Halloween Harvest - 2020 Event at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is currently hosting its third limited-capacity event of the year: Halloween Harvest. The event runs from October 1 through November 1, and my visit was on Thursday, October 1, from 5 PM - 9 PM.
Here's a quick summary:
Parking - I received free parking with my Florida Platinum Annual Pass. It’s $25 if you’re not a passholder. In the lot, many cars are still parking right next to each other, against the recommendation to leave a space between vehicles.
Entering the Park - The new security and temperature screening procedure continues to improve. The metal detector didn’t pick up my camera, so I breezed right on through.
Rides - The Festa Italia hamlet is open for this event, so Apollo’s Chariot and Tempesto are available for the first time this year. Verbolten, Loch Ness Monster, and Finnegan’s Flyer are the other big attractions open for this event.
Health and Safety - Busch Gardens Williamsburg is doing a great job refilling hand sanitizer pumps. Mask compliance seems good, though I think guests seem to be a little less cautious around each other than at past events. Some guests occasionally forget to stay distanced in line and stay on their markers.
Festival Food Items - The overall food quality is not as good as the last event (Taste of Busch Gardens). If you can eat a significant meal before attending, I would suggest doing so. There aren’t enough offerings to recommend more than a 5-item tasting card.
Animals - I walked through the Highland Stables to see the Clydesdale horses. I think you’ll be able to see more animals if you’re visiting this event during the day.
Scare Squad and Halloween Decorations - The scare squad was only in one hamlet of the park on my visit: Festa Italia. They did a good with socially-distanced scares and guest interaction. The Halloween theming was also excellent, with spooky music, lighting, and decorations.
Overall, Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Halloween Harvest is an extremely light event. You’ll easily be able to do everything you want within 4 hours. If you’re local to the park, you’ll probably only need one visit.
Check out our event overview on YouTube:
