Are you ready for a spooktacular Halloween? (Comstock Complete)

From Halloween events aimed at teens and adults to Harry Potter to Curious George and Elmo, there are a number of new family events and attractions in the works. These include:

HALLOWEEN FLORIDA-STYLE

In the spirit of Halloween, Florida-bound teenagers and their parents can be scared silly throughout October courtesy of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando.

The Ripped from the Silver Screen attraction allows some of Hollywood's most frightening folks -- Frankenstein, Dracula, Chucky, Jigsaw, The Wolfman -- to lurk in creepy haunted houses.

"Our guests are going to feel as if their favourite horror films have left the screen and surrounded them," says Universal Orlando's Jim Timon. "They'll wish their experience was just a movie."

Not recommended for children under 13. For more, see halloweenhorrornights.com.

HOWL-O-SCREAM AT BUSCH GARDENS

For young adults or parents with a penchant for being terrified, Florida's Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is hosting its 10th-annual adult-oriented Halloween-theme special event -- Howl-O-Scream.

Fright shows, devious creatures, haunted houses and scare zones -- with names like Death Row Vengeance, Taste of Blood and Trapped in the Walls -- are all part of the scary fun. The event runs Thursday through Saturday nights throughout October.

See houseofvayne.com for details.

HARRY POTTER FLIES TO FLORIDA

More news from Universal: The Orlando theme park will debut The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in spring 2010. Universal is collaborating with author J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. to create a park true to the Harry Potter books.

The park will include a twin high-speed roller coaster with elements from the Triwizard Tournament called the Dragon Challenge, plus a family coaster called Flight of the Hippogriff that simulates a Hippogriff training flight over the grounds of Hogwarts castle.

See universalorlando.com.

GROVER PLAYS FOR TAMPA BAY

Grover, Elmo, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, and their huggable friends will venture off Sesame Street next spring to play at Florida's Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

The park's new Sesame Street Safari of Fun will be filled with kid-size rides and shows celebrating Sesame Street and the spirit of Africa. Fun will include a junior roller coaster called Air Grover, a flume ride titled Zoe-Patra & the Hippos of the Nile, plus Rosita's Djembe Fly-Away -- a swing that will send kids whirling above an African canopy of trees.

Families will be able to watch their favourite characters onscreen in 4D, then share breakfast and lunch with Elmo and his Sesame Street pals in an outdoor picnic area. See buschgardens.com.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH FUN

Pennsylvania's Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park has once again been voted among the Top 5 Best Children's Parks in the world by Amusement Today. The magazine says the attraction "strives for excellence, creativity and a quality product for each of their guests."

The park, geared to children from infancy to eight years old, encompasses more than 30 rides on 20 hectares. It is located east of Lancaster, Pa., not far from Hersheypark in Hershey, Pa. For details. see dutchwonderland.com.

OFF-ROADING: DOING IT RIGHT

Closer to home, Trail Tours, located one hour east of Toronto near Bowmanville, trains kids and their parents in proper off-roading techniques. Professionals guide groups along trails through the Ganaraska Forest on dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles, offering safety tips and expertise. No experience or equipment is necessary, but kids should be aged 10 years or older.

See trailtour.com.

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