Make a Splash This Fall at Adventure Island With Special Student Discounts!

Fall is an affordable time to visit Adventure Island Tampa Bay. Busch Gardens’ water park is offering a special $24.99 single-day admission ticket to students of all ages. And there’s still plenty of time to play, including Labor Day and every weekend through Oct. 30.

Student tickets, for students from elementary to high school, are available for only $24.99 beginning Sept. 10 through the end of the 2011 season. Tickets are available at any Adventure Island ticket window and online at AdventureIsland.com.

College students can receive the same amazing rate now through the end of the 2011 season by showing their college ID at any Adventure Island ticket window when they purchase their single-day ticket. Or to purchase online, simply enter the promo code, COLLEGE online at AdventureIsland.com and present the college ID at the entrance turnstiles when the ticket is redeemed.

Adventure Island is open Labor Day, Sept. 3 to 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Then, the park is open weekends only Sept. 10 through Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 2012 season will kick off March 10.

Busch Gardens Welcomes New Baby Eland Antelope

Yesterday, the newest addition to Busch Gardens’ Serengeti Plain was born: a female eland calf. Weighing in at 50 pounds, this girl will not stay little for long.  Eland are the largest of the antelope species, with adult females weighing around 1,000 lbs.

Even with their bulky stature, eland antelope have a great adaptation: they can jump 8-10 feet straight up in the air from a standing position. Both males and females characteristically have thick, spiral horns, which can reach lengths of 3-4 feet. But to protect the mother, the calf doesn’t have horns at birth; her full set will grow in after about two years.

The Serengeti Plain’s eland herd now numbers 11 antelope, with this calf being the second to be born this season. The other female calf, which was born just over a month ago on July 17, is already twice her size.

Guests can see the eland and all of the other animals on the 65-acre free-roaming Serengeti Plain via the park’s train or by booking a Serengeti Safari experience at www.buschgardens.com or by calling 1-888-800-5447.

Last Chance To See Sweet Music: Sounds Of The Motor City On Tuesday August 30th

Sweet Music: Sounds of the Motor City will be dark today through Friday of this week then performing Saturday through Tuesday of next week the 30th. Sweet Music: The Sounds of the Motor City features more than a dozen singers and dancers paying tribute to popular songs of the Motown era. Check out a video of it above.

Then on Friday September 3rd, Rock-A-Doo-Wop will be returning in the Marrakesh Theater! Rock-A-Doo-Wop is a rollicking rock show features the greatest hits of the '50s and '60s. Guests will enjoy favorite songs like "This Magic Moment" and "Sherry" as they travel back in time to the doo wop era.

Rock-A-Doo-Wop will run through mid-November to be replaced by Christmas From The Heart. The Marrakesh Theater decks the halls with Christmas from the Heart, featuring inspiring holiday gospel and spiritual songs performed by a live choir. 
Stay tuned for the exact returning back for Christmas From The Heart and more Busch Gardens Tampa entertainment news.

Howl-O-Scream 2011 Construction Update #2

Lot's of construction has taken place since our last Howl-O-Scream construction update. With less than 35 days until opening night the houses are finally coming together! First off, Death Row Vengeance: Fear the Dead's facade is being installed but still needs some minor details and touch ups until its ready to go. Over by Nevermore, the door was open to the house were we could see the sets for DED still mostly intact but being taken apart. On the pathway to the house was a prop with a guy in a cage. 

We then took the Skyride over to The Zombie Mortuary were lots of work was being done on the inside. Ultimate Gamble: Vampire Casino's walls are being put up but it is very hard to see due to it being behind gates. Lastly, Howl-O-Scream's Shop of Horrors is being advertised on the park maps and when it opens in early September you will be able to purchase tickets along with event merchandise there. Thanks for reading and be sure to check out pictures of all the construction below: 

Death Row Vengeance: Fear the Dead-

Nevermore-

The Zombie Mortuary-

Shop of Horrors Opens In Early September-

Details Revealed For Howl-O-Scream 2011: New Houses, Shows, and More!

After almost a year of  teasers, the full Howl-O-Scream website went live early this morning. For 17 select nights, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will be overgrown with 3 NEW haunted houses, 3 returning haunted houses, thrilling live shows, hordes of zombies, the return of Alone – Busch Gardens’ revolutionary idea in how guests experience haunted attractions – and the opportunity to experience Florida’s first triple launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt, in the dark.

Haunted Houses:
New for 2011-
Nevermore- Beating hearts, swinging pendulums and a raven's cries haunt the manor of Lenore. Step inside to experience the gothic terror that maddens the lord of the house and feel the delusion overcome reality. Find your way out of this horror story before paranoia authors your final chapter.
Ultimate Gamble:Vampire Casino- Fanged fiends entice you to test your luck in this sultry hangout straight from Sin City. The seductive games and high stake thrills at Revivara Casino are sure to get your blood pumping, but will you escape before your luck gets drained? Just stay away from the killer All-THEY-Can-Eat buffet. 

