Florida Halloween Celebrations |
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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).
Each year, Universal Studios centre their event around a specific theme. For 2007 it was "Carnival of Carnage" with Jason, Freddy Krueger and Leatherface from the films "Friday the 13th", "Nightmare on Elm Street" and the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
2008 saw the appearance of "Bloody Mary" which attracted some adverse attention with the graphic billboards that appeared around Orlando and in 2009 we had "Ripped from the Silver Screen" featuring Saw, Chucky and The Wolfman. For 2010 Universal celebrate the twentieth anniversary with "XX: Twenty Years of Fear".
In 2011, Universal celebrate their 21st event with "Lady Luck, your fate is in her hands" and at Busch Gardens they are featuring "The Dark Side of the Gardens".
Universal Studios and Busch Gardens present intense scary events with thousands of extra cast members whose sole aim is to scare you out of your wits!!
Some Halloween events are not suitable for young children, some allow costumes, others don't and some parks charge a separate admission
(see details below)
Halloween 2010 At a Glance
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Magic
Kingdom |
Universal
Studios |
SeaWorld |
Busch
Gardens |
Silver
Springs |
| Suitable for children |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Included in standard admission |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Costumes allowed |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
| Opening times |
7:00pm to midnight |
6:30pm to midnight or 2:00am |
normal park hours |
7:30pm to 1:00am or 2:00am |
8:00pm to 11:00pm |
| No. of nights |
23
|
25 |
11 |
17 |
9
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SeaWorld Halloween Celebrations |
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At SeaWorld, the Shamu's Halloween Spooktacular runs each weekend from early October to Halloween night and is suitable for the whole family. The 2011 dates are October 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 and the fun begins at 12 noon each day and ends at 8 pm.
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Read more... [SeaWorld Halloween Celebrations]
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Busch Gardens Halloween Celebrations |
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At Busch Gardens, they are celebrating with Howl-O-Scream for 17 select nights for September 29, 30, October 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29 with a Freaky Preview a week earlier on September 23 and 24.
This year the theme is "The Dark Side of the Gardens" with storylines around zombies.
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Read more... [Busch Gardens Halloween Celebrations]
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Walt Disney World Halloween Celebrations |
Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom
Disney has their family-orientated Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. For 2011 the party runs on 23 selected nights for September 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30, October 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31 and November 1.
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Read more... [Walt Disney World Halloween Celebrations]
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Universal Studios Halloween Celebrations |
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In 2010, Universal Studios celebrated the 20th year of bringing the deepest and darkest nightmares to life in marked contrast to Walt Disney World with their Halloween Horror Nights. The theme of 2010 was "XX: Twenty Years of Fear" and for 2011 Halloween Horror Nights 21 you get to meet Lady Luck.
This event is not recommended for children under the age of 13 and costumes and masks are not allowed.
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Read more... [Universal Studios Halloween Celebrations]
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Silver Springs Halloween Celebrations |
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Silver Springs are hosting their "Fright Nights" on October 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 8pm to 11pm.
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Read more... [Silver Springs Halloween Celebrations]
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