Get Ready For Heart-Pounding Terror At Howl-O-Scream: Here’s What You Need To Know
Halloween is just around the corner, and those who are lucky enough to live near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg or SeaWorld San Antonio and Orlando, may be familiar with Howl-O-Scream. Howl-O-Scream is a special ticketed event in honor of Halloween that features 6 haunted houses, 6 scare zones, and even a haunted show! This post will describe what you can expect from this event and our experience attending it.
What is Howl-O-Scream?
As mentioned, Howl-O-Scream is a Halloween-themed event at Busch Gardens and SeaWorld San Antonio and Orlando. The event features haunted houses, scare zones, and a haunted show. This year (2018), the event runs for 19 selected nights from September 21 through October 28. Tickets start at $39.99, with front-of-the-line and tour options available for an additional cost.
What to Expect
The park is open all day during the event, but the Howl-O-Scream activities start at 7:30 pm. Guests are allowed into the park earlier, but they will receive a wristband and will not be allowed to leave the park once they enter. It’s advisable to retrieve any forgotten items from your vehicle before entering the event.
Attractions at Howl-O-Scream
Remember that the lines for the rides can get long during the event, especially for popular coasters like SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt. However, the lines tend to move quickly, and you can enjoy the spooky atmosphere while waiting. If you’re looking to maximize your time and minimize your wait, consider purchasing a front-of-the-line pass. This pass allows you to skip the regular lines and get priority access to the rides and haunted houses.
Haunts and Scare Zones at Howl-O-Scream
If you’re a fan of Halloween and all things spooky, you won’t want to miss the haunted houses and scare zones at Howl-O-Scream. With 6 haunted houses and 6 scare zones, there’s plenty to explore and be frightened by.
The haunted houses are incredibly detailed and immersive, each with its unique theme and story. In years past, haunted houses have included themes such as a haunted hotel, a zombie outbreak, and a sinister circus. With jump scares and special effects around every corner, these houses are not for the faint of heart.
The scare zones are also a lot of fun, with actors dressed up in terrifying costumes and makeup lurking around every corner. Some scare zones are themed after classic horror movies, while others are completely original creations. You may find yourself running from chainsaw-wielding maniacs in one area of the park, only to be pursued by creepy clowns in another.
Remember that the scares at Howl-O-Scream can be quite intense, so it may not be suitable for young children or those who are easily frightened. However, if you’re a fan of horror and Halloween, the haunts and scare zones at Howl-O-Scream are not to be missed.
Popular Previous Years Haunts
- Death Water Bayou: This haunt was set in the murky swamps of New Orleans and featured voodoo queens, witch doctors, and other supernatural creatures lurking in the shadows.
- Unearthed: Scarlet’s Revenge: In this haunt, guests journeyed into an ancient buried city and encountered the vengeful spirit of Scarlet, an archaeologist who was killed while uncovering the cursed artifacts within.
- Circus of Superstition 3D: This haunt was set in a demented circus where guests navigated through a 3D world of clowns, freaks, and other terrifying performers.
- Zombie Containment Unit 15: In this interactive haunt, guests were tasked with navigating through a quarantine zone filled with hordes of ravenous zombies. They had to shoot their way out using laser guns to survive.
- Insomnia: This haunt was set in an abandoned asylum where the patients experimented with a sleep-deprivation drug. Guests were forced to navigate through the twisted minds of the inmates as they tried to escape the facility.
These are just a few examples of the popular haunts featured in previous years of Howl-O-Scream. Each year, the event features new and unique experiences that will scare even the bravest of guests.
Food at Howl-O-Scream
In addition to the rides and scare zones, Howl-O-Scream also offers a variety of themed food and drinks. You can indulge in Halloween-inspired treats like pumpkin funnel cake, candy corn soft serve, and pumpkin beer. There are also several food booths throughout the park that offer savory options like loaded mac and cheese; BBQ pulled pork, and chicken tenders. If you’re fearless, you can try the “daredevil dishes” like the bacon-wrapped blood sausage or the cricket tacos.
It’s worth noting that the food options at Howl-O-Scream are not included with the price of admission, so be prepared to spend extra if you want to indulge in the seasonal treats. However, many food booths offer sampler platters or combo meals that can save you money.
Overall, the food at Howl-O-Scream is a great way to fuel up for a night of scares and thrills. Just be sure to save some room for the pumpkin-flavored treats!
Our Experience
We attended Howl-O-Scream for the second time this past year. Our first time was back in 2015 during the opening weekend, and this time was a spur-of-the-moment choice. Tickets for us were only $60 with our annual pass discount. Purchasing tickets in advance is best, as prices can rise closer to the event.
Since we were already in the park, we received our wristbands and didn’t have to leave and re-enter. The park remained fully functional, filtering out the “day” people.
Most people lined up for the haunted houses as they don’t open until 7:30 pm. It is recommended to avoid waiting in line for the first house you see, located in Gwazi’s old queue line. Instead, walk around the park and hop on some rides while waiting for the crowds to disperse.
We found the crowds manageable on both occasions, to the point where purchasing a front-of-the-line pass would have been a waste of money. The lines moved quickly, leaving ample time to enjoy the rides, scare zones, haunted houses, and the special event show.
A pro-tip for attending the event is that the Fiends, the special event show is unsuitable for children. They do not advertise this fact, so be cautious when bringing children.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, the event is a thrilling and fun experience. The new houses they added, and the old ones they keep are always a joy to experience. The scare zones are also a fun addition. What’s better than riding some thrilling coasters in the dark? It’s all a good time. For those looking for a thrilling Halloween event without the Universal price tag, Howl-O-Scream is definitely worth attending. So, mark your calendars, get your tickets in advance, and enjoy the scares!
If you are looking for a more unique and scary experience, you should check out Scream-A-Geddon, where I break down everything you can expect from that haunt and it’s only an hour from Howl-O-Scream! Cannot decide, whether to go to this haunt or Scream-A-Geddon, you’ll also want to check out our which haunt is superior post as well!
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