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Last night I had the chance to experience Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando... The event is in its second year and builds upon the same formula that has been found at the other SeaWorld and Busch parks for years. This year's lineup features two "new" houses, one reimagined house and two returning, along with seven scare zones and four shows (one of which is an up-charge experience). Having just been to the parks two weeks earlier for the daytime offering of the Halloween Spooktacular, I was amazed to see that the vertical construction on Pipeline: The Surf Coaster had progress to new heights. The coaster's initial 110 foot tall banked turn the comes immediately after the coaster's launch is already nearly complete. At this pace, I'd expect that the coaster's track installation could be completed sometime between late November and early December. The new turn towers over any other park structures in the area. You can also see where the loading station, the train storage and transfer track will be, all running along the berm of the park by the parking lot. Time for some Halloween thrills... Howl-O-Scream's central hub is the education pavilion area normally used for SeaWorld camp, educational programs and field trips. It wouldn't be a Halloween event without fire and ghoulish dancers. Sliders roam this section of the park, so be on the lookout and don't be surprised if they spark a light upon the path in front of you. From the main hub you enter the park by Bayside Stadium. "Frozen Terror: Alive in the Ice" is the first scare zone to pass through. Halloween and chainsaws go hand in hand. Beneath the Ice: Terror at Base Camp Aura is a returning house from last year. The experience runs through the majority of the former entrance queue and loading station for the Wild Arctic simulator attraction. Pipeline can be seen from multiple angles in the park. Here you can see the launch track leading into the first turn. Over at Flamecraft Bar, this was going on... For some reason. The Waterfront is home to the Cut Throat Cove scare zone... Here there be pirates. Lost Souls Hideaway is a new Drag Cabaret show at Howl-O-Scream Orlando. It is a $10 up-charge to experience and reservations are required. Manta is among the lineup of park rides that operate during Howl-O-Scream. I couldn't really explain what happens in here if I tried... Some of the scare zones have scare actors haunting from above. Yes, they sell bug food here. No, I did not try any. Terrors of the Deep is a scare zone by Shark Encounter. Terrors of the Deep was the original name of the Shark Encounter exhibit, so this was a fun nod to that part of the park's history. Adult capri-sun pouches... If you've seen it at any of the other SeaWorld or Busch parks, you've seen it here. There's dancing. And stomping... And Jack does some Ripping. These knife drummers are easily the best part of the show. Over in Waterway Grill a temptress sings alluring tunes... All while an aerialist performs acrobats over guests' heads. Captain's Revenge: Drowned in Darkness returns this year to offer more pirate chills. Let me get one last look at you... Artsy... Sirens' Last Call Bar is easily the event's biggest themed bar space. They have ghoulish dancers... And lots of room for people. There's a dedicated shop in the main event hub. While a neat concept... Read the fine print before buying. And keep an eye out for sliders on your way out of the park!

Incredible news! Hey Carowinds if you need help hauling the world's-most-hated Christmas decoration to the dump, let me know.

2016 was the only year that the lighting was completely contracted out for HIP, Oak Island Creative was the company and they worked with Six Flags staff to install the first year, then in 2017 they just provided some minor guidance and since 2018, Six Flags has done all HIP decor setup in house.