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The Monsters Are Coming

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at USF chapter.

Every year Universal Studios and Busch Gardens transform their parks to house some of the scariest monsters. These Florida theme parks become swamped with werewolves, demons, clowns, zombies, and creatures alike. All gathered for one cause—to scare you. Below, you’ll find a quick summary of the new haunts these two popular events have in store for you this year.

Universal Studios Orlando-Halloween Horror Nights (September 20 – November 2)

The Walking Dead

No explanation needed for this maze. Our fall favorite zombie television series will be making its second appearance at HHN. Fans of the event can expect to find many memorable scenes from the Walking Dead set up all around the park with a few surprises. I’m crossing my fingers that Team Prison makes a special appearance somewhere! 

 

The Cabin in the Woods

This is one of many new houses Universal Studios has added to its list of houses this year. For those of you who haven’t seen the film the story is simple: group of unsuspected guest travel deep into the woods, they start disappearing one by one, and find themselves face to face with unexplainable creatures. If you’ve seen the film and have been to HHN in the past you know this house is going to deliver.  

 

Resident Evil

Well, it looks as though the T-virus has made its way into Florida! This house will feature different themes from the game Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. You can probably expect to see some familiar faces from the series (Umbrella Corporation perhaps?) as well as the zombies they go after.   

   

Evil Dead

Deadites, dark lit rooms, creepy voices and possessions. Nothing more needs to be said.  

 

An American Werewolf in London

No, these aren’t the hunks you find in a Twilight film. Instead these guys are pretty frightening. In fact, I should probably skip out on this house all together. I’ve seen the film and ending up like the main character is not what I want, although it could be considered a good excuse for missing class.

 

La Llorona

Might want to watch your back around the park the night you go. La Llorona is not only in need of a fresh mani, but she’s looking for guests to keep her company. This will be her first appearance as a house in Orlando. She’s already made a reoccurring one in Hollywood with much success.

 

Havoc Derailed

Guests will feel as though their train has actually derailed. They’ll have to keep an eye out for maniacs running in and out of the house.  

 

After Life

This house will bring in electric chairs, serial killers and, judging by the title, a whole lot of shivers.

 

 

Busch Gardens Tampa-Howl-O-Scream (September 27 – October 26)

Death Water Bayou

This house will feature one of the 13 featured evils at Busch Gardens this year—the Voodoo Queen. Looks like La Llorona has some competition.

 

The Basement

If I’ve learned anything from scary movies it’s that basements are where all the really scary stuff happens (one of the many reasons I love that Florida houses don’t really have basements). In this house lies another evil brought to life—the butcher. I’m pretty sure he isn’t your everyday Publix butcher, so I’d keep my eyes open in there. Maybe even bring a flashlight or two.

Circus of Superstition 3D

I think many can agree with me that clowns are hands down one of the scariest things Busch Gardens has brought to Howloscream. Forget the zombie hoards, vampires, or werewolves—CLOWNS are the ones I’ll be looking out for this year. They turn on you so quickly. One minute they’re making you laugh then the next their showing off limbs from who knows who. The three-dimensional element of this house makes for a wicked experience.

Blood Asylum

Blood Asylum is exactly what it sounds like. This house features a highly dangerous creature and, by the sounds of it, he doesn’t seem like a people person either.

Nevermore

 This house will bring some of Edgar Allen Poe’s magic to life. Guests will have to find a way out before they end up living in one of these stories for eternity.

Zombie Mortuary

Zombies seem to be a huge hit with the crowds so it was no surprise Howloscream would announce the return of the Zombie Mortuary. A mortuary invested by zombies. If that doesn’t convince you to go then I don’t know what will!

Ultimate Gamble

The once popular vampire hangout looks to have been overrun by werewolves this year. Should be an interesting twist to the well-liked casino hangout fans are used to.  

The Experiment

All I have to say for this one is read the official statement below:

“Researchers challenge your fear tolerance and mental endurance in this never-been-done-before Experiment. In this exclusive study, “test subjects” endure psychological tests and must face top fear-inducing elements, from roaches and snakes to needles and darkness. How far is too far in this study of fear? Will you survive The Experiment?”

 

There you have it; a quick summary of the houses you’ll be presented with this year. But, don’t think that it stops there because Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-o-Scream each have a few more scares up their sleeves. Scare zones in Universal will have appearances by Chucky, as well as others. As for Busch Gardens, they’ll have 13 different evils running around the park. So, don’t miss out! The haunts and scares start in late September.  

 

 

Pictures:

http://netdna.orlandoinformer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Halloween-horror-nights-2013-550×341.jpg

http://www.insidethemagic.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/howl-o-scream-2013.jpg

http://www.geeksofdoom.com/GoD/img/2013/05/2013-05-23-the_walking_dead.jpg

http://www.insidethemagic.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/cabin-in-the-woods-hhn1.jpg

http://vgtribune.com/VGTribune/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/re6park.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p480x480/936517_700085326673265_1101773292_n.jpg

http://www.insidethemagic.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/9207_wallpapers_1600x1200_ED.jpg

http://seaworldparks.com/en/howloscream-tampa/13

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Justine is a recent graduate of the University of South Florida. She received her B.A. in mass communcations in spring 2014. She was the 2013-2014 Campus Correspondent for Her Campus USF.She was also a News & Feature Writing Intern for College of Arts and Sciences and the Public Relations Campus Rep for Rent the Runway at USF. She is currently seeking agency experience and would love to someday work for a magazine, become a novelist, poet, editor, host of a Travel Channel show and much more.  She enjoys writing about fashion, beauty, art, literature, pop culture and student life. She spends most days listening to Lana del Rey, calming her nerves with various types of cheese, being sassy and trying to figure out when she can take a nap.Check out her website and portfolio here.She'd love you forever, if you followed her on Twitter @tinafigs_.Contact Justine regarding business inquires only at justinefigueroa@hercampus.com.