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Busch Gardens Gearing Up for $2 Million Revamp, Including New Coaster

The theme park season is starting to wind down, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Now that the roller coasters have shut things off for the season, there’s plenty of time to start planning for the next big thing. One theme park with an eye on the future is Busch Gardens Williamsburg, as they just announced that they’ll be investing some serious cash into their park over the next two years.

Beginning this year, the park is going to up the ante on its Christmas Town attraction. The holiday celebration will be focused on their idea of an Italian Christmas—we’re hoping for something a little more authentic than Olive Garden’s idea of what Italy is like. Expect decorations, golden colors, traditional fare, and a warm and fuzzy feeling during your walk back to the minivan.

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2009 Halloween Theme Park Scare Guide: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Howl-O-Scream

For those in our nation’s capital looking to celebrate Halloween without Obama and Palin masks, there’s always the option of taking a ride down I-95 to Williamsburg, Virginia. Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been doing the scary theme park for over ten years now, and this year’s Howl-O-Scream looks to do more damage than even their roller coasters.

Like some of the parks we’ve featured before, Busch Gardens transforms the park into a scary land featuring costumed characters lurking behind every corner. There’s six different haunted houses to terrify and torture, especially when a few of them are more maze than haunted house. Good luck if you’re trying to get out. If you’d rather have a chance to escape, you can always run through one of the park’s nine scare zones.

If you need to take a breather there’s plenty of scary shows to entertain you. Sit back and relax, or try to, and take in the scene. There’s one for your little pumpkin as well—starring Elmo—but we won’t tell anyone if you need to watch that one instead.

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The Best Halloween Theme Parks: Howl-O-Scream

Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia is the perfect distraction for those who have given up on the election and are looking for something even more terrifying than preparing Sarah Palin for Thursday's debate.

The Halloween fun got started a couple weeks ago and continues to run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night through October. Oddly enough, that means that you won't be able to celebrate Howl-O-Scream on All Hallows Eve.

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Fall Culture Travel: Celebrating Your Scottish Side

There's a lot going on this fall in Virginia, mostly because these four will be battling each other there. But if you're looking for something with a little more culture, look no further than the Williamsburg Scottish Festival, complete with more kilts, clans and Celtic music than you can shake a caber at.

The fest starts October 3 and carries on through the weekend. Celtic bands including Albannach and Greenwich Meantime (clever!) will ensure that you get your fill of bagpipe. And of course there will be traditional athletic events that involve people throwing really heavy things as far as they can.

The festival also seeks to assist people in tracing their Scottish roots. Take a trip down "Clan Row" to try to find your link back to the mother country. Last year there were almost 50 groups from across the nation with their own unique lineage, so you're almost guaranteed to find a picture of Grandpa McManus.

Related Stories:
· Williamsburg Scottish Festival [Official Site]
· Fall Travel coverage [Jaunted]

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Theme Parks Travel: Big Bird coming to Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg, Virginia is about to add some new stuff even with the looming threat of a sale hanging over its head. The park plans to add a Sesame Street-themed land with hopes of bringing more families to the park--or at least those who have a thing for Big Bird.

The new section will supposedly contain a "European-style" Sesame Street, and plans also call for a small kid-friendly coaster, log flume and water play areas. There will also be new retail and character dining so you can really get the full Sesame experience.

As the park moves forward with the expansion, the Globe Theatre in the England section of the park will be transformed into a 4D movie featuring everyone's favorite characters called "Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination!" The park will be working overtime throughout the winter and hopes to have the new addition open by Spring 2009.

Related Stories:
·New Sesame Street Area Debuts in 2009, Expands Park's Boundaries and Kid Offerings [Busch Gardens]
·Theme Parks coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Busch Gardens]

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NYC Speakeasy: Hotel Delmano

Sure, you may think a stumble to the outer boroughs would make our speakeasy standards to slip. Think again.

Hotel Delmano is the perfect upscale cocktail spot in Brooklyn, offering delicious concoctions like the Commandant's Cocktail (pear cognac, Cointreau, lemon juice and green chartreuse) or the elderflower tequila gimlet.

Hotel Del is just as exclusive as our previously profiled Manhattan joints--replete with doorman who takes cell numbers to call you back when something opens up. Take some time to chat up the honey in line next to you, as this spot's got a unisex bathroom with a cozy communal sink that makes washing hands somehow sexy.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Delmano [NYM]
· New York Speakeasies Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Yelp]