Take your pre-teens and teens to this preeminent spooky spectacular. Universal uses its highly skilled creators, makeup artists and technicians to deliver creepy critters and well-timed surprises. The haunted houses are scary and ghouls, vampires, witches, and other weird fiends pop out at you in the fog-enveloped outdoor area, the Midway of the Bizarre. Because the after-dark chills pack a wallop, Universal Studios recommends that children be at least ten years old. Halloween Horror Nights: September 29 and 30; October 6 to 8, 11 to 15, 19 to 22, 26 to 29, and 31 (407-363-8000; www.universalorlando.com).