Orlando sure knows how to celebrate holidays, and Halloween at Orlando’s theme parks is no different! From the not-so-scary Disney event to the terrifying HHN (Halloween Horror Nights) at Universal, the attractions in Orlando are putting on an unforgettable Halloween party for all of their guests. It is a great time to attend the theme parks since most offer discounted tickets or Florida resident specials.

Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios

Universal Orlando will surely frighten you with their famous Halloween Horror Nights. This event has won a Golden Ticket Award many years running, so you can be sure they’ve got a lot of scary fun. There is live entertainment, haunted houses and frightening scare zones. Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event. It runs on select nights from early September through October and often into the first day or so in November. Select rides will be open during the event. You cannot come in costume, just come prepared to be scared. This event is not suitable for small children (under 13).

Halloween at Orlando's Theme Parks

Tips For Halloween Horror Nights:

  • Go on an off-peak night, Thursday or Sunday, for it to be a bit quieter.
  • Best advice for getting the haunted houses done is to get there as they re-open the park gates and just hit house after house. Any house in a studio won’t be affected by the sun still being up, but the houses located in the outside ride queue areas will be better visited when the sun is completely down.
  • The later in the “Season” you go, the better it gets, More Scare-ators and a little more fear. Also, the live shows tend to be a little more polished and get better day after day.
  • Be prepared, most of the haunts have 1 – 1½ hour-long waits, or more. If getting to everything is important to you, then you may want to purchase an event add-on or multi-night ticket. Passes and Plus Passes give you behind-the-scenes info and front-of-line access to many of the haunts and shows. If you really want to treat yourself, buy the V.I.P. tour.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Magic Kingdom

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyFor the little ones, an alternate fun-filled Halloween at Orlando’s Theme Parks includes Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This is an all-ages event where you can see your favorite Disney characters in costumes while you trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom. Highlights include Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, which begins with a spook-tacular ride by the Headless Horseman and includes the stars of the Haunted Mansion attraction as well as other Disney characters. Don’t miss Happy HalloWishes, the fireworks show where Disney villains go trick-or-treating in the sky! Guests are encouraged to come in costume to this separately ticketed event, and select rides are open. Event dates are on select nights from mid-August through October. Halloween night is often sold out.

Tips For Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween:

  • This is an event that is fun for all ages, kids through adult, so don’t get turned off because of the ‘not scary’ name.
  • If you are not a parade-type of person, then head over to your favorite rides during the parade.
  • Trick-or-Treat throughout the park!
  • Take pictures – kids grow up fast and these will be great memories

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular

SeaWorld's Halloween SpooktacularIf you are looking for a “fantasea” chilling experience, go to SeaWorld. Weekends (and some Fridays) beginning mid-September through the month of October, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place and is included with your admission. This is a daytime event where children can trick-or-treat and take part in other Fall-like activities within the Orlando theme park. This is a very fun and memorable event for the entire family.

For teens and adults, check out the Howl-O-Scream event (separate ticket event) at night. It offers plenty of scares, haunts, and thrills. Costumes are not allowed.

Tips For SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular:

  • If you are a pass member, look for discounts on any event that costs extra.
  • Attend Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast and get your fill of morning favorites with your Sesame Street friends.

Brick-or-Treat, Legoland Florida

LegoLand Brick-or-TreatAnother attraction where your children can trick-or-treat at is LegoLand’s Brick-or-Treat event. Select nights (usually Saturday and Sunday) starting mid- to late-September through October, children can wear their costumes and participate in fun activities such as a scavenger hunt with ghouls, ghosts and goblins. The largest LEGO Jack-O-Lantern in the world will be there, and many other LEGO displays. These features make for a fantastic family photo. This not-so-chilling event is perfect for children 12 years and under, especially if they like to build things.

Tips For Brick-or-Treat Halloween:

  • Be sure your child participates in the costume parade.
  • Be sure to stay for the fireworks show (and brick-or-treat, of course).

Capone’s Dinner & Show, Kissimmee, Florida

An alternative to spending Halloween at Orlando’s theme parks is to go to an Orlando dinner show such as Capone’s Dinner & Show. This is the perfect place to go if you do not like having the livin’ daylights scared out of you, or want to stay at home to hand out candy. The only thing that is scary about spending Halloween with the gang at this joint is how much fun you’ll have for such a cheap ticket. To read more about Halloween at Capone’s read this post.

No doubt there are many fun events for Halloween at Orlando’s theme parks. Which one will you visit? Will it be Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween or another spooky place?  However you celebrate it, have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Last Updated on October 3, 2023