Howl-O-Scream 2021 Opening Night | Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Busch Gardens Williamsburg's annual Howl-O-Scream event is BACK and officially open for the season! With returning favorites, new houses and terror-tories, and shows, we bring you along with us!
Check out our experience, and make sure to subscribe to our KZbin channel for more HOS and haunt videos throughout the season, and our full review in a few weeks!
Note that, due to the lack of Media Event this year, we did not film in the houses. For walkthroughs of returning favorites, check the links below:
DYSTOPIA: • Dystopia Maze Walkthro...
CIRCO SINISTRO: • Circo Sinistro Maze Wa...

[@bensutton6930]

I'm glad HOS is back after a 1 year hiatus. I'll be there in a couple of weeks for 2 nights. I'm hoping more decorations will be out.

[@stormywallace4716]

I'm so excited to go this year.

[@lynncampbell962]

I look forward to these videos every year. I have probably watched the 2015 videos, part 1&2 50 times. I love your commentary and the production quality. As always, great job Paul!

[@piercesteven3730]

This is the first time in 4 years i've missed opening night so this video is really good thanks

[@nategeorge6222]

Love your videos man, you always make a point to show all the fine details that are easily missed.

[@whizlol_]

I CANT WAIT TO GO NEXT WEEKEND FOR MY FIRST TIMEEEE!!!

[@Ace5461Yt]

Ayooooooo in Williams burg? I’m going to Williams burg howloscream in October for my 2nd time

[@alexxpanda6412]

I haven't been in a long time

[@lorajay3083]

Same!

[@birdieeraser5110]

I’ve gone once but it was whenever I was really little, and I hated it so we’ll see how this one goes. I’m kind of nervous……..I think I just hated it because I was so young. So I’m kind of scared/nervous!

[@alexxpanda6412]

@@birdieeraser5110 omg have fun!! If you need a Busch buddy lemme know! Lol 😂

[@Suchatool98]

Seeing your opening night videos is such a blast. It's a tradition for me now. I haven't been since 2016, started college the next year. But, hopefully, I'll be able to go next year!

[@kevinsanchez7383]

Great seeing you man! Hopefully next time I can get a picture haha definitely a great event this year look forward to going more

[@IoMGeek]

Absolutely! Let’s get a pic next time!

[@merrilllivingston1506]

Thank you for recording this! I really appreciate you and everything you do for this channel! :)

[@caprisunpouch306]

Just got back from this weekend. It was so much fun. Haven’t been to a park in years and all the extras and spooky music made it wonderful. Great job Busch

[@SpaceyJacey89]

I am so excited to go this year!! I might have been scared when I went last year but I gathered enough courage to go this year! Can't wait to see Jack again!!

[@bethanycox5490]

You have no idea how happy I was to see your video on HOS

[@theoriginalThud]

I was there on opening night as well as last night. Although it's slightly scaled back this year (like just about every entertainment and really every work force industry still is) with a little less terror-tories and houses than we've seen in the past, what they do have is really good. I also like that they've amped up the intensity/visuals in a few attractions. I won't give any spoilers/details because that would ruin the fun but be sure to check out KILLarney Diner, which has some really unique and creative theming. All the mazes are good but that one was my favorite. Also be sure to check out the Meat Market terror-tory. All the cast members really put a lot of effort throughout the park. Great to have Howl-O-Scream back!

[@_tony_masters]

This was very helpful. Any areas you’d stay away from in order to save time for more interesting attractions?

[@theoriginalThud]

@@_tony_masters It depends on how you like to be entertained. Some people go to be scared. Some people go to party.. Some people have young kids but decide to stay after 6pm anyway... and still others aren't in to Halloween and they just go for the rides and typical theme park attractions. I like scares so if I was going only one time, I would make sure to hit all five mazes/houses and walk through the terrortory scare zones on my way from one maze to the next. All of the mazes were good when I went. During the second night I was there, I took in some shows. They were more family/music oriented - they were decent if you or your family is in to that kind of entertainment instead of the scares. Monster Stomp (my favorite show) was not open yet. I think it opens this weekend. It's not intended for small children, but if you see only one show, this would probably be the one to watch imo. There's not much going on in France this year until you get all the way to Meat Market terrortory (close to Invadr). There are no mazes or terrortories from Killarney to around the smokehouse/Invadr area. Other than Killarney Diner in Ireland, most of the scare attractions are on the 'left side' of the park. If you want scares, maybe you could head counterclockwise around the park after you go through the Ripper Row terrortory near the entrance. That way, you could hit Dystopia (Escape from Pompeii area) before going to Italy to go to Circo Sinistro. Then head towards Germany for the Witch of the Woods and Nevermore. Then make sure to go to Killarney diner which was my personal favorite. ...oops, sorry this post got a bit long. Have fun!!

