cfc

Agreed. That second launch looks crazy.

I know that the Florida Beer Company brews the Duff they serve at Universal Orlando (and it's pretty good). Who brews Hollywood's version?

Great report, as usual, David! I really need to check out Scary Farm again.

^It's possible that "break-in" might be a factor. But the rest of the ride is so insane, that the last bit doesn't detract much from the overall experience.

I chose the second option, but I have been using Twitter a bit more recently than I have in the past.

All the water rides are closed for the season.

Not really. All construction jobs and sites are different. You have to deal with clearing ground, unexpected contingencies,availability of contractors, etc. BGW is moving along pretty well with InvadR.

^Not yet, but they've been assembling bents behind Verbolten. Quite a few footers have been poured, too.

Circo Sinistro had the longest line of the bunch, being as it's the new maze--everybody went there as soon as it got dark. Lumberhack had a long wait, and Cornered gets long lines too--largely because these mazes are mostly outdoors and more fun after dark. I didn't notice it Unearthed opened early on Friday, but there was already a short line for it when I got there; so, it probably did open at 5:30. I'd do Unearthed first, since it opens early, and I'd hit Circo Sinistro as soon as possible after it gets dark. (Sinistro was the last maze we hit, and it had generated a long line by the time we got there.) The shows run all day, so you can see those before the mazes open.

Let's continue our tour of Howl-o-Scream 2016. Crucifixes if ya got 'em. Welcome to the “No Escape” rooms. If you want soft-serve ice cream, you’ll have to get it in England or Festa Italia. Here’s a peek at one of the room monitors. Looks like something you’d see on “Cops.” Join a search party and head out to the McCobb farm. I haven’t seen Bobby, but I’ll ask around.” Anybody seen Bobby? “Nope--and we’ve been hanging around here all day.” To get to the Lumberhack maze, you have to walk a path behind the Festhaus and along the railroad tracks practically to the Rhine River (unless you're using Quick Queue.) You might need a little haunted refreshment by the time you get there. Ports of Skull is back this year, but not as a Terror-Tory. I guess it lost that status because all the pirates just hang out here at the Baargh. You can still get your picture taken on Torture Hill, though. Sideshow Square and Circo Sinistro are across this bridge. Let’s not forget this year’s HOS merchandise. “Excuse me, but are you being helped?” It appears that Mr. Karver’s puppets have taken over the Tempesto Gift Shop. You HOS veterans just might recognize that giant clown head. He’s seen a lot of use over the years. The living puppets are new, though. Hey, who doesn’t love the circus, right? Almost 10:00 pm, and the park’s about to close. But we still have to get past Ripper Row. Jack stole this chair from a guest. It was pretty funny. If you’re here after the stroke of 10:00, this will be your fate. The coppers are especially scary on Ripper Row. Pleasant dreams from Howl-o-Scream 2016.

