Central
Florida's theme parks are always ready to celebrate a
holiday, and Halloween is right up their alley. They have
it all for visitors: spooky haunted houses; gruesome goblins,
ghosts and other other-worldly characters, scare zones
seemingly without end, and in one case, even coasters
in the inky darkness of night. Some parks present nightmarish
events sure to scare the bravest visitors; others feature
family-friendly festivities that are fun for all ages.
Here's what's on tap.
Universal Orlando- Universal Orlando
is set for the most petrifying ever Halloween Horror Nights
in its history -an event which is definitely not for the
faint of heart. In its 16th year, Halloween Horror Nights,
is outdoing itself this fall with chilling new haunted
houses to spook even the most intrepid guests; more intense,
skin-crawling, scare zones; scores of "scare actors"
roaming around, and themed shows which are sure to chill
and petrify.
"My teenage son came and had a great time,"
said Mayra Diaz of Orlando, a Halloween Horror Nights
attendee last year, “so I thought I'd try it, but
I think it's going to give me nightmares."
Halloween Horror Nights will be presented 19 times beginning
Sept. 29-30 and continuing though Oct. 6-8, 11-15, 19-22,
26-29 and 31. It is too intense for youngsters, and guests
in costumes are not admitted. Admission is $59.95. Gory
Getaway Vacation Packages including admission and hotel
start at $109 per adult, based on double occupancy.
For information on Halloween Horror Nights and tickets
and for additional details on packages, call 1-877-284-4679
or visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
- A family-friendly event at the Magic Kingdom of Walt
Disney World in Orlando, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween
Party is bigger than ever this year, with 18 party nights
and an expanded "Boo To You Halloween Parade"
during which Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie,
Donald, Pluto and Goofy can be seen in costume down Main
Street.
The party also features the bewitching "Happy HalloWishes"
fireworks spectacular and the most popular Magic Kingdom
attractions, including the park's legendary Haunted Mansion,
are open. A special treat for guests who have not been
to the Magic Kingdom since spring: the newly enhanced
Pirates of the Caribbean attraction re-opened this summer
with Captain Jack Sparrow -of the Pirates of the Caribbean
movies fame-joining the crew of buccaneers in the ride.
Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the Magic Kingdom attractions
that will be open during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween
Party evenings.
Visitors are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat
during the event. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
is featured on Oct. 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 23,
24, 26, 27, 30, 31.
Tickets are $42.95 (ages 10 and up) and $35.95 (ages 3-9).
Advance purchase savings of $6 per ticket are available
for dates through Oct. 26 (not available for Oct. 27,
30 and 31).
For details, visit www.Disneyworld.com/halloween.online
or call 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639).
Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay - Howl-O-Scream,
an intense fright fest now in its seventh season, is presented
on 16 select nights at Busch gardens. This must-see event
turns the park into a macabre maze with a nightmarish
mix of favorite frights including six haunted houses,
five scare zones, two twisted shows and bone-chilling
coasters in the dark -to ensure the screams keep going
all night long.
Leave your costume at home or you will not be admitted.
The event is too intense for young children. Dates for
Howl-O-Scream are Oct. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21,
22, 26, 27, 28, 29.
General admission is $57.95. A Freaky Preview is featured
on Sept. 29-30 for $30 in advance or $41.95 the night
of the event. For information, visit www.buschgardens.com
or call 1-888-800-5447.
Sea World, Orlando - Halloween meets
the sea with friendly flamingoes, mermaids, schools of
pumpkin fish and other costumed characters haunting the
park during Sea World's Halloween Spooktacular, an event
suitable for the whole family.
This year, Halloween Spooktacular has a new theme -it's
a "FantaSea" where kids can walk among sea witches
and other fanciful creatures. If you like, dress in costume,
as there is trick-or-treating treasure troves with treats
galore throughout the park. SeaWorld's otters and sea
lions present Halloween-themed shows.
Be sure to catch special performances by Hi-5, Laurie
Berkner and Laughing Pizza at the Bayside Stadium. Hi-5
performs on Oct. 7, 13, 14, 21, 22, 28, 29 and 31. Laurie
Berkner and Laughing Pizza perform on Oct. 15.
Sea World's Spooktacular is presented on Oct. 7-8, 13-15,
21-22, 28-29 and 31. It is included in park general admission
($61.95 for adults, $49.95 for children ages 3-9). Park
hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Spooky Spectacular Family Sleep-Over programs (during
which you find your final resting place in the park's
Shark Encounter, where those terrors of the deep lurk)
are featured on Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28. Cost is $75 per
person; $107 including park admission. Call 800-406-2244.
The Sleep-Over programs include a pizza snack, continental
breakfast and activities. For information on Sea World,
visit www.SeaWorld.com.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park - What
are you afraid of? They know exactly what it is at this
park in Winter Haven. So get ready to face your fears
every night, during Phobia, Cypress Gardens' Halloween
event. Among the attractions are haunted houses, the Black
Forest and scare zones that pop up around the park. During
this scare fest, you will encounter spiders, snakes, monsters,
ghosts, clowns, heights, darkness and more -you name it,
they've got it.
For the younger set, there are Friendly Frights including
a Boo House and fun activities. Phobia is presented from
Sept. 29 to Oct. 31 and is included in park admission
($39.95 for adults, $34.95 for children). For information,
call 863-324-2111 or visit www.cypressgardens.com.
