If you’re planning a visit to the Central Orlando theme parks this October and want to attend one of the Halloween events, you may have only given consideration to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World, and Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, both of which are ticketed events (you pay extra to get in). Did you know that SeaWorld Orlando also have a Halloween event? And it’s included in the price of regular park admission!
This year, SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place every weekend in October: 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 28-30. It’s a daytime event and runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., which is great for little ones who may not be able to stay awake for nighttime events, or who may be afraid of spooky things in the dark.
I’ve attended the event twice, the first time being a few years back when it first began, and most recently last year.
We arrived at the park early as we had a booking for the character breakfast. The breakfast is usually seasonal, but I can’t find any reference to it on SeaWorld’s website, so not sure if they still do it.
We were done soon after the opening time of 10am and had a couple of hours to see Blue Horizons and some of the other attractions before the Halloween event began.
There were two entrances to the Underwater Fantasea path, which ran round one half of the lake and around the back of the Shamu Stadium, past Shamu’s Happy Harbor. We entered across from Polar Parlor Ice Cream, just before the entrance to the Waterfront, and exited at the Sea Garden.
Maps and treat bags were available at each entrance.
Bubble machines blew hundreds of bubbles out onto the pathway, setting the scene for the underwater theme.
Much of the activity was centered around the first half of the pathway, with most of the trick-or-treat stations located here. Some Cast Members were more generous than others with what they handed out, so don’t expect to go home with a bag brimming over with candy, unless you’re prepared to put in time revisiting each station!
There were lots of other activities to do, including carnival-style games, face painting and hair wraps, all of which incurred an extra fee.
A big attraction along this pathway were the numerous character and sea creature greetings. Shamu and Dolly the Dolphin put in appearances, along with a whole host of other fanciful sea creatures and mermaids.
The Atlantis Bayside Stadium payed host to the Abby Cadabby’s Halloween Adventure, an interactive maze, where you could meet Abby herself at the end.
The Frozen Fun Zone outside of Wild Arctic was a DJ dance party, where kids could enjoy dancing, interactive games and activities. This year it wil be called Penelope’s Party Zone.
Visitors can also see the Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween Live Musical Stage Show, something that we didn’t get chance to see.
I think it took us over an hour to walk the whole length of the Underwater Fantasea path, and visit all of the trick-or-treat stations, leaving us the rest of the day to enjoy everything else SeaWorld has to offer. You could spend much more time there if you partake in all of the activities, including paid-for ones. We also visited when it first opened, and noticed lines for things like character greetings were longer later in the day.
This was out stash of booty at the end of the day.
I’d highly recommend SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular event, especially as it doesn’t cost a cent above regular park admission, and you get to enjoy all of the other activities, rides and shows that the park has to offer too. It is geared more towards children, and teens might not appreciate the character greetings, but might be tempted by the free candy!
You can buy discounted SeaWorld Orlando tickets here. (UK visitors click here.)
Watch out for more articles on SeaWorld coming soon!
Ocean Florida
