How intense is "Howl-O-Scream" at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg?

[mom2boys]

Is it too intense for a family with children ages 9 & 10?

 

[Disney845]

Sorry, never have been to Howl-O-Scream at BGW, but have been to the H-O-S at BG Tampa a few times. I LOVE it compared to our other major Halloween fright fest here in Central FL which is Halloween Horror Nights at US/IoA. Much less expensive, far less crowds, and the VIP package (which gets you front of the line to all the haunted houses, and reserved seating at the shows [the only way in my opinion to see everything possible]) is actually financially reasonable compared to US/IoA's version. I think that with all of the Halloween theme park adventures (with maybe the exception of MNSSHP) the fright level is fairly high for a 9 year old, but only you will know if your specific child could handle it.

 

[mom2boys]

Thanks for the feedback. Can you give me an example of one of the more frieghtening scenes/interactions?

 

[Shugardrawers]

I've been. I didn't find it intense at all. They decorate the place for halloween and there are skeletons or ghosts hanging around the place. The lights are dimmed and there are characters in costume wandering around. Some will follow you or stare at you and there were people hiding in the bushes who would scream on occasion. They have a walk through haunted house type area that you probably should avoid if your kids startle easily, otherwise it's pretty mild as those things go. I was bored by it but then I like a pretty intense haunted house experience.

 

[Disney845]

Like in most haunted house settings, the "actors" are not allowed to touch you. Most of it is really your own fear coupled with scary music piped in and the thought of the unknown. One of the better HH at the H-O-S BGTampa I remember was an insane asylum. Most of the haunted houses were similar just with different settings/themes. The idea being that "actors" would pop up from behind something and try to scare the crap out of you. The shows were very interesting too. I remember one I went to a few years ago at H-O-S BGT was this older magician/psychic kinda guy. He is well known although his name escapes me at the moment. He threw these cards into the audience and whoever they hit was called up on stage. I was one of the people to go up on stage. Then he has the 8 or so people pretend to murder someone in the audience and hide the murder weapon (all this while he is away and not seeing). Then he comes back and "reads" us to try to find out who murdered who and where they hid the weapon. They also have had a musical show where they had look-alike performers (Britney, Christina, other pop stars) who were made to look like zombies or something dancing and singing (sounds corny, but was upbeat and fun).