cfc

Done--rather interested in Mid-America for next year.

Still more terror from Howl-o-Scream at BGW! The watchers are still watching . . . YOU! Admit it, you craven coward! You're petrified with fear! That's all for now. Hunted is on the other side of Harvest Hollow. "Harvest Hollow" is aflame! Another view of the entrance to "Bitten." At "Bitten," even the guy montioring the line is possessed by evil! "Ladies and gentlemen, STYX!" "Garlic! Get yer fresh, vampire-repellin' garlic here!" An actual, honest-to-god spider! At Howl-o-Scream! The entrance to "Cursed," a lair of horny witches. And let's not forget green--THE COLOR OF FEAR! As darkness falls, the banner lights up. Orange--THE OFFICIAL COLOR OF HORROR! "If it's nay Scottish, it's crap!" Looks like there's a bumper crop of dead Scotsmen this year. So many people tried to enter the "Cavern of Darkness" here. Sigh . . . Aghh! It's Reggie "Salem's Lot" Nalder! It's quite a hike to the darkness. To find the "Cavern of Darkness," one must first breach the "Fence of Fear." "I'm so stoned I can be anything I feel like, man!" I think you're a troll, 'cause I'm a goblin. Or I might be an orc. This Tolkien stuff gives me a headache." "Am I a troll or a goblin?" "See? I told you she wasn't a natural blond." "OK, when it gets dark, I'm gonna make you fill your pants with terror!" Yep--this is a rather familiar looking graveyard in the queue. First maze of the night for me. Looks like they're using a lot of the props from last year's "Wicked Woods."

