So we have footage from Windigo Woods and one section of Deadline in that video (the oldest part of the house).
Howl-O-Scream 2018
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
So instead of a zombie apocalypse, it's just a non-zombie apocalypse?
That's kind of what Deadline was in its last few seasons. The actors were more human and in pre-zombie form.
I hope they don't use off the shelf projections in this one.
I hope they don't use off the shelf projections in this one.
Very interesting stuff on the Experiences tab of the website: https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/howl-o-scream/experiences/
Not sure entirely what the Control Lab means (does this mean as a guest, you can be part of a Scare in a House?), but the Coaster Creepers sound really cool. Looks like those actors are getting paid to ride rides.
There’s also a cool projection show in Germany similar to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Castle projections, And it looks like “Witching Hour” was switched to “Haunting Hour” featuring Jack as the “Overlord-type” figure. While Haunting Hour seems like a copy of KD’s opening show, everything else seems unique to Busch... which is a good thing. Even though I’m rooting for KD in the “Virginia park wars” every year, Busch needed some things to be unique to their Halloween event.
Not sure entirely what the Control Lab means (does this mean as a guest, you can be part of a Scare in a House?), but the Coaster Creepers sound really cool. Looks like those actors are getting paid to ride rides.
There’s also a cool projection show in Germany similar to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Castle projections, And it looks like “Witching Hour” was switched to “Haunting Hour” featuring Jack as the “Overlord-type” figure. While Haunting Hour seems like a copy of KD’s opening show, everything else seems unique to Busch... which is a good thing. Even though I’m rooting for KD in the “Virginia park wars” every year, Busch needed some things to be unique to their Halloween event.
The control lab seems like it is going to be exactly like the squirt cannons at Pompeii, except for an automated jump scare in a house
Another thing I just thought about: Busch sure seemed to save some of the most interesting tidbits from the Scare actors (Coaster Creepers, Control Lab, etc.), so all-in-all it makes their reaction to the leaks even more unnecessary. Also that leak had at least one of the bar names wrong and a show name wrong, so there’s that.
The first post of this thread has been updated with everything released on the website this morning.
If I missed anything, let me know!
If I missed anything, let me know!
not to frustrate you anymore zachary, but maybe they are releasing these short videos to pique people's interests in order to gain a following for the event ("oh look! three new houses for howl-o-scream!") and then as the days dwindle down into september they might release more content that better shows the houses, zones, bars, etc. I personally think all of these super short videos are just meant to be a teaser as much as the leaks/cast announcements rather than a sneak peek at the houses or their designs.
I figured they would reuse the projection mapping on the Wilkomenhouse. I’m interested about the scareactors on the roller coasters. Does think they would reuse the props from Wendigo? Like I always say I’m hyped for Hallowscream
I’m puzzeled by their decision to put scare actors on thrill rides.
Historically, their biggest problem at HOS (from a guest perspective) has been staffing. Their mazes are perennially lacking actors, and the scare zones often seem like literal ghost towns. Unless they know that they can keep a full compliment of monsters in their main HOS attractions, why would they waste those resources on rides? The novelty factor doesn’t to me seem to justify ruining the rest of the event.
Additionally, on nights when the park is already suffering from huge wait times because of the number of guests, I’m not sure that making ride capacity worse is a winning plan.
The only possible justification I can see is if they have data to suggest that people skip the rides, during HOS. Maybe they are trying to encourage people to spend time on other attractions, in the hopes of reducing the lines for the mazes?
Historically, their biggest problem at HOS (from a guest perspective) has been staffing. Their mazes are perennially lacking actors, and the scare zones often seem like literal ghost towns. Unless they know that they can keep a full compliment of monsters in their main HOS attractions, why would they waste those resources on rides? The novelty factor doesn’t to me seem to justify ruining the rest of the event.
Additionally, on nights when the park is already suffering from huge wait times because of the number of guests, I’m not sure that making ride capacity worse is a winning plan.
The only possible justification I can see is if they have data to suggest that people skip the rides, during HOS. Maybe they are trying to encourage people to spend time on other attractions, in the hopes of reducing the lines for the mazes?
