Fall time is upon us again and with that comes a sense of nostalgia and fond memories of past Halloweens! But this is also the age where our wee teens start to develop drastically different sensibilities.
One year, they’re only too happy to go trick-or-treating and the next, they find the entire ordeal positively juvenile. A Disney-themed Halloween party is just not going to cut it anymore! From covering their eyes and holding you close when watching a scary movie to now partaking in horror movie marathons and gore-fests, a lot has changed.
So where do you find PG13 Halloween fun for your not-so-little terror-chaser? Orlando, of course! With the hot, sultry summer months drawing to a close, the temperatures dropping, and the Halloween spirit looming near, it’s the perfect time to visit Orlando, the Halloween Capital of the World. If you don’t know where to start, don’t fret (at least not yet), because we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we go over all the best scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween with teens to make the process of planning your October trip to The City Beautiful as effortless as possible. Your teenager will have a great time and you will be the coolest parent on the block! Read on to know what Orlando has in store for you.
Scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween: A Petrified Forest
A Petrified Forest is a moderately priced adventure that begins on 30th September and functions throughout the month on select dates. Comprising three eerie scare trails for groups of six or less, the experience involves you navigating your way through the haunted forest where you might encounter some uninvited company.
This spooky adventure is not for the weak of heart, so consider yourself warned! But if haunted houses aren’t enough to get your teen’s heart racing, this event held in Altamonte Springs is a perfect choice.
The tour even features special nights called “Total Eclipse” where all you’ll be given to help you make your way through the trail are a couple of glowsticks! The monsters and other terrors in your path during Total Eclipse have full liberty to make contact when trying to snatch your glow stick. Whether they do so through blood-curdling, shrill noises and calls or through touch is for you to find out!
A Petrified Forest is a strictly PG13 event with the exception of one kids’ night. If you wish to participate in the “Total Eclipse” night, all kids under the age of 18 will require signed waivers from parents. Also, note that over-the-top costumes with Halloween masks or props like swords and knives are not allowed on the trails.
Universal Studios Presents Orlando Halloween Horror Nights
Known as Orlando’s premier Halloween destination, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal studios is a must-visit for every thrill chaser looking for scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween. 2023 will mark the 32nd year of this spine-chilling event. The HHN31, as it is popularly called, commences on 2nd September and runs on Fridays and weekends all the way through till November.
The theme park has looming terror hiding behind every corner of its large grounds. From the 10 intricately designed haunted houses and hordes of creatures keeping their keen eyes on you, to multiple Scare Zones; Universal Studios leaves no stone unturned to keep you on your toes.
Every year, the park comes up with a different theme to catch you off-guard. For instance, in 2018, the haunted house emulated Netflix’s flagship show, Stranger Things!
Universal always goes the extra mile to elevate the scare factor beyond the usual flickering lights, eerie sound effects, and ghosts. If your young adult is a horror-movie fanatic, they will thoroughly enjoy the cinematic tributes and be startled by the jump scares (even if they don’t admit it!). Additionally, the food and drinks at the HHN31 are to die for.
Enjoy the creatively-themed feasts along with the live shows and diabolical company. Just keep in mind the lessons you’ve learned from all the scary movies; if you wander off alone, you might not return the same way! Tickets for this event are sold separately and not included in the theme park pass.
Scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween: Scream n’ Stream
Scream n’ Stream is a drive-through haunted house experience that takes place in Florida Mall. Based on a unique and exciting concept, the event will have you surrounded by dread and fear from all sides, and yet absolutely safe and sound within the comfort of your own car!
The haunted house doesn’t shy away from the theatrics either and comes in all guns blazing with ominous sounds, fog and smoke, unsettling lighting, and live performers that are more than equipped to scare the living daylights out of you.
Charged by the car, and not the number of people, your aim is to navigate your way through seven horror films and around the many terrors that await you on the road. In addition to this, there are also some upgrades that you can opt for, such as a private session with a fortune teller.
For the ultimate sensory challenge, you can even choose to have a “blackout” experience. It’s sort of similar to playing blind man’s buff, but instead of attempting to tag the people around you, you’ll try to escape the horrors that surround you with a blindfold on!
Scream n’ Stream starts on October 1st and takes place on select nights up until Halloween. For personal interactions or photo ops with the scare actors along with merchandise and refreshments, the lobby of the mall will be at your service.
Scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween: The Haunted Road – A Halloween Drive-Thru
The Haunted Road is another drive-thru escapade that is worth a drop-by if you’re after some serious scares! The possessed site of the terrifying ordeal is situated in East Orlando and comprises a 25-minute drive down “The Haunted Road”, a long road filled with darkness and sightings that will make your stomach churn.
Between the diabolical phantoms and enigmatic ghouls that are hungry for flesh, some terrors remain with you forever! It begins on September 21st and is open to unsuspecting victims on premarked dates till the 6th of November.
