With the Sept. 14 opening of Howl-O-Scream just around the corner, scare-lovers and scarers alike are preparing for tried-and-true haunts at Busch Gardens.
And there are also some new spooks this year at the park.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to elevate the event’s scare factor,” said Peter Dunklee, vice president of entertainment for Busch Gardens Williamsburg. “We try to balance the fun and the scares and we’ve accomplished just that with two new escape room experiences, additional startles in our haunted houses and resurrecting a guest favorite show.”
This year, Howl-O-Scream will run until Oct. 27 and feature two new escape rooms, among other things.
Here’s what’s new
- Jack is Back (Show) – This year marks the return of Jack is Back, a street-style performance in the Ireland village starring Jack. Pumpkins, scarecrows and Jack himself pay park guests a visit in this disco dancing celebration.
- Jack’s Twisted Terror (Escape room) – Jack is ready to challenge guests in an all-new escape room. Guests must escape before the Nightmare Machine turns visitors’ fears into reality.
- Grave Obsession (Escape room) – Each choice made in this escape room will lead guests further and further into a “terrible reality,” with a shocking revelation.
- The Vault: Overtaken (Haunted house) – Jack has been released from the Vault to make room for creatures from past Howl-O-Screams like Igor, Freakenstein and the Fiends nurses. Classic characters will also join in, including The Executioner from The Dark Tower; Dr. Rot; Meemaw from Cornered; Werewolf from Hunted; Georgie from Mr. Karver’s workshop; Giggles the Clown from Festa Dementia; and many others.
- Two new party zones with “diabolical DJs” in France and Italy.
Overall, Howl-O-Scream will have six haunted houses, six “nightmarish Terror-tories,” escape rooms and several shows for this year’s fall festivities.
Coaster Creepers, monsters lurking around the park’s roller coasters, will spook riders as they board the rides.
Back this year are several themed bars at the park, including Chaos Cocktails, Last Call, Jack’s Nightcap, Restless Spirits and Control Bar.
Terror-tories:
- Sideshow Square™ (Festa Italia)
- Ripper Row (England)
- Vampire Point (Germany)
- Fool’s Court (France)
- Axe Alley (New France)
- Garden of the Souls (Italy)
Haunted houses:
- Circo Sinistro
- Lumberhack
- Frostbite
- Demented Dimensions
- Dystopia
Shows:
- Monster Stomp on Ripper Row
- Night Beats: Revamped
Guests interested in going to Howl-O-Scream can buy a Fun Card, $91.99. The pass allows the guest to visit the park in spring and summer 2020 through Sept. 13, 2020. With the pass, fall Howl-O-Scream is completely free.
Single day tickets for Howl-O-Scream cost around $46.99.
