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Attention experienced Fearfesters out there--Some friends and I are going to be doing Halloween in the Old Dominion during the October 21-23 weekend, and I'm looking for some opinions and advice about Kings Dominion's Fearfest. I live in Williamsburg, so I know BGW's Howl-o-Scream like the back of my claw, er, hand, but this will be my first foray into Fearfest (or a "First Fearless Fearfest Foray"). So, any words of wisdom? Advice? Semi-dirty jokes? Chuck "It was on a night such as this that I first saw the creature" Campbell

Busch Gardens Williamsburg will allow rerides on coasters if it's close to closing time and there's no one waiting for your seat when the train pulls into the station. You can ride the skyway all the way around, too, if it's a slow day.

Yep--on the Grizzly River Run at DCA. One of our party was disabled, and GRR has this nifty feature that allows the CMs to pull a raft off to the side to a special handicapped loading zone. Well, as we floated back into the station, the CM was a bit slow at the switch, and shot right on out of the station again, with all the CMs waving and shouting "We will find you!" We didn't mind--we all liked GRR.

You know, sometimes I wish I had Photoshop--I vote for the Jaws/Jurassic Park combo.

Lapbars sure helped Flight of Fear at Kings Dominion: "Now with 25% fewer concussions and aneurysms!"

I've lived in Williamsburg for years, and the only time I've ever seen Nessie pull the two-trains-in-the-loops trick was in a commercial. What is it with people and enormous stuffed animals? I was waiting to ride the Big Bad Wolf about a month ago, and some guy in front kept accidentally clobbering me with this enormous bear he'd won someplace. All I wanted to do was tie that thing (and maybe the guy) to the tracks.

I'd have to say the late, not lamented Drachenfire at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The first time I rode that bad boy my head was throbbing, my stomach was threatening to leap up my throat and throttle my brain for doing something so foolhardy, and I had two huge bruises on either shoulder from where the shoulder harness ratched down on the first drop. I'm not as experienced as most of y'all, though.

Nice job, Derek. I actually did wait three hours for DarKastle on opening day. Why? Because I'm nuts, that's why! I did have a very nice chat in line with this couple from Florida, one of whom was one of the artists who submitted designs for DarKastle's interior. Her boyfriend kept covering his ears when she mentioned her work, because he didn't want the ride "spoiled" for him. It was hilarious when when we got to the loading area and she pointed to the leaded windows behind the "golden sleighs" and shouted, "That's mine! It made it in!" (Not sure if her other work became part of the ride, though.)

I will say one nice thing about Anaconda--that first drop under the lake is pretty cool. I just wish it wasn't attached to some twisted mass of metal that leaves me with a throbbing headache and cauliflower ears. To each his or her own.

I finally bought a PKD season pass for next year (to go with my BGW pass) for two reasons: 1) I'm taking some friends to Howl-o-Scream and Fearfest in October (so it made some twisted financial sense), and 2) PKD is going to get the Italian Job coaster (looks like fun to me). I think the park is steadily improving. That being said . . . 1) Anaconda--"No one expects the Spanish Inquisition" (especially to design a rollercoaster). 2) Avalanche--In the Congo section? I had no idea that snow sliding down a mountainside was a serious problem in equatorial Africa. (But it is a fun ride.) Lots of pine trees in the Congo, too, it seems. 3) Themeing--Yep, they have a ways to go here. 4) Hurler--One word: "ouch." (I do like the Grizzly and Rebel Yell, though.)

More pics of Howl-o-Scream '05. Chuck "Run--it's a guy with a camera!" Campbell Local ordinances require that all trash cans be secured to discourage werewolves. A new division of Halliburton: "We're reassessing our paradigms to dominate the global rubber-chicken market!" The color of evil is orange at the Curse of Pompeii. Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo have risen from the grave! DarKastle looms over Oktoberfest.

I was at Howl-o-Scream last night--what a madhouse! The park handled the crowds pretty well, but they did have to close off the 7:30 show of Fiends in the Festhouse because it was mobbed. Here's a few pics. Aye, this be a pyrate! This be more of a maiden auntie, not a pyrate! Arghh! Chainsaw the Clown--his act really killed 'em last night! Rubberman says, "Kids if you can't be good, be careful!" A gypsy "wench" greets me at Festa Dementia. Aghh! The beer goggles do nothing!