(Sorry for the double post)
I also wonder if they will offer times when drunk strangers won’t be watching you and paying to scare you in a maze. I’ve had a stalker; I’m not interested in replicating the experience at a theme park.
I avoid Pompeii because random people apparently enjoy getting me wet, despite having never met me. Essentially, the park is cynically cashing in on people’s basest emotions.
This feels similar. Why would anyone enjoy picking a stranger out at random; watching that person; and then scaring him or her? It sounds voyeuristic and frankly creepy (in a bad way).
Beyond the fact that I simply do not want to be shown on TVs at a bar for other people’s (cruel) entertainment, I think this has the smell of something that could become very sexist and demeaning in practice. In fact, I could envision scenarios in which women become real life victims, as a result of this misguided mobey-grab.
What did @Zachary say elsewhere? Fuck this noise.
I also wonder if they will offer times when drunk strangers won’t be watching you and paying to scare you in a maze. I’ve had a stalker; I’m not interested in replicating the experience at a theme park.
I avoid Pompeii because random people apparently enjoy getting me wet, despite having never met me. Essentially, the park is cynically cashing in on people’s basest emotions.
This feels similar. Why would anyone enjoy picking a stranger out at random; watching that person; and then scaring him or her? It sounds voyeuristic and frankly creepy (in a bad way).
Beyond the fact that I simply do not want to be shown on TVs at a bar for other people’s (cruel) entertainment, I think this has the smell of something that could become very sexist and demeaning in practice. In fact, I could envision scenarios in which women become real life victims, as a result of this misguided mobey-grab.
What did @Zachary say elsewhere? Fuck this noise.
On the whole discussion on the videos, I think they just release these teasers so they release something (we would complain if they didn't) and they don't actually have these houses up yet. They don't have the time/desire to staff these houses one day over the summer and to expedite the construction just so they can film an accurate teaser. I'm just glad they try.
The official house trailers always come out midseason once they actually have footage from the houses being staffed and fully constructed.
I really don't think they think that much into it. At first they are like "let's announce new stuff on every platform to capitalize on the hype" and that's the extent of their thought, hence why we get a teaser video on YouTube and Insta.
We should know by now not to expect much from their marketing team. Everyone remember the video series for InvadR?
The official house trailers always come out midseason once they actually have footage from the houses being staffed and fully constructed.
I really don't think they think that much into it. At first they are like "let's announce new stuff on every platform to capitalize on the hype" and that's the extent of their thought, hence why we get a teaser video on YouTube and Insta.
We should know by now not to expect much from their marketing team. Everyone remember the video series for InvadR?
I was actually intrigued by the Coaster Creepers at first until I remembered how poorly staffed the mazes and scare zones were when I visited last season. It was worse than KD, and I know that KD tends to also have staffing issues. Does anyone know approximately how many scare actors are hired each year? KD always publicizes 400 monsters but I don't think I've ever seen a number for Busch.
Obviously they took the scareactors out of the rooms with the remote control scares and put them on the rides.
If the awful water sprays at Pompeii are any indication, I can’t imagine that a bunch of people drunk from Jell-O shots would have any hesitation about harassing perfect strangers.
The more I think about I just don't like the idea. We all agree not having enough actors in the houses or scare zones is a problem, so why do it. I mean a random thing maybe but it just seems like a ho hum thing when it's actually implemented. Does the roaming horde ring a bell?
Setup at Castle-O-Sullivan is the only setup I've seen so far, with the train being down. Nothing special.
Press Release:
BUSCH GARDENS® REVEALS ALL THE TERRIFYING DETAILS ABOUT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOWL-O-SCREAM®
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Aug. 20, 2018) – The start of Howl-O-Scream is creeping up fast as 20 years of fears come together to bring a New Era to Terror to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The popular fall event promises to be the scariest ever.
With so many new Howl-O-Scream attractions on tap, Busch Gardens has revealed new scares on the 20th day of each month beginning May 20. Today, the complete line-up is announced.
New scares coming in 2018 include:
3 Haunted Houses - 7 total
5 Bars - 6 total
2 Terror-tories™ - 6 total
2 Party Zones
1 No Escape (Escape Room Experience) - 2 total
Here are the August reveals:
New Haunted House: Dystopia
In a futuristic post-apocalyptic world, a new world order has risen. In this new system, you have a choice – join or be forgotten. Surrender to the utopia. Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing – ever again.
More frightening features
New this year is the Haunting Hour in Oktoberfest, where all the haunts will be unleashed to give guests fair warning that the spine-tingling scares are about to start.
Beware of a fresh new scare as Coaster Creepers climb aboard Busch Gardens’ world-class roller coasters. Unsuspecting guests may not know who is sitting near them until it’s too late. Also, guests may get a surprise from a roaming hoard prowling the park. The pathways are prime pickings for some unexpected terror.
After a long night of fright, guests can soothe their screams by stopping by five new bars – Chaos Cocktails, Last Call XX,
Jack’s Nightcap, Restless Spirits and Control Lab at Inoculation Station – to sip some ghoulish concoctions. Guests also can dance to pulse-pounding music as spun by diabolical DJs in two new party zones located in France and Italy.
In case you missed it, here is a reveal recap:
New Haunted House: The Vault: XX™
Favorite creatures of the night from past Howl-O-Scream experiences are locked up in one location in The Vault: XX™. Classic characters such as Executioner from Dark Tower; Mummy from Curse of Pompeii; Pirate Captain Ghost from Sea Dog Cemetery; Little Dead Riding Hood from Deadtime Stories; and Werewolf from Hunted, just to name a few, are dying to frighten you again. Park-goers can look forward a walk down memory lane.
New Haunted House: Demented Dimensions™
Guests will enter Sterling Manor – a haunted house built on top of a dimensional vortex. The energies of the vortex have opened portals to other realms where humans are hunted by monsters, where aliens are in control and the virtual has become reality.
New Terror-tory: Garden of the Souls™
Welcome to Funeral Gardens, the setting for Garden of the Souls. Here guests may visit the graves of the deceased, but this garden has a dark secret. The dead roam free, and they’d love to show park guests what waits in the afterlife.
New Terror-tory: Fools’ Court™
Guests will experience Jester characters in Fools’ Court scare zone, where chaos reigns supreme. When the Motley Fools hit the streets, the joke always will be on you.
No Escape Room: Jack’s Nightmare Room
No Howl-O-Scream anniversary would be complete without Jack, the original Busch Gardens trickster. He’s back in the all-new
No Escape: Jack’s Nightmare Room, and he’s had plenty of time to sit in the dark and come up with new ways to surprise and startle fans. Explore the terrors that keep Jack up at night. It’s a new era of chills, and this escape room will bring the SCREAM back to Howl-O-Scream.
Howl-O-Scream opens Sept. 15 and will run on select days through Oct. 28. For more information, visit howloscream.com/va.
The best way to enjoy Howl-O-Scream and other events all year long is through the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program. Get unlimited visits to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA®, Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town™ for as little as $12 per month. Plus, exclusive discounts and monthly Member Rewards valued at more than $250. For more information, visit buschgardens.com/joinBGW.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of the world. SeaWorld is one of the world's foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal husbandry, behavioral management, veterinary care and animal welfare. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® and Busch Gardens® rescue teams have helped more than 33,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
SeaWorld owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens® and Sea Rescue®. Over the company's more than 50-year history, it has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States. Many of the parks showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection and all of the parks feature a diverse array of thrill and family rides, shows, educational demonstrations and/or other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for guests.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a publicly traded company. Visit www.seaworldentertainment.com for more.
BUSCH GARDENS® REVEALS ALL THE TERRIFYING DETAILS ABOUT THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF HOWL-O-SCREAM®
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Aug. 20, 2018) – The start of Howl-O-Scream is creeping up fast as 20 years of fears come together to bring a New Era to Terror to Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The popular fall event promises to be the scariest ever.
With so many new Howl-O-Scream attractions on tap, Busch Gardens has revealed new scares on the 20th day of each month beginning May 20. Today, the complete line-up is announced.
New scares coming in 2018 include:
3 Haunted Houses - 7 total
5 Bars - 6 total
2 Terror-tories™ - 6 total
2 Party Zones
1 No Escape (Escape Room Experience) - 2 total
Here are the August reveals:
New Haunted House: Dystopia
In a futuristic post-apocalyptic world, a new world order has risen. In this new system, you have a choice – join or be forgotten. Surrender to the utopia. Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing – ever again.
More frightening features
New this year is the Haunting Hour in Oktoberfest, where all the haunts will be unleashed to give guests fair warning that the spine-tingling scares are about to start.
Beware of a fresh new scare as Coaster Creepers climb aboard Busch Gardens’ world-class roller coasters. Unsuspecting guests may not know who is sitting near them until it’s too late. Also, guests may get a surprise from a roaming hoard prowling the park. The pathways are prime pickings for some unexpected terror.
After a long night of fright, guests can soothe their screams by stopping by five new bars – Chaos Cocktails, Last Call XX,
Jack’s Nightcap, Restless Spirits and Control Lab at Inoculation Station – to sip some ghoulish concoctions. Guests also can dance to pulse-pounding music as spun by diabolical DJs in two new party zones located in France and Italy.
In case you missed it, here is a reveal recap:
New Haunted House: The Vault: XX™
Favorite creatures of the night from past Howl-O-Scream experiences are locked up in one location in The Vault: XX™. Classic characters such as Executioner from Dark Tower; Mummy from Curse of Pompeii; Pirate Captain Ghost from Sea Dog Cemetery; Little Dead Riding Hood from Deadtime Stories; and Werewolf from Hunted, just to name a few, are dying to frighten you again. Park-goers can look forward a walk down memory lane.
New Haunted House: Demented Dimensions™
Guests will enter Sterling Manor – a haunted house built on top of a dimensional vortex. The energies of the vortex have opened portals to other realms where humans are hunted by monsters, where aliens are in control and the virtual has become reality.
New Terror-tory: Garden of the Souls™
Welcome to Funeral Gardens, the setting for Garden of the Souls. Here guests may visit the graves of the deceased, but this garden has a dark secret. The dead roam free, and they’d love to show park guests what waits in the afterlife.
New Terror-tory: Fools’ Court™
Guests will experience Jester characters in Fools’ Court scare zone, where chaos reigns supreme. When the Motley Fools hit the streets, the joke always will be on you.
No Escape Room: Jack’s Nightmare Room
No Howl-O-Scream anniversary would be complete without Jack, the original Busch Gardens trickster. He’s back in the all-new
No Escape: Jack’s Nightmare Room, and he’s had plenty of time to sit in the dark and come up with new ways to surprise and startle fans. Explore the terrors that keep Jack up at night. It’s a new era of chills, and this escape room will bring the SCREAM back to Howl-O-Scream.
Howl-O-Scream opens Sept. 15 and will run on select days through Oct. 28. For more information, visit howloscream.com/va.
The best way to enjoy Howl-O-Scream and other events all year long is through the Busch Gardens Williamsburg Membership Program. Get unlimited visits to Busch Gardens, Water Country USA®, Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town™ for as little as $12 per month. Plus, exclusive discounts and monthly Member Rewards valued at more than $250. For more information, visit buschgardens.com/joinBGW.
About SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment™ is a leading theme park and entertainment company providing experiences that matter and inspiring guests to protect animals and the wild wonders of the world. SeaWorld is one of the world's foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal husbandry, behavioral management, veterinary care and animal welfare. The company also rescues and rehabilitates marine and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned or abandoned, with the goal of returning them to the wild. The SeaWorld® and Busch Gardens® rescue teams have helped more than 33,000 animals in need over the last 50 years.
SeaWorld owns or licenses a portfolio of recognized brands including SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens® and Sea Rescue®. Over the company's more than 50-year history, it has built a diversified portfolio of 12 destination and regional theme parks that are grouped in key markets across the United States. Many of the parks showcase its one-of-a-kind zoological collection and all of the parks feature a diverse array of thrill and family rides, shows, educational demonstrations and/or other attractions with broad demographic appeal which deliver memorable experiences and a strong value proposition for guests.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS), a publicly traded company. Visit www.seaworldentertainment.com for more.
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