24 creepy Central Florida urban legends to keep you up at night

Halloween is nearly here. Thrill-seekers and history buffs, check out some of the creepiest Central Florida urban legends. You'll have a new ghost story to tell at your next party, so what's better than that? Everyone loves the unexplained.
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The cryogenically frozen Walt Disney
One of Orlando’s older legends, there is a myth that Walt Disney had his body cryogenically frozen after his death in 1966 and stored somewhere under Disney World. The rumor was persistent enough to have multiple articles debunking it, but the legend lives on, especially with the underground future cult classic The Further Adventures of Walt's Frozen Head, created  by University of Central Florida film school grad Benjamin Lancaster. 
Photo courtesy of The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head

The cryogenically frozen Walt Disney


One of Orlando’s older legends, there is a myth that Walt Disney had his body cryogenically frozen after his death in 1966 and stored somewhere under Disney World. The rumor was persistent enough to have multiple articles debunking it, but the legend lives on, especially with the underground future cult classic The Further Adventures of Walt's Frozen Head, created by University of Central Florida film school grad Benjamin Lancaster.

Photo courtesy of The Further Adventures of Walt’s Frozen Head
Cocaine in the cars
The Winter Park sinkhole from 1981 may have taken more than just Porsches. Rumor has it that some of the car owners were so eager to get their automobiles back because a hefty amount of cocaine was in the cars’ trunks. This has not been proven, but a year after this incident, Porsche-owner, Bob Govern was sentenced to 45 years in prison for helping run a $300 million marijuana ring. Coincidence? Maybe. 
Photo via Florida Memory

Cocaine in the cars


The Winter Park sinkhole from 1981 may have taken more than just Porsches. Rumor has it that some of the car owners were so eager to get their automobiles back because a hefty amount of cocaine was in the cars’ trunks. This has not been proven, but a year after this incident, Porsche-owner, Bob Govern was sentenced to 45 years in prison for helping run a $300 million marijuana ring. Coincidence? Maybe.

Photo via Florida Memory
Room 206 at the International Drive Super 8
There is no story behind this haunt, but beware when you check-in to room 206. Guests claim to be woken up by the bed being violently shaken and even the feeling that there is someone there next to them. There have also been reports of ice-cold air, even air-conditioning off, and the imprint of someone laying in the bed when it was just made.
Photo via Yelp/Business owner

Room 206 at the International Drive Super 8


There is no story behind this haunt, but beware when you check-in to room 206. Guests claim to be woken up by the bed being violently shaken and even the feeling that there is someone there next to them. There have also been reports of ice-cold air, even air-conditioning off, and the imprint of someone laying in the bed when it was just made.

Photo via Yelp/Business owner
Carey Hand Building
This building is now the UCF Ying Academic Center, but was once the Carey Hand Funeral Home. The souls of the funeral home residents don’t seem to be gone. Footsteps and whispers can be heard when all is quiet. 
Photo by Sarah Cavacini

Carey Hand Building


This building is now the UCF Ying Academic Center, but was once the Carey Hand Funeral Home. The souls of the funeral home residents don’t seem to be gone. Footsteps and whispers can be heard when all is quiet.

Photo by Sarah Cavacini
The Devil’s Chair in Cassadaga
Located just off I-4, the small town of Cassadaga runs off spiritualism, with an abundance of mediums and spiritualist camps. The creepiest part, though, is The Devil’s Chair in the local cemetery. Sit in the brick chair at midnight, and the Devil just might talk to you. 
Photo by Moriah Russo

The Devil’s Chair in Cassadaga


Located just off I-4, the small town of Cassadaga runs off spiritualism, with an abundance of mediums and spiritualist camps. The creepiest part, though, is The Devil’s Chair in the local cemetery. Sit in the brick chair at midnight, and the Devil just might talk to you.

Photo by Moriah Russo
Space Mountain
Try to keep your head on with this one. The legend is that a rider was decapitated on Space Mountain because he stood up while riding. This is only partly true. Yes, there was a decapitation, but it was just a test dummy. No humans were killed to haunt this ride, so we don’t think the rumor of a boy haunting this ride are true.
Photo via Yelp/Mike W.

Space Mountain


Try to keep your head on with this one. The legend is that a rider was decapitated on Space Mountain because he stood up while riding. This is only partly true. Yes, there was a decapitation, but it was just a test dummy. No humans were killed to haunt this ride, so we don’t think the rumor of a boy haunting this ride are true.

Photo via Yelp/Mike W.
Elijah Hand Building 
Located in downtown Orlando, this is the site of Central Florida’s first undertaker.  The building housed the first funeral home and later crematorium. While it’s no longer a funeral home, people who have been inside claim to have heard footsteps and have seen the ghosts of women and children. A ghost named Robert is supposed to be the most sinister and he likes to play with kids that stop by the building.  
Photo by Michael Gavin

Elijah Hand Building


Located in downtown Orlando, this is the site of Central Florida’s first undertaker. The building housed the first funeral home and later crematorium. While it’s no longer a funeral home, people who have been inside claim to have heard footsteps and have seen the ghosts of women and children. A ghost named Robert is supposed to be the most sinister and he likes to play with kids that stop by the building.

Photo by Michael Gavin
Enzian Theater
As you settle in for a late night movie at the Enzian, keep your ears and eyes open to your surroundings. Legend has it that guests have seen the disembodied head of a woman floating from corner to corner, screaming. She only appears on moonless nights at 1 a.m. and vanishes into the restaurant next door.
Photo via Facebook/Enzian Theater

Enzian Theater


As you settle in for a late night movie at the Enzian, keep your ears and eyes open to your surroundings. Legend has it that guests have seen the disembodied head of a woman floating from corner to corner, screaming. She only appears on moonless nights at 1 a.m. and vanishes into the restaurant next door.

Photo via Facebook/Enzian Theater
Pirates of the Caribbean
Now this legend may just simply be that, a legend, but we may never know. The story goes that a worker named George died during the construction of Pirates of the Caribbean and still haunts the ride today. Cast members claim he only acts out when he is disrespected, so try saying “I don’t believe in George” next time you’re on the ride and see if George comes back for his respect.
Photo via Walt Disney World

Pirates of the Caribbean


Now this legend may just simply be that, a legend, but we may never know. The story goes that a worker named George died during the construction of Pirates of the Caribbean and still haunts the ride today. Cast members claim he only acts out when he is disrespected, so try saying “I don’t believe in George” next time you’re on the ride and see if George comes back for his respect.

Photo via Walt Disney World
Greenwood Cemetery
Take a stroll here, if you dare, to the sections called “Baby Land 1” and “Baby land 3.” The ghosts of the children from the Sunland Hospital will want to play with you. People have reported hearing music, children’s laughter and feel hands touching them.
Photo via City of Orlando

Greenwood Cemetery


Take a stroll here, if you dare, to the sections called “Baby Land 1” and “Baby land 3.” The ghosts of the children from the Sunland Hospital will want to play with you. People have reported hearing music, children’s laughter and feel hands touching them.

Photo via City of Orlando
The Haunted Mansion
Those 999 happy haunts may just have one more guest they weren’t expecting. In 2004, a member of a Walt Disney World forum wrote about a ghost child she captured on camera while riding The Haunted Mansion. Fake or real? That’s for you to decide. 
Photo via Facebook/The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion


Those 999 happy haunts may just have one more guest they weren’t expecting. In 2004, a member of a Walt Disney World forum wrote about a ghost child she captured on camera while riding The Haunted Mansion. Fake or real? That’s for you to decide.

Photo via Facebook/The Haunted Mansion
I-4 Dead Zone
The end of the St. Johns River bridge, halfway between Orlando and Daytona, is a dead zone, but not just for cell phone service. There have been over 1,700 accidents in this area. The story goes back to the 1800s which says that early immigrants who died from yellow fever have cursed this land.
Photo via Google Maps

I-4 Dead Zone


The end of the St. Johns River bridge, halfway between Orlando and Daytona, is a dead zone, but not just for cell phone service. There have been over 1,700 accidents in this area. The story goes back to the 1800s which says that early immigrants who died from yellow fever have cursed this land.

Photo via Google Maps
Ghost dog of Lake Eola 
This ghost is no human. A brown terrier is said to roam the eastern side of Lake Eola and disappear when you stop paying attention to him. There is no definite story behind this little doggy, but one story says a family was moving in the 1990s and couldn’t take their dog so the dad’s solution was throw the dog in a bag and into the lake to drown him. 
Photo by Rob Bartlett

Ghost dog of Lake Eola


This ghost is no human. A brown terrier is said to roam the eastern side of Lake Eola and disappear when you stop paying attention to him. There is no definite story behind this little doggy, but one story says a family was moving in the 1990s and couldn’t take their dog so the dad’s solution was throw the dog in a bag and into the lake to drown him.

Photo by Rob Bartlett
Magnolia Creek Lake
Located on the west side of Lake Apopka, the legend goes that this narrow road is haunted by  200 passengers that died in a major train wreck. The train wreck has never been proven, but people claim to hear strange noises as they travel down the road. 
Photo via Google Maps

Magnolia Creek Lake


Located on the west side of Lake Apopka, the legend goes that this narrow road is haunted by 200 passengers that died in a major train wreck. The train wreck has never been proven, but people claim to hear strange noises as they travel down the road.

Photo via Google Maps
Maitland Art Center
For some people, art is hauntingly beautiful. That’s the way it seems at the Maitland Art Center. Local artists who work here say they’ve seen resident artist and the building’s architect Andre Smith roaming the premises. Smith was the spirit of the place, so it’s no wonder he can’t move on.
Photo via Facebook/Art & History Museum-Maitland

Maitland Art Center


For some people, art is hauntingly beautiful. That’s the way it seems at the Maitland Art Center. Local artists who work here say they’ve seen resident artist and the building’s architect Andre Smith roaming the premises. Smith was the spirit of the place, so it’s no wonder he can’t move on.

Photo via Facebook/Art & History Museum-Maitland
The lights in the I-4 Eyesore
If you’re an Orlandoan, then you know what the I-4 eyesore is and the prolonged construction process it underwent. What you may not know about is the mysterious night the lights went on and then off at the Majesty building. It was July 24, 2018. In the dark of the night the lights flipped on. Was it simply someone testing the electricity (probably)? Or was it a ghost teasing our misery at seeing this unfinished 17-year construction project? 
Photo via Google Maps

The lights in the I-4 Eyesore


If you’re an Orlandoan, then you know what the I-4 eyesore is and the prolonged construction process it underwent. What you may not know about is the mysterious night the lights went on and then off at the Majesty building. It was July 24, 2018. In the dark of the night the lights flipped on. Was it simply someone testing the electricity (probably)? Or was it a ghost teasing our misery at seeing this unfinished 17-year construction project?

Photo via Google Maps
Old Bob Horse
The only non-human buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in Sanford is a horse named Bob. He is remembered for transporting humans to the funeral home for 28 years. His grave is constantly covered in flowers that some say appear out of nowhere. 
Photo via Adobe Stock

Old Bob Horse


The only non-human buried in the Lakeview Cemetery in Sanford is a horse named Bob. He is remembered for transporting humans to the funeral home for 28 years. His grave is constantly covered in flowers that some say appear out of nowhere.

Photo via Adobe Stock
Old Sanford Firehouse
Sadly, this location is not open to the public, but resident Barbara Farrell, claims she may not be living in this old firehouse alone. She has reported pebbles being thrown and has felt presences in the house. Former firefighters say they saw chairs moving, doors opening and closing and heard the sound of chains.
Photo via Google Maps

Old Sanford Firehouse


Sadly, this location is not open to the public, but resident Barbara Farrell, claims she may not be living in this old firehouse alone. She has reported pebbles being thrown and has felt presences in the house. Former firefighters say they saw chairs moving, doors opening and closing and heard the sound of chains.

Photo via Google Maps
Oviedo Lights
As you cross the Econlockhatchee River, the road between Chuluota and Snow Hill, you might just see a single ball of light chase your car. This phenomenon has been around for 50 years. Some claim the light is just swamp gas; others claim it’s a ghost of a boy from Oviedo High School who died in a fatal car accident on that bridge; some say there’s even more than one ball of light. The only way to find out is to go see for yourself.
Photo via Google Maps

Oviedo Lights


As you cross the Econlockhatchee River, the road between Chuluota and Snow Hill, you might just see a single ball of light chase your car. This phenomenon has been around for 50 years. Some claim the light is just swamp gas; others claim it’s a ghost of a boy from Oviedo High School who died in a fatal car accident on that bridge; some say there’s even more than one ball of light. The only way to find out is to go see for yourself.

Photo via Google Maps
UCF’s Rat Man
In 2018, University of Central Florida students began noticing “Rat Man,” an adult man wearing a makeshift rat mask and tail who silently walked around campus at night. Nobody knew whether he was a friend or foe, but he was often seen in the dark near trash cans and stopped a bike thief once. There have been no reported sightings of Rat Man since last May, but hopefully the rodent hero is still at large. 
Photo via Twitter/UCF Police Department

UCF’s Rat Man


In 2018, University of Central Florida students began noticing “Rat Man,” an adult man wearing a makeshift rat mask and tail who silently walked around campus at night. Nobody knew whether he was a friend or foe, but he was often seen in the dark near trash cans and stopped a bike thief once. There have been no reported sightings of Rat Man since last May, but hopefully the rodent hero is still at large.

Photo via Twitter/UCF Police Department
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