Howl-O-Scream

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Quick take overall. Demon Street at night was fantastic. An amazing effect, I compare it to the christmastown Pompei. And the DJ was a lot of fun, lots of people love it. Like we went to hell, and there was a party, and it was a blast. and people were scaring there.

Pirates don't really have an "area", so it was hard to get into a "pirate area" -- I don't know what "pirate theme" should be. But the two guys there doing the picture opportunities were very entertaining, they dragged my daughter all over the place putting her in the contraptions, and then she walked the plank. She actually bought two pictures, so BG did their job on that one.

I thought the overall atmosphere was more "halloween". Frankly, my daughter halfway through was saying how she was "done" with halloween, it just wasn't working for her. But after actually getting scared enough to scream a few times, she walked into Demon street, and Halloween was back.

Root of all Evil was the best improved maze in my opinion -- it had real walls. a couple good scares, and the walkway is pretty scary by itself.

Didn't really like Cutthroat, but maybe it was just late and I was tired. I'll try it again Sunday if the park isn't too crowded.

I definitely enjoyed our day. And I think in the end, that is the point.
 
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Finally I want to address the crappy attitude and appearance this site has been showing. I am not alone in this at all. I have friends who look at this site occasionally and there are members who agree as well. This site has been giving off a very negative tone and attitude towards Howl-o-Scream and budget cuts, and entertainment in general. I am saying this because I care, but you guys really need to cut out the politics. All I ever see is full posts about how crappy this event is and how terrible the park is doing and how we should all just hate every bit of it. It looks bad on our part especially in reports or news when people read those, they should be getting non-opinionated facts. I hate that you guys almost ruined my Howl-o-Scream this year. I was literally depressed about the event because all you guys did was make the event out to be trash. Guess what happened to me during my visit? I had fun! Guests had fun! Everyone enjoyed themselves! Why? Because that is what the park is about having fun and enjoying yourself. When you come into the event expecting crap, guess what you are going to get? Crap! All I am saying is walk into the event with an open mind, and open heart, and ready for fun. Don't go into the park thinking about budget cuts and a crappy infrastructure because you aren't supposed to be thinking about that. Heck, you really shouldn't even know about it! Also to note, why in the world is the first 8 pages of hate and crap? Get your stuff together people, time to grow up.
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Some of us are fans of the way the park used to do things and don't like the cheap direction the park is moving by choice.

[mod edit] us right?


Some of us have fun by enjoying the eerie atmosphere of the park during HoS and think stupid things like DJs and awful looking scare actors kill that.

[mod edit] us right?


We get it, shine a flashlight, play some techno, and have a guy in a party city mask jump out at you and you'll be happy. Good for you. A lot of us have come to expect real quality of the park and that is was makes it fun for us. When the park screws up on something as fundamental as not serving Rum at a pirate themed bar, it would be a disservice to anybody at the park who still cares about quality not to bring it up. I'm not sure if you can understand this, but we complain because we like the park and will not be complacent until we see that the park is a lost cause, in which we will leave like so many other users who have already. Don't tell us that we shouldn't be posting our opinions simply because they don't fit your rose tinted view.

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After seeing the DJ in action...I don't mind the music on a personal level, but it still has nothing to do with demons or halloween or whatever. Cheap cash in to bring in the party crowd, something the park has never had to do. The DJ doesn't actually mix the music, which makes him and the skull a gigantic waste of money for me. Pandering is the lowest form of entertainment. Yes, one should know the crowd, but pandering instead of creativity shows exactly why the park is loosing guests.
 
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ToddF, thanks for posting the video. Demon Street looks great at night. I like the fire effects. I was very concerned with what I've seen leading up to opening day. I feel a little better about Demon Street now after watching Todd's video. I say a little because I'm still not sold on Demon DJ. I agree with PK in that the whole club thing doesn't belong with a Halloween event. I've seen a DJ being used at another haunted attraction and it just didn't seem to fit in IMO. I'm glad to see people having a good time but the whole club scene doesn't fit in with what Demon Street should be in my mind. I'll be out there next month. I will have to see it for myself.
 
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As an outsider, (Have not been there since 2006 - found a 2006 BGW season pass newsletter with my name on it in some papers I was going though), what I have seen of HOS so far is mind-boggling.

You don't see that much detail for an event like that outside of Universal or Disney. Just the shear numbers of scare-actors and performers in the shows is impressive. All the food offerings and themed meals for HOS is way overboard compared to what Six Flags or Cedar Fair would do. The only seasonal park chain that might come close are the Herchend parks (ex.Dollywood).

BGW's budget for this event must be 4-5 times the budget of Kings Dominion's Haunt. The estimated number of performers for just the 3 adult/family shows at KD's Haunt this year would equal the number of cast members / musicians in "Night Beats". And that is just ONE show out of the 3 being performed at BGW.

Now don't get me wrong, Kings Dominion does put on a strong event for the money given to spend on it. But, it is not at the immersion level that Busch does.

BGW's advantage are the small Hamlets that make up the majority of the park. It allows them to go overboard on event themeing. Can you imagine the cost to makeover The Grove at Kings Dominion with that level of detail? That would probably blow over half of the Haunt budget for just one area!

For me, this fan site is unique for the BGW park lovers; the inside connections to the park; the people here that are fervent fans of the park and cares about its past, present, and future. In my opinion, you have become the external Ambassadors for Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

Sometimes the critiques here are brutally honest and I respect those that have those strong feelings. I'm sure the park monitors this site and you guys "keep them dancing on their toes". But, I have felt that, using the analogy of a microscope, some here keep cranking the lens further and further down toward the "slide" until the lens breaks the slide and the view/perspective is lost or badly distorted. The management at BGW is human and they have their flaws and sometimes they have stuff "blow up" in their face. But, they are a business that, now that they are a publicly traded company, HAVE to make money for their stock holders. And that is something that is a difficult line to walk on while trying to maintain the quality and legacy park goers expect from a Busch park.

