How was the parking? We parked in the disabled area, because someone who was with us had a disabled parking permit. However, the regular parking lot was packed. Parking costs $18. Depending on what type of annual pass you have, parking is either free or 50% off.
Does the venue serve liquor? Yes. How were the drinks? We got one well drink for $7.50 and a double wine for $12. They were no complaints about them.
Does the venue serve food? Yes. How was the food? We didn’t get any.
How was Christmas Town? The Christmas lights were prolific throughout the park. Furthermore, the park was segmented into various Christmas themes, such as: Celebration Village, Penguin Point (with live penguins), The North Pole (with a Santa meet and greet), a Sesame Street Christmas, and so on. The park franchised Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as well, so you can meet him and his friends, if you heart desires. Beyond that, some of the rides were open, but we didn’t go on any. A lot of them had crazy wait-times, from a half an hour to an hour.
How were the shows? There were several indoor and outdoor shows. We only saw one indoor show, because the other ones were sold out. For the indoor shows, there was an ice skating one, a gospel one, an animal show, an Elmo show, and a traditional Christmas one. For the outdoor shows, there was a New-Orleans-style brass band that played Christmas music, a Three King’s show, and a synchronized light and music show. Regarding the outdoor shows, we saw the brass band and the Three King’s show. They were fine. The only indoor show that we saw was the gospel show. A Nashville-caliber gospel show, for example, it was not.
How was the crowd? Profuse, but maybe that’s because it was a Saturday. What could have improved Christmas Town? For the indoor shows, many of them had people lined at least a half an hour before the doors opened. Busch Gardens simply must adopt some kind of free reservation system to eradicate this waiting nonsense. Since there was no reservation system, the only way that you can see the shows is to go to the park early, when then sun’s still up. You’ll have to see the shows in the daytime, and then look at the lights at night. But we didn’t get there until sundown, so no indoor shows for us (except for the gospel show).
What was surprising about it? The crowds. Who would think that Busch Garden’s Christmas event would be more popular than their Halloween event, but it definitely is. That, and giant alligators starring at you in the night. Were those Santa’s watch dogs?
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa is located at 10165 N. McKinley Drive, in Tampa, Florida. The event runs from November 17 to December 31. It closes from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., depending on the day.
What’s Howl-O-Scream Tampa? It’s the Halloween event at Busch Gardens, in Tampa, Florida. The event occurs on select nights—mostly weekends—in September and October. Although the event is mostly about the haunted houses and the scare zones, most of the roller coasters are open as well.
How much were the tickets? They were around $30. If you bought the tickets before a certain date, they were cheaper than the regular price. The regular price is $39.99. How much was the parking? An annual pass-holder was with us, so the parking was free. If you have to pay, it costs about $20.
Did they serve liquor? Yes. They had specialty stands, and some of the regular bars were open as well. How were the drinks? We got a specialty drink. I don’t remember much about it, so it must of not been that special.
Did they have food? Yes. How was it? We ate at Zambia Smokehouse, which is a quick service restaurant that serves mostly BBQ. The food was pretty good. How were the crowds? Slight. Particularly so, compared to other years.
How were the houses? There were six of them: Insomnia, Simon’s Slaughterhouse, The Black Spot, Death Water Bayou, Unearthed, and Motel Hell. Insomnia and Simon’s Slaughterhouse were new. If you compare the sets and the overall quality of the houses at Howl-O-Scream to the houses at Halloween Horror Nights, there was no comparison. However, the houses at Howl-O-Scream Tampa were a little better than Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg. The best houses were probably Death Water Bayou (which took place in voodoo backcountry, as well as New Orleans), Insomnia (with imagery of people levitating and rabid sheep eating people), and Motel Hell (which had interesting 1970-inspired sets).
How were the scare zones? There were six of these as well: Meat Market, Maniac Midway, Camp DOA, Deadly Toys, Hell on Wheels, and Dia de los Muertos. All of the zones were new except for Meat Market. The Deadly Toys (featuring a performer who said, “I just farted, now smell it.”) and the Dia de los Muertos zones were probably the best ones. However, none of them left a lasting impression.
How were the shows? There was only one show, Fiends. We didn’t see it. What could have improved Howl-O-Scream? The quality of the houses was fine. But the crowds are likely thinning because people are getting sick of repeat houses, some of which have been repeated three and four times already. Also, there was only show, and the one they chose to drag out again was that tired old Fiends show.
What was surprising about it? The techo music at the front of the part. There was something off-putting about hearing that kind of music while you were seeing projected horror imagery. The houses were very long as well. I didn’t remember them being so lengthy.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa is located at 10165 N. McKinley Drive, in Tampa, Florida. The event is open on select evening in September and October. Refer to the website for exact hours.
