HALLOWEEN EVENTS 2007

 

 

Autumn is a brilliant time to be in Orlando as many of the parks and attractions make special effort to stage elaborate Halloween celebrations. Some of these are open during regular park hours, while others are a separately ticketed event, open ‘after hours’. But all of them are well worth seeing, and add a real extra element of excitement, fun and even a little terror (!).  Here is the Brit’s Guide round-up of all the extra entertainment in store if you are visiting in late September and October.

Walt Disney World

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (suitable for all ages; separate ticket required):

Mickey Mouse and his pals sure know how to throw a party, and this one has just enough Boo to be fun for the whole family! All your favourite characters are out in full force (and in full Halloween costume; guests are welcome to dress up too), and no Disney Halloween party would be complete without Villains! It’s an evening of trick-or-treats, Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, rides and attractions, all capped off by a very special Happy HalloWishes fireworks display. A complimentary 4 x 6 family photo makes the perfect souvenir (one photo per ticket, so each person in your party will have one). Event dates are September 14, 21, 28 and 30 and October 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21,23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, and November 2 and it runs from 7pm-midnight each evening. Tickets cost $41.49 - ages 10 and up, $35.10 - ages 3-9 (Advanced Purchase; No discount available for September 21 or and Oct 5, 12, 18, 25, 26, or 31) or $48.94 and $42.55 when purchased at the gate. Be aware tickets DO sell out.

Universal Orlando

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights (not suitable for under 15s; separate ticket required):

Universal has 17 years experience scaring the wits out of guests with 2007s Halloween Horror Nights ‘Carnival of Carnage’. Jack, the clown every body fears, makes his return as the ringmaster of this sick, sadistic carnival, where the likes of Freddy Kruger, Jason and Leatherface are just a few of the sideshow freaks on the loose. Only the most hellish Scare-actors have returned for an encore, along with a lineup of 8 terrifying haunted houses based on horror flicks Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the Thirteenth, The Thing, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Dead Silence, alongside a resurrection of 3 of the most gruesome houses from past years. If your idea of fun includes being chased through demon-infested scare zones by chainsaw-wielding freaks, cowering in dark corners as you make your way through Shadybrook Estates, where the local psycho-ward inmates are spreading their brand of holiday cheer, or surviving the irreverent humour at Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, there is nothing as mind-bendingly thrilling as Halloween Horror Nights. Guests will drop to their knees in terror on 23 nights, beginning September 28 and 19 and continuing October 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 24-28 and 31 and November1-3, from 6:30pm-midnight (6:30pm-2am on October 12, 13, 19, 20, 25, 26, 26 and November 3). You can also purchase Halloween Horror Nights Express passes, allowing you to bypass the (long, long) queues, once for each of the houses. Tickets, Frequent Fear passes* (13 nights for the price of one) and Express passes can be purchased at http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com ($64.95 + tax; there are no children’s prices). Stay at a Universal Resort and get a discount on passes (Stay And Scream Pass $ 54.95 Saturdays, $39.95 Fridays and $25.95 Sunday-Thursday; separate fees for hotel stay and park admission). *Frequent Fear Pass admission dates: September 28 and 29; October 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 24, 25, 28, 31 and November 1). Please note, no masks or costumes allowed at this event.

Tickets are also available at www.attraction-tickets-direct.com.

 

 

SeaWorld

 

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular (suitable for all ages; included with park admission):

Join Shamu, fanciful sea creatures, friendly ice witches, mermaids and (of course!) pumpkin fish, in an underwater ‘FantaSea’ of trick-or-treating, specially themed shows, arts and crafts, games and street entertainment every weekend during October. The hilarious sea lion duo, Clyde and Seamore, are joined by ghosts and ghouls for a special Clyde and Seamore’s Ghostly Pirate Cruise show, Professor Krunchley presents an Ooey Gooey Candy Spooktacular show, while schools of educational fish swim along the walkways as families follow their park map to 15 ‘treasure spots’ for treats. The event runs on October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 31, beginning at 11am, and is free with park entry. Costumes are welcome.

