The Dark side of Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Howl O Scream revealed

With just under a week to go before the opening of Haunt season at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Scott Gasprich gave all of the details to this year’s Howl O Scream at an annual passholder event Saturday in Das Festhaus. “Busch Gardens pulled out all the stops for Howl-O-Scream’s 13th anniversary,” Gasparich said. “There is nothing in this year’s event that hasn’t been intensified, including new takes on old favorites.”


In the 13th year, the park is pulling out all the stops to make this the biggest and scariest year to date. The park is bringing 3 new houses (to make a grand total of 5) Five scare zones, and three shows.

For many years Jack O’Lantern has been the official mascot of Howl O Scream, this year he’s been pushed to the backburner a little bit further and is now replaced by “The Lady of the Gardens” who resembles the “zombie bride” from Busch Gardens Tampa’s Howl O Scream. The Dark Side of the Gardens is a shared theme at both parks this year, as well as zombies. This is a first, as Busch Gardens Tampa usually has a more intense, adult oriented event.

Houses

13:Your Numbers Up(new)-For 13 long years, the dark tower was locked away from the world—existing only in the nightmares of those who had dared to experience Howl-O-Scream’s first and most terrifying maze. But now, on the eve of our 13th anniversary, the seal has been broken. The tower is open once more and on the 13th floor, your darkest phobias and fears lurk in the shadows. Are you brave enough to face them or is your number up?

Catacombs(returning)-Through a ruined cemetery filled with statues lies a tunnel that leads to an underground city. Its history is more terrifying than that of France’s worst revolutions. Deep within these tunnels lie mile after mile of bones—the final resting place for those who are buried here. But all is not as quiet as it appears. As guests venture forth into the dank, dripping corridors of rat infested remains, the voices of the dead begin to speak, and some have taken shape.

Fear Fair(new)-On the dark outskirts of the Fair Grounds near Festa Italia, a traveling carnival is waiting under a stained and tattered big top. Lift the flaps of the tent and discover the macabre—a fantastic collection of freaks, psychotic clowns and other insane oddities that defy human explanation. Will your sides split with laughter? Or will you turn around and run for your life? Either way, you’ll quickly understand why this evil carnival is doomed to wander the Italian countryside … never stopping in the same village twice.

Bitten(returning)-Suspicion, darkness and mind-numbing fear surround the “Bitten” house which is set in Eastern Europe in the late 1800s. Full of legends and lore of vampires and the undead that preyed on the innocent, this manor sits by the road upon which all travelers must pass but few return.

Dead Line(new)-Deep underground, construction of the newest line of the Pompeii Metro was moving smoothly until an ancient pipe was accidentally struck. At first, it seemed like steam. Then the mist became thicker, more sinister. Now the strange gas is leaking quickly, and everyone trapped inside is infected. The difficult decision was made to cut off all communication to the outside world. The Dead Line is off the grid.

Thoughts-Fear Fair and Dead Line seem like ideas borrowed from Busch Gardens Tampa’s event. Dark Heart’s Fear Fair, and Taste of Blood both had similar themes. Expect a wild subway in Dead Line, complete with a fun “Mr. Toad” effect near the end.

Scare Zones

Widow Makers-Venture deep into the woods of New France, where a solitary logging camp is ensnared by a killer clan of enormous venomous spiders, ready to capture anyone who wanders into their wicked web of terror. The loggers are fighting back with their sharpest blades, but be careful … in the darkness of the woods, they may mistake you for the spiders they’re trying to destroy.

Grin And Scare It-Go ahead. Step right up to the creepiest show on earth. A traveling carnival has just crawled into Festa Italia, and you’ll be one of the very first guests to see what terrible traps these carnies have in store. As they unpack boxes brimming with ghastly tricks, the high-pitched laughter of evil clowns echo from the shadows. At this sinister circus, you won’t be calling for an encore.

Unleashed-The full moon looms. The fog creeps closer. And somewhere in the distance, a creature howls. There are werewolves on the prowl, and they’re coming nearer—hunting for unsuspecting human prey. So listen for the rustle of dry leaves in the bushes, and beware the creepy cry that pierces the darkness. It may be your only warning in this scare zone, where you’ll discover what happens when true fear is Unleashed.

Stitchin Time-This is the realm of the living dead—a land where zombies and monsters roam and where cold eyes search for unsuspecting new victims. Could you become one of them? In the darkened streets of Germany a demonic doctor is on the loose, frantically gathering the limbs and organs of the living. His purpose: to patch together a new breed of immortal creatures and to build a ferocious force of undead to do his bidding. He’s armed his zombie militia with scissors, needles and thread, and he’s convinced them all it’s Stitchin’ Time. And now, they’re dying to make you a part of their evil empire.

Scavengers-Through dense fog lies a Scottish village farmstead where scarecrows oversee recently harvested fields that now lie barren. By day all is well. As night falls, those who once protected against scavengers turn on those who created them. Beware the tables have turned, and now you are being stalked.

Thoughts-It seems like BGW is stepping up with a lot of themes that have worked in the past at BGT. Evil Scarecrows are always fun if done right. Zombies and monsters are always crowd pleasers.

Shows
Monster Stomp:Revamped-A crowd favorite, combines singing, dancing and vampires.

Jack is Back-A family friendly gathering using puppets and dance music

Fiends-Oh lord. This is going to be a hit for those of you who have never seen the show at BGT. The show has a lot of songs, and a lot of T&A. It’s a favorite of those at BGT, and has been around since the very first. The only thing you really need to know is, Hot Nurses with Pink Hair.
Check out even more Howl O Scream goodness, courtesy of Worldwidebrian.com

For more information about the event visit the official Howl O Scream website.