8 Orlando places to celebrate Halloween in addition to Disney

Orlando has rolled out some new experiences and changed a few others this Halloween season during the coronavirus pandemic.

Our favorite destination, obviously, is the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. And while Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled, and the decor around the park is a bit sparse, for the first time adults can head to the park wearing Halloween costumes.

If your’e looking to add to your Halloween experience, here are nine other places around Orlando to visit.

If Driving or Renting a Car

The family car is new way to enjoy Halloween celebrations in Orlando. Each car-friendly option below offers two versions, depending on whether guests want extreme adult-level frights, or a milder fun version for the whole family.

•  The Haunted Road: A Drive-Thru Halloween Experience (select dates Sept. 25 – Nov. 7) includes twisted creatures, immersive theatrical storytelling and bloodcurdling encounters as guests drive and park their car at each scene. A tamer, family-friendly version will be available on select weekends during the day and include hands-free trick-or-treating. 
• Scream n’ Stream Haunted Drive-Thru at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures (Sept. 25 – Nov. 1) lets visitors drive their cars “into” a movie screen to see a horror film unfold in front of their eyes, while lighting, sound, sets, props, special effects, and live performers roam all around them. Also includes a milder, family-friendly drive-thru experience complete with contactless candy distribution, performers, fun Halloween props and music. 
• “Flicks & Frights” at SeaWorld Orlando (Saturdays Sept. 19 – Oct. 31 and Fridays Oct. 23 and 30): A spooky drive-in movie experience under the stars where guests can enjoy locally sourced food trucks followed by a classic Halloween feature film (options each night include both a family-friendly and horror flick) from the comfort and safety of their own car ($40 per car).

Theme Parks & Attractions

•  “Orlando Forum of Fear” (Oct. 1-31) includes a rotating, socially distanced walk-thru haunted maze by the masterminds of Halloween Horror Nights, and a three-course haunted séance dinner experience. On select dates, the event will feature a kid-friendly maze. 
• SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular (Sept. 19 – Nov. 1): Guests can safely explore a slightly spooky trick-or-treat trail; twist and turn through a new Halloween maze; decorate cookies with Cookie Monster and meet silly Halloween characters with physical distancing protocols in place during this family-friendly event. 
• Fall & Halloween Activities at Universal Orlando Resort (Sept. 26-27 and daily Oct. 3 – Nov. 1): New this year, two of Universal’s famous themed haunted houses are included in daytime admission instead of a separate ticket event, including Revenge of the Tooth Fairy and Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives at Universal Studios. The Virtual Line experience may be available for guests to select timed entry. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged for all guests in both parks for the first time, and trick-or-treating is available to guests 12 and under throughout Islands of Adventure. 
• Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins (weekends Oct. 10 – Nov. 1): A family-friendly event where Oktoberfest collides with Halloween fun featuring spooky areas like the “Graveyard of the Darned,” a live polka band with German beer and food available for purchase; costumed character meet and greets; a trick-or-treat trail; a spooky train ride and more. Family-friendly costumes for adults and kids are encouraged. 
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s Brick or Treat (select days Oct. 3-31): Celebrate the spookiest time of the year with contactless trick-or-treating on the Brick-or-Treat candy trail; take a family selfie with a 280,000 LEGO brick hearse or a 10′ tall LEGO ghost; and get into the Halloween spirit with “The Groovin’ Graveyard” and “A Candy-Coated Curse Show,” featured throughout the day.