You don’t have to only visit Universal Orlando Resort or Walt Disney World Resort for an amazing Halloween experience in central Florida. SeaWorld Spooktacular is another fall event that you’ll come to love while visiting Orlando that takes place September 16th through October 31st 2023.
I’ve been working seven days straight without having the chance to check out the latest fall event rumors at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular and at the other parks.
This is mostly due to my late nights working that leave me extremely tired the next day.
As I started reviewing my past experiences of this annual event, I thought it’ll be great to give you some of the BEST ways to enjoy it.
After all, SeaWorld Spooktacular is not just for kids.
Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know for this year’s SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular event!
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Can adults trick or treat at SeaWorld?
You absolutely can! SeaWorld invites everyone to enjoy all of their festive Halloween activities at the park.
You can enjoy it as an adult if you’re going with a group of friends or if you’re going alone.
Today I want to show you my top reasons you’ll fall in love with SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular.
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15 Easy Ways to Make the Most Out of SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Visit
Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s go through the top tips for your Orlando Halloween trip.
1. Start Early
This is a classic tip for any theme park trip.
Especially if you want to see and do everything during your visit.
Coming early to SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular will give you a chance to pace yourself by allowing you to enjoy all the activities special to this autumn event.
2. Map out Your Day and Download App
This is another classic tip for any avid theme park traveler. You can read some of my top ways of doing SeaWorld here!
Mapping out your day with the app will save you the headache of missing out on unique things, especially if you’re only able to visit once.
This tip is very important, because it will help guide you on:
- where to find ride wait times
- what the current show times are
- park hours
- dining venue hours and offerings
Having the park app will allow you to view the map and get familiar with the layout of SeaWorld Orlando prior to your visit.
SeaWorld Orlando Halloween Spooktacular Hours
The SeaWorld park hours are usually from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. However, you can enjoy the Spooktacular event on select weekend days from 11 a.m. until 1 hour prior to park closing.
However, during the peak days during the Halloween season, the park may be open until 12 a.m. for the Howl-O-Scream event.
Remember when planning your trip, always check the park’s website or mobile app for the current hours and wait times.
SeaWorld Orlando Map
3. Meet the Special SeaWorld Spooktacular Halloween Characters
While you’re enjoying all of the fall-inspired activities taking place at SeaWorld, don’t forget to meet all the aquatic characters (like mermaids) decked out in their Halloween best!
Penelope is the queen of the night, but she’ll have her friends out to do meet-and-greets with you.
You can meet some of them at the Mermaid Grotto and throughout various places inside the park.
4. Watch the Sesame Street Halloween Parade
I know you’re probably thinking that I’m pushing it to have you see this parade on your adult trip, but it’s actually a well-done experience.
During the Sesame Street Halloween parade, you’ll join The Count, Elmo, Big Bird and more as they party with you through the famous street.
You will also get the chance get into your own Halloween spirit as you join in with classic songs to sing along to with the Sesame Street characters.
5. Map Out Your Candy Route
Trick or treating at SeaWorld Spooktacular is the BEST part of the evening!
There are quite a few candy stops for you to visit on your Halloween excursion at SeaWorld. So, if you can map out where the trick-or-treat locations will be, then you’ll be able to quickly get to those spots on your trip.
This will save you so much time.
SeaWorld has much better candy options than Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Plus, many stops give you full-size candy bars!
You can’t get any better than that…
Each sea-themed, trick-or-treat station offers a variety of candy favorites including Haribo®, Smarties® and Albanese®, just to name a few.
6. Repeat the Candy Walk
Why only circle the trick-or-treat candy stations once???
You have to do it big at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular and TREAT YO SELF! Go around the candy trail a few more times and get your money’s worth.
7. Bring Your Own Bag
In order for you to carry all that delicious Halloween candy and snacks you will be getting, it’s best to bring your own bag.
I recommend not only having your own trick-or-treat bag, I recommend also buying the small one that SeaWorld offers.
The reason I say to buy the one they have onsite is because, I’ve seen the Team Members give more candy to people with the SeaWorld bag, then one’s with their own.
So, you can use your small official SeaWorld bag to collect the candy.
Once that bag is filled, transfer the candy to the bag you brought from home and continue your trick or treating adventures!
You can get the reusable bags at select locations such as:
- Exit Gift Shop
- SeaWorld Store
- Lighthouse Cart
- Children’s Gift
- Sea Rescue
- Shoppes of Waterfront
- Merchandise bayside huts
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8. Dress Up for SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular
The fun part about Halloween is the ability to get creative and dress up as something or someone who inspires you.
SeaWorld invites you to come to the Spooktacular event in a fun custom, but there are restrictions.
