SeaWorld San Diego reveals details for inaugural Howl-O-Scream

The horrors of Howl-O-Scream are lurking just around the corner at SeaWorld San Diego as the park gears up to host the event for the first time ever.

Starting Sept. 17 and running on select evenings through Oct. 31, the separately-ticketed evening will offer all the fear of a Halloween haunt combined with the thrills of a theme park. SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream will offer three haunted houses and six scare zones, plus four roaming hordes throughout the park.

As if that wasn’t enough, guests can enjoy nighttime rides on three roller coasters, see twisted acrobatics and contortions during the Vampire Circus show, dance at a steampunk-themed dance club, and indulge in spirited libations at three themed bars.

“We are putting our own unique spin on classic haunt themes so there are unexpected surprises around every corner at Howl-O-Scream,” says Randolph Borden, vice president of Entertainment. “All our haunted attractions are designed by leading experts in the Halloween production industry and have helped us create the most terrifying houses, scares and experiences for our guests. The expectations are extremely high for our first year and we are ecstatic to welcome our fellow Halloween and horror fans to what will surely become a yearly, must-experience event!”

This year’s offerings are:

Haunted Houses

• Nightmare Experiment – A government medical experiment at a run-of-the-mill sleep clinic has gone horribly wrong, descending into utter chaos. The patients have given into their worst nightmares and have driven the staff to the brink of madness. Guests fight for their life and sanity as they rush to escape the clinic, dodging unruly patients along the way.
• Simon’s Slaughterhouse – The local meat processing plant has fallen into the hands of the demented Simon the Butcher and his crew. Guests navigate their way through bloody corridors, meat-hooked mortals and screeching buzz saws to avoid the butcher’s blades.
• Death Water Bayou – The stifling heat and dank humidity permeates the air and beckons visitors deeper into Death Water Bayou. Guests wander amid gravestones, voodoo dolls and the spirits of prior mortals who couldn’t escape the Bayou Witch’s house of cursed horrors.

Themed Bars

• AmBARlance – After escaping Nightmare Experiment, the AmBARlance is there to cure all guests’ ailments. The boozy “medications” are administered via IV bags and syringes as well as vodka soaked “vitamins” in medicine cups. For a more intense treatment, the Pop Rocks rimmed “ElectroShock” cocktail is sure to make their brain pop.
• Simon’s Screamatorium – Guests are on the menu at Simon the Butcher’s Screamatorium. Bartenders serve up the hottest drinks from within Simon’s human-sized smoker, including “The Bloodiest Mary” and “Vomit Shots.”
• Murder She Float – Pulled from the depths of the murky swamp, this abandoned Mardi Gras float was brought back to life and is glowing with the “spirits” of the Mardi Gras dead. Guests feast on grasshoppers and worms in a scoop of “mud” and wash it down with cursed concoctions, served up on Ouija boards, in fishbowls and in the skulls of those who have crossed the Bayou Witch.

Scare Zones

• First Fright – Clown, skull, or snake? The choice is… not yours. Subject yourself to a triple dose of horror right out of the gate.
• Deadly Toys – These aren’t like the dolls you grew up with. Playtime starts now, and it’s not over until they’ve had their fun.
• Graveyard – There are evils that can’t stay buried forever. Some of this cemetery’s long-term guests are dying to meet you.
• La Llorona – Don’t believe the legend? Just ask the deadly beauty who wanders here, dragging victims to a watery grave.
• The Sirens – Their allure is powerful. Their motives are terrifying. Steer clear… this is one call you don’t want to answer.
• The Hauntings – This forest is not what it seems. Evil is watching… hiding in plain sight. You’ll need more than luck to avoid being taken.

Vampire Circus

Populated by a motley crew of characters and acrobats, The Vampire Circus is a show set in a twisted fantasy universe where chaos and craziness give way to a haunted celebration. Guests will be immersed in a journey through an abandoned cemetery where the circus will come back to life.

Additional Elements

Wandering throughout the park will be four roaming hordes of zombies, creatures, and other frightening characters. For thrill seekers, Electric Eel, Manta, and Journey to Atlantis will be open for nighttime rides. Those wanting a break from the screaming and scaring can head to The Underground, a steampunk-themed dance club.

To learn more about Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld San Diego, and to purchase tickets, visit HowlOScream.com/CA.