FOG, SCREAMS, LATE NIGHTS, Horror, Scare Zones, and new houses. August 29th kicked off the 34th year of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando.
HHN is a BIG deal at Universal Orlando. While Hollywood, CA has a smaller version, it is nothing compared to Orlando’s version.
If this is your first HHN then it can be intimidating. Don’t worry. MMP has your back! We have all the Insider Tips you need to make the MOST of your Halloween Horror Nights experience!
Weekend Nights are the Busiest!
For obvious reasons, weekend nights are the busiest nights during HHN. Of course any night can be busy, the weekend’s are most definitely the busiest! If you are able, schedule your HHN for the week night.
Earlier in the season..better!
Earlier in the season for HHN is the best! The crowds are bigger the closer it gets to Halloween. The season this year begins August 29th and ends November 2nd. The closer it gets to Halloween the busier it gets.
Review the Map before..Start at the back!
As with anything always be prepared! Review the map of the layout of HHN BEFORE and come up with the houses you JUST MUST DO! On the night of HHN, go to the houses at the BACK of the park first! Most people start at the front and make their way around. Don’t Do That! Head to the back first! Keep in mind, this means you will need to be ready to go in as soon as you can get in.
Know your entrance options!
There are several different ways to get in EARLY to HHN. You can go into select houses early, and you can go in the holding area which enables you to make it to those popular houses at the back of the park the quickest!
Park ticket for day of: If you have a park ticket for the day you plan on going to HHN, you CAN get in the holding area early! When the park closes, head to the holding area! This is referred to as the Stay & Scream option.
Scream Early Pass: If you do not have a valid park ticket for the day of your HHN ticket, you can also purchase a Scream Early pass. The Scream Early pass will allow you to Scream from 3-5pm and then go to the holding area at 5pm and wait until the event starts at 6:30pm.
*Tip – One of the best holding areas is Finnegan’s – you can enjoy dinner and drinks while waiting for the evening event to begin.
Hotel Guest Entrance: It is worth noting that on-site hotel guests have their own entrance and holding area for HHN. You do not get early admission to the houses like the Scream Pass allows, but you CAN avoid some of the general admission crowds. This entrance is available from 6:30pm – 7:30pm.
Line Up Early: If you are going to line up at the general admission turnstiles, be sure and do so 2+ hours prior to the event beginning.
Stay and Scream Hours (3pm-6:30pm)
For those that had regular admission for the day as well as those that have purchased the Scream Early Pass. Here is the schedule:
- Starting at 3pm: Guests with valid daytime or Scream Early admission on the same day as their Halloween Horror Nights ticket may receive their wristband at one of four locations in the park.
- Starting at 4pm: Haunted House queues and select Food & Beverage locations will begin opening for Guests.
- Starting at 5pm: Daytime operations will end, and security sweep will begin. Select haunted houses will begin to open (Haunted House opening times vary.)
- 6:30pm: Official Halloween Horror Nights event open time.
Wristband Distribution
If you are there early you will need to get a wristband as well, starting at 3pm at one of the following check-in stations.
- Lombard’s Seafood Grill (Starting at 3pm)
- Illumination’s Minion Cafe (Starting at 3pm)
- Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast Exit (Starting at 3pm)
- USF Rentals (near park exit) (Starting at 5pm)
Once you have received your wristband from a check-in location, you will be able to enter the haunted house queues starting at 4pm. Opening times for each of the houses will vary, the Universal Orlando Resort app will provide house locations and specific opening times. Wristbands must be worn to enter haunted house queues.
Haunted House Access
Those with wristbands may enter the following select haunted house queues starting at 4pm.
- Five Nights At Freddy’s
- Terrifier
- Fallout
- WWE Presents: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks
- El Artista: A Spanish Haunting
- Dolls: Let’s Play Dead
- Grave of Flesh
- Gálkn: Monsters of the North
The following haunted house queues will open closer to 6pm.
- Jason Universe
- Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
Haunted House Opening Times*
- 5:15pm: Five Nights At Freddy’s, WWE Presents: The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks, Fallout
- 5:30pm: Terrifier
- 5:45pm: Hatchet and Chains Demon Bounty Hunters and Gálkn: Monsters of the North
- 6:00pm: Jason Universe, El Artista: A Spanish Haunting, Grave of Flesh and Dolls: Let’s Play Dead
*Haunted house opening times may vary and are subject to change.
Pack Ponchos!
September and October are still part of the rainy months in Florida. Be sure and pack ponchos! If you don’t need them, you can always store them in a locker rental at the front of the park.
Utilize Time Wisely!
While you don’t want to spend valuable scare time in the food lines, you will find that the food is one of the best things about HHN. The best time to eat food is 8:30-10:30. This is typically when the house lines are the longest and the scare zones the busiest. Grab a snack and sit down and people watch! And if you’re planning on drinking alcohol, bring that ID!
Get Your Halloween Horror Nights Tickets Early!
Due to the popularity, HHN’s WILL sell out! So be sure and tell your MMP advisor to get those tickets for you ASAP! Don’t wait!
HAVE FUN!!!
The most important thing with ANYTHING Universal is to have fun and HHN is no exception! Keep in mind that the scare actors cannot touch you, but that goes the opposite way as well, you cannot touch them!
Expectations…
Expect there to be lines. It is popular. There WILL be lines. If you don’t like lines, my recommendation is to purchase the express pass. Otherwise, pack your patience and have fun!!!
