Howl-O-Scream 2017
- Thread starter wombat96
- Start date
Just came back from 6 hour drive one way from Philly. If your looking for strictly halloween, absolutely not worth it. Horrible, terrible event. Absolutely no decor, no effort, i think there was like 10 scare actors in the entire park on saturday? Maybe 20? It was pathetic. It doesn't even feel halloween AT ALL. The houses, i enjoy frostbitten, neat effects and the carnival but not worth waiting more then 20 minutes for each. Went on friday, so wait wasn't too bad. Rest of the houses were absolutely garbage and terrible. Came back saturday, and didn't do the haunted house, the crowds were crazy and i can see why people complain about the million strollers. What is wrong with you guys in this thread? Why would you guys keep going to this on saturday? As a halloween event it is ABSOLUTELY awful lmao. The shows were good. Loved monster stomp, fiends was fun, i had the werewolf hump my face which i was confused about. The rides were awesome. Invader is way too over-hyped. Waited a hour, just not that good for that worth of a wait.
Went 2 days. I had a great time because of the rides, the shows, but man the scare zones and mazes were terrible.
I would avoid the halloween event if you are looking STRICTLY for a halloween event but the park itself is super fun. I can't imagine the crowds LATER in october. Saturday was an nightmare
Why are so many people going? Do they just like walk around? There are NO scare actors.
Rating
Fun - 9
Rides - 9
Mazes - 1
Decor - 3
Scare zones - 0.
lol
everyone do your self a favor and GO HERE. AND BUY FAST PASS. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.
http://reapersrevenge.net
and here is the groupon coupon
https://www.groupon.com/biz/scranton-pa/reapers-revenge-haunted-attraction
don't waste your time here for a "halloween" event. I am literally shocked how lazy this was. Christmas Town was 1000000000000000000 times better
Is King Dominion really THAT much better? It better be 1000 times as good for me even to drive up there next year.
Blah.
GO TO REapers REVENGE GUYS!!
Went 2 days. I had a great time because of the rides, the shows, but man the scare zones and mazes were terrible.
I would avoid the halloween event if you are looking STRICTLY for a halloween event but the park itself is super fun. I can't imagine the crowds LATER in october. Saturday was an nightmare
Why are so many people going? Do they just like walk around? There are NO scare actors.
Rating
Fun - 9
Rides - 9
Mazes - 1
Decor - 3
Scare zones - 0.
lol
everyone do your self a favor and GO HERE. AND BUY FAST PASS. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME.
http://reapersrevenge.net
and here is the groupon coupon
https://www.groupon.com/biz/scranton-pa/reapers-revenge-haunted-attraction
don't waste your time here for a "halloween" event. I am literally shocked how lazy this was. Christmas Town was 1000000000000000000 times better
Is King Dominion really THAT much better? It better be 1000 times as good for me even to drive up there next year.
Blah.
GO TO REapers REVENGE GUYS!!
I feel most of you guys have no expectations because even though you guys LOWERED MY EXPECTATIONS it was 100 times worse then i could EVEN imagine lol for a halloween event
You guys really need to drive up do some of the great halloween attractions in PA/tri state area.
You guys really need to drive up do some of the great halloween attractions in PA/tri state area.
I'm sorry you had such a bad experience.
That said...
I think we said from the beginning not to expect the same kind of event that you find in PA. Theme park haunts are a different type of attraction.
I believe we also told you probably should go to Kings Dominion, if you wanted a more intense experience.
I know we have all been reporting back here that HOS was not performing well this year.
I'm not sure what gives you the idea that most of us go on Saturdays. To my knowledge, everyone prefers Fridays and Sundays, but logistics sometimes force us to visit on Saturdays.
That said...
I think we said from the beginning not to expect the same kind of event that you find in PA. Theme park haunts are a different type of attraction.
I believe we also told you probably should go to Kings Dominion, if you wanted a more intense experience.