Busch Gardens Williamsburg kicked off Howl-o-Scream 2009 on Friday, September 25. Although HOS isn’t on the same level as Halloween Horror Nights at Universal or Knott’s Scary Farm, it’s usually a lot of fun—and it doesn’t cost extra. So, how does this year’s edition stack up? Well, it’s some new and some same, only different (if that makes any sense). HOS is spread out across the park more evenly than in past years. There are six mazes and seven scarezones ringing the park once you leave England, which is sort of a “family-friendly” zone. As it did last year, the park stays true to its “old-world” theming during HOS, sticking to European folklore and history in the mazes and scarezones. Overall, I enjoyed the mazes (two really stand out, and two were pretty weak). Here are my thoughts, starting with the best. Bitten (Festhaus Park)—This was the best maze of the night, which wasn’t surprising. In the past, the old Drachen Fire station has played host to the park’s best mazes (such as Sleepless Hollow Manor). They did something particularly clever this year. The maze is a mansion full of vampires, and the queue is a scarezone of angry peasants (Strangers Beware) bearing garlic, wooden stakes, and bad attitudes. It’s like walking into a Hammer vampire flick from the 1960s (all that’s missing is Christopher Lee). Great atmosphere and lots of fun. Cursed (Festa Italia)—If you’re into pointed hats, green faces, and warty noses and chins, this is the maze for you. Yes, they may be “old-school” witches, but they’re out to have a good time—and to harvest a few spare body parts. The cast is obviously having a lot of fun, and this maze has what makes anything great: fire! Lots of strobe lights here and be advised: You will get wet (or at least a bit damp). Cavern of Darkness (Corkscrew Hill building, Ireland)—This is a maze that starts out well, but is a bit weak toward the end. It has a Tolkien “Mines of Moria” vibe, which is fine, and there are a fair number of trolls, goblins, and evil leprechauns about. But that long walk through the “cave” (that is, Corkscrew Hill’s queue) needs some work. I think this maze will improve as the season wears on and the cast gets more used to the space. (Note: This is the first time I’ve ever seen a “slider” at Williamsburg’s HOS.) Catacombs (Royal Palace Theatre, France)—This was the shortest maze of the night (it uses the stage and backstage area). You’re wandering the catacombs under Paris and facing the “living dead.” Excellent atmosphere, but it is a bit cramped (and has one useless gimmick, which I won’t reveal here). There’s a bit of a scarezone in the queue while you wait. Hunted (Festhaus Park)—Drachen Fire’s barn has been turned into an abandoned cabin that was once inhabited by werewolf hunters (guess who lives there now). Well, this is pretty much the same as last year’s Tormented Tales, except you enter through last year’s exit, and some of the scenery has been altered—slightly. Still, you will get a better view of “bungee wolf” this year. Revenge of Pompeii (Curse of Pompeii building)—OK, this was the bummer of the night. This is almost exactly the same maze as in year’s past (it’s been here for 10 years), only with burned corpses instead of mummies. It’s time to retire this one (it was great in the past). There’s a “family-friendly” version minus scareactors and show effects in the afternoon. Scarezones have always been a bit weak at HOS. The best one this year is Mischief & Mayhem between France and Ireland (the trolls and goblins are quite aggressive and funny). You’ll encounter three crazed Scotsmen on The Moors (near the Clydesdales barn), witches in Spellbound (Italy), Werewolves in Germany, and evil scarecrows and dudes with axes to grind in Harvest Hollow (Festhaus Park). The Watchers zone in New France is a bit lame, save for one nifty surprise (no spoilers here). And, of course, all the scarezones improve after it gets good and dark. I haven’t caught the shows yet, but I’ll report back when I do. And for you Count von Count fans, you’ll find him leading his own little show in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun. Here’s a look at Howl-o-Scream 2009. Scareactors are getting into position. Must be close to 6:00 pm. More photos to come. Are we bugging you? We're not touching you. We're just watching you. Are we bugging you? Fools! Don't you know that werewolves love candy? Don't now what could possibly give me that idea. Unless I miss my guess, there may be more unsavory activity up ahead. . . . as shown in this incredibly detailed photograph taken from the inside of an aquarium. "Fiends" has given way to "Frankenrock" in the Festhaus, . . . OK, here's one geeky Big Bad Wolf picture for you. Can I move on now? Success! I'll have the cannelloni with a side order of "Nosferatu," please. Hmm--at least they're going to try to show some old horror flicks. They're showing old horror flicks in the Italian restaurant this year--no "Starfright Orchestra." Witches, witches everywhere! Yes, this bridge is cursed! Damned bridge! Hmm--I think there may be dirty work afoot, judging by the "TERRIBLE BEDSPREADS OF PAISLEY DOOM" behind me. Actually, I thought the evening version was pretty family friendly, too. OK, what have I done to any ancient civilization that would cause it to want revenge on me? It's not like I set off a volcano or something. Ladies and Gentlemen, give it up for THE COUNT! . . . or the left. (I am implying nothing "political" here, but I guess if you're a moderate, you could head straight and cross the Rhine River without going left or right.) From "HOS Central," you can go to the right . . . What? It's Howl-o-Scream? Since when? Why was I not informed of this? Yeah, this is as scary as England gets this year. Bye-bye pirate skeletons. Here's this year's map. Looks a lot like last year's map, execpt for the big blank spot on the left. Nothing too scary yet, kids. Well, except for the prices of the food and stuff. You know, for a "Grim" Reaper, he seems quite happy.

Excellent detailed report, Eric--without giving away too much. I'm looking forward to the updated "classic" monsters, myself. (Yeah, still a sucker for Universal's versions of Frankenstein, Dracula, and the Wolfman.) The drive-in scarezone sound particularly cool.

Sorry, but I need to bring up two points: 1. There is an existing thread where you can post about your first roller coaster: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=529&highlight=first+roller+coaster. There's no need for another one. 2. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation count at TPR. The title of your thread and your first post are riddled with "text-message speak." Your posts will be taken more seriously if you use proper spelling and punctuation. Occasional typos are OK (we all commit those), but "text-message speak" is not. This is outlined in our posting rules and terms of service. Thank you, Chuck

The only Vekoma SLC that I can say I really liked was Kumali, and that was a custom model. I much prefer the Batman clones to your average SLC, but to each his own.

^Yeah, if a ride's still usable, why not move it to a different park?

For La Ronde.

La Ronde announced it's new Vekoma suspended coaster today. Here's the press release.

You're getting good at this TR stuff, Larry--nice job so far.

