10 Dark Secrets About Orlando, Florida

Carly Tennes Published 01/27/2025 in wow

As any Floridian can tell you, dropping thousands of dollars on an overrated Disney World vacation is the least scary thing about Orlando. Just take a look at the southern city's spooky history, one defined by ghosts, serial killers, and a whole host creepy secrets hiding within the local theme parks.

From the lady on the lake to Ted Bundy's connection to the city, here are 10 dark secrets about Orlando, Florida.

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1. American Horror Story
Courtesy of The Seminole County Sheriff's Office

“Grant Amato [is] an American murderer who was convicted of a familicide. He was jobless, but he stole his parents' and brother's credit cards to spend 200k on a Bulgarian [model], then killed them all when they cut him off.”
2. River Country Rumors
Image in Public Domain

“The reason why Disney's [River] County, a waterpark, closed remains unknown, although there are speculations of safety issues, deadly amoeba, and 9/11 playing a part in its closure.”
3. A Very Haunted Mansion
Courtesy of Bair10

“Family members scattering dead relative's ashes on Disney World rides is a 'common occurrence,' especially on the Haunted Mansion ride.”
4. Barb-ed Wire
Image in Public Domain

“In Orlando Florida, heavily-armed SWAT teams raided nine barbershops and arrested 34 people for barbering without a license.”
5. Lake Lady
Image in Public Domain

Orlando’s Lake Lucerne is haunted by a ghostly woman who wears white, according to urban legends. Lake goers have reportedly spotted her sitting underneath an oak tree at night.
6. Spaced Out
Image in Public Domain

In 2007, former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak drove 900 miles to Orlando in a poly to kidnap US Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman, who was dating her former flame, Astronaut William Oefelein. She was ultimately arrested by local authorities for assault, battery, and attempted kidnapping.
7. Death Won’t Do Them Part
Courtesy of Connor J. Williams on Flickr

Constructed in the 1880s, some folks say that the The Rogers Bullding — a historical site that was once a gentleman’s club — is haunted by its namesake, Gordon Rogers, and his wife, who allegedly reside on the second story.
8. Serial Scares
Image in Public Domain

Infamous serial killer Ted Bundy has ties to the Florida locale. Starting in 1980, he stood trial for the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Orlando. He was ultimately found guilty.
9. Dead Heroes Walking
Courtesy of Luigi18512 on the Halloween Horror Nights Fan Wikipedia

“In 2002, Universal Studios had a haunted house loosely based on the Marvel storyline Maximum Carnage for Halloween Horror Nights. The house portrayed superheroes such as Spider-Man and Wolverine as brutally killed.”
10. Greenwood Cemetery
Courtesy of the City of Orlando

At over 80 acres, Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery is filled with ghosts. Just ask Brooke Dixon, a tour guide who told Click Orlando that she’s witnessed strange tech glitches and even a ball rolling on its own while showing folks around the famed haunt.

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Tags: orlando florida creepy haunted history disney

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10 Dark Secrets About Orlando, Florida

1. American Horror Story
“Grant Amato [is] an American murderer who was convicted of a familicide. He was jobless, but he stole his parents' and brother's credit cards to spend 200k on a Bulgarian [model], then killed them all when they cut him off.”

2. River Country Rumors
“The reason why Disney's [River] County, a waterpark, closed remains unknown, although there are speculations of safety issues, deadly amoeba, and 9/11 playing a part in its closure.”

3. A Very Haunted Mansion
“Family members scattering dead relative's ashes on Disney World rides is a 'common occurrence,' especially on the Haunted Mansion ride.”

4. Barb-ed Wire
“In Orlando Florida, heavily-armed SWAT teams raided nine barbershops and arrested 34 people for barbering without a license.”

5. Lake Lady
Orlando’s Lake Lucerne is haunted by a ghostly woman who wears white, according to urban legends. Lake goers have reportedly spotted her sitting underneath an oak tree at night.

6. Spaced Out
In 2007, former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak drove 900 miles to Orlando in a poly to kidnap US Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman, who was dating her former flame, Astronaut William Oefelein. She was ultimately arrested by local authorities for assault, battery, and attempted kidnapping.

7. Death Won’t Do Them Part
Constructed in the 1880s, some folks say that the The Rogers Bullding — a historical site that was once a gentleman’s club — is haunted by its namesake, Gordon Rogers, and his wife, who allegedly reside on the second story.

8. Serial Scares
Infamous serial killer Ted Bundy has ties to the Florida locale. Starting in 1980, he stood trial for the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Orlando. He was ultimately found guilty.

9. Dead Heroes Walking
“In 2002, Universal Studios had a haunted house loosely based on the Marvel storyline Maximum Carnage for Halloween Horror Nights. The house portrayed superheroes such as Spider-Man and Wolverine as brutally killed.”

10. Greenwood Cemetery
At over 80 acres, Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery is filled with ghosts. Just ask Brooke Dixon, a tour guide who told Click Orlando that she’s witnessed strange tech glitches and even a ball rolling on its own while showing folks around the famed haunt.

1. American Horror Story

2. River Country Rumors

3. A Very Haunted Mansion

4. Barb-ed Wire

5. Lake Lady

6. Spaced Out

7. Death Won’t Do Them Part

8. Serial Scares

9. Dead Heroes Walking

10. Greenwood Cemetery

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1. American Horror Story “Grant Amato [is] an American murderer who was convicted of a familicide. He was jobless, but he stole his parents' and brother's credit cards to spend 200k on a Bulgarian [model], then killed them all when they cut him off.”

2. River Country Rumors “The reason why Disney's [River] County, a waterpark, closed remains unknown, although there are speculations of safety issues, deadly amoeba, and 9/11 playing a part in its closure.”

3. A Very Haunted Mansion “Family members scattering dead relative's ashes on Disney World rides is a 'common occurrence,' especially on the Haunted Mansion ride.”

4. Barb-ed Wire “In Orlando Florida, heavily-armed SWAT teams raided nine barbershops and arrested 34 people for barbering without a license.”

5. Lake Lady Orlando’s Lake Lucerne is haunted by a ghostly woman who wears white, according to urban legends. Lake goers have reportedly spotted her sitting underneath an oak tree at night.

6. Spaced Out In 2007, former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak drove 900 miles to Orlando in a poly to kidnap US Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman, who was dating her former flame, Astronaut William Oefelein. She was ultimately arrested by local authorities for assault, battery, and attempted kidnapping.

7. Death Won’t Do Them Part Constructed in the 1880s, some folks say that the The Rogers Bullding — a historical site that was once a gentleman’s club — is haunted by its namesake, Gordon Rogers, and his wife, who allegedly reside on the second story.

8. Serial Scares Infamous serial killer Ted Bundy has ties to the Florida locale. Starting in 1980, he stood trial for the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Orlando. He was ultimately found guilty.

9. Dead Heroes Walking “In 2002, Universal Studios had a haunted house loosely based on the Marvel storyline Maximum Carnage for Halloween Horror Nights. The house portrayed superheroes such as Spider-Man and Wolverine as brutally killed.”

10. Greenwood Cemetery At over 80 acres, Orlando’s Greenwood Cemetery is filled with ghosts. Just ask Brooke Dixon, a tour guide who told Click Orlando that she’s witnessed strange tech glitches and even a ball rolling on its own while showing folks around the famed haunt.