ORLANDO, FL – SeaWorld Orlando is preparing for one of the busiest stretches of the year with a family-friendly spooktacular event and a family-friendly spooktacular event designed to capture both daytime family traffic and nighttime thrill seekers during the fall fall tourist season in Central Florida, and a more intense howl-o-scream return.
Spooktacular is included in regular admissions and runs on some dates from August 30th to November 2nd, 2025, giving the park a two-month seasonal draw and bridging the windows for late summer and early holiday travel. SeaWorld officials hope to continue to increase attendance for families with young children by offering interactive trails, dance parties, character encounters and allergy-friendly snack options.
New additions this year include the introduction of Spookley The Square Pumpkin. Square Pumpkin is an expanded trick-or-treat trail that anchors the theme maze with a focus on inclusivity and features 12 candy stations and branded reusable bags. These seasonal overlays are designed to create repeat visit opportunities for annual pass holders, while adding limited edition product incentives.
Night events target the thrill market
Due to the old demographics, Howl-O-scream 2025 will be open for 28 nights from September 5th to November 1st. Now in its fourth year in Orlando, the separate ticketed event will add three new Haunted Houses and a lineup of scary zones, shows and themed bars that will expand guest stay times and park impershions. Signature roller coasters like Mako and Pipeline work after dark and integrate the park’s core attractions into seasonal products.
As Howl-o-scream competes directly with Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Night, the event highlights SeaWorld’s ongoing strategy to expand its appeal beyond daytime family audiences and win a lucrative adult Halloween tourism segment.
Annual value with seasonal passes
SeaWorld is promoting 2026 fun cards that allow unlimited visits for all the remaining 2025 and 2026 in order to convert seasonal attendance into sustainable revenue.
Economic impact
SeaWorld’s fall programming comes at a time when Orlando theme parks actively compete to maintain tourism momentum during hotel occupancy and summer peaks. SeaWorld aims to maximize per guest spending and increase seasonal market share in Central Florida’s $87 billion tourism economy by providing daytime family content and nighttime thrilling experiences under one brand.
