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The Thread Rises from the Dead: Howl-o-Scream 2011 Busch Gardens planned to kickoff Howl-o-Scream 2001 (“The Dark Side of the Gardens”) with a media event on Friday, September 23, but nature had other plans. There was a monsoon in Williamsburg from noon until a little after 5:30 pm that day, so the park closed at 6:00 pm. But even though the weather was a bit threatening that weekend, the big rain was over, and HOS went on as scheduled on Saturday and Sunday. So, I ambled over there late Sunday afternoon. The weather was a bit sticky, but not rainy, and the crowd was pretty light, meaning that rides were pretty much walk-ons, and waits for haunted houses, once the event got going, were very short. Works for me! Overall, HOS seems stronger this year, mainly because last year was pretty much a retread (only with bigger scarezones). BGW is offering three new mazes this year, with only two old ones returning. But how do they stack up? Here they are, from best to worst. Deadline (Escape from Pompeii)—For some reason, Pompeii decided it needed a subway. Too bad that while they were digging, they unleashed a powerful gas that turns people into homicidal zombies! Not the most original concept ever, but this house is a welcome replacement for the old Curse of Pompeii (which had a 12-year run, with some embellishments, and was feeling pretty tired). The sets are the best the park has ever done for HOS, with plenty of surprises. The scareactors were doing a good job that night, too (just ask the women who were behind me). 13: Your Number’s Up (Europe in the Air)—This was the site of the very first HOS house 13 years ago, and it’s a big improvement over the Caverns of Darkness maze that used to be there. Guests are forced to face 13 different phobias, including fear of heights, fear of death, and even fear of going to the dentist or going to bed. It’s a good idea, and the long, narrow “cave” of Europe in the Air’s queue is used very well (which was not the case with Caverns). Bitten (Drachen Fire station)—This house of Christopher Lee-style bloodsuckers is now the oldest maze at HOS, but that’s OK. It’s always been solid. The house sets are very good, and there are plenty of places for the legions of the undead to hide and attack. Catacombs (Palace Royale Threatre)—This tour of the plague-infested catacombs of Paris was a bit weak last year, but is much improved. BGW reconfigured the space, and the mouldering, mummified corpses were using it well. This maze is the shortest one, but it’s long on creepy atmosphere. Fear Fair (Festa Italia)—Evil clowns are back, which kind of rates a yawn from me. This new house was the weakest of the night, but there are good sets and some interesting ideas (such as the “carnival games” section). It could get better as the scareactors settle into their roles. The park has been playing with their scarezones, too—usually their weak spot. Here’s how they stack up. Unleashed (path between France and Ireland)—The werewolves and living bushes are back where they belong, and they have some new scenery and barriers to hide behind when stalking guests. Pretty good, if a bit short. Widowmakers (Fort New France)—It’s chainsaw-wielding lumberjacks vs. spiders here. This is the largest of the scarezones, and it’s OK. Scavengers (path from the Loch Ness Monster to Ireland)—Scarecrows and giant crows are scrounging for human body parts. Why? I have no idea, but this scarezone does have the best scenery of them all—the actors just need to use it better. Stitchin’ Time (Oktoberfest bridge near DarKastle)—This was an interesting idea (a mad scientist sends his stitched-together creations to harvest spare parts), but it doesn’t quite come off. The scareactors really didn’t do much. Grin and Scare It (Festa Italia bridge)—Again, the scareactors weren’t too active here when I went through, and there’s minimal scenery for them to hide behind. I liked it better during the old Festa Dementia days when the whole area from the bridge to the Roman Rapids was a scarezone. All in all, HOS 2011 is pretty solid. There were some problems (such as Fear Fest and the rather small scarezones), but this event tends to improve as October grinds on. Join me, won’t you? There’s nothing to be concerned about. Well, at least not from me. But the GRISLY MONTH OF HORROR is upon us—so who knows what will happen? Does it, now? “This event may not be suitable for small children—please quit complaining that your small children were too scared on our Facebook page. Thank you.” “But I love small children—for lunch!” These signs were all over the park explaining bits of folklore—a nice touch. Yep—those are ravens. And if they leave, the British Crown will fall! (Well, not if they leave Busch Gardens. We have no “British Crown” here.) Hmm—should I go this way? Or this way? It’s too confusing for me! The horror has already begun! “Then again, there are folks who go both ways—but we may decide to make that illegal in Virginia someday.” "Shenanigans" = Ripping your guts out! "Hello, sailah!" "I ain't hungry, yet--but I might go for a bite of chunky coaster enthusiast later. You look pretty tender." Not quite "unleashed" yet--come back at 6:00 pm. "Small children should not gaze upon this symbol of their inevitable mortality. Thank you." Catacombs has a spiffy new sign--and is a better house this year, too. Sheesh! First, they have all those problems with Mach Tower. Then Hurricane Irene. Now it's the plague. BGW just can't catch a break. Aw-w-w-w-w . . . how adorable. Soon, the air will be full of the buzzing of chainsaws and smell of gasoline. Actually, that sounds like the week after Hurricane Irene. "Er, little help here? This spider is going to EAT ME, you know! Hello? Hello?" This statue has been showing her breasts here ever since the park opened--yet people were complaining about the cleavage shown by the nurses in the Fiends show. Go figure. A charming fall tradition . . . . . . cutting folks up and sewing them back together again. Uh oh! Dr. Weirdstein is back making monsters at the Festhaus! This is kind of clever. Each monster around the may pole represents one of the park's management team--this is Larry "The Troll" Giles, the gent in charge of building new attractions. "I'm keeping my eye out for small children. They shouldn't be here, you know." Vampire Minions as Skee Ball prizes! Bleah! Bleah! They have Mummy Minions, too. I had some time to kill before the houses opened, so I caught the Jack Is Back show in Ireland. They've redone the show a bit. He starts out above Grogan's, then . . . . . . poof! He's onstage! (I liked the original, more grotesque version of Jack better.) More to come.