What’s Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg? It’s the Halloween event at Busch Gardens, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event occurs on select nights—mostly weekends—in September and October. How much were the tickets? There isn’t an extra charge for the event. A regular Busch Gardens ticket includes admission to Howl-O-Scream. If you buy it online, a two-day ticket costs $80. How much was the parking? $20.
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Did they serve liquor? Yes. They had specialty stands, and some of the regular bars were open as well. How were the drinks? Some of the stores sell wine, and they let you buy a bottle and open it. A bottle cost $20, and we got one of them. We also got one specialty drink, which costs about $11. Did they have food? Yes, but we didn’t get any.
How was the event? The way it looks is fabulous. Although the houses at Halloween Horror Nights might be better than the houses at this event, there’s no topping the landscape and décor of Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg. Given the Virginian landscape and climate, the event is much more Halloween looking than the Florida Halloween events. Many of the roller coasters were open as well.
How were the crowds? We went on Friday and Saturday. The crowds on Friday were very thin. None of the house had any lines—you just walked right on them all. However, Saturday was the opposite. The lines were nuts on Saturday. The suggestion would be to get the two-day ticket and do the houses and some of the rides in the dark on Friday, and then do the shows and the scare zones on Saturday.
How were the houses? There were seven of them: Demented Dimensions (where human are at the bottom of the food chain at “Sterling Manor), Vault XX (which featured a walk down memory lane with prior Howl-O-Scream mascots), Dystopia (themed to a futuristic post-apocalyptic world), Circo Sinistro (a circus theme; picture AHS: Freak Show), Cornered (set in a farming community in 1977, where people have gone missing), Frost Bite (set in a “macabre, icy graveyard,” where the ice comes alive and has “teeth”), and Lumber Hack (where saws mysteriously killed loggers, and the woods are subsequently haunted by their ghosts). The best houses capitalized on the Virginian landscape (i.e., Cornered and Lumber Hack). The weakest house, Dystopia, had lackluster sets and a clichéd theme (zombie-ish-looking beings from the future). The circus house, Circo Sinistro, was fabulously surreal and psychedelic.
How were the scare zones? There were six of them: Fools’ Court (in France), Garden of Souls (in Italy), Axe Alley (in New France, or, in other words, Canada), Ripper Row (in England), Sideshow Square (in Festia Italia), and Vampire Point (in Germany). The showpiece, which was right when you walk into the park, has got to be Ripper Row, in England. This alone was worth the price of admission. The scare zone was haunted by Victorian characters, including bobbies who kept blaring whistles, and woman who kept walking by and snapping fans. The area was made all the more disorienting by profuse fog, which was so thick in parts of it that you could barely see two feet in front of you. The rest of the zones weren’t particularly memorable.
How were the shows? There were three: Fiends, Monster Stomp on Ripper Row, and Night Beats: Revamped. The Nights Beats show was in the German beer hall. Don’t both with this show; it wasn’t even really a Halloween one. The show that should not be missed, however, was Ripper Row. This show was in The Globe Theater in England. The dancing and singing in it was great, but the real stars of the show were the percussionist quartet. The show was so entertaining, that it could have been longer than it’s half an hour running time. We didn’t see the Fiends show.
What could have improved Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg? That Night Beats show in the beer hall definitely needs to be improved (or maybe just scrap it), they could stand to spend some more money on the sets, and the concepts for some of the houses and scare zones should be more complex and nuanced.
What was surprising about it? Some of the landscapes in the distance were unbelievable, with scary-looking farm houses and barns. There were times when it felt like you were in the real Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Also, some of the performers in the houses were cleverly and surprisingly hidden. For example, some of them were coming at you from above.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located at 1 Busch Gardens Blvd., in Williamsburg, Virginia. The event is open on select evening in September and October. Refer to the website for exact hours.
What is Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)? It’s the Halloween event at Universal Orlando. This year’s event—the 28thyear—had ten houses (for the first time ever), three scare zones, and one show. Some of the rides were open as well. The advertising campaign was built around the Stranger Thingshouse, which was one of the main houses, and had a loose 1980s theme as well. We went to the event on Sunday, September 23. The event is open either from 6:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., or from 6:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. It was open until 1:00 on the day we went. How much was the parking? We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, which is an on-site property. The event is a five-minute walk from the hotel.
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Does the venue serve liquor? Yes. There were various stands, which serve beer, wine and specialty HHN drinks. Some of the regular bars were open as well. For example, the bar near the Jaws display was open. How was the drink? We got a double tequila on the rocks for $15, and a double chardonnay for $15. They were fine. Does the venue serve food? There were food booths, and most of the regular restaurants were open as well. Some of the restaurants in CityWalk, the entertainment and retail area outside of the park, were open as well.
