Fall in Orlando may not bring cooler weather and falling leaves, but it does bring ghosts, clowns, and goblins! Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights takes place annually from late August to early November. The event includes four themed scare zones, 10 haunted houses, and arguably the best part of all: food to die for.
This year’s haunted houses include various original themes, as well as some iconic horror icons such as Stranger Things, Sinners, and Hellraiser.
However, because Horror Nights is a limited-time offering, the event garners massive traffic. It brings in around 1.5 million visitors yearly, with horror fans coming from around the world to be victims of jump scares and carnage. To make the most of your trip, it’s important to go in with a plan, and as a certified Horror Nights goer for over six years, I have the perfect tips to curate the bloodiest night.
Take Advantage of “Stay and Scream”
If you’re visiting Horror Nights with a one-day pass, seasonal pass, or annual pass, you have access to Stay and Scream, a passholder-exclusive perk that allows guests to enter the park as early as 2 p.m. and go into haunted houses that open sporadically until the event starts at 6:30 p.m.
Doing all 10 houses in one night is almost impossible with the crowds, so investing extra time in Stay and Scream is a sure way to hit some of the hard-hitter houses, such as Ozzy Osbourne and Sinners, much more easily than you would later in the night.
Stay and Scream does not require entrance at 2 p.m.; you can enter the park anytime before 5 p.m. Since Universal Studios is still operating on its normal hours when the extra hours begin, the scare zones and food booths are closed; only the haunted houses are open.
Download the Universal App
The official Universal Studios Orlando app is a real lifesaver when you go “into the fog” at Horror Nights. If you can’t take advantage of Stay and Scream, watching the lines will be one of the most important parts of the night. The app shows wait times in real time, so when Sinners miraculously drops below a one-hour wait, you can run to the back of the park to make sure you get the house in.
The app also includes showtimes, ride wait times, and food options around the park. It lets you set reminders when wait times reach a certain number or when shows are about to start.
Pack a Bag Ahead of time
Aside from the parks, what’s in your bag can make or break your night. Forgetting something that seems obvious can ruin your mood, so pack your bag early to avoid future conflicts.
Some items that have helped save me numerous times at Horror Nights are a portable charger, a fan, chapstick, deodorant, and a hairbrush. Trust me, if I ever leave the house without a hairbrush, especially to go to Horror Nights in 100-degree weather, I may as well go home!
Look at Food Offerings
Whether it’s a “Walking Taco” or “Pinhead’s Skin and Meatballs,” Horror Nights offers interesting and delicious food. All the menus for the specialty booths are available online, and to make the most of your time in the park, plan ahead for what you’d like to eat.
In my opinion, the bread pudding takes the win for best food at Club Juke, the Sinners booth!
(If Possible) Visit More than Once
While visiting more than once may not be in the cards for everyone, planning more than one date is essential to keep the night as stress-free as possible. While looking ahead and checking wait times can help make sure you hit the houses, another important part of Horror Nights is slowing down and having fun. Leave time to enjoy the open rides, food offerings, and amazing shows! You’ll thank yourself later.
Horror Nights doesn’t have to be stressful. Planning and preparing is the best way to ensure you make the most of your time. So, if you’re looking to trade a pumpkin spice latte for a “slurp juice” from the Fortnite-themed scare zone, remember to locate the booth ahead of time.