Howl-o-Scream 2016 Opening Night Busch Gardens kicked off this year’s version of Howl-o-Scream last Friday night (September 23). Once again, pumpkins hang from the trees of Scotland, Jack the Ripper stalks the unwary in England, demons dance and set fires in France, wendigos rip soldiers to shreds in Fort New France, and vampires flash their fangs in Germany. So what else is new, right? There have been a number of changes. I think Deadline, the subway-zombie maze under Escape from Pompeii, benefited the most from these enhancements. Lumberhack, an outdoor maze behind Verbolten, not so much. Although there are plenty of opportunities for drinking adult beverages this year, Ireland’s Fright Feast and Germany’s Blood Banquet are gone. Instead, the park is offering two upcharge “No Escape” rooms--one themed to Jack the Ripper, and the other to Mr. Karver, a fiendish puppet maker serving as this year’s icon. I didn’t do the rooms on Friday, but they cost $30/person before 6:00 pm and $40/person after 6:00 pm. Guests tackle the rooms in groups of six. The rooms are located in Germany in the soft-serve ice-cream parlor and gift shop near Land of the Dragons. But the biggest changes this year are a new Terror-Tory and maze--Sideshow Square and Circo Sinistro--both in Festa Italia. As you’ve probably guessed, these are circus-themed haunts. Most of the action in Sideshow Square is near the entrance to Tempesto, where you’ll encounter creepy clowns (with loud horns), living puppets and dolls, and fiendish ringmasters. Circo Sinistro’s entrance is by the Roman Rapids, and the maze is in a spot that’s hosted Cut-Throat Cove, Wicked Woods, and other mazes in past years. I had mixed feelings about BGW’s latest attempt to scare people with an evil circus. Sinistro starts out pretty well, but seems to sag a bit halfway through. For example, there are two nearly identical rooms that provide transitions for other rooms. Plus, the “Room Roulette” gimmick, which was chosen by an online poll, was a bit disappointing, at least to me. Sinistro does pick up again at the finish. Overall, I’d say the best maze is still Unearthed: Scarlett’s Revenge in Ireland, but I’m willing to give Sinistro another chance--maybe I hit it during an “off” time. Speaking of Unearthed, I was behind an elderly couple who were having a lot of trouble seeing in the dark recesses of Scarlett's house. The woman walked ahead, her arms outstretched like the Frankenstein monster, feeling her way through. I had to guide her and her husband a few times when they made wrong turns, and she was bumping into the walls. There's a right turn at the end to exit the maze, but the lady kept going forward to a set of strobe lights. Out popped Scarlett, screaming at the top of her lungs, about a inch from the poor lady's nose! I think that was the witch's way of telling her, "Please exit to your right." As for the shows, Monster Stomp on Ripper Row (England), Fiends (Ireland), and Night Beats (Festhaus) are all back. On Saturdays, you can catch the Starfright Orchestra (Italy). This was one of Howl-o-Scream’s original, more family friendly shows back when the event started in the late 1990s. Let’s have a look at Howl-o-Scream 2016. Welcome to Busch Gardens Williamsburg! Evil puppets are currently planning your untimely death, and will be with you shortly. They already got to Mach Tower. Who is “BG Whos” and why should I hashtag him? “I don’t know any ‘BG Whos,’ but I run this joint--and what’re you lookin’ at, punk?” One thing I can’t abide is an ill-tempered puppet. I guess I’ll move on. I like how the Ripper carefully uses countersunk washers and Phillips head screws; keeps the body parts from coming loose. I guess the Ripper qualifies as an “Unsavory Character.” The Jack-o-Lantern trees are in bloom again. Someone has already lost their sole! It’s almost 6:00 pm, so I guess I’ll hit Unearthed. Beware of Money Bunnies! They’re more dangerous than leprechauns! Money Bunnies can be tamed by Naughty Nurses with Jello shots. And what has been unearthed this year? How about a lot of dirt over in Fort New France? The AURA people were really harassing guests as they entered Scarlett’s house. The demoon witch woman was downright hospitable compared to these two. I wonder if Scarlett has trademarked this symbol? It would be a shame if some other demonic entity appropriated it. Meanwhile, over in France . . . chainsaw demon, check. Demons taking dragons for walkies, check. Giant flaming skull, check. Yep, looks like Demon Street is covered for this year. You can still explore the depths of the Catacombs. “Excuse me, sir, but it’s kind of damp in here. Could you please hand me a towel?” The wendigo once again menaces New France. Good thing the doctor has it all under control. Then again, the doc has drugs. Naughty, naughty wendigo! You’d better not damage InvadR. Every year, BGW has a vampire infestation. It’s a local embarrassment. Maybe they should put out more garlic, or something. More to come from Howl-o-Scream.

^Perhaps we should hire a translator.

Zotz (1962)

I agree with Elissa, so I've locked the thread. Robb can unlock if he wants later.

Had no idea. That certainly explains a few of the more inexplicable things we keep seeing every year. Further, not to be rude, but I call foul play. Do the mods like to fool around with all new members' posts? I did NOT write this: Having my first post ninja-edited is a pretty lousy welcome to the community. Feel my input is a bit undermined now. You have discovered a word-filter joke that actually sprung from this very thread years ago. It had to do with the park's policy regarding loose items having to be placed in temporary storage boxes, which led to numerous pages of annoying complaints about said policy (often the same gripes repeated ad nauseum). The word filter has been in place ever since and affects all equally. Even mods: lockers.

I googled Mitch Hawker poll to see if there was a reason it had disappeared and it gave me a post there blaming Robb&TPR for it so I can say that sub-reddit at least entertained me for a minute. Yes, it was so sad how we used to promote the poll and get people to vote in it.

Joey (Jewy) tried it one year and ended up in first aid! Ah, yes--that was, indeed, a memorable day.

Fright Fest this year does look much better than it did in past years. I've never been to a Six Flags Halloween event.

Yeah, I'd love to see some more original houses that aren't so dependent on IPs, such as The Walking Dead (enough with the frickin' zombies, already).

^Kolmarden has a lot of assets, including a beautiful setting to go with zoo and the rides. I'd love to see them build a resort there, too.

Great trip report--makes me sorry that I had to skip WCB this year. I agree with you that, as much as I like the Splash Mountain rides, Knott's still has the best log ride anywhere.

^As usual, Larry speaks the truth.

That final roll scared the crap out of me the first few times I rode Wildfire. Well, every time, actually. Not that it stopped me from riding.

I miss those hummus fries.

^Dude sounds like Homer Simpson after one too many Duffs.