13 Evils for Howl-O-Scream 2013 at Busch Gardens Tampa

TAMPA – Once every century, on precisely the thirteenth year, evil comes out to play. This fall, for 14 select nights, Howl-O-Scream 2013 returns to Busch Gardens Tampa with tormenting surprises around every corner and unexpected terrors.

The event is ongoing Thursday through Saturday nights, Oct. 10-12, 17-19 and 24-26.  Operating hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on all event nights.

Busch Gardens’ 335 acres is overgrown with dark, sinister, adult-targeted fun, including new haunted houses, scare zones, a thrilling live stage show and the chance to ride adrenaline-fueled coasters in the dark, including Florida’s first triple-launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt.

Even the streets themselves aren’t safe with all-new scare zones, led by the 13 evils that have been waiting a century to come out and play for the most horrifying Howl-O-Scream ever. It will leave you begging for mercy … and screaming for more.

New features include the Basement, where Momma and the Butcher turn you in to the secret sauce! She always said it took blood, sweat and tears! The Death Water Bayou where the Voodoo Queen mystically transforms lost wanderers into her minions of evil with black magic.

Here, her night servants roam with a zombie-like hunger and seek to grow her collection. The darkest evils lurk in shadows. Get out before you fall victim to her spell.

Fan favorites are also back back by popular demand with some horrifying new twists: Circus of Superstition 3-D—You’ve tried to avoid black cats and sidewalk cracks, but all those years of bad luck caught up with you!

The Clown challenges you to survive 13 superstitions in their 3-D Tent of Terror, but it will take more than luck to escape this whole new dimension of fear.

As lightning rages and thunder crashes outside, “The Creature” escapes from his holding cell in a high-security asylum for the criminally insane in Blood Asylum. 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.

No one remembers how the epidemic started, but now, the Zombie and his undead friends live here in the Zombie Mortuary! They infest this small town funeral home and 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.

Under sleek Vampire reign, the once-vibrant Ultimate Gamble casino glowed. Now werewolves have overthrown their mortal enemies and are running rampant in the casino. The carnivorous beasts have caught on to the scent of fresh blood inside the closed casino. Will you make it out alive before your luck runs out?

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.

After braving bone-chilling coasters in the dark, such as Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Montu, Gwazi and Kumba, you can catch your breath at Howl-O-Scream’s signature show, Fiends, or keep the party going all night in Howl-O-Scream’s signature club and shops.

General admission is $89 plus tax. Reduced advance-purchase rates and special offers are available for Busch Gardens pass members at HowlOScream.com. Guests can save $39 on general admission tickets in advance at participating Publix Supermarkets and AAA locations or with promotional codes found at participating Taco Bell, Applebee's locations in Central Florida and on Fanta products in participating Walgreens. VIP packages are also available. For more info visit the official website.