Howl-O-Scream Williamsburg 2022

Official Website​

Howl-O-Scream: Virginia Halloween Event | Busch Gardens Williamsburg

The spirit of Halloween is unleashed at Howl-O-Scream! Find haunted houses, escape rooms, scare zones, live shows & roller coasters if you dare.

buschgardens.com

Attraction Lineup​

Haunted Houses​

1. Inferno [New] - Location: Pompeii (?)
2. Death Water Bayou [New] - Location: Festa Field
3. Nevermore Chapter 2 [New] (Updated & Relocated) - Location: Drachen Fire Station Building (?)
4. Witch of the Woods [Returning] - Location: Oktoberfest Woods Maze
5. KILLarney Diner [Returning] - Location: Ireland Simulator

Terror-Tories™​

1. Dead A-head [New] - Location: France
2. Gorgon Gardens [New] - Location: Italy Gardens
3. Scary Tale Road [New] - Location: Rhinefield
4. Meat Market [Returning] - Location: New France
5. Ripper Row [Returning] - Location: England

+ Roaming Hack Pack [Returning] - Location: Where you least expect it​

Shows​

1. Jack is Back [Returning] - Location: Ireland
2. Phantoms of the Festhaus [Returning] - Location: Festhaus
3. Skeletones [Returning] - Location: San Marco
4. Monster Stomp® on Ripper Row [Returning] - Location: Globe Theatre

+ ZomBeats [Returning] - Location: France?​

Party Zones​

1. DJ Marie Antoinette Party Zone [New] - Location: France
2. DJ Masquerade Party Zone [New] - Location: Festa Italia

(These are listed as new, but seem to be in the same areas as the party zones in 2021)

BOOze Bars​

1. Stone-Cold Spirits [New] - Location: Italy Gardens
2. Pete's Provisions [New] - Location: New France
3. Back Alley Bar - Location: England
4. Jack's Nightcap - Location: Ireland
5. Frost Bar - Location: Oktoberfest
6. BarKastle Spirits - Location: Oktoberfest

 

[Icer]

I honestly think the party zones need to go, I don't understand why they keep bringing them back. As far as I can tell, nobody ever really utilizes them considering their "stop and dance" strategy with it.

If they had one "party zone" with one or two showtimes maybe every Friday and Saturday night that had decent hype and actually decent DJ I could see it being fantastic, giving the DJ some creative room to put on a good show. Maybe like a 30 minute set to kick off the night at 6, maybe one more at 9 or something and that's it. Part of my apprehension to it is how disconnected it feels from the audience with it being a walk-past attraction, how the music is always just a loop of sorts, and how the DJ's just kinda float around. Even a perfect show wouldn't be enjoyable without a decent crowd gathered when doing an edm show like this, so giving it a dedicated time people can be there for and give it some flair could be awesome. Think those kickoffs they did at 6 in front of Festhaus a couple seasons back, but think a proper DJ set with maybe some Halloween classics sprinkled in with the edm elements for people to enjoy, wherever they put it in the park. Hell they could even count it as a show at that point.

 

[Zachary]

Someone wanna tackle rewriting the wiki post with all the official info?

(If so, say you are in the thread so people don't do the same work twice and overwrite one another's contributions.)

 

[VikingvadR]

For the new “Inferno” maze I would assume that they would be reusing props from demon street. It’s obvious that they would. Also wouldn’t be surprised if they use the playlist also used in demon street.

 

[Nibbins]

Someone wanna tackle rewriting the wiki post with all the official info?

(If so, say you are in the thread so people don't do the same work twice and overwrite one another's contributions.)

I will update it a bit.

 

[Diamond Dave]

Added house locations to the wiki post with (?) by the two unconfirmed locations. I think we can confirm DWB by the description referring to a nearby carnival.

 

[ludmarco]

As someone with a mild phobia of clowns, I’m pretty to happy to see that something is replacing Circo Sinistro. Honestly, other than the fact that they moved the headless women to a new terrortory and the (kinda?) return of Nevermore, I’m pretty happy about Busch’s HOS decisions. I have high hopes for Inferno and Scary Tale Road!

Edit:
Like @VikingvadR mentioned, I’m also thinking they’re going to reuse Demon Street props for Inferno. Crossing my fingers that I’m reunited with a much missed scare zone of mine!

 

[Nibbins]

As someone with a mild phobia of clowns, I’m pretty to happy to see that something is replacing Circo Sinistro. [...]

My oldest daughter was terrified of Dystopia. She could not deal with the cyborgs at all for some reason.

She is elated that this house is gone.

 

[ceno8yte]

As someone with a mild phobia of clowns, I’m pretty to happy to see that something is replacing Circo Sinistro.

I'm on the opposite end. I LOVED Circo, even if it was a little beat towards the end of its run. Shame to see it go, but DWB seems promising.

Also, am I the only one a little surprised by the clear illusions to Hell in Inferno's description? I'm not personally offended or anything, it just feels like something that would upset certain folks. I remember Horror Nights down at Universal having a situation like that a couple years ago.

 

[Jonesta6]

Why is that an issue at all for a Halloween event?

I mean, sure, some overly Bible-thumping types might raise concerns though tbf the entire spooky season usually doesn't sit right with them so it's not like they're likely to be a core audience anyways.

Only thing I can think of being problematic is if the word hell shows up. Though even then, that's a whole other debate on whether it should considered profane in the first place...

