Running select evenings now through October 31, Howl-O-Scream Orlando has returned! With five haunted houses, seven scare zones, and three live shows; this event is back with more scares, more entertainment, and more spooky fun than ever before. We had the awesome opportunity to attend Friday’s opening night celebration, and we can’t wait to share all the terrifying attractions waiting for you beyond the gates.
Before we dive in, I want to say a big THANK YOU to SeaWorld for inviting us to their opening night media event. We had such a great time exploring all the new and returning nightmares at Howl-O-Scream Orlando 2022!
© Howl-O-Scream Orlando
Haunted Houses
Howl-O-Scream Orlando 2022 includes a total of five horrifying haunted houses with drastically different stories and characters. Within these five attractions, two houses are completely new to the event and another is reimagined with new scenes and scares!
*All italicized haunted house descriptions are from the Howl-O-Scream website.*
NEW in 2022! Siren of the Seas
This ship sure doesn’t look like the pictures. Where’s the sparkling pool and the to-die-for buffet? No, there are terrible things on deck here. Every crumbling gangway and decaying stateroom is crawling with restless souls. Maybe those wild siren stories were true after all. You better say “bon voyage” to your chances of making it back to port. But don’t worry, the crew will be right with you…everywhere you turn.
One of Howl-O-Scream’s brand new additions, Siren of the Seas takes guests through a cursed cruise ship. Traveling through a bug-infested buffet, creepy bridge, and wrecked guest services desk; this house was definitely one of my favorites. In the last scene, guests even exit through the propellors of the ship – which was so incredibly nightmarish! With spookily detailed scenery, a variety of special effects (like digital screens and puppets), and enthusiastic performers; you don’t want to miss Siren of the Seas!
NEW in 2022! Blood Beckoning
It’s time you learned that not all sirens are the same. Welcome to the underworld, where the abandoned and forgotten dwell in shadows. There’s no turning back now because she’s here, waiting for you. Her name is Scratch, and beauty is in her blood. You have just what she and her disciples need to sustain their allure. It’s racing through your veins right now. Stay sharp, or the next one scratched off the list will be you.
Blood Beckoning tells the story of Scratch – a seemingly land-based siren feeding on blood and chaos. Acting as Howl-O-Scream Orlando’s newest icon, Scratch’s rock and roll loving and carefree attitude permeate throughout the entire event – and Blood Beckoning is no exception. These actors are so much fun, creating personalized interactions with each guest and making smart remarks as they try to find their way through the maze. The attraction uses a variety of indoor and outdoor scenes, including a party-like finale that pumps up visitors for the rest of their terror-filled night!
Reimagined: Dead Vines – Root of All Evil
Something is stirring among the trees. A shiver runs down your spine as you creep forward, one timid step at a time. Is this jungle alive…or undead? There’s an ominous force at work here, a merciless mistress of ivy and evil. She’s poisoned these woods with an all-consuming appetite for visitors like you. Keep moving and find a way out before it’s too late. You don’t want to end up dead on the vine.
I loved last year’s iteration of Dead Vines, and this year’s reimagined version is even better! Including a mixture of familiar favorites and brand new scenery, this vine-covered and flower-filled house is simply breathtaking. Dead Vines also includes some of the most interesting and innovative costumes and scares in the park. Don’t skip this house. It is definitely worth the wait.
Returning: Captain’s Revenge – Drowned in Darkness
Lilting melodies and whispers of untold fortune lured you aboard. Now those haunting echoes have been drowned out by howling winds and crashing waves. You may just find yourself a permanent part of this crew, driven mad by cursed treasure and doomed to face the fury of the sea. Darkness is here, and she’s not letting you violate her waters and escape to shore. Make no mistake: Your ship has not come in.
Returning from last year’s inaugural event, Captain’s Revenge – Drowned in Darkness is a traditional pirate house filled with glittering treasure, desolate jail cells, and a sinister crew of swashbuckling marauders. A great fit for SeaWorld’s watery atmosphere, the house features one of the creepiest facades of the event – letting guests board a tilted pirate ship from the backside.
Pro-Tip: This house is very dark, so it’s important to let your eyes adjust before entering the attraction. If you must experience this house during the daytime, make sure to wear sunglasses until the very last moment so you can take in all the spooky scenery!
Returning: Beneath the Ice
In the icy wilderness above the Arctic Circle, a research facility was lost…buried under snow and cut off from the outside world. Something compelled you to join the rescue party, but doubt is creeping in. Was that laughter, or the wind? That shiver you feel isn’t just from the cold. These chambers aren’t just frozen tombs. They’re pulsing with unspeakable horrors, and you’ll have to stay frosty and alert to survive.
Beneath the Ice is a chilling voyage to a buried research base. Trapped under the snow and ice for way too long, the survivors have lost track of their reality and their humanity!
