The undead are back as ZOMBIEzi Bay returns for its second season with even more scares. Coaster101 was invited to get a sampling of the tricks and treats lurking in the fog covered waterpark-turned-haunt. What is ZOMBIEzi Bay and what sets it apart from other Halloween attractions in the area? Anthony Sabo, Vice President, Waterpark Operations and Guest Services explains in this video courtesy of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium:
To learn more about how you transform a waterpark into central Ohio’s largest Halloween event in just a few weeks, listen to our 2021 podcast interview with Anthony. What can you expect to see at ZOMBIEzi Bay in 2022? Keep reading for a recap of all the frights and fun the event has to offer.
Please note all pictures and video were taken during a media event with permission – no photos or videos are allowed in the haunted houses during regular operating hours.
I love when dusk descends on an amusement park, especially during the Halloween season once the fog machines turn on.
Here’s a chilling challenge: try saying Zoombezi/Zombiezi five times fast!
- Waterpark: Zoombezi Bay (Zoom-bay-zee Bay)
- Haunt: Zombiezi Bay (Zom-bee-zee Bay)
Scare Zones
Devastation is a new themed scare zone for 2022 (replacing Decomposed). The story goes “Zombies have descended upon the town of Dead River, Ohio, leaving destruction in their wake.” I love how this event takes full advantage of the uniqueness of the haunt being located inside of a waterpark. A great example of this is projecting giant skull animations on to the large waterslide surfaces.
Returning from last year but with new improvements is the Photosynthesis scare zone. Did you know that when plants die, they don’t really die? In Photosynthesis, Mother Nature is hungry and out for revenge. Will you escape or be the next meal? They didn’t teach us this in science class. While Devastation can be bypassed, there’s no avoiding the Photosynthesis scare zone if you’re trying to get to the rides or Pleasant Screams.
Haunted Houses
The first haunted house we had the pleasure of walking through was PLEASANT SCREAMS. Surprisingly, there’s a short pre-show video at the beginning of the house to help setup the storyline (and to ensure proper spacing between groups). The audio was a little hard to hear but that’s partly what preview nights are for, to find out what needs to be fine tuned before opening to the public.
The Pleasant Screams pre-show.
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Eternal Darkness – Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Rides at ZOMBIEzi Bay
Zombiezi Bay is the only haunt in central Ohio offering amusement rides:
- Sea Dragon classic wooden roller coaster, recently named an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark
- Falcon Fall, a 50-foot drop tower
- Havoc bumper cars
- Sugar Glider paratrooper ride
- Safari Stampede Matterhorn ride
- Dust Devil scrambler
*Credit chasing coaster enthusiasts should take note Tidal Twist, the new Zamperla spinning coaster that opened last year, is not part of ZOMBIEzi Bay.*
Havoc Harbor – Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Brews and Bites: Craft Beer and Food Festival
As if rides and haunt weren’t enough, there’s even more fun to sink your teeth into with the Brews and Bites food festival. Eleven food venues feature more than 50 craft beers, ciders, and hard seltzers, as well as 17 delicious food items and three non-alcoholic specialty beverages to try.
Most beverage and food items come in two sizes: tasting and full.
Tasting size beer
Food and beverage highlights we tried included the delicious Buffalo Mac & Cheese with just the right amount of kick to it.
The S’mores ice cream cone was massive and just as good too, a great way to cool your mouth after enjoying one of the spicy morsels.
The Pretzel Breadsticks With Craft Beer Cheese Dip were so good we went back for seconds.
The Injectable Donut Holes were a unique yet somewhat messy treat where you use a giant plastic syringe to inject your donuts with either a chocolate or raspberry sauce.
If you want to try as many treats as you can we recommend the six-item tasting card, available for just $27 plus tax. The tasting card may be used over multiple visits if you don’t get to everything the first day.
ZOMBIEzi Bay Review 2022
We had a great time at ZOMBIEzi Bay. The hardest part is you may not be able to see or taste everything you want to within one night (there is a virtual reservation system called Doompass for an additional fee). Between the haunts, rides, and food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Watch the video below to get a feel for the atmosphere when we walk through Devastation as well as lights-on tours of Pleasant Screams and Sinister Sideshow. For each house, I’d estimate we only filmed about a third of it as we want to help keep the best parts a surprise.
The terrifying thrills continue on Friday and Saturday evenings in September, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings in October, plus Thursday, October 27. Hours are 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Due to the intense nature of this event, parental discretion is advised and the experience is recommended for guests ages 13 years and older.
2022 Zoombezi Bay Season Pass Holders and Gold Members can purchase tickets for $ 14.99 – the lowest available ticket price for ZOMBIEzi Bay. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Wilds Members save $3 on admission. Season Pass and Member discounts must be applied at the ZOMBIEzi Bay ticket booths and valid membership card or 2022 Season Pass must be presented.
We’d like to extend a special thanks to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for inviting us to experience season two of ZOMBIEzi Bay and to Jen Fields for being a wonderful tour guide!
To learn more and to purchase tickets visit the official ZOMBIEzi Bay website here.
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