While we await details on 2024’s haunt, please enjoy the details from 2023’s Howl-O-Scream festivities!
Here at Orlando Informer, we work hard to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information. On this guide page, you can find all the information you need to navigate this new experience and plan your visit to SeaWorld Orlando during this frightful time of year!
If you are looking for haunted happenings in Tampa rather than Orlando, you can check out the details for Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay here.
Skip to: Overview | When to visit Howl-O-Scream | Cost of Howl-O-Scream | SeaWorld Orlando | Tickets
What is Howl-O-Scream?
This annual Halloween-season event began taking place at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 1999. That same year, Busch Gardens Tampa hosted “Spooky Safari,” a milder scare experience for families with older children. They abandoned the idea after one year and joined Williamsburg in putting on Howl-O-Scream in 2000. In 2013, SeaWorld San Antonio joined the Howl-O-Scream crew, and the newest installation of this successful scare event has come home to SeaWorld Orlando recently in 2021. The specifics of the event itself vary from park to park, but SeaWorld Orlando promises a park-wide scare zone, with no respite from the thrills and haunts. The established Howl-O-Scream locations typically feature 5-10 haunted houses and 3-5 scare zones. It should be noted that costumes are not permitted at any of the events.
Howl-O-Scream 2023 at SeaWorld Orlando Haunted Houses:
Beneath the Ice: The Meltdown – *NEW* Step into this house of horrors to witness the chilling battle between the forces of fire and ice.
D3LER1UM666 Laboratories – *NEW* Enter a research facility that stands just above the surface of the unknown depths of the sea and make your escape before time runs out.
Blood Beckoning – *RETURNING* If you hear the siren’s song of Scratch, it may be too late for your fate. She and her followers are out for your blood, and it’s up to you to escape their grasp.
Dead Vines: Nawlins Nightmare – *REIMAGINED* Hex has chosen the Big Easy as her domain, and you’ve set foot on her hallowed grounds. Discover if it’s good times or heads that will roll in this house of horrors.
Captain’s Revenge: Drowned in Darkness – *RETURNING* Against your better judgment, you come aboard a vessel in search of the Captain. He has sworn revenge on you, but you vow to find out what happened to his crew and reveal the truth.
Howl-O-Scream 2023 at SeaWorld Orlando Scare Zones & Roaming Haunts:
Blood Light District – Beware of those who walk the streets of this borough – they are out for blood and ready to paint the town red.
Toxic Turmoil – Make your way through this lethal landfill as you flee from its inhabitants infected by the toxins.
Carn-EVIL Pier – Come one, come all to this sideshow of haunts filled with terrors from the big top.
Frozen Terror – Alive in the Ice – You’ve escaped the terrors of Beneath the Ice, but you’re not out of danger yet! This haunt will have you running from the frozen undead in the harsh Arctic climate.
Witchcraft Bayou – Toil and trouble, be careful makin’ your way round the Bayou! This scare zone will feature voodoo and witchcraft-themed scares.
Portal of Passage – Make your return to this zone of fear, where the unknown awaits you around every corner.
Terrors of the Deep – The citizens of this ancient, lost city roam these streets as they have finally submerged from their underwater tomb.
Roaming Haunts – The Sirens, The Siren Minions, and Camo will roam about the park freely to make sure nowhere is safe!
Howl-O-Scream 2023 at SeaWorld Orlando Themed Bar Experiences:
CarnEvil Curiosities – Become mesmerized with the oddities and libations served in this cirque.
Poison Grotto – As they say, pick your poison! Take a break from the haunts and scares to enjoy a refreshing cocktail. Get enough to pluck up your courage to go back out there.
Tormented – You survived the expedition in Beneath the Ice and the grasps of Frozen Terror. Time for a cold one in this relatively safe space.
Longshoremen Tavern – Everyone is a pirate here! The Longshoremen are here to entertain you as you take harbor from the sea of haunts around you.
Sirens’ Last Call – Do you hear the call of the siren? So do we. Tuck in at the bar and enjoy the signature cocktail, “The Siren’s Kiss.”
Howl-O-Scream 2023 at SeaWorld Orlando Live Shows
Cursed Lagoon – Discover what lies beneath the surface at Forever Pearls in this all-new entertainment offering.
Monster Stomp – Far from the frozen tundra, this show transports guests back in time to Victoria-era London. Who is there to steal the show? Jack the Ripper himself. Join in the singing and dancing to this unconventional rock show.
Sirens’ Song – This show will be held outdoors and promises dancing, music, and action. The siren will beckon you all with her enticing voice, but don’t get too lured in – just enjoy the show!