Also returning from last year’s inaugural fear, I very much enjoyed this house! The strategic lighting design really makes you feel like this base station has been buried under the snow, with very little natural light able to reach its inhabitants. And the actors are all incredibly talented, effectively communicating their character’s desperation and isolation. If you didn’t get a chance to visit Beneath the Ice during last year’s event, make sure to see it now!
Scare Zones
But Howl-O-Scream’s haunted houses aren’t the only way to get in a few scares. Around the park you’ll find seven defined “zones,” each telling a different horrifying tale. With such a wide range of stories and characters, there is a scare zone to satisfy every horror palate!
*All italicized scare zone descriptions are from the Howl-O-Scream website.*
NEW for 2022! Sea of Fear
The growing dread couldn’t keep you from being lured here. You’ve finally reached their gathering place…the portal to all the terrors you’ve only heard whispers of. They’re already here, lurking in the shadows and crevices, ready to bring you into the fold. It’s time to dip your toe in the water. Just don’t expect a friendly welcome.
The first zone you’ll encounter when you enter the park, Sea of Fear is a great introduction to the sirens, the scares, and the scintillating fun that awaits you inside! There’s a variety of performers here including stilt walkers, dancers, and even a few sliders.
New for 2022! Cargo Carnage
This is no ordinary shipping delay. There’s a much more sinister presence lurking in and around these crates, ready to swoop in at any moment. They’re out for blood, and you’re just the supplier they’ve been waiting for. Do your best to make it through unscathed. Just remember, you can’t spell “freight” without fright.
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from this zone. I love blood-thirsty creatures, but I didn’t understand why they would be gathered around shipping crates. In reality, however, the combination of complex characters and simple setting worked well and produced a satisfyingly creepy Halloween vibe. Because of its location, guests will likely travel through this zone on their way to the Blood Beckoning house, and it is the perfect set up!
New for 2022! Terrors of the Deep
There’s something different here…a presence, ancient and foreboding. Perhaps the lost city wasn’t all peace and prosperity. Why does that statue look so terrified? Things are moving all around you, as though long-captive creatures have finally escaped their watery prison. The legends are true. The curse is real. Will you survive to tell the tale?
Loosely based on both the current Journey to Atlantis water coaster and the defunct Terrors of the Deep aquarium, this zone was one of my favorites! Leaning hard into SeaWorld’s aquatic themes, Terrors of the Deep includes visions of the lost city and roaming mutant sea creatures. I LOVE IT!!
Side note: While I have not been able to confirm this, I am 99.99999% sure that the music used in this zone is the exact same score as the old Terrors of the Deep aquarium. Be still, my 90’s child heart!
Reimagined: Cut Throat Cove
This is it…the site of that horrific shipwreck. Those marauding pirates were too arrogant to see their downfall coming, and now they’re doomed to wander through a sea of gruesome reminders. Their souls are restless, and their anger is real. They’ll never stop seeking revenge on those who’ve escaped their ghostly fate. Steer clear—if you can.
A returning zone with a new location, Cut Throat Cove drops guests in the middle of a forgotten pirate crew. Skilled in improvisation and personalized interactions, these actors are ready to tell their cursed story. And the added benefit of a few large set pieces and interesting sound design gives this zone a super creepy atmosphere!
Returning: Frozen Terror – Alive in the Ice
You might think you’re a safe distance from the snow-entombed research facility, but you’re not free from the frozen horrors. This inhospitable Arctic wasteland is swarming with icy, subhuman walkers. They may have pickaxes and shovels, but they’re not here to help dig for survivors. They’re here to turn you into one of them.
Located just outside the Beneath the Ice haunted house, Frozen Terror is a beautiful addition to Howl-O-Scream’s offerings. Featuring several surprisingly gory set pieces and characters with sparking shovels, this zone has a uniquely terrifying vibe that I absolutely adore. It’s way more graphic and disgusting than the other scare zones, so be prepared!
Returning: Deadly Ambush
The year is 1961. You’ve wandered into a quaint campground, nestled in nature. It might sound like a dream, but a new nightmare has just begun here. What’s happened to the campers? Creatures are emerging from the darkness. There’s nowhere to hide, and no park ranger to rescue you. Get back to civilization now, before it’s too late.
Deadly Ambush is one of my favorite zones…EVER! On top of the campy vibe and incredible design, every single actor is playing a specific character with a unique personality, backstory, and role within the overall theme of the zone. Performers will engage passing guests and each other in complex conversations and small vignettes, demonstrating the tale of this doomed campground. It’s a level of personalized interaction that you don’t always see at a haunted event, and I LOVE IT!
Besides talented performers, this zone features some of the best set pieces in the park – including bloody tents, camping gear, and a FULL RV! It’s an awesome zone, and I am so glad to see it return this year.
Returning: Witchcraft Bayou
The cult is growing, and the lure is powerful. It’s hazardous to pass through this backwater bayou, but there’s no way around. Voodoo and witchcraft aren’t real, right? Tell that to the zealous worshippers trying to shackle you with their spells. They won’t rest until your soul belongs to her too. Stay alert, or the dark magic will drag you down.