[@Ravy-ge1wu]

I like how he walks through the maze like he’s a character in a horror game

[@Martin-hz8nn]

I think that Busch Gardens did a wonderful job this year! All of the houses and scare zones were great. I’m not a big fan of the party zones, including the one in Festa. But I had a great time!

[@rainbowartistry4347]

I went opening night didnt know it wasnt for kids we were so scared but my teenagers loved it

[@genevievemorris6899]

I'm so excited to go to this one I am gonna get the no scare pass since I just want to see the outfits since they do an amazing job every year

[@VacationeersPodcast]

Glad to have HOS back and better than ever...

[@noahnobles7346]

Good update! can't wait to go

[@hybred757]

Lol team work…that was me at 13:27! Great video!

[@arielpiver2693]

I went last night and I was always too scared to go into the haunted houses but this year I went in Nevermore and Witch of the Woods and even though I was shaking I had a blast! I'm going to go back so I can attempt Meat Market and the other three houses but all in all, it was a really fun night

[@marcschubert139]

Are they new houses to Williamsburg? I don't remember them in years past. Meat Market I believe is one that's a regular down in Tampa.

[@readyainefire9706]

I went twice and the second time I got a no boo necklace it worked but it was great love your videos to Update: I should be going tomorrow and I hope they have more decorations in so excited and I can’t stop watching this :D Edit again: Howl Scream was frickin awesome can’t do houses but my brother did one he said it was good

[@Devineservent17]

Rewatching this in July cause I cannot wait for this year's hallowscrea.

[@alixxxia]

i had a howl o scream ad while watching this hahaha

[@itsme-fb5oh]

YESSSS i’m glad it’s back i’m going next weekend😈🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Mackenziegroah]

That’s me at 24:06! I recognized you and I got so excited

[@IoMGeek]

No way! You did great!!!

[@LongLegsBrien]

Love the walkthrough vids, keep them coming. We've been to Howl-O-Scream many times and just went on Sunday, October 10. We were excited to be back but be aware that, like many places, Busch Gardens is severely understaffed. Be prepared for all that comes with staffing issues. Nevermore and Killarney Diner were awesome houses. Dystopia and Circo Sinistro were pared-down substantially from prior years. Witch of the Woods was just okay. If they made the whole park like the Garden of Souls, music and ambiance, it would be awesome. We really enjoyed that area. The Meat Market scare actors were really good and had a fun time sitting down and people watching in that area.

[@dahliagrech3874]

IM GOING IN 2 WEEKS AHHH SO EXCITED!!

[@tylerliberatore6178]

I was just watching the woman in blacks video last night Kitschy Travels 4:29, she recorded the same scene for KZbin as you did that’s pretty sick seeing you guys recording the same scene in the same spot! 😂

[@lostskies7736]

We are on our way now to go there I'm so exited

[@dominiquexo4772]

I had to scan through the spiders 🤣🤦🏽‍♀️😪 hate those creepy things but I will be going next week. Pray for me LOL

[@MrMrMrprofessor]

Going on October 16th!! This will be my first time going to a theme park Halloween event (outside of Mickey's Not So Scary as a kid haha). Thank you so much for your coverage! It helps to give me an idea of what to look out for. How would you rank the houses this year? Seems like Killarney was your favorite of the new ones!

[@IoMGeek]

I’d definitely put Killarney at the top, but that was with only one time through! Definitely need some time to rank them all!

[@MrMrMrprofessor]

@@IoMGeek Very excited to check them all out next month!

[@minutemen24122]

They have stuff hanging from the bridge now. We were there yesterday. Lol

[@buschgardensgrl2021]

Loved the video ! I’m in the video at 5:27 (one of the red shirts) I wanted to say hi but was nervous lol. I know you have been to the park a lot, I was wondering, would you or have you ever done any of the tours that they offer at the park ? I’m doing one tomorrow night, 6 hour All Access VIP HOS tour ! So excited !

[@IoMGeek]

Actually haven’t done any of the tours yet, but certainly would one day. Let us know how they are!

[@biglad3701]

I saw you in Ireland but I didn't come up to you, didn't wanna interrupt the vid lol.

[@jenniferpowell8591]

Omg love this!

[@brianiscomvo2622]

So excited

[@damarisw.5668]

I think I saw you but im a slow walker. It was awesome night

[@kromatik8179]

this man is my favorite youtuber

[@noahnobles7346]

same here!

