Disney World, Universal offer fun ways to celebrate Halloween

Rocky Horror Picture Show characters at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights. (Copyright 2009 Universal Orlando Resort)

By MaryFlynn

I have taken my two oldest kids, ages 19 and 21, to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando for the past five years, and it has now become our family tradition to go each year. The first time we went in the middle of the week, which I preferred since there were less people, the tickets were cheaper, and the lines to the rides and haunted houses were not very long. Universal’s event is designed for adults and kids alike and is considered the largest of its kind in the United States.

We like attending the Rocky Horror Picture Show on stage, where we can laugh and get a bit frightened all at the same time. And the nighttime parade, with its costumes and crazy floats, is so much fun — a lot like a Mardi Gras parade, where they throw beads and little prizes.

The haunted houses change themes every year, with themes taken right from the movies. As a guest, you can even be selected to participate in the event itself. An employee asked my son if he wanted to be a guest zombie; they took him back, dressed him up, and he roamed the park just as the other zombies did.

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is truly a unique family vacation experience for anyone that likes to be scared and have fun. My kids and I are always surprised at what Universal has in store for guests, since it is never the same twice. My kids have been to a lot of different Halloween parks and by far love Universal’s the best because it is truly a Halloween experience.

I have taken my 9-year-old twins to Disney’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for the last three years. Each year they get excited to go — to dress up in their costumes and go trick or treating at different places in the park. I enjoy it because I don’t have to worry about them knocking on strangers’ doors, and I think they really have a better time.

The parade and the fireworks are very magical, as the characters also dress up in costumes, and everything is illuminated. One of our other favorite activities at the event is bobbing for apples and having apple cider, and one year the kids got chocolate mouse ears from Minnie herself.

For me, the best part of this event is the low crowd level, which means there are virtually no lines. The Not-So-Scary Halloween Party requires a separate ticket from the regular day ticket, so the park is closed to everyone except those with the special Halloween tickets. My kids are thrilled to ride every ride in Fantasyland multiple times without ever having to wait in line.
We will continue to go to this Disney party, and this year I am taking my two-year-old grandson.

Related Orbitz resources:

• Family vacation
• Disney vacation
• Universal Orlando vacation

Mary Flynn is an Orlando native with 4 children, ages 21, 19 and 9-year-old twins. She also has two grandsons who are 19- and 6-months old. She travels all the time with some — if not all — the kids.

Tagged: Disney, Family time, Florida