How was the food? We didn’t get any food at the event. However, we got a pizza and caprese salad at Red Oven Pizza Bakery in CityWalk after the event. The pizza was ok. The caprese salad wasn’t so great. How much were the tickets? Depending on the night, if you buy the tickets online, they range from $62.99 to $83.99 (which is up $3 to $4 from last year). However, if you want to see all the houses, you’ll have to get the front-of-the-line Express Pass. With some of the lines at an hour or more, there is no other way to do it. The Express Pass starts at $79.99—the same price as last year.
How was the Stranger Things house? Although the preview video for this house was hands-down the best one—featuring the fabulous theme song, and with video of Universal going upside down, to reveal the Stranger Things realm below the park—the house itself was good, but not mind-blowing. The house showcased the “Eleven” character several times, with her hand stretched out to do her psychokinesis. Probably the best scene featured the Winona Rider character going nuts in her house, with Christmas lights everywhere and on the fritz. Strangely the Barb character seemed to be missing from the house.
How was the Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers house? This is the film where Michael Myers tries to kill Laurie Strode’s niece, culminating in the niece inheriting Myer’s killer instincts at the end of it. The music, of course, was great. Not so much, the house. The best scenes featured the “Loomis” character and the niece, where the niece had the clown mask on and a knife in her hand. The rest wasn’t particularly memorable.
How was the Poltergeist house? Although the house featured strong imagery, it was strangely non-linear during parts of it—the house started with the end scene (“You left the bodies and you only moved the headstones!”). The best sets were of that giant demon face coming at you out the “light,” skeletons in coffins, the steak moving across the counter (fabulous!), and Tangina directing you to “clear your minds.” However, strangely, the film’s creepy theme song was absent.
How was the Trick ‘r Treat house? I saw this film once, and although I don’t remember being that crazy about, despite its accolades, the house was excellent. When the maze began, you entered a house, which was spectacularly adorned with light pumpkins, and then you were greeted by the “Sam” character at the top of the stairs. For the duration of the house, Sam and other characters from the film proceeded to taunt you.
How was The Horror of Blumhouse house? This house featured scenes from the first The Purge film, and from Happy Death Day. Although nothing quit rattles the nerves as hearing that “purge” siren, informing you that all crimes are legal, including murder, this was one of the weaker houses. The better imagery was of ghostly apparitions and came from the Happy Death Day part. How was the Carnival Graveyard: Rust in Pieces house? This house featured circus and carnival imagery from a “carnival” graveyard. The sets were good enough, but the theme was obtuse. This was one of the weaker houses.
How was the Dead Exposure: Patient Zero house? The house was essentially a take on the film, 28 Days Later. A virus turned people into zombies. The best part was in the laboratory, at the beginning, where lunatic looking monkeys were going frantic in cages. How was the Scary Tales house? This house placed you in the land of the Wicked Witch of the West (according to the website). In the maze, you were basically trapped and taunted in her range, and with no “fairytale ending” in sight. The best effect was at the beginning, where the witch stood on the balcony of her castle, taking off on her broom over you, al la the assistance of a theatrical support wire.
How was Seeds of Extinction house? This house was very dark, and I believe that it had outdoor elements as well. The villains consisted of a hybrid of creatures that looked like Audry II from Little Shop of Horrors and the monsters from Stranger Things. Once again, this was one of the weaker houses. How was the Slaughter Sinema house? This house was clever. The house was predicated on three fictitious films, who’s trailers were screened in the line, including the mock-satanic film, Cult of Beast Baby. The best effect was a room with the “beast baby” in it, where the lights dimmed and the baby’s eye were glowing red and starring at you.
How were the shows? There was only one show this year—Academy of Villains: Cyberpunk. According to the website, the show is a mix of “dance, acrobatics and theatrics… with synths and neon lights.” We didn’t see it. How were the scare zones? There were five: Revenge of Chucky (as in, Chucky, from the Child’s Play films), Killer Klowns from Outer Space (which was based on that film), The Harvest (which played on haunted barn imagery), Twisted Tradition, and Vamp’ 85: New Year’s Eve (with vampiric 80s pop stars). They were all good, but the Chucky area was the freakiest. Cabbage Patch looking dolls walking around with knives, as well as an adult baby in a diaper, if you can imagine.
What could have improved HHN? More linear storytelling in some of the houses would probably improve them. In addition, the themes in some of the non-movie houses were somewhat weak or clichéd (the zombie house comes to mind). In addition, it’s time for houses that are based on the films It and The Ring. Those are needed. And the Blumhouse houses have run their course as well. Ditch those.
What was surprising about it? The houses are extremely long. Longer than I remember. Considering all the details that are in them, that makes them all the more impressive.
Universal Studio Orlando is located at 6000 Universal Blvd., in Orlando, Florida. HHN is on select nights, through November 3.
