Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

CaptainUnknown · May 22

Is Howl-o-Scream a separately ticketed event? I'm looking at going on a Saturday in early October.

Coasterfreak18 · August 2

Hi everyone, between now and the end of September, when Water Country USA closes for the season, when do you think will be the best time, crowd-wise, to head over to Williamsburg?

cfc · August 4

On 5/21/2025 at 11:32 PM, CaptainUnknown said:

Is Howl-o-Scream a separately ticketed event? I'm looking at going on a Saturday in early October.

Nope--it's just part of your park admission.

John Peck · August 26

Hello.

I am going to BGW for the day on friday the 29th. We are in Ohio so I don't get over there much. We have daily tickets and the all day dining plan. We decided against the express pass (or whatever it's called), but I was wondering a couple of things:

• I know in the past the park has opened some sections later than others. What direction should I go if I get there at park opening to stay ahead of the crowds.
• Since we have all day dining (food every 90 minutes), what are the best places to eat and dishes to get?
• what are some of your favorite seats on the coasters?
• Are they doing that BS thing that sea world does and that's add a surcharge to credit card purchases?
• I think parking is $35. Any advice on if i should pay at the toll booth or is there another "cheaper" option somewhere else?
• Any other helpful advice is appreciated, (i was last there in 2015) I plan to spend the whole day and not leave the park until close/near close

Thank you in advance.

prozach626 · September 1

Since none of us answered your questions, how did your day end up being?

cfc · Saturday at 08:53 PM

Jack Is Back and so Is the Big Bad Wolf at Howl-o-Scream 2025

Fall is upon us, and monsters stalk the villages of Busch Gardens Williamsburg--at least on certain nights starting at 6:00. Yes, Jack is back, and he’s brought a few fiends with him for Howl-o-Scream (HOS) 2025.

Theme Park Review was invited to a VIP Media Night to officially kick off this year’s scares, which started with a ghoulish spread and drinks in the lobby of the Globe Theatre in England (aka Ripper Row after 6:00 pm). The food at the Globe was good (I particularly liked the little roast beef sandwiches with onion jam and horseradish). TPR thanks Busch Gardens for inviting us, as well as for the unlimited Quick Queues for the rides and haunted houses.

What’s new at HOS 2025? This year’s event boasts two new haunted houses and three new Terror-tories.

Here are the houses.

NEW Werewolves: The Wolf’s Revenge (Oktoberfest, across the tracks from The Wolf’s Revenge coaster): A group called the Lycan Project captures a werewolf and holds it for research, resulting in a plague of lycanthropy worldwide! It’s an improvement over last year’s Monster Manor, but I wish it had more werewolves and a few less paramilitary types in it.

NEW Bloodshot Bar & Kill (Escape from Pompei building): BGW does a nice job with the “vampire bar/club” concept. Good sets, with plenty of biker vampires and victims who like to harass visitors--my favorite house of the night.

Clown Town (Germany, behind the DarKoaster show building): It’s tough to go wrong with evil clowns and shady carnivals, and this maze is pretty entertaining. If you’re a long-time BGW visitor (like me), it’s fun to spot references to clown mazes from years past. Colorful and fun--my second favorite of the night.

Death Water Bayou--Morte (Festa Italia): BGW tweaked this jazzy New Orleans voodoo maze since last year, and it’s much improved (particularly the “swamp room”). But be sure to visit after dark to get the full effect.

KILLarney DInEr--Condemned (Ireland): This diner infested with mutant insects and exterminators is pretty much the same as last year. Good sets, but I think it’s time for something new.

The three new Terror-tories are Bavarian Bloodshed (werewolves and victims lurking outside the Festhaus), Disgrotesque (glammed up demons and techno music in France), and Wicked Wunderland (a twisted version of Christmas in Germany, complete with Krampus and evil elves).

Three shows--Fiends (Abbeystone Theatre), Skeletones in Your Closet (Festhaus), and Spirit Spellabration (Italy)--are running. Monster Stomp on Ripper Row (Globe Theatre) opens on September 26.

Howl-o-Scream runs on select nights through November 2. It's included with park admission.

Let’s have a look around. You might want to wear a wolf-bane necklace and carry a crucifix . . . just in case.

Creepiest Uber I've ever had. But he had a good head on his shoulders . . . at one time.

Let's check out the buffet.

Aw, it was nice of the wolf to share some of his kill with us. He made a tasty prosciutto out of his victim, but I'm not sure where he got the cheese.