Every fall the Orlando theme parks go into full swing Halloween mode. There is Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando and numerous other haunted house events. It’s always great to head to your favorite parks at night and get scared while taking in the incredible detail these Orlando attractions put into their Halloween events. Not only do you get the haunted house experience, but many parks will leave their most popular rides open for guests to go on and that’s a treat in and of itself. These events are usually a bigger draw for the adult crowd, as many of the attractions are too gory for children and alcohol is often served. But one of the hottest Halloween events in Central Florida has to be Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

This year will be Howl-O-Scream’s tenth year scaring Busch Gardens visitors. This year Busch Gardens turns to vampires and fashion with their theme: House of Vayne. Led by the lead vampiress Ms. Vayne and her horde of vampire models, the House of Vayne “women” will travel the parks scaring you at every corner of the massive Busch Gardens park. Before we get to the haunted houses, Busch Gardens features two shows guests can attend. With Fiends, “Dr. Freakenstein” and his sexy nurses (clad in hot pink nurse outfits) dance and perform to a variety of musical numbers. Magician Jason Byrne is also on hand for Full Moon Cabaret: The Magic of Jason Byrne, a dark-themed illusion show any magic fan would love.

As for the haunted houses, there are a number of ways to get your horror fix. If you’re into college slasher films, check out the “Delta Epsilon Delta: Pledge Week.” This house is all about a sorority gone wrong and the horrors that happen inside the DED house. Vampire fans will love” Taste of Blood” as vampires run wild in the sewers looking for fresh blood to feed on. Other haunted house themes include motorcycle gangs, death row and a nightmare toy factory.

Along with the haunted houses there are various scare zones across the park where freaky characters wander around trying to scare you. Werewolves, banshees and even a carnival of “Day of the Dead" - like characters roam around looking for unwilling victims - so watch your back! Howl-O-Scream runs from September 25th to October 31st.

Believe it or not, it has been 50 years since Busch Gardens first opened as an admission-free hospitality center for the nearby Anheuser-Busch manufacturing plant. But you’d never know the park is half-a-century old from all the exciting attractions and shows it offers, from the exhilarating Sheikra to the side-splitting Critter Castaways. And in celebration of being fifty and still fabulous, the park will be partying all season long with Summer Nights at Busch Gardens, an opportunity for guests to enjoy special entertainment, festive food and drink, and extended nighttime hours.

Every night from June 6 through August 16, Busch Gardens will put on its dancing shoes and lead park guests in celebration – literally. An infectious dance choreographed especially for park guests will amp up the energy during summer nights, and DJs from four different spots throughout the park will spin party hits all night long.

Meanwhile, special entertainment and performers will kick off the festivities after dark, starting with Darren Romeo, presented by master magicians Siegfried and Roy. The voice of magic, Romeo returns to Busch Gardens with his captivating mix of magic and music in the Moroccan Palace. Following him is Jeff Civilico, who will present his amazing blend of comedy, juggling, balancing, athleticism, and audience participation in the Marrakesh Theater.

Summer Nights at Busch Gardens will start with a bang this Saturday, June 6, when a live concert featuring hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and 70’s performed by the original artists takes over Gwazi Park. The concert will be capped with a fireworks display lighting up the night sky.

Then, guests will want to come back on July 3, when the Independence Day festivities start early and David Cassidy performs live in concert. The next day, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas will rock the stages followed by another breathtaking fireworks spectacular.

Park hours during Summer Nights at Busch Gardens will be extended until 9 pm Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays, so it’s a great opportunity to ride your favorite coasters in the dark and pack in even more fun at a regular day at Busch Gardens. In addition, guests can check out the new exhibit honoring the park’s 50 years of fun; located near the Crown Colony House Restaurant and the Clydesdale Hamlet, it features hundreds of photos, souvenirs and artifacts from the park’s history on display, including a 70-foot timeline.

The best part of Summer Nights, however, is that it’s included with regular admission to Busch Gardens. So all you have to do is get your discount Busch Gardens tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com and you’ll be all set to celebrate the park’s birthday and dance, ride, and party through the night this summer.

When Manta opens next month, one lucky person will get to be one of the first people to ride it - and for a good cause, at that. Earth Day is coming up next Wednesday, April 22, and SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are inviting guests to celebrate it all month long with special events at both parks and a global online auction - which is auctioning off, among other things, first rides on the new roller coaster at SeaWorld.

By visiting auctionwire.com/savewildlife from now through April 30, guests will be able to find some wild deals and help wildlife at the same time. The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund along with American Express is sponsoring a global online auction to raise funds for animal rescue, habitat protection, and conservation education in the US around the world. Every dollar raised during this eco-friendly shopping event directly benefits wildlife and habitats.

