Have you been to SeaWorld Orlando lately? We hadn’t been to SeaWorld in years, so we couldn’t wait to visit again! If you have the chance to visit in October, SeaWorld Orlando hosts their kid-friendly, all day Halloween Spooktacular every weekend from September 22 – October 28. This special event is included in your regular admission to SeaWorld Orlando and unlike some other local events, lasts all day long, so it’s perfect for little ones who may not do great with late nights! We had such a great time exploring all that SeaWorld has to offer, and with five kids ages 5-13, I have the scoop on the top 4 things that can’t be missed at SeaWorld Orlando for kids of all ages.
1. Trick or Treating!
Let’s be honest; we all love candy! From my 5 year old to my 13 year old, and even us parents; we all got excited to go through those trick or treating lines. At SeaWorld Orlando, all ages are welcome to trick or treat, and there is one primary trick or treating trail that wraps around from near the entrance to the side of the park. The lines were quite short, and in addition to the long trick or treating trail, there were other trick or treating spots dotted through one side of the the park. Right before you got on a ride, you could stop by and get some candy! And while they do not give out plastic bags for trick or treating, you are welcome to bring your own, or purchase a reusable bag. We chose to do that, which the kids loved to bring home as a souvenir! My milk jug, witch, Chewbacca, and two little princesses loved collecting candy and trading with each other for their favorites.
One of the most impressive parts of trick or treating at SeaWorld Orlando is the KING SIZE candy bars that were given out! This makes all of my childhood trick or treating dreams come true to receive a king size chocolate Oreo bar! You can bet we snacked on quite a few of those throughout the day! We also received allergy friendly snacks, Nerds, Pirate Booty, and more!
2. Kid-Friendly Halloween Festivities
I don’t know about your kids, but mine are very sensitive to the scary or creepy elements of Halloween. I can barely get them to watch a Halloween movie made for kids! To be honest, I love this about my kiddos and I am in no hurry for them to grow up in this way. At SeaWorld Orlando, there is truly nothing scary. There are dance parties, storytelling, mermaids, special sets and picture backdrops, but nothing that would scare even the littlest trick or treaters in your group.
And you can’t miss Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween show! This super cute show features Elmo, The Count, and the whole gang with some adorable songs and sing-a-longs. But even during this show, the lights are actually turned up in any part of the singing that talks about ghosts or bats. So sweet and thoughtful! This Sesame Street show is probably best geared for the 2-6 year old crowd, and my 5 year old was loving it. Be sure to arrive to the show early though, because it’s quite popular!
3. Thrill Rides for the Older Kids
So, we’ve covered how awesome SeaWorld Orlando is for the younger ones in your group. However, do you know about SeaWorld Orlando’s thrilling rollercoasters? I hopped on Mako with my oldest, and even with a very short wait time, my palms were super sweaty just watching the ride from line! Mako is a hyper rollercoaster that reaches heights of 200 ft and speeds of 73 mph. What’s a mother of 5 doing on this ride?! But I’m so glad I did it and I hadn’t been on such an intense rollercoaster in a really long time!
Infinity Falls is SeaWorld Orlando‘s newest attraction, and features the tallest drop of it’s kind in the world! And speaking of getting wet, Voyage to Atlantis is a combination roller coaster and water ride, and has a lower height requirement than other rollercoasters at SeaWorld Orlando. This made my thrill seeking 5 year old so happy and she loved every minute!
On Manta, you rush through the air in an inverted position, facing downwards like a stingray. What a rush! There are so many great experiences at SeaWorld Orlando, and you can’t miss Antartica:Ride of the Penguin, Turtle Trek, and Wild Arctic. There’s something to enjoy for every age in your group!
4. Animal Experiences
At every turn, there are new ways to learn and interact with animals. When you walk into SeaWorld Orlando, there is a large digital counter showing how many animals have been rescued by SeaWorld Cares, which is the research branch of SeaWorld. My 9 year old son was quick to point out that by the end of the day, when we checked the counter on our way out, the number of animals rescued had significantly increased! In the 50 years that SeaWorld has been rescuing and rehabilitating animals, over 33,500 animals have been rescued and given a second chance at life. This year alone, SeaWorld has cared for 55 manatees, many that were affected by red tide. SeaWorld’s rescue team is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Just as this Forbes article describes, they are doing work that no one else is doing.
During each show, you are reminded as a guest how your ticket purchase enables the work of SeaWorld rescue efforts. At many of the other animal rescue places we’ve visited such as Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, they have shared how SeaWorld Rescue takes on a large portion of the animal rescue and rehabilitation in the area, and then other facilities support as their budgets allow. My children have been inspired to learn more about these beautiful creatures, and to do what they can to protect our world and our oceans, from what they’ve learned at SeaWorld. And it doesn’t get much cuter than a little princess watching a baby dolphin!
Although this covers my list of the best parts of the Halloween Spooktacular, there is always something new to discover at SeaWorld Orlando! Coming in 2019, you will be able to take a walk down Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando. The former Happy Harbor is being replaced by the all-new Sesame Street, which will feature a Party Parade with all of your favorite Sesame Street friends! I know I will be exited to take a walk down memory lane and visit Mr. Hoopers Store and sit at 123 Stoop. We are looking forward to exploring all that SeaWorld Orlando has to offer in the future!
*We were provided with complimentary admission in exchange for my unbiased and fair review. All opinions are my own.