Halloween is a time for frights and things that go bump in the night. Nobody does it better than Universal Studios and their the Halloween Horror Nights. See how our Southern TravelingMom handled being out of her “scary” comfort zone for the first time in over 20 years and what tips she has for your visit this annual crowdpleaser!
5 Tips for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights
1. Sidewalks are Safe Zones
2. Visit Halloween Horror Nights when the Gates Open
3. Enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
4. Come Hungry!
5. Buy the Express Pass
A Fright Fest in Orlando
1. Sidewalks are Safe Zones
TravelingMom Tip: Download the Official Universal Orlando® App to help find your way around the park.
2. Visit Halloween Horror Nights when the Gates Open
TravelingMom Tip: This event may be too intense for children and is not recommended for those under 13 years old. No costumes or masks are permitted from those in attendance.
3. Enjoy the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
4. Come Hungry!
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights feature all sorts of special food offerings for the big event. Sink your teeth into Twisted Taters (thin-sliced potato kabobs) with bacon and cheese or the Pizza Fries, the biggest hit of the year. Other nom-worthy items include a variety of waffles, Christmas Tree-lights cupcakes, and “blood” covered mini-donuts.
If a sit-down experience is more your style, you’ll go nuts for the Scareactor Dining Experience at Classic Monsters Cafe. Partake in a themed buffet dinner event that includes photo-ops, a digital download photo, and one non-alcoholic beverage.
5. Buy the Express Pass
An Express Pass costs a little more ($79.99 vs. $62.99), but it will be worth it so you don’t have to spend so much time waiting in lines. The express pass will help you move to the preferred line for the haunted houses, rides, and attractions. If you don’t originally buy the express pass, they go on sale inside the park at 10 PM.
The difference in wait times was quite a lot. For example, 25 minutes with Express Pass for the Stranger Things house at 6:45 PM versus 65 minutes without. The wait times increase as it gets later in the night. I was so thankful to have it from the get-go.
TravelingMom Tip: Poltergeist, Stranger Things, and Halloween 4 are the most sought-after attractions; do them early for the shortest wait time.
Need help planning your Universal trip? Join our Universal Orlando Tips & Planning Facebook Group!
An Eerily Good Time Awaits You
I had such a good time at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights! For myself, it was as much fun as it was scary. I’m sure that being at the park during daylight hours helped ease my anticipation of how scary it would be. Once I saw the layout and knew what to expect, my night was really fun. I’m already making plans to go back next year.
Universal has won “Best Halloween Event” 10 years in a row from Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Award. What’s your favorite Halloween event at Universal?