Halloween Spooktacular Sea World Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando has an annual Halloween event for young kids and, best of all, it's free with your regular admission. The SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular runs on select weekends in October, with special entertainment, activities, and of course trick or treating.

What can you do at SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular? Trick or treating is always a big favorite, but it's only part of the overall festivities. Kids can come in costume and bring their own goody bags or pick one up for free at the park. Then they make their way to the various trick or treat stations, collecting candy at each. There's no limit on the number of times they can go through the stations. Is the candy the “good stuff?” Most definitely, as you'll find familiar brands like Jelly Belly, Tootsie Roll, and Airheads.

Kids can also decorate their own sweet treats for a small extra cost at the cookie decorating station. The cookies come with frosting and decorative items so your little artists can unleash their creativity before they devour their creation.

There's also a big party brewing in Penelope's Party Zone. A DJ keeps things lively in the Bayside area of the park as bubbles drift through the air to create an undersea atmosphere. You might even see a giant pumpkin fish glide by, and she'll be happy to stop for photos. Watch for Shamu and other characters in their costumes, too.

The fun starts at noon, but if your little ones can make it all the way until the 8 p.m. closing time, they'll love the Spooktacular Dance Party that caps the night near the park entrance. Princess Penelope and and her friends come out for line dancing amidst a cloud of bubbles. If you stay until closing, make sure to stop by the Antarctica area before you go to see it all lit up in soft, chilly colors. It has a completely different atmosphere after dark.

If your kids love Sesame Street, you might want to spring the extra money for Count Von Count's Spooktacular Breakfast. It's a great way to fuel up for a long day of enjoying SeaWorld Orlando, since you'll want to fit in all the rides and shows, as well as the special Halloween activities. Even if your children are too young for headliners like the Manta and Kraken roller coasters, they'll still love the kiddie rides in Shamu's Happy Harbor.

All of the usual shows run during the party, too. The three must dos are One Ocean, which is the killer whale show in Shamu Stadium; the Blue Horizons show with talented dolphins and pilot whales; and Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island, featuring the park's beloved sea lions and walruses, along with an unruly otter.

Even if your little ones are timid, they'll love the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular. It's geared to the younger family members, which means it's all treats and no tricks, much like Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Unlike the Disney party, there's no extra charge to attend, which makes it a big favorite of families who are on a budget but who still want to have a great Halloween celebration during their trip.