Ready for some gory getaway travel? We'll tell you where to go to find bone-chilling roller coasters, frightful haunted houses and horror films come to life. For the chicken-hearted, or the very young, we'll give you milder fright night ideas.
1. Howl-O-Scream, Busch Gardens, Tampa
Howl-O-Scream transforms Busch Gardens Africa into a nightmare of inescapable fear. The devious creatures that infest six haunted houses, five scare zones and three thrilling shows have plenty of psychotic surprises in store, and bone-chilling roller coasters to keep the screams coming all night long.
New this year: Three new haunted houses will have you begging for mercy... and screaming for more.
• Catch Your Breath — Each October, The Messengers come out of hiding to prey upon 13 unlucky victims who are tracked down and tortured according to a cruel and unusual theme. This year, their method is suffocation, and the gang has already claimed 12 lives. Pray that 13 is not your unlucky number.
• Taste of Blood — Once revered as otherworldly royalty, vampires have now been forced underground into the subways and sewers to avoid the light. By day, they feed on rats to survive. But as night falls, members of the horde set out into the urban jungle to seduce fresh blood.
• Radiation Alert 3-D! — A terrible accident has cracked the containment units at the Gulf View Scientific Research Facility. Radioactive waste is pouring into the nearby bay and evaporating into the air as a threatening cloud of gas. Evacuation is underway, and you'll need your protective goggles to escape as quickly as possible!
Dates: Oct. 11-13, 18-21 and 25-28. Operating hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday and Sunday nights. Friday and Saturday hours are 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Admission: $59.95 plus tax, with savings available on advance e-ticket purchases at Howl-O-Scream.com/tampa. Reduced rates and special offers are also available to Busch Gardens Passport members, at participating AAA locations and for guests wishing to upgrade their paid daily admission to Busch Gardens.
For more information: See DeathJockey.com or call (888) 800-5447.
Warning: Howl-O-Scream is too intense for young children. Parental discretion is advised. No costumes are allowed.
2. Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Studios, Orlando
With Steven Spielberg as creative consultant, Universal Orlando has some of the world's most innovative theme park attractions based on pop culture's most compelling films and stories.
Universal Studios is a working film and TV production studio as well as a highly acclaimed motion picture and television theme park featuring attractions such as "Revenge of the Mummy — The Ride" and "Shrek 4-D." Islands of Adventure is the world's most technologically advanced theme park and features five uniquely themed islands that include Seuss Landing, Marvel Super Hero Island and Jurassic Park. Its marquee attractions include "Jurassic Park River Adventure" and "The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man."
New this year: Universal Orlando and New Line Cinema are bringing to life the legendary horror film series, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre at Halloween Horror Nights. Guests will come face to face with movie icons Freddy Kreuger, Jason and Leatherface as they experience the haunted houses and live shows of this 23-night event.
Also new this year:
• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Flesh Wounds — Guests find themselves trapped inside the Hewitt family home. Terror ensues, as they realize they are hunted by chainsaw-wielding Leatherface.
• Friday the 13th: Camp Blood — Visitors take a tour of the abandoned remains of Camp Crystal Lake, the "slay grounds" of Jason Voorhees.
• There also will be a themed haunted house, called The Thing: Assimilation, marking the 25th anniversary of John Carpenter's horror/science-fiction film.
Dates: The event continues through Oct. 11-14, Oct. 18-21, Oct. 24-28, and Oct. 31-Nov. 3.
Admission: Halloween Horror Nights is a special ticket event and regular admission is $64.95. Tickets may be purchased online www.halloweenhorrornights .com, by calling (888)-467-7677 (HORROR-7) or through Ticketmaster. Florida Residents can save up to $30 off the price of admission with the purchase of any Coca-Cola product and a valid Florida I.D. They can also purchase the Frequent Fear Pass, which grants unlimited admission to Halloween Horror Nights during non-peak nights throughout the entire event. In addition, Gory Getaway travel packages are available to guests wanting to extend their stay beyond one night. All rates subject to availability. Certain restrictions may apply. See the Web site for details.
For more information: Call (407) 224-5500 or www.halloweenhorrornights.com.
Warning: This event may be too intense for young children. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. There is no minimum age requirement for admission; however, adult discretion is strongly advised. There are no child ticket prices for this event. Costumes, make-up and masks are not allowed.
3. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween, Walt Disney World
Dress in costume for this Casper-the-Friendly Ghost boo bash at The Magic Kingdom. Event includes Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade, trick-or-treating at numerous locations, Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular — where the Disney Villains go trick-or-treating in the sky, and characters decked out in their favorite costumes.
New this year: This year experience the new, spectacular Halloween-themed fireworks display, "Happy HalloWishes."
Dates: Oct. 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, Nov. 2.
Admission: Gate price (including taxes): Admission to this event requires a seperate ticket: adult (age 10+); $48.94; child (age 3-9) $42.55.
For more information: Call (407) 934-7639.
Warning: Many nights will sell out in advance.
4. Sea World, Spooktacular, Orlando
Along with the killer whale shows, closeups with dolphins and sharks, and screamingly good roller coasters, there are lots of ghoulish entertainment and some special night-time shows. Here's your chance for an underwater FantaSea where kids can play with friendly sea creatures, nibble treats galore and enjoy special entertainment. Walk among friendly sea witches, octopuses, mermaids, pumpkin fish and more. Dress-up in your favorite costume and trick-or-treat while giggling with sea fairies, learning from a 'school' of fish or dancing with an ice witch. SeaWorld's otters and sea lions present Halloween-themed shows.
Dates: Oct. 14, Oct. 20-21, Oct. 26-28 and Oct. 31
Admission: General adult admission, $64.95; Florida residents pay $53.95 and can come back the next day.
For more information: Call (800) 327-2424 or see www.seaworldspooktacular.com
Bonus: Wear a costume, and go trick-or-treating throughout the park.
5. Miami Seaquarium, Halloween Monster Splash Nighttime Bash
Join Miami Seaquarium as the park unleashes its Halloween Monster Splash Nighttime Bash with four nights full of ghoulish fun, frights and trick-or-treating. Monster Splash Nighttime Bash will feature three nights of Halloween-themed animal shows, the Pirates of Shark Island skeletons and a haunted house. Candy stations and other cool surprises will be set up around the park for trick-or-treaters in costume. The nighttime shows will feature cadaverous creatures performing at Flipper's Thrills and Chills Show, follow the yellow brick road to The Wizard of Oz Sea Lion Show and see buccaneers put up a fight at Pirates of the Top Deck Show. Younger trick-or-treaters will get a chill when they walk through Ghostly Manor haunted house.
Dates: from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m, Oct. 26, 27, 28 and 31
Admission: Special admission price for the Nighttime Bash is only $19.95 (plus tax) per person.
For more information: Call (305) 361-5705 or
visit www.miamiseaquarium.com and click on "Upcoming Events."
Information courtesy of PalmBeachPost.com