By Zachary
Posted in Featured
on September 12, 2013 0 Comments
3 min read
Public Service Announcement: Fright Feast is Awful
Previous Pass Member Appreciation 2013: The Presentation
Next
As you may or may not know, Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s 14th Howl-O-Scream event starts tomorrow but, fortunately, tonight we have one final construction update for you all to check out before the official debut. Now, because there’s not really much to say that hasn’t been said already, the vast majority of this post will be solely pictures. Enjoy!
[hr]
Terror-tories
A fair amount of progress has been made since our last update on the four Terror-tories around the park.
Ripper Row
Ripper Row definitely has the best facades, but I’m not sure how it’s all going to come together in the end. The new facades clash fairly badly with the existing hamlet’s buildings. Hopefully something can be done to rectify that.
The front side of the first visible facade upon entering the area. I can’t help but think it looks a bit sloppy…
Ah, a nice Howl-O-Scream-themed shot of Big Ben
And, according to the notice posted inside Big Ben, there seems to be a murder on the loose…
The end of the 2nd large facade in Banbury Cross
And here’s a look at the path-facing side of that facade. Very plain at the moment.
[hr]
Ports of Skull
Ports of Skull isn’t looking all that shabby but, perhaps for a pirate-themed area that’s not a good thing. Everything looks a bit too fresh and new if you ask me. Hopefully we’ll see that change a bit when we check out the final product tomorrow.
Here you can see a ship’s hull that has been constructed to house a bungee scare
Another angle on the boat
An overview of the Da Vinci’s Garden area
A crows nest has been built in the center of Da Vinci’s Garden of Inventions
Here you can see the steps leading up to the crows nest
I believe this whole area of Ports of Skull is called Torcher Hill. I assume this will be a photo op of some kind.
Another strange platform behind the crows nest
Rops have been added across the main path in front of Da Vinci’s Garden of Inventions
Some of Aquitaine’s skeletons seem to have made their way over into San Marco as well
Another (rather classy) skeleton
A ton more ropes can be seen hanging over the larger San Marco village
Lastly, here’s the current status of “Pirate Baarrrgh”
[hr]
Vampire Point
They painted The Willkommenhaus grey. I do not approve. Not at all.
This strange stage is being built next to the carousel. Photo op maybe?
As he has for the past few years now, a sleeping/dead vampire has taken up residence in the Rhinefeld gazebo
Well this is… shocking.
Literally the entire lower level of The Willkommenhaus has been painted battleship grey. I do not approve
Here you can see the difference between the gray paint and the old tan paint
Litterally everything- including the wooden trim- has been painted
As you can see, the cuckoo clock has been completely removed as well
A closer look at the empty lower level
A closer look at the upper level
I managed to get a glance inside The Willkommenhaus as well. Extensive renovation by the looks of it
Lastly, here’s a closer look at one of the rather rough looking plywood facades that have been added to the sides of the building. Hmmm
[hr]
Demon Street
I hate to say it but Demon Street isn’t looking very demonic. The comparisons to a Hot Wheels-themed children’s birthday party are all over our forum right now. I can’t say I disagree.
Oh dear. And we thought the vines from Food & Wine were bad…
Uh… Hot Wheels Birthday Party?
Seriously, they’re absolutely everywhere.
No where in Aquitaine can you escape from the unofficial Hot Wheels sponsorship
I think I’ve gotten the point across enough by now but really. Everywhere.
Nowhere is safe.
Here’s a closer look at the… garbage bag flags…?
Hot Wheels!
[hr]
Shows
Because of the announcement, not much had been done to Das Festhaus in the way of Howl-O-Scream decoration and there wasn’t much to see at the Abbey Stone either sadly. Fortunately though, plenty has happened over in San Marco with Dig it Up.
Dig it Up
Dig it Up’s set seems to be more or less complete. As expected, the giant T-Rex has once again returned to his position center-stage.
Dig it Up’s banners can be found throughout San Marco once again this year
Dig it Up’s theater signage is up as well
Hello Mr. T-Rex!
[hr]
Other Areas
Though the park’s four Terror-tories are getting everyone’s attention this year, the park is continuing to theme the rest of their hamlets as well.
New France
Once again it seems that New France has been overrun with spiders.
Guests are greeted with what one can only assume is a former park guest as they enter New France from Aquitaine
There’s a lot of spiders and spider webs here
Like the flags on Demon Street, these webs are everywhere
To be fair though, they look better than Demon Street’s flags so I can’t complain
Some areas, such as this one, look particularly good
Spiders in your beef brisket? That can be arranged
The antique photos are looking very antique this time of year
[hr]
Wild Reserve
The ghosts have returned to the Wild Reserve this year and they’re looking just as spooky and ghastly as ever.
I love the way these ghosts look by the way
Some of Howl-O-Scream’s best props in my honest opinion
Spooooooky
[hr]
Oktoberfest
Not much is happening here, but there’s a few shots worth sharing.
Der Marketplatz has closed down for it’s Dark Side of the Gardens makeover
These skulls on chains have been hung near DarKastle
I have no idea how they fit with the Vampire theme the two German hamlets are supposed to share
[hr]
As I stated at the beginning, the event begins tomorrow so expect some of our member’s first thoughts and opinions to show up on our forum sometime tomorrow night. Additionally, feel free to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook to keep up to date as the first official coverage begins to show up!
