Hitting Halloween at the USA's Top Five Theme Parks: Dates, Prices and More

September 13, 2012 at 3:32 PM | by kjb | Comment (1)

If you haven�t started to feel the chill in the air you will sooner than later, and that means that theme parks around the country will start loading in their pumpkins, scarecrows, and other spooky seasonal decorations. Halloween is still over a month away, but that doesn�t mean that the scary stuff won�t begin a little bit sooner.

Here�s a quick rundown of some of the country�s best parks and when they begin to do their Halloween thing:

Cedar Point � HalloWeekends

Over at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio the werewolves and vampires come out to play beginning on September 14�that�s this Friday. The frightening fun runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 28, but you might want to just double-check the official calendar before filling up the tank and starting your drive. Admission to this year�s events should set you back around $45, but that�s only if you order in advance online.

Busch Gardens � Howl-O-Scream

There�s a couple flavors of this year�s seasonal celebrations from which to choose, as Busch Gardens is getting the ghosts and goblins ready in both Tampa and Williamsburg, Virginia. Expect haunted houses, live entertainment, and plenty of pumpkins. In Virginia the run runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning this week, ending October 30. Down in Florida things don�t begin until next week, and it�s going to be a Thursday, Friday, Saturday thing with the scary stuff running as late as 2am. Advance admission will set you back $55 for Florida and $70 if you�re looking to be scared silly in Virginia.

Six Flags � Fright Fest

There are Six Flags theme park all across the country, so the one near you probably has some of the spooky stuff taking place this month and next. However, we�ve only got time to mention one, so we�re going with Six Flags Great Adventure not too far outside of New York City in Jackson, New Jersey. Most rides and attractions are open, but it�s the freaky frights that are the main event this season. Stuff runs on weekends from September 22 through October 28, and tickets will set you back roughly $63. However, there will be some attractions that might just hit you up for a few more bucks�bummer.

Universal Studios � Halloween Horror Nights

Scary stuff goes down on both coasts, as Universal Studios goes into their attic and brings down the decorations in both Orlando and Hollywood. Both parks promise stuff created by some of the sickest and most twisted minds in horror, so let�s just say that you�ve been warned. Tickets in California will run you between $50 and $65 depending on the date, as this year�s events run through September 21 through October 28 with the finale on October 31. Over in Florida there are haunted houses from the mind of Alice Cooper and from the AMC show The Walking Dead, and it�s all available on select nights between September 21 and October 31. Tickets run from $37 to $67, and again it�s all dependent on the night you visit.

Walt Disney World � Mickey�s Not So Scary Halloween Party

For those that are looking for more pumpkins and candy than ghosts and ghouls there�s always Disney World. On select evenings the Magic Kingdom kicks out the regular daily guests, and then holds a private Halloween party for those willing to shell out between $63 and $70 per person. There�s a parade, free candy, and special fireworks, as well as access to all the usual rides and attractions. Dates are all over the map, but basically stuff starts doing its thing this week and is available on select dates through October 31�trick-or-treat!

[Photos: bredgur and stranger3113]

Jaunted

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