I know we have all been reporting back here that HOS was not performing well this year.
I'm not sure what gives you the idea that most of us go on Saturdays. To my knowledge, everyone prefers Fridays and Sundays, but logistics sometimes force us to visit on Saturdays.
Why does everyone else go on saturday then? First timers like me? People like crowds and waiting in line for 2 hours? Is it to get drunk?
Not going back EVER. I will try king dominion next year though! I hope king dominion does not allow strollers.
Thanks everyone though for the advice. I had a GREAT TIME because the park is awesome but the event was gutter trash. I am happy that i tried it though!!
And i wanted to do the escape room, but seeing the lack of effort and decor, happy i skipped it. I will say that hell city with the skull was pretty cool though. That's it.
Not going back EVER. I will try king dominion next year though! I hope king dominion does not allow strollers.
Thanks everyone though for the advice. I had a GREAT TIME because the park is awesome but the event was gutter trash. I am happy that i tried it though!!
And i wanted to do the escape room, but seeing the lack of effort and decor, happy i skipped it. I will say that hell city with the skull was pretty cool though. That's it.
I don't think most people are experienced enough to realize how bad Saturdays will be. Additionally, some are better planners than others.
I often have to go on Saturdays, myself, because I live in Northern Virginia, and the drive is too long for either Friday or Sunday. I also buy Quick Queues, which helps.
I would caution you that KD is still a theme park Haunt. It is historically darker than HOS, but it will never be like your preferred PA events.
I'm not sure exactly what you were expecting, but all of the parks have to cater to a wide variety of customers. That is why even Universal Studios, which is known for having some of the best events in the industry, still has a party-like atmosphere outside of the houses.
The amusement parks have to address all of the different ways people celebrate Halloween. Some guests want haunted houses. Others want parties. Many families will pay for "spooky" children's events.
There has always been passionate debate about how or whether is it reasonable to try to do all at once. Regardless, at the moment, many theme parks try to attract as many guests as possible, by offering something for everyone.
The result is inevitably that someone, like you, who only wants a super-scary experience, will likely be unhappy with the environment. The people looking for a party are very often pissed at the scare actors on the paths. I won't event address the issue of children.
My point is that you should only attend one of these events, if you are open to experiencing the entire spectrum.
I often have to go on Saturdays, myself, because I live in Northern Virginia, and the drive is too long for either Friday or Sunday. I also buy Quick Queues, which helps.
I would caution you that KD is still a theme park Haunt. It is historically darker than HOS, but it will never be like your preferred PA events.
I'm not sure exactly what you were expecting, but all of the parks have to cater to a wide variety of customers. That is why even Universal Studios, which is known for having some of the best events in the industry, still has a party-like atmosphere outside of the houses.
The amusement parks have to address all of the different ways people celebrate Halloween. Some guests want haunted houses. Others want parties. Many families will pay for "spooky" children's events.
There has always been passionate debate about how or whether is it reasonable to try to do all at once. Regardless, at the moment, many theme parks try to attract as many guests as possible, by offering something for everyone.
The result is inevitably that someone, like you, who only wants a super-scary experience, will likely be unhappy with the environment. The people looking for a party are very often pissed at the scare actors on the paths. I won't event address the issue of children.
My point is that you should only attend one of these events, if you are open to experiencing the entire spectrum.
I didn't want super scary experience. I wanted MORE special effects. Like, i enjoy frostbite and the carnival house. Where did all the money go into? The shows? I wanted more decor like Christmas town. It just seems like when i walk through the scare zones, it just still feel like busch. I was expecting..more decorations walking through.
I think a separate ticket would help. I expected MUCH MORE, considering how much i love christmas time. Hey at least i am being honest. Special effects and decor were severely lacking. It's like they didn't even try. They can fix this event EASY by charging for a halloween ticket. I will gladly pay 40 bucks more if we get...some special effects in the house.
