HowlOScream 2017 The Evil Encore Continues but with NEW Features

Fall comes creeping in rather slowly in most of Virginia, the trees change as well as the temperatures lowering. Most of October is nice and warm with highs during the day in the 70's and low 80's, and the lows generally are in the 60’s with some in the 50’s. This provides ideal weather for visiting. The creeping in of fall is also similar to the creeping in of HowlOScream over at Busch Gardens. You will start noticing little decorations, signs on pathways, and fall food will make its way into all the eateries. Yay for Monster Cake, Pumpkin Cheese Cake, and Apple Cobbler. Plus all the fun goodies now with orange coloring.

                                            Orange is the new Dessert

This year you can visit HowlOScream Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from September 23- October 29th as well as two Thursday nights. Thursdays are new this year, as well as extending a few Saturday nights to a midnight closing. So you can get your scare on also October 19th, and 26th from 5-11pm. May be a good time to schedule a trip with the extra day both those weeks.

                                                          My boy is taller than me. 

New This Year

A New Escape Room has been added. Last season was the first time an Escape Room was part of the Busch Gardens entertainment line up.  The Escape Room is an add-on/upcharge; prices vary depending on the date. Each escape room session allows 6 people 30 minutes to “escape” the room. It runs the same way escape rooms run, teams need to find clues to figure out how to exit the room. Busch Gardens increases the entertainment factor with the addition of actors in the room. This year you can solve the Case of the Haunted Hotel. And returning is the Case of Mr. Carver, new last year, with those creepy dolls. 

Which is still the theme for HowlOscream this year, the Evil Encore is having an encore.

For 2017 the long standing indoor haunted house Bitten has been retired. It was located behind Fest Haus in the Dark Forest, (back of Oktoberfest). The new thrill is not in the same area, however the park created a brand new scare.  Frostbite will now give you both chills from the temperature and from the scares as you wander through the maze inside Dark Castle. The story goes there was once a fire breathing dragon, but something even more evil and more powerful killed it and now that "bone-chilling" resident has taken over the castle. The maze is long, full of evidence of this and begins with a story from the "evil doer" where the Dark Castle queue story is always shown. The 3D technology from the ride is also utilized as part of the Frostbite story, which really makes this haunted house very cool. The line will likely be long on this one, but so is the experience. There are many times you think this maze is over, but nope, more scares to come!

                                                    Dark Castle location of Frostbite.

                            Lumberhacked is still a favorite maze/outdoor house. 
                              And has returned for the 2017 season.

Other Houses Returning

Deadline (Italy/Pompeii - indoor)

Circo Sinistro (Fiesta Italy)

Cornered (Germany- outdoor)

Unearthed (Ireland -indoor)

Catacombs (France -indoor)

As far as Territories go, the Wendigo Woods theme has been retired and now a newly created Viking theme (inspired by the new coaster InvadR) has taken its place. So now the Norseman have invaded New France with terrible and terrifying results. The spirits seem to be "under control of madness". So be careful in Axe Alley. This area is themed well, and that old scary "Wendigo" that would come alive every now and again, is there to scare the pants off of you.

This guy has received a makeover, but good to see they are still utilizing him.

                                                     Axe Alley at Night

Territories Returning

Demon Street (France)

Vampire Point (Germany)

Side Show Square (Fiesta)

Ripper Row (England)

                                                 Demon Street France

There are open areas in the park where there are no actors around to scare you. This is good for those who don't care for the jump scares and disappointing for those who really do love them and have been used to that from year's past. So if you want to be terrified then you want to hang out in Germany and then hit all of France. You can dance in France, with the Demon DJ that is on top of this skull posted above.  

After that you can then take the train over to Italy where there are plenty of macabre characters in Fiesta (but not in the other Italy, nor along the pathway back to England) And in England you will get a good show with the Jack the Ripper theme.

There are many areas in the park where it is very enjoyable to sit back and watch the show.

                                                        Side Show Fiesta Italy

                                                     Ripper Row England

                           Plenty of benches in Vampire Point to watch the scares

Spirit Bars

NEW- Frost Drinks (the Witche's brew is delicious. It is vodka based, its green, frozen and tastes like melon and mint. Did I mention its delicious, cause it is.)

Plus all your returning favorites, each has its own special themed drink for the area.

Demon Street- France (plus bacon on a stick!)

Inoculation Station- Ireland

Pirate Baaargh- Italy

Open Casket- Oktoberfest

Fuzzy Hats- England

                                                               Italy

Shows

All your favorite shows from last season are returning. Some may have new material, new actors and some changes but the primary show is the same.  Show times are posted on the website, they vary.

Monster Stomp (Globe, England) PG-13

Fiends (Abby stone in Ireland) For Mature Audiences

Night Beats (Fest Haus, Oktoberfest) PG

The Star fright Orchestra (Italy) PG

For the Kids

So during the day as always, the park is mostly PG and in the evening as the sun sets and the clock ticks to 6pm  it is not. The place is both literally and figuratively darker, full of fog, and spooky creatures in many areas of the park.  We brought Noah here since he was 8, it was terrifying the first year (since with his autism he is a little younger and had a lot of anxiety). We typically did most of our visiting during the day, and he would do one new haunted house each year. 

Keep in mind much more alcohol is served this time of year, and a much larger party atmosphere as well as security presence is apparent in the evenings.

But they haven’t forgotten the children. For the Kids October 7-29 10-5pm (sat & sun) is The Counts Spooktacular. This event within the event is ideally for kids 9 and under. Kids are welcomed to come dressed in their favorite costume. (no props or masks)In the Forest of Fun there is a Halloween themed show with the Count, and at 4:45 the day concludes with a parade from the Forest of Fun to England. There is trick or treating available in five places throughout the park.

Trick or Treat Spots

Photo in England

Shamrock Store in Ireland

Tweedside Gifts in Scotland

Caribou Pottery- New France

Ring toss- Oktoberfest

Adults and kids who are 10 or older still cannot wear costumes. This is for safety since there are costumed characters in the park. Keep in mind if there is heavy rain or lighting the outdoor mazes close. Usually not for the whole evening unless its close to closing or the weather never lets up.

If you have yet to go to a HowlOScream, check out these reviews from the past which will give you more details. 2015  Unearthed.  2014 Cursed. I was fortunate to work at HowlOScream last year, so I don't have a review. But I got to know these guys pretty well...

Go before time runs out!