You know what they say?  Absence makes the heart grow fonder.  Never have those words been more true then in the case of Busch Gardens Tampa’s Howl-O-Scream.  I don’t mean to be harsh, but I’ve never been a big proponent of recycling haunted houses.  Recycling items in those houses, sure.  I understand that there needs to be a way to save money.  But, given that the event is a separate ticket event (you have to buy a ticket – you can’t just get in with a day pass), it seems to me like there should be enough money to at least re-theme the houses, with different actors or slight alterations.  Instead, both Busch Gardens parks (Tampa and Williamsburg) recycle entire houses with almost no changes, which makes for me second guessing the point of attending for, essentially, one or two new houses each year.  *review of 2009′s event here*

So…I skipped 2010′s event.  I really wanted to go, but the draw of Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter was stronger to me.  Not only that, the “chick band rock star” theme last year didn’t intrigue me as much as some of the previous year’s themes.  However, I think the break from the event helped me to enjoy this year even more. Read the rest of this entry »

Written on October 13th, 2011 , Theme Parks Tags: , ,

You guys know I love me some Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.  The event, which has been voted best theme park Halloween event multiple years in a row, is definitely the cream of the crop when it comes to top notch scares.  Universal Orlando definitely puts a ton of money and effort into the event, and last year’s 20th anniversary culminated a good number of outstanding storylines and themes that the attraction had been running for years.

This year, Universal is going to back to basics, primarily going with original concepts (save for one house based on the upcoming prequel to The Thing), including the event’s icon, Lady Luck.  For those avoiding any specific details on the event, I’ll briefly summarize by saying that, while I wasn’t overly impressed with the scarezones this year (more detail on that after the jump), the houses this year were absolutely amazing in theming.  Universal stepped up their game this year and created some truly memorable, exciting experiences that will impress you while trying to scare you.  Definitely worth the price of admission, some of the houses are truly awe-inspiring.  I highly recommend checking out the event this year.  I do want to note, however, that due to the popularity of the event, I’d also recommend finding some way to attend more than once.  One trip will leave you sorely missing out on some of the event.

For those who don’t mind some spoilers, details on the event and reviews of each house are after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

Written on September 28th, 2011 , The Rest, Theme Parks Tags: , ,

Well, much like I’m attending this year’s Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, Florida, I’ll also be attending (a scant hour or so away), Busch Gardens Tampa’s awesome Howl-O-Scream event as well!

I’ve been a huge fan of this event, especially some of their awesome mascots.  Characters like The Raven Twins, the House of Vayne, the Death Jockey…vicious stuff like you don’t see here in Virginia.  Well, this year, though the advertising of each park is a little different, the theme is the same between Tampa and it’s Virginia counterpart – “The Dark Side of the Gardens.”

In Tampa, four houses return from last year, including “Alone,” a premium (pay extra) experience where you get to go through a house…well, alone!  New this year are a Zombie Casino and a Poe house, interestingly both similar to themes being used at UOR in Orlando.  Still, I’m sure the parks will do vastly different things with them.

I can’t wait!

All the official details are after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Written on September 2nd, 2011 , The Rest, Theme Parks Tags: ,

Late last night Universal Studios Orlando released official details regarding this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event down at Universal Studios Orlando.

As usual, your favorite IoM Pauloween writer will be there covering the event! Check out more of the full details after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Written on August 31st, 2011 , The Rest, Theme Parks Tags: ,

As in the previous two years, your buds at IoM will be attending this year’s Halloween Horror Nights even in Orlando, Florida at Universal Studios Orlando.  Now, this year’s event has been shrouded in secrecy, the only hints revealed so far pointing to a casino/gambling theme.  For the last couple of weeks, I’ve been getting small playing cards with sayings on them related to “luck” and “death.”  Great stuff.

Well…this week news is finally starting to leak out.  On Screamscape, it was revealed that an Orlando Burger King accidentally put up a promotional poster for HHN early, revealing the event’s icon, Lady Luck (at right).  In addition, the TV commercial seems to have leaked online as well (below).

What’s most surprising, though, is that it seems that the themes for all of the haunts have been leaked too.  That’s pretty rare, but I guess when set pics for all of next year’s blockbusters can leak with all the security on movie sets, something like this isn’t too hard to get out.  Also from the link above, here are the themes for the eight houses (scarezone themes haven’t leaked yet):

  • The Thing, based on the upcoming movie
  • Madness of Poe
  • an old spooky cemetery
  • a crazy WWI era hospital
  • Holiday horror gone wrong
  • one based on the Saws & Steam scare zone from last year
  • something themed to Runes
  • one themed to a haunted Spanish ghost ship

Check out the commercial for this year’s event after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Written on August 27th, 2011 , The Rest, Theme Parks Tags: ,

