SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular October 28th, 29th, and 31st  SeaWorld Orlando is serving up a frightfully good time for the little ones this season. With special events, trick-or-treating, roaming entertainers, and special Halloween shows, there’s a lot going on to make everyone’s vacation special.
The major draw, for the children at least, will be candy galore. You’re on vacation, away from the well-charted candy route your children have planned! Well, worry not, they’ve got you covered. An entire area of SeaWorld has been set aside specifically for this event. The little ones can hop from station to station collecting treats and meeting new characters. You don’t have to worry about traffic or lighting their costumes because it’s all in-park and begins at 11a.m.
Just after entering the park, the Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat area is a short walk to your right, meaning you can get there right away and get the sugar highs started. Or, if you’re eager to take in the shows and exhibits, you can make this your last stop, since the exit is also nearby.
Once you’re into the Trick-Or-Treat zone be prepared to stay a while. There are 15 “treasure stations” centered mainly around Shamu’s Happy Harbor. This is also the section with all of the kiddy rides, games, and a playground area so distractions abound.
The majority of the costumed characters will be centered here as well, offering treats and opportunities for photos and autographs. Children will meet good (non-frightening) sea witches like Saltwater Taffy, and animal characters from flamingos to pumpkin fish. One character in particular – Professor Krunchley – is good friends with Shamu and his pals, and they aid him in a special show about a candy making laboratory.
Once you leave the central Trick-Or-Treat area, there’s still a park full of fun ahead. In addition to all of the regular shows, a perennial favorite gets a ghastly update. Clyde and Seamore are the comedy kings of the park. The hilarious sea lion and otter duo can usually be found “taking Pirate Island”, but during the Halloween festivities they instead take the audience on a cruise. Clyde and Seamore’s Ghostly Pirate Cruise is all the fun and interactivity of their regular show with an extra spooky kick. It’s funny, and undeniably cute, so there’s little fear of really upsetting children. Still, if they’re likely to be terrified by pirates on a normal day, ghost pirates on Halloween might not be the best attraction for them, and the sea lions can get loud enough to wake a die-hard napper!
**Insider Tip**
 When your princess is pooped and your tiger is tuckered, take them to the underwater dolphin viewing. It’s right behind Dolphin Cove, across from the manatees. This spot is hypnotically tranquil! It’s cool, shady, and quiet, and watching the dolphins float has put many a cranky child down for a much needed nap.
There’s also a “Frozen Fun Zone” where the Ice Witch reins supreme. This area will be more appealing to the teenage crowd with a live D.J. and roller-skating break dancers. Yes, you read all of that correctly. SeaWorld Orlando will have a freeze warning, if only for this party. And no one is too young or too old to be amazed at the mere concept of break dancing on roller skates. It’s well worth checking out as the rock-and-roll segment of your trip.
Upgrades and Special Packages:
There are two extra deals that go along with the Spooktacular celebrations.
SeaWorld’s Spooky Spectacular Sleepover is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Families with children from kindergarten to grade 5 can take place. The family can either stay after a day of shows, or come for the sleepover and stay in the park the next day. Overnight, there are amazing experiences for all. First off, everyone (yes, parents too) can get costumed up and visit all the trick-or-treating after the rest of the park is closed. Then there are games and activities to entertain and educate. Finally, before settling in for the night, families get up-close and personal with all the coolest and creepiest critters in the park – from stingrays to polar bears. The actual sleep portion of the sleepover takes place in the shark encounter, with weird and wild monsters of the deep floating around you! An evening snack and breakfast are included, as the park restaurants will be closed. The sleepover itself is and can be combined with park admission for a total of 5 per person. Hours are 7p.m. to 9a.m.
**Insider Tip**
These sleepovers occur with varying themes for most of the big seasons, so if you don’t make this one, or would prefer penguins to sharks, be sure to check for a sleepover package during your stay!
The Shamu & Crew Character Breakfast is another popular add-on, and Shamu and friends have gotten into the spirit of the season. The costumed characters usually found here are, well, costumed! The princess dolphin is a popular favorite. Families enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet – truly, no skimpy fruit cups here – and get personal attention from the cuddly creatures of the sea. There are photo opportunities, and kids can get Shamu’s autograph! The cost is .95 for adults and .95 for children ages 3-9. Honestly, that’s nearly what you’ll pay for lunch in a theme park anyway, and a lot more personal than a busy bistro. Hours are 9a.m. to 10a.m.>
**Insider Tip**
While the costumed characters can sometimes be found in the park near Shamu’s Happy Harbor, they’re not nearly as ever-present at SeaWorld as they are at other parks. This is a great chance for the kids to get interaction with “Shamu himself” they way that they can with Mickey and Spongebob.
The Bottom Line:
This is not a frightfest. The level of scary is equivalent to that of classroom decorations this time of year. Parents will have little to worry about since the kids can trick-or-treat by daylight. And with all the festivities the children will never miss the traditional nighttime journey. The treasure stations are outstanding. The level of interaction with costumed characters is greater than at any other time of year. The sleepover promises to be memorable and a lot of fun. The breakfast buffet is a bargain for the experience, and the food is really good! |
