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Let Us Count the Reasons We Love SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular

by Mommy Frog on August 30, 2023 6 Orlando

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Summary

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 Sept. 16 through Oct. 31, 2023. 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!

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Pumpkin Princess with Kid

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

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Witches

The boo-tiful festivities run Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 16 through Oct. 1 and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Oct. 6 through 30. 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 just before Howl-O-Scream begins at 7 p.m on each day of the event.

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 Pumpkin Princess or Prince appears in the garden and reads a story. The storytellers interacted with the tadpoles that gathered around them and asked the kiddos to help act out some parts of the story.

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Pumpkin Storytime

From "Ghostbusters" to "Gangnam Style," a live DJ spins some rockin' tunes from his podium in front of Journey to Atlantis while pirates dance with guests on the ground. It is such a fun area and a great way to get the energy pumping. Tad and Lily didn't want to leave! Leap and I had the biggest smiles on our faces watching them bust out their best dance moves.

For tadpoles who love hands-on activities, be sure to swing over to the area between Sesame Street Land and Wild Arctic between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Over there, you’ll find Halloween cookie decorating and crafts!

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Character Greetings and Rides

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Mermaid

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 is Meet a Mermaid. One of a few different mystical mermaids visit her seashell for photo-ops and fun conversation! Of course, Lily couldn’t miss this opportunity. These pink- and purple-haired wonders made bubbly conversations with little ones, certain for great memories. 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 were delighted as they were greeted by spine-tingling characters along the trail. All of the characters were very interactive and ready to strike a pose. You’ll definitely want to have your camera at the ready!

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Pirate with Kids

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'll want to visit Sesame Street Land in the morning or early afternoon — the land closes at 5:30 p.m. for Howl-O-Scream.

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.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Costume Information

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Shark

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.

Bring a change of clothes for your little ones, especially if they insist on wearing heavier or layered costumes. They may be insistent in the hotel room, but that may change in the middle of the heat.

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? 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

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Trick-or-Treat Station

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 multiple locations throughout the park, including the park entrance and the trail entrance in Key West.

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 Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Sweetart Station

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! This year, the stations include 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

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Cake Pops

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!)

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - Merchandise

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

SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular - SeaWorld Orlando Sign

1. Save Trick-or-Treating for the End of the Day

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!

Keep hopping, Mommy Frog!
View Comments
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Sep 8, 2023 at 2:11 a.m. Katie Says...

Do you know what the hours of the Count Von Count breakfast are?

Reply
Sep 8, 2023 at 8:18 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Katie!

The Count von Count breakfast begins at 9 a.m. and your reservation will tell you what time to check in.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Sep 3, 2023 at 8:22 p.m. Lisa Jett Says...

Is there breakfast with Count vonCount?

Reply
Sep 6, 2023 at 2:53 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Lisa!

Yes! The Count von Count's Spooktacular Breakfast is hoppening this year. You can purchase tickets on SeaWorld's website.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Sep 27, 2022 at 11:25 p.m. Amanda Says...

Do you have a sense of the crowds at SeaWorld on Sun Oct 30 vs Mon Oct 31? Thanks so much!

Reply
Sep 28, 2022 at 10:11 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Amanda!

There likely won't be a major difference, but if between those two choices, we'd go with Halloween considering it's still a school day.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
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