Orlando really does go all out during Halloween, so there will never be a shortage of things for you to do! The theme parks are fantastic with immersive experiences for all the family, but what if you want to avoid them? We’ve compiled a few ideas for you to really get into the Halloween spirit, whilst avoiding the huge crowds that you’d encounter at the ever-popular theme parks in Orlando.

Gators, Ghosts and Goblins at Gatorland

Gatorland is celebrating Halloween this year with their new family-friendly Gators, Ghosts and Goblins event. Included in regular park admission, guests can stroll through creepy themed areas of the park like the “Graveyard of the Darned” and meet with the infamous Skunk Ape “the Florida Bigfoot”, that Gatorland guests have spotted throughout the years. Walking around you will come across selfie zones and games, as well as some spooky snacks. There’s also a special Halloween show; “Monster Movie Madness Show” starring Bubba, Cooter, and members of the audience!

As this is a daytime event, it’s ideal for the little ones to enjoy some Halloween fun, as well as explore the animals at the park. Kids are also welcome to wear costumes and be a part of all the excitement.

Event days: 19, 20, 26, 27, 31 October

A Petrified Forest

Located around half-an-hour’s drive from the Disney parks – in Altamonte Springs, you’re in for a real scare, something that would chill every film villain to the bone, The Scare Trails at A Petrified Forest! Horror lovers always rave about the attraction, with 2019 proving no different, as it has already been included amongst Scare-Factor’s ‘must-see haunts’, as voted for by fans. For triple the frights, this year the forest has three terrifying trails to experience! The utterly terrifying Total Eclipse event on 30th October guarantees a heart-pounding experience too, as you have to go the trail, but with only a solitary glowstick for company! Older gore-fanatics aren’t the only ones catered for either; on 12th October they have ‘Kids Day’, held from 9am till noon. Here the little ones get to go trick-or-treating before they enjoy the food, bouncy castle and slide, arts and crafts, as well as the games and prizes on offer – such as for the fancy dress contest! The crew are also not dressed up quite as scarily, as they are for the more gruesome evening event! Be advised that tickets for this can only be bought on the gate, on the day.

An exclusive night for special needs is offered on 16th October, as this night is reserved specifically for people with additional needs and their groups. For those needing assistance with wheelchairs, help is on hand and you are free to take as many breaks as you need, to make your way around.

For the inquisitive, A Petrified Forest offers a backstage tour, to give you insight into how the haunted attraction works behind the scenes. Here you are taught a few tricks of the trade before helping out scare the guests! This is perfect for those who love horror films, but may not enjoy the real-life jump-scares!

Tickets:

• $20 per person – Two trails
• $25 per person – Three trails
• $35 per person – VIP package – three trails + backstage tour
• $12 per person – Interactive backstage tour

Total Eclipse event tickets:

• $25 per person – Two trails
• $30 per person – Three trails
• $42 per person – VIP package – both trails + backstage tour

Prices do not include local taxes. You are advised to buy online, as the ticket booth on-site is cash only, although there is an ATM nearby. You have until 4pm daily to buy tickets for that day. All evenings are for those aged 13 and up, with anyone 12 or below, requiring an adult to supervise.

Dates:

• October 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31
• November 1, 2

Address: 1360 E Altamonte Dr, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701

www.apetrifiedforest.com

American Ghost Adventures

For the creepy connoisseurs amongst you, there is a two-hour tour of downtown Orlando held every night with American Ghost Adventures, where you can learn all about Florida’s resident spooks! Meeting at 7:45pm to begin your trail around 8pm, you meet a guide who regales you with tales and local legends as you walk through Florida. No two nights are the same, as you can be led to many places steeped in the scandalous history of the area! Equipped with ghost-hunting equipment, you step inside some of Orlando’s most haunted buildings to aid in American Ghost Adventures’ ongoing investigations. Everyone is advised to bring their own bug spray, because even though there are no zombies or vampires, you could end up bitten by the many mosquitoes!

Prices for this spooky attraction start at $30 for adults and $20 for children (aged from six up to twelve), with discounts available for groups of ten or more! For the more committed ghost hunter, there is also a VIP package! For $100 each, operating from Sunday through to Thursday, you get a four-hour tour, free gifts and access to more professional equipment, such as a laser thermometer, night-vision goggles, REM pod, live EVP machine and the digital-dowsing device known as an Ovilus. As this is a ghost tour, there won’t be anyone lurking around corners to jump out at you like many of the Halloween trails.

Meeting point: Harry Buffalo, 129 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801

www.americanghostadventures.com

Halloween Lights of Jeater Bend in Celebration

If you have an evening free, head over to the town of Celebration to see a free show like no other, the Halloween Lights on Jeater Bend! Every year 11 houses on Jeater Bend are coordinated for a spectacular display for both Christmas and Halloween! Expect to see many lights and music creating a fun atmosphere for the whole family. Statues of movie characters and spooky favourites, such as skeletons, vampires and jack-o’lanterns, line the street here. This really does blow most home displays found in the UK out of the water! They pull out all of the stops, with lasers, fog machines, lights and music in addition to film and TV clips, with everything from The Munster all the way up to Harry Potter, there really will be something for everyone to see to make them smile! Be advised though, this is a public road so expect cars to drive (albeit very slowly) through here. Houses are decorated on both sides, so take care when crossing backwards and forwards!

Location: Jeater Bend Dr, Celebration, FL 34747

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to get involved in the fun, from the fright-fest of A Petrified Forest, to the family friendly Halloween Lights on Jeater Bend! We hope this helps you experience more of Orlando, outside the usual trips to the theme parks. Have you been to Orlando during Halloween? What did you think? Did you visit anything we haven’t mentioned in our guide? If you have visited any of the above, get in touch or send us some pictures through our usual social media channels.