Halloween in Florida 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/nights only (see the miniature calendars).

For 2007, Universal Studios have introduced the characters Jason, Freddy Krueger and Leatherface from the films "Friday the 13th", "Nightmare on Elm Street" and the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Halloween 2007 At a Glance

SeaWorld Dates
October

SeaWorld

At SeaWorld, the Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular runs each weekend from early October to Halloween night and is suitable for the whole family. The 2007 dates are October 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 26-28 and 31 and the fun begins at 11 am each day.

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

There is also a concert series at the Bayside Stadium including the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck, Audra Rox and Hot Peas 'N Butter plus the Countdown to Halloween Live Musical Stage Show featuring Count Von Count, Elmo and friends from Sesame Street. You can also visit the Frozen Fun Zone with an ice-witch DJ, break dancers, roller-skating and interactive games and activities.

"Sweet Dreams" Show at the Desert Grill [Courtesy of Busch Gardens]

You can dress-up in your favourite costume and go trick-or-treating around SeaWorld's "spooktacular" exhibits. The Spooktacular map leads you to 15 different treasure stations each featuring lots of treats.

This year, there is also Count Von Count's Spooktacular Breakfast, where you can feast on a buffet breakfast in the company of Sesame Street characters. Prices are $16.95 (plus tax) for adults and $14.95 (plus tax) for children aged 3 to 9; children under 3 are free. Reservations are required.

If you wanted to make a night of it, then there is a separate Spooky Spectacular Sleepover (suitable for families with children in kindergarten through to fifth grade) from 7 pm to 9 am on October 19, 20, 26 and 27. Tickets cost $78 per person ($73 for Passport members) and include an evening pizza snack, continental breakfast, crafts and activities and sleeping at the Shark Encounter.

Busch Gardens Dates
September/October

Busch Gardens

At Busch Gardens, they are celebrating with Howl-O-Scream for 16 select nights for October 5-6, 11-13, 18-21, 25-28 with a Freaky Preview a week earlier on September 28-30.

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

This is a separately ticketed event and the park opens at 7:30pm and closes as 2:00am on Fridays and Saturdays and at 1:00am on Thursdays and Sundays (and Freaky Preview).

The rates have been reduced for 2007 and advanced purchases are $44.95 (plus tax) for Saturdays and $34.95 for all other nights. Passport Members can buy advanced purchases for $29.95 (plus tax) for Saturdays and $24.95 for all other nights. A Recurring Nightmare Pass is valid for all nights except Freaky Preview and Saturdays and costs $59.95 whilst a Thrills & Chills Weekend Pass is valid for one weekend (Thursday through Sunday) of unlimited day and Howl-O-Scream event admission for $79.95.

Cypress Gardens Dates
September/October

Cypress Gardens

This year, Cypress Gardens have upped the scare factor at Phobia 2007 which runs on September 28-29, October 5-6, 12-13, 19-21, 26-28 and 31 (included with park admission) starting at 6:30pm each evening.

The haunted attractions include the Dead Man Walkin' funeral procession of fear with psychopaths, mummies, demons, vampires, pirates, clowns and other ghoulish characters. There are several haunted houses such as Misery Mansion which is up for sale and you get to look around inside or there is The Adams Family Crypt or The Black Forest: No Trespassing.

The Screamling Brothers Circus brings you Terror Visions: 3D where you get to meet a range of terrifying sideshow freaks.

Halloween shows include two comedy shows, The Haunted Treasure of Cypress Cove and Bad Bob the Bone Butcher plus the Monsters of Rock Musical Revue and A Bugsville Halloween Musical.

For children, there is also the Hay Maze, Buzzby's Boo House which is a not-so-haunted play house and special kids craft activities in and around Jubilee Junction plus trick-or-treating, face painting and storytelling Costumes are allowed only for children ages 10 and under.

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