I mean all the houses were just......blah. Applesauce nailed it with his/her review on the houses.
It's better then six flags/dorney/hersey by far though.
I think a separate ticket would help. I expected MUCH MORE, considering how much i love christmas time. Hey at least i am being honest. Special effects and decor were severely lacking. It's like they didn't even try. They can fix this event EASY by charging for a halloween ticket. I will gladly pay 40 bucks more if we get...some special effects in the house.
I mean all the houses were just......blah. Applesauce nailed it with his/her review on the houses.
It's better then six flags/dorney/hersey by far though.
That is fair. And many of us are asking similar questions this year. The short answer is money.
Every year it seems that experiences at both parks vary from day to day, as they seem to move staff around. In my personal opinion, KD currently does a better job than BGW.
Ironically, I think you may have liked the the year BGW introduced the Terrot-Tories. They are meant to be fully immersive and interactive. Obviously they are neither this year.
Some of us have been discussing the whole path scare concept for a few years now. BGW in particular has tried many different approaches (the Scare is Everywhere, Terror-tories, traditional Scare Zones, etc). It seems that neither BGW nor KD have the budget or the staffing to create effective scare zones.
I am at the point where I think they should just decorate some, turn off the lights, play thematic music, and move all of the actors into the houses. I just don't see how you can create an effective outdoor experience, given the crowds, the bars, and the resource constraints.
But, obviously, that is just one opinion.
Every year it seems that experiences at both parks vary from day to day, as they seem to move staff around. In my personal opinion, KD currently does a better job than BGW.
Ironically, I think you may have liked the the year BGW introduced the Terrot-Tories. They are meant to be fully immersive and interactive. Obviously they are neither this year.
Some of us have been discussing the whole path scare concept for a few years now. BGW in particular has tried many different approaches (the Scare is Everywhere, Terror-tories, traditional Scare Zones, etc). It seems that neither BGW nor KD have the budget or the staffing to create effective scare zones.
I am at the point where I think they should just decorate some, turn off the lights, play thematic music, and move all of the actors into the houses. I just don't see how you can create an effective outdoor experience, given the crowds, the bars, and the resource constraints.
But, obviously, that is just one opinion.
Well it seems like the budget is lacking this year? I saw footage of past Howl-O-Screams and there seems to be much more animatronics and decor. I would gladly pay more if they can hang more pumpkins...i thought taht was awesome but that should of been done throughout the ENTIRE park. Too much money?
Maybe they can raise the prices. Would gladly pay 95 per day for some more glitz and glamor if i am traveling 5 hours.
Maybe they can raise the prices. Would gladly pay 95 per day for some more glitz and glamor if i am traveling 5 hours.
Nicole is absolutely spot-on.
Personally I think the roaming hoards of clowns was the most effective. They were highly visible, interesting, and creepy. And all they really had to do was walk around in a group. But once again staffing issues comes into play.
Personally I think the roaming hoards of clowns was the most effective. They were highly visible, interesting, and creepy. And all they really had to do was walk around in a group. But once again staffing issues comes into play.
I will say that at this point, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's dressing of the park for Howl-O-Scream is an utter and complete joke. It's incredible to think back a few years ago to when every single last hamlet had a distinct, clearly executed theme that managed to touch just about every corner of each area—regardless of whether or not a scarezone was taking place there. Now we're lucky if a Terrortory even gets a sign or a single prop. Remember Scavengers? Ripper Row with its facades? Hell, even wINDIGO Woods? There were clear attempts at building an environment. At this point, that is just completely gone.
As much as I do think Ken's expectations were way, way too high, I can't entirely disagree with his evaluation that, at this point, Howl-O-Scream in Williamsburg is lacking almost anything that resembles effort.
As much as I do think Ken's expectations were way, way too high, I can't entirely disagree with his evaluation that, at this point, Howl-O-Scream in Williamsburg is lacking almost anything that resembles effort.
