What Every Major US Theme Park Is Doing for Halloween
It’s that magical time of year again, where everything tastes like pumpkin spice and there’s nothing odd about the guy sitting next to you on the subway being dressed like a zombie. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the Halloween season has officially arrived. From Orlando to Los Angeles, here’s how the country’s biggest theme parks are planning to scare the pants off of you this fall.
Universal Orlando
Halloween lasts much more than a single night at Universal Studios Florida, where the park’s famed Halloween Horror Nights events pay tribute to some of the world’s most beloved (and feared) horror movies and television shows, with haunted houses inspired by The Shining, Saw, American Horror Story and Evil Dead, among others — there are nine altogether. Five Scare Zones turn the park into a parade of monsters and mutants, with this year’s themes being The Purge, Trick ‘R Treat, Festival of the Deadliest, Invasion! — a tribute to kitschy 1950s sci-fi — and Altars of Horror, which is best reserved for hardcore horror fans only. Those who would prefer a less participatory part in all the Halloween fun should check out live shows like the dance-filled Academy Of Villains: Afterlife and the hilarious Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure. Halloween Horror Nights happens on select nights now through November 4. Visit the website for a full list of dates and for more information about ticket prices and packages.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Not to be outdone, Universal Studios Hollywood is getting in on the scares, too — in some cases, playing up the same themes as its Florida sister park, like The Shining, American Horror Story, Ash vs. Evil Dead, Saw and The Horrors of Blumhouse, but in this case you’ll find yourself trapped in a horror maze instead of a haunted house — there’s an Insidious-themed maze, too. Fans of The Walking Dead will love the park’s fully immersive zombie experience, where you’ll have to fight off walkers in an attempt to survive. There are Scare Zones galore here, too, including a journey through hell in Urban Inferno, a dangerous attempt at trick-or-treating in Hell-O-Ween and a subhumanoid experience in Toxic Tunnel. Horror movie aficionados will be lining up for a ride on the Titans of Terror Tram, where Chucky — yes, the homicidal ginger doll at the heart of the Child’s Play franchise — will introduce guests to some of the horror genre’s most famous villains. Halloween Horror Nights happens on select nights now through November 4. Check the website for a full list of dates and for more information about ticket prices and packages.
Walt Disney World
The Happiest Place on Earth is a family-friendly place, and as such, maintains a pretty family-friendly approach to Halloween. Its big seasonal to-do is Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and the name sort of says it all. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park invites guests of all ages to dress up and join in the Halloween fun, which includes a Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular on Main Street; a Happy HalloWishes Fireworks Display, where creepy tunes accompany a wow-worthy pyrotechnics display; and a barbershop quartet of (friendly) zombies that will entertain you with some a capella tunes. Disney’s traditionally prince- and princess-like characters also get an eerie makeover during the Truly Spooktacular Procession. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party happens on specific dates now through November 1. Visit the website for a full lineup of events and for more information on ticket prices.
Disney California Adventure Park
While California’s Disneyland Park also hosts its own version of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, that event — which happens on select nights now through October 31 — has already sold out. Fortunately, that’s not your own spooktacular option. Right next door at the Disney California Adventure Park, there’s (mildly) frightening fun at every turn, including a host of Halloween-ified makeovers to some of the park’s most notable landmarks, a graveyard jamboree, costumed versions of your favorite characters from Cars — including Mater and McQueen — and an after-dark, more intense “Monsters After Dark” version of The Guardians of the Galaxy ride, where you’re tasked with helping Rocket Raccoon. Disney California Adventure Park’s Halloween fun is happening now through October 31. Visit the website for more details.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Halloween becomes Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. The popular event is returning for yet another year in which frightening creatures appear out of nowhere and various sections of the park have been reimagined as haunted houses and scare zones. The park will host a total of seven unique haunted houses, and two of them — the otherworldly Demented Dimensions and the post-apocalyptic Undead Arena — are brand new. More than half of this year’s five Scare Zones are also totally new adventures, where you’ll witness as a creepy carnival comes to life in Carnie Camp, do your best outwit a hungry horde of cannibals in Meat Market and watch as a group of abandoned school kids gets revenge on their evil headmaster in Class Deceased. Skeptics in particular might be interested in volunteering to become a part of mentalist Joshua Seth’s live show. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay’s Howl-O-Scream runs on select nights now through October 29. Visit the website for more information on times and tickets.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens' Virginia outpost will also be serving up scares with its own version of Howl-O-Scream where, after 6:00pm, the park turns into a fright-lover’s dream nightmare with a collection of seven elaborate haunted houses with names like Catacombs and Lumberhack; five frightening scare zones — known here as Terror-Tories — including one that puts you in the world of Jack the Ripper; two terrifying Escape Rooms; and a collection of horror-themed Spirit Bars, just in case you’re in need of some liquid courage. Howl-O-Scream runs from now to October 29. Visit the website for more information on times and tickets.
Six Flags
With 18 locations across the country, there’s no one-size-fits all way to celebrate Halloween at Six Flags. But several of the theme park chain’s locations will be adding a variety of terrifying attractions to their lineup, including haunted houses, scare zones, live shows and ratcheted-up rides, with regular Fright Fests. At Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari in Jackson, New Jersey, you can lock yourself in a room full of circus freaks and other creepy carnies in Big Top Terror; the Underworld meets the real world at Chicago’s Six Flags Great America; and you can spend a night partying with the undead at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles’ Club 6-Feet Under. Check your local Six Flags location’s website for Fright Fest specifics… if you dare.
Have you been to any of these Halloween theme park events before? Tell us about it, below.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.