And 3 more worth checking out
Orlando is a tourist mecca. Which also makes it an incredible place to celebrate Halloween. The events are bigger and bolder. So we had a plethora of options to choose from in putting together this list of Orlando Halloween Events.
Halloween Horror Nights – Universal Studios Orlando
Few organizations can match the resources that Universal Studios throws at Halloween. And it shows. Year after year, Halloween Horror Nights draws crowds from all over the country. This Orlando Halloween Event offers a variety of terrifying experiences. This event transforms the theme park into a haunted wonderland, featuring multiple haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows.
Because of it’s popularity, guests often grumble about the long lines and enormous crowds. That’s what makes their express pass option such a game changer. Visitors told us that skipping the long lines helped them enjoy the experience so much more.
What are they doing for 2024
- Haunted Houses: Multiple themed haunted houses with intricate sets and terrifying actors.
- Scare Zones: Themed areas throughout the park where actors bring the horror to life.
- Live Shows: Various live performances featuring horror-themed entertainment.
- Rides and Attractions: Select rides and attractions remain open during the event, offering a unique nighttime experience.
- Food and Beverages: Seasonal treats and refreshments available on-site.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on date and time
- Express Pass: Available for an additional fee to skip the regular lines
- Frequent Fear Pass: Multiple night passes available for repeat visitors
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – Magic Kingdom
Just like Universal, Disney has all the polish and panache you’d expect for superior Halloween experience. It’s immersive. Everywhere you look in the park you find terrific ambience, that you would expect from a major Disney production.
And like a typical Disney park experience, there is no shortage of things to do. Guests told us that they loved the parade, fireworks, trick-or-treating, and character meet-and-greets. Many of those experiences are unique to the this annual Orlando Halloween Event.
2024 Season Highlights
- Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade: A special parade featuring Disney characters in Halloween costumes, themed floats, and spooky music.
- Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular: A live stage show featuring the Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” along with other Disney villains.
- Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular: A fireworks show with projections and special effects set to a Halloween-themed soundtrack.
- Trick-or-Treat Locations: Multiple spots throughout the park where guests can collect candy.
- Character Meet-and-Greets: Exclusive opportunities to meet Disney characters in their Halloween costumes.
- Themed Rides and Attractions: Select rides and attractions are given a Halloween twist, such as the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices vary based on date and time, typically starting around $109 for adults and $99 for children (ages 3-9)
- Annual Passholder Discounts: Available
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Howl-O-Scream – SeaWorld Orlando
As I said, Orlando has a lot of tourist attractions. SeaWorld gets top billing in other cities, but in Orlando it’s just another massive theme park. I think that’s why they choose to go after the thrillseekers for Halloween. Or as they call it, Howl-O-Scream.
SeaWorld’s event is designed for mature audiences. While it’s not the same level of intensity of some places we’ve reviewed, it’s much more intense that Mickey’s party across town. Of course that’s a two-edged sword, too. Some visitors shared with us that they thought it wasn’t scary enough!
2024 Main Attractions
- Haunted Houses: Four new haunted houses join returning favorites for a total of five houses, each with its own unique theme and scares.
- Scare Zones: Seven different scare zones where actors bring the horror to life.
- Themed Bars: Two new themed bars join three returning favorites, offering a variety of spooky cocktails and beverages.
- Live Shows: Various live performances featuring horror-themed entertainment.
- Rides and Attractions: Select rides and attractions remain open during the event, offering a unique nighttime experience.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $39.99 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- Front Line Fear Pass: Available for an additional fee to skip the regular lines
- Unlimited Scream Pass: Multiple night passes available for repeat visitors
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Happy Frights and Haunting Nights
Every year at the Harry P. Leu Gardens, they present a pair of Halloween events. Happy Frights is more for younger children. Haunting Nights caters to teens instead. The video below explains the differences between the two events.
To summarize:
Happy Frights
Happy Frights is an all-ages, family-friendly trick-or-treat adventure through 13 immersive worlds. This event is designed to be enjoyable for children and families, featuring:
- Trick-or-Treat Stations: Multiple spots throughout the gardens where children can collect candy.
- Themed Displays: Kid-friendly Halloween decorations and interactive elements.
- Costume Contests: Opportunities for children to showcase their Halloween costumes.
- Live Entertainment: Family-friendly performances and activities.
Haunting Nights
Haunting Nights is an exciting Halloween event with thrilling surprises throughout, recommended for ages 13 and up. This event features:
- Haunted Trails: Spooky paths with live actors and eerie decorations.
- Scare Zones: Themed areas where actors provide jump scares and other frights.
- Interactive Elements: Engaging activities that may cause your heart to race.
- Live Entertainment: Performances and shows designed to thrill and chill.
What sets apart both of these Orlando Halloween Events is the surroundings. Guests told us the beauty of the gardens themselves added to the ambiance of both events.