Also returning from last year’s event, Witchcraft Bayou features some of the most beautiful costumes in the entire park. Watch out as the sun sets! This zone gets very, very dark – upping scares and the overall creep factor.
Live Shows
If five haunted houses and seven scare zones aren’t enough for your spooky heart, check out Howl-O-Scream Orlando’s live shows! Each one offers a unique style and setting:
*All italicized show descriptions are from the Howl-O-Scream website.*
Siren’s Song
Who’s behind all these ominous occurrences? Here’s your chance to find out…if you have the courage to face her, and all the others she’s summoned to help her carry out the carnage. Prepare for special effects, hypnotic dancing, and spine-chilling savagery in this outdoor spectacle. This is the story of the sirens, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
My favorite of the three shows, Siren’s Song is a short, outdoor performance explaining the event’s lore and legends. While the concept is returning from the previous event, this year’s show features a special appearance from Howl-O-Scream Icon Scratch!
Monster Stomp
In the misty corners of Victorian-era London, a fiend known only as Jack the Ripper walks the streets. Watch him take the stage in a way you’ve never seen before in this modern rock and rhythm spectacular. Hold onto your seat as electrifying percussion, dancing, and singing combine for a show that’s as darkly entertaining as it is exhilarating.
Monster Stomp is an indoor, Broadway-style performance taking place inside the Nautilus Theater. If you’re interested in seeing this production, make sure you arrive early to grab the best seat!
Lurking in the Depths: An Adventurer’s Tale
You’ve studied the clues. You’ve heard the haunting song. You’ve seen the terrors emerging. Now get a firsthand account from Sam “Hud” Hudson, the famed explorer and siren hunter who’s been on the trail all along. What hysterical moments will surface? How does he face down the horrors? You never know where an adventurer’s tale might lead.
An outdoor comedy show, Lurking in the Depths: An Adventurer’s Tale features plenty of theme park and Orlando specific jokes – making it even more fun for residents and enthusiasts. Seating will fill up, so grab your spot early!
Special Lanyards
Looking to increase or decrease your scares? Howl-O-Scream actually offers two drastically different lanyards that will affect your overall experience at the event. Let’s take a look:
No Boo Necklace
If you’re a little nervous or more sensitive to jump scares, purchase a No Boo Necklace for a bit of extra protection. Wearing one of these lanyards will tell zone characters not to scare you (though some startles may be unavoidable). Please know, however, that these accessories will only work in the zones. They cannot be worn inside the haunted houses!
Skull Fog Lanyard
But for those that want to enhance their spooky experience, try the Skull Fog Lanyard. This necklace uses RFID to interact with the scare zones in real time! Depending on where you are inside the park, the skull will change color, emit fog (Yes, FOG!), or even turn itself off when you enter a haunted house.
We got to play with one of these Skull Fog Lanyards, and it was SO COOL! I loved watching the colors change to match the scare zone and having my own, portable fog machine is a horror nerd’s dream come true!
Merchandise
Lastly, Howl-O-Scream Orlando does feature a selection of themed merchandise. Visit one of the many gift shops around the park to peruse the specialty apparel, accessories, and home goods.
Freaky Thoughts: Howl-O-Scream Orlando
Howl-O-Scream Orlando offers a full evening of spooky entertainment with five vastly different haunted houses, seven unique scare zones, and a selection of live shows. With such a huge volume of attractions as well as a variety of stories and themes, there is something to satisfy every kind of horror fan!
While not every house is for every person, I particularly enjoyed Blood Beckoning, Siren of the Seas and Dead Vines. Each of these haunts included detailed scenery, energetic scaractors, and special effects. And as someone who loves the ocean and ocean-themed stories, the Terrors of the Deep scare zone was right up my alley – especially Eel Man!
Thank you again, Howl-O-Scream Orlando for inviting Orlando Decoded to your opening night media event. We were so thrilled to welcome Scratch and the rest of the sirens to the 2022 haunt season!
Know Before You Go
- Howl-O-Scream guests will not enter through the SeaWorld main gates. Instead, fear seekers will use the Ports of Call entrance.
- Bags larger than 8” x 5” will not be allowed through the Howl-O-Scream entrance. Make sure to leave larger bags and valuables at home or in your car.
- Want to make sure you see all the houses? Consider purchasing a Front Line Fear pass or VIP Tour. You can find specific details and pricing on the event website.
- Sensitive guests can purchase a No Boo Necklace to avoid startle scares in the zones.
- Need a break from the scares? Experience some of SeaWorld’s most popular attractions – in the dark! Manta, Mako, Infinity Falls, and Ice Breaker are open during the Howl-O-Scream event.
Howl-O-Scream Orlando runs select evenings now through October 31! Visit the website now to book your tickets, plan your visit, and learn more about all the spooky goodness!
