It's definitely looking like they're going to try and transform the park into a twisted nightmare land filled with vampires, demons, serial killers and more.
Starting Friday the thirteenth of September, Busch Gardens’ charming European villages are transformed – taken over by demons and creatures of unspeakable horror – into four Terror-tories. With the introduction of Terror-tories, transformed lands where spirits and fiends walk amongst the living, Busch Gardens has introduced a whole new immersive aspect to Howl-O-Scream. France, Italy, Germany and England will be transformed into an over-the-top thematic experience that transports guests to another time and place full of startles and frights.
Gotta say, this is looking very promising and really fits well with each country's history. That doesn't even get into the food and drink options that are tied into each. This is looking like a very well rounded event that's more immersive than ever before with the promise of completely transforming the countries into twisted visions of their former selves. Top that off with the themed dining and drinking experiences and I think that they're definitely onto something with things this year.
Anyway, enough talk. I've already covered the things coming back from last year's event for this year, so let's take a look at what's new for this year's Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg and starting things off? The all new "Terror-tories" for 2013:
Things are looking a bit unsettling in England; a murderer is on the loose plucking unsuspecting victims from the city streets to satisfy his grizzly curiosity. No one knows what Jack the Ripper looks like or who he will strike next. Authorities hunt furiously among the crowds in search of the killer nabbing anyone who looks at all suspicious. Keep your head down and your wits about you or you might not make it out alive.
Okay, I've gotta hand it to them, this was sorely needed and a long time coming. The entrance to BGW has always been a little lack luster and while it's true there's not much there as far as attractions, it's important to set the mood properly for any Halloween event. This should do the trick nicely and I'm very much looking forward to seeing how they spice things up and get folks into the mood right off the bat for this year.
Even vampires need a vacation once in a while and Vampire Point™ is the perfect destination for bloodsuckers. Watch your step and your neck or you might end up the main course. Dawn is hours away, your last salvation lies in escaping the vampire village before the inhabitants sink their fangs into you.
Well, home to the Open Casket bar from last year and Bitten, this area was definitely lacking in some in an overall theme. Glad to see them take a few steps further and truly immerse the whole area into the vampire legend. Going to be quite the scene and the Germany section of the park is perfect for this...I hope they do expand it a bit into Austria as well, just seems like it would work well there too.
Paris is burning. Can you escape before the city is engulfed in flame? Let the smoldering ruins light your way, but beware, fiery fiends lurk around every corner ready to put you on the coals. The smell of a burning inferno fills the air and rumor has it unsuspecting souls will be roasted on a spit. It’s about to get very hot in Paris, stay cool or you may find yourself going up in smoke.
London Fire? Oh no, we're dancing with the devil on the ashes of Paris! Love this take on things and it'll fit great with the Catacombs maze that's located in the area as well. Top that off with Griffon and it's looking like Paris, and in fact all of France, is no longer the romantic getaway that everyone always fantasizes about....unless you enjoy a good candle light dinner that is. I'm curious if they'll give Griffon any treatment this year with the addition of fog or special lighting...one can hope!
Last, but certainly not least is the return of those scurvy sea dogs to Williamsburg for this year!
The Jolly Roger has risen over a ship graveyard filled with lost souls doomed to haunt the vessels they once sailed. Chart your course through Cut Throat Cove™ or cozy up to the Pirate Baarrrgh™ for a swill ‘o the grog, but keep a weather eye open or you may find yourself keel-hauled by cut-throat buccaneers.
Okay, gotta say...love the fact that they've brought the pirate theme back for this year's event. It's been quite a while since they've graced the shores of the Rhine River in the park and it sounds like they've come back with a vengeance for this year. I've seen a few pictures from various forums that show the theming going into place around the San Marco area and I can't wait to see all of Italy turned into this buccaneer playground.
Speaking of pirates, there's an all new maze for this year as well that's taking the place of Fear Fair and thankfully making the clowns go away from all of Italy..
