What to Expect at Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins Gatorland Halloween Event – Family Friendly Haunts
With its exciting alligator exhibits, splash pad, and line-up of educational shows, Gatorland is a hidden gem in Central Florida that’s worth visiting with your family any time of year.
Gatorland is throwing in a little something extra for families who want to experience a bit of Halloween fun: its Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins event!
During this event, families can experience everything from a Halloween costume parade to trick-or-treating to a haunted house. It’s among the most well-orchestrated Halloween events my family has experienced during our time visiting the area’s theme parks, and the best part of all is it’s included with normal Gatorland admission.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect when visiting Gatorland’s Halloween event.
What to Know About Gatorland’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins Event
- This Halloween-focused event runs on the weekends in October 2026.
- The dates for Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins are October 11, 12, 17, 18, 24, and 25.
- Normal single-day tickets to Gatorland cost $31.99 for Adults and $22.99 for children 3-12 years old if you buy tickets ahead of time online.
- Florida Residents are half off!
- The event happens during regular daytime park hours, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Costumes are encouraged, but nothing too scary or gory.
What Happens During Gators, Ghosts, and Goblins?
Here’s everything that happens, on top of normal Gatorland activities and attractions, during the park’s Halloween event:
NEW For Adults: Frank N’ Steins Oktoberfest will scare up some fun in the all-new Guzzling Gator Craft Beer Bar & Waterin’ Hole!
Swamp Ghost’s Monster Museum Haunted House: In this haunted house, guests will learn macabre facts about vampires and mummies related to the literary works of Bram Stoker. Be prepared for some spooks!
MORE: 7 Orlando Haunted Houses That Are Okay for Kids
Bug Out!: Gargantuan gourds and creepy insects abound in this area near the Gator Gully Splash Park. (trick or treat stop)
Meet and Greet: Meet Gatorland’s own Florida Bigfoot, Skunk Ape, and his cousin, Eddie the Yeti, as the two look like “Kid Cryptids.”
The Cryptid Express: This haunted train ride is a hunt for hidden beasts like Mothman, Chupacabra, Jersey Devil, and more!
Fun Halloween activities: In addition to costumes being encouraged, the event includes Halloween characters, live music, games, animal meet-and-greets, trick-or-treating, and a kids’ Halloween costume parade.
Children’s costume parade
Take note of the children’s costume parade, which happens on weekends only at 1:30 p.m. at the Up-Close Arena. It’s a brief moment for your kiddo to show off their costume on stage, and it makes a fun photo opportunity too!
How scary is Gators, Ghosts and Goblins?
The beauty of this Halloween event is its simplicity. Kids of all ages can dress in costumes, meet characters, and trick-or-treat. Kids who feel a bit more brave will enjoy seeing the haunt-zones, as there are no jump scares and the makeup and costuming on each actor is truly impressive.
The only part of the event that may be slightly spooky is the haunted house, but on a level of 1 to “Halloween Horror Nights,” I’d give it a 2.
When I visited the event, I completed the entire house and found that while there were a few jump scares, it was pretty tame in comparison to other haunted attractions in the Orlando area.
Simply remind more adventurous kids that the house and its actors are just pretending, and they should have a frighteningly good time walking through it.
Important Reminders
- Bring your own refillable water bottle to stay hydrated
- Dress comfortably, the swampy environment of Gatorland tends to be humid
- Bringing your own trick or treat bag makes things easier and is better for the environment
- Parking is free at Gatorland
- No outside food is allowed
