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Spooky Amusement Park Halloween Makeovers

throughout the Los Angeles and Southern California area

Spooky redecorating the Los Angeles area amusement parks for Halloween parties has become a major tradition.  It's often Friday night through Sunday in October, not just Halloween. As of 2009, over 80% of the parks are doing Halloween Haunt themes.  The big ones are open most of October, some week days as well.  Check an individual attraction's own web site for the actual spooky days for their Halloween Events.  Some are just part of the park's regular events, others require separate evening tickets.

Scare Mazes are the big thing.  Many can be quite graphic. Because of intensity of the haunting, there are child age recommendations for most of these events.  Some events have separate children's events.

For the most part, costumes ARE NOT allowed at the amusement parks to keep the employee's separated from the paying customers.  If costumes are allowed, face masks aren't.  Some of the children's events do allow costumes. Check before getting your kid to the front gate.

Knott's Berry Farm Halloween Haunt

   Knott's Berry Farm turns into the "Scariest Place on Earth" after dark.  Elaborate in-your-face scare event with over 1,000 monsters. A dozen mazes and shows, magic and mayhem, shows, scare zones and more.  Also have pre-scare dinner, post scare breakfast  (reservations 714-220-5055) and VIP  options.  Scaring since 1973.

bulletInfo: http://www.halloweenhaunt.com/ or call 877-858-7234 for more information. 
bulletSept 24-27, October 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, 28-31,  2009)   Not recommended for children under 13 or those who scare easy. 
bulletPrices : Presale $31 and up, $53.99 at the door,  look for coupons. Buy early for discounts. They do sell out some of the most popular nights, so plan ahead.  (Admission separate from day passes.)  Ticketmaster also.
bulletSorry, no costumes or masks on attendees.

Knott's Berry Farm Camp Spooky  

Daytime alternative to the scary Halloween Haunt.  Celebrating Halloween cheer with trick-or-treating, mazes and shows.  Non scary. Costume contest.

Daytime, non-scare celebration of cheer rather than fear, is THE social event of the season with shows, activities, and of course trick-or-treating all geared for kids ages 3-11

bulletRuns days:  Weekends, October  3-31, 2009
bulletCamp Spooky included in normal day admission to the park
bulletCostume allowed for kids, 3-11   

Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Studios

  Blurring the line between frightful illusion and grim reality Universal Studios is back. "Halloween Horror Nights" creates an active not passive scare.  All-new mazes, terror tram, scare zone, live shows.  Experience the traps from the Saw movie.  Walk the Halloween house with Michael Myers. Can you escape the mine from My Bloody Valentine?  Chucky has taken over a funhouse - watch out for those "dolls"! 

Check out their preview video or for get details of the mazes and scares on their behind-the-scene vid.   (Haunting again since 2006.)

bulletInfo: www.halloweenhorrornights.com     or www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com  or 818-622-3801
bulletOctober 2-3 9-11, 15-18, 23-25, 28-31, 2009 - 7:00 PM.
bulletTickets:  In advance : $36-46, day of event varies by date, front of line pass( with food discounts): $89-$119, annual pass member's discount., RIP Experience includes discounts, private tram, VIP lounge, reserved seats, etc
bulletTickets expected to sell out.
bulletSorry, no costumes or masks on attendees.
bulletToo intense for young kids.  Not recommended for under 13

Universal's CityWalk Halloween Carnival for kids   

Universal CityWalk "Monster Bash with Trick-or-Treating"  featuring traditional trick-or-treating, children costume contests and entertainment for Los Angeles’ youngest ghouls, pirates, superheroes, witches and other costumed candy-seekers.  The family-friendly celebration will feature a variety of candy distributed throughout CityWalk in traditional Halloween fashion and will provide a safe environment for children of all ages to enjoy trick-or-treating with their friends and family.

Other activities include a costume contest with prizes awarded for top categories, live entertainment and appearances by Monsters.

bullet http://www.citywalkhollywood.com/ or   <detail> and costume contest for the kids
bullet Oct 31, 2009 - 4- 8 pm
bulletTrick or Treating begins at 4:00pm
bulletRegistration for Costume Contest 5:00pm-6:15pm (next to CityWalk Stage)
bulletCostume Contest 6:00pm-8:00pm
bulletUniversal Citywalk
bulletfestive event will be located in the Cinema Plaza
bulletFREE!
bulletCostume Contest of kids 12  & under

Fright Fest at Magic Mountain

   Six Flags Magic Mountain is transformed from a “theme park” to a haunted “scream park” for Fright Fest.  Fright Fest offers loads of costumed ghosts and ghouls, hair-raising live shows, rides in the dark, electrifying street entertainers, monstrous mazes. A Fright Fest exclusive – experience one of the largest, most celebrated coasters in the world, Colossus, BACKWARDS!

Mazes not recommended for the young kids.  Some mazes have actual age restrictions.  However, they also have Bugs Bunny World: "Twick or Tweat" just for the kids.  Special crafts just for kids.

bulletInfo:  www.sixflags.com/parks/magicmountain or 661-255-4100. 
bulletFri-Sun, Oct 3-31, 2009  Hours are 10-10
bulletIncluded with regular admission. 
bulletSorry, no costumes on attendees.

SHIPWRECK: Haunted Queen Mary

Major changes afoot, whole new crew.   Watch out, even websites are different names. Find the old Shipwreck crew <here>

  Wana party on a real haunted ship???  The Queen Mary changes into a horrifying party boat just to celebrate Halloween.  With a new crew running thing, it has 5 mazes located both on and off the ship.

Notes:  "Food tickets" are only for food in the parking lot area.  On ship, is standard payment. No discount on parking if you have scare tickets.  Club Dead dance party in the parking lot is 21+ only.

RIP: Terror Fest 1995-2008.

bulletInfo http://queenmary.com/index.php?page=shipwreck  or http://www.shipwreckhalloween.com/
bulletOct  2-3 (preview/press night),  9-10, 16-17, 22-24, 27-Nov 1, 2009
bullet$29 regular, preview $19. Also have VIP, group and monthly tickets as well as overnight packages.  They do sell out some nights. 
bulletNot recommended for children under 13, or those that spook easy. Children must be accompanied by adults.
bulletNo photos of any kind
bulletSorry, no costumes on attendees.
bulletSee the website for details on strict dress code including no hats.
bulletRemember: this is a whole new group running the event, so it will be different.  Please check their website for changes

Disney's Halloween Time  

   Ghostly going on across Disneyland Resort.  Costumed Characters. The Golden Scream's Theater will be the Disney Villains Lair.  The Haunted Mansion will be done up in it's Jack Skelton Holliday theme, complete with Oogie Boogie.  The Tower of Terror gets a seasonal makeover.  Woody has a Halloween Roundup at Boo Thunder Ranch. Jack-o-lanterns and villains galore make for a spooky time.

bulletInfo http://disneyland.com or  <event detail> or 714-781-4400
bulletSept. 25 – Nov 1, 2009
bulletTickets: Free with standard admission.
bulletNo costumes during regular operating hours. except 9 and under.

Mikey's Trick-or-Treat Party - Disney's California Adventures   

"A separate-ticket nighttime event gives kids and their families the opportunity to dress in their Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat throughout Disney’s California Adventure after it has closed to day guests. This year’s Halloween Treat will offer tricksters of all ages more treat locations along with fun character encounters (including an all-new nightly cavalcade), interactive games, and spirited music with DJ Mickey. "

bulletInfo http://disneyland.com or  <event detail> or 714-781-4400
bulletOctober 2, 8-9, 15-16, 21- 23,  28-31 2009
bulletTickets: $32-$42 depending on night, discounts for pass holders  Separate evening admission fee.
bulletCostumes allowed, but keep them very family friendly and make sure that kids can see well.  Best to read their limitations before showing up at the gate.

Boo At the Zoo - Los Angeles Zoo  

  Have a safe and spooky Halloween during Boo at the L.A. Zoo, where you’ll find fun festivities—pumpkin patches, jack-o-lantern carving, photo opportunities, eerie crafts— throughout the Zoo. Our Freaky Fun House will feature Halloween entertainment, tasty treats, face painting, wacky mirrors, and an amusement zone filled with games.

bulletInfo: http://www.lazoo.org or <detail here>
bulletOctober 24-25, 31- Nov 1, 2009
bulletOpen every day 10am-5pm
bullet GLAZA members are allowed early entry – 8am – on October 24
bullet Free with zoo admission
bulletLos Angeles Zoo
bullet5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
bulletthe northeast corner of Griffith Park at the junction of the I-5 (Golden State) and the 134 (Ventura) freeways.
bulletCome in a comfortable, family-friendly costume.