If that isn’t enough, you also have the option to walk through a human slaughterhouse following your harrowing drive. And if you survive all of that, you’ll be treated to an amazing after party with a spooky DJ, some mouthwatering BBQ out of a food truck, decadent desserts, and some Halloween-ey drinks!
Alcoholic beverages are available at this event as well, so make sure to accompany your teenagers and exercise caution.
Scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween: 13 Films Of Halloween
Why should a vacation hamper your Halloween time movie ritual? You can always carve out a day to celebrate it, and the Enzian Theater is the perfect venue for you and your family to do just that! Located a mere 20 minutes from downtown Orlando, the cinema hall is one of the most beloved movie spots in the city.
For Halloween, the theater screens thirteen curated horror flicks that are a combination of classics and new hits all through the month of October. Every film requires a separate ticket, and with it comes a free drink that is inspired by the movie playing! There is even a Halloween party that caters to kids under 13, making this Halloween attraction perfect for the whole family.
Día De Los Muertos & Monster Party
For the art-lovers both young and old, this event is sure to spook you as much as it entertains and educates you! Taking place at CityArts on October 20th from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., the party involves exhibits that showcase several art pieces by local, national, and international artists.
All the artworks displayed draw inspiration from either Halloween or Dia De Los Muertos (the Day of the Dead), a festival that is celebrated in Mexico. Aside from the fascinating exhibition, the outdoor festival also includes delicious food, drinks, and entertainment to make it an unforgettable experience for all.
You will also find several art vendors selling their hauntingly wonderful pieces of art for you to take home with you so don’t miss out on those!
SeaWorld Orlando Presents Howl-O-Scream
If you and your teen are the types to laugh at horror movies that leave others shivering, the Howl-O-Scream is probably where you need to go. This after-dark sinister soiree is no amateur Halloween event!
The transition that the lovely, kid-friendly SeaWorld goes through is truly remarkable and involves the entire theme park being restructured to create haunted houses, multiple terror zones, and a space for a live show.
The highly immersive experience mainly involves escaping all sorts of monstrous creatures and evil beings. And mind you, they aren’t the easiest to get away from either!
The pitch-black alleyways with plenty of terrors that tower over you will keep your stomach in a state of constant unease. Every haunted house flaunts a different theme, each with its own distinct way of scaring the bejeezus out of you.
Ride the night coaster afterward as a special treat (because if a roller coaster in the dark doesn’t get your heart pumping, we don’t know what will!). After the entire ominous ordeal, finally catch your breath while filling your belly and quenching your thirst at the many eateries and bars situated around you.
There’s even a live DJ, a music and dance show, and a dance floor for you to shake a leg after you break a cold sweat! The full experience is available right from September 9th till October 31st on every weekend and Friday.
Scary things to do in Orlando for Halloween: American Ghost Adventures
American Ghost Adventures is an event that takes the excitement of Halloween to a whole new level. Open year-round, this Halloween ghost tour does not follow the stereotypical Halloween decor, but prides itself on being the real deal!
People from all over the world fly in to visit the haunted locations, many even swearing to have seen looming shadows and felt paranormal presences and other unsettling experiences for themselves.
The company offers several cleverly named tours to choose from; a haunted pub tour called “Spirits with Spirits” and a daunting dining experience called “Dining with the Departed” are its most sought-out packages.
Remember that alcoholic beverages are served during these tours, so make it a point to supervise your teenager at every juncture to ensure that the experience is completely kid-safe (apart from being frighteningly entertaining, of course).
Scream-A-Geddon
If you are staying in Orlando and don’t mind a 90-minute drive for some awesome scares, then the Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City will not disappoint. Referred to as the scariest haunted house in the continental U.S, this horror park’s Halloween festivities begin on September 9th and run for the whole month on select dates.
The Scream-A-Geddon is a pandora’s box of terror that offers you 6 horrifying experiences spanning over 60 acres. While not the most creatively named, The Zombie Paintball Assault delivers what it promises.
It begins with a bus that takes you around the campus where you will be under attack by zombies from every angle possible! Your task is to obliterate the zombies with your paint gun before they get to you.
The Ravenhill Asylum, as the name suggests, is an interactive experience in which you walk through an institution filled with demented inmates and patients who have been locked up for decades. The Demon’s Revenge, on the other hand, is set in an old church surrounded by a wooded area. From women with chainsaws to a variety of demons and even dragons, the church shrouds many horrors within its doors.
Rage 3D is another experience that is replete with cutting-edge special effects and a terrifying ambiance that sets it apart from the many disappointing 3D illusion centers in malls. Similar to the Asylum, the Blackpool prison is also an interactive experience, but one with criminals instead of the deranged!
Ticket prices vary depending on how soon you book them. The pass gives you access to 5 of the above attractions, while the Zombie Paintball Assault needs to be bought separately.
Apart from the base ticket and pass fares, there are also a couple of upgrades that you can opt for at additional costs. Hair-raising experiences, games, and eateries with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, this place is the real deal when it comes to having a spooktastic time with your teen on Halloween!
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