Busch Gardens Williamsburg (BGW BGE) Discussion Thread

[CaptainUnknown]

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

[Coasterfreak18]

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]

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]

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]

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

[cfc]

 

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.

 

There was merch, of course. I like the little Jack doll.

 

Speaking of Jack, he doesn't have his dance party in Ireland anymore, but he's sill the official master of ceremonies for Howl-o-Scream.

 

It's a werewolf . . . in lederhosen!

 

"Werewolves must not wear lederhosen! It is ungodly!"

 

"I dunno. I think I look pretty good. Now get me a beer before I rend you limb from limb!"

 

One of the poor, luckless researchers of the Lycan Project in the Werewolves house.

 

 

A chili competition! Oh boy! Can I come? I'll bring cornbread!

 

Tough day at the Lycan Project office.

 

Might as well check out the other new maze . . . agh! Medusa!

 

It's good to see the troll bridge keeper back,  just doin' his job.

 

Anybody want to grab a drink?

 

Nah! Let's just grab something here.

 

It appears that I have been accepted as one of the "Ancient Ones." Oh boy!

 

Get this ancient one a Bloody Mary!

 

We Ancient Ones have a heavy burden to bear.

 

Jack's spirit lives on in Ireland.

 

I think this Terror-tory is a "work-in-progress."

 

I think that this might be a space for a DJ. We'll see.

 

I like the decorations in this Terror-tory in New France.

 

Nice, old-school Halloween vibe.

 

Spider Bridge is back.

 

Have yourself a scary little Christmas.

 

Oh, come on. Who doesn't bite off the head of a gingerbread man first?

 

This will probably be Santa's Workshop in a few months. For now, it belongs to Krampus!

 

Speaking of Krampus, he spent most of his time lurking in the dark, so I never snagged a picture of him. But he does have a nice Christmas tree.

 

They're letting the good times roll . . .

 

. . . over in Fest-Evil!

 

Time to head out via the Trail of Terrifying Trees!

 

With any luck, we'll survive Ripper Row.

 

Good night, Wolfie! Again, TPR thanks Busch Gardens for inviting us to this year's VIP Media Event. Thanks for reading!

 

[cfc]

The power of Claus compels you! The power of Clause compels you!

 

Merry Christmas Town 2025!

It's time for our annual stroll through Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. There's every thing you'd expect: "millions" of Christmas lights, lots of festive decorations and music, different types of holiday grog and goodies, and, of course, Santa's Workshop.

In fact, this event is much the same as last year, only with some minor changes in decorations and two new holiday shows:  Christmas Town Live in the Festhaus and the Merry Misfits trio in France. Returning for this season are Scrooge No More, the park's popular version of A Christmas Carol, in England's Globe Theatre; Gloria, a retelling of the Christ story, in Ireland;  Wiseman, a singing trio in Italy (I think their stage got an upgrade for this season, though); O'Tannenbaum, a synchronized music-and-light show outside the Festhaus in Germany; the Polar Pathway Spectacle of Lights in the Escape from Pompeii area; Elmo's Christmas Wish in the Sesame Street Forest of Fun; and 'Twas that Night, an ice-skating show in France's Palace Theatre.

The park is running a few coasters, weather permitting, during Christmas Town: Pantheon, Verbolten, Invadr, and DarKoaster (not affected by weather, of course). Most of the flat rides are running, along with the Christmas Town Express (round trips only starting at Caribou Station) and the Skyride. 

Let's take it in, shall we? Bundle up--it's a chilly winter's night.

 

The Giant Snowman bids you welcome to Christmas Town--unless you use VIP parking, which means you won't lay eyes on him.

 

The Tree with the Big Balls is back!

 

Carolers greet you in England with traditional Christmas songs, but don't expect to hear "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" or "Christmas at Ground Zero."

 

In Ireland, you can pray for the immortal souls of those who decided to stop at Grogan's Pub for a pint of Christmas Town Stout. You can see Gloria in the Abbeystone Theatre, too.

 

You can also partake of Santa's Fireside Feast, where you will be under the protection of the Great Stone Fist of the Elves. Oh, you also get cookies from Mrs. Claus.

 

The path between Ireland and France is very peaceful--one of my favorite spots during Christmas Town.

 

This peaceful setting brought to you by Coca Cola.

 

In France, all will make merry, or they will taunt you with hearty laughter.

 

"You are impressed by our enormous Christmas lights, n'est-ce pas?"

 

They're a bit more laid back in Canada.

 

But you do have to watch out for frolicking caribou.

 

In Germany, gingerbread men and gum drops reach unnatural sizes.

 

I found this in one of Oktoberfest's gift shops. Nothing says "German Christmas" more than a Scottish Highland Cow on a t-shirt.

 

Santa's Workshop is in Germany, so suck it North Pole!

 

Why is the very tall wooden soldier trying to choke herself?

 

The Festhaus looks even more festive than usual during Christmas Town.

 

The O'Tannenbaum show is always a crowd pleaser.

 

Christmas Town Live harkens back to the Christmas TV specials of the past. The timing was wrong for me to catch the show that night. The stage is decorated like an old-time TV studio.

 

Peace out on the bridge between Germany and Italy.

 

It looks like the Wiseman show was upgraded a bit from last year's version. This year's version looks a lot like one of those Hallmark movies.

 

This is my single favorite tree at Christmas Town--beautiful in its dignity and simplicity.

 

Meanwhile, across the bridge from that same tree, Christmas is going completely nuts at Holiday Hills (aka Festa Italia).

 

I like the Polar Pathway by Escape from Pompei, too. They have another synchronized music-and-light extravaganza on the Pompei show building.

 

"Hmm--Cookie Monster wish for more bourbon in his hot chocolate."

 

It's getting pretty cold. In fact, it's snowing in Williamsburg as I write this today. Time to head out via Scotland.

 

A Merry Christmas Town to all, and to all, a good night!