A family Halloween in Orlando, Florida

EEEEK!!!! Whether you want the “fright of your life” or a mild shock – you’ll find every type of adventure here in Orlando at this time of year. As Autumn draws in, and leaves start to fall….nightfall comes like a light-switch, and heartbeats go faster. Many guests from out of state, as well as many Floridians, come to Orlando for that extra scary thrill offered by the main theme parks around Halloween.

If you want a real fright, heart-thumping thrills, and hair-raising scares, visit Halloween Horror Nights® at Universal Studios, Orlando – Sweet Sixteen this year. With 15 years of history scaring guests – this year the Halloween Horror Nights® takes place in the back-lot of the original theme park (“Ride the Movies”). With 7 horrifying haunted houses, and 3 nightmarish “Scare Zones” – visitors will probably experience one of the most ghoulish fright-nights of their lives.

Halloween Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens in Tampa is well worth the 45 minute drive down the I-4 from one of our Orlando vacation homes. Set in the “Club Muse” nightclub within the Busch Gardens theme park and zoo – the goal is to survive and to get out…as quickly as you can! Be sure to go on-line to the Halloween Howl-O-Scream web site and try the interactive on-line game to try to escape the club in seven minutes!

Disney® offers the “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” at Magic Kingdom - a show that’s designed for kids and families to enjoy. Take the opportunity to dress up at your vacation home and then visit Mickey and his friends in full “scary” fancy dress if you’d like.

Get trick-or-treat goodies from your favorite characters, and make sure to watch the “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade – better and bigger than last years. Be sure to stay and watch the “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks show that rounds out the evening.

Halloween also meets the sea this October during SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. An underwater “fantasea” comes alive as youngsters trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more. Children can dress-up in their favorite costume and play with sea fairies, learn from a ‘school’ of fish or dance with an ice witch. The park’s sea lions and otters get into the Halloween spirit with special themed shows. The event begins each day at 11 a.m. and is included in park admission.

Whatever your family’s wishes for Halloween – be sure to book in to a VillaDirect vacation home for the perfect home to go back to and relax after a scary encounter!