Florida events: the butterfly effect and other scary doings

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - Snowbirds aren't the only creatures that migrate to Florida to escape cold weather. So do monarch butterflies.

Every October and November, millions of the orange-colored flutterers head south from Canada to North Florida, their mid-migration rest stop on their annual trek to their minter home in Mexico.

Their numbers are staggering _ more than 40 million, according to butterfly expert Dr. Thomas J. Walker of the University of Florida.

Many of the butterflies settle in for a spell at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on the Gulf coast 20 miles south of Tallahassee. Here, for about three weeks beginning in mid-October (depending on the weather), visitors flock to the refuge to glimpse the monarchs as they cluster in trees and bushes.

"If you'd asked me 25 years ago, I would've never thought butterfly watching exciting," said Refuge ranger Robin Will. "But now it's almost bigger here than bird watching." Some 4,000 to 5,000 visitors attend the refuge's annual Butterfly Festival (Oct. 25 this year, 850-925-6121, www.fws.gov/saintmarks/wildlife.html), Will said.

Another event, ButterflyFest, (352-273-2064, www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflyfest) will be held Oct. 18-19 in Gainesville at the University of Florida, home of Butterfly Rainforest and an excellent butterfly collection.

Butterfly gardens exist in many Florida locales, and Butterfly World, a commercial attraction in Coconut Creek, is the world's largest butterfly park. 954-977-4400, www.butterflyworld.com.

Spotting the monarchs is just one activity awaiting those touring in Florida this fall and winter.

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HALLOWEEN

Halloween doings, for one, are bigger than ever this year.

Universal Orlando: Biggest of all celebrations is this park's annual Halloween Horror Nights, with 23 nights of ghouls, goblins, ghosts and gore. This year, guests can step into fairy tales gone bad: The Land of Oz if the Wicked Witch had won, Through the Looking Glass only to meet Bloody Mary, Fractured Tales when Grimm goes grim.

Nightly admission is $69.99, but a Frequent Fear Pass costs the same and admits attendees on 13 of the 23 nights. Florida residents can save up to $33 on certain Sunday-Thursday nights with a Coca-Cola UPC code, and a Gory Getaway package starting at $95 per adult provides one night's admission and one night's lodging.

Event dates are Oct. 16-19, 22-26, 29-31 and Nov. 1. 888-HORROR-7, www.halloweenhorrornights.com.

Busch Gardens: Another night of horror has been added to Busch's annual fright fest, Howl-O-Scream, for a total of 17. Busch promises what it calls "intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood." One-night admission is $64.95, with some discounts available online.. Event dates are Oct. 16-18, 23-25 and Oct. 30-Nov. 1. $29. 888-800-5447, www.Howl-O-Scream.com.tampa.

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Disney World: Aimed at younger guests, meaning deliberately not frightening, Disney World's Not-So-Scary Halloween in the Magic Kingdom is running for 26 nights this year, the most ever. Mickey and Minnie are dressed in formal attire and kids can go trick-or-treating all evening. Advance purchase tickets are $42.95 for ages 3-9, $48.95 for ages 10 and over. Day-of-event prices are $49.95 and $55.95 Remaining dates are Oct. 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31. 407-934,7639, www.disneyworld.com/halloween.

Sea World Orlando: Unlike the other theme park Halloween doings, Sea World's Halloween Spectacular is a daytime event included in a single day's admission. It features friendly sea witches, playful fish and trick-or-treating. Event dates are Oct.18-19, 24-26 and 31. Youngsters can stay over if their parents choose at the park's Spooky Spectacular Sleepover for $78 per person or $113 with park admission. Spooktacular dates are Oct. 18-19, 24-26 and 31, starting each day at 11 a.m. Sleepover dates are Oct. 17, 18, 34 and 25. 800-327-2424, www.seaworld.org.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

Kennedy Space Center: The Hubble Space Telescope takes the spotlight this fall with the night launch of the fifth and last Space Shuttle mission to service the telescope. The next launch is expected in October, though the date is in flux. Tickets for admission to complex after hours for viewing the launch from that site are available.

In conjunction with the flight, KSC's Visitor Complex has just opened "Eye on the Universe: The Hubble Space Telescope," a new art exhibition with stunning images of the universe. 321-449-4400, www.kennedyspacecenter.com.

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FESTIVALS

Fantasy Fest: Scheduled for Oct. 17-26, this boisterous celebration takes aim at the upcoming presidential election. Titled "Pirates, Pundits and Political Party Animals," the fete offers 10 days of outrageous costuming, masquerade balls, street parties, glamorous galas and a Pet Masquerade (which might include political elephants and donkeys). Climax comes Oct. 25 with the Captain Morgan Fantasy Fest Parade, a sometimes X-rated event with bands, marching groups, elaborately decorated floats and wildly dressed (or undressed) participants. www.fla-keys.com, 800- 527-8539.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival: Adult visitors to Disney World's Epcot park can sample wines and gourmet dishes at this annual fete, which runs through Nov. 9. During that period, visitors can sample items of 25 countries or regions at various locations within Epcot at a cost of $2 to $5 for each item. Also part of the festival are culinary demonstrations, complimentary wine seminars and a series of concerts that will bring performers such as Sheena Easton, David Sanborn and Jon Secada to the park's American Gardens Theatre. Also on tap: Six Party for the Senses, featuring dishes prepared by 25 guest chefs and 70 wines ($135 per person) and several high-ticket dinners running to $450 per person. 407-939-3378, www.disneyworld.com/food.

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Night of Lights: St. Augustine's two-month celebration of the holiday season puts more than two million tiny white lights along its ancient streets, starting Nov. 22. 800-653-2489, 800-653- 2489, www.getaway4florida.com.

Biketoberfest: This international festival draws 100,000 motorcycle fans annually to Daytona Beach. Set for Oct. 16-19, the event includes cycle races, street parties and expos. 866-296- 8970, www.biketoberfest.

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HOLIDAYS

Ice cold: With winter just around the corner, Orlando's Gaylord Palms Resort is again bringing a welcome whiff of cold stuff to Florida.

Opening Nov. 17 is the resort's popular annual ICE! attraction, hand-carved from almost two million pounds of ice.

Visitors can roam through several chilly rooms filled with ice monuments and sculptures, ice slides and holiday scenes.

The theme this year is "Santa's Arctic Blast" featuring an oversized Santa's lap and an ice castle celebrating Santa's Christmas Eve flight with flying reindeer. The display runs Nov. 14 to Jan. 4.

Admission ranges from $9.99 to $24.99; discounts are available for tickets purchased in advance online. Information: 407-586-4-ICE, www.gaylordpalms.com/ice.

Disney World: Cinderella and friends, in holiday dress, go on stage daily from Nov. 10 at the Magic Kingdom in "Castle Dreamlights." Youngsters get holidays treats at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a separate ticket event on 18 nights (Nov. 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30, Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19.) International holiday traditions go on stage at Epcot Nov. 18-Dec. 30, millions of lights light up New York Street at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Candlelight Processionals at Epcot with celebrity narrators feature a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra from Nov. 28-Dec. 30. 407-934- 7639, www.disneyworld.com/holidays.

Busch Gardens: Starting Nov. 22, an ice show with professional skaters takes the stage at the Stanleyville Theater, while the Marrakesh Theater showcases holiday gospel and spiritual songs. 888-800-5447, www.buschgardens.com.

Sea World: From Nov. 14 through Jan. 4, guests can "board" the Polar Express Experience, in which they encounter polar bears, giant walruses and Santa himself in a motion simulator ride reminiscent of the movie. More information at 800-327-2424 or www.seaworld.com.

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© 2008, The Miami Herald.