[Haunts] SeaWorld San Antonio's Howl-O-Scream Takes a Twisted Turn into the Dark Side of the Gardens for 2017

Another haunt that I haven't talked much about in the past couple of years, but that's because there wasn't a lot that was new. This year? Well, it seems that the folks at SeaWorld San Antonio are bring a little something different to the table in 2017. At least it's something new for them...

What am I on about? Well, it seems that, as the headline states, the Dark Side of the Gardens maze is making an appearance for 2017's Howl-O-Scream. I have a weird love/hate kind of relationship with this one as my only real experience of it was for a couple of years at Busch Gardens Williamsburg where after the first year, things went downhill fairly quickly for the concept.

Here's the official word on Dark Side of the Gardens from SeaWorld directly;

Dark Side of the Gardens features Ivy, the Lady of the Garden, and the ultra-creepy place where she resides, said Sharon Aguillen, SeaWorld San Antonio’s vice president of entertainment. “Guests can take a deadly detour by upgrading to an extended VIP experience in an exclusive area inside the Gardens’ maze,” Aguillen said.

“Creatures have entered the gardens, and they’re everywhere – behind you, above you – waiting to pull you in where it’s dark and deep,” she said. 

“The gardens are alive, but dead inside. It’s a twisted combination of beautiful flowers, lush landscaping and severed body parts. You never know what you’ll find. Or, what will find you. It’s a distorted landscape populated with living nightmares. And, the farther you go in, the darker it gets.”

So, there's the official rundown, and if done properly? This really is an amazing concept and experience. However, in the past it's been something that was referred to as "Home Depot Home and Garden Center" in the past. That sounds harsh, but it's not something I came up with, it's what the general public did and it really was fitting as after the first year, things really went down hill with the idea at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.

That said, I am looking forward to hopefully getting the chance to see this, along with the other mazes at this year's event. Fingers crossed for that one and I hope that they do surprise the living crap out of me with things and hope that maybe the reception of Unearthed: Scarlett's Revenge has taught the theme park chain a thing or two on what to do.

However, that's not all for new things at this year's Howl-O-Scream. In addition to the new maze, there's also two new bar experiences coming into the fold.The first being Z Bar, a zombie apocalypse styled joint, and what seems to be similar to Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Inoculation Station. After all, who doesn't like a nurse or two making sure your liquid courage checks out, right? I still want to check out Blood Thirsty as well, because that bar has had me curious for the past 3 years!

Again, I'm hoping to get the chance to visit this year's Howl-O-Scream, and complete the trifecta of the event as we have covered the Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Tampa locations in the past. Just when will be going? Not sure yet, but stay tuned for that information and more.

Until then, SeaWorld San Antonio kicks off Howl-O-Scream 2017 on Sept 29th and runs on select nights until October 29th. For more information and to get tickets, head on over to their official website.

Until next time,

Sweet Screams and Pleasant Nightmares!