Saturday, October 29, 2011

Busch Gardens - Howl-O-Scream - Day 1


I'm back!!! Now that things are quieting down... I'm going to blog about our summer experiences.


Wow! What a AWESOME time at Busch Gardens, Virginia Howl-O-Scream!

"Beauty by Day, Fright by Night"


We bought a 2 day ticket for each of us for $66 and went during the weekend 22-23 October. It was worth every penny! NOTE: Parking is an additional $13 (per day).

We met up with our good friends from FL. They had the easier commute I think (even though it was the same distance) and the teens had a great time.

During the day it is still the same Busch Gardens that you experience in the summer. Saturday was absolutely MOBBED but we had a good time. We waited about 45 minutes for Alpengeist coaster. (NOTE: The coaster is similar to Hersheypark's the Great Bear but longer and better!!!) Forget Griffon that had an hour+ wait. The park was heavily decorated in fall and Halloween tradition. We had several photographers in our group and we constantly stopped to take pictures. Just a relaxing time walking through the park. It was not elbow to elbow (like Disney's Magic Kingdom gets). We stopped and got some souvenier popcorn and drink cups. $.99 cents refill.

The adults attended the Fiends show in the Germany Octoberfest pavillion while sipping on our favorite brews. The show has caused some "internet" controversy but I didn't see any issues (perhaps Tampa is different). No nudity at the BGVA show. In fact I thought the show was a bit boring and the actor could not sing.

We ate at buffet for dinner in the Festivas Italy... mediocre but filling food at best for $11.99. When we came out the park transformed into Howl-O-Scream!

Our first night we went through the "Fear Fair" outside haunted house with the evil clowns! Totally Awesome! I loved the themeing that BGVA did. There was one house that had dead chickens (simulated) with a really really bad smell. This probably is NOT appropriate for children under 10. My 7 year old went through it and cried. Although he went through more haunted houses the next night.