SeaWorld and Disney offer Halloween fun for the whole family

We’ve highlighted the very scary fun on tap at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, but for the little ones and the horror adverse, SeaWorld and Disney’s Halloween fun may be more your style.

Disney’s Halloween parties take place from 7 p.m. to midnight on 23 select nights between Sept. 13 and Nov. 1 at the Magic Kingdom. The parties feature an exclusive parade, fireworks, shows and dance parties. Tickets run from $53.95 to $67.95.

SeaWorld’s Halloween events take place every Saturday and Sunday in October and include characters, shows and arts and crafts. The events are included with admission to SeaWorld.

Guests are encouraged to don their favorite Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat at both events.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Disney starts the family-friendly fun this week as the after-hours Magic Kingdom party will once again be immersed in the Halloween spirit.

Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade proceeds down Main Street, U.S.A., heralded by the Headless Horseman and his trusty steed, and trailed by a cavalcade of holiday-themed characters, from Mickey and the gang to Disney villains and the stars of the Haunted Mansion (watch out for hitchhiking ghosts!).

The bewitching “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular illuminates the sky in bursts of orange and green fireworks, while Cinderella Castle is draped in eerie hues and ghostly apparitions flit along the park’s rooftops.

The Boo-to-you Parade takes place at 8:15 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. with HalloWishes Fireworks Spectacular in between at 9:30 p.m. Special lighting, music and theming effects combine to transform areas of the park into happy haunted hollows.

In addition to Land-to-Land trick-or-treating, meet and greets with characters and entertainment unique to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, many attractions will be open with little waits.

Party dates are: Sept. 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30; Oct. 2, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31; and Nov. 1.

To purchase advance tickets, guests can visit disneyworld.com/halloween or call 407/W-DISNEY. Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings of $6 per ticket are available for Sept. 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, and 30; Oct. 2, 6, 10, 11, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25 and 27; and Nov. 1.

Here’s a look at last year’s Not So Scary Halloween Party:

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular

Halloween meets the sea at SeaWorld with trick-or-treating, whimsical sea creatures, silly, spooky shows and sea-themed arts and crafts.

New this year is a lively underwater environment which will immerse children in the wonders of the sea through kid-friendly music by a live DJ, games and colorful characters at Penelope’s Party Zone.

Kids and parents alike can have a “splash” creating their own sweet treats at the new Apple Decorating Post. Tasty apples can be dipped – for a nominal fee – with the decadently-flavored sauce of choice: white chocolate, fudge, or caramel, and then topped with sprinkles to finish them off.

Don’t miss Count Van Count on a quest to find his friends, Elmo, Zoe and Telly in a live musical stage show called Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween.

Everyone can search for hidden “sea” treasures using their Spooktacular maps at more than a dozen different locations. Each station features an assortment of sweet treats, including a variety of candies and healthy-choice options.

Penelope Pumpkin fish, Shamu, Dolly Dolphin, Shivers the Polar Bear, Pete and Penny Penguin, a mermaid, and a walking-talking spider-crab are among the many fanciful sea creatures that will join the colorful, playful schools of pumpkin fish welcoming trick-or-treaters as they stroll through the park.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place October: 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 28-30. This daytime event runs from noon to 8 p.m. Tickets to SeaWorld and more information can be found at SeaWorldOrlando.com.

SeaWorld is also offering a couple of extra events this year for an added cost: Count Von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast “Booffet” and SeaWorld’s Holiday Family Sleepovers. Call 1-888-800-5447 for information about the character breakfast; call 1-800-406-2244 for information on the sleepover.

Here’s a look at last year’s Halloween Spooktacular: