Orlando isn’t all jolly theme parks – the city has a dark side too of ghosts, ghouls and even UFOs. Here are five of the best Orlando ghost and haunted tours:
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
Think the scariest thing about Orlando is the roller coasters? Think again. If a number of city guides are to be believed, the Florida city is pretty haunted, built on lay lines and even has its fair share of UFOs too. A ghost tour of the city, or nearby Sanford, can be the perfect foil to the fun of the theme parks, with guides showing the darker side of the happiest place on earth. Ghost tours are also pretty inventive, featuring everything from paranormal equipment to incorporating a pub crawl – there’s something for everyone. Here are five of the best ghost and haunted tours in Orlando:
Orlando Haunts: Ghouls and Ghosts Tour
This tour is pretty serious about the dark side of Orlando – this isn’t just a few ‘boos’ and a couple of ghost stories. A well-versed US Ghost Adventures guide starts by explaining all about the ley lines that Orlando was built on and goes on to give the lowdown on all the tragedy, mystery, suicide and murder that can be fitted into one hour. There’s also tales of secret societies, UFO sightings and the ghost of Ted Bundy for dessert. It goes without saying it might not put you in the best mood for meeting Mickey with the kids in the morning. From €24.85.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Orlando Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl
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With this ghost tour you’re guaranteed to get close to a wide variety of spirits. That’s because it takes place during a pub crawl. The tour visits seven different haunted locations and local pubs, starting at Elixir, a local watering hole with ties to serial killer Ted Bundy. Order The Escobar and sip it by McQueen’s wall of skulls. Try to capture evidence of a lounge singer who met a tragic fate at the Grand Bohemian Hotel. Have one too many and shout ‘woooo’ behind your friends all the way home. It’s all possible with this tour. From €31.97.
Book at Getyourguide.com
2 Hour Investigative Walking Ghost Tour of Downtown Orlando
This two-hour tour really gets down to business. Again, you don’t just get a couple of spooky stories then on your way – oh, no – you’ll get to act like a real Ghostbuster. That means following the tour guides – some of which have done a stint catching ghosts on History and Travel Channels – as they wave real ghost-hunting equipment around. What’s more, they will take visitors inside one or two haunted buildings too for a snoop around. Also included is admission to a haunted object museum and everyone on tour also gets an end-of-tour gift and photos of their experience. For a fun ghost chasing experience, who you gonna call? Possibly these guys. From €45.68.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Sanford’s Haunted Brewery Tour
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Another tour mixing up the paranormal with the paralytic (joke – please drink responsibly) is Sanford’s Haunted Brewery Tour. Bare in mind, this is not ghost hunting, so no running around in boiler suits, but instead some good old fashioned haunted tales while sipping on Sanford’s craft beer in three popular establishments. The tour is led by BJCP certified beer judge, Gary Holmes, who has at least as many ghost stories as he does tasting notes. Beer samples are included as part of the tour and Sanford is just 30 minutes from Orlando. From €39.98.
Book at Viator.com
“Let’s Have a Spooky Time in Orlando” Tour
This exclusive walking tour is aimed at all fans of horror. A local professional guide brings ghost stories to life as you walk along the streets, explaining the spookiest rides at the different Disney’s theme parks, the haunted places in Orlando, and real stories about the dark side of city. This tour is especially recommended in the Halloween period. Stops on the way include Church Street Station, Cheyenne Saloon and Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando. From €155.00 (price varies by group size).
Book at Viator.com