I think Sea Dog Cemetery is classifed as a "scare zone," but it's easily avoided. Evil clowns and freaky gypsies hang out on the bridge to Festa Dementia, too. Aye, it be strange that scurvy pyrates haunt a deserted petting zoo. "Kinky," sez you. Best be careful o' what ye pets there now, sez I. I'll probably there tonight myself (not "petting" anything, though)--might post a few fresh pictures. Chuck "Yeah, I got a BGW passport--what's it to ya?" Campbell

I'm not big on theme-park shows, myself, but Monster Stomp is probably the best at Howl-o-Scream, followed by Fiends at the Festhouse (which will sorely test your patience for 1980s pop), then Starfright Orchestra (which, in past years, has sorely tested my patience for 1970s and '60s pop). Haven't seen Witchie-poo and Pumpkin--gotta draw the line somewhere. Here's a bizarre little pic from last year's Nightmare Express train ride (the queue area).[/i] "You don't know the Lost Skeleton of Cadavra! But you will! You will!"

Busch Gardens Williamsburg kicked off Howl-o-Scream on September 16, so watch out for pirates in Banbury Cross, werewolves between Killarney and Aquitaine, and (shudder) yokels in overalls in New France. (Yes there's nothing more terrifying than New France's Apple Harvest Festival! Aghh! Scarecrows! The Harvest Queen! Apples! The horror! The horror . . .) OK, granted, BGW's Howl-o-Scream is no Knott's Scary Farm or Halloween Horror Night, but it's an event that passholders (like me) look forward to every year. It's a pretty good deal for day visitors, too--check out the park's usual attractions by day (including the excellent Curse of DarKastle), come back for Howl-o-Scream that night, all for the cost of a one-day admission. Here are some highlights for this year (no spoilers): Sea Dog Cemetery:Arghh, scurvy dogs and wanton wenches be hauntin' what used to be a pettin' zoo behind the skyride in Piratical Purgatory. No furry little bunnies here swab! Just the scum o' the sea, seekin' to grab the booty of an unsuspectin' wayfarer. Best be fantailin' yer booty through here like a broken jib in a storm, aye! DISENGAGE PIRATE MODE Curse of Pompeii:Get soaked on Escape from Pompeii by day, then explore the catacombs beneath by night. This one fits the definition of a typical theme-park attraction perfectly: You're touring an archeological dig, when something goes horribly wrong! (That is, ghouls, vermin, man-eating plants, and the usual fiendish laughter.) Last Laugh Industries: This fiendish factory tour is located in Festa Dementia. Yes, it's the old "clowns gone bad" scenario. Tell me--just when did clowns become the spawn of Satan? When I was a kid, I never found Emett Kelly or Bozo particularly threatening, but keep your eyes open for that adorable clown Barfo when you stroll this maze. Sleepless Hollow Manor: The Headless Horseman is back, and now that he's polished off Ichabod Crane, he's ready to party like it's 1699. See what happens when the Horseman crashes the Van Tassel harvest ball. (This maze is actually a rather clever nod by Busch at their failed Sleepy Hollow train ride a few Howl-o-Screams back. ) One big letdown--the Nightmare Express train ride is exactly the same as last year, only less so. Time to revamp this sucker, I think. All in all, Howl-o-Scream is worth a look if you're in the mid-Atlantic states in October (it usually ramps up as the month grinds on). The event runs Friday-Sunday until October 30 (the park's closed on weekdays). Saturday is usually pretty busy; Friday tends to be light.

Tell me, did the assaulter (or, if you prefer, "batterer"), shout, "And I'd a gotten away with it, if it hadn't been for you dadburn kids"? Perhaps this fellow (or "idiot," if you prefer) was a avid fan of the old Scooby show, which he used to watch while cramming his face full of Sugar Pops, Frosted Flakes, and Fruit Loops. You know, that stuff can give you flashbacks--it's the kiddie equivalent of the "brown acid" at Woodstock! Maybe this poor guy (or "rampaging lunatic," if you prefer) started believing that he was the "Miner 49er" ghost and that he had to take out Scoob.