6 Ways to Survive Halloween Horror Nights Wait Times in Orlando
6 Ways to Survive Halloween Horror Nights
Halloween Horror Nights is celebrating another year of scares! The premier Halloween event at Universal Studios is one of the top things to do in Orlando during “Haunt Season.” Every year, horror fans eagerly await what Halloween haunted houses in Orlando will scare them the most, and Universal Studios Orlando never disappoints.
Guide to Surviving Halloween Horror Nights
The die-hard fans – see what we did there! – know the tips and tricks to make their HHN experience one to last them until next year’s event. Let us help you survive the horror… and have fun doing it.
1 | Buy HHN Tickets in Advance | Buy your HHN tickets online before you head to the park. Be ready and prepared, so you don’t have to worry about standing in line and buying your tickets at the gate. Also, get the ticket or tickets you want. Universal offers several types of tickets and passes for those wanting to go more than once.
PRO TIP: Besides the event itself, there are R.I.P Guided Tours and tours you can take with the lights on in some of the most popular haunted houses of this year’s event. Those are separately ticketed options. Visit Universal’s website to learn more.
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2 | Take Advantage of Early Admission | If you have a daytime ticket to Universal Studios, then you have a head start for HHN. If you’re already in the park before Horror Nights you can get early entry with “Stay & Scream,” which basically puts you in a designated area while the park closes to day guests and before HHN starts. When HHN begins, you’ll already be in the park and can get where you want to go first a whole lot faster. That means you might be first in line at your favorite haunted house!
NOTE: You will have to have a regular daytime ticket to the park, plus a separate ticket to HHN to participate in Stay & Scream. If you don’t have daytime admission, but want to arrive a little earlier, you can purchase a Scream Early Ticket that will get you into Universal Studios at 3 p.m. At 5 p.m., you’ll then wait in a Stay & Scream area until HHN officially begins.
3 | Be Early and Stay Late | Now that you know about the options of being at HHN early, another to note is that you should stay late. The event officially starts at 6:30 p.m., but closing times vary. Usually, closing time is around 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. While some people might leave to go to bed, only the dedicated fans take advantage of that early morning hours. You could get shorter wait times to get into your favorite houses!
4 | Come Up with a Game Plan | Get your park map, either in the app or good old-fashioned paper, and know which houses you can’t miss, what foods you need to try and what scare zones you might want to avoid. Having a game plan will help you set your expectations and prioritize what you have to do. Also, knowing the layout of the park and where everything is will help you get to where you need to be faster. Look out for the shortcuts and the fastest routes.
5 | Buy an Express Pass | The express pass is your new best friend. Prices vary by date. The pass allows you to skip the regular line one time at all the haunted houses, plus you can use it at participating rides and attractions that night. Your ticket to HHN does not include express. It is a separate ticket option to include.
6 | Avoid Busy Event Nights | This might seem obvious but not everyone thinks about it. Halloween night is a very popular night to attend HHN, but if you can skip it, you should. Crowds will be very high, meaning extremely long wait times. You should go earlier in HHN season, mid-to-late September and early October, to get the best ticket prices and avoid the crowds that just can’t miss HHN on Halloween. Also, try to avoid the first night of the event. People have pent-up demand and want to be the first to experience everything. If you can wait, you should.
WARNING: EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR COSTUME MASKS ALLOWED.
The Horror Awaits at HHN 2022
Halloween Horror Nights runs from September to early November. Ticket prices vary by date.
We know you’re “dying” for HHN, so we want to make sure you can “rest in peace” knowing you’ll have the best time. For more information about Halloween Horror Nights and where to stay – stay with us! – plus more tips and travel guides, like the best corn field maze, visit our Westgate Resorts Travel Blog.
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* Westgate Resorts is in no way affiliated with the attractions featured in this article. Items or places listed are current as of the publishing date of this article. Please call or visit the respective website for the most up-to-date offerings and details.
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