Where can I get tickets for Howl-O-Scream Orlando?
You can get your discounted tickets for Howl-O-Scream online here.
Is Howl-O-Scream appropriate for children?
Busch Gardens and SeaWorld strongly recommend no one under the age of 13 attend Howl-O-Scream. However, this age recommendation is just that – a recommendation – and restricting children’s attendance is not policy. Keep in mind that if you bring a younger guest and they decide the event isn’t to their liking, tickets are non-refundable, and you could lose out on a fun night.
If you are interested in more kid-friendly Halloween options, check out SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. This event is included with park admission to SeaWorld Orlando and provides children with a unique opportunity to dress up, meet some familiar (and some spooky) characters, and trick-or-treat in a friendly setting. Halloween Spooktacular takes place during regular park hours on select dates, from September 16 – October 31.
When should I visit Howl-O-Scream?
Howl-O-Scream 2024 dates, in a nutshell, will return on select nights between September 6 and November 2.
If you’re concerned about crowds, we suggest going before things ramp up in October, when the Halloween season is really thrown into gear. Predictably, Fridays and Saturdays are consistently the most crowded and busy nights of the event, so also aim for Thursdays and Sundays if crowds are worrisome for you. No matter what, you should weigh the pros and cons of each night.
Thursday & Sunday night pros: Typically, these nights entertain lower crowd numbers, and there’s less of a “party” atmosphere for those wanting a milder experience. Ticket prices are also a few dollars cheaper.
Thursday & Sunday night cons: Thursdays don’t become available until October.
Friday & Saturday night pros: These nights typically fit better with traditional work schedules.
Friday & Saturday night cons: These nights are typically the busier nights, with crowds increasing up to Halloween (especially since Halloween falls during the weekend this year). Ticket prices are also slightly higher.
How much does it cost to attend Howl-O-Scream?
One of the most appealing things about Howl-O-Scream is that it is affordable fun. Prices will vary through the season, but tickets in 2023 started at just $38.99 and didn’t exceed $48.99. These prices mean that tickets provide a great option for a unique date (or a parent’s night out) for the same price of movie tickets and a bucket of popcorn. You can purchase tickets here.
What else can I experience at SeaWorld Orlando?
SeaWorld Orlando is full of things to do and see, and Howl-O-Scream is just the tip of the iceberg! We recommend browsing tickets to potentially include visiting Discovery Cove, Aquatica, SeaWorld, or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to maximize your experience and make sure everyone in the family gets to see and do what they want. You can do this here. Not sure if that’s for you? Here’s a breakdown of what each of the parks has to offer:
Discovery Cove – An immersive, experience-based resort where guests can swim with fevers of stingrays and schools of tropical fish. There are also many upgrades you can purchase. These upgrades range from swimming with dolphins to enjoying premium alcoholic drinks.
Aquatica – More than just SeaWorld’s water park, folks of all ages have something to do! Thrill seekers can go on the rides and slides, while chill seekers can relax in the shade. There are a variety of shows, and the park stays in the immersive aquarium motif SeaWorld has mastered.
SeaWorld – A wonderful mix of theme park and aquarium, SeaWorld Orlando has welcomed guests for nearly 50 years. In addition to focusing on conservation and rescue efforts, SeaWorld also now boasts six roller coasters and two water rides. SeaWorld Orlando was voted #1 Theme Park in the USA Today 10Best Awards, with one of its flagship rides, Mako, receiving the same accolade in Best Roller Coaster. If you’ve got little ones, be sure to take them to Sesame Street Land before going over to the Orca Encounter show!
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – In the same way that SeaWorld blurs the line between theme park and aquarium, Busch Gardens leaves people wondering if they’re at an exceptional theme park or world-class zoo. The answer? Why not both? With some of the most intense roller coasters in Central Florida, Busch Gardens is a popular destination for people looking to have a great time riding rides and watching Cheetahs run!
Where should I stay?
SeaWorld Orlando has a number of hotel options. We recommend staying at Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld or Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando at SeaWorld. The Renaissance is a family-oriented hotel, offering amenities such as a full spa, two pools, and (separate) water play areas appropriate for toddlers and teenagers. If you’re looking to stay as close to SeaWorld as possible, Fairfield Inn & Suites is where you want to stay. This hotel offers a free breakfast buffet and a Shamu pool. A stay at any of these locations will put you in the heart of Orlando action, just a few short miles of SeaWorld, Universal Orlando Resort, and Walt Disney World.
How to save on Howl O Scream Orlando tickets
Like what you see? We don’t blame you. We can help you save on your Howl-O-Scream (or other) tickets here!