Thanks for answering my Star Trek question, Shane--it's good to hear from someone who actually worked there back in the Paramount days.

It's a shame that Paramount didn't move ahead with these plans, but my impression is that they never were comfortable with being in the theme-park business, anyway (based on what I saw at Kings Dominion during the Paramount years). I never could understand why the didn't exploit Star Trek a bit more in their parks--it was still a hot franchise at the time. The only Star Trek-themed ride I can think of was Borg Assimilator at Carowinds, and that was just the relocated Stealth in space drag.

^If you go on a Saturday night, spring for the Quick Queue (the park has been known to reach capacity on Saturday during HOS). Friday night is the best time to go (no Quick Queue necessary), and Sunday can be busy, but not crazy like Saturday. At least this is my past experience.

^Well, Fangs just sucked, but I agree re. Fiends.

^My personal experience went like this. I first visited Holiday World in spring of 2009, and thought Voyage was a great, intense ride that didn't beat you to death. It made my top ten. But in August 2010, I got off Voyage wondering, "What the hell happened to this thing?" It dropped from no. 8 to no. 31 (one behind Legend). Maybe it's an "early season/late season" issue?

^^There's a sign over in Italy explaining the "Lady of the Gardens" concept--near her statue.

Although enthusiasts often complain about how Arrow coasters don't age very well, Ron Toomer's work was innovative and important--Arrow was a pioneer in the field. My condolences to the Toomer family.

I agree that Cataombs was much improved over last year, and that Fear Fair was the weakest of the bunch (but there is some potential there). Overall, I thought HOS was pretty solid last night, and the event does tend to improve as the month grinds on. Dead Line and 13 were very good, as well.

Very tough. 11/20

^Just schnapps.

You would've preferred "Streak-o-lodeon"?

^Yeah, people complained about that show for being too "sexy" 13 years ago, too--I guess it's too much to expect them to read disclaimers and warnings. I've seen so many people drag unhappy, screaming little kids into Howl-o-Scream.

