[Howl-O-Scream]/Rumors of What's to Come for BGW

Well, there's been a ton of news coming out of Busch Gardens Tampa regarding their Howl-O-Scream event, but we haven't heard much of anything out of the Williamsburg park. It appears, that's for good reason it seems.

Not much is changing at all and many of the events look to be nearly identical to last year's event (and the year before that...and before that). However, there is rumor of a new house and new scare zone! That's something, right? +Carrie H.C. and I did enjoy last year's event but there was room for improvement in many, many areas.

This is definitely an interesting and odd move that has me scratching my head at why they would do this. I mean sure, some of the houses are great, but many of them have been around for 3-6 years now. Maybe they don't want to take away any of the thunder from the Tampa park? That would seem strange as their markets are completely different.

One very notable difference is the fact that, like it's sister park in Tampa, Williamsburg has gotten ride of the "Dark Side of the Gardens"tag line and likely means removing, what was an iconic figure, The Lady of the Gardens.

I can see the Tampa property doing this, but I'm not sure it was a wise move to ditch this idea for an icon so quickly. Then again, I don't remember seeing anyone actually playing the part at Busch Gardens Williamsburg last year either...which, in all honesty, is another mistake. (Though apparently she was there, we just missed her.)

Sure the theme had been used for two years, but it worked perfectly considering the name of the park and everything. This year, Tampa has gone off on their own direction once again using the "The 13" as their theme and basis for their event icons. What's Williamsburg doing? Well...pretty much the same thing they've done for a few years now. Now before you think I'm being too hard on BGW, let it be known that we already know that two houses in Tampa are being recycled as well, likely more too. This is a common tactic used by many haunts and theme parks across the US.

So, now that I've gotten that bit out of the way, we've definitely a lot to cover here, so get a bit comfy...

Now, let's get on with what we think we know of what's to come with this year's Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. All of this information is coming from the fact that the website is fully up and linking to haunts and other attractions. So, unless they're going to revamp the entire site (unlikely), then I think we're pretty safe with what's to come.

First thing to address is the fact that every house from last year is coming back...with the exception of Fear Fair. According to rumors out there, it seems that the props and set pieces were too damaged for it to return for another engagement. So, what is returning? Here's the list:

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 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?


This seems to be pretty much the same experience as last year, but we're not entirely sure if anything is changing inside the haunt to be honest. It definitely could use a bit of an update and that ending really needs to be fixed, so here's to hoping that the 3rd year is the charm for this maze.

The seeds of evil have been sown. Venture if you dare into a decrepit greenhouse. Experiments here have not gone as planned and evil has taken control. Botanists, landscapers and staff all poisoned by the very plants they created. In this maze of foliage, you are ripe for the pickings.




This maze debuted just last year and while it was the showcase event, we weren't exactly impressed by the layout or performances within it. It really needed to be kicked up quite a few notches. Maybe having the Lady of the Gardens actually in the house at some point could've been the key, but there were lots of other problems too. This year, I hear a rumor that they are making changes so, here's to hoping that includes a better layout and better actors! I'm not sure if it'll happen, but we can hope, right?

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.

This was one of our more enjoyable experiences at last year's event and the theming inside was really top notch. Sure, this maze has been around since 2009, but it's well done at pretty awesome to look at inside. I'm hoping that they can keep things up inside this one for this year's event, it would be a shame if things took a turn for the worse. It deserves better than that and hopefully they deliver.

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.


Bitten has been around since at least 2008/2009 and from what I understand, not much has changed at all. It's still going to be housed in the old Drachen Fire ride building and appears like they've just left it up all year as an earlier visit in June to the park showed the theming still in place at the entrance ways. This one has potential to be good, so let's hope the actors and directorial staff make sure it is.

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.


Last year both +Carrie H.C. and I felt that this house was one of the better put together experiences. Everything from the entrance to the queue and all throughout, the theming was just great. Inside was looking really good as well and while they could've punched it up a little, it was definitely a step above a few of the others. Like the 13 maze, this one is entering it's third year of service...so here's to hoping the keep making things better with it!

Not much is known about this project, but it is rumored to be taking over the old Fear Fair. All we do know is that it's under construction and rumored to be a Pirate theme. While it was a few years old, like nearly every other maze, damage was severe from Hurricane Sandy and it just couldn't be salvaged at all. While many consider it to be the best of the houses at Williamsburg's Howl-O-Scream. That said, maybe it's a good thing it's not coming back. The only thing that's worrying is that it's being "cobbled together at the last minute", so who knows how it'll turn out.

Why do I say that it could be a good thing then? Well it's obvious that this park needs some new blood, desperately. You can get away with a few mazes and things coming back year after year, but you need to have a consistent turn over as well. If nothing had happened to Festival of Fear, this event would've been pretty much the same as it has for the past 3 years. That's not a good thing at all, not in this business.

Now, that's only part of the draw for a large scale event like Howl-O-Scream. One of the other bigger components is the scare-zones that litter the pathways, filled with actors who terrify guests as they move from one place to another. Admittedly, we don't know much about this year's scare-zones at all.

The only thing we do pretty much know is that the park will likely not be bringing back the "hordes" concept, it pretty much failed miserably and expect a more traditional look to the pathway scares this year.

Now, I have to say that I agree with what BGWFans has said about these areas. If they're not really spending money on new shows or new mazes, it has to go somewhere. What better place than atmosphere? Last year was definitely lacking in this department with very little actually done to make the place "scary". The bridge from Alpengeist to New France was really the most detailed thing they had going for them.

So far there's no news or reported signs of construction going on outside of in the Heatherdowns hamlet. Once again this section of the park will be transformed into the Pumpkin themed area that it always has been. Honestly, that actually makes me happy. It's always been one of those things that's just beautiful to look at as the sun slips below the horizon and even more dramatic once it's enveloped in total darkness. It's also a great way to enter into the park proper.

The other big scare zone rumor is that the Aquitaine hamlet will be getting a major make over in order to transform it into a rendition of hell. From sources close to BGWFans, it appears that this will be above and beyond anything anyone has seen in the park to date. This really would work with not only the Catacombs haunt, but also Griffon as well. There's so much that they can do here and if the rumors are true of the the entire are of France being nearly rethemed, it could be spectacular. 

Other than that, the three shows (Fiends, Dead Beats and Dig it Up!) will be coming back from last year as will the Inoculation Station and Open Casket bar. The latter of those will definitely be welcome, who doesn't love a good drink, and the shows last year were pretty damn good, so no real reason to be changing those so soon. I mean look at Universal with Bill & Ted! As long as they keep the production value up, it's a welcome tradition to keep about in my eyes.

So, in closing, I'm hopeful that this year's even is even better than last. There was definitely room for improvement in many areas and myself and +Carrie H.C. will be there to see if Busch Gardens Williamsburg has taken the criticism from fans and other reviewers to heart.The two of us will also be at the park in a couple of weeks, so we'll try to get some pictures and the like of what's going on. It's likely that a good bit of construction and other such things will be very visible by that point.

But, before we go...have a little bit from the Fiends show last year!