We got a first taste of Howl-O-Scream food 2025 at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with Vampire Tacos, Black Widow Sliders, and the Vampire Bite cocktail.
On Saturday, August 25, we had the chance to attend a special Busch Gardens Tampa Bay event: the Passport to Summer Pass Member Celebration. This was no ordinary afternoon at the park. It was a reward for the most dedicated fans who visited Busch Gardens 30 times or more this summer. Yes, thirty visits. (At this point, we think our GPS has Busch Gardens saved as “home.”) However, for the record, we also visited SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens’ sister park, 30 times this summer, earning a dinner for two at Sharks Underwater Grill and Bar there. Before you judge us, it is our job!
However, at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, we earned a unique reward that all pass members could earn. The reward? An exclusive preview event with rewards, gifts, and featuring sneak peeks of some of the food and beverages coming to Howl-O-Scream 2025. For anyone unfamiliar, Howl-O-Scream is Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s annual Halloween event filled with haunted houses, scare zones, live shows, and specialty themed food and drinks. You can learn more about the full event lineup on the official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website.
Since this was a complimentary tasting event (along with several other rewards like chatting with the new park president for pass members), we’re not doing a traditional food review. Instead, we’ll let the numbers speak for themselves: five Vampire Tacos and three Black Widow Sliders. You can probably guess how things went. Now, if we could find a way for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to have Coke Zero Sugar at these events. Still, we should refrain from making it all about us!
The Howl-O-Scream Food We Tried
The preview included two Howl-O-Scream food options and one themed cocktail.
Vampire Tacos
Description from the event signage:
“Shredded Pork Carnitas with Cilantro Crema on a warm Flour Tortilla.”
Simple, flavorful, and very easy to keep eating. We had five tacos during the event, which either speaks to the recipe’s success or our complete lack of self-control. Probably both.
Black Widow Sliders
Description from the event signage:
“Seasoned Angus Beef on a Crafted Black Poppy Seed Bun, and Smokey Red Gouda Sauce.”
These sliders immediately stand out thanks to their jet-black buns. The Smokey Red Gouda sauce is the star here, bringing both flavor and color. Three sliders later, we felt properly spooky and satisfied.
Vampire Bite Cocktail
Description from the event signage:
“Vodka, Monin Red Passion Fruit Syrup, Cranberry Juice, Margarita Flavoring.”
At the event, each guest could enjoy up to two complimentary drinks. The guests we spoke with who had this Howl-o-Scream beverage, Vampire Bite, said they enjoyed it. Fruity, red, and appropriately named, the Vampire Bite is a fun addition to Howl-O-Scream 2025’s menu.
Why Passholder Events Matter
If you’ve ever considered purchasing a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay annual pass, potential future events like this are the reason to do it. Busch Gardens goes the extra mile to make passholders feel valued, with perks like unlimited admission, free parking, monthly rewards, and appreciation events. As noted in a previous Main Street Magic blog, the Platinum Pass delivers excellent value, and the Passport to Summer event proves it. Free food, free drinks, early menu access—what more could a theme park fan want? (Besides maybe one more taco.)
Howl-O-Scream Food 2025 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Passport to Summer event was a fun perk for loyal fans and an exciting way to preview Howl-O-Scream 2025. Between the Vampire Tacos, Black Widow Sliders, and Vampire Bite cocktails, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is clearly putting as much thought into its food as it does into its scares.
So here’s the takeaway: if you’re a pass member, enjoy the rewards. However, if you’re not, consider it—because when tacos and cocktails are involved, thirty summer visits suddenly doesn’t seem so hard.
For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News. As always, eat like you mean it!
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