It’s that time of year. Howl-O-Scream! This is my absolute favorite time of year and favorite event at Busch Gardens. I spent Friday the 13th previewing the newly old show Jack is Back and getting all teched out with a 360-degree POV walk-through of the Frostbite maze.
Jack is Back is a revamping of a former fan favorite that’s been gone from the line-up for a while. It takes place outdoors in the Ireland village and features a fun soundtrack, dance numbers and swaying stiltwalking scarecrows. And, of course, Jack the Pumpkin Guy.
There aren’t any new mazes this year, but a couple have some updates. For example, last year’s 20th anniversary house, The Vault, is still all about previous mazes and characters. This year it takes the name “The Vault: Overtaken.”
I got to strap on a camera and walk through the Frostbite haunted maze, located in the former Curse of DarKastle ride building. I’m not used to being in front of the camera, so this was a totally new and out-of-my-comfort-zone experience. But it was also super fun. Here ya go. Use your mouse to “move about” the maze with me.
Here’s another version of the same video, shot from a different perspective. I really like the “green glow” in these videos.
Howl-O-Scream 2019 Haunted Mazes
- Circo Sinistro
- Lumberhack
- Frostbite
- Demented Dimensions
- Dystopia
- The Vault: Overtaken
I really enjoyed Dystopia for its futuristic feeling of a forlorn and lost world of apocalyptic proportions. I’m a big fan of the haunted house/mansion theme, so Demented Dimensions scored high on my list. Be on the lookout for the “wallpaper dudes” at the start of the maze. They’re my favorite.
Here are a few scenes from the Sideshow Square terror-tory. Who doesn’t love a sinister circus scene?
These guys and gals are excellent actors. It’s such a fun area to observe. Speaking of fun areas, Ripper Row is back and slays just as much as ever.
Howl-O-Scream 2019 Terror-Tories
- Ripper Row – England
- Sideshow Square – Festa Italia
- Vampire Point – Germany
- Fool’s Court – France
- Axe Alley – New France
- Garden of the Souls – Italy
“We’re always looking for opportunities to elevate the event’s scare factor,” said Peter Dunklee, vice president of entertainment. “We try to balance the fun and the scares and we’ve accomplished just that with two new escape room experiences, additional startles in our haunted houses and resurrecting a guest favorite show.”
Howl-O-Scream 2019 Shows
- Jack is Back – Outdoors in Ireland
- Monster Stomp on Ripper Row – Globe Theater in England
- Night Beats: Revamped – DasFesthaus
Howl-O-Scream 2019 Escape Rooms
Test your wits with the park’s new escape rooms.
- Jack’s Twisted Terror
- Grave Obsession
The Coaster Creepers are back for the 2019 Halloween season as well. This group of creeps lurk around the park’s roller coasters and just love to shock unsuspecting riders as they board the ride right along with them. Who knows who (or what) you may end up riding with.
There are also Roaming Hoards prowling around the park just waiting to unleash scares and screams on guests.
Howl-O-Scream 2019 Bars
Guests looking for libations (over 21 only, please) can check out five themed bars.
- Chaos Cocktails
- Last Call
- Jack’s Nighcap
- Restless Spirits
- Control Bar
Howl-O-Scream 2019 is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from September 14 through October 27. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.howloscream.com/va.
Please Note: Busch Gardens becomes seriously scary after 6:00 p.m. Please consider your child’s fright factor before bringing them to Howl-O-Scream. Before 6:00 it’s perfectly fine. In fact, the Sesame Street area has lots of non-scary fun for kids and adults.
Disclosure: I received admission to Howl-O-Scream 2019 as part of Media Night and the Ambassador Blogger program. All opinions are strictly my own.
