Thank you to Busch Gardens for providing me with media passes to Howl-O-Scream.
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg combines two of my great loves, Halloween and Theme Parks, into one amazing event. I was able to experience Howl-O-Scream for the second time ever this year, and I’m already ready for a return visit in 2020. What can you expect when you visit?
Haunted Houses
If you love haunted houses, Howl-O-Scream has six of them ready to terrorize you on your visit.
Lumberhack
Located in Octoberfest, Lumberhack allows you the chance to visit with the undead victims of a horrible accident at their logging camp. This is the only haunted house that is located outside. We happened to visit before sunset, but despite the light outside, there’s still plenty to scare you inside of this haunted campsite.
The Vault: Overtaken
Classic characters from past Howl-O-Screams live inside of The Vault. This was my absolute favorite haunted house of the night and one that will give you more than a few screams. You can find The Vault: Overtaken in Octoberfest.
Frostbite
Frozen creatures haunt the grounds of FrostBite, located inside NewKastle in Oktoberfest.
Dystopia
I had one clear haunted house memory from my previous trip to Howl-O-Scream. The haunted house located inside of Escape from Pompeii had a passageway where the walls closed in on you and it terrified me. Dystopia was in the same location, and I was more than a little scared to give this one a try. Luckily the walls closing in on me effect was gone this year. This post-apocalyptic haunted house was still plenty scary, though.
Circo Sinistro
I’m terrified-in a good way-of clowns, so I was super bummed that Circo Sinistro was closed during my visit to Howl-O-Scream. I did have an encounter with the clowns from this haunted house, however. At least I think and hope they were from this haunted house. I was walking down the path to enter Lumberhack and a roving band of clowns and circus performers were suddenly right behind me.
If you saw this on my Instagram stories, you know this moment was every bit as magical as it sounds.
Demented Dimensions
In Demented Dimensions, you’ll enter an estate where a vortex has opened portals to other realms full of unearthly creatures. This haunted house had an Alice In Wonderland room that was one of my favorites of the night.
Halloween Shows
There are three Halloween-themed shows to catch during your visit to Howl-O-Scream.
Night Beats: Revamped
Catch this vampire-themed musical show at Das Festhaus in Oktoberfest.
Jack is Back!
You can join in the fun of this disco-dancing celebration on the streets of Ireland.
Monster Stomp on Ripper Row
Jack The Ripper stars in this percussion themed musical show at the Globe Theater in England.
Scare Zones
When the sun goes down, the frights come out when Busch Gardens transforms into six different scare zones.
Vampire Point
Germany turns into Vampire Point, full of roaming bloodsuckers.
Sideshow Square
Festa Italia becomes Sideshow Square, the very last place you’d want to visit if you have a fear of clowns.
Garden of the Souls
The dead roam free in the Garden of the Souls, located in Italy.
Axe Alley
New France turns into Axe Alley, where you can be haunted by undead Viking raiders.
Fools’ Court
Join in the twisted celebration at the Fools’ Court, located in France.
Ripper Row
Murders are on the loose on Ripper Row, located in England.
Escape Rooms
There are two escape rooms available during Howl-O-Scream: Jack’s Twisted Terror and Grave Escape. These rooms are available for purchase online and are not included as part of your regular Howl-O-Scream ticket.
Howl-O-Scream Tips
Ready to make the most of your trip to Howl-O-Scream? I have a few tips!
Transportation
Rideshare apps make getting in and out of the park a snap. Depending on where you are located, it can also be cheaper than paying to park. In total, we spent about $19 getting there and back. While that wasn’t a big savings, it was great having a driver drop us off right by the main entrance and pick us up at the end of the night. Note: rideshare pickup at the end of the evening will be in the England parking lot, not France.
When to Visit
Busch Gardens has added lots of dates to the calendar this year that are just for Howl-O-Scream. While you might be tempted to visit on the weekend when the park is open more hours, a weekday visit will give you more than enough time to experience the park, ride the rides and enjoy the haunted houses, all with limited lines. We visited on a Thursday when the park was open from 5 pm-11 pm. We did everything without waiting in a single line, with the exception of the line for a funnel cake. Just make sure you check the calendar before you visit. Busch Gardens is closed several days a week.
What To Buy
There’s plenty of fun Halloween-themed merchandise to check out during your visit to Howl-O-Scream. My personal pick? If you just want a little something to remember the day, head over to the midway area and look for the frog game. This is a “winner every time” style game, and you can walk away with this cute little plush for only $5!
Ready to check out Howl-O-Scream for yourself? It’s occurring on select dates now through November 3, 2019.