this place.

October 2018

The rides in the dark was its highlight. A monster or a creepy character might be giving you company. The scares are spread across the pathways and it will scare the crap out of you when you’re least expecting it. The haunts also got some bone chilling scary moments. Insomnia house was my favourite. Ticket rates were reasonable too. I will visit this place again.

September 2018

Scary yet fun was what I had in mind as we left Howl-O-Scream. At Unearthed, we were given a flashlight and were asked to search and rescue the excavators. The dark lanes are of course infested with scares and are claustrophobic. The visual effects were amazing and got us on our nerves. The sound effects were the real winners. Most of the scares were out of the blue accompanied with acoustic sounds that had us jump a few times. Scare zones had its share in lifting the fun and fear factors. Will visit again.

September 2018

Excellent Halloween themes and roller coaster rides to add a new taste of adventure. Admission fee is a bit costly than other traditional houses, but this place deserves this price. A perfect blend of horror, thrill and adventure. All actors have done well in scaring us. We screamed, jumped and ran in all haunted houses. Zombie Paintball is the best we enjoyed and loved to be there again.

November 2017

Real scare is out here at Howl-O-Scream. We had a great time and enjoyed well. Scare zones were really awesome. I am not that easily scared but this one startled me a couple of times. It is a fun place for who have adventure spirit in heart.

November 2017

There were 7 haunted houses.. we went to 4 of them.. not to mention, all were pretty scary. The ticket rates were also OK for the scare you get to enjoy. Would recommend this place to scare lovers.

November 2017

Loved the whole experience. Scare factor is good, team spirit was highly appreciable. Actors were so dedicated in entertain each visitors. We enjoyed 5 rides then moved to the haunted house and scare zone. Overall it was great time at Howl-O-Scream.

November 2017

Events were all good. Fun scares and lots of laughs. We had been through all rides and scare zones. I really felt like I have done something adventurous when I came out. Haunted house was very thrilling experience.

November 2017

I was nagging my BF to visit a haunt house, and this time he said yes. The haunted houses and scares were pretty good.. it got me couple of times.. he seems to have enjoyed me screaming and jumping.. the actors all did a great job.. but I would recommend people to get fast passes convenience.

October 2017

The haunted houses were great.. the sets and themes were impressive. It scared me more than thrice.. the scare zones were impressive as well. I appreciate the fact that there is space between people and that gives you the room and time to get scared. The prices were a bit high.

October 2017

Amazing performance by actors. All seven haunted places are having different themes and special effects with magnificent animatronics did the rest. Queues are long, but we have fast pass to skip the line. The scare zone through out the park was stunning. Alcohol and food were available at reasonable price. Loved it!!

October 2017

Wow!! We got here last weekend in a group of five friends. Fortunate to have the fast pass to skip the long queues and straight get into the real action. All haunted houses are well designed in themes and professional actors did the right job of scaring us till the end. Perfect ambience for scare zones and we all experience the roller coaster ride. Thanks Busch Garden for an amazing hang out.

October 2017

Astonished. This is what I can write. All scare houses, rides and shows are well packed in a package to deliver a perfect entertaining evening. Excellent themes and amazing actors in a perfect make up scared us like a hell, especially the girl in white paint on the face. Kudos to the management.

October 2017

2016 was definitely a better year for HOS, especially their Motel Hell. But some of their other haunts, Circus and Unearthed particularly, are feeling a little tired and like they don't have the effort anymore. Hoping they amp it up more this year.

July 2017

I go here EVERY year! HOS NEVER disappoints! The actors are phenomenal and you really feel like it's real. People chase you and in the houses you get thrown into complete darkness at times and you aren't safe anywhere in the park. I recommend HOS to everyone I know. Wouldn't miss it for anything!

October 2016

Dollar for dollar, HowlOScream is hands-down a better event than Universal HHN.

Having seen them both in back-to-back years, I'll save some moneynnext year and just see HowlOScream.

October 2014

great show my son was terrified. but they kill you on extras wanting more money for some houses. the line is long and hard for handicapped to wait in.

October 2014

so much fun

October 2013

This year for HowlOScream was the best I think. I went with the family and we couldn't stop laughing and screaming. We couldn't pick the best one! If you want to get scared, this is the place to go!!!

October 2012

Went to several in Georgia i won't give there names but this has got to be the best in the land. My hair on the back of my neck still is up. Keep up the great job. I hope to come back next year.

October 2011

I PISSED MY PANTS! AND SQUIRTED IN MY TIGHTY WHITIES!!!! BEST FREAK SHOW EVERRRRR! MUST GO TO THIS! Anyone who thinks they won't s*#t their pants??? WILLL!

September 2010

Howl-O-Scream knows how to put on a frightening event. The sets are great looking and the actors are REALLY into their jobs. Go, you won't be disappointed!!!!

September 2009

AWESOME! So fun! Six Flaggs I s Really great but this was AWESOME!

October 2008