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Orlando in the Fall is a tale of two very different Halloween adventures, and travelers who carve out time for both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort will discover just how wide the spectrum of spooky fun can be. One side sprinkles pumpkins with Pixie Dust, while the other side embraces the darkest corners of the imagination.
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World’s Halloween festivities are designed to charm rather than terrify, most famously with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Here, the scare factor is dialed down considerably, replaced by a celebration of whimsy, sweets and spectacle. Instead of running and screaming from monsters, children giggle as they trick-or-treat through the park, collecting candy from costumed cast members stationed throughout the lands.
Walt Disney World's Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular brings the mischievous Sanderson Sisters to the castle stage, blending musical numbers with a cavalcade of classic Disney villains. Later, the Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade winds its way through the park, beginning with a spine-tingling entrance from the Headless Horseman before shifting into candy-colored floats filled with beloved characters in festive costumes. The night concludes with a fireworks display that mixes projections, soaring pyrotechnics and a soundtrack that’s equal parts spooky and celebratory.
Universal Orlando Resort
Drive just a few miles down I-4 and Halloween wears an entirely different costume. At Universal Orlando, the annual Halloween Horror Nights (now in its 34th year) in Universal Studios Florida is legendary and is one of the most sought-after events of the season. Based on my first visit to Universal Orlando's event, it is visceral, adrenaline-fueled and feels less like a holiday party and more like stepping inside a cinematic nightmare. Once the sun sets, the Universal Studios Florida park transforms into a playground of fear, where haunted houses - more commonly known as mazes - immerse guests in scenes so detailed they blur the line between fiction and reality. Each turn is designed to unsettle and to leave you glancing over your shoulder long after you’ve made it back to the park’s walkways.
The atmosphere doesn’t stop at the mazes. Scare zones - streets crawling with chainsaw-wielding maniacs, ghostly brides and grotesque creatures - connect the haunted houses into one continuous world of terror. Even a simple walk to grab a snack can turn into an ordeal when a lurking figure blends perfectly into the fog, springing to life with a scream at just the right moment. For many, that thrill is the ultimate Halloween indulgence, a reminder that fear and fun can coexist in exhilarating doses.
Where Universal pushes boundaries with gore, shock and relentless suspense, Disney encourages a space where even the youngest guests can delight in Halloween traditions without a hint of nightmare fuel. Together, they create an unusually well-rounded seasonal experience. Spend one night at Universal and you may find yourself wide awake later, replaying the sudden slam of a hidden door or the feeling of a monster’s breath inches from your neck. Spend the next evening at Disney, and you’ll see the same holiday reframed through laughter, candy bags and the wide-eyed wonder of children dancing beneath fireworks.
That contrast is what makes Orlando so special this Halloween season. Travelers don’t have to choose between scary and sweet - they can indulge in both. One experience pumps the adrenaline and dares you to brave the shadows; the other wraps you in a pumpkin-spiced embrace and invites you to join the party. Together, they prove Halloween is not one-size-fits-all. It can be both a scream and a smile, depending on where you want the night to take you.
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About the Author: The above piece was written by Jason Gordon, a guest travel blogger, and Costco enthusiast. Jason Gordon is compensated by Costco Travel to share his travel experiences.
