SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream: Not Just For Kids

Howl-O-Scream is the annual fall event hosted by all SeaWorld locations across the United States. I had the pleasure of experiencing the festivities first hand at SeaWorld San Antonio. While SeaWorld is known for being a fun family friendly atmosphere, they know how to entertain the entire family. During the day the festivities are great for all ages, once the sun goes down the creative team at SeaWorld immerses you into a world of horrors to be enjoyed by those who prefer a spookier experience.

Let The Adventure Begin

A few of the Characters from Ripper Row Photo by Katarina Holler

As you cross the threshold into the Howl-O-Scream event you are instantly met by a host of creepy characters as you wander through the macabre scenes of Ripper Alley. Venture through an Elizabethan steampunk inspired world of 19^th century London where a serial killer is terrorizing the streets. You never know who friend is and who is foe, even common street vendors could be working with the Ripper. Looking to take a load off? grab a limited-edition cocktail from See-Saw and check out the modern rock spectacular Monster Stomp Show.

Photo By Katarina Holler

Next along your journey you will find Milton Creek Manor. From the time you are greeted by the bell hop and the maître d you see that not everything is what it seems and that the walls hold onto untold secrets about the monsters within. Wander through the halls and see what the tortured souls are of the manor are dying to tell you.

The Fun is Just Beginning

Photo by Katarina Holler

If you are able to escape the manor be careful where you wander because you may find yourself deep in the heart of the containment zone where a toxic spill has been the catalyst for a zombie outbreak. There are gruesome scenes to be discovered in the Zombie Horde. You will find zombies and survivors alike just trying to find their way out either to escape or infect. But not to worry the containment area is sealed.  When you reach the edge of the containment zone stop by Z Bar to get a shot from the inoculation station.

Moving through the park through this carnival of carnage don’t miss Vampire Point where the creatures of the night have come out to play. This isn’t a place for daywalkers, but you can quench your thirst with a variety of cocktails from Blood Thirsty. This should be just enough to get you through the next trials on your adventure through the park.

Parks are always looking to expand to make room for more attractions, sometimes those expansions don’t quite go as planned. See what the excavation team found in Unearthed. You never know what may be hiding just below the surface. The deeper you go the greater the mystery becomes.

After some of the things you have seen at this point you just might need a little something to steady your nerves to continue on. Stop by Scorched in the SINdustry take a load off, enjoy some entertainment as well as a cold beverage to take the edge off before you continue to the final leg of the journey.

Will You Meet Your End?

Photo by Katarina Holler

The final leg of your journey is going to take you deep into The Swamp. There’s more to worried about in these parts than gators and snakes. This is the place where Voodoo queens and families with cannibalistic tendencies call home. Not to worry they are a friendly batch who would love nothing more than to have you for dinner.

Don’t miss out

This was probably the most fun I have had a public Halloween event in my entire adult life. To be honest I’m a little bit sad that this was the first time I have ever attended the event. I had the incorrect assumption that since it was at a theme park it was going to be some sort of upscaled Scooby-Doo adventure. I was wrong. As a fan of horror movies and things that go bump in the night this event did not disappoint. For anybody who is looking for a fun outdoor Halloween event I would recommend making time for SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream. For adults looking for a fun date night idea, or families looking for something that even their teenagers will enjoy, this is an experience worth having on the books.