The weather may suggest otherwise, but it’s already time for Halloween celebrations at theme parks in Orlando – and unlike the last couple of years, the boo is back in full force. Whether you prefer your haunts happy or horrifying, there’s something for everyone, so let’s take a spin through the parks and see what spooky and/or scary antics are happening this year.
Legoland Florida Resort
It’s no surprise the self-described “theme park built for kids” is hosting the kid-friendliest Halloween celebration in Orlando – and great news, parents, it’s all included with admission.
On weekends from Sept. 24 through Oct. 30, 2022, Lego Monsters are taking over Legoland Florida’s popular annual Brick-or-Treat event for an all-new Monster Party featuring costume contests; a scavenger hunt in Miniland; a groovy Halloween/disco Dragon Coaster overlay; and new shows, including “Operation Monster Squad” and the V.I.M. (Very Important Monsters) Dance Party hosted by Lord Vampyre.
As soon as guests pass through the gates, they’ll find themselves on “Monster Street” with themed décor, roaming entertainment (including stilt walkers and members of the Monster Crew), and of course, it wouldn’t be Brick-or-Treat without the treats like candy, pop badges, and a commemorative Brick-or-Treat Lego brick.
This year’s event introduces an exclusive new 4D movie, “The Great Monster Chase!,” where the audience finds out what happens when tweens crash a Monsters-only party (spoiler alert: it’s exciting chases, kid-friendly humor, wind, bubbles, water, and other special effects). Guests can also meet members of the Lego Monsters of Rock – guitarist Monster Rocker, keyboardist Zombie Cheerleader, and drummer Tiger Woman – plus other characters from the movie.
In my opinion, the best news of all is that the monsters have also invaded the Legoland Florida kitchen to create a limited-edition pumpkin spice twist on the park’s famous Apple Fries.
Walt Disney World Resort
Unlike its SoCal counterpart, many of the Halloween festivities at Walt Disney World occur during the separately-ticketed Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
This year, Mickey’s after-hours bash returns to Magic Kingdom park on select nights, from Aug. 12 through Oct. 31, 2022, with trick-or-treating and family-friendly entertainment, including the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show, Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween parade, and the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks hosted by Jack Skellington.
In honor of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is adding event-exclusive step-in photo opportunities, plus all guests will receive a Halloween-themed 50thAnniversary celebration commemorative print.
Party guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. (reservation not required unless you plan to visit additional parks or enter Magic Kingdom earlier). For more details about Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and a few other minimal Halloween activities around Walt Disney World, take a look at the article below.
Purchase tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party HERE.
Universal Orlando Resort
There’s literally no place to hide once you pass through the gates of Universal Studios Florida for Halloween Horror Nights.
This year, the after-hours separately-ticketed event takes place on select nights from Sept. 2 through Oct. 31, 2022, daring guests to face their fear in ten haunted houses and five scare zones. Click HERE for ticket information.
Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for kids under 13.
Haunted Houses that have been announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2022:
Monsters: Legends Collide – The movie studio that created the horror genre resurrects its most iconic monsters as The Wolf Man, Dracula, and The Mummy battle to break a curse. This house also features music by Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash.
The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare– An original haunted house showcasing the surreal nightmare of the artist’s “After Hours” album.
Halloween – You’ll come face to mask with Michael Myers as he recreates his first killing spree from the original 1978 horror classic “Halloween.”
The Horrors of Blumhouse – A horrifying Blumhouse double-feature that forces brave souls to escape the clutches of the cheerleader/serial killer from “Freaky” AND The Grabber from “The Black Phone.”
This lineup of mazes is still growing, these are just the ones that have officially been announced so far. We’re still expecting quite a few more announcements for Halloween Horror Nights. For more details about HHN, be sure to check out our frequently updated coverage below.
FULL DETAILS: Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2022
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
SeaWorld Orlando and its sister park Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, are the only Orlando theme parks that offer both kid-friendly and super scary Halloween celebrations: SeaWorld Spooktacular and the all-new Busch Gardens Spooktacular during the day and Howl-O-Scream after dark (only daytime events are included with admission).
Daytime Spooktaculars
With family-friendly activities like trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, Halloween shows, parades, and character experiences, the daytime events are perfect celebrations for kids (or, let’s be honest, even many adults) who aren’t ready for intense scares.
But all bets are off after dark.
Howl-O-Scream
Celebrating its 23rd year at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (and second at SeaWorld Orlando), Howl-O-Scream transforms normally tranquil theme parks into havens for haunts that lurk in “terror-tories” and houses of horror.
Haunted Houses that have been announced for Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2022:
Death Water Bayou: Blood Moon – The Final Phase (Returning) – The blood moon is in its final phase, and you’ll have to face werewolves who are clawing their way back into the Death Water Bayou
The Forgotten (Returning) – Drawn into a hidden world beyond a quarry, guests who enter will only return to the world of the living if they can escape becoming the newest minion of the Forgotten army.
Witch in the Woods (Returning) – The witch summons unwitting visitors into a dark forest with an inescapable curse.
The Residence: Home for the Holidays (Revamped) – A holiday-themed overlay of The Residence haunted house sees merriment turn to murder at a suburban family home.
Haunted Houses that have been announced for Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando:
Captain’s Revenge – Drowned in Darkness – Guests must avoid becoming a permanent part of a crew driven mad by cursed treasure and doomed to face the fury of the sea.
Beneath the Ice (Reimagined) – Venture the icy wilderness above the Arctic Circle where the chambers aren’t just frozen tombs, and the shiver you feel isn’t just from the cold.
Blood Beckoning (New) – Enter the underworld where abandoned and forgotten souls – including Scratch – dwell in the shadows. And if you don’t escape in time, you will be the next one scratched off the list.
Scare Zones that have been announced for Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando:
Cut Throat Cove – Guests will enter the site of a horrific shipwreck where the doomed pirates will never stop seeking revenge on those who’ve escaped their ghostly fate.
Frozen Terror – Alive in the Ice (Reimagined) – If you dare to enter the inhospitable Arctic wasteland, you’ll face icy, subhuman walkers who try to turn you into one of them.
Sea of Fear (New) – Guests are lured into a portal that leads to terrors they’ve only heard whispers of.
Cargo Carnage (New) – If you sense a sinister presence lurking in and around the crates, you’re right.
At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay,usch Gardens Halloween Spooktacular is on weekends Sept. 10 – Oct. 30, 2022; Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights from Sept. 9 through Oct. 31, 2022. Click HERE for ticket information.
At SeaWorld Orlando, takes place on select dates Sept. 17 – Oct. 31, 2022; Howl-O-Scream runs select nights from Sept. 9 through Oct. 31, 2022. Find Howl-O-Scream ticket information Here.
For the exceptionally brave, a two-park ticket provides a double dose of Howl-O-Scream with admission to the nighttime events at both SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Howl-O-Scream is not recommended for kids under 13.
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Let’s Hear From You!
How much haunt can you handle? Are you the Lego Monsters/Mickey’s Not-So-Scary type, or do you have the guts it takes to brave Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream? Do you know of any other Central Florida Halloween events that we should be aware of? Share your thoughts in the comments.
