Thrills and Chills: Wheelchair-Accessible Halloween Events at Theme Parks

Theme parks offer the perfect combination of thrill and excitement, but if you visit them during the Halloween season, you’re in for a real treat… or trick! You’ll find horrifying characters jumping out during rides, creepy clowns giving out tasty treats, and thrilling haunted mazes that seem never-ending. 

While these haunted experiences can be fun, they may seem a bit daunting for anyone using a wheelchair or having mobility issues. Luckily, most theme parks feature user-friendly paths, accessible rides, and sensory-friendly zones, so you can enjoy them without any issues.

Top Accessible Halloween Events at Theme Parks

Below are the top accessible Halloween events happening at theme parks this October:

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Walt Disney World, FL)

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party offers the perfect blend of spooky atmosphere and frightful fun. This inclusive Halloween event starts with Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, featuring Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, and a bunch of Disney villains trick or treating throughout the park.  

Once you’re all hyped up from the parade, you can hop on wheelchair-accessible rides like Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Tomorrowland Speedway, and the hauntingly sweet It’s a Small World. 

If you need a break from screaming, head to the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular for a bewitching performance, or chuckle along to the ghoulishly good jokes at Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. You should also visit the haunted mansion featuring ghostly figures, floating candelabras, and a spooky seance room. 

When hunger strikes, grab sinfully good treats like Mickey-shaped cookies, Tombstone Tart, Bowl of Bones, or Terrifyin’ Twice-Spiced Chicken Sandwich from quick-service dining locations, including Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Casey’s Corner, and Sleepy Hollow.

Regarding accessibility, Walt Disney World is fully wheelchair-accessible. Handicap parking is available with a valid permit, and you can rent a wheelchair or ECV throughout the park. Most buses accommodate up to two mobility devices, and the accessible Minnie Van service can be booked via the Lyft app. Plus, the Walt Disney World monorail system is accessible via ramps and elevators. The Disney Skyliner includes a wheelchair-accessible aerial gondola that provides a bird’s-eye view of various Walt Disney World Resort locations.

Halloween Horror Nights (Universal Studios, CA & FL)

If you’re in the mood for screams, thrills, and maybe a pinch of mischief, head over to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. At this Halloween event, you must watch your back while navigating horror movie-themed haunted mansions as monstrous creatures hunt you down and demons try to trap you. There are five sinister zones, each more horrifying than the last!

You can also catch pulse-pounding performances where acrobats, dancers, and performers blend horror with incredible moves. The theme park rides also get a spooky makeover, delivering heart-racing adventures that are wheelchair accessible. While most attraction queues are wheelchair-accessible, Hogwarts Express doesn’t accommodate EVCs.

For the foodies out there, the themed treats are nothing short of wickedly delightful. Think candy apples that look a bit too realistic and eerie espresso shots to keep your energy up for all that screaming. Many food stalls and on-site restaurants are easily accessible, so you won’t miss out on those devilish treats. 

If you plan on staying at Universal Orlando hotels, you’ll be glad to know that there are ADA-compliant rooms with wide doors, lowered peepholes, toilet grab bars, roll-in showers, and closed-captioned TVs.

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Howl-O-Scream (Busch Gardens, VA & FL)

Starting September 6th through November 3rd, both Busch Gardens locations in Virginia and Florida are turning up the scare factor with the Howl-O-Scream event. There are five haunted houses and six terror-tories where you must escape shunned and vengeful clowns, monstrous creatures, and sinister scarecrows. The four horror shows will make you laugh, scream, and maybe cry a little with fear, while ten roller coasters will make each twist and turn unpredictable. 

There are six themed BOOze bars available throughout the park, serving up liquid courage and sinister snacks. The best part? Howl-O-Scream is wheelchair-accessible, allowing everyone to get in on the frightful fun. Accessible parking spaces are available in France parking lot, and accessible restrooms are marked with a wheelchair symbol. If you plan on taking any ride, make sure to enroll in the Ride Accessibility Program for a safe experience. 

HalloWeekends (Cedar Point, OH)

Whether you’re a hardcore Halloween fan or a family looking for some spooky fun, Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends has something for everyone. During the day, you can take little ones to Tricky Corn Maze or The Magical House on Boo Hill for some whimsical magic. With ten themed stations, young trick-or-treaters can stock up on goodies until the sugar rush hits.

When the sun goes down, Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends take a dark turn. We’re talking about five terrifying haunted mazes and fog-filled scare zones where heart-pounding surprises lurk around every corner. 

If you prefer your scares from a distance, there are live performances that’ll keep you on the edge of your seats. If you’re not feeling brave at all, you can always take thrilling rides or soak in the gut-wrenching screams of others while enjoying yet another round of cotton candy. 

You can bring single strollers, double-seat strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and electric convenience vehicles during your visit. If you’d rather travel light, rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. On the downside, ECVs with canopies or other attachments are not allowed on the wheelchair lifts to attractions, but they’ll sort you out with a wheelchair at those spots.

Hersheypark Dark Nights (Hersheypark, PA)

For 25 spooktacular nights, including Halloween, Hersheypark gets a haunting overhaul that will give you the creepy crawlies. Dark Nights features five haunted houses, including All-New! Estate of Evil, Auntie Mortem’s Abattoir, Haunted Coal Mine: Curse Of The Tommyknockers, Twisted Carnevil, and The Descent: Catacombs Of Decay, so be prepared to escape the unknown. There are three scare zones where you have to watch your back (and those dark corners).

Before you try these terrifying experiences, read out the requirements and restrictions for each haunted house. If you use electric mobility devices, you must transfer to a manual wheelchair for some activities. It’s crucial to enroll in the Attractions Accessibility Program and get an Attraction Boarding Pass to zip through designated accessible entrances. Once you’ve survived the scares, treat yourself with candies from any of the 13 spots. 

Book Wheelchair Getaways for Halloween Events

Whether you’re heading to an accessible Halloween attraction in Florida or attending any eerie event in Hershey, Wheelchair Getaways has you covered from coast to coast. We have a wide fleet of wheelchair-accessible vans featuring ramp access, spacious interiors, and state-of-the-art securement systems to make your Halloween journey comfortable and smooth during those scary times. With our flexible rental options, you can book by the day, week, or even longer. For more details, call us at (866) 224-1750 or visit our website to get a rental quote.