Halloween Happenings #2

by Adele Woodyard
This week we’re looking at the biggies—theme parks; two of them have special contests, and both have deadlines. So we begin our search for blood and guts not only with what you can see, but what you might win.
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, select dates through Oct. 31 offer the return of the zombies in a popular show, The Walking Dead. Of course there’s also more spooky items, like haunted houses, and roaming “scare actors” to make you shiver. You only have until 5 p.m. Wed. Oct. 10 to enter the contest where a Grand Winner not only gets four VIP tours of the Horror Nights and a one night hotel accommodations on Oct. 20, but four 1-day, 2-park, tickets valid for admission to Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure.. Lesser prizes for runners-up. So be sure to check out http://www.tampabay.com/thingstodo and click on contests tab. Not the contest entry type? If a Florida resident over 18, click on http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com
Howl-0-Scream, Busch Garden’s Dark Side of the Gardens give you a Mon. Oct. 15 deadline for their contest, with Grand Prize pack of six tickets and six Front Line Fear passes, meal vouchers, and parking for the group ; runners-up get four Howl-O-Scream tickets. See above for contest URL rules and entry.. Everyone else can enjoy the parks 13th year of zombies, two new haunted houses, roaming hordes and dance party at http://www.thedarksideofthegardens.com
Younger kids are not forgotten. For special trick-or-treaters there’s
Legoland Florida’s Brick-or-Treat where spooky, kooky themed treat stations, scavenger hunt, costume contests are included in regular admission 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. through Oct. http://www.flroidalegoland.com
SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular is a trick or treat in costume, with mermaids, marine life and kids help Sesame Street’s Abby Cadabby hunt for her magic want. Noon -9 p.m. on select dates. Included with park admission. http://www.seaworldparks.com/en/seaworld-orlando/spooktacular
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is perfect for little ones in costume to trick-or-treat around the Magic Kingdom.. A Boo-to-You parade has a Headless Horseman and characters from the Haunted Mansion, and fireworks, all on select nights until Nov. 2. http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com and click on Live Events.
Sun. Oct. 28.is the trick-or-treat night from 4 -8 p.m. at the Florida Aquarium Guppyween. $2 kids in costume; $12 ages 12 and up. http://www.flaquarium.org
Mon-Wed. Oct. 1-31 Fantasy of Flight Haunted Hangar, Polk City offers a new spine-tingling walking tour with creepy stories of aviation’s mysteries, e.g. Lost Squadron, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.. Free with general admission. 863-984-3500. http://www.fantasyflight.com