Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins
LGBTQ-friendly city claims the title of Halloween Vacation Capital
JENNY BLOCK | Postcards From Jenny
JennyEBlock@icloud.com
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Affectionately known as the “Halloween Vacation Capital,” Orlando has a surprising number of Halloween happenings. And the city, as you likely know, is beyond LGBTQ-friendly. It’s more than inclusive. It’s downright inviting to everyone and anyone in our community.
From family-friendly frights to super scary sights, you’ll find Halloween-themed happenings all over Orlando from their theme parks to their bars. Here’s a sampling of what this city of scary has to offer during this ghoulish season.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Where: Walt Disney World Resort: Magic Kingdom Park
When: Select nights, Aug. 9-Oct. 31
What: Guests can enjoy Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular! at Cinderella Castle, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, Disney Junior Jam for young partygoers, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade, the Trick-or-Treat Trail and more. But buy your tickets soon. This amazing event sells out every year.
Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights
Where: Universal Studios Florida
When: Select nights, Aug. 30-Nov. 3
They have 10 outrageous haunted houses, including ones inspired by A Quiet Place and Insidious! Guests will also find five sinister scare zones, amazing live entertainment and, of course, some of Universal Studios’ most breath-stealing attractions.
Howl-O-Scream
Howl-O-Scream
Where: SeaWorld Orlando
When: Select nights, Sept. 6-Nov. 2
What: Brace yourself. At Howl-O-Scream you’ll encounter fully immersive fear with new fright-inducing haunted houses and scare zones, nighttime coaster rides, themed and interactive bars and live shows that will electrify you.
SeaWorld Spooktacular
Where: Sea World
When: Weekends, Aug. 31-Nov. 3
The kids get dressed up and the Halloween characters will giddy up to meet them! The family-friendly daytime event is included with regular theme park admission. Guests can enjoy the exclusive Sesame Street Halloween Parade, Scarecrow Halloween Dance Party and other themed activities.
Howl-O-Sprint
Where: Sea World
When: Sept. 13 at midnight
What: A new nighttime terror 5K. Navigate a spine-chilling course with eerie landscapes, haunted roller coasters and relentless characters. And it all culminates in a post-race celebration with treats and live entertainment until 2 a.m.
Brick or Treat Presents Monster Party
Brick or Treat Legoland
Where: LEGOLAND Florida Resort
When: Weekends, Sept. 14-Oct. 27
This signature Halloween event comes with your theme park admission. It features a trick-or-treat trail, live entertainment, exclusive LEGO characters and a cinematic experience. And don’t miss the brand-new Monster Skytacular drone aerial show illuminating the sky over Lake Eloise exclusively on Brick-or-Treat nights.
Vampirates: When the Blood Moon Rises
Where: Pirates Dinner Adventure
When: Select nights, Sept 3-Oct 31
What: This Halloween-themed dinner show is suitable for all ages and features aerial artistry, swordplay, death-defying stunts and dynamic duels. Family-friendly.
Screamin’ Green Hauntoween
Screamin green hauntoween zombie pumpkin scene
Where:Crayola Experience
When: Sept. 23-Oct. 31
What: Visitors can enjoy a themed scavenger hunt, spook-tastic crafts, character photo opps, weekend trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and slime making. Family-friendly.
Happy Frights
Where:Harry P. Leu Gardens
When: Select dates, Sept. 27-Oct. 31
What: This don’t miss trick-or-treat journey winds through 12 themed worlds with fun surprises, including a mysterious swamp, a Crazy Carnival, a Mad Hatter maze, hip-hop dancing aliens, giant deadly plants, live music at a Dia de Muertos celebration and more. Family-friendly.
A Petrified Forest
Where: Altamonte Springs
When: Select nights, Oct. 4-Nov. 2
What: The Forest offers three horrifying trails with uniquely-themed rooms and frightful scares around every turn, all set in a genuinely spooky two-acre forest. The annual Halloween event now features food concessions, local art vendors, laser tag, backstage tours and more.
Spooky Empire
Where: Hyatt Regency Orlando, FL
When: Oct. 11-13
What: One of the largest horror conventions, Spooky Empire returns for a weekend-long event. Halloween and rock-n-roll fans of all ages can meet TV stars, buy collectibles from more than 200 vendors, see new films and old favorites, in large Zombie Walks and get tattooed by top artists.
Gators, Ghosts and Goblins
Spooky empire zombies
Where: Gatorland
When: Weekends, Oct. 12-27
What: This annual daytime Halloween event features a haunted zone and exhibit, interactive characters, animal meet-and-greets, candy giveaways, a children’s Halloween costume parade and more.
Lake Nona Graveyard Smash
Where:: Lake Nona Town Center
When: Oct. 26
What:Guests will get to party with ghosts and ghouls, participate in trick-or-treat stations, experience live music and take a journey through inflatable courses. Free and open to the public.
Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical
Where: Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
When: Oct. 31-Nov. 3
What: You won’t want to miss this hilarious “upside down” take on the hit Netflix series in all its campy 1980s glory, featuring the whole Hawkins gang out for a night of adventure, thrills, pubescent angst, cheap effects, dancing monsters and more.
Nosferatu
Halloween Horror Nights
Where: Renaissance Theatre Company
When: Select dates, Sept. 13-Nov. 10
What: This 90-minute horror experience led by a cast of 32 vampires will take you into hidden corners of the building. With separate admission, guests can attend an exclusive Vampire Nightclub featuring dancers, music, specialty cocktails and drag performances later in the evening. Adults only.
Haunting Nights
Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens
When: Sept. 27-Oct. 31
What:This event serves as the teenager/adult-focused counterpart to Happy Frights, complete with jump scares and themed characters. Looking for a more chill vibe, guests can also enjoy hip-hop dancing aliens and festive foods. Adults only.
Cocktails & Screams
Where: Year-round
When: Downtown Orlando
What: This Halloween-themed bar features live music and an extensive list of creative cocktails. Guests can enjoy spooky experiences like the Beetlejuice Brunch, Quiet Place: Silent Disco Party, Just A Bunch of Hocus Pocus Drag Show, Dan Sperry Shock Illusionist Show and more. Click here for a full list of events. Adults only.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour with Barry Bostwick
Where: Oct. 4
When: Steinmetz Hall
What: This original and unedited screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show offers the classic live shadow cast, audience participation, a costume contest and more. Adults only.
Scream n’ Stream Drive-Thru Halloween Experience
Where: Weekends Oct. 6-29
When: The Florida Mall
What: You don’t even have to get out of your car to enjoy this haunted Halloween drive-thru event. Drive, if you dare, through seven horrifying zones complete with monsters, music, lighting and special effects. Adults only.
Nosferatu
The Orlando Zombie/Halloween Crawls
Where:: October 25, 26 and 31
When: In downtown Orlando
What: Drink specials to die for and a Halloween contest at more than 10 bars and nightclubs. All-day and all-night access tickets available. Adults only. █
For more information on Orlando’s Halloween events, go to VisitOrlando.com.