Halloween Harvest 2020

[Mushroom]

I doubt they'd do it, but if the haunted train were going to make a comeback, this would be the perfect year. The train has a massive capacity so social distancing would be easy, and they could rely mostly on storytelling and spooky atmospherics to create an intriguing experience without needing many actors. Plus, any actors they do have would be kept a safe distance away from guests.

Just put up a few decorations along the track, set up tons of fog machines and fancy lights, and draft a scary story to tell over the PA system. I feel like the experience would be a great way to draw guests to the park for Halloween while keeping safety in check.

 

[sethlo]

if im being completely honest i think the park would be able to pull off howloscream, houses and all. with limited capacity reservations required. Only sending small groups in at a time. think about it. Florida is a corona hotspot and tampa is open like normal. i know we shouldn’t get our hopes up but it would be nice. I also understand that its all in Northams hands.

 

[Jonesta6]

Tbh, for the safety of the staff working the houses if not guests, it's probably a good thing Virginia isn't like Florida. Last thing anyone wants is a staffer to get sick, and being indoors in relatively close proximity to guests increases the odds. I just don't see how they can realistically incorporate the proper barriers while also being scary.

You're not wrong that our governor is calling the shots on capacity limits that have proven to affect businesses, but pandemics aren't normal and it's sad to me that our nation's collective response has been to make it into a political football to kick around.

 

[Zachary]

if im being completely honest i think the park would be able to pull off howloscream, houses and all. with limited capacity reservations required. Only sending small groups in at a time. think about it. Florida is a corona hotspot and tampa is open like normal. i know we shouldn’t get our hopes up but it would be nice. I also understand that its all in Northams hands.

Only sending in a single party at a time may work for keeping guests distanced from one another, but it doesn't fix the guest-staff distancing issues. Houses simply aren't setup to facilitate actors keeping six feet from guests—the modifications required are almost certainly not worth it.

Also, Tampa isn't opening like normal—Tampa is calling their event Howl-O-Scream, but it doesn't feature any houses—just decorations, a show, and actors socially-distanced from guests on paths. Additionally, the fiscal situation there is vastly different from in Williamsburg because of the capacity cap BGW has right now. With the guest cap in place, the potential profits are MUCH, MUCH lower in Williamsburg than in Tampa—meaning that Williamsburg will justify FAR, FAR less investment.

I don't think it's impossible to imagine an actorless house or two at BGW this year, but I also think that even hoping for that is probably setting the bar way too high. For now, until we hear more, my expectation is set at a modified ride lineup, decorations, atmospherics, specialty food and beverage, and, if we're lucky, some merch.

 

[wombat96]

While nothing is guaranteed, it does seem like the October event will be following the limited capacity format with the two four hour windows.

I'm expecting some of these Wednesday and Thursday nights to be beyond dead, pardon my pun.

 

[Buschfan777]

While nothing is guaranteed, it does seem like the October event will be following the limited capacity format with the two four hour windows.
View attachment 21107
I'm expecting some of these Wednesday and Thursday nights to be beyond dead, pardon my pun.

That’s almost guaranteed, even on normal operations last year we were dead on Thursdays

 

[DJTLG]

if im being completely honest i think the park would be able to pull off howloscream, houses and all. with limited capacity reservations required. Only sending small groups in at a time. think about it. Florida is a corona hotspot and tampa is open like normal. i know we shouldn’t get our hopes up but it would be nice. I also understand that its all in Northams hands.

I've heard the social distancing recommendation for singing is 10ft. I'm sure screaming would be that or higher meaning that even more space is needed between actors and guests.

 

[Mwe BGW]

Has anyone else seen this

 

[horsesboy]

Has anyone else seen this

I saw it and at least on person om FB is claiming that "a high ranking member of management told me that in October they will close Ireland and Canada and open Italy" For what little a report on FB is worth

 

[Memles]

I saw it and at least on person om FB is claiming that "a high ranking member of management told me that in October they will close Ireland and Canada and open Italy" For what little a report on FB is worth

Probably very little.

It's going to be interesting: a lot of it will come down to whether or not Apollo's could be ready, as Italy doesn't get you much ride-wide if it's just Tempesto, as October is when the water rides will historically be closed. I do think that staking their claim on the dates for the October event—which they didn't do for September until the week before—implies they will be announcing details sooner than later, but it's definitely too soon to say what it will look like (but let's go speculate in the Howl-O-Scream thread anyway).

 

[Memles]

As many have pointed out, the park has listed dates for the October Event—Wednesday-Sunday plus Columbus Day, nothing ground-shaking—well in advance, something they didn't do for September. It's very plausible that this is just because they have a better sense of the economics and are planning further in advance internally, but it also could imply they intend on announcing the event and introducing reservations earlier, which I would argue would indicate they're doing something Howl-O-Scream like as I feel like it would be more likely to justify long-term planning and a longer lead-time marketing wise than the current event, which is really predominantly aimed at members.

Something else I've been thinking about is whether or not we might see them raising the cost of the Howl-O-Scream event, given that it's during a higher-demand period, which could help justify different scale in terms of attractions/etc. The tradeoff might be that they end up making fewer of the reservation spots open for members, given that this is a period where they are more likely to sell individual tickets. I suppose what I'm saying is that the "math" on this event might end up being different, which might give them more leeway to work through the numbers like they need to.

(And before someone raises the idea: given that the state's current "stable" numbers despite huge drop-offs in Hampton Roads is being driven by college students, the idea of Howl-O-Scream gaining greater capacity feels super unlikely to me).

 

[Mwe BGW]

Howl o scream 2020 confirmed

 

[Celticdog]

I saw it and at least on person om FB is claiming that "a high ranking member of management told me that in October they will close Ireland and Canada and open Italy" For what little a report on FB is worth

I spoke with an employee in Ireland (whom I've known for years) that stated that they have been told that Ireland will be closed, Italy will be opened and they will be moved over to Italy for the October event.Take it all with a grain of salt.

 

[boston191]

The buschgardens app on my LG6 shows Howl o Scream starting at 6pm on the 13th 20th and 27. The web site on my imac shows a 6pm time slot with nothing scheduled on those dates. No other HoS are shown for september. Any chance there doing a practice for a few weeks?

 

[BGWnut]

The buschgardens app on my LG6 shows Howl o Scream starting at 6pm on the 13th 20th and 27. The web site on my imac shows a 6pm time slot with nothing scheduled on those dates. No other HoS are shown for september. Any chance there doing a practice for a few weeks?

I think it's more likely that it's a glitch or when they removed it they didn't do it properly. They haven't announced the event for October but they do have placeholders on the website so they should be announcing soon

 

[sethlo]

i know its sorta off topic but who else misses cornered ?

 

[Buschfan777]

i know its sorta off topic but who else misses cornered ?

Definitely one of my favorite mazes

 

[dawno]

i know its sorta off topic but who else misses cornered ?

I do.

 

[MikeLovesKD]

I have a question. I apologize of this is the wrong thread to ask this; so forgive me. I am planning a visit for October 31st. Has Bush Gardens Williamsburg been operating all their attractions? Or have they been operating with limited attractions? I'd like to purchase a season pass, so that I can attend the park on October 31st and possibly the Holiday; if weather permits.

Thank you.

 

[Jonesta6]

@MikeLovesKD they've been only opening select rides and hamlets while being restricted to 1k guests - I'm sure other folks in here have and will continue to point out what you can expect in that regard on this thread as well as any other threads related to the specific special events.