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Early Halloween treat: Big savings on scares at Busch Gardens, Universal ending soon

 
Lindsay Weppelman, a University of South Florida biomedical science student, plays a Zombie Bride in one of Busch Gardens' open-air scare zones at Howl-O-Scream 2016.  Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens.
Lindsay Weppelman, a University of South Florida biomedical science student, plays a Zombie Bride in one of Busch Gardens' open-air scare zones at Howl-O-Scream 2016. Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens.
Published Aug. 6, 2018

TAMPA – You might not want to think about Halloween in August, but you can save money if you do.

You can buy $29.99 Howl-O-Scream tickets before Busch Gardens ends the sale at midnight Tuesday. Meanwhile, Universal has an online ticket deal that can save up to $52 for Halloween Horror Nights.

This year's regular ticket prices for Howl-O-Scream haven't been announced yet, but last year they started at $40 and got more expensive closer to Halloween.

The Tampa theme park's 18th year of scaring the wits out of visitors with haunted houses and roaming hordes of spooks opens Sept. 21 and runs on select nights through Oct. 28.

There's also a special discounted rate of $24.99 for Pass Members, Fun Card holders and groups of 15 or more. The offer is available for any night of the separate-ticket event at buschgardens.com/tampa/events/howl-o-scream-summer-deal.

At Universal, a buy-one, get-one deal expired in June, but the park currently has a special that's available online only that can save up to $52 off the admission price at the gate.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights Sept. 14-Nov. 3, with 10 haunted houses, many of them recalling slasher films such as the cult favorite Trick 'r Treat and a Stranger Things maze complete with a Demogorgon creature.

A one-night ticket starts at $62.99 online, versus a $114 ticket price at the gate. Find details at orlando.halloweenhorrornights.com.

Contact Sharon Kennedy Wynne at swynne@tampabay.com. Follow @SharonKWn.