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Disney, Legoland, more attractions offer less-scary Halloween options

 
Published Oct. 10, 2014

Other major attractions in Florida offer Halloween parties that are less ghoulish than Universal and Busch Gardens, which pride themselves on in-your-face scares. Some options:

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

With one of Disney's best parades and a great fireworks show, this separate-ticket event on select nights has lots of decorations, trick-or-treating stations, character encounters and even lets you come in costume. New this year is the Club Villains dance party in Frontierland, reflecting the Mouse's new love affair with its villains. Also new this year, and some would call this price kind of villainous on its own, is a $99 dessert party called the Villains' Sinister Soiree at Cinderella's Royal Table with reserved seating for the Boo to You Parade and HalloWishes fireworks. The event, already under way, runs 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights through Oct. 31 at the Magic Kingdom. $57-$77 at disneyworld.com/halloween.

Tips:

• The party officially starts at 7 p.m., but the park will let you in as early at 4 p.m., so use extra time to do rides or get something to eat.

• Buy tickets in advance and take advantage of any discounts for club members or pass holders. Several nights will sell out, so don't wait until the last minute. The closer you get to Halloween, the busier it gets. Weeknights have the lightest crowds and cheapest tickets.

• The second showing of the Boo to You parade is always less crowded. Whichever one you pick, make sure you get there early to see the Headless Horseman, who rides well ahead of the rest of the parade.

• The fireworks show is not to be missed, and Main Street is a good place to stake out a spot to watch it because of the projections on the castle.

ZooBoo

The Lowry Park Zoo's not-so-scary nights open Friday and Saturday for a "Shriek Peek" preview with discounted prices and runs weekends through Halloween. The zoo will be decorated with lights, mysterious music, animatronics and costumed character actors. There are five haunts set up with a helpful "skull" rating system, with seven skulls being the most intense, and also special rides and inflatable play areas. Children can dress up, but ages 12 and older are prohibited from wearing masks, wigs, face paint or costumes. The zoo is at 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. (813) 935-8552.

Tips:

• You can save money with the preview, when admission is $12 for ages 3 and up. After that, it's $18 for adults, $14 for children (ages 3-11), and free for children age 2 and under.

• A ZooBoo Family Sleepover is Oct. 11 at $40 per person. It begins at 6:45 p.m. and ends at 8 a.m., with behind-the-scenes tours and nocturnal creatures. Online registration is required at least one week before at lowryparkzoo.com.

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular

Kids are allowed to dress up and trick-or-treat among friendly sea witches, mermaids, octopus, pumpkin fish and more. Plus, play in an assortment of Halloween and aquarium-related activities, catch silly spooky shows, decorate sweet treats and dance the day away in the party zone. All events are included with park admission; $75 online advance; $95 adults, $87 ages 3-9 at the gate. The Spooktacular is Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 4-26. See seaworldparks.com/spooktacular. SeaWorld is at 7007 SeaWorld Drive (Interstate 4, Exit 71), Orlando. Toll-free 1-800-327-2424.

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Legoland Brick-or-Treat

The Winter Haven theme park aimed at ages 12 and under celebrates Halloween on weekends in October. Kids can help build an 8-foot brick ghost model, go on a Scary Scavenger Hunt in Miniland, follow the Brick-or-Treat Trail, compete in a costume contest in three age groups, meet Lego Halloween characters and see the world's largest Lego jack-o'-lantern. It is included with admission every Saturday and Sunday in October. Tickets start at $69 online for adults, $62 for ages 3-12 at florida.legoland.com. Toll-free 1-877-350-5346.

Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Times staff writer