Busch Gardens is doubling down on intellectual property partnerships for its Halloween season, introducing two haunted houses based on the Sony Pictures film Anaconda at its Howl-O-Scream events in Tampa Bay, Florida, and Williamsburg, Virginia. The attractions, opening September 11, mark the first time the 1997 thriller has been licensed for a Halloween event, giving guests a fresh, film-driven scare experience.
Two parks, two distinct narratives
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, visitors will enter Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape, while Busch Gardens Williamsburg will host Anaconda: Dead on Arrival. Both haunted houses transport guests into the Amazon jungle, where they must search for a missing film crew—turning the movie's premise into an interactive survival challenge. The experiences are designed to deliver unique storylines while staying true to the film's iconic atmosphere.
Marc Swanson, CEO of United Parks & Resorts, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. "Our fans are always looking for new and immersive scares, and bringing Anaconda to our Howl-O-Scream event elevates the experience at both Busch Gardens parks," he said in a statement.
The Howl-O-Scream events, known for their extreme scares, also feature immersive scare zones, sinister live shows, and nighttime rides on record-breaking coasters. The addition of the Anaconda houses is expected to draw both horror enthusiasts and film fans, further cementing Busch Gardens' reputation as a leader in seasonal theme park entertainment.
This move follows a broader trend of theme parks leveraging film and pop culture licenses to refresh their Halloween offerings. Earlier this year, SeaWorld announced its own IP-based haunted houses for Howl-O-Scream, including attractions inspired by I Know What You Did Last Summer. Busch Gardens' partnership with Sony Pictures signals a continued push toward high-profile collaborations that can attract repeat visitors and generate buzz.
For travel professionals, the expansion of IP-driven attractions at major theme parks has implications for destination marketing and group bookings. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and Williamsburg are anchor attractions in their respective regions, and the new haunted houses are likely to boost fall visitation, particularly among younger demographics and horror tourism enthusiasts.
United Parks & Resorts, which operates Busch Gardens alongside SeaWorld and other properties, has been investing heavily in park experiences. The company recently unveiled a $200 million overhaul at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, including the new Lion & Hyena Ridge habitat. These investments aim to enhance the guest experience and drive attendance across all seasons.
For more details on event dates, tickets, and promotions, visitors can check BuschGardens.com. The Howl-O-Scream season runs through late October, with both parks offering a range of ticket options, including multi-night passes and VIP experiences.
As the travel industry continues to recover, theme parks are increasingly relying on seasonal events to fill shoulder-season calendars. The Anaconda houses represent a strategic move to capitalize on the popularity of horror entertainment and film tie-ins, offering a compelling reason for travelers to plan a fall getaway to Florida or Virginia.