Ticket Prices
- Happy Frights: $15 for adults, $10 for children (ages 3-12)
- Haunting Nights: $25 for adults (recommended for ages 13 and up)
- Combo Tickets: Available for those who want to experience both events
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND
Bring the whole family out for Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. This family-friendly Halloween event offers a variety of themed activities. Among the ones that delight visitors most is the trick-or-treating. In addition, guests look forward to the live shows and exclusive LEGO® character meet-and-greets. This event transforms LEGOLAND into a Halloween wonderland, making it a must-visit for families with young children.
Built for 2024
- Trick-or-Treating: Collect candy at various themed stations throughout the park.
- Live Shows: Enjoy Halloween-themed shows, including the brand-new Monster Party and Monster SkyTacular aerial show.
- Exclusive LEGO® Characters: Meet and greet with unique LEGO® characters dressed up for Halloween.
- Interactive Dance Party: Join Lord Vampyre for a V.I.M. (Very Important Monster) Dance Party.
- Themed Rides: Experience your favorite rides with a spooky twist.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Included with day tickets, hotel packages, and select Annual Passes
- Special Offers: Discounts available when purchasing tickets online in advance
Scream-A-Geddon
Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City, Florida, is one of the premier Halloween horror parks in the state. This is the kind of event that makes the thrill-seekers scoff at the milder, more tourist-friendly fare. Scream-A-Geddon has multiple Haunted Houses. And several of them offer guests the opportunity to interact with the actors. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Scream-A-Geddon’s devious plans for 2024
- Haunted Houses: Six terrifying haunted house attractions, each with its own unique theme and scares.
- Monster Midway: A central area with food, beverages, games, and live entertainment.
- Interactive Haunted House: Features where guests can choose to interact with the actors for a more intense experience.
- Zombie Paintball Assault: A unique experience where visitors can shoot zombies with paintball guns.
- Scare Zones: Themed areas throughout the park where actors bring the horror to life.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $21.95 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- VIP Fast Pass: Available for an additional fee to skip the regular lines
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail in Plant City is known for its immersive storytelling and high-quality scares. That makes this event is a must-visit for horror enthusiasts. Guests told us that they enjoyed the different haunted trails, escape rooms and physical activities like laser tag and axe-throwing.
Likewise, that variety helps keep people engaged. Crowds can be massive on busy nights. And having so many options helps ensure visitors enjoy the experience.
Plans for 2024
- Haunted Trails: Three distinct haunted trails, each with its own unique theme and storyline.
- Escape Games: Interactive escape rooms that challenge visitors to solve puzzles and escape within a set time limit.
- Laser Tag: A thrilling laser tag arena with a horror twist.
- Common Area: Features food vendors, a gift shop, axe throwing, and a central area with wandering scare actors.
- Haunted Hayride: Added in 2023, this attraction offers a spooky ride through haunted scenes.
Ticket prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $25 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- Fast Pass: Available for an additional fee to skip the regular lines
- Combo Tickets: Available for those who want to experience multiple attractions
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
A Petrified Forest
One of the things I most respect about A Petrified Forest is that they do a full tear down at the end of the season. That means every year is a whole new experience. What’s more, the producers host special total eclipse nights. One those select evenings, guests have to find their way through completely in the dark.
Guests told us that they wish the parking was better. The producers run a “Terror Trolley” from the two designated lots down the street from the event. Some complained about the scares not being up to snuff. But other guests called it the highlight of their Halloween season.
Plans for 2024
- Haunted Trails: Multiple themed trails with intricate sets and terrifying actors.
- Backstage Tours: Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours that offer a glimpse into the making of the haunted trails.
- Laser Tag: An interactive laser tag experience with a horror twist.
- Special Event Nights: Including “Total Eclipse Nights” and other themed evenings.
- Live Entertainment: Various performances and shows to entertain guests while they wait for the trails.
Ticket Prices
- General Admission: Prices start at $15 (prices may vary based on date and time)
- VIP Pass: Available for an additional fee to skip the regular lines
- Group Discounts: Available for groups of 15 or more
Other Halloween Happenings in Orlando
Here are three more Halloween events in Central Florida that would be interesting for people who love Autumn and Halloween:
- Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins at Gatorland: This event offers a unique Halloween experience with themed shows, spooky encounters, and a gator-themed trick-or-treat trail. It’s perfect for families looking for a mix of fun and fright.
- The Haunted Road: This drive-thru Halloween experience combines live actors, special effects, and a chilling storyline to create a memorable and spooky event. It’s great for those looking for a socially-distanced Halloween adventure.
- Spooky Empire: Known as the ultimate Halloween convention, Spooky Empire features celebrity guests, horror-themed vendors, panels, and costume contests. It’s a must-visit for horror enthusiasts and Halloween lovers.
These events offer a variety of Halloween experiences, from family-friendly activities to terrifying haunted houses.
What are we missing?
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