Things to do this year for Fall Fun and Halloween Events around Horizon West and the Orlando area.

While Horizon West, Florida doesn't typically get the same nip in the air as some states do, there’s no denying that fall is here! Although the novel coronavirus has put a damper on much of the year for Horizon West, many are still looking for ways to celebrate Halloween in a fun and safe way. Horizon West, Orlando and the surrounding areas are known year round as where you go for a good time. And while many of our famous perennial Halloween celebrations may have been cancelled, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Halloween Horror Nights, local businesses have stepped up to provide safe spooks and happy haunts this year.

One major theme park, Busch Gardens, has continued with their Halloween festivities. Howl-O-Scream will feature the normal scare zones and shows. Disney and Universal may have cancelled their perennial events but both theme park giants have done their best to create a holiday experience still. Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World will be allowing guests to wear costumes for the first time outside of a Halloween event, as well as offering numerous fall-themed treats. While Universal Studios is not putting on their full Halloween Horror Nights events, two haunted houses will be available to daytime guests. Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World will be allowing guests to wear costumes for the first time outside of a Halloween event, as well as offering numerous fall-themed treats.

Where larger companies have been unable to provide scares, local businesses have picked up the torch and for those who are looking for family friendly Halloween events, Orlando does not disappoint. There is everything from pumpkin patches to socially distant trick or treating to drive through movies. The Painted Oaks Academy is a historic equestrian facility that is offering many events that follow the CDC’s new rules for Halloween fun. Situated in East Orlando, Painted Oaks is offering an innovative “Drive Thru” Pumpkin Patch. It’s free to drive through the pumpkin area and $1 per pound for pumpkins. The employees will load the pumpkin into your trunk to ensure a contactless purchase. This event goes on from October 3rd to October 31st.

Painted Oaks is also offering a Pumpkin Patch and Ponies Festival. Entrance to the event is $5 for adults and $3 for children, with Hay Rides and Pony Rides offered at reasonable prices. The same pumpkins from the Drive Thru will be available for purchase at the same price and masks are required for entrance. Saturdays and Sundays will feature live music and food for sale as well. For the Pumpkin Patch and Ponies Festival, tickets will not be sold the day of, to be able to control the number of entrants to the event.

This year, instead of sitting at home for a Halloween movie marathon, Orlando has several drives in or socially distant movie watching options. The Garden Theatre in Downtown Winter Garden is offering several holiday movies, including Carrie, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Hocus Pocus. Hocus Pocus and Rocky Horror Picture Show will be interactive movies, with pre-show trivia and games. If you’re looking for the old fashioned drive in experience, Orlando has you covered! The Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre in Lakeland has been a popular escape during months of quarantine boredom. They currently have two screens that are currently running Halloween movies like Hotel Transylvania, Casper, It and It Chapter II.

Looking to leave the little one’s home for some real scares? Orlando has risen to the occasion when it comes to contactless frights. A perfect example is the Haunted Road attraction, also being hosted by the Painted Oaks Academy. The Haunted Road is a drive through scare zone, where you park your car in each scene and allow a horror movie to play out in front of your eyes. Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail is another spooky option for Central Florida thrill seekers. Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail offers three walk-through mazes, each with an in-depth backstory. Sir Henry’s is ranked by TheScareFactor.com as the best scare attraction in Florida.

Two of the minds behind some of the most famous Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses have come together to create a unique and terrifying haunted maze that features 20 scare actors and 480 feet of thrills and chills. The attraction, called Tunnel of the Damned, will transform throughout the season to offer new scares for returning visitors. The venue also offers a “Dark Séance” dining experience. Dark Séance offers a gourmet meal including wine and dessert while a Medium tells you tales of horror and invites the spirits of the Victorian mansion to say hello.

Under any other normal conditions, Orlando is where the nation goes to celebrate the holidays. While this year many of our favorite Halloween events will not go on as planned, local companies have done their best to offer up alternatives for more cozy and intimate events. In a time when so many businesses are suffering, choosing a local company’s event to patronize is not only a fun choice, but one you can truly feel good about.

Mike Spicer An official Agent of Excellence, is a local Realtor, lives, works and enjoys Horizon West daily. If you ever have questions about the neighborhoods, the parks, or homes in the area feel free to reach out to Mike directly he would love to help. This blog written by, the Michael Spicer, P.A. Team.

Michael Spicer, P.A.

Horizon West Group

Associate Broker

Keller Williams Realty at the Lakes

407-705-2232

Mike@MikeSpicer.com