[Howl-O-Scream]/2013 "Alone House" Info Leaked! [UPDATED!]

Yeah, I know...I just made a post about Howl-O-Scream like what seems to be five minutes ago. However, this is one that I just couldn't pass up on. While looking at various ticket packages and upgrades on the HOS Tampa site, I ran across this in some fine print for their Front Line Fear Express Pass:

"Valid for 7 haunted house redemptions of your choice during Howl-O-Scream 2013. Not valid at “The Experiment” house."

If last year is any indication, this means that they're bringing back the "Alone House" concept and it will be entitled: The Experiment. Guess it went over big enough with guests that they decided to bring it back and it's definitely an interesting idea.

Last year's house was themed around the collection of the deranged Master Alexander Daedalus in a place he calls Minotaur Storage. After a seemingly long, but really short, elevator ride down in the dark with an elevator operator who’s had his eyes torn-out, you’ll meet some of Master Daedalus’ assistants. They warn you to look, but don’t touch. You soon find out his obsession with hoarding has expanded to people, and you may be his next prized possession.

What this year's theme will be like is anyone's guess but it's likely to be quite the tortuous endeavor with a name like The Experiment. I'm also guessing that we're going to have wait a little while until this one is fully revealed as I'm sure it wasn't intended that this get out so early on in the announcement period...

UPDATE: Everything you need to know about "The Experiment" can be found here! 

For more info about what this is all about, read on! 

For those not 100% sure just what I'm on about, the idea of the "Alone House" is very different than your typical haunted house. Usually you go through in large groups or an endless conga line type of deal. On the flip side, the idea behind an Alone House, is that you go through it alone or in groups of up to 4 only. Everything is focused on you and your group, you're the star of your own horror movie and it's up to you survive the terrors that await. Doing this not only gives folks a challenge to try and get through it for bragging rights, but also for the creative team behind Howl-O-Scream to do some effects and scenes that are otherwise impossible to do with mass thru-put mazes.

Now, the fact that this is an experience that's not meant to push countless people through an hour, there is an up-charge. Last year it cost an additional $34.95 to have the experience. However, when you look at the details of this it's really not so bad in the long run.

One purchase allows for up to 4 people to go through the haunt. You can also order tickets online for it and drop the price down $10 to $24.95. So, if you divide that by up to 4 people, the price comes down significantly.


However, if you go through the house on your own without anyone else, you get a free t-shirt for surviving the experience. So, there is that as well. For more information about how last year's (and likely this year's) worked, check out the article on Orlando Attractions Magazine.

For a little more information about how this all works, have a little tidbit from last year's house and Howl-O-Scream's creative director Scott Swenson:


UPDATE: It certainly seems as if I was onto something with this as the wording for the details within the fine print on the Front Line Fear Extreme pass has been changed. It now reads as follows:

Click to Enlarge

Valid for 7 haunted house redemptions of your choice during Howl-O-Scream 2013. Valid for 5 one time use redemptions at each of our major roller coasters. Major coasters include Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra, Kumba, Montu, and Gwazi. No preferred seating on roller coasters. Card must be punched at time of admission to each house and each roller coaster. Rides are restricted by guest age, height, size and physical condition. Front of line access is void after all 12 redemption spots have been punched. Valid for 20% off discounts in all of our gift shops throughout the night. Valid for unlimited Buy One Get One free at all of our photo locations (Rides and Fear Photo locations). Valid for unlimited Buy One Get One free at our Timbuktu Games location. Discounts cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions. No refunds for unredeemed house visits. Pass expires Howl-O-Scream 2013. Not redeemable for cash. Busch Gardens is not responsible for lost or stolen cards. Online purchases will be available for pick-up inside HOS Shop of Horrors on the date indicated on your E-ticket.

So, it would seem that they've taken out the mention of "The Experiment House" and that it was a clerical error that they had included it...very interesting and I'm one to believe that it wasn't meant to be out in the wild as of yet. However, the removal of it definitely throws up red flags all over inside my head that it is indeed what the "Alone House" experience will be this year.

Stay tuned for more updates about this as we get a hold of them and the rest of the info from Howl-O-Scream!