Halloween in Florida 2006

Click here for Halloween celebration dates in 2007.

After Christmas, Halloween is one of the largest holiday seasons in Florida. It is reckoned some 300,000 people go to Universal's Halloween Horror Nights alone.

All the major theme parks in Florida put on special shows and events for Halloween and some stay open late but check the dates carefully as the parties are on selected days only (see the miniature calendars).

Magic Kingdom Dates
September/October

Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom

Disney have their family-orientated Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. This runs on selected days for September 15, 22, 29, October 2, 5, 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30 and 31.

This is a separately ticketed event (Ages 10 and over: $42.95 plus tax, ages 3-9: $35.95 plus tax) and the park opens at 7 pm and closes at midnight.

Costumes are allowed and the entertainment includes an expanded Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade with the new "Goofy's Candy Factory" finale and Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular.

Children can trick-or-treat for candies and goodies from the Disney characters.

Disney Halloween celebrations [Courtesy of Walt Disney Company]

Universal Studios Dates
September/October

Universal Studios

In marked contrast, at Universal Studios, this year's Halloween Horror Nights is entitled "Sweet 16", celebrating the 16th year of bringing the deepest and darkest nightmares to life.

It just runs at Universal Studios this year (not Islands of Adventure) for 19 nights, September 29 and 30, October 6-8, 11-15, 19-22, 26-29 and 31.

This is a separately ticketed event ($59.95 plus tax) but you can also upgrade your normal day admission ticket when you purchase it.

The park opens at 6:30pm and closes as 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and at midnight on Sundays.

The event features seven all new horrifying haunted houses with names like Dungeon of Terror - Retold, People under the Stairs - Under Construction, Psycho Path - The Return of Norman Bates, Run - Hostile Territory, Screamhouse - Resurrection, Psychoscarepy - Maximum Madness and All Nite Die In - Take 2.

As if that wasn't enough, there is also Horror Comes Home and three intense scare zones; namely Harvest of the Souls, Blood Masquerade and Deadtropolis - Zombie Siege where you may meet some of the 1,000 actors hired to frighten even the bravest guests.

Then there are the three all-new scare shows called The Arrival, Sweet 16 - The Director's Cut and the ever popular Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure containing parodies from TV, the movies, music and more. Amongst this year's characters are Jack the Clown, the Caretaker, the Director and the Storyteller.

Some children may find some of the attractions too intense. Note that there are no children's ticket prices and no costumes are allowed.

SeaWorld Dates
October

SeaWorld

At SeaWorld, the Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular runs each weekend for October 7-8, 13-15, 21-22, 28-29 and 31 and is suitable for the whole family.

There is an incredible underwater FantaSea starring sea witches, mermaids and pumpkin fish, all included in the standard admission.

If you want to make a night of it, then there is the separate Spooky Spectacular Sleepover (suitable for families with children in kindergarten through to fifth grade) from 7 pm to 9 am on October 20, 21, 27 and 28. You can dress-up in your favourite costume and go trick-or-treating around SeaWorld's "spooktacular" exhibits.

Tickets costs $75 plus tax per person ($70 for Passport members) and include an evening pizza snack, continental breakfast, crafts and activities and sleeping at the Shark Encounter.

If you want admission to the park the next day, then a combined ticket costs $107 per person.

Busch Gardens Dates
September/October

Busch Gardens

At Busch Gardens, they are celebrating with Howl-O-Scream for October 5-7, 12-14, 19-22, and 26-29 with a Freaky Preview a week earlier on September 29-30.

This is a separately ticketed event ($55.95 plus tax) and the park opens at 7:30pm and closes as 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and at 1am on Thursdays and Sundays (and Freaky Preview).

Experience 6 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, 2 twisted shows and roller coasters in the dark. Like Universal, some children may find some of the attractions too intense.

Cypress Gardens Dates
September/October

Cypress Gardens

Cypress Gardens hosts Phobia for September 29-30, October 5-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29 and 31 (included with park admission) starting at 6:30pm each evening. Dare to walk through haunted houses including the Misery Mansion, 3-D Pirates of the Dead and the Adams Family Crypt or venture on the trail of terror that runs through the Black Forest.

For children there is trick-or-treating, face painting, storytelling and an only slightly scary Boo House and costumes are allowed only for ages 10 and under.

Click here for the dates of all the seasonal celebrations in Florida in 2006 and 2007.