Orlando Sentinel

Gatorland: Expanded Halloween event to make its return Oct. 10

- By Dewayne Bevil

Gatorland is reviving the family-friendly Halloween event it debuted last year and adding a distinctiv­e 2020 touch by incorporat­ing its Social Distancing Skunk Ape character. Gators, Ghosts and Goblins will begin Oct.10 and run on weekends through Nov. 1.

“We are beyond excited to give our guests a way to celebrate Halloween safely,” said Mark McHugh, Gatorland’s president and CEO. “Our team has been working very hard to bring our Halloween event back. And of course, our very own Social Distancing Skunk Ape makes things fun and safe for everyone.”

Gators, Ghosts and Goblins is expanding to eight days from its five-day initial run in 2019. New to the event is a trick-or-treat trail that will be open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be meet-and-greets with costumed characters, a spooky train ride and Frank and Stein’s Octoberfes­t, which features an “undead” polka band, Gatorland says.

Costumes are OK for kids and adults, the attraction says, as long as the looks aren’t gory or scary. (“Bubba and Cooter are easily spooked,” the official news release says.)

The Halloween festivitie­s are included in regular Gatorland admission. Face coverings are required to enter the attraction, which has operated on south Orange Blossom Trail since 1949.

A single-day ticket to Gatorland costs $29.99 ($19.99 for ages 3 to12). For tickets or more informatio­n, go to gatorland.com or call 407-855-5496.

Email me at dbevil@orlandosen­tinel.com. Want more theme park news? Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosen­tinel.com/newsletter­s or the Theme Park Rangers podcast at orlandosen­tinel.com/travel/attraction­s/ theme-park-rangers-podcast.

 ?? GATORLAND/COURTESY PHOTO ?? Bubba and Cooter and other Gatorland residents pop up in a graveyard set for the attraction’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins event, which begins Oct. 10.
GATORLAND/COURTESY PHOTO Bubba and Cooter and other Gatorland residents pop up in a graveyard set for the attraction’s Gators, Ghosts and Goblins event, which begins Oct. 10.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States