Press Release: Falcon's Fury Finally Opens at Busch Gardens

First Drop Tower of its Kind in the World

Solidifies Park as Florida’s Thrill Ride Leader

Tampa, Fla. (Sept. 2, 2014) – After weeks of thrilling lucky guests during a “soft open,” North America’s tallest freestanding drop tower, Falcon’s Fury™, officially opens today, Sept. 2, at Busch Gardens® Tampa.

“We know guests from around the world have been waiting to experience this one-of-a-kind thrill ride, and we are excited to officially invite those guests to ride Falcon’s Fury,” said Park President Jim Dean.

Falcon’s Fury stands at 335 feet and takes riders soaring 60mph straight down. At the ride’s highest point Busch Gardens has added an element of surprise; like its bird of prey namesake, riders pivot 90 degrees in midair to a face-down dive position. An instant later, riders plunge with speed and power that they’ve never experienced before.

For more updates about Falcon’s Fury™ and Pantopia™, visit to FalconsFury.com. Be the first to know about new events and special deals by following the park’s blog at BuschGardensTampaBlog.com. You can also like the Busch Gardens Facebook page, and follow @buschgardens on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Guests are encouraged to join the fun and share their post-ride reaction photos and tag them with #falconface.

Press Release: HOWL-O-SCREAM UNLEASHES TERROR WITH NEWEST HAUNTED HOUSE “DEAD FALL”

HOWL-O-SCREAM UNLEASHES TERROR

WITH NEWEST HAUNTED HOUSE “DEAD FALL”

Facebook Fans Choose Featured Evil Elements

TAMPA, Fla. (Aug. 5, 2014) – Howl-O-Scream® 2014 returns to Busch Gardens® Tampa with tormenting surprises and unexpected terrors around every corner, including the event’s newest haunted house – Dead Fall.

Inside Dead Fall, the ghosts of long lost memories reach into the present and will NOT be forgotten! These spirits from the past lurk in the shadows of this Victorian garden and greenhouse, longing to drag unsuspecting guests into their world. Visitors will have to try to escape before becoming a permanent resident of Dead Fall. 

In 2013, Busch Gardens included their Facebook fans in planning Howl-O-Scream’s new haunted house, Death Water Bayou. Fans chose three key elements of the house, and then saw their vote come to life when they visited the event.

Back by popular demand, fans once again have the opportunity to vote on three key elements of Dead Fall, including the name of the estate, a murder tool one of the residents fell victim to, and the name of one of Dead Fall’s residents.

Voting starts today, Aug. 5 on the Howl-O-Scream Facebook page and takes place in a series of three Facebook polls over the course of three weeks. “Like” the Howl-O-Scream Facebook page and start voting now. And stay tuned to the Howl-O-ScreamInstagram page for more contests and updated event information.

Freaky Preview is back to open Howl-O-Scream 2014 on Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27.  The event then runs Thursday throughSaturday nights, Oct. 2-Nov. 1. Howl-O-Scream will also be open on Sunday, Oct. 19.  Operating hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Get your tickets early and save on a single terrifying night at Howl-O-Scream 2014. For a limited time, any single-day admission to Howl-O-Scream 2014 is $47. There’s safety in numbers, so you and three friends can also save on a pack of four or more tickets to Howl-O-Scream 2014 on Thursdays, starting at $35 per person. Busch Gardens Tampa pass members can take advantage of their limited time exclusive discount on any single-night admission to Howl-O-Scream 2014 for only $42. 

Stay tuned to HowlOScream.com for the latest terrifying details. Howl-O-Scream 2014 is a separate ticketed night event. No costumes are allowed. For guest information, visit HowlOScream.com or call 1-888-800-5447.

Event review: RePlay: Symphony of Heroes

As heard on the Geek I/O show episode 54, executive producer Jason Michael Paul, of JMP Productions, announced that the North American premiere of the video game symphony  RePlay: Symphony of Heroes, was coming on April 19, 2014 to Saint Petersburg, Florida’s very own Mahaffey Theater.  Myself and Rachel had the pleasure of being invited to come down and watch this absolutely spectacular performance.  

Before the performance, we were treated to a backstage tour and to listen to a part of the symphony’s final rehearsal.  We were also treated to another meeting, face to face, with Jason before the event.  

CJ with Jason Michael Paul

Rachel with Jason Michael Paul

After talking with Jason a bit about what he was doing here in town, and he let us know that he enjoyed the Yankees v. Rays baseball game the night before, as well as some of the local cuisine.  He let me know that he was not a fan of stuff that was a chain and that he preferred to support the local eateries instead.

We then got to just lounge in the beautiful St. Pete springtime, overlooking Tampa Bay at the Mahaffey Center, waiting for the event to start, and it was a very simple process getting the tickets and moving into the event, thanks to the amazing staff at the Mahaffey.  

Now, the event.

Panorama of the theatre

We get into the theatre, assigned seats, once again the Mahaffey can really handle itself with a crowd.  The theatre is beautiful, and there is a buzz in the air, there are geeks like us everywhere, happy, talking, there are even a few random people in costume!

The lights dim and the guest conductor comes up, a brief narration come across with the soft underscore of music from the orchestra, and then the music from Elder Scrolls: Oblivion strikes up!, The crowd goes completely silent, only gasps heard, and the announcer, Nigel Carrington (Dear Esther, The Dark Knight) comes up, explaining the story.  You are the hero, and you will discover yourself through the stories of other heroes, Master Chief, Link, Chelle, Chrono, and many, many more.  Before each of the chapter’s music, Nigel comes up once again (to the backdrop of Dear Esther music) to explain what your hero’s next step in the journey is.

Most of the chapter’s music is accompanied by scenes from the games they are from, with the exception of a few, which brings me to my real only dig on the event, the two games we personally were looking forward to seeing, Chrono Trigger/Chrono Cross and Final Fantasy VIII were completely lacking cinematics.  I am sure that was because of a licensing issue, and nothing more (this was one question that both Rachel and myself were not able to ask).

The music is beautiful.  The cinematics are breathtaking.  The event flows effortlessly and is by far one of the most beautiful and breathtaking events that I personally have had the pleasure of attending in a very long time.

Now some credits, thank you all again for this event and opportunity. 

Here are some links for review:

Replay’s Site

JMP Productions

Full media for the event