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Halloween In Orlando

Halloween is a season in its own right in the theme parks and features some of the most imaginative (if not downright scary) attractions and special events. Disney serve up their own family-fun celebration, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, but Universal Orlando really go to town with it, producing a positively blood-curdling series of special evenings in their parks under the title of Halloween Horror Nights. The Anheuser-Busch parks have gotten into the act with SeaWorld’s family-friendly Spooktacular and Busch Garden’s not-so-family-friendly (but fabulously wicked!) Howl-O-Scream.

By far the biggest fright-fest in Orlando is found at Universal Studios during Halloween Horror Nights. Here, for selected dates through late September and October (Thursdays through Sundays) leading up to October 31 itself and extending to the first weekend in November, Universal Orlando is transformed into a twisted, freakish nightmare after regular park closing. For a separate ticket fee, guests are scared rigid in a series of set-piece horror attractions, from Transylvanian Castles to spooky cornfields infested with chainsaw wielding maniacs. Each Scare Zone features macabre special effects and live actors, who usually lurk in dark corners and leap out with blood-curdling props when you least expect it. Their haunted houses are outstanding (if you enjoy having someone trying to scare the life out of you!), while most of the rides and shows are open late into the night, and there is a trademark Bill And Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure show, which takes the mickey out of all and sundry in raucous style. It is a superbly-staged special event (although definitely not recommended for young children; we suggest 16 and up) and we find it highly amusing, especially as it has no real comparison in European terms (but what that says about our sense of humour, we’re not quite sure!).

PRO SPOT: Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights usually go on sale about 2-3 months in advance and are available direct from Universal, either online (www.universalorlando.com) or by calling 888-467-7677. They sell out pretty quickly, though, so it is advisable to get in early – certainly well before you travel. Alcohol is freely on sale (and is not cheap) throughout the parks, and this occasionally leads to some rowdy behaviour late on. For best value, consider the Frequent Fear pass offered by Attraction Tickets Direct, giving you unlimited admission to Halloween Horror Nights during the course of your holiday (some nights excluded). Even better? Purchase the Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass and bypass the haunted house queues altogether.

Disney’s Halloween offering is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom, another after-hours event that requires a separate ticket on select dates from late September to October 31. Unlike the scare-athon at Universal, this is totally family-friendly fare, with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Co putting on their party best for a trick-or-treat festival featuring parades, shows, story-tellers and plenty of costumed characters. Highlights include Mickey’s Boo-To-You Parade, Happy Hallowishes Fireworks, Halloween Riverboat rides and the eerie makeover of Main Street USA which lends a superb ‘spooktacular’ appearance. There are also mask-making, face-painting and other activities for children, while most of the park’s rides are open until late. The fireworks are the most popular event, and people start staking out their spots in front of the Castle an hour in advance.

PRO SPOT: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is another event you need to book well in advance, on 407 934 7639. It includes free sweets for all guests. There is NO alcohol on sale in the Magic Kingdom.

Similarly, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular (on weekends in October) leans more towards the fun than the fiendish, with specially-themed shows of Pets Ahoy and Clyde & Seamore, fun for kids in Shamu’s ‘Halloween Harbor,’ trick-or-treating, games and crafts. The difference with the other parks is that there is no extra charge or ticket here, with SeaWorld merely providing the extra theming during normal park hours.

Down at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, they go full throttle toward the grisly side once again with Howl-O-Scream (on 16 select nights throughout October), a separately-ticketed evening event with a riot of nightmarish scenarios to brave and devilish characters waiting to surprise the unwary. Plus, the chance to try fab rides like Montu, Kumba and SheiKra in the dark! Don’t want to settle for standing in queues much of the night? Sign up for the VIP Fear Tour with front of the queue access to the haunted houses and rides and special seating at the shows. For more details (and tickets), look up www.howl-o-scream.com/tampa.

Cypress Garden attempts to scare guests witless by bringing them face-to-face with their deepest, darkest Phobia. Haunted houses and scare zones lure braver guests in while youngsters can avoid months of bad dreams by passing the scary parts and seeking out the gentler experience of Boo House with Friendly Frights and fun family-centered Halloween themed activities. All events are free with admission on Thursday-Sunday evenings from late September through 31 October.
Just want to take the kiddies Trick or Treating? Safe, free tricks and treats can be found at Downtown Disney from 5pm-9pm on 30 and 31 October. Be sure to dress up in your best Halloween attire!

Want to hear what other ATD members have to say about Orlando’s Halloween events? Check out our forums!