 

[ijerngvidsnvk]

As someone with a mild phobia of clowns, I’m pretty to happy to see that something is replacing Circo Sinistro. Honestly, other than the fact that they moved the headless women to a new terrortory and the (kinda?) return of Nevermore, I’m pretty happy about Busch’s HOS decisions. I have high hopes for Inferno and Scary Tale Road!

Edit:
Like @VikingvadR mentioned, I’m also thinking they’re going to reuse Demon Street props for Inferno. Crossing my fingers that I’m reunited with a much missed scare zone of mine!

I really liked Circo so I'm sad to see it go, but it was definitely time. Last year it was rough

 

[Zachary]

Also, am I the only one a little surprised by the clear illusions to Hell in Inferno's description? I'm not personally offended or anything, it just feels like something that would upset certain folks. I remember Horror Nights down at Universal having a situation like that a couple years ago.

It has happened up here before specifically with Howl-O-Scream's last depiction of hell.

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[Icer]

I can't imagine growing up in a household where as a teen my mother kept me from haunted houses due to demon worship. Like how do you not have actual issues in life for you to think about. Not to knock those who practice religion in form, but lordy lordy you are missing the point of the scripture's teachings if you think Halloween celebration is a major thing in the way of your son's path to greatness.

 

[ceno8yte]

It has happened up here before specifically with Howl-O-Scream's last depiction of hell.

Holy cow. I've never seen this before, this is really something else. Insane to me how people will clutch pearls over some of the tamest things.

 

[mtorange]

I noticed that this year for the USA Today poll, Howl-O-Scream is on the ballot for multiple locations… meaning that fans from events in both Tampa and Williamsburg will vote for it. This would give it an unfair advantage against KD’s Haunt, which is on its own and not lumped with Dorney or Kings Island, for example.

 

[Mushroom]

I had the same thought about Inferno too. Correct me if I’m wrong, but Demon Street wasn’t actually supposed to take place in Hell. I remember the original descriptions of the terror-tory starting with “Paris is burning…” and the idea being that demons had descended upon the burning city. It wasn’t executed very clearly, but I’m pretty sure Demon Street still took place in France. Inferno takes it to the next level by actually explicitly taking place in Hell.

That said, just for fun, it could be argued that the maze’s depiction of Hell is based on Dante’s Inferno, given the name and location in the Italy area of the park (Pompeii). Dante’s Inferno illustrates an original image of Hell that was not strictly based on the Bible, so anyone who gets upset with BGW for a Hell-themed maze should probably take up their concerns with that 14th-century author first. (Of course, in my opinion would be pretty silly to get mad at the park regardless of what Inferno is based on. What’s next, are we going to complain about severed head props because they remind us of ISIS?)

 

[Nicole]

I feel that some context needs to be provided here. While the response is real, the letter complaining about Demon Street might have been less than sincere:

A long overdue confession.

Years ago, I made a mistake that has weighed heavily on my conscience. I have lost sleep and drank heavily ever since. My friends have recently been pressuring me to confess as they have been worried for me. My wish is to come clean to you all and beg forgiveness. Years ago, a clip appeared...

parkfans.net

I have no idea if others felt this way legitimately, however.

 

[Coolguy15]

I can't imagine growing up in a household where as a teen my mother kept me from haunted houses due to demon worship. Like how do you not have actual issues in life for you to think about. Not to knock those who practice religion in form, but lordy lordy you are missing the point of the scripture's teachings if you think Halloween celebration is a major thing in the way of your son's path to greatness.

As a former Christian and current Atheist, I feel bad for the nutcases who think going to a Halloween theme park event is "Devil worship". Susie, you can't go to your favorite event become some invisible sky man doesn't want you to go!!11!1

 

[CoasterTalkBob]

Also, am I the only one a little surprised by the clear illusions to Hell in Inferno's description? I'm not personally offended or anything, it just feels like something that would upset certain folks. I remember Horror Nights down at Universal having a situation like that a couple years ago.

I was floored one time when I was at KD and during the Haunt kick off they said something like "we are all children of satan"..... I honestly don't have major issues with halloween (it's not really my thing but not against it) but that made me feel a little uncomfortable..... Not that I'd raise an issue or anything but I thought that was crossing a line TBH.

 

[Icer]

In my opinion, there is no line. Religion no longer has a grasp on pop culture and businesses have no obligation to be afraid to say "Hell" at a Halloween themed event. Go for it, be as distasteful as you want. Sure some people may not like it and not go, but I am of the opinion that anything is fair game when it comes to Halloween. Make me uncomfortable, that's the point. Freak me out.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

I was floored one time when I was at KD and during the Haunt kick off they said something like "we are all children of satan"..... I honestly don't have major issues with halloween (it's not really my thing but not against it) but that made me feel a little uncomfortable..... Not that I'd raise an issue or anything but I thought that was crossing a line TBH.

Normally I avoid such touchy subjects, but that especially surprises me, considering that Kings Dominion has at least one Christian song playing in every area of the park except for Jungle-X and maybe Planet Snoopy (prior to Jungle-X Safari Village played Swing Low Sweet Chariot).

On the Busch Gardens side of things with Inferno, I’m expecting a ton of backlash and for this maze to only last one season at most with this theme.

Edit: That said, Busch Gardens Tampa had a clash with some local churches over their My X theme in 2010, and the park still didn’t back down. So, maybe Inferno will survive.