The entire park seems more alive and scarier than ever before.  From the park website “The cursed have taken over… and that strange things start happening when you hear the haunting melody.”  Don’t Listen is the warning. If you do listen, they say you will be cursed.  How to lift the curse?  Survive the night of course!

The atmosphere is much more adult oriented and graphic in nature.  Parents really need to understand that most of the little ones will be terrified.  I’m in my mid 30s and I was a shivering mess by the end of the night.  All the décor around the park was more detailed and darker; Wendigo Woods especially.

New France has been changed into a Research Facility tucked away in the forests of Canada.  The Wendigo, or half-beast demonic creature known for Cannibalism was believed to be legend.  However, strange things are happening and terror is lurking all around!  The terror-tory is amazing and New France has never heard so many screams!

The Wedigo is hungry!

Demon Street in Aquitaine has pumped up the volume with a street party atmosphere, complete with chainsaw welding demons!  The bar serves up very potent signature alcoholic beverages that are sure to get the party started!

Let’s get this party started!

Vampire Point returns with more scare actors that hide through the twisting walkways in Rhinefeld Germany.  If you find yourself thirsty for something else besides blood, make sure to reserve your tickets for the ever fun Blood Banquet.  Count Vladtastic is back and the show has really increased in musical numbers and humor!  The show is outdoors so you do not have to purchase a ticket to enjoy the antics of Vlad and crew, but the food is to die for!  Tickets may be purchased at Guest Relations or online.

If you are feeling a bit naughty, head over to Ireland where the sexy nurses would love to give you a shot …. Of Vodka and Jello!  Just like Vampire Point, Ireland also has a ticketed dinner show.  Igor’s Fright Feast is also a buffet and features the character Igor, Swampy, and a team of naughty nurses.  The show is a classic pop music montage of fun and laughs.  The lighthearted humor is a perfect pairing to your dining experience.

We are Family!

Across the way at the Abby Stone Theater, Dr. Freakenstein is back at Fiends!  This year the show focuses on vocal and acting talent of the fabulous performers.  Dr. Freakenstein’s creature is not the only thing alive!  The show is memorizing with moments of hilarity.  The crowd is just as electrified as the creature.

Ports Of Skull is tucked away in San Marco Italy and is haunted by the tortured souls of undead pirates.  Only two have a sense of humor, the rest are the hunt for a new crewmember!  The pirate Barrrrgh and Crows Nest offer specialized food and drink with colorful characters to serve you your poison.  Enter if ye dare!

I saved Ripper Row for last.  It is the first and last terror-tory guests experience at the park.  The ripper is looking to find his next victim, so don’t get lost or it may end up being you!

Speaking of the Ripper, Monster Stomp is a live high-tech musical performance at the Globe Theater.  The show is fantastic!  It takes the classic version of Monster Stomp and multiplies the visuals by 100!  Imagine Monster Stomp meets Sweeny Todd.  It is more of a Broadway style production; the sets, music, dances, and rhythms are extremely well balanced and leave you thirsty for more.  Much like Sweeny Todd, the show is not for the lighthearted.  There will be blood.  Of course, the splatters are perfectly timed to haunting music!

If that isn’t enough, you still have the toe tapping Festhaus show called Night Beats.  Ulrich, along with his shadows of the night, entertain you with powerful vocals and dance.  The set itself has changed along with some of the musical arrangements, but the show is still as awesome as ever!  If you are like me, you will end up singing the musicall night long.  Even now, I am still singing:  “We‘re running with the shadows of the night. So baby take my hand, it’ll be all right. Surrender all your dreams to me tonight. They’ll come true in the end……”

The six haunted houses: Catacombs, Bitten, Cutthroat Cove, The Root of All Evil, Deadline, and the popular 13: Your Number’s Up have all returned to thrill guests.  I was able to go through Catacombs, Cutthroat Cove, 13 and Deadline.  All of them seemed more intense this year and I’m not sure who was entertained more, me or the people directly behind who witnessed my constant shrieking.

So there you have it.  Howl-O-Scream 2014 has begun scaring and entertaining guests once more!  The innocent sweet sounding tune playing around the park may be pleasing, but Don’t Listen. So will you survive or end up being cursed?

Have fun, stay scared, and don’t find yourself alone in the darkness!     

Special thanks to my friends at Behind the Thrills for allowing me to assist them with Media Coverage this year.  Make sure to follow them on Instagram, Face Book, and Twiiter for the latest news.  http://behindthethrills.com/

Info regarding Howl-Scream, hours, Ticket information, tours, and reservations; visit http://seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-williamsburg/howloscream/