Courtesy: SeaWorld Orlando

Howl-O-Scream has returned to SeaWorld Orlando after its inaugural year of fear in 2021 which will see more scare zones, haunted houses, and live shows in its second year for guests enjoy this Halloween season. Here is your preview guide of you need to know.

Full Preview Video here: https://fb.watch/fufcSmcDSW/

After debuting at Tampa Bay’s Busch Gardens in 2000, Howl-O-Scream held its inaugural year at SeaWorld Orlando in 2021.  

In its second year of fear, the Halloween themed event boasts five haunted houses, seven scare zones, three horrifying entertaining shows with roaming hoards located throughout the park. 

Cindi Miller, the vice president of Entertainment at SeaWorld Orlando said she believes the event’s interconnected theming will offer a unique event experience compared to other Halloween offerings at other theme parks in the Orlando area. 

“Our expanded footprint along with the thematic theming of our scare zones, houses and interactive bars kind of going through to tell a story is going to offer guests something different than some other haunted attractions in the area,” Miller said. 

Miller said she believes this year’s newest house; Blood Beckoning, will be the highlight of the event. 

“I’m most excited for guests to experience our newest house this year, Blood Beckoning since it will contain this year’s icon, Scratch,” Miller said. “I definitely think it will be a fan-favorite this year.” 

Blood beckoning will be one of five new and returning haunted houses at this year’s event that will take through disturbing scenery of blood, bodies, flashing lights and startling sounds where scare actors will be hidden around every corner waiting to jump out at their next victim that walks through. 

What’s unique about the haunted houses at this year’s event compared to other horror themed attractions like Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, is that scare actors will wait in line with guests for each house dressed as regular people before turning on them once they enter each house.  

Definitely a welcome unexpected twist for guests. 

There will be 7 new and returning scare zones located throughout the park that will include dancers, roaming scare actors that will interact and talk with guests as they enter the fog covered pathways in-between the different haunted houses. 

Photo by Andrew Carson

 But if being scared, if not your thing you can purchase a No Boo light up necklace for 15 dollars if someone in your party is feeling a little sensitive to the spooks of the event. The necklace once turned on will inform scare actors in each scare zone to avoid scaring the individual wearing it. 

Photo by: Andrew Carson

WARNING: The necklace will not work in haunted houses, so if you happen to get scared easily, it is best to avoid them all together. 

There will be three all-new live-entertainment options at this year’s event including Siren’s song a ghoulish narration story about how this year’s host Scratch, descended on Howl-O-Scream with her demonic mermaids yet again. 

A new version of the Popular dance and music show Monster Stomp slasher alley will take over the SeaWorld theater as Serial Killer Jack-The-ripper will take the stage to stalk and kill his victims in a modern rock musical performance with show stopping dance numbers and glow in the dark skeletons that will prove to be darkly entertaining. 

Photo by Andrew Carson

Personally, this was the highlight of the event for me when attending and should be a must do, when attending this year’s event over everything else. 

Food tents themed after the haunted houses and shows with have exclusive desserts such as eyeball filled “We See You” chocolate donuts and uniquely disturbing food items along with themed bars that will exclusive drinks with live entertainment and performers during a guests stay.  

Photo by Andrew Carson

I tried the Grasshopper Tacos and Cricket Nashville chicken sandwich at the Jack the Ripper food tent (Yes, there were REAL crickets and grasshoppers). It was a shocking addition to the food lineup this year but one that surprisingly tasted great and was worth remembering. 

There will also be interactive scare zone light up skulls for purchase at the event that will be interactive with you as you walk through each scare zone lighting up different colors and blowing fog on command in certain areas of the park without touching a button. 

Photo by Andrew Carson

VERDICT: If you’re looking for a Halloween themed event to par take in during the spooky season without scaring your bank account like more expensive events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida. The event offers good value and bang for your buck that offers unique scares and surprises that any Horror fan will enjoy this Halloween season. 

Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights from Sept. 9-Oct. 31 

College Students can redeem their special student discount price here