Do you feel that chill in the air? Well, maybe not — it is Orlando, after all. But fall has arrived in The City Beautiful with plenty of seasonal activities to keep you busy this year. One of our favorites is SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular, running select days from Aug. 31 through Nov. 3, 2024. This event is chock-full of family-favorite activities, including toadally adorable costumes and a trick-or-treat trail. What makes SeaWorld’s Halloween celebration unique to others in the area is that the party goes on during the day — rather than starting at dusk like many celebrations. We think this makes SeaWorld one of the most hoppening spots around to celebrate Halloween with your younger tadpoles!
Overview of SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular is one of our favorite times to visit the park. More than anything, we cannot say enough great things about how convenient and fun it is to celebrate the season with your younger tadpoles. And since the fun lasts all day, it never gets too chaotic. It's perfect for families catering to a variety of ages! Our favorite part is how the Halloween festivities are condensed into one area, so that way you don’t have to hustle around the entire park to get the full experience.
Don your favorite costume, wander through the Pumpkin Garden and grab some candy on the trick-or-treat trail at SeaWorld Orlando for an awesome, spook-free experience. (As if we needed to scare up another reason to visit!)
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Dates and Hours
The boo-tiful festivities run Saturdays and Sundays from Aug. 31 through Sept. 29 and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 4 through Nov. 3. Don't worry! Tadpoles will get the chance to properly celebrate the day of Halloween as Spooktacular is also hoppening on Oct. 31. (Note that the park tends to get more crowded the closer it gets to Halloween.) Festivities are included with regular park admission, beginning at 11 a.m. (an hour after the park opens on most days) and ending at 5 p.m. (two hours before Howl-O-Scream begins at 7 p.m.)
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Special Entertainment
Wander through the Pumpkin Garden (in between the Dolphin Underwater Viewing area and Turtle Trek) where friendly pumpkin fish await! At various times throughout the day, the Storyteller appears in the garden and reads a story. The Storyteller interacts with the tadpoles that gather around her and ask the kiddos to help act out some parts of the story.
New this year, tadpoles will love shaking their tail feathers at the Bubble Dance Party in the Pumpkin Garden near the Penelope pumpkin fish. It's a Halloween Party full of floating fun and lots of Spooktacular Pals! Just a hop, skip and a jump away near Journey to Atlantis, tadpoles will also love making magical fall memories at the brand-new Harvest Maze. The family-friendly maze features confounding twists and turns and is the ideal autumn adventure for the whole family!
From "Ghostbusters" to "Gangnam Style," a live DJ spins some rockin' tunes from his podium in front of Journey to Atlantis while performers dance with guests on the ground at the Scarecrow Halloween Dance Party. It is such a fun area and a great way to get the energy pumping. Tad and Lily never want to leave! Leap and I have the biggest smiles on our faces watching them bust out their best dance moves every year.
For tadpoles who love hands-on activities, be sure to swing over to Sesame Street Land at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Over there, you’ll find Halloween cookie decorating with a special guest! (Cookie decorating kit is available for purchase.) Also, don't froget to hop by the candy path next to Journey to Atlantis for some Halloween coloring and crafts (included with park admission).
Looking for a challenge? Purchase a Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt Map at Coconut Bay Traders Store to explore the park and track down SeaWorld's colorful Halloween friends! Be sure to redeem your completed map at Coconut Bay Traders for a special prize!
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Character Greetings and Rides
You don’t have to go under the sea to meet a beautiful mermaid in Orlando … simply visit SeaWorld! At the beginning of the trick-or-treat trail in the Key West area is Meet a Mermaid. One of a few different mystical mermaids visit her seashell for photo-ops and fun conversation! Of course, Lily can never miss this opportunity. These pink- and purple-haired wonders make bubbly conversations with little ones, certain for great memories. Last year, Lily dressed as a mermaid herself for Halloween and enjoyed comparing her tail with the mermaid at the grotto!
Keep a look out as you make your trek through the decorated trick-or-treat trail. You may just find yourself face to face with a swashbuckling pirate, a ghoulish pumpkin guard or colorful candy witches! Tad and Lily love being greeted by spine-tingling characters along the trail. All of the characters are very interactive and ready to strike a pose. You’ll definitely want to have your camera at the ready!
If your tadpoles are toadally into the Sesame Street gang, don't froget to hop by Sesame Street Land! Located in between Infinity Falls and Wild Arctic, this land takes guests straight to Sunny Days, complete with rides perfect for smaller fans, interactive experiences and the opportunity to say hello to Count von Count and Big Bird.
You won't want to miss the Sesame Street Halloween Parade. Sing and dance as beloved characters like Elmo, The Count, Big Bird and their friends decked out in Halloween costumes make their way along the parade route. Showtimes may vary depending on the day of your visit, so be sure to check the SeaWorld Orlando app for showtimes.
In addition, Big Bird has some Halloween stories to share this year. Or, for an additional cost, you can start your day with Count von Count at a Spooktacular Breakfast.
