Theme parks have long been considered to be summer vacation destinations. The lingering daylight in the summer months combined with the blissfully warm temperatures make it an amazing time of year to ride rollercoasters, get soaked on log flumes and enjoy a giant turkey leg for an afternoon snack.
But fall is when theme parks truly come to life. In recent years, the number of Halloween theme park celebrations has increased significantly, giving theme park visitors around the country endless opportunities to combine the thrills they crave with the frightfully fun Halloween season.
Below, we detail the eight best Halloween theme park events, ranging from ones aimed at young trick-or-treaters to those seeking true frights.
1. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom in Disney World
- Best for: Families with young children
- AAA Discount: Walt Disney World tickets
When the Florida summer is still in full swing, Walt Disney World in Orlando is getting ready to be wrapped in fall splendor. There's Mickey-shaped Jack-o-Lanterns along Main Street and hay bales as well as cornstalks around every turn.
The decor perfectly sets the stage for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom, which is easily one of the top Halloween theme park celebrations for guests of all ages. Geared towards the youngest visitors, this event is welcoming and free from jump-scares and spooky scenes. Rather, it's a happy haunt that has become a time-honored tradition for many families during the Halloween season.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is an exclusive evening party that is available on select nights between the middle of August and Halloween night each year. While this party is not included in your regular admission ticket to Walt Disney World, guests will find that the special events and one-of-a-kind character meet and greets are well worth it. Highlights of this fabulous Halloween party include trick-or-treating throughout Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade and Disney's Not-so-Spooky Spectacular evening show, which concludes the event each night. Come in costume, bring your trick-or-treat bag and get ready for an unforgettable Halloween night with Mickey himself.
2. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Orlando
- Best for: Teens and older guests looking for intense and immersive scares
- AAA Discount: Universal Studios tickets
Self-described as an all-encompassing nightmare, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Orlando is one of the best Halloween theme park celebrations for older teens and adults. The event itself is designed to be a sensory overload, one in which every sight, smell and touch has the potential to be utterly terrifying. It is definitely not recommended for kids and it's probably best reserved for those who aren't afraid of the dark. Universal Studios states that the event is best for those over the age of 13.
Unlike other Halloween theme park celebrations, Halloween Horror Nights does not allow costumes, so leave your frightfully delightful outfit at home. The event takes place on select evenings from late August until early November and features 10 different haunted houses and scare zones. It's a living choose-your-own-adventure for those who love the thrill of a haunted night. AAA members can save on tickets to Universal Studios and Halloween Horror Nights by booking through their discount page.
3. Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney's California Adventure at Disneyland
- Best for: Families of all ages
- AAA Discount: Disneyland tickets
As another key theme park location, one of the best Halloween theme park events can be found in Anaheim, California, at Disney's California Adventure. Halloween time at Disneyland is particularly exciting, as both parks come to life with pumpkins, gourds, hardy mums and, of course, the giant Mickey Jack-o-Lantern that sets the stage for the season.
Similar to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, Oogie Boogie Bash is an evening ticketed event that takes place on select nights in August, September and October at Disney's California Adventure. While the event itself takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., guests with tickets can enter the park as early as 3 p.m. on the day of their celebration, where they will be able to enjoy Halloween-themed rides and attractions throughout the park. Highlights of the event include immersive Trick-or-Treat trails, the Frightfully Fun Parade and exclusive character experiences.
4. Six Flags Fright Fest
- Best for: Older guests looking for real scares
- AAA Discount: Six Flags tickets
Six Flags locations around the country go all out for the Halloween season, making Fright Fest one of the best Halloween theme park celebrations in the country. Locations may vary, but some of the Six Flags theme parks that offer Fright Fest include Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Six Flags Great America in Illinois and Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
In the past several years, Fright Fest has rebranded itself as Fright Fest Extreme and the event collaborates with popular horror franchises in order to give guests an immersive and at times terrifying experience. Taking place on select nights between mid-September and early November, Fright Fest includes haunted houses, scare zones, mazes and live shows. As you stroll around the park and experience the thrills of Fright Fest, you will want to be on the lookout, as you never know when you might be targeted for a scare.
5. Halloweekends at Cedar Point
- Best for: Those seeking a balance of scares, Halloween family fun and thrill rides
- AAA Discount: Cedar Point tickets
As the evenings become shorter in the Midwest and that brisk fall chill begins to settle into the air, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio prepares for one of the best Halloween theme park events in the country. Halloweekends at Cedar Point is a tradition stretching back decades, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy all of the classic thrills they have come to love at America's Roller Coast, set against the backdrop of spooky Halloween delights.
Halloweekends at Cedar Point takes place on select days and evenings in September, October and early November. While the event is ideal for those who like towering coasters and frightful scares, it's also a family-friendly event. During the day, on the weekends, guests of all ages will enjoy fall fun, such as a hay bale maze, a corn box to play in and, of course, a winding Trick-or-Treat trail.
As the sun sets and the moon begins to rise, however, this park goes from festive to freaky in a matter of moments. Halloweekends in the evening is not recommended for guests under the age of 13, as the park transforms into an endless haunted house, where jump scares are the norm and screams are encouraged. Scare zones, haunted mazes and live shows with a spooky vibe define the event and of course, visitors are welcome to hop on their favorite rides after dark.
6. Brick-or-Treat at Legoland Resorts
- Best for: Young trick-or-treaters and families
- AAA Discount: Legoland Tickets
If you are in search of one of the top Halloween theme park celebrations for young children, look no further than Brick-or-Treat, which is hosted at select Legoland Resorts around the country. Traditionally, Brick-or-Treat takes place each year on select dates in October at the Florida, New York and California resorts.
The full scope of Brick-or-Treat may vary based on the Legoland resort that you visit, but for the most part, you can expect seasonal character meet-and-greets, Trick-or-Treating through the park and a few exciting shows that aren't available at other times of the year. It's more low-key and manageable than other major Halloween theme park celebrations, yet it still makes for an incredible day and evening of fun for visitors of all ages.
7. Great Pumpkin LumiNights at Dollywood
- Best for: Families wanting laid-back Halloween fun
- AAA Discount: Dollywood Tickets
Considered to be the highlight of the seasonal Harvest Festival at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Great Pumpkin LumiNights is a fun-filled Halloween event that is more relaxing and refreshing than many of the other electric, terrifying events that are found throughout the country.
This simple yet magical event allows visitors to explore the park and discover creative and inspiring Jack-o-Lantern displays. The pumpkins themselves are carved into Jack-o-Lanterns and then crafted into larger-than-life sculptures, such as giant owls or illuminated guitars. With flavorful treats and live music creating a relaxing ambiance, Great Pumpkin LumiNights is a wonderful, family-friendly event that you won't want to miss.
8. Howl-O-Scream Busch Gardens Tampa
- Best for: Nighttime coaster rides and thrilling scares
- AAA Discount: Busch Gardens Tickets
Known as one of the premier Halloween events in Florida, Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers a thrilling and intense seasonal experience that is designed to terrify and excite. Unlike more lighthearted Halloween celebrations, this nighttime event transforms the park into a haunting landscape filled with elaborate haunted houses, sinister scare zones and roaming creatures waiting to deliver a fright at every corner. Guests can also enjoy adrenaline-pumping roller coasters in the dark, adding another layer of thrill to the evening. With themed shows, specialty food and drinks and an atmosphere that is as chilling as it is immersive, Howl-O-Scream is a must-visit event for those looking to embrace the scarier side of the season.
Plan Your Halloween Theme Park Trip with AAA
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