Zombie Mortuary- No one remembers how the epidemic started, but now, zombies live here. The undead that infest this small town funeral home feed on the fresh flesh and brains of the mortuary mourners to satisfy their insatiable hunger. Avoid the walking dead or you may find yourself deeper than six feet under.


Returning Favorites-
Nightshade Toy Factory- By day, the old Nightshade Toy Factory appears abandoned. But as night falls, the mysterious manufacturing plant glows and hums as it creates the diabolical dolls, terrible teddy bears and possessed playthings of your childhood nightmares. These twisted toys are alive…and they are coming after the adults who have forgotten them.
Death Row Vengeance: Fear the Dead- The inmates at Grey Echo Penitentiary are slated for execution. But as a zombie plague infests the crumbling cells, those prisoners left alive must decide which is worst: facing the firing squad, death by electric chair or an eternity of torture at the hands of their undead captors.
Deconstruction: The Doctor Is Out of Control- Dr. Edger VonAngst has the skill and technology to make you over… but what will you become? This mad reconstructive surgeon has fallen one notch deeper into insanity, putting people back together with mechanical pieces, combining flesh, bone and steel in the most hideous ways.


Up-Charge-
Alone- The deranged Master Alexander Daedal us opened Minotaur Storage to house his vast collection of “cultural” remains. But now his sinister obsession with hoarding has expanded to stockpiling people. Escape this lunatic’s labyrinth or you will become part of his collection. Can you make it out ALONE?

Shows:

Fiends- Is there a doctor in the house? These captivating creatures of the night will infect you with dance fever and keep your pulse pounding with their deranged dance party. But when Dr. Freakenstein’s naughty nurses start operating, the diagnosis is always “code pink.” Performing nightly at the Stanleyville Theater.
The Midnight Hour- The music industry can be a devilish business to break into, especially at the Hellfire Club, where some of pop-culture's most sinister personalities are there to coach you.

Hordes Of Zombies:
Even the streets themselves aren’t safe... for zombies live here, and insatiable hoards pour forth from every shadow, hungry to show fans the most horrifying Howl-O-Scream yet. It will leave you begging for mercy… and screaming for more.

Club Virus:

Escape the hordes and head to the transformed Marrakesh Theater to join the party at Howl-O-Scream's exclusive dance club. This adults-only nighttime playground keeps the energy pumping all night with non-stop music, signature drinks, and appearances by some terrifying personalities.


Map:

Here’s an overview of where each of the houses, shows, and more will be located:

Click map to view larger.


This years event is shaping up to be one of the best. With 3 new houses and all the new hordes of zombies infesting the park, you don't want to miss Howl-O-Scream 2011! For more information or to buy tickets visit TheDarksideOfTheGardens.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

Howl-O-Scream 2011 Billboard Revealed

Late this afternoon, the billboards for Howl-O-Scream 2011 started popping up all over Florida. The design is similar to the Howl-O-Scream Facebook page's profile picture. The first one can be found across the street from Universal Studios in Orlando followed by the one we saw by the backside of Busch Gardens! We will update you on other locations of Howl-O-Scream billboards as they are put up. Check out photo of it below:

Howl-O-Scream 2011 Commercial Released, Tickets For Sale & Promo Revealed

This afternoon, HOSInsider announced that the Howl-O-Scream 2011 Store was testing and you can now buy tickets! A variety of tickets and other options are now available including tickets to the famous Alone house for $40 where you can bring up to 4 people into the house. To buy your tickets click here. A teaser image was also released showing a lady zombie in an abundance of eye infected roses:

This evening the folks over at Howl-O-Scream gave us a real treat, they posted the Howl-O-Scream Commercial for 2011. The commercial is by far one of the best Howl-O-Scream commercials to date. Watch it below:

Check back daily for more information on this years Howl-O-Scream. 

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy Runs Through September 5th!

After 971 shows, the limited-engagement show Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy is coming to end at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The final show will be September 5 at the Moroccan Palace Theater.


The groundbreaking theatrical, acrobatic and musical adventure opened December 3, 2010. For the past eight months, Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy has resided in Busch Gardens’ majestic Moroccan Palace, performing multiple shows daily. Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy was created and directed by renowned theatrical and circus impresario Neil Goldberg as a Broadway show. The lead character, Mother Nature, leads her “Jungle Boys” through an adventure of sound, light and movement as the vibrant jungle comes to life with award-winning costumes and an original score.

Over the next six weeks, the Moroccan Palace will be transformed for a special holiday show for 2011. And stay tuned for a special announcement on September 8 of the next cool show coming to Busch Gardens in 2012. Stay tuned for more information on what is coming next for the Moroccan Palace! 

