SeaWorld Orlando has found an unlikely marketing win by leaning into BookTok's dark romantasy craze. This year's Howl-O-Scream event includes a scare zone called Just One More Chapter, where actors dressed as morally gray, romantasy-style bad boys interact with guests. The concept was dreamed up by art director Jessie Kinsey, who drew inspiration from viral TikTok books like Lights Out and Haunting Adeline.
The zone has generated significant online buzz, with influencer videos and mixed reactions on social media. Some critics have called the theme cringe or inappropriate, while others found it playful and even "sexy," as one anonymous content creator told WIRED. Kinsey says the threatening yet appealing nature of romantasy antiheroes fits a horror event, and she anticipated some controversy—but not the scale of the response.
The viral attention has translated directly into business gains. Kinsey reports that Howl-O-Scream has enjoyed its biggest month in the event's six-year history, with ticket sales surging. She acknowledged the potential for actor harassment but emphasized that safety measures and training are in place. For now, the gamble appears to have paid off, turning a theme park known for orcas into a destination for horny BookTok fans.