Time to unsticky this topic. Go forth and vote: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52540.

Last three entries. Ziggy Stardust xmisspurfect Vffreak07

First batch of entries. tresc3 Sir Clinksalot Sean Menefee raptorcrew 2002 Purplepills PriestofSyrinx King_K. jedimaster1227 J man Imhotep Imaginationeer hyyyper Homer hobbit HCLcoasters emiroo Electrik deano atem 122 AGKoolAid

Great work, as usual, Natalie. Be sure to post as many embarrassing pictures of the ex-beau as possible (finger up his nose or in his shorts, etc.) for an online catharsis. Great America makes me sad, as I remember when it was a very pleasant park (yeah, I've been around for a while). But, like you, I was pleasantly surprised with Magic Mountain, after hearing so much bad about it over the last few years (I had a very bad visit there back when I was in high school).

OK, it's time to put democracy to the test: Which entry in the Marvel/Disney Photoshop Contest is "Bag 'o' Crap Worthy"? You decide! You may vote for up to three entries. Voting will end on Thursday, October 1, at 8:00 pm EST. Make your voice heard--vote! If you no vote, then complain about result, HULK SMASH!

Thanks for sharing these pictures--very cool.

^Actually, it did--Masquerage took place in the castle of an Italian nobleman (as did Poe's "Red Death").

^I understand your feelings about Grand National. I think it's a very good ride, but during TPR's ERT session back in 2006 I rode it only twice--it gave me a pretty nasty shot to the back the second time.

^I also liked Masquerage because it was unusual. It had a Poe/"Masque of the Red Death" vibe, instead of the usual evil clowns, vampire night clubs, etc. But what I like about BGW's Howl-o-Scream is that they're sticking to the park's European theme (not shoehorning in unrelated stuff).

It's in TPR's Park Index: http://www.themeparkreview.com/parks/photo.php?pageid=289&linkid=2844.

Yeah, I think Larry's right--it was probably some portable they brought in temporarily.

Hmm--it's not the unpainted Rollerskater, is it? Does look kind of "Flitzer-like," though.

I was there a little over a month ago and there was no sign of any Flitzer being built. I think you're mistaken.

^They may have disassembled the trains, but I'm not sure (didn't see one parked in the barn). No sign of any new work, though.

I spent a little time at the park yesterday, just to check out how Howl-o-Scream is coming along. Looks like Jack and his minions have been fairly busy, but they still have a ways to go. Still, there seemed to be quite a bit of progress since last weekend. There had better be--HOS starts on Friday, September 25. Here's a look. Presenting the BACKSIDE OF DEATH! See you all at Howl-o-Scream. The Jack banners are up. Yep--that's what I figured. They had sneak previews of "Monster Stomp" over the weekend. Noted. Werewolf! (Just a "wolf," actually.) Aghh! More TERROR TWINE! They've added quite a bit of detail to the walls they installed by the Royal Palace Theatre. The wreaths in France are much scarier than those in England. "The ribs you're eating are cursed! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!" You never know what will be lurking behind it. Behold the TWINE OF TERROR! Hmm--they've been boarding up windows in Rhinefeld. I hope Hummel Boy is packing some wolfbane in his satchel. The SHREDDED NETS OF HORROR have appeared in Pompeii's queue. Will they have their "Revenge" on you? Still not sure what the story is behind the walled-off path--but they are decorating back there. "We're adorable, yet terrifying!" "I'm gonna haunt the hell outta the stroller parking!" DF's old station is a mansion of vampires this year ("Bitten"). "In life, I was the barn of Drachen Fire, a cursed coaster! Now I bear the burden of 'Hunted,' a Howl-o-Scream maze!" Beware the TENTS OF DOOM! Looks like some scareactors in training behind Germany. Coming along nicely. From the train--looks like the witches are up to something behind Festa Italia (home of the "Cursed" maze). The bones of a crazed Scotsman are, no doubt, buried here. Graveyards are popping up in Scotland. And there were festive Halloween garlands on the big clock. England's fountain was fulla punkins. "It's a Mr. Grim? Something about the reaping?"