Howl-O-Scream (San Diego)

[Wesker69]

I didn’t even know who I was supposed to give the password to, so that ended up being a bust as well unfortunately.

Should've just done the old school method of getting a scareactor's attention. Instead of yelling "VAULT", just yell "______" (password) throughout the house until one reacts

 

[GAcoaster]

 

[Wesker69]

HOSSD is holding more scareactor auditions, so at least they are actively attempting to hire more.

 

[Thatguyoverwhere]

I went to HOS the other night and there definitely seemed to be more scareactors than previous years, both in the houses and in the scarezones. There also seemed to be more actors in general with the Monster Stomp show and the other "Vile Vignette" mini-shows. Even though there weren't any new houses this year, it felt like a very different event with a lot less dead space and noticeably more energy.

 

[Wesker69]

 

[Jerroddragon]

Glad for those who go

also kinda Funny last year this event was like one month and FF at six Flags was opening around this time and they switched

 

[Wishmaster]

Since HOS is opening earlier this year, I’m considering making the trip.

 

[Wesker69]

I'm glad we have HOS on this coast, but I really wish they'd ditch the clown/circus gimmick (even if they're vaguely "clown pirates").

Being right on the coast, I'm disappointed that San Diego didn't get the heavy deep sea, siren, pirates, etc themed content like Orlando.

It's my main nitpick..

 

[Wesker69]

http://https;//seaworld.com/san-diego/events/howl-o-scream/howl-o-scream-5k-run/

also... for those looking to scare..

CLICK HERE->>> Auditions

 

[Wishmaster]

10/4/25 Review

First list is the order I went in for the mazes. Second list is my ranking.

Circus of the Damned 3D Simon’s Slaughterhouse Alien 64: Alien Outbreak Deathwater Bayou: Awakening Nightmare Experiment: Sweet Dreamzzz

Simon’s Slaughterhouse Deathwater Bayou: Awakening Nightmare Experiment: Sweet Dreamzzz Circus of the Damned 3D Alien 64: Alien Outbreak

I didn’t have high expectations for my second trip to Howl-O-Scream but damn this is a bottom tier event. The scare actors are trying their best but there’s a lot of flaws to overcome. For example, Alien 64 barely had any actors and the rooms felt stale. The lines were the worst part of the event. The general admission lines were long in the front especially at COTD 3D. I waited 90 mins to enter the maze.

For improvement, the mazes need facades. It looks really basic enter majority of the mazes. Also, they need yo utilize themes based on Seaworld and borrow more ideas from Orlando. The food is also an issue. The main places to buy food are CLOSED. I want to grab food from Calypso Bay Smokehouse but of course it wasn’t open. This is where HHN/KSF thrives when it comes to food because they have their restaurants open.

If you live in LA, just go to the mainstream or independent haunt events. If you live in SD, just hit up an independent attraction like Balboa Park Haunted Trail.

 

[Jerroddragon]

10/4/25 Review

First list is the order I went in for the mazes. Second list is my ranking.

Circus of the Damned 3D Simon’s Slaughterhouse Alien 64: Alien Outbreak Deathwater Bayou: Awakening Nightmare Experiment: Sweet Dreamzzz

Simon’s Slaughterhouse Deathwater Bayou: Awakening Nightmare Experiment: Sweet Dreamzzz Circus of the Damned 3D Alien 64: Alien Outbreak

I didn’t have high expectations for my second trip to Howl-O-Scream but damn this is a bottom tier event. The scare actors are trying their best but there’s a lot of flaws to overcome. For example, Alien 64 barely had any actors and the rooms felt stale. The lines were the worst part of the event. The general admission lines were long in the front especially at COTD 3D. I waited 90 mins to enter the maze.

For improvement, the mazes need facades. It looks really basic enter majority of the mazes. Also, they need yo utilize themes based on Seaworld and borrow more ideas from Orlando. The food is also an issue. The main places to buy food are CLOSED. I want to grab food from Calypso Bay Smokehouse but of course it wasn’t open. This is where HHN/KSF thrives when it comes to food because they have their restaurants open.

If you live in LA, just go to the mainstream or independent haunt events. If you live in SD, just hit up an independent attraction like Balboa Park Haunted Trail.

Agreed

Like would I come back sure but its not a need to drive from LA to SD unless you realllllly love Halloween

But I think Six Flags is a better event and many people would call Six flags meh...but I think its a better run event

 

[Freak]

I did HoS back when they first did it in 2021. It was a fun time and it was a good excuse to drive down to SD to check it out.

Four years later, and the event hasn’t changed much. They added a Circus 3D house (C’mon this isn’t 2006 anymore) and a an Alien house. Everything else has been literally the same.

If I was a SD local I would be kinda pissed this is the only theme park haunt they have. They really need to out some money into this event if they want people to take this seriously.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I did HoS back when they first did it in 2021. It was a fun time and it was a good excuse to drive down to SD to check it out.

Four years later, and the event hasn’t changed much. They added a Circus 3D house (C’mon this isn’t 2006 anymore) and a an Alien house. Everything else has been literally the same.

If I was a SD local I would be kinda pissed this is the only theme park haunt they have. They really need to out some money into this event if they want people to take this seriously.

I agree

I was thinking how lucky I am to have Six Flags and USH within an hour from me

Both season passes I've gotten insane values out of

I will say the Actors do there best and its cool most are down for photos unlike many haunts but they need to do more

Honestly while not Halloween themed (more day of the dead) If your down near SD Old Town is free and very much worth a visit for a few hours right now its pretty decorated at the restaurants and shops

 

[Wishmaster]

Agreed

Like would I come back sure but its not a need to drive from LA to SD unless you realllllly love Halloween

But I think Six Flags is a better event and many people would call Six flags meh...but I think its a better run event

FF is low tier but I can accept that. HOS is bottom tier and has no legit excuse for it to be.

 

[Jerroddragon]

FF is low tier but I can accept that. HOS is bottom tier and has no legit excuse for it to be.

I'm assuming the event can't get more money because they keep having to fix things at Sea World SD

Not giving them an excuse but from what I hear SD is the park they care about the least, which is ironic because without SD we would not have Sea World at all