Busch Gardens announced Wednesday that it will again be implementing a chaperone policy during Howl-O-Scream.

Under the policy, guests younger than 16 must have a chaperone to be admitted for the amusement park’s annual Halloween event, which begins Sept. 5. Chaperones must be at least 21 and remain in the park while the younger guests are there during Howl-O-Scream, which begins at 4 p.m. on select days through Nov. 2.

Busch Gardens first implemented the policy last fall, a year after King’s Dominion instituted a similar policy for its Halloween event. Busch Gardens’ policy followed several disturbances at the park, including a large fight and a stabbing in the parking lot.

During Howl-O-Scream, guests 16 and older must be able to present a valid government-issued photo ID with a birth date to enter the park. Anyone 15 years or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone — who is not in the park and available by phone — could be thrown out of the park, the park said in its announcement.

“The safety of our guests and ambassadors has always been our top priority at Busch Gardens Williamsburg,” the park says on its website. “We are committed to keeping Busch Gardens Williamsburg a place where guests of all ages can come together to enjoy everything our park has to offer.”

Kim O’Brien Root, kimberly.root@virginiamedia.com

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/08/27/busch-gardens-to-reinstate-chaperone-policy-for-howl-o-scream/