SeaWorld’s Spooktacular Returns – and brings another IP with it!
Halloween is arriving early at SeaWorld Orlando this year, and a few new monsters are checking in for the occasion!
SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular returns August 29 through November 1, 2026, bringing back the park’s daytime, family-friendly Halloween celebration on select dates.
The event is included with regular park admission and once again features trick-or-treating, costumes, Halloween characters, seasonal food, and several returning traditions throughout the park, but the biggest addition for 2026 comes from outside the SeaWorld family. Yes…we are getting another surprise IP at SeaWorld this Halloween!
For the first time, characters from Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania are joining Spooktacular, with Drac, Mavis, Johnny and friends appearing through new character experiences and entertainment created specifically for the event. And SeaWorld isn’t simply putting the characters out for meet-and-greets.
Let’s take a look at all the offerings coming to Spooktacular this year:
Hotel Transylvania Checks In
The centerpiece of the new partnership is Drac and Mavis’ Monster Dread & Breakfast, a separately ticketed character breakfast taking over SeaFire Inn during Spooktacular.
There’s even a little story behind their arrival. According to SeaWorld, Drac and Mavis have discovered that humans and monsters celebrate Hallo
ween together at SeaWorld Orlando and decided the park would make the perfect vacation destination. They’ve consequently transformed SeaFire Inn into their own temporary getaway: the Monster Dread & Breakfast.
The restaurant will receive a Hotel Transylvania makeover complete with monster luggage, unusual décor, humorous “house rules” and references to the films. Guests become honorary hotel guests while enjoying an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast buffet alongside characters from the franchise.
The menu continues the theme with Drac’s Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, Wayne’s Howling Breakfast Favorites, Mavis’ Morning Magic French Toast Sticks and Dennis’ Little Monster Corner, along with fresh fruit, pastries and other breakfast items.
Drac, Mavis and their friends will be available for character interactions and photos, while music and dancing turn the experience into something closer to a small Hotel Transylvania show than a traditional character meal.
For fans of the movies, it’s a pretty substantial debut for a franchise that has never previously been part of SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween event. Hotel Transylvania will also venture beyond SeaFire Inn.
Elsewhere in the park, Mavis and Johnny will host a Hotel Transylvania Dance Party, giving families another opportunity to encounter the characters without purchasing the breakfast experience.
Trick-or-Treating Returns With 12 Candy Stations
Of course, Spooktacular wouldn’t be Spooktacular without candy.
SeaWorld’s Trick-or-Treat Trail returns with 12 candy stations positioned along an immersive trail through the park.
There is one important detail to know before arriving: while Spooktacular itself is included with park admission, guests who want to participate in trick-or-treating must purchase a Spooktacular reusable trick-or-treat bag. SeaWorld is also bringing back its Teal Pumpkin Program for guests with food allergies. Instead of receiving candy directly at participating stations, guests can collect teal tokens and exchange them at Coconut Bay Traders in Key West for allergy-friendly treats.
Spookley, Mermaids and a Garden Full of Pumpkins
Several familiar Spooktacular faces are returning in 2026 as well.
Spookley the Square Pumpkin returns for character meetings across from Rita’s Italian Ice. The children’s character has become a recurring part of SeaWorld’s Halloween celebration, bringing his familiar message about kindness, acceptance, and celebrating differences. Over in Key West, SeaWorld’s Halloween mermaids will once again meet guests and pose for photos. Families can also wander through the returning Pumpkin Garden, populated by SeaWorld’s decidedly on-brand “pumpkin fish.”
The garden’s Storyteller will appear periodically throughout the day to share Halloween stories, while the nearby Spooky Bubble Trail brings bubbles, Halloween surprises and SeaWorld’s Spooktacular Pals into the mix.
The Scarecrow Halloween Dance Parade will take place near Rita’s Italian Ice outside Dolphin Stadium, offering another small-scale Halloween performance during the day.
Sesame Street Gets Its Halloween Costumes Back Out
Over in Sesame Street Land, Halloween means another return for one of Spooktacular’s bigger family offerings.
The Sesame Street Halloween Parade brings Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Count von Count and the rest of the Sesame Street crew into the street in their Halloween costumes for a colorful parade designed specifically for younger guests.
Storytime with Big Bird also returns, with families invited to gather around Big Bird’s nest as he shares some of his favorite Halloween stories.
Yes, Adults Can Dress Up Too
Spooktacular isn’t one of those Halloween events where costumes are just for the kids.
Both children and adults are welcome to wear costumes to SeaWorld Orlando during the event.
However, there are a few restrictions:
Guests 13 and older cannot wear costume masks or hoods, and face painting is only permitted when performed by SeaWorld artists. So yes, grown-ups can absolutely join in. Just leave the full-face Drac mask at home.
New Halloween Food for 2026
SeaWorld is also adding a couple of new seasonal treats for this year’s event.
The new Mummy Dog takes an all-beef hot dog, wraps it in pretzel dough and turns it into an appropriately ridiculous little edible mummy. For anyone whose Halloween philosophy is essentially “put all the candy in one container,” there’s also Trick-or-Treat Crunch Popcorn: caramel popcorn topped with M&M’s, gummy candies and chocolate drizzle.
And that should pair perfectly with the new penguin candy corn popcorn bucket!
Fresh-squeezed lemonades will be offered in Cotton Candy, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry, Watermelon and Cherry flavors, alongside park staples including soft pretzels and popcorn.
Spooktacular Starts August 29
SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular runs on select dates from August 29 through November 1, 2026.
Unlike the separately ticketed Howl-O-Scream event held at night, Spooktacular takes place during the day and is included with regular SeaWorld Orlando admission.
That distinction makes the two Halloween events very different experiences. Spooktacular is intentionally bright, colorful and geared toward families and younger children; when evening arrives during the Halloween season, SeaWorld’s considerably less cuddly monsters get their turn.
For guests planning more than one visit, SeaWorld is currently offering its 2027 Fun Card starting at $139.99, which includes admission for the remainder of 2026 as well as visits through December 31, 2027. Aquatica Orlando can currently be added for an additional $40 as part of the promotion. As always with promotional ticket pricing, those prices are subject to change.
But for Spooktacular itself, 2026 looks like a combination of the traditions longtime SeaWorld guests already know and something genuinely new.
Spookley is back. The pumpkin fish are back. Big Bird has his Halloween stories ready. There will be candy – lots of candy. And. Hotel Transylvania has officially checked in.