Thank you Zackary!
I feel extremely sad i miss the peak of Howl of scream. So what year was there were the most decor in the park? Couple of years back?
I will say i enjoy MONSTER STOMP. It seems ALL of the budget went to that show. That show is super amazing. Kind of worth it to go just for THAT show if the drive is close
I feel extremely sad i miss the peak of Howl of scream. So what year was there were the most decor in the park? Couple of years back?
I will say i enjoy MONSTER STOMP. It seems ALL of the budget went to that show. That show is super amazing. Kind of worth it to go just for THAT show if the drive is close
Merboy said:
Here and there, but no where near what we used to see or what the event needs. Fog in many of the houses seems to be almost non-existent in my experiences thus far.
kenmasters675 said:
Just a few years ago (2013 for the following example) each area was themed regardless of if it was going to be staffed with actors or not. For example, the Wild Reserve recently housed TONS of ghosts hanging from trees all around the area. Combine that with clever lighting, thick fog, dark paths, thematic music, and a couple actors and you had an incredibly spooky, atmospheric area that even delivered scares despite not being a designated scarezone. Today they toss up a dozen generic props on the light posts, a single fog machine, and call it a day. It's not ok.
I had copied and pasted my house ratings template into this textbox to rank the houses as I experienced them on Friday. While trying to shoehorn my experience into that format, I realized something: trying to rank houses that I would all score as somewhere around a two or three out of ten is a useless exercise. Instead, I'll do this...
On Friday, my house experience was abysmal. Honestly, it may even be unfair to deep dark abysses the world over to compare them Howl-O-Scream on Friday. The entire experience was a sad embarrassment to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and the Howl-O-Scream brand.
Anyone who has kept up with this thread can see that the event's opening weekend was... not very well received. After an opening weekend like that, one would think that there's nowhere to go but up. I know that's what I thought. I was wrong.
The condition of BGW's houses on Friday was far worse than the weekend before. I have never seen any event perform as poorly as HOS did last Friday. In fact, I was just at Six Flags America's FrightFest last night and, guess what, even the comically low-budget plywood and trash bag houses at SFA proform monumentally better than Busch Gardens houses were on my last trip.
I have preached year in and year out about the decline of Howl-O-Scream, but the first two weekends of BGW's event this year feel like we have fallen off the edge of a cliff. Previously, I've been able to say that the event is at least fun—it might not be scary, but it could be enjoyable anyway. Well this season, that has not been my experience.
Walking past actors just standing there looking at you is a waste of everyone's time and money. It's not fun. It's not enjoyable. It is frustrating and infuriating. Walking through five empty rooms hoping for just one single actor to show up inside a house is depressing and enraging. Attending this event isn't cheap. Investing the time and effort into waiting in line for these houses isn't an intrinsic joy. There is supposed to be a reward at the other end of it.
This season, not a single one of BGW's houses has rewarded me for my patronage.
To say I'm disappointed is a vast understatement of my feelings. I've been disappointed in the event before. This year, I'm insulted. I'm insulted that BGW thinks this event is in an acceptable state to welcome its guests to. I'm insulted that BGW thinks its guests should enjoy this event. I'm insulted that BGW thinks that this year's event is worthy of their brand.
At least in its first two weekends, Howl-O-Scream 2017 is bad, and BGW should feel bad.
Welp, looks like I am saving my money on that hefty ticket price, gonna just head to the much cheaper/better haunt an hour away. $34 FOR ALL DAY AND NIGHT at Kings Dominion compared to the woping 90 at busch gardens. They should of just not build IndadR and completly revamped howl-o-scream. I think everyone would agree on that, that is if it's a budget issue.
As much as I would like them to improve HOS, I absolutely do NOT think it makes any sense to say that they should not have built InvadR. The long term impact and importance of a coaster dramatically outweighs the potential gains from rolling additional money into a single event.