Well, we did Howl O Scream last night and had a GREAT experience. There was a LOT of confusion before and at the start of the event.....many employees were woefully unprepared for guest questions.....but we expected that on the first night of their first year. We were in the park during the day and did not enter through the HOS entry point, which proved to be a bit of an issue as no one seemed to know how they should get us from the Sharks holding area to the completely opposite side of the park in time for the 7 pm tour start. Our guide actually ended up coming to find us behind Bayside stadium when we couldn't find our way to the Sirens Bar. Once that initial confusion was dealt with, the rest of the night was awesome.
The VIP Terror Tour was EXCELLENT. We had two great guides and both were a ton of fun. The tour provided each of us with 4 drinks (can all be alcoholic if you want, which is a value up to $12.99 plus tax and gratuity per drink), complimentary packaged snacks (cookies, chips, rice Kristie treats, etc) at each bar stop, a light up souvenir glass, and the opportunity to hit the scare button at wild arctic (which normally you have to pay for). The tour took is to the front of the line at all 4 houses, gave us reserved seating at Monster Stomp (that show eas INCREDIBLE!), took us through each of the scare zones more than once, gave us front of the line privileges on Mako, and allowed us a wonderful reserved seating area at each bar. The guides informed us that they were not permitted to accept gratuities, but they absolutely deserved them. Our tour was about 5 hours long and gave us the opportunity to repeat houses as we wanted to, and also gave us access to a bonus room in waters edge inn.
Crowds seemed like so a tour was not likely "needed" but we enjoyed wrapping up our trip with the VIP treatment. I will share some pics as I can. Currently sitting at Outback Steakhouse at the airport waiting for boarding. I will try to get some uploaded as I can. Feel free to ask any questions.