^Are they "terrifying" tacos?

Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to HHN in a couple of weeks--the scarezones look great.

The rain has slacked off, but another wave of it is supposed to come through.

You don't need special permission--just membership in the forums. I just posted a review of IOA without any issues. Go back and try again--maybe you had a typo in your password.

You could easily visit Kings Dominion, too--it's only a little over an hour's drive from BGW (just north of Richmond off I-95). If you do come to this part of Virginia, I recommend flying into either Richmond or Newport News/Williamsburg. If you're not renting a car, Richmond has better shuttle service to Williamsburg, but Newport News is closer. Be advised that roundtrip shuttles from Richmond to Williamsburg cost a little over $60; a cab ride from Newport News to Williamsburg is around $50 one-way. Another factor: Since you're planning on visiting in September, both parks will be open Friday-Saturday only, and KD might be closed for coporate buyouts for some of that month. Haunt and Howl-o-Scream usually begin late in the month.

^^I wouldn't have even noticed the McDonald's if Elissa hadn't pointed it out.

I listened to the show last night, and this is one of the few podcasts I've been able to listen to in its entirety--good job!

Nice to meet you and your family at Deep South Bash, Brandy--and thanks for the cake. I'm glad that they had a great time.

I missed so much arriving as late on Friday as I did. Thanks for the look at what went on earlier that day, although Jake sleeping a lot isn't too surprising.

The TR that keeps on giving has but one more set of pics to give. My thanks for Robb, Elissa, and the good folks at Six Flags over Georgia for putting on a great Deep South Bash! Let's take a little look at Goliath, shall we? AGHH! IT'S COMING RIGHT AT US! WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST . . . OH HELL, JUST GET OUTTA MY WAY! Why do they even have that pavement? Is that where the "huskies go," or something? Remember DDD? Well, here's another look at it. Such a fun ride--I'm glad more Eurofighters have been built in the U.S. And now. the backside of . . . CUT IT OUT, CANTCHA? Gee, the voices in my head are testy today. We have found the Promised Land! Hail, Anton! "Where's the rest of me?" "This is my domain, and I protect those who come here! For I am Andrew, Lord of Mind Bender!" "Day after day. Alone on a hill . . ." It was great to be able to get close enough to Mind Bender to get good pictures. Over, under, by the side of the lifthill. So many possibilities . . . This is still the best ride here: forceful and full of ejector air, and no OTSRs! For years, Robb Alvey has been stalking the elusive Schwarzkopf . . . . . . and now he has it in his sights. But being the sportsman that he is, Robb sets the Schwarzkopf free. "Hola! I am Speedy 'not in any way a degrading stereotype' Gonzalez! Arriba!" This would be the most amazing ride ever. There are two very important facts about this carousel: 1) It's historical, and . . . . . . 2) It has naked people. Hmm--this may be a Fright Fest maze. Call it, a "hunch." We all aspire to be Bugs Bunny, but deep down, we're really Elmer Fudd. Hmm--let me guess. I'm thinking food is involved . . . . . . and beer! (There was wine, too.) This rather blurry photo is my failed attempt to capture the insanity of TPR Quest. Oh boy! We can spend all night on Canyon Blaster! "For over 60 years, I've been trying to catch this bird. But what do I get? Coaster enthusiasts! Sheesh!" I think Acrophobia is the scariest drop tower in the U.S. Only Blue Fall in Japan and Apocalypse in the U.K. beat it. Whew! Canyon Blaster was way too intense to marathon! Maybe we'll have better luck with Goliath. That's a wrap. Thanks for reading!

