Ava McDonnell
From pumpkin patches and ghost walks to full-blown scream parks that’ll have your heart racing, Central Florida knows how to celebrate the spooky season. This guide breaks down the most exciting haunted experiences near you by scare level so you can plan your perfect fright night.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Scare Level: Mild
When: Select nights, Aug. 8 – Oct. 31, 7 p.m. – midnight
Where: Magic Kingdom, Orlando
Guests can trick-or-treat, enjoy Disney’s Book-to-You Parade, and watch the “Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” fireworks light up Cinderella’s Castle. Themed treats, character meet-and-greets, and ride overlays also add to the fun. This is a no-fear zone event perfect for families, young kids, and anyone who prefers magic over mayhem
Tickets: From $119
Mount Dora Ghost Walk
Scare Level: Mild
When: Weekends through Oct., 7 – 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown Mount Dora
Take a lantern-lit stroll through the charming streets of historic Mount Dora during this guided ghost walk. Local actors in period costume bring old legends and folklore to life as you wander by lamplight. You’ll hear about restless spirits, mysterious disappearances, and haunted hotels. But, expect more laughs and legends than screams.
Tickets: $20
Castle of Lost Souls at Chumlee Park
Scare Level: Intermediate
This whimsical haunted castle balances fantasy and fright with haunted hallways, flickering torches, and animatronic creatures. From creepy castle corridors for older kids to hayrides and a corn pit for little ones, it offers something for everyone. The park runs family daytime activities, but the castle attraction can be intense for younger kids.
When: Oct. 10 – 31
Where: Bushnell
Tickets: Prices vary
Orlando Haunted Maze
Scare Level: Intermediate
Navigate a maze of darkness and sudden surprises where each turn could lead to a costumed “maze monster.” George Goldstein builds the annual, non-profit haunted attraction in his backyard with the help of volunteers. No touching from scarers is allowed and this event can be quite scary for ages 13 and younger.
When: Opens Oct. 10, 7 – 11:30 p.m.
Where: Orlando
Tickets: Approx. $20
Pemberton Haunted Acres
Scare Level: Intermediate
Haunted Acres brings southern horrors to life with a rural, “backwoods” theme. Wander through decrepit cabins, graveyards, and cornfields as you’re hunted by twisted locals and chainsaw-wielding maniacs. It’s packed with jump scares and unsettling atmosphere but keeps things theatrical rather than gruesome.
When: Fridays and Saturdays in Oct., 7 – 11 p.m.
Where: Plant City
Tickets: $25
Haunted House at MainStreet
Scare Level: Intermediate
Staged inside an actual funeral home, the organizers promote it as “3 Nights of Terror.” The organizers are Clermont Main Street, Brewer & Sons Funeral Home, and Always Magical Events. The funeral home layout intensifies the scares (rooms, hallways, parlor areas), but it’s not explicitly 18+ or overtly gore-based.
When: Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 7 – 10 p.m.
Where: Brewer & Sons Funeral Home, Clermont
Tickets: $10
Mortem Manor Haunted Attraction
Scare Level: Intermediate
One of Florida’s only permanent haunted houses, Mortem Manor offers year-round chills in a two-story Victorian mansion. You’ll navigate narrow hallways filled with animatronics, special effects, and live actors at every turn. It is like Hollywood horror without crossing into truly extreme territory.
When: Fridays and Saturdays
Where: Old Town, Kissimmee
Tickets: $21.19
Face the Fear: Gator Guardhouse
Scare Level: Intermediate
Set inside an abandoned prison guarded by “the swamp’s darkest secrets,” is an immersive, story-driven haunt that blurs the line between escape room and nightmare. Narrow hallways, disorienting sounds, and unexpected interactions with the cast make it one of the most psychologically intense haunts. Small in scale but big in impact.
When: Select nights in Oct., 7 – 11 p.m.
Where: Winter Springs
Tickets: Around $25
Cassadega Haunted Attraction
Scare Level: Intermediate
Cassadega, known as Florida’s “Psychic Capital,” gets even more mysterious during this seasonal haunt. The experience mixes real-life paranormal lore with staged horror, guiding guests through wooded paths and candlelit corners. This event is ideal for those who love supernatural storytelling where fact and fiction become a blur.
When: Select nights in Oct.
Where: Cassadega Spiritualist Camp Area
Tickets: Around $20
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail
Scare Level: Intermediate/leaning High
This outdoor scream park features three highly themed trails, each with its own cinematic story and characters. Guests can expect fog-filled woods, movie-quality sets, and live actors that seem to materialize from the darkness. Between trails, visitors can take on escape rooms, play laser tag, or grab themed snacks.
When: Sept. 27 – Nov. 2, 7:30 – 11 p.m.
Where: Plant City
Tickets: From $29.95
Fear Reach Scream Park
Scare Level: Intermediate/High
A relative newcomer to Florida’s haunt scene, Fear Reach combines multiple haunted houses, food and games, and roaming monsters. Choose from attractions like Grimoire Manor, Bloodline Barn, and Chainsaw Chase. It’s a blend of traditional haunted house energy and theme park flair. It is intense enough to satisfy horror fans but approachable enough for most thrill-seekers.
When: Sept. 27 – Nov. 2, 7 p.m. – midnight
Where: Tavares
Tickets: From $34.95
Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail
Scare Level: High
In the woods of Umatilla, Dr. Grimley’s experiments have escaped the lab. Guests traverse multiple trails that grow darker and more disturbing as the night goes on. The outdoor setting adds to the tension, as the sounds of the forest blend with screams in the distance. It’s the perfect step up for those ready for more intensity.
When: Oct. 10 – 31, 7:30 – 11 p.m.
Where: Umatilla
Tickets: Approximately $25
Halloween Horror Nights
Scare Level: High
HHN is a spectacle of fear. Each year brings ten elaborately themed houses inspired by blockbuster films, cult classic, and original nightmares – from Five Nights at Freddy’s to The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks. Between the haunted houses, you’ll find immersive scare zones, live shows, and themed cocktails. It’s visually stunning, terrifyingly fun, and a bucket-list experience for horror fans worldwide.
When: Aug. 29 – Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Universal Studios Orlando
Tickets: From $82
Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park
Scare Level: High
Known as Florida’s most intense scream park, this park features six unique houses. Some being “interactive” where guests can be separated from their group and pulled deeper into the horror. Expect foggy woods, tight spaces, and professional-grade effects. This is high-adrenaline and recommended only for those who thrive on fear.
When: Sept. 20 – Nov. 2, 7 p.m. – midnight
Where: Dade City
Tickets: From $34.95
Tales of Terror: Freak’d Up Nights
Scare Level: High/Extreme (18+ only)
Tales of Terror lets guests choose their scare level – from a traditional haunted walk to the famous “Freak’d Up” route, which includes splatter effects, simulated blood, and up-close actor interaction. Themed around horror stories gone wrong, each room tells a chapter of the tale. You’ll leave shaken and probably covered in “blood.”
When: Oct. 10 – 25, 8 – 11 p.m.
Where: Astatula (Lake County)
Tickets: From $20
From the charming ghost stories of Mount Dora to the high-octane terror of Universal and Scream-A-Geddon, Central Florida transforms into a playground for the spooky and the brave every October. Whether you want pumpkins and photo ops or to face your deepest fears, there’s a haunt here with your name on it.
So grab a flashlight, pick your poison, and prepare for a frightfully fun fall in the heart of Florida.
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