Mirroring the theme of Busch Gardens’ Tampa’s Howl-O-Scream event, Busch Gardens Williamsburg will be featuring EVIL ENCORE as their HoS theme this year, and finally unveiled what that theme entails….

EVIL PUPPETS!

Mr. Karver always strived, to make his dolls look so alive. The dolls performed, the crowds cheered, until all those people… disappeared. It’s the Evil Encore at Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream® with all-new terrors you’ll be dying to see.

He put his heart and soul into his dolls. After the authorities came to close him down, Karver locked himself in his workshop and burned it to the ground. Now, the dolls are back and they insist the show must go on.

Fill fall nights with fright at Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream®. Busch Gardens Williamsburg opens at 10 a.m. for all guests to enjoy their favorite rides, rollers coasters, attractions and fall décor. Then, at 6 p.m. the park brings the spirit of Halloween to life, becoming home to a host of creepy creatures hungry for unsuspecting victims. Fear abounds in the Virginia theme park’s collection of elaborate haunted houses, immersive themed Terror-tories™, and darkly entertaining live shows. This year, all-new terrors await with a new haunted house, Circo Sinistro, and a new scare zone, Sideshow Square™. It’s a spooky holiday experience you won’t want to miss. Guests should consider the park’s elevated scare factor when deciding whether Howl-O-Scream is appropriate for young children.

We are huge fans of Busch Gardens’ annual Howl-O-Scream event (see last year’s coverage) and you know you really can’t go wrong with evil dolls. Though there doesn’t appear to be a house based on the theme of the year, it’s likely their presence will be towards the front of the park (and of course in some evil puppet themed merchandise!).

To build up anticipation for the event, each of the cast of puppets has some kind of social media account, and you can get more info on each of them here.

Houses

There are seven houses this year at BGW HoS, including six returning houses, Bitten, Catacombs, Cornered (a definite standout from last year), Deadline, Lumberhack, and Unearthed: Scarlet’s Revenge. The new addition this year will be Circo Sinistro, a circus themed house that BGW has been getting feedback via social media in order to enhance.

No one knows when or where the tents will rise, but all who see them are drawn to find out what lies inside Circo Sinistro at Busch Gardens® Williamsburg’s Howl-O-Scream®. The park’s new haunted house is not of this world and not of this time – but beware, what you see, you soon will be.

Terror-tories

Returning are Demon Street (love this one), Ripper Row, Vampire Point, and Wendigo Woods. To go along with Circo Sinistro, the new Sideshow Square has been added as a terror-tory.

Nothing is what it seems in “Sideshow Square™,” our all-new scare zone challenging you to step up to the big top.

Shows

Fiends, Night Beats, and Monster Stomp on Ripper Row are all returning this year.

Rides

Most of Busch Gardens rides and award winning coasters are open throughout the evening, including Tempesto, Griffon, and Curse of DarKastle.

What you need to know

Busch Gardens is open all day during HoS days, but the houses and terror-tories start around 6pm. Go during the day to take advantage of the shows (they typically run during daytime hours as well) and rides, and enjoy the houses and terror-tories at night, that way you have time to fit it all in. Park opens at 10am and closes at 10pm or 11pm, depending on the day.

Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is NOT an uncharge event. Your season pass or day ticket will work all evening as well.

Howl-O-Scream is every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday Sept. 23 – Oct. 30.

We’ll be there on Sept. 23, so if you’re going, let us know in the comments below or by tagging me on Twitter @IoMPaul

For more info, check out the official site!