[@catgiles3268]

My kids went Saturday and were very disappointed. Said there were only one or two Halloween actors in each area. Everyone is having a hard time getting help.

[@barbaralyle6703]

You really should go to Kings Dominion haunt and compare each year. I know Hallowscream is considered a bigger event and I do love the decor but as someone who does both every year Kings Dominion is much scarier and they have four times the amount of actors. I don’t understand why Hallowscream doesn’t have more actors especially in the terror zones. I’ve actually went through a whole territory and only encountered one actor who didn’t even try to scare us. I guess it depends on what you are going for. If it’s for scares this might not be the better park, if it’s decor and rides Bush Gardens.

[@IoMGeek]

We’d love to! Sometimes timing is just a bit tough to make it out there.

[@barbaralyle6703]

@@IoMGeek I get it and I’m sure the people at Bush Gardens are nice to you. Honestly though if I only had one day in Virginia to go to a haunted attraction Kings Dominion would be it. Still love your videos I just think from a scare point of view Hallowscream is lacking. They have a lot more money than Kings Dominion but a lot less actors they spend to much decorating the park and not enough trying to scare you, if Hallowscream doesn’t start improving I may stop going. Been really disappointed the last four years. Each year that passes it seems they do less and less.

[@IoMGeek]

Hey Barbara, absolutely the folks at Busch are nice to us, but we also still pay for our own passes and this Howl-O-Scream visit was on our own dime. Our bias isn’t based on that so much as it is proximity - they’re an hour closer than KD, so a visit out there takes a bit more planning and time. We have covered them in the past and would LOVE to go back, really just a matter of free weekends. Lots of great stuff to hit in only two months!

[@barbaralyle6703]

@@IoMGeek wow we drive 6 hours to get to both. We still love your channel and it may after this year be the only way we see what’s going on there. Keep up the good work.

[@TyrekClayton]

Going this weekend, hopefully it'll be a little more decorated and a few more scare actors will be around 👹

[@rachelwatson4618]

Love your videos! Can't wait to go in October. Two questions, are you allowed to walk around with the beer and/or cocktails you buy at these stands like Restless Spirits? And do you remember how much those "No Boo" necklaces were? Thanks!

[@IoMGeek]

Yes you can walk around with a cocktail. I think the “No Boo” necklaces were $15, but I didn’t actually see a price. Have fun!

[@rachelwatson4618]

@@IoMGeek Awesome! Thanks so much!

[@moonx698]

THE RINGMASTER IN THE CIRCUS AREA WORKS PART-TIME AS A SUB AT MY HIGH SCHOOL AND HE IS SO COOL!!

[@leroybonds]

I'm gonna wait to go until October hopefully 🙏🏿🤞🏿🎃

[@urmomayah]

im going tonight!

[@faeriegirl20]

so I know there's an issue with the decorations, and I know a lot of people aren't necessarily going to care but a friend works for the park and they said that the team doing a lot of the install is down to four or five people, something like half of what it used to be, and has been for a while and they are having trouble bringing in more people for some reason.

[@bgwenthusiasts]

FYI we are allowed to film inside mazes this year

[@IoMGeek]

Well darn. I did not know that.

[@bgwenthusiasts]

@@IoMGeek yeah I filmed in Diner last night. So cool

[@twice6278]

I love your vids

[@AmberLoves_Me]

I’m sooo excited to go to howl o scream on October 23 aka MY BIRTHDAY 🥳🥳🥳(I go every year)

[@AmberLoves_Me]

I also love your walk-in around videos it’s my favorite I’m so excited

[@nealedmondson3191]

You're going to be disappointed, I'd go to a local haunted house or even try king's dominion. Howloscream is no longer any good.

[@AmberLoves_Me]

@@nealedmondson3191Really? How?!

[@Avaklevecz]

It’s 3am as I am watching this cause I am going to howl scream tomorrow

[@SiimplyHalloween]

Jack is such a role model 🖐😭

[@TwoTicketsToAdventure]

On the website Monster Stomp on Ripper Row says opening on Sept 30th?? Did they change that? That's the first time on the calendar that they show up. Awesome video btw! Super excited for Nevermore! Love the costumes and decor.

[@IoMGeek]

Weird. I see October 1 here: buschgardens.com/williamsburg/shows/halloween/

[@TwoTicketsToAdventure]

@@IoMGeek weird indeed! Thanks for that link.

[@samanddeanfan2009]

Im going to the one in san diego in a couple weeks. Wonder what itd be like…

[@xx_lunar_tears_xx8432]

I honestly feel like festa Italia has a great opportunity to be a really cool and fun and scary concept of a terrortory, so it's really disappointing they didn't put anything there

[@cdawg-2248]

If you had to choose between this and Kings dominion Haunt - which is better?