Also new this year, join Shamu and Crew for a delightfully spooky breakfast on Spooktacular Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. at Seafire Grill. Fuel up for a day of spooky fun with delicious food while making unfrogettable Halloween memories with your favorite characters. Guests will receive one free photo print with each adult reservation and extra prints available for purchase. Here's the buffet breakfast style menu:
- Carved Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
- Bacon
- Turkey Sausage
- Biscuits
- Sausage Gravy
- French Toast Sticks
- Scrambled Eggs (Western Omelet style & regular)
- Freshly Cut Seasonal Fruit
- Yogurt
- Assorted Cereals
- Freshly Baked Pastries
- Assorted Beverages Including Milk, Juice, and Coffee
- Gluten free options are available
The Spooktacular Breakfast is $27.99 for frogs 3 and up. Book your reservation now on SeaWorld's website!
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Costume Information
Costumes are, of course, all part of the Halloween fun. Unlike other Halloween parties in the area, costumes aren’t as much of a staple at SeaWorld. We find it to be the happy medium, as costumes are appreciated and admired but not obligatory. You can feel comfortable dressed up or dressed down, or anywhere in between. This is a great option if you feel like getting into the spirit without packing a whole ensemble for the event.
All guests are welcome to wear their spookiest attire. Guests who are ages 13 and older may not wear costume masks or hoods. Before you go all out with the special effects makeup, note that face painting is not allowed on any guest unless done by a professional park artist. All costumes are subject to the normal dress code for the park, so be sure to stay appropriate!
Will you be visiting on a Friday in October? Then you’ll definitely want to enter the Halloween costume contest! This contest is open to all children dressed in costume. You can find out more information by visiting the Journey to Atlantis plaza on the day of your visit.
Trick-or-Treating at SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular
Who else is here for the candy?! SeaWorld is an excellent place for stress-free trick-or-treating. SeaWorld requires that participating guests purchase a reusable trick-or-treat bag from the park. At $3.99 each, the bags this year have super cute designs with dolphins, sharks and seals in costumes. You can purchase these bags at Coconut Bay Traders, Trek Treasures, SeaWorld Store, Toy Store at Waterfront and Stroller Gifts.
The trick-or-treat stations are along a pathway, so it makes sense to hit all of them in order. Signs at the entrance to the park will direct you where to begin your trick-or-treating.
SeaWorld is also a great spot for those sensitive to allergies. Each trick-or-treat station is labeled with what candy is being given out so you could be sure to dodge anything you or your tadpoles may be allergic to! Additionally, froggies with food allergies can pick up a teal token at each candy station. When they've completed their trick-or-treat stops, they can visit Coconut Bay Traders at the Key West area of the park to turn in the tokens for allergy-friendly items! How cool is that?!?
Last year, the stations included Sweetarts, Swedish Fish, Smarties, Lays potato chips and more. Another great bonus is that your tadpoles can trick-or-treat through the trail multiple times. Tad & Lily made sure to hit up each trick-or-treat station at least twice and left with a ton of yummy treats.
Parents, don't be shy — you can get in on the fun too! We thought trick-or-treating may only be for tadpoles but have no fear. We saw many teens and grownup frogs hopping around getting candy!
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Food and Merchandise
It’s not a trip to SeaWorld without some delicious food and drinks. Visit the Coaster Coffee Company at the park entrance to grab some sweet seasonal treats, such as cupcakes and cake pops, and fuel up on Starbucks Coffee. (They even offer healthy options, including cups of grapes and strawberries!)
Want to get into the spirit at the last minute? No worries. SeaWorld has a great variety of kids costumes on-site, from your Sesame Street faves to the trendiest mermaid garb. The exclusive SeaWorld Halloween merch has a great selection of cool T-shirt designs with sizes fit for the whole frog squad. The face painting stations are also a great way to get into the spirit!
SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular Tips
1. Save Trick-or-Treating for the End of the Day
Last year, we wandered through the trick-or-treat trail once at 11:30 a.m. and again at 3:30 p.m. One time didn't seem more or less crowded than the other, but based on our experiences at past SeaWorld events, we know crowds tend to be lighter closer to the end of the night. As a rule of thumb, we suggest going through the trick-or-treat trail before you leave so you don't have to carry the candy around all day.
2. Dress for the Weather
Halloween weather in Florida differs greatly from the chilly season in most parts of the country. Be prepared for temperatures in the 80s — lose the long sleeves, so your tadpoles don’t get cooked in the sun! Theme park days are exhausting enough as it is without adding overheated children into the equation. As always, be sure to keep water on deck to stay hydrated as you hustle around chowing down on sweets. Lastly, October is still part of the rainy season in Florida, so bringing ponchos or an umbrella is a better-safe-than-sorry move.
Have questions about SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular? Share them in the comments below! Planning a visit to SeaWorld Orlando or the other Orlando theme parks? We've got easy-peasy park plans to help you make the most of your visit! Hoppy Halloween!
Related: Our Guide to Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando
Hoppy planning!
