Halloween Outside of Walt Disney World: Dinosaur World

Dinosaurs and a spooky picnic!

Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida, is less than an hour from Walt Disney World. You can learn about dinosaurs and see plenty of replicas. It’s perfect for kids, or adults, who want to know more about these fascinating creatures. It’s also dog friendly. Our dog, Yoda, loves going to Dinosaur World so much that we bought Annual Passes.

Yoda love Dinosaur World

For the spooky season, Dinosaur World offers Jurassic Haunt. This is the third year, and it just keeps getting better! My family and I, including Yoda, were hosted on opening night, September 26.

The Haunted Train

The theme for Jurassic Haunt in 2026 is Pirates of the Prehistoric. It takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings through November 1. It is included with your Dinosaur World admission, it does not require a separate ticket.

Scare zone!

Dinosaur World has been decorated by different staff members to give it a spooky feel, but it’s still family friendly. There are candy stations for trick or treating. There are scare zones that are purposely not on par with those you’ll find at Halloween Horror Nights. There is free face painting and free temporary tattoos. Where else will you find those for free during the Halloween season?

Dig for fossils…

There are also some add-ons that are still affordable. The Haunted Train will take you for a spooky ride. For even more fun, purchase the Excavation Pass. You’ll have access to the Haunted Train, Fossil Dig, and Lucky Strike Excavation! I definitely recommend the Excavation Pass, especially if you have little ones in your party. They’ll have a great time!

…and mine for gems

One side note. On October 24, Dinosaur World will hold Trunk or Treat from 11:00 until 4:00. It’s included with your Dinosaur World admission. Visit during the day, then return for Jurassic Haunt that evening.

It’s a rockin’ good time!

Dinosaur World is one of the best ticket values that you’ll find in the area. Always check online, you might pay less than when you arrive. Browse the gift shop before you leave. There are some real bargains.