Among the special experiences and gifts up for bid are one-of-a-kind paintings by Busch Gardens’ gorillas and orangutans, exotic animal meet and greets, a private lunch for two with Jack Hanna at SeaWorld, and various other items, such as travel packages, tickets to entertainment and sporting events, celebrity memorabilia, and much more. There’s even the opportunity to star in your own reality vacation show filmed by Spectrum Productions.

“Earth Month is a great time to raise awareness of animals, conservation and how we’re all connected,” said Ginny Busch, president of the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund. “We hope during this time, guests will discover that even the smallest, everyday efforts can have a huge impact on the world we share.”

In addition, for every donation of $100 or more to the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the parks will match it dollar for dollar. Guests can make donations online or in person at the parks, where they’ll receive a complimentary eco-friendly tote bag as a thank you.

“With the current economy, all of us tighten our belts. But it’s still incredibly critical to keep protecting at-risk animals, people and places for the health of our environment and planet,” said Jim Atchison, president of Busch Entertainment Corporation. “We’re committed to contributing to conservation and invite our guests and the public to join us this Earth Month.”

As part of the Earth month celebrations, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens will also host fun and activities and events at both parks throughout April. There’ll be new up-close animal encounters, kid-friendly activities, special shows, and more. Wildlife experts Jack Hanna and Julie Scardina will also be making appearances; Hanna arrives at the park on April 26 and May 3.

So if you love the animals at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, make a positive contribution to creatures like them in the wild by bidding on one of the cool park items at the global auction or donating when you visit your favorite Busch Entertainment park. And don’t forget to check out the green fun happening all month long at the parks with SeaWorld tickets and Busch Gardens tickets from OrlandoFunTickets.com.

As thousands of people descend on Tampa, Florida, this weekend for Super Bowl XLIII, most will not realize that a piece of Tampa has always had a connection to the biggest of football games. At Busch Gardens, the iconic Clydesdales have been a staple in Anheuser-Busch Super Bowl commercials for over 40 years.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are a group of Clydesdale horses that were first presented to August Anheuser Busch, Sr. on April 7, 1933, by his son, August A. Busch, Jr., as a gift to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. Known for the long white hairs that cover their hooves, the horses, which includes six “hitches” (teams) dispersed through the US, have appeared in various commercials and events nationwide. However, they’ve become most famous for their acting in Budweiser Super Bowl ads.

The Clydesdales first made their Super Bowl premiere in 1967 with an ad that showed the horses marching with their famous red, white, and gold beer wagon to the tune of a cheerful jingle. Over the years, the commercials have taken on serious and funny tones, with the horses engaging in snowball fights and looking on while a zebra referee tries to make a game call.

This year’s Super Bowl will be a particularly big one for the Clydesdales. Though there’s no way to tell for sure how many commercials they’ll appear in during Super Bowl XLIII, AB In-Bev executives told reporters that this year’s ads will have more Clydesdales than any other Budweiser commercial of the past. The commercials will feature the horses in several situations: a romance with a circus horse, a particularly competitive game of fetch, and a portrayal of the history of the Clydesdales. One ad will also feature comedian Conan O’Brien.

When they’re not touring the country or starring in ads, you can see these magnificent horses at the Clydesdale Hamlet at Busch Gardens. There, you can also meet Sprint the Donkey, whose dream of being a world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale made him famous in a series of his own Super Bowl TV ads. The Clydesdales also have a stable where guests can visit them at SeaWorld Orlando.

To see some of the Clydesdales’ greatest Super Bowl commercials, tune into the CBS special Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials on January 31 at 8 pm. Hosted by TV personality and model Daisy Fuentes and sports announcer Jim Nantz, the special includes a tribute to the Clydesdales that was shot earlier this week at Busch Gardens.

The Budweiser Clydesdales will also be making an appearance near Tampa’s Northdale Plaza (at the corner of North Dale Mabry Avenue and North Dale Boulevard) on Thursday, January 29, from 3 to 6 pm to promote their starring role in the Super Bowl commercials.

And this weekend, be sure to stop by the park for some theme park amusements when you’re not completely preoccupied by football festivities. From the Clydesdales to the tigers at Jungala, everyone in Tampa is excited to host Super Bowl XLIII. Score your discount Busch Gardens tickets now at OrlandoFunTickets.com, and you’ll ensure the fun’s not over when the game ends.