Maybe, it is a good thing now and then to look at what is going on in other park chains to get some perspective on occasion.

Anyway, have fun with HOS this fall!
 
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Hubby and I went yesterday. Were surprised at how quick the lines were. The haunted houses were great. Only one we didn't go to was 13... the line was too long :) going back today!
 
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After all of these generally positive reviews I'm getting excited to go next Friday for HOS. Seeing that I haven't been in two years (personal issues) I don't have any reference point for the generally negative reviews of last year. Regardless I will probably really enjoy it as I'm optimistic that way and I'm easily entertained so that means I'll have a great time. My thanks to all of you who've posted so far and attached pictures and videos. Keep it up as by the time the weekend is over and reading all of the posts to come I'll be dying for Friday to get here!
 
"I miss the olde country! Bring back the glissade! Threadneedle fair needs to come back!" C'mon guys I miss the olde country as I have a lot of great childhood memories of the park, but that chapter is closed and the park is writing new wonderful memories for another generation. HOS is evolving as well and will continue to do so and I for one am excited to see what the future holds
 
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I will say this, I have no problem with those that have high expectations for the park. By all means imagine the impossible and you can be perfectly fine disappointed. I have no problem if you don't like things the way they are. It is perfectly fine to hold the park to higher standards, sometimes it does help out in the end for the park to do better. There are better ways to go about doing it than to completely trash it. It is called constructive criticism, which is a form of complaint that isn't written or spoken in harsh tone, yet displays concern. A lot of people seem to get confused between constructive criticism and completely trashing.

But I am glad I am not the only one who is really enjoying this year's Howl-o-Scream.
 
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Rides and shows come and go, the park has never had to sacrifice it's charm to bring in people. That's what the park is doing.

There has been thing said of how even the DJ could be improved to something that is proper for the event, there have always been things said on how the park can improve on it. When you see the decorations for the park's big things are party flags and streamers, calling it a disaster is justified.
 
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I know you have all been waiting with baited breath for my review of HOS. This is my honest take, hamlet by hamlet.

England:
Rippers row is the best thing the park has done since Verbolten! We were sitting in the smoking area at 6 and were pleasantly surprised by the first wave of actors. Super creepy headless women and an undertaker. The "ladies of the night" were well acted and a few were pretty hot! they had multiple Rippers and and big scary butcher. The Scotland Yard constables were funny and cause quite a stir. The Ladies had these fans that are really loud when they open them, great for startles. The Rippers would carry the Ladies screaming into building, there was always something happening. The attention to detail by the building crew was awesome. Look at the little touch at the end of the archway/dangling feet walkway. If you look up from underneath the last arch, you will see a little surprise. Also, plenty of security! Everyone who had a hand in Ripper's Row should be proud of themselves.

Ireland:
Themeing was the same as last year. Fiends was great, except for the technical difficulties. The new Doc is well acted and sung! Overall enjoyable! 13 was a really good house as usual! My fun in the houses is watching others get scared and joining in the fun of scaring them, and we had a group of young ladies behind us that didn't disappoint.

Wildlife reserve:
Always creepy, well done!

Demon Street:
LOOKED AWESOME! The fire effects were great, the DJ skull was wicked looking. Enjoyed the demons, one actually got a friend of mine, followed him about 20 yards without him noticing, then cranked up the chainsaw and scared the s#!t out of him. Catacombs was top notch as usual!

New France:
Looked great as always, except for this flashing light we saw, kinda wierd.

Rhinefield:
Looked great, the "hotel" looked a lot better than it was thought it would. Root was 100% better! such a great house now!

Oktoberfest:
Bitten was a decent house.

Italy:
Schooner Cider(hot apple cider rum!) (expletive) awesome! The pirates were fun and the bungee scare was well done! I think it was what a lot of people wanted for the park. It seemed to be a place for the younger fans to go and not have them elsewhere in the park. A lot of photo ops in the area. Again, don't bitch about it, it keeps kids in one area! Dig It UP was great as always, Cat steals the show!

Festa:
Cutthroat Cove was well themed. I don't understand why people think that recycling stuff is bad. That is how you save money. It's called business. Progress. Well done for an house premier.

Pompeii:
Deadline was a bust for me, but it was no fault of the house. First place we went and walked into the dark from the light, thus, my eyes were not adjusted.

Overall experience was awesome! One of my best days at the park! I give mad props to the crew who worked on this day and night, and put there personal touches here and there. The actors were very good, and seemed jacked up and ready! The "culintainment" that I saw was really good. Basically, my optimism paid off!
 
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I so wanna go to HOS sometime it looks so epic!! I'd probably crap my pants by the end of the night because I hate horror anything, but reading all of this stuff and looking at the detail makes me want to go and experience it! Why is Virginia so far from NY! Whoever is going, have fun!
 
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Does anyone know if Mach Tower is open? I think the Terror Tories, and overall atmosphere would look amazing from 240 feet in the air! :D
 
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Nic said:
chickenking said:
These things are back. get 'em while you can.
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What is this?
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A GLOW eyeball rose. Approximately $10.00.



Nic said:
This question may seem a bit random, but...

Did anyone take the sky ride? Some years, depending on the lighting, the view from above can be pretty cool. I thought that Demon Street might look interesting.
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Stay tuned...:cool:
 
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