4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”
Who’s Lady Gaga? No introduction’s needed; the bitch’s reputation precedes herself. What’s the Amalie Arena? It’s the major indoor arena in Tampa, Florida. It was originally called the Ice Palace, and it opened in 1996. It holds about 15,000, and it’s in the Channelside area.
How was the venue? It’s a nice arena, and it’s a little more intimate than the 20,000 to 25,000 seat arenas that are out there. How was the parking? The arena has its own parking. However, to avoid the crowds, park in the Channelside cruise-ship parking lot, which is only about a five-minute walk from the venue.
Does the venue serve liquor? Yes. How were the drinks? We only got one. They’re what you would expect. Well drinks and shots, etc. Nothing fancy (except the prices). Does the venue serve food? Yes, but we didn’t get any.
How much were the tickets? $86. The seats were the front row of the section directly on the side of the stage. The stage was about 50 feet away. Was the show sold out? The advertising said that it was, but there were definitely some open seats. Strangely, it didn’t feel sold out.
Who was the opening act? There was no opening act, only ambient music, which was rather weird and sounded like a hypnotic trance was being induced.
How was the show? I’m sorry to rain on everyone’s parade, but I wasn’t blown away by the show. For starters, she needs to cut down on the kumbaya/Mr. Rogers “love one another” proselytizing and preaching. It’s also apparent that—based on the response from the audience, as well as the way that she interacts with them—Gaga’s persona is changing from a rock star fashion icon to just a regular person—she’s just like you or me, in other words. But how many of us walk on elevated platforms over thousands of people every day, and doesn’t Taylor Swift already have a corner on the market as the “average girl”? Despite this, there were moments when the show was transcended, as only a star of her caliber can deliver, such as with Gaga’s solo numbers on the piano (“Come to Mama” comes to mind) or the guitar, or, for example, with “Bad Romance” (the synthesizers’ laser sounds contained an exciting homage to Klaus Nomi). Gaga also did, at times, what the best artists do in a live show, which is present musical sagacity. This was no more obvious than with her solo and reduced-tempo rendition of “Edge of Glory.” However, there were also moments when the show was derivative or the musical-momentum dragged. With themes that ran the gamut from a Pink Floyd laser show, to various Jane Fonda exercise routines, to an imitation of a Madonna song (“Born This Way”), to Cirque du Soleil antics, and to choreography that seemed like it came right out of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation tour, it was sometimes hard to tell where Gaga-the-artist began, and where Gaga-the-interpreter-of-other-performers ended.
How was the crowd? There was plenty of worshipping going on, and the audience predominately imitated Gaga’s looks. But for the previous tour, the audience wore outfits that were merely inspired by her. And it’s this single difference that makes all the difference.
What could have improved the show? As it happens with just about everyone, Gaga will eventually fall out of favor as a contemporary figure—or, at least partially so. And when she does, she’ll be free of the trappings of circumstance to be able to concentrate mainly on the music the way, for example, Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel does. For, it seems that this is really what she was “born” to do, and not the former.
What was surprising about the show? That the band played heavy metal interludes when Gaga was off the stage for her various costume changes.
The Amalie Arena is located at 401 Channelside Drive, in Tampa, Florida.
In its 27th year, Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights mixes the classic and the guignol, with houses based on The Shinning, Saw and American Horror Story
SHADE-O-METER RATING
4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”
What is Halloween Horror Nights (HHN)? It’s the Halloween event at Universal Orlando. This year’s event—the 27th year—had nine new (they don’t tend to repeat house) houses, five scare zones, and two shows. Some of the rides were open as well. The featured houses were The Shinning, Saw and American Horror Story ones. How much was the parking? $20. As a treat, there was some concierge parking for $30 as well. Does the venue serve liquor? Yes. Beer, wine and one (you read it correctly; only one) specialty drink. How was the drink? Very tried. It was some syrupy stuff that was served with a double straw. She was rather weak, expensive ($13), and came light up and blinking for all the world to see. Does the venue serve food? There were some food booths that served typical fair food (funnel cakes, pizza, etc.). We didn’t get any of it. However, most of the regular restaurants were open. How much were the tickets? Depending on the night, the prices (with a discount from a Coca-Cola or Burger King UPC code) range from $59.99 to $83.99. However, if you want to see all the houses, you’ll have to get the front-of-the-line “Express Pass” ticket. With some of the lines at an hour or more, there is no other way to do it. The Express Pass starts at $79.99.
Did they serve liquor? Yes. They had specialty stands, and some of the regular bars were open as well. How were the drinks? Some of the stores sell wine, and they let you buy a bottle and open it. A bottle cost $20, and we got one of them. We also got one specialty drink, which costs about $11. Did they have food? Yes, but we didn’t get any.
How was the show? I’m sorry to rain on everyone’s parade, but I wasn’t blown away by the show. For starters, she needs to cut down on the kumbaya/
