The third edition of SeaWorld San Diego’s Howl-O-Scream will have fewer houses and a shorter calendar, but will include 3D elements in one of its haunted houses.
Circus of the Damned was first featured as one of last year’s Halloween haunts. For 2023, SeaWorld says guests will have to “navigate lifelike 3D elements to escape the ringmaster and his condemned crew.”
Three other houses are returning this year: Nightmare Experiment, Death Water Bayou and Area 64: Alien Outbreak. The total house count will be reduced by one compared to the 2022 event, with Simon’s Slaughterhouse being cut from the lineup.
The murderous Simon will be featured in Simon’s Meat Market, a new scare zone at Howl-O-Scream. Four other scare zones are returning for 2023: Deadly Toys, The Graveyard, Sea of Souls, and Carnival of Chaos.
Along with the haunts and scare zones, the event will feature night rides on three of the park’s roller coasters: Emperor, Electric Eel and the new-for-2023 Arctic Rescue. You’ll also find themed cocktail bars around the park, such as the AmBARlance.
AmBARlance at the 2021 edition of Howl-O-Scream (Theme Park Tribune)
Howl-O-Scream 2023 will take over SeaWorld San Diego on select nights from Sept. 29 through Halloween – opening nearly two weeks later than it did last year. The event requires separate tickets than those used to attend the park during the day and is not intended for children.