How U.S. Theme Parks Are Celebrating Halloween This Year

30.10.2023 - 21:30 / forbes.com / Harry Potter

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—if you’re into spooky season and all things Halloween, that is.

Still don't have any plans? Head to your nearest U.S. theme park for an all-out, fright-filled extravaganza complete with creepy shows and haunted houses. But be warned: some of them are considered to be more kid-friendly than others.

While this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World and the ever-popular Oogie Boogie Bash at the Disneyland Resort are sold out this year, Oct. 31 is still a fun day to visit any of the Disney parks to see their elaborate Halloween decorations on full display. Plus, all your favorite characters will be sporting special Halloween outfits, there’s a pumpkin festival on Main Street and you’ll find limited-time seasonal snacks at most of the on-site restaurants. Ticket prices vary depending on how many days and parks you visit.

Tickets are still available for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, where prices start at $99 on Halloween night and range from $84.99 to $104.99 for the remaining nights through Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. At Universal Hollywood, Oct. 31 is the final night of the event, with tickets from $87 for general admission beginning at 7 p.m. or from $162 if you wish to enter the park at 2 p.m. to enjoy its daytime attractions, too. Note that is a decidedly not kid-friendly event.

Whichever park you choose, you can expect a mix of haunted houses — this year, they’re based on Stranger Things, The Exorcist, The Last of Us, Chucky and Evil Dead Rise, among other spine-tingling themes — horrifying scare zones and, at Universal Hollywood, the chance to experience the Terror Tram. At Universal Orlando, Potterheads won’t want to miss the Death Eaters Encounter in Diagon Alley at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which premiers this year.

Oct. 31 is your last chance to experience Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida and Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia. Note that while Spooktacular is a day-time event suitable for families (from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay only on Oct. 31), Howl-O-Scream is geared more toward older teens and adults (from 7 p.m. to midnight in Tampa, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Busch Gardens Williamsburg).

You’ll find a variety of themed shows and scare zones, and plenty of haunted houses at either park. The KILLarney Diner is a fan favorite at the Williamsburg park, while D.H. Baggum’s Circus of Fear has been a big hit this year at the Tampa Bay park. You can also go on all the rides in the dark, adding a whole new level of fear to your favorite roller coasters. In Tampa Bay, adult tickets start at $44.99, with all-day-and-night tickets from $120. In Williamsburg, adult tickets