[@IoMGeek]

This year I give it to Busch Gardens.

[@_tony_masters]

Going with my girlfriend next weekend and I have a couple questions? Is it so big that you can’t hit all of the attractions in one night and if so, what would you recommend making sure we hit up first? Edit: our plan is to hit up all of the rides before 6 and then go to all of the spooky stuff later. Was there anything that genuinely shook you? We would love to be scared shitless.

[@IoMGeek]

I would say it’s more of a jump scare experience than a “shake you and stick with you” experience. Lots of fun - I’d say Killarney definitely made me jump quite a bit. I’d recommend starting with Killarney and just doing a lap to hit all 5 houses. You should be fine, but if crowds are particularly bad, the Quick Queue passes will eliminate all the wait and leave you with an opportunity to relax, get food, drinks (if you’re over 21), etc.

[@caprisunpouch306]

I went on a Thursday and we had no crowds zero wait times for rides it was only open for evening hours. We did every ride 4 times and several scare houses. It was a blast. Weekends of course will be more crowded but those rides moved people quick

[@paulaponte6144]

"Where" do they all that great talent especially the singers and skeletones

[@Shadic629]

I am going on October 8th-October 11th. Will you be at howl o scream on any of those days?

[@IoMGeek]

Not sure, but that weekend definitely has potential. (Not Saturday though - too crowded for us!)

[@ajthebluejay3680]

4:23 is my favorite part of this video!

[@user-ye8hz6ch6q]

You actually can film In houses this year! I am working in Killarney diner so I know.

[@elliottharrell2891]

Is hollow scream separately ticketed this year I just heard about them doing the same thing Tampa does

[@IoMGeek]

Nope. Same as prior years and included in your normal admission.

[@slurpwis]

I cannot believe you have to buy a lanyard to not get scared.

[@whosyourdaddy3456]

I was so sad that they got rid of lumberhack last year

[@katherineswartzbeck6557]

If you get a chance go back and see the surprise show in France by Griffon! They have drummers that are zombies!

[@markbeach8996]

I was about to shii bricks if I saw 👀 myself at work in the video in the Italy Marko polo eating stage area (that’s my zone 🤣🤣🤣 but nope not there thank goodness

[@ViewFromTheCheapSeats]

"Oh no. Jack just killed that lady".

[@lolaeuforiaa]

can anyone give me a ranking on how scary each house is? my friend is a little nervous and would like to try out the least nerve racking first

[@nealedmondson3191]

Save your money and go someplace else. Busch gardens howloscream is not at all like it use to be.

[@greenyshrimpy3371]

I was at that place I hated the people with the chainsaws I was just crying my tears out lol-

[@_tony_masters]

Where was the Werewolf reserve located?

[@IoMGeek]

Towards the back of the park, where the real wolves normally are.

[@alexskrinjorich2382]

@loMGeek I Was In Your KZbin Video, in The Beginning of Ripper Row!!!!!! PEEPS!!!!!

[@MrTravis0306]

Are you going Halloween weekend?

[@IoMGeek]

We will definitely be going back, but not sure of the date just yet!

[@maddieleach1179]

I WAS IN THAT VIDEO

[@douglasperry3048]

How many people know who is helping the guest at 17:07?

[@hotttttie]

How much do the no boo necklaces cost?

[@IoMGeek]

I think around $15?

[@hotttttie]

@@IoMGeek thank you!

[@hotttttie]

@@IoMGeek I am here now and they are $18

[@IoMGeek]

Sorry about that! Thanks for the info though.

[@hotttttie]

@@IoMGeek no worry at all!

[@TrixyCoCoFishy]

I was in the vid

[@sunshine1a_yt174]

8:05 my dad is looking at the map

[@VerxcyYT]

Hi

[@backwoodz_and_babe]

I somehow offended the bride and groom in garden of sould by calling them pretty and started chewing me out in Latin

[@brianiscomvo2622]

So easy

[@ViewFromTheCheapSeats]

Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeps

[@nealedmondson3191]

Just went last night and I had huge hopes, boy was I shocked at how lame it was. Howloscream use to be good, it was creepy and fun but now it's just lame. I don't think I'll be going back again. I'm gonna save my money and time for hunt club farms.

[@angelakapetanakis9678]

Bleep hi

[@rachelcrocker3112]

i never liked the women with the fans 😭i never liked howl o scream at all💀 its too scary

[@unannamous]

the necklaces are so lame, if you don’t wanna get scared, DONT GO