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Heed the warning: Abandon hope all ye who enter. Cut Throat Cove™ is the haven for bloodthirsty, dangerous rogues – where the scurvy dogs, buccaneers and scoundrels go for shelter. Proceed with caution. Alas, something has gone terribly wrong. Within this macabre market, the pirates have been slaughtered and mutiny is afoot. The way out lies with the buried treasure and the blood-curdling screams you hear just might be your own.
Well, can't have a whole country with a new theme and not have a new house, can we? This comes as a bit of a surprise, even though we did have a good indication that it was coming earlier, but it's still a welcome change and one that I hope starts to spread throughout the rest of the mazes in the park. That said, I'm going to guess this is going to be one of the "open sky" haunts along side the Root of all Evil maze that's located in Germany. It should fit nicely into the area where Fear Fair once sat and provide quite the setting for these scurvy dogs to pillage and plunder their weasely black guts out!
So, there ya have it, all of the new "Terror-tories" and the new maze for this year's event. However, that's just the start of the new things to come for this year's Howl-O-Scream. There's all new food and drink options to help feed your fear and give you some liquid courage as well. So, let's see what's on tap and in the barrel, shall we?
First up are the new themed food options, gotta have a good base for all the libation, right?
Blood Banquet: Visit Count Vlad’s hotel and meet a variety of paranormal characters for an all-new interactive dining experience. This one-of-a-kind spooky atmosphere paired with unexpected twists and turns offers guests the chance to sink their teeth into a whole new way of dining. With an eclectic menu, haunting music and an atmosphere to die for, Blood Banquet is otherworldly.
Fright Feast: The laboratory lights are on and the electricity is crackling. Dine with the surgeon, his assistant and their kooky monster at Freakenstonia Castle. The slab is just as hot as the food and the drinks are flowing faster than an I.V. drip in this riveting, entertaining and live-action experience.
Buccaneer Galley: Arrgh matey! The galley cooks have prepared a buffet fit for a buccaneer. Join the lovely hostess as she and her cutthroat crew serves up a captain's feast – pirate buffet-style.
Definitely an interesting spin on things and am intrigued to see just how far they take the theming into the dining areas for this one. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Blood Banquet will be in Das Festhaus and Buccaneer Galley is going to be located in Italy, call me crazy there. That said, it sounds to me like the Fright Feast is going to be located in Ireland, but I can't be sure...but it would be nice to see it in the past unused outdoor quick service area at the entrance to the area.
Last year we had a blast with the Open CASKet bar in Germany, but did think that there could've been a few more of these sprinkled about through the expansive park. Only having one didn't make for a lot of movement through the park and all...but this year? Oh they've definitely headed the call to add in two more liquor establishments.
Demon Drinks: On Demon Street, everything is sizzling. Join the club, beat the heat and throw back a cold one. The Demon Drinks’ DJ and his too-hot-to-handle hosts are happy to serve guests as they fan the flames of fun.
Pirate Baarrrgh: Ahoy scallywags, when the gale winds blow through the creaking yardarm, it's time for dead men to tell tall tales at Pirate Baarrrgh. Grab a swill o’ the grog stolen from Davy Jones’ locker and mingle with the likes of Peg Leg Pete, Billy Bones and Blackbeard.
Yep, pirates and demons having a grand old time in the old country. What more could ya want? It's also refreshing to see these spaced out a good bit as well (France and Italy respectively). Now there's something in nearly every section of the park and it's never far to go between anything. It should help fill things out more throughout the entire park.
The one thing that's a bit disappointing is that the park is still closing early. These 10 and 11pm closing times are just too early for an event on this scale. That's only giving guests 4-5 hours to get to everything and while you can get in for cheap with the Fall Fun Card (only $70) and come back as many time as you'd like, it's still just too short. I know that we were hoping the times would at least be 11pm and Midnight. Hopefully that can be changed or at least considered for future events down the road.
That said, this one did need some sprucing up and I think they've definitely set the ground work for that to happen. Let's hope the updates to the mazes and the scare-actors can do this expansion justice as well. A haunt is nothing without the actors after all...
As always, you can find more information about Howl-O-Scream at Busch Garden Williamsburg on their official website!
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