San Diego SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream has returned, running select nights now through October 31. Dodging a sophomore slump, the creative team behind shrewdly learned from last year’s inaugural effort to bring an overall improved event that is leaner, more polished, and plain fun. Howl-O-Scream has a more compact footprint this year and offers more scares per square inch with two “ScAreas”, six Scare Zones, one show, and five haunted houses.

Scare Zones

The six scare zones cover the gambit of Halloween staples from clowns to graveyards along with a few clever surprises.

Clown Gauntlet

At the entrance to Howl-O-Scream we have a clown scare zone. It seems now that if you don’t have an evil clown at your haunt, it’s not Halloween. There were the familiar inflatable cobra and clown with a maurauding crew of grinning monsters lurking.  This is also where the beautiful light tunnel is.  Make sure to pass thorugh here.

Deadly Toys

The scare zone that impressed us the most this year was Deadly Toys.  From the talent to the inventive set pieces this area was alive with frights. In particular the actor playing the doll in the hoop skirt was particulalry effective as she glided here and there attempting to lure guests to there doom. There was also an impressive doll house display that we took some time to study. Super creepy stuff. Very well done.

The Hauntings

This scare zone was fine as we passed through, with the actors working hard to terrify, but I was honestly a little foggy on what was going on here. Regardless, these people were working to build a vibe of dread and they did it well.

Scares by Jerome Robbins. You theatre geeks will get the joke.

La Llorona

Based on the wonderfully macabre legend, the La Llorona scare zone features strong talent. I am still puzzled by the use of strollers and babies here though as the character is supposed to be looking for her children that she drwoned. Rich on talent and atmosphere regardless of whether or not it makes sense.

The Graveyard

Ah, the Graveyard. Passing by Electric Eel, we come across a hill littered in tombstones, awash in blue light. Reapers roam with their scythes as fog drifts in the air. Meanwhile we pass through a mausoleum, and the undead dart and lunge around us. Good work here.

Sea of Souls

Sea of Souls is another great scare zone. This is easily some of the best talent at the event, with their engaging banter andswashbuckling charms.

ScAreAs

This year Howl-O-Scream features two places that are being reffered to as “ScAreAs”. We aren’t entirely sure what the difference is between this and a scare zone, but it really doesn’t matter as these were both a lot of fun!

Carnival of Chaos

This sprawling, high-energy spot in the park was a lot of fun. Less SCARY and more of a party, Carnival of Chaos featured some amazing actors that relentlessly interacted with the crowds in this busy section at the front of the park. There is a bar here serving drinks and a stage where a littany of acts perform on the stage.

Make sure to catch the brilliant Mudd the Magnificent. He was a hoot and a great addition to the event.

Vampire Underground

The next ScAreA is Vampire Underground. Here vampires parade about attempting to convinces passersby to get entangled with their group of bloodsucking freaks. The gentleman below was a standout as he was non-stop and very good with his character. Good work by all here.

Show

Abandoning the well received Vampire Circus from last year we are treated to the sultry Darkness Falls dance show. Here  we are treated to a gothic tale told through purcussion, technology, and dance. The effort was apparent here as the large cast brought an intensity that elevated the show. There are things that worked here, and things that didn’t but overall, this is time well spent taking a break from the barrage of monsters outside the theatre.

Darkness Falls

Haunted Houses

Now we get to the haunted houses. As stated at the beginning, everything has improved and that includes the haunted houses. Form three houses last year, we now have five walkthoughs to enjoy. It seems that more work was put into the sets, and more importantly, the talent. You could tell that there was a fair amount of training and character work afforded the actors and it all paid off.

Circus of the Damned

At the front of the park we have Circus of the Damned. Yes, a demented circus. While we have seen this countless times, there are some interesting things that they did that sets this apart. First off, the overall use of blacklight was fun and freaky. Next, the characters were all very different as they welcomed us into their twisted ranks. From the barker out front to the fortune teller inside, all were delivering fun and whacky characters.

Nightmare Experiment

Another staple of haunts, we have the asylum in Nightmare Experiment. Improving from last year’s version this edition is off in a new location and the reconfiguration works well. The talent in this maze was also great and, again, the character work was apparent.

Simon’s Screamatorium

Returning-ish this year is Simon’s Screamatorium. New name, same cannibalistic butcher theme. Once again, the scares here were tighter and the characters strong as we navigated our way through a nightmarish maze of blood and mayhem.

Deathwater Bayou

What I think is the best overall house, we consider Deathwater Bayou. Talent, sets, sound, and lighting are all a step up from last year and in the new location, this is a great haunted house. We make our way through the underbelly of New Orleans and into the bayou where we encounter a voodoo priestess and her minions. Not gonna lie, my favorite touch was the voodoo doll. What a great costume.

Area 64: Alien Breakout

The new Alien 64: Breakout house was a great high-energy house. Here we are trespassing through a secret government facility as the aliens that have been kept secret for so long are finally escaping. We are constantly told to get out of the danger zone, that we don’t belong there. Making our way through the nightmare we encounter scientists, military, and aliens. If extra terestrials terrify you, this is gonna be the one you want to hit.

SeaWorld San Diego’s second year of Howl-O-Scream is good. It is clear that they took notes from last year, leaned into what worked, cut what didn’t, and worked their fishtails off. This is also an extremely affordable haunt to experience and will be giving everything else in San Diego a run for their money.

Jump in. The scares are fine.