 

Busch Gardens Tampa 

Busch Gardens Howl O’ Scream (not recommended for children, parental discretion strongly advised; separate ticket required):

The Death Jockey puts a new spin on horror at Howl O’Scream 2007. 3 brand new haunted houses (Taste of Blood, Catch Your Breath or Radiation Alert 3-D, anyone?), 5 scare zones and 3 freakish shows. Three additional haunted houses – with names like Trapped in the Walls and The Hunted – aim directly at your most terrifying anxieties, and they do not miss. Five scare zones give new meaning to the word ‘panic’, while Freak Show, Sweet Dreams and the medical madness of Fiends live stage shows keep things at a fever pitch. And if that’s not excitement enough for one night, screaming through SheiKra, Montu, Gwazi and Kumba in the dark ought to do it.

Howl O’ Scream runs 16 select nights (October 5-6, 11-13, 18-21 and 25-28.) from 7:30pm-1am on Thursdays and Sundays; 7:30pm-2am on Fridays and Saturdays October 29. Freaky Preview nights are offered September 28-30, from 7:30pm-1am. General Admission is $59.95 ($49.95 advance purchase for Saturday nights, $44.95 advance purchase all other nights). Freaky Preview nights, $29.95 advance purchase. Visit 9 times (select nights) with a Recurring Nightmare pass at $59.95.

 

 

 Want to skip the queues? Purchase the Fear Advantage coupon book for $35.00 for no-wait access. Fear Advantage Plus adds front-of-the-queue access to SheiKra, Montu, Gwazi and Kumba for $50.00. Still not satisfied? Sign up for a V.I.P Fear Tour, including front of the queue access to the haunted houses and rides, and special seating for the shows. ‘The Viewing’ is a 3 hour group tour for $59.99, with front of the queue access to the thrill rides; ‘Funeral’ gives you a full 5 hour group tour, plus a ‘last meal’ and front of the queue access to the thrill rides and coasters for $89.99. Still haven’t had your fill? ‘The Embalming’ includes Fright Feast, a massive buffet dinner, and a private Ghoul Guide for parties of two or more at $149.99 per person. Tickets for Fright Feast buffet can be purchased separately at $21.95 per person, and includes an exclusive viewing of Sweet Dreams stage show, plus entrance to the haunted houses 30 minutes ahead of regular opening. http://www.howl-o-scream.com/tampa/ticket_info.asp

 

Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens’ Phobia (some areas suitable for all ages; included with park admission):

 

Spiders, monsters, ghosts, snakes, things that go ‘bump’ in the night; what are you afraid of? Cypress Gardens brings you face-to-face with your deepest Phobias. Braver guests can explore horrifying haunted houses, the creepy Black Forest and various scare zones around the park, while the littlest guests meet Friendly Frights in the Boo House, romp through the Hay Maze and take part in gentler Halloween activities. The event runs Fridays and Saturday September 28-October 27, plus October 31 from 6:30pm until closing and is free with park admission.

Terror in Orlando

International Drive (parental discretion advised for younger children)

Tour the haunted labyrinth of Mayhem Manor, where mad Dr. Morpheus Mayhem carried our insane experiments in fear, until his own grisly death by self-electrocution. The house is abandoned now, and you’re invited to come in and have a look around—if you dare!  Open Monday-Thursday 4pm-12am, Friday and Saturday 2pm-12am. Adults $12, children 12 and under $8. Find Terror in Orlando at 7316 International Drive, in the plaza next to Wild Jacks, or visit www.terrorinorlando.com

Central Florida Zoo

Central Florida Zoo (suitable for all ages, geared toward youngsters; included with park admission):

 

For a real slice of American Autumn tradition, Zoo Boo Bash at Central Florida Zoo in Sanford gives families the chance to visit a Pumpkin Patch, take a haunted hayride, and learn about the myths and facts surrounding some of the zoo’s most misunderstood residents. Costumes are welcome, remember to bring goodie bags for the children and enjoy trick-or-treating in a safe, friendly atmosphere. The event runs 20, 21, 27 and 28 October, 9am-3pm, and is free with zoo admission ($9.95 adults, $5.95 ages 3-12, under 3 free).