When the weather starts to warm up here in Florida, so does the entertainment at Orlando theme parks. Over at Universal Studios Orlando, the park is gearing up with its Mardi Gras: Let the Music Move You celebration, which is sure to offer three months of fun with a rockin’ lineup of star performers. However, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay aren’t content to be left behind – they’re putting on a Rockin’, Smokin’, Saucy, and Sweet party of their own with the 2009 Bud & BBQ at both parks. And we’ve got a special sneak peek on the entertainment for this event, which is sure to be an amazing rival to Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras as well as an additional fun option for vacationers.

Bud & BBQ will take over SeaWorld and Busch Gardens each weekend from February 7th through March 1st. The event will present a zesty lineup of live performances by award-winning country and classic rock artists, with concerts every Saturday at SeaWorld and concerts every Sunday at Busch Gardens.

At SeaWorld Orlando, the Bud & BBQ will kick off with a concert from Blake Shelton on February 7. Kenny Rogers will perform his classic hits on February 14 for a romantic and fun Valentine’s Day. Darryl Hall and John Oates will hit the stages on February 21, and Jason Aldean will perform on February 28.

At Busch Gardens Tampa, guests will enjoy the stylings of Phil Vassar with opening act Josh Gracin on February 8, Gretchen Wilson on February 15, Miranda Lambert on February 22, and Greg Allman on March 1.

In addition to great, live music, both 2009 Bud & BBQ’s will feature plenty of blazing barbecue and ice-cold Budweiser beer. It might also be one of the last times guests will be able to enjoy refreshing brews like Budweiser and Bud Light at the parks. The new owner of Busch Entertainment, AB In-Bev, is looking to sell off the theme park division of the company, separating it from its long-time association with the American beer producer, Anheuser-Busch. Therefore, this year’s Bud & BBQ will be a particularly special, can’t-miss event.

So get ready for smokin’ hot food and fired-up music during the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens’ Bud & BBQ. It’s a great way to enjoy your favorite theme parks thrills, exhibits, and attractions along with some sizzling fun. Best yet, each concert is included with admission to SeaWorld or Busch Gardens, so there’s no excuse for missing out. Start planning your spicy theme park adventure by scoring discount SeaWorld and Busch Gardens tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.

As part of one of the longest-standing traditions at the park, guests of SeaWorld Orlando have almost always been able to enjoy a free brew at the Hospitality House. A result of being owned by the makers of Budweiser, Michelob, Busch, and other beers, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens have offered free tastings of the American beers for years. Sadly, that tradition will soon come to an end in February when the Hospitality House, in addition to other “brewmaster clubs” and hospitality centers at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, will close.

According to a recent announcement, Busch Entertainment (the division of Anheuser-Busch InBev that operates SeaWorld and Busch Gardens) will be closing down the hospitality centers on February 1st and converting them into new facilities. The timing of their reopening will vary from park to park, but Busch Garden’s Hospitality House will close briefly and reopen with a new café-style menu. The Hospitality House at SeaWorld, meanwhile, will be closed for a longer period of time while it’s converted into a restaurant.

Reportedly, the facilities will be redesigned to expand their appeal across age groups, though guests of drinking age will still be able to purchase beer at these locations when they reopen. According to AB InBev, all employees affected by the closures will remain with the company.

The move to end free beer tasting comes as a result of Anheusher Busch’s recent merge with Belgian brewer InBev, forming the new mega-brewing company Anheuser-Busch InBev. The consensus is that AB InBev ended the tastings in order to make the Orlando-based theme-park division easier to sell, since any buyer of the parks would likely have little interesting in continuing to promote the beers. In addition, closing the hospitality centers now would ensure that a new buyer wouldn’t have to take that step, which has certainly been unwelcome by park fans. The one hope among SeaWorld and Busch Gardens lovers is that current economic conditions will undoubtedly continue to make it difficult for AB InBev to find a buyer.

At the Hospitality House at SeaWorld, guests can sample a few of the signature beverages while feasting on food pairings at the Brewmaster’s Club. The center is also a place where visitors could explore the history of Anheuser Busch through a century’s worth of memorabilia, tracing the company’s roots from a small Midwestern brewery to the biggest brewery in the world. The SeaWorld Hospitality House opened on March 1st, 1992, three years after Anheuser-Busch bought the park. Busch Garden’s center has an even longer history, having been opened along with the park in 1959.

Given this latest news, there’s certainly no better time than the present to visit SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and experience a park tradition before it closes. The beer will taste even better when you save on discount SeaWorld tickets and discount Busch Gardens tickets at OrlandoFunTickets.com.