Per SeaWorld, all guests are welcome to dress up in costumes, although only those 12 and younger are allowed to wear masks. Guests who are ages 13 and older may not wear masks or hoods in the park, and all costumes are subject to the normal dress code for the park. In addition, face painting is not permitted on any guests unless it is done by park artists.
While you’re there, don’t forget to have your kid participate in the Costume Contest on Fridays in front of the Journey to Atlantis plaza!
You can read more Halloween Orlando events here!
9. Know the Ways to Enjoy it as an Adult
If character meet and greets or Sesame Street shows are not your thing, then maybe keep an adult itinerary in your mind.
Here are my top recommendations for adults visiting SeaWorld Spooktacular event:
- Do a pub crawl
- Ride each roller coaster
- Sign up for a special SeaWorld Tour
- Do the Count von Count’s Spooktacular Breakfast
- Have lunch or dinner at the Underwater Grill
- Hang out in the Pass Member Lounge (available only for SeaWorld Annual Pass Members)
- Stay late for SeaWorld Orlando Howl-O-Scream
If you want a more intense experience, then consider a Busch Gardens Halloween adventure!
10. Join the Scarecrow Halloween Party
This year you’ll be able to join a cast of silly characters for an aquatically-themed Halloween Dance Party to your favorite music.
11. Know When to Go to SeaWorld Orlando
Since this event is not as popular as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, it’s usually held on the weekends (some Fridays and every Saturday and Sunday) only during the event.
This is important to know so that you’re not like me and show up on a Thursday thinking I was beating the crowd…
What are the 2023 SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular dates?
As mentioned earlier, the SeaWorld Spooktacular 2023 dates are September 16th to October 31st 2023.
12. Save Time and Money and Buy Discounted SeaWorld Tickets Online
The great thing about SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular is that it’s included with regular park admission.
So, you can be at the park all day to do both the regular attractions and the Halloween offerings all in the same day!
Also think about becoming a SeaWorld Pass Member. Pass Members at SeaWorld Orlando enjoy some really cool benefits like:
- Unlimited admission to SeaWorld for 12 months with no block out dates during the initial 12-month commitment and any renewal period
- Free general parking
- Exclusive monthly rewards like bring a friend for FREE
Groupon offers great deals on SeaWorld tickets. You can also purchase your tickets directly from SeaWorld’s website prior to your visit.
How Much is a SeaWorld Orlando Ticket?
- One-day admission starting at $107.99
- Two Park Tickets starting at $153.99 per park
*All SeaWorld ticket, dining, tour, and merchandise pricing subject to change.
13. Arrive Early to the Shows at SeaWorld Spooktacular Event
SeaWorld Orlando has some of the best theme park shows you’ll see in the city. They also have their show schedule down to a science.
The shows starting from the front of the gate are usually scheduled shortly after each other from the front to back of the park.
During the SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular event, you’ll want make sure you enjoy the cute shows and activities such as:
- Halloween Storytime with Big Bird
- Pumpkin Garden and Storyteller
- Halloween Cookie Decorating and Kids Crafts
14. Take Breaks and Explore
SeaWorld Orlando has so many nooks and crannies with opportunities to chat with team members.
You’ll love just exploring what they have to offer and I guarantee you will leave there with some kind of new information you learned.
Hipster Power Tip: Take an AC break in places such as Antarctica: Empire of the Penguins, Wild Arctic walk-through, and the Shark Encounter.
15. Have Fun at SeaWorld Spooktacular!
SeaWorld Orlando is one of the best theme parks in the world! You will have an amazing time if you plan the right way and follow these tips.
My Final SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular Review
I enjoy this event each year. It’s a fun event for a solo trip, a trip with friends or one with family.
I was lucky to take my daughter to her very first one right after her one year old birthday.
It was a solo SeaWorld Halloween day with my one year old toddler… and yes, I survived!
Remember that the event is included with your park admission, so you don’t have to worry about paying additional money for it.
Now go out there and start your SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular adventure today!
I want to know what your favorite tip is for SeaWorld Spooktacular in the comment section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
If you enjoyed this article, then you’ll love these:
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- SeaWorld Christmas Celebration Guide
- Where to Buy Cheap Orlando Theme Park Tickets
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
Are you planning an Orlando vacation soon? Read the Orlando Vacation Planning Guide for your next dream trip!
(Original Article Date Fall 2012/Updated September 5, 2023)
I love going to Mickey’s Halloween but since they canceled on us, I am planning on giving Sea World a shot (wish it wasn’t weekends only). Thanks for the post!
SeaWorld’s Halloween event is hard to compare with Disney’s Halloween event, but each time I go to the Spooktacular event at SeaWorld I have so much fun seeing the characters dressed in their Halloween costumes, eating great food, dancing to the music and trick-or-treating around the park!