Howl-O-Scream 2011 Website Update #3, Faces Revealed and Discounts

Today we have yet another Howl-O-Scream 2011 news round-up! First off, yesterday HOSInsider leaked yet another screenshot this one revealing the face of the zombie shown in the other screenshots. He looks hungry for some more brains if you ask me! 

Second off, the website was updated for a 3rd time this morning revealing the zombie lady of the gardens! Expect to see a lot of her on the full website and the event itself. Also there is a new quote saying: "The beauty is here, but it's not alone. The garden's secrets once hidden, will soon be known." Expect the full website to go live very very soon! 

Lastly, an email blast was sent out this morning with the eye infested rose advertising that there will be some great discounts on Howl-O-Scream tickets through Facebook promotions! Be sure to check

 back for all the latest Howl-O-Scream 2011 news!

Animal Care Center Goes Vertical Update #1

Busch Gardens Tampa is opening its new Animal Care Center this winter. The new, nearly 16,000 square-foot facility is being built where the rhino exhibit was formerly located in the Nairobi area of the park. The construction has now gone vertical although it seems more likely that it will open in late winter as in 2012. The area is huge and it is a great sign to see it going vertical! 
Thanks for viewing and be sure to check back for even more construction updates of it and Howl-O-Scream!

Busch Gardens Tampa Launches New Mobile Park App

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is putting the park in the guests’ hands by launching an interactive iPhone and Android application. The free app is now available in the iTunes App Store and the Android Market.

This will be the first time that Busch Gardens has utilized GPS technology to guide guests through the park. The free app is designed to make the guest experience even better by giving them park details at their fingertips and helping them get the most out of their day.

 

An interactive map will show guests where they are in the park and allow them to highlight the quickest real -time route to their next destination by clicking the “Take Me There” button on any destination page. Whether the destination is a restaurant, show, roller coaster or animal habitat, the app can give details on its location, menu, restrictions, wait times and more.

Guests can also search for the nearest restrooms, lockers and ATMs.It will be as easy as searching the word “Cheetah” to find a path to the new Cheetah Run habitat. Guests can find fun facts about our animals and even snap a few photos without leaving the application by using the in-app camera. They can also connect to social media sites to share their photos with friends and keep up with Busch Gardens’ Facebook and Twitter feeds.

New Busch Gardens App Features:

• Interactive real-time map
• Updated ride wait times and height requirements
• Detailed information pages for all major shows, rides, habitats and restaurants
• In-App camera 
• Important phone numbers to make reservations or schedule tours
• Ways for guests to connect to social media sites
• General park information and operating hours
• “Find My Car” pin drop locator
• Live local weather and forecast updates
• A link to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund site

To download the free app, search the keyword “Busch Gardens” in the iTunes App Store or the Android Market. Thanks to Busch Gardens for the screencaps!

Howl-O-Scream 2011 Construction Update #1 & New Screenshot!

Today marks the start of our many to come Howl-O-Scream construction updates for 2011! This week was the official start of construction for this year's Howl-O-Scream event. 

The house receiving the most noticeable attention is Death Row Vengeance which was being constructed. The classic "This area is being transformed into Howl-O-Scream" sign is back! You can clearly see that it will be Death Row Vengeance because it has all the awesome walls back with some of the old theming on them. 

The house in the old Akbar Adventure Tours building also is coming together as you can see the walls forming by the former Front of the Line Fear entrance. 

From the Skyride we noticed that the old sets for Trapped in the Walls were being removed from the Timbuktu haunt building. That means Trapped in the Walls is most likely not returning. 

While work can't be seen for Nightshade Toy Factory, the Orchid Canyon building, or Alone that doesn't mean they aren't working inside on them so stay tuned for another Howl-O-Scream update! Also, HOSInsider released another screenshot of this year's commercial. Check it all out below: 

Akbar Building Walls Going Up:

Death Row Vengeance Construction:

Timbuktu Building Being Cleared Out:

New Screenshot From HOSInsider:

Now Open: New Elephant Interaction Area

The new Elephant Interaction Area is now open in Nairobi and you can now learn even more about the big animal itself.  The area not only features a state-of-the-art husbandry gate but also a raised viewing deck and signs which feature information on each of the five Asian Elephants. 

The husbandry gate allows the zoological team to do everything from drawing blood, footwork, and just regular check ups now in front of guests. They also can perform various interactions with the elephants which will bring guests and elephants together. 

The highlights to me were the new raised viewing deck which gave you a much better look at the elephants before and the husbandry gate which allowed the elephants to be much more interactive and close up 

It is located across from the new Animal Care Center which will open later this year. Be sure to check it out a next time you are visiting the park.