Universal Orlando Adds Halloween Horror Dates in November

by Mommy Frog on October 28, 2016

Hi there! Welcome to our weekly roundup of the most interesting theme park news around the Walt Disney World Resort, the Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and other theme parks.

Here are this week’s theme park highlights:

Additional dates have been added to this year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, giving horror fans two more nights to enjoy the thrills and spine-tingling chills. The new dates are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4 and 5. This late(ish) announcement means low crowds—so if you've been wanting to go but haven't already booked—this is your opportunity! If you're looking for all the details, we've got them in our guide.
It's my favorite holiday of the year—National Chocolate Day! To celebrate, the creative geniuses behind the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk have unveiled an exclusive milkshake—Jacques' Chocolate Day Special, which is made up of white chocolate ice cream, Dutch chocolate ice cream and whipped cream swirl, and topped with a black and white cookie, and steampunk gear garnish. Additionally chocolate sculptor Paul Joachim will be there to create four custom chocolate sculptures, including a 100-pound re-creation of the emporium itself!
There is a new race course for Disneyland's Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend on Nov. 10-13 that will take runners through Cars Land, past the "World of Color" fountains and through Sleeping Beauty Castle. While the kids races, 5K and 10K are sold out, you can still register for the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge and the half-marathon!
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from Disney's Zootopia will be meeting guests during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party this coming holiday season. The parties begin Nov. 7. You can read more in our Very Merry Party Guide.
And speaking of Christmas, Disney Springs is going all out this season, from Nov. 11 through Jan. 8, 2017. There will be a nightly tree lighting ceremony, visits from Santa (and Santa Goofy), live entertainment and decorations galore! New this year will be a Christmas tree trail, with a collection of custom-decorated trees, starting from the fountain outside Once Upon a Toy.
Last but not least, one special Adelie penguin inside the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin habitat at SeaWorld Orlando has been outfitted with a custom suit to keep her warm. After shedding her feathers, the staff created a wetsuit to mimic her real coat and keep her insulated—it gets cold in Antarctica after all!