Can you escape the horrors of Kissimmee’s Old Town?
Take a break from the theme parks this Halloween to explore some of the smaller and quirkier attractions that Orlando has to offer; starting with a visit to Kissimmee’s Old Town.
A recreation of a classic Florida town located just minutes from Disney Springs, with an emphasis on family-friendly fun, Old Town is a shopping and entertainment area that is popular with locals and tourists alike. Since 1986 visitors have flocked to its 18-acre site filled with brick-paved, tree-lined streets that are brimming with more than 70 shops and restaurants. With rides suitable for all ages, including an 86ft-high Ferris Wheel which offers great views across Kissimmee, the Rootin & Tootin’s Shootin’ Alley, and the Happy Days Family Fun Center – not to mention weekly free entertainment such as the Friday Nite Muscle Car Cruise and Saturday Nite Classic Car Cruise, it’s definitely worth paying a visit to experience this old-school slice of Americana.
As Halloween again approaches, the folk at Old Town have teamed up with the haunted house attraction at the heart of the town, Mortem Manor in order to bring to life the spooktacular event The Haunt at Old Town.
Running for select nights from Friday 21st September to Saturday 3rd November between 6:00pm and 11:00pm, you will have the chance to explore horrifying hair-raising scare zones and spine-tingling spook-filled attractions. Don’t get lost in the haunted town setting, or you may never make your return to the land of the living!
If you manage to make your escape from the waking nightmares that surround you outside, then step into the haunted house, Mortem Manor. It may not be an escape for long as you experience the full horrors the creepy looking two-storey mansion has to offer! This attraction is open all year round from Wednesday to Sunday for those who dare to be scared! With a small but dedicated cast of live actors hell-bent on scaring you, state-of-the-art animatronics and an array of special effects including blood-curdling sound effects and strategically-placed air cannons, you will come face-to-face with the previous residents of the house and learn their terrible secrets…
If you have mobility problems, it is worth noting that Mortem Manor may not be suitable for you, as there are a number of full and short flights of stairs that guests will have to navigate throughout the two-storey building. In addition there are some very dark corridors that you will have to pass along, which help to ramp-up the suspense, though may be an issue if you are unsteady on your feet or are in a wheelchair.
Access to Mortem Manor is currently $15 per person (excluding tax), and anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied through the house. After you have travelled through the terrifying rooms and back to safety, you might want to try out the Manor’s Last Ride burial simulator for an extra $5 (again, excluding tax). This solo experience will find you placed in a coffin, which is sealed, leaving you in total darkness, before sending you off on the journey to your final resting place! This experience makes great use of sound and smell, and certainly would be a talking point when you get back home!
Tickets for this experience at Mortem Manor can be booked through the mortemmanor.com website before you go.
After your ordeal, why not grab a bite to eat at one of Old Town’s restaurants? There is something to suit all tastes as you choose whether to enjoy some yummy traditional American food and drink from Southern Breeze, or the Chinese offerings at Bamboo Court. Maybe you’d prefer pizza - both Flippers Pizzeria and the newly-opened Froggers Bar and Grill are bound to hit the spot! If that isn’t spicy enough for you, then Tex Mex Express has a great choice of all your favourites.
Do you dare to take a trip to the Haunt at Old Town this Halloween? If you do we’d love to hear how you got on! Do you have any handy hints for visitors who will be attending, for example where you would recommend grabbing a bite to eat, or when is the best time to attend? If you do plan on paying a visit, double-check which nights the event is running on the town’s official website to make sure that you aren’t disappointed!
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