Now that we've escaped the icy terror that is Monster Mansion, let's have a look at the rest of Deep South Bash. Hmm--something new has been added since I was last here. Dare Devil Dive is a very good addition to SFOG--a fun Eurofighter with lapbars instead of OTSRs. And now, TPR's newest fun game: Find the Crouses! I wonder where those Crouses could be? Here Crousey, Crousey, Crousey Crouse! They are most elusive Crouses! The honor is to serve. There is also much honor in wearing the feather boa. Are all these enthusiasts waiting for Wheelie? Doubtful. How about Ninja? No, I don't think so. Are they waiting for GASM?: The ride, not the, er, "event." Oh, yeah. Food. Shoulda known . . . This was the largest group that SFOG has ever had for a backstage tour. For you Californians, this means "peligro extremeo." "Y'all take care to avoid that 'extreme danger' now!" This tour gave us views of the park that you can't get in regular guest areas. Dear Kings Dominion: You'll notice that Great American Scream Machine is covered in a substance called "paint." I think this substance would also provide a nice coating for Rebel Yell. Regards, Chuck The backside of Superman. GASM was running very well. I think it'll jump up a few spots in my Hawker poll ballot for 2011. And now, I shall demonstrate my wondrous magical powers--ZAP! And the train . . . . . . is now on the far hill! Isn't that amazing? Another look at the backside of Superman--this time, with a train. Anybody know what this is for? Fright Fest prop, perhaps? Did it used to be part of the antique car ride? Uh oh! This sign might turn Elissa into the She Hulk! Do you know why? No regular guest can get this view of the back of Mr. Kotter's head. The view of these wristbands is also unique to this backstage area. OK, who is this guy, again? If you're ever employed by SFOG, this might be good to know. James understands the importance of good grooming. Do you? I hope you enjoyed your up-close view of the backside of water. One more set of pics to go.

Theme Park Review held an event last weekend--on Saturday, September 17, 2011, to be exact. Some of you may have heard about it. I know I did; then again, I was there. So it would've been difficult for me not to have heard about it. I can't speak for others who were there, but only for myself. Confused? I am, as well--but not to worry. It's all getting clearer now . . . Deep South Bash! The latest in my year of Bashes! (Only one more Bash to go!) And what a Bash it was. Robb and Elissa pulled out the stops for the first TPR Bash ever held at Six Flags over Georgia--and the park responded by being excellent hosts. What more can be said about . . . ERT on every coaster in the park either before the park opened or after it closed; A walkthrough tour of Monster Mansion, the park's classic dark ride, with all the effects running; A backstage tour with views of the park that you can't get in guest areas; EBT ("exclusive beer time"), TPR Quest, and the GASM Water Challenge; and Great weather and great times with a great group! Yes, Busch Gardens Tampa has its work cut out for it topping Deep South Bash at Six Flags over Georgia, as you will now see . . . OK! Out of those racks, you maggots! Time for Deep South Bash! "Oh, darn these wristbands! They're so hard to put on! They're tearing out my arm hairs!" The hordes await. "Good people of Theme Park Review! I implore thee! Go forth and enjoy thyselves!" What the heck is everybody milling around here for? Oh. Food. Ask a silly question . . . Through the ultra-double-secret door to . . . . . . Monster Mansion! Ladies and gentleman, the backside of monster. "Your heart may belong to your mama, but in here your butt is mine!" Fortunately, I was able to escape before this diabolical creature sucked out all of my soul! Ladies and gentleman, the Cousin Itt Recovering Alcoholic Jug Band! Ok, admit it. Everybody wants to "hit a human" from time to time. Even other humans. "Brick-a-braca-firecracker-sis-boom-bah! Hit the human, hit the human! Rah, rah, rah!" "I shor am sorry for killin' ya'll and eatin' your guts at Gettysburg." "Well, y'all was hungry. I'd a done the same." Real men walk through the Monster Marsh! Be careful not to clothesline yourselves. "The time of men is over . . . . . . and the time of the orc has come!" Let's try an experiment. With flash . . . . . . and without. Watch your step there. Those who fall will be eaten! "Ha, ha, ha! You're out of the marsh, but your butt is mine again!" OK. Nothing disturbing about this. Just one monster playing with another monster's tongue. "Hi, y'all! Why, it'd just tickle me to death to swallow y'all's souls!" Y'all come back now, heah? For the rest of this TR, at least.