When it comes to entertainment, few places can outdo Orlando, a global destination that draws over 40 million visitors per year. During Halloween, the area's theme parks and other attractions feature elaborate holiday-themed entertainment, including outdoor recreational activities, such as walking tours and fireworks. There are events for all ages from the not-so-scary to eerie and mysterious.
Theme Parks
Orlando's world-famous theme parks feature spectacular Halloween shows and special events. The night of non-stop activities may have you racing from one event to another within a park so wear comfortable shoes. Walt Disney World Resort begins its evening "Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party" in late September. The event runs through early November and begins at 7 p.m. Festivities include a Halloween-themed parade, fireworks show and special lighting and music shows. Disney characters dress in Halloween garb as well. "Halloween Horror Nights" is the theme for Universal Studios events. From late September through October, the park features several haunted houses, "intense scare zones" and a show called "Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure." Universal Studios events are not recommended for children under 13.
Graveyard Tours
Get a taste of ghoulish-reality with a walking tour of Orlando's historic Greenwood Cemetery. Established in 1880, the cemetery is the resting place of many of the area's affluent founding families and features elaborate burial monuments, moss-covered trees and huge Gothic-style entry gates. Get some exercise and take a moonlight walking tour from the cemetery staff. Orlando Ghost Tours also offers a two-hour "paranormal investigative" walking tour of the downtown area and the cemetery. You can use the company's own paranormal equipment to explore the presence of ghosts and out of the ordinary phenomena.
Zoo and Garden Events
Take a scenic stroll through the Harry P. Leu Gardens to enjoy the nation's largest collection of camellias outside of California and admire butterfly, bamboo and rose gardens before heading to the facility's annual Halloween story night. The event features storytellers spinning scary tales in an outdoor setting. Bring a blanket to relax, gaze at the stars and listen. The event is not recommended for young children. Families can head to the "ZOO Boo Bash" a kid-friendly festival of featuring face painting, trick or treat stations and more at the Central Florida Zoo.
Pumpkin Patch Gathering and Hay Rides
Get in the Halloween spirit by carving your own pumpkins and making healthy pumpkin dishes after you pick your own at Painted Oaks Academy. Each year the horse facility has pumpkins available to the public as well as activities, such as hay rides and face painting during its Pumpkins and Ponies festival. If you want fresh pumpkins but would rather have someone else gather them, head to the Primrose Garden Center. The shop sells the fruit from their pumpkin patch.
Parties and Events for Kids
There are events all over the Orlando area during the Halloween season just for kids. Once you have the young ghouls dressed in their costumes, head to one of the many kid-friendly festivals. Parental minds will be at ease as kids can trick or treat safely and children can show off their costumes and participate in a myriad of contests and recreational games. The Orange County Regional History Center sponsors a Trick or Treat Safe Zone with three floors of activities. At Avalon Park, kids can participate in a costume parade, bob for apples and explore a haunted house.
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