Theme parks prepare to open even more Halloween events this weekend

September 20, 2017, 1:48 PM · Walt Disney World kicked off the Halloween season in the nation's theme parks early this year, with Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starting in late August. But if you can't get to Orlando for the after-hours event (or don't want to pay the hard-ticket fee), Disney will live stream the Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade parade on Friday night, starting at 9:30 pm Eastern.

No, it's not quite the same as filling your bag with all the candy you collect in the party's unlimited, all-ages trick-or-treating, but it a free way to enjoy the approaching Halloween season. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party runs select nights through November 1 at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. On the west coast, Mickey's Halloween Party starts at Disneyland tonight, running select nights through Oct. 31.

Universal opened its annual Halloween Horror Nights events in Orlando and in Hollywood last weekend, as did Cedar Point and its Halloweekends. Knott's Scary Farm gets into the mix tomorrow night. (We will be in Buena Park for the debut.) Other Halloween events kicking off this weekend include:

• SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular, a family-friendly event featuring Sesame Street characters, starts Saturday and runs during regular park hours on weekends through October 29. Trick or treating is available to children in costume.

• Howl-O-Scream opens Friday at Busch Gardens Tampa and Saturday at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. The Tampa event is an after-hours, hard-ticket scare event, while the Williamsburg event takes over the park after 6pm, but is included with regular park admission for the day.

• Six Flags Fright Fest starts at Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags America, Six Flags New England, and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. (Fright Fest started last weekend at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and Six Flags Great America.)

Which events will you be visiting this year?

Replies (2)

September 20, 2017 at 1:58 PM · I did Halloween at California Adventure. The park looks great, but too much orange cones in Carsland. Orange is Halloween, but not cones. Interestingly, it wasn't used as a witches' hat. Why didn't they do an overlay for the Monster's Inc ride? It's absolutely perfect for Halloween.

Halloween is done way too early. I can imagine why, but it's a bit ridiculous.

September 20, 2017 at 3:01 PM · It's Spooktacular for us on Sunday :). We are taking my friends granddaughter using her "take a friend for free" deal, so looking forward to what I assume will be the usual relaxed atmosphere.
Bay stadium walkway is looking very spoookieeee !!

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