A unique feature to Howl-O-Scream were the “Gotcha Cams.” Employed in carefully calculated scare zones in the houses, patrons had the opportunity to “buy their scare” upon exiting. In talking with the folks at Busch Gardens, they were pleased with this experiment and it had taken quite a bit of time and placement to get the perfect effect. Many of the great “startle scares” take place in lower lit areas, but obviously these provide the poorest quality video. The scare zone that comes to mind most clearly would be in The Mortuary… set in the room as one would walk by the coffin area (appeared to be under glass) the cat that was situated there would spring forward and the quick movement with the thud of the impact provided a decent startle scare…. And it was fun to watch the videos as we left…. Right up there with seeing what ridiculous face you made on some roller coaster…..

Of equal quality were the scare zones… our hats are off to the make up department for a great job last year. Not relying on white faces and dark eyes, they set out to create distinct characters not interchangeable zombies…

Cursed was one of the better scare zones prop and prosthetic wise…. And it was hear that one of the doomed could not help but break character and “talk piercings” with Brian. Heavy “Voo Doo themes” mixed with a little of Clive Barkers “Tortured Souls.” Not ones to run from the characters, we could appreciate the amount of time that had gone into achieving their looks… something the little girls screaming and running away could not appreciate.
The Executioners was of mixed reviews … very “Lord of the Flies” but on skateboards and roller blades… this area had been taken over by the “lawless” but for those of us that could have 10 skateboards parked in their living room any given weekend, we tend to not see that as so tough, so we were skeptical… but the speed in which the actors moved thru the crowd provided great startles and proved to be unsettling for many a passerby. They even managed to startle HF Editor AND skateboarder Brian… but not to worry, Lou unwittingly came to his aid….. One of the props utilized was the front of a bicycle with a light, wielded by a young man on roller blades, at it’s fast traveling speed it appeared to be a motorcycle coming towards you. At this point, Brian pulled Lou in front of him as a skinny human shield….
Agony Express was well done, much like Cursed, it was a tribute to their make up department for an excellent use of make up and prosthetics. The aftermath of an age old train wreck, we passed by a torso seated on a bench, his legs primly seated beside him as he searched the crowd, beseeching us for help… conductors and the ghosts of unfortunate immigrants wandered thru the crowds, the hopeful believing they were looking for lost loved ones but the rest of us knowing they were looking for fresh meat….
Grisly Gardens left the lightest impression, but consisted of more well done sets, leaving one with the unease of venturing into the abandoned garden at night, not quite sure if that statue moved or if it didn’t… had the atmosphere of “knowing” that your imagination was running wild but not quite believing it in your heart… because you’re heart KNOWS the boogeyman still exists….

DJ booths and dance areas were present in several locations in the park (tho the old HF crew doesn’t dance…lol) and of course, the beer is always flowing…. Bar areas marked with tongue in cheek signs of “This Bloods for You…”

Several stalk arounds were present throughout the park… a little surprised to see the prefabricated props at a haunt of this size, but they’re still a great effect…

All in all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable event and we are happy to say that we will be able to return to it again this year. We look to see what this “Little Theme Park That Could” has to offer us this year, improving upon their great job last year and venturing forth with some new scares.
We say to those that have not been, give them a try… especially to you die hard HHN nay-sayers, I promise, they will not take away your Universal Frequent Fear Pass if you do…. It is not like the cola wars, you don’t HAVE to choose just one, you CAN enjoy both events ?