Howl-O-Scream 2019

[Applesauce]

So I'm not sure what you are basing that statement off of but I can say that BGW broke the attendance record for the park and then rebroke it again multiple times during HOS lasy year.

Also I completely agree as listed above that the park should not be caving to the few that decide to ignore the warnings. Although I'm not sure that they do as much as you think. HOS is not marketed as a family event. They have that during the day with the Count's Spook-tacular. HOS is an adult event. And adults spend a lot of money on alcohol during it. So if they bring their kids they are likely spending less than they do without kids on Alcohol.

I'm basing it off of announced 'closed for capacity' notifications. In previous years ive seen it several times throughout the event. Last year in particular, I didn't see it once. They could still hit attendance records, but they, at least according to my knowledge of seeing notifications, did not say 'sorry we're closed until some people leave'.

But alcohol doesn't necessarily meet the same money spent on other things at the park. Families with kids will likely purchase more snacks and souvenirs, and play games and the like, more than a group of adults having a few drinks. I'm sure alcohol sales go up during the event, I have no doubt about it. But just on a larger whole, families are more likely to spend money than a group of adults.

 

[BGWnut]

I will say that in park spending is higher during HOS especially when it comes to bars. What you might but be aware of is that alcohol has one of the highest profit margins of anything that BGW sells. So selling a lot more alcohol helps the bottom line more than some snacks. Also people who buy a lot of alcohol also tend to buy snacks with their alcohol.

 

[VikingvadR]

I've found a way to make Frostbite better. Every room would have Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr Freeze from Batman and Robin saying one of his puns and pointing a freeze gun at you.

View attachment 17466

Cool party

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

Anyone know if decorations have started going up yet? 4 weeks till member night!

 

[BenWilkerson]

Anyone know if decorations have started going up yet? 4 weeks till member night!

Reaper was up on my last visit Monday August 12th

 

[Mushroom]

The only thing I saw yesterday other than the reaper was two faux stone plywood pillars for Vampire Point outside the Rhinefeld entry arch.

 

[Stav]

Anyone know if decorations have started going up yet? 4 weeks till member night!

I was at Busch yesterday and the only thing I saw was the reaper

 

[Applesauce]

There's in park signage promoting the event. But not much else. I imagine we won't see stuff until September, once Bier Fest is getting ready to come down.

 

[Mushroom]

Oh yeah, I totally forgot that the San Marco bridge is also decked out in its HOS signage. The motif looks generally the same as last year (red skulls and the trendier new font) minus the 20th anniversary stuff. No special music on the bridge yet.

 

[Applesauce]

I wouldn't say "decked out". It was one sign facing San Marco and one facing Oktoberfest. With the quote of "More Scares. More Screams. More Jack." on the signs in addition to the same motif as last year.

 

[BGWScream]

If they wait until after Bier Fest, that only gives them 2 weeks to put up decorations. That will be enough time to roll out the big pumpkin, hang a few ghosts and put out a couple of scarecrows. HOS will be ready. ?

 

[DRIFT]

Not to lie.Im always the person to see the fun at things.But all of this conversation is turning my direction to a different event.I mean I grew up around HOS.Always been HOS ,that’s about it for me.This year better be an improvement or I’m basically leaving my childhood....

 

[Cyprus218]

Oh yeah, I totally forgot that the San Marco bridge is also decked out in its HOS signage. The motif looks generally the same as last year (red skulls and the trendier new font) minus the 20th anniversary stuff. No special music on the bridge yet.

The signs and red lights are up as well!

 

[James]

I just want to add something to the discussion about the lack of scare actors in recent years.

That job has to be one of the worst jobs the park has to offer. And that includes being the guy who has to clean the bathroom.

A scare actor gets punched, slapped, cursed at, screamed at, and sometimes sexually assaulted. And that's on top of working in cramped, hot or cold spaces for hours at a time with nothing more than a 30 minute break in the middle of a 6 hour shift. All of that to make $10 an hour.

So it's easy to see how they have a hard time filling up houses.

 

[mtorange]

I just want to add something to the discussion about the lack of scare actors in recent years.

That job has to be one of the worst jobs the park has to offer. And that includes being the guy who has to clean the bathroom.

A scare actor gets punched, slapped, cursed at, screamed at, and sometimes sexually assaulted. And that's on top of working in cramped, hot or cold spaces for hours at a time with nothing more than a 30 minute break in the middle of a 6 hour shift. All of that to make $10 an hour.

So it's easy to see how they have a hard time filling up houses.

THIS.

This applies to basically any Halloween haunted house or event.

One has to REALLY love Halloween and scaring to do that job. God bless them, especially those who get punched and stuff on a nightly basis.

 

[Jonesta6]

To that end, how well does the park security and supervisor team protect the scare crew?

 

[BGWScream]

From Busch Gardens Facebook..

Members! Get a FREE 1-Time Howl-O-Scream Quick Queue EVERY TIME YOU VISIT now thru Aug. 31. Stop by the Upgrade Center in Germany & each individual Member will be able to receive their single-use Quick Queue pass, valid at one maze of choice or participating coaster Sept. 13 thru Oct. 27.

 

[Celticdog]

To that end, how well does the park security and supervisor team protect the scare crew?

I've noticed over the years, that each house has at least one dedicated security guard and each scare zone has a dedicated security guard. I'm not saying that they are effective, but they do have a presence.

 

[James]

If a scare actor is assaulted they are instructed to follow the person out of the maze or exit the maze quickly and identify the individual to security immediately.

 

[GrandpaD]

To that end, how well does the park security and supervisor team protect the scare crew?

Heard from someone that knows first hand - There are hidden buttons in each maze/house where scare actors are normally located. Just outside the maze/house is a panel of lights monitored by Security. If a Scare Actor has any issues, they press the hidden button which lights up on the panel. Monitoring officer calls it out on radio and Security then responds with multiple officers and possibly regular police if they're in the area.

As stated, the violator is (minimally) escorted out to the parking lot.