You are here :: Frightening Family Fun in Florida

>> Back to Family Holidays page

Frightening Family Fun in Florida!

If you thought you knew Halloween, think again. Despite the fact that the annual fright fest is thought to have its roots with ancient Celtic folk, the Americans are known to really put their back into the occasion.

Although the whole of the US participates in the annual celebration of all things spooky, one of the best places across the pond to immerse yourself into the creepy event is Orlando in Florida.
At the start of each October, America’s theme park capital comes alive with all things horror, offering up a menu of scares and thrills for all the family to enjoy on several evenings throughout the month. From truly terrifying Halloween Horror nights to themed parades and fireworks with Mickey Mouse and friends; October in Orlando is jam-packed full of frightening fun in the run up to Halloween. If you’re looking to catch some of the action with your family this autumn, Florida holidays specialist Jetsave has some suggestions:

For teenagers
Universal Studios are this year planning on a veritable horror-fest (to mark ‘Twenty Years of Fear’), with a labyrinth of eight haunted houses, bone-chilling scare zones and creepy live shows to really scare your kids’ pants off. The ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ here will be so bloodcurdling, they are not recommended for children under 13. (Or squeamish adults!)

For young kids
At the less scary ‘Mickey’s Halloween Party’ in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World, younger kids are encouraged to dress up in their favourite Halloween costumes before trick or treating around the theme park with Walt Disney figures. On these nights, kids can marvel at the colourful characters in Mickey’s ‘Boo-To-You’ Halloween parade, followed by the spectacular ‘Happy HalloWishes’ fireworks show. The theme here is ‘happy haunted’ rather than ’scared silly’.

For adults
For over 18’s only, 16 ‘Howl-O-Scream’ nights are due to take place at Bush Gardens Tampa Bay; carrying a warning of ‘intense adult content, such as violence, gore and blood’. Not for the young or the faint-hearted, the grounds of the African-themed park will be home to seven horrifying haunted houses, scare zones and thrilling shows; all infested by Ms. Vayne and her deranged models representing the face of evil. To finish off the fun, the park is also putting on roller-coaster rides in the dark.

Whether you’re after a truly terrifying experience, or just some harmless Halloween fun; Jetsave have some fantastic deals on for family holidays in Florida:

Early birds eager to get into the Halloween spirit can get ahead of the game and avoid the half term crowds by flying out on 10 October 2010, when Orlando’s events are already in full swing. Stay close to the theme park action at the three-star plus Clarion Resort and Waterpark in Kissimmee, where a one-week holiday is available for £579 per person – a saving of 18 per cent (£128pp), including flights from Gatwick, seven nights’ room-only accommodation and free car hire.

The ultimate spooky getaway involves flying out two days before the ‘holiday’ itself in time to experience a unique Halloween night at one of the theme parks’ events. Jetsave suggests staying on Orlando’s International Drive at the three-star plus Fairfield Inn and Suites, which has a swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness centre and arcade room and is only a short drive from Universal Orlando Resort and Disney parks. Departing on 29 October 2010, a one-week holiday costs £759 per person – a saving of 20 per cent (£186pp) including B&B accommodation, flights from Gatwick and free car hire.

Big kids – and their children can enjoy some half term Halloween fun on a one-week family holiday at the two-star plus Rodeway Inn International, which offers a free shuttle to the theme parks. Free car hire is included and parents need only budget for meals for two as ‘Kids Eat Free’1 cards are included in the price! Departing on 25 October 2010, a one-week Jetsave holiday costs £549 per person (child sharing £399pp) – or £1,896 for a family of four, including seven nights’ B&B accommodation, flights from Gatwick, car hire and ‘Kids Eat Free’ cards. Total family saving: 10 per cent (£218).