I don’t know about you, but my kids prefer to not be at Busch Gardens late during Howl-O-Scream. They don’t like to be scared.
However, there are some ways to work around it. Plan to get here early so you can enjoy the park before the scare squad takes over. You can still enjoy the decorations and Halloween-themed atmosphere without the scares.
One of our favorite things to do is catch some of the early shows. “Frankenrock” in Das Festhaus and “Monster Stomp Revamped” in the Abbey Stone Theatre have shows as early at 12:30 p.m. Both shows are musically inclined and are not as “scary” as the evening pieces. It’s a great way to enjoy the best of Howl-O-Scream early in the day before the scares and the crowds.
Not only do the shows open early, some of the haunted houses do as well. Catacombs, a five-pumpkin-rated maze, opens at noon. I know my kids won’t go through it with me, so they hang with dad while I go it alone. It’s one of my favorites.
While they won’t go in Catacombs, I can get them to walk through Revenge of Pompeii early in the day. This house opens at noon with a non-scary version. The lights are on and a guide leads you through the house with no creatures there to scare you. It’s there way of experiencing a haunted house just like they like it … scare free.
While the bewitching hour starts at 6 p.m., that doesn’t mean the park is no longer kid-friendly. Since its still light at 6 p.m. we make sure to catch the “Jack is Back” show before leaving the park. This lively show is full of dancing and singing and is a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Ireland has become a family favorite of ours during Howl-O-Scream.
After Jack is Back, its time to go. My oldest daughter keeps an eye on the time, and lets us know when we need to leave. She tells us when it’s time to head out before the ghouls and goblins get us.
We still find ways to have fun with the family without the scares of Howl-O-Scream. What are your favorite activities to do with the little ones during your visit?
