Guest Writer: Frances Sherlock
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studio’s Orlando is quoted as the premiere Halloween event in the area, as Universal goes all out for the event. But what if you want to go and you get scared easily? This will serve as your guide to “survive” the event and have fun along the way.
This big caveat with Halloween Horror Nights is that you are never truly “safe,” for lack of a better word. There are usually five or six scare zones throughout the park that you must walk through to get to the attractions, food booths, and even the houses. So here are some tips to help you navigate Halloween Horror Nights.
Go With Friends
There is strength in numbers. Go with friends who may not be scared as easily as you and have them walk into the house in front of you and behind you (if you have a large enough group). They will act as your shield and help you get through the house with the fewest scares possible.
These friends will also act as shields in the scare zones. I usually have a death grip on someone as we speed walk through the scare zone to reach our next destination.
Research The Houses Before Hand
If you get scared easily, I would not recommend going on opening night, as you will have no idea what to expect. There are usually media and theme park bloggers/vloggers at the opening night of the event who will review each house and scare zone. I recommend watching their videos and making your action plan for the evening. There are usually less scary houses and scare zones, and doing research will help you figure out which ones those are.
After researching and making your action plan, try one or two less scary houses at the event and see how you feel about them. Try a scary house if you are okay with those houses’ scare levels. If those were too intense, try the cool foods and riding attractions.
Last night, August 30th, was the official kickoff of the event and we DID attend! While crowded, we had a great time. We also splurged for the Express Pass, which made a worlds of difference on experience level and saved hours of waiting in lines.
The below map was shared on the official website for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, and includes all locations for this year’s haunted houses, scare zones, entertainment, and attractions available during the event. We ranked the houses for you in terms of scare level alone, to gauge what you may or may not want to be brave enough to try. We also added an asterisk to the experiences we overall enjoyed the most regardless of fear level.
The corresponding key for the map above includes:
Haunted Houses
A. Monstruous: The Monsters of Latin America -Scare Level:7/10
B. A Quiet Place -Scare Level:5/10
C. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire*- Scare Level:4/10
D. Insidious: The Further -Scare Level:6/10
E. Triplets of Terror -Scare Level:6/10
F. Major Sweets Candy Factory -Scare Level:5/10
G. Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines* -Scare Level:7/10
H. Goblin’s Feast -Scare Level:7/10
I. Slaughter Sinema 2* -Scare Level:8/10
J. The Museum: Deadly Exhibits -Scare Level:6/10
Scare Zones
K. Duality of Fear (Production Central)
L. Torture Faire (New York)
M. Enter the Blumhouse* (San Francisco)
N. Swamp of the Undead (Central Park)
O. Demon Queens (Hollywood)
Live Entertainment
P. Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus*
Rides & Attractions
1. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
2. Revenge of the Mummy
3. Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts**
4. MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack
DE. Death Eaters Encounter**
**Both Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Death Eaters Encounter close before the event’s end. All attractions are subject to change without notice. Not on the list of attractions this year is Transformers: The Ride-3D, which was available for Halloween Horror Nights 32.
Take Breaks By Riding Attractions or Grabbing Food
If you find yourself getting too overwhelmed by the event, go ride a ride or grab some food. Like Mardi Gras at Universal or Food and Wine at Epcot, Halloween Horror Nights has food booths throughout the park with food and drinks themed after the houses and scare zones. Take 30 minutes and go try some food and maybe find some liquid courage. You can also ride attractions during Halloween Horror Nights. Select attractions throughout the park, like Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Men in Black Alien Attack, are open during the event. You can use one of these attractions as a break.
See the Stage Show
Nightmare Fuel (this year, the show is called Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus) is more of an adult show and is considered dark, but I would not consider it “scary” like some of the houses. The stage show is very high quality, and I would definitely recommend seeing it regardless of whether you like being scared or not—that is how good of a show it is!
Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour
Interested in seeing the houses without scare actors and in broad daylight? Try the Behind the Scream: Unmasking the Horror Tour. Depending on the tour, you can see three or six Halloween Horror Night houses without actors, loud noises, bright lights, etc. This is a great way to see the houses and get a feel for what to expect during the event without the jump scares (or if you are just a fan of the artistry of Halloween Horror Nights, this is the tour for you!). Prices start at $99.99 for the three-house tour and $179.99 for the six-house tour, plus tax, and does not require a separate ticket to Halloween Horror Nights, just admission to Universal Studios Florida.
Halloween Horror Nights is an amazing event that Universal Studios Orlando and Hollywood put together every year, and I recommend going to see it at least once. Hopefully, these tips will help you feel encouraged to try them out!
Universal Orlando’s Remaining Halloween Horror Nights Schedule:
August Dates
August 31
September Dates
September 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29
October Dates
October 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-37, 30-31
November Dates:
November 1-3
Prices for Halloween Horror Nights single-day tickets range from $83 to $123, depending on the night.
Are you interested in planning a Universal Orlando vacation and attending Halloween Horror Nights this fall? We can help! At Castle Coaches Travel, our full-service planning is complimentary when we book your vacation. Also! If you want to experience this event, but are hesitant to go alone, join Castle Coaches Travel on October 13th! We will back for another fun night.
Reach out to us today and grab your tickets before they vanish into thin air!
Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event. Event occurs rain or shine. No rain checks, returns or refunds. Prices, dates, times, attractions, entertainment, and/or experience details are subject to availability, changes and/or cancellation without notice. Parks/attractions/entertainment may close or be unavailable due to capacity and benefits are subject to change without notice. Free self-parking after midnight on all Halloween Horror Nights event nights. Free self-parking after 6PM for all guests on non-Halloween Horror Nights event nights. Other restrictions may apply. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
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