Scarium of the Pacific

  Numerous treats are in store this autumn at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Friday nights they're open until nine to visit the Shark Lagoon.  Consider dinner.  Also sleep-over plans this year.

bulletInfo: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org , 562-590-3100. 
bulletprice included with admission
bulletFestivals, fFree with admission to the aquarium admission.
bulletShark Lagoon Nights - Fridays, 6-9

Halloween Family Sleepover   

Fun and exciting way to experience the Aquarium with your family? Join our spooky sleepover adventure for Halloween.   Shark Lagoon and tidepool touch time, Creepy crawly animal interactions, Pumpkin decorating, Fish feeding, Freaky flashlight tour, 3-D Movie, Crafts and more.  Pizza, treat bags, morning cereal...    Stay for the Spooktacular Kids Activity Morning and the Scarium festival
 

bullet<Sleepover Detail> or (562) 951-1630
bulletFriday, October 23, 2009 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m
bulletTickets $60, $50 for Aquarium members, ages 5+, RSVP

Morning Breakfast and Spooktacular Kids Activity Morning  

Enjoy live children’s entertainment, make crafts to take home, get your faces painted, and watch the sea lions eat their breakfast. Café Scuba will be open featuring a special breakfast menu

bulletSaturday, October 24, 2009,  7:00 am–9:00 am
bulletchildren 3-12 years of age, plus adult chaperone
bulletMust RSVP by Oct 31

Scarium of the Pacific  

 A spooktackular event for the whole family. Enjoy special Halloween programs, including the annual children’s costume contest, the creepy coloring contest, magic shows, spooky storytelling, kooky crafts, eerie animals in the Great Hall, and much more. 

A new special prize category for costumes made with recycled materials has been added this year to show that even goblins can be green.

bulletOctober 27-28, 2007, 9-5
bulletKids in costumes welcome "to come dressed as an underwater creature or in traditionally ghoulish attire".  Special prizes for "green" costumes.

Autumn Festival  

"Experience the richness and diversity of Asian and Asian American cultures through this fall celebration. This year the Autumn Festival will focus on the traditions and heritage of Japan, China, Korea, and the Philippines through a weekend of learning opportunities and family entertainment."  Music, dance, story telling, kids crafts, exhibitions, ethnic cuisine.

bulletNovember 7, 2009, 9-5

Sea Fair & Sea Scare - Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

 Celebrate the bounty of the sea! Sea Fair offers ocean-related activities for every age, which include; face-painting, an exciting marine life puppet show, and a giant origami demonstration. Adventurous pirates of all ages can join in the search for buried treasure in the “Great Treasure Hunt.”  A day filled with fun activities, organizations, games, contests, music, exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts, films and videos. Pack a picnic or purchase food.

Sea Scare is there Halloween event so come in costume and join in the masquerade of spooks and ghouls, trick-or-treat throughout the aquarium at six different themed treat stations, or walk along the docks of the “Port Town” scare zone. Just when you thought you were safe, those marauding pirates are back with their crazy antics and bad pirate jokes.

bulletInfo: www.cabrilloaq.org or  <event> or (310) 548-7562
bulletSea Fair is October 18th, 2009 - 10 am to 4:30 pm
bulletSea Scare is October 24, 2009 - 6 pm to 9 pm
bulletCabrillo Marine Aquarium
bullet3720 Stephen M. White Drive, San Pedro
bulletAdmission: $5, $1 for kids and seniors    

Other Parks and Attractions

Every single amusement  park in Southern California seems to have some kind of Halloween or Autumn celebration going.  Many have children's costume contests.  There are addition events...

bulletLegoland's "Brick-or-Treat Celebration." (Weekends in October, 2008)  
bulletSaturday nights after dark
bulletA number of zoos are doing "Boo, at the zoo" events at least Halloween weekend.  Check your local zoo  

Check out <Boo News & Sources> for search engines.

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Up ] Fests & Fairs ] Dia de Los Muertos ] Haunted Houses ] [ Amusement Parks ] Clubs ] Parties ] Historic & Traditional ] Eclectic Extras ] Haunts on Wheels ] Kids Events ] 4 Paws ] Costume Specials ] Theater ] Exhibit  & Lecture ] Spooky Books ] Movie Specials ] Kickin' Back at Home ] Boo News & Sources ] About Us ] Search Us ]  

 

If a search engine brought you to this page, you may want to prowl the rest of the Alley Cat Scratch site.  Most of it is about  costumes and resources for them... so if you like dress-up,  come play with da Cat. Check out the extra links on the left or use the search function.

Please contact us at  spookycat@alleycatscratch.com with any corrections or if you have an item to be added to this page.  

This page last updated 11/01/09

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