UNIVERSAL PICTURES’ UPCOMING THRILLER “THE THING” TO BECOME HAUNTED HOUSE EXPERIENCE AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS’ HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

Guests Will Experience the Fear of the Film at Both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights Events Before “The Thing” Hits Theatres

 ORLANDO, Fla.,  UNIVERSAL CITY, Ca. (July 19, 2011) — An abandoned scientific research facility in the midst of a vast and frozen Antarctica will set the stage for “The Thing,” an all-new horror maze inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming film, at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights events, which begins on September 23 and continues on select nights through October 31. In the thriller “The Thing,” paranoia spreads like an epidemic among a group of researchers as they’re infected, one by one, by a mystery from another planet.

The new haunted house will offer guests an unprecedented first-hand preview of the much-anticipated thriller in advance of its October 14 release. Guests will find themselves in a series of face-to-face encounters with “The Thing,” an alien creature that can transform itself into an exact replica of any living being. “The Thing” maze will recreate the spine-chilling suspense from the film, confronting guests with the paranoia and fear that comes from being trapped inside the film’s Antarctic Thule station.The shape-shifting alien could be anywhere or anything.  Will they survive?

Eerily authentic, “The Thing” maze will feature elaborately designed and disturbingly real alien creatures and sets. They will match the film’s terrifying intensity and provoke both a memorable and disturbing experience. Universal’s theme parks have partnered with the film’s producers, Strike Entertainment’s Marc Abraham and Eric Newman (Dawn of the Dead) to create an experience that is authentic to the film. The sets, audio, musical score, creature and character references are all based on the thriller.

“We want people to live the film and experience the same terror that affects the film’s characters,” said Newman. “Our collaboration with Universal’s creative teams brought the vision of the film to life.  We’re excited for Halloween Horror Nights guests to experience ‘The Thing’ in this frighteningly real way.”

To see the movie trailer, click here.

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood starts on September 23 and runs on select nights through October 31.  More information is available at HalloweenHorrorNights.com. Read the rest of this entry »

Written on July 19th, 2011 , Theme Parks Tags: ,

Hell yes!!!  I’m all set to begin Pauloween Horror Nights again this year, even though it’s only July.  Still…that means that stores will be stocking Halloween supplies any day now, and, of course, theme parks will be announcing their big Halloween events, starting with the best of the best … Universal Studios Orlando!

Check out the announcement of this year’s theme and dates after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Written on July 1st, 2011 , The Rest, Theme Parks Tags:

Thanks to my sister for sending me this one.

Katrina did an absolute number to New Orleans.  The city has recovered in many aspects, but there are still some areas that will never fully recuperate.  Case in point?  Six Flags New Orleans, which has been abandoned since the hurricane in 2005, and has literally been left completely alone (other than taking back a Batman ride that was still operable) since then.  You’ll see in the below video (and more info here, here, and here) that almost everything else remains.  Computers, rides that are completely intact (corroded beyond repair), and restaurants (with equipment) all just…there.  Broken windows and graffiti have overtaken the rest of the park which looks like something out of a horror movie – check out a creepy video filmed at the abandoned park (which looks like it will be torn down for spare parts in early 2011).

Written on December 28th, 2010 , Theme Parks

Ever ventured to Universal Orlando’s Island of Adventure, and taken a walk through Marvel Super Hero Island?  It’s great to ride attractions and walk through a theme park experience based on some of your favorite comic book characters, but I’ve got to say, I’m a little bummed that, since the opening of Islands of Adventure in 1999, nothing new has opened in the area since 2000′s Storm Force Acceleration and, despite being the comic loving fiend I am, it’s one of the areas of the park I’m least excited about for repeat visits, despite my love for the Hulk Coaster and Spider-Man rides.

Not many folks know that Marvel’s superhero universe wasn’t the original plan for the park, however.  No, the original plans were to make the park heavily themed on the Batman universe, with influences from both the movies (plans began in 1992, before the movies started sucking) and the comics.  Read the rest of this entry »

If we geek about it, we speak about it here at IoM, and Christmas is definitely something we geek about! And you guys know how much I geek out about theme parks…so I’m glad that, even though I live in Virginia and not someplace like Orlando, I still have a Christmas theme park event I can write about in Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Christmas Town.  Earlier this year though, I had the good fortune of visiting Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Though not technically a Christmas-themed attraction, there was plenty of snow and even a couple of snowmen to make it the perfect holiday event.

I’ve been meaning to write this review for quite some time now…is Wizarding World of Harry Potter worth the trip to Orlando for Harry Potter fans, especially if you’re already checked out the park?  Check out my full review after the jump! Read the rest of this entry »

Written on November 25th, 2010 , The Rest, Theme Parks Tags: , ,

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