In Orlando the haunting season tends to start a little early. The spooks at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) kicks off SEPTEMBER 1 – OCTOBER 31, 2023 for 44 select nights. The spooky Halloween season begins early around here, and this year is another special moment for Halloween Horror Nights.
This guide will be updated as 2023 announcements are made. You can keep reading for important tips we've gathered over the years.
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Announcements
So far the only house that has been announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 is based on “Chucky.” Stay tuned for more announcements.
Guests Can Start Planning the Ultimate Fearsome Fall Getaway with a Variety of Offers – Including Single-Night Halloween Horror Nights Tickets, Event Upgrades to Maximize the Fear and a Vacation Package that Includes Daytime Access to the Incredible Thrills of Universal Orlando’s Award-Winning Theme Parks.
Click Here to Purchase Tickets and Packages
Horror Nights 2023 Tips
- View the full lineup ahead of time
- Visit on a weeknight
- September is less crowded than October
- Plan extra time to enjoy the scare zones
- Take a break and watch the lagoon show
- Save time with early admission
- Splurge on an Express Pass
- Book a guided tour
- Fuel up with signature food and drinks
- Don't forget to ride some rides
- Talk about your expectations and comfort level
Read on for our guide on making the most of a date night, or should we say dare night, at Halloween Horror Nights 2023.
Note: Admission to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is NOT included with regular park admission. You will need a separate event ticket in order to attend. Also, parking is NOT free until after 10pm, so be prepared to pay full price.
Check out the full Halloween Horror Nights lineup
The headlining houses are worthy of the buzz, but you won't get the full experience if you overlook the incredible scare zones, shows, and original concept houses. Be sure to review the full list of Universal Orlando's HHN houses, scare zones, shows and rides in advance.
HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS HOUSES (2022)
This is the 2022 lineup.
As 2023 announcements are made we will update below.
Focusing just on the Halloween Horror Nights houses can sometimes lead to disappointment due to the long wait times. Plan out 3-4 must see houses, including at least two original concept houses (ones that aren’t based on a movie or TV show). The original concept houses tend to have shorter wait times and the Universal Orlando's creative design team has more freedom with HHN house designs.
(FROM 2022)
- Halloween
- Universal Monsters: Legends Collide
- The Horrors of Blumhouse
- The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare
- “Spirits of the Coven” – Enter an unsettling 1920s speakeasy only to discover that they are the main ingredient of witch’s brew
- “Bugs: Eaten Alive” – Face a putrid, skin-crawling infestation of spiders, roaches, flies, bees and more
- “Fiesta de Chupacabras” – Escape or become prey to a no-longer mythical, fanged creature
- “Hellblock Horror” – Attempt to survive visiting hours for horrifying monsters serving time
- “Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake” – Endure a petrifying winter thunderstorm in a seaside village ruled by an undead fisherman
- “Descendants of Destruction” – Encounter bloodthirsty mutants living in a post-apocalyptic subway system
TIP: The original concept houses tend to have shorter wait times, especially early in the evening and towards the end of the night. “Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake” has received great reviews early on, definitely put this one on your list.
HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS SCARE ZONES (2022)
2023 Scare Zones will be added once announcements are made.
STAGE SHOW + LAGOON SHOW
2023 announcements will be made soon.
Who knew water fountains and projections on water could give you goosebumps? You may want to cuddle together for this one. This larger-than-life show takes place in Universal Studios’ lagoon using projection technology, fireworks, lasers, and a killer soundtrack.
How to save time at Halloween Horror Nights
The lines for the most popular Universal Orlando HHN houses can get as long as three hours, with average wait times around at least an hour or more for popular houses based on movies and TV shows. Alternatively, the original concept houses are full of detail and unique experiences, and tend to have lower wait times – not a bad Halloween Horror Nights shortcut!
Halloween Horror Nights officially kicks off at 6pm on most nights and generally runs until 1am. Take breaks, enjoy the experience, and show those scary fiends they are no match for the power of love!
EARLY ADMISSION
If you have regular park admission to Universal Studios Florida for the day as well as for Halloween Horror Nights that night, you won't be required to exit the park and come back in for HHN. You’ll just need to head to one of the holding areas.
For this early admission option, you must enter the park before the official park closing for the day.
After about 45 minutes to an hour from park closing, the holding areas are opened up and at least one house in the immediate area will be available to experience with little to no wait.
It is wise to map out the event ahead of time and determine which part of the park has one or two houses you want to see the most so you can utilize the proper holding area. You should be able to get through one house right away and then get in line for your next house with little wait time.
EXPRESS PASSES
The alternative to early admission is the Halloween Horror Night's Express Pass – and it is going to cost extra. The prices range from $89.99 all the way up to $159.99. The question always is “is it worth it?” And there’s no easy answer to that. Will you get through more houses in less time? Yes. Will it eliminate all waits at all the houses completely? Not so much.
A few important notes: Halloween Horror Night Express Passes do sell out on peak nights, including weekends and dates in mid to late October, so make your decision about purchasing Halloween Horror Night Express Passes well in advance. If you choose to go on a peak night, some wait times can be as long as 2 hours or more for the most popular houses. An Express Pass for Halloween Horror Nights 2022 does not guarantee you won’t have to wait in line. On peak nights, the line for the Express Pass can still be up to half of the posted wait time.
READER TIPS:
“As a team member, express passes are the way to go. They have hundreds of people that do the stay and scream and get in early (they open certain houses 15 minutes early). When the event actually starts, many lines can be longer than an hour.” [email protected]
“We always splurge and get the Express Pass. It’s double the price but so worth it. Definitely hit all the houses you really want to see first, then enjoy the rest. The Killer Klowns scare zone is the absolute best!!!!!!” – @mustangcaryn
GUIDED TOURS
If you're able to splurge, Universal offers a special R.I.P. Tour where you'll join fellow fans on a guided VIP tour of Halloween Horror Nights 2023. The tour includes VIP entry to all houses along with other perks. R.I.P. tours begin at $299.99/person and require separate event admission. If you can swing it, this is a pricey but fun way to ensure you won't have to wait in line and will be able to see all of the houses.
VISIT ON A WEEKNIGHT
I recommend visiting Halloween Horror Nights on a non-peak night (such as a weeknight and in September or early October) and that you take advantage of early admission if eligible. It is also recommended that you enjoy the scare zones and shows and a ride or two to get the full value of your event ticket.
Fuel up on signature food & drink
Over the years the good people at Universal Orlando have learned that special events require special food and drinks. The Halloween Horror Night food and beverage should not be overlooked. There are multiple food and beverage kiosks throughout the park.
As 2023 announcements are made we will update our guide.
Some of the food and beverage offerings for 2022 included:
- Major Sweets Ice Cream Sandwich (inspired by “Sweet Revenge” scare zone): Candy-corn sugar cookies filled with sweet corn ice cream (vegetarian)
- Lil’ Boo’s Spicy Pumpkin Bun (inspired by “Horrors of Halloween” scare zone): A steamed bun filled with spicy butternut squash influenced by the beloved Halloween Horror Nights character (vegetarian)
- Garlic Philly Cheese “Stake”: Tender shaved beef served on a black hoagie slider roll with caramelized onions, peppers, sautéed mushrooms, muenster cheese sauce and roasted garlic aioli
Returning fan-favorites:
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- Pizza Fries: Fries piled high with sausage, pepperoni, marinara sauce and loads of cheese. Also available this year are Vegan Pizza Fries – topped with marinara sauce, vegan cheese, vegan pepperoni and vegan sausage crumbles.
- S’mores Fries: Sweet potato fries drizzled with melted chocolate, graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows
- Traditional Twisted Taters (vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options): Fried spiralized ribbon potato thinly sliced and skewered with season salt, garlic parmesan, sour cream & chives, or ghost pepper seasoning options. Guests can also enjoy the variations Blood ‘n Guts Twisted Tater – smothered with chili and roasted red pepper queso; and Fiