We entered the park at about 10:45am. Since the Halloween Spooktacular activities don’t start until noon and run until 8pm, we spent a few hours checking out other attractions before heading to the Spooktacular. M’s parents enjoyed their first ever ride on Manta, and loved it, while M and I explored in the Manta Aquarium. Then we headed over to check out the Sting Ray Lagoon, Dolphin Feeding Area and Underwater Viewing Area before heading to Turtle Trek.

Turtle Trek is the parks newest attraction, opening in the spring of 2012. It is a 360 degree 3D journey from the viewpoint of Nya the Green Sea Turtle. In my opinion, Turtle Trek is the best 3D attraction in Central Florida.

After Turtle Trek we headed over to lunch at the Spice Mill and then we headed to Shark Encounter. Shark Encounter was VERY crowded, literally wall-to-wall people throughout the entire attraction. It took us about 20 minutes to go from the exit of the first aquarium tube to the entrance of the shark tube. Part of the problem seemed to be that the “moving sidewalk” in the shark tube wasn’t functioning so guests were stopping and standing instead of continually moving through the tube.

We headed back to the Halloween Spooktacular area which starts as you enter the kiddie rides behind Shamu Stadium and winds through Bayside Stadium and all the way around the Bayside Pathway. We got our treat bags and started collecting candy. There are 15 candy stops along the trail, all listed on the Halloween Spooktacular map. M stopped for a ride on the Sea Carousel, a climb in Shamu’s Happy Harbor and a ride on Jazzy Jellies before heading out for more candy.

We had hoped to visit the Beluga Whales and Polar Bear at Wild Arctic but the line was very long so we skipped that attraction and headed to Penelope’s Party Zone at Bayside Stadium. In the party zone kids could dance to the tunes being spun by a DJ, listen to stories, color pictures, have their picture taken with a pumpkin fish and decorate a caramel apple or rice crispy treat. There is a $5.00 fee for the caramel apple and rice crispy treat activity.

Penelope’s Party Zone

M chose to decorate a caramel apple. After spending about 10 minutes perfecting his creation we told him he could eat it and he responded, “I don’t like caramel apples.” So, his mom and I each took a few bites of the ooey, gooey creation. Once we cleaned up our mess we continued on down the path to collect more candy and find some more characters.

By this time we were all hot and M was getting grumpy so we headed over so they could all ride Journey to Atlantis, and get cooled off. Then we saw the Countdown to Halloween show with Elmo, the Count, Telly Monster, Abby Cadabby and Zoe from Sesame Street! We stopped at the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium to see Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island and we closed out the night  with Shamu Rocks!

We had a lot of fun at Halloween Spooktacular 2012 and we think you will too. Please keep in mind a few things when you plan your trip:

• Halloween Spooktacular takes place October 6-7th, 13-14th, 19-21st, and 26-28th from noon til 8pm.
• It is included in the regular price of admission.
• Kids can wear their costumes but I suggest bringing a change of clothes. Most costumes are hot and don’t breathe well. We saw lots of cranky over-heated kids who would have been much happier in shorts and a t-shirt, this is Florida after all. We also saw several ripped princess dresses because little girls were trying to climb up the ropes and through the tubes at Shamu’s Happy Harbor. Plan ahead and you and your children will have a lot more fun.
• You receive a large bag to collect your candy in but you get very little candy. We visited all 15 candy stops and received 14 pieces of candy and 3 boxes of raisins. Our loot didn’t even cover the bottom of our bag! I’m not sure why the bags are so big when they give out so little candy.

Disclosure: We were guests of SeaWorld for the day so that we could provide you with this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Spooktacular Highlights Include:

• Penelope’s Party Zone-Join the Halloween party of the season that immerses children in the wonders of the sea through kid-friendly music, games, and playful characters. Located at SeaWorld’s Bayside area, this dynamic underwater environment comes to life when guests dance and play along to the spooky sound waves broadcast by a live DJ. With countless bubbles floating overhead and colorful pumpkin fish gliding beside you, this Halloween party is sure to provide non-stop fun for all ages.
• Trick-or-Treating Under the Sea-Offering more than one million pieces of trick-or-treat sweets, costumed youngsters can search for hidden “sea” treasures using their Spooktacular maps at fifteen different locations. Each station features an assortment of ghoulish goodies and candies.
• Sweet Treat Decorating-Kids and parents alike can have a “splash” creating their own sweet treats at this interactive station located inside of Penelope’s Party Zone. Tasty apples dipped in decadent caramel and chocolate-covered rice crispy treats are available to decorate to your sweet tooth’s desire with a variety of tasty toppings.
• Strolling Entertainment-Stroll among colorful, playful schools of pumpkin fish welcoming trick-or-treaters throughout the park and get the chance to meet other whimsical characters like Penelope Pumpkin fish, Shamu, Dolly Dolphin, Shivers the Polar Bear, Pete and Penny Penguin, a mermaid, and a walking-talking spider-crab! Photo opportunities with these “spook-tastic” characters create lasting memories.

More SeaWorld Halloween Fun:

SeaWorld’s Holiday Family Sleepovers (6 p.m. – 9 a.m. on Oct. 19, 20, 26 and 27) Families can snuggle into a spooky slumber surrounded by exotic fish, rays, and sea dragons inside the floor-to-ceiling aquariums at Manta. Cost is $78 per person or $103 (includes next-day park admission). A pizza dinner and breakfast are included. Program is for children in grades K-5 and their families. Reservations can be made by calling: 1-800-406-2244. For more info, visit seaworldorlando.com.

We attended SeaWorld’s Halloween Sppoktacular in 2010. You can read my trip report and review by clicking the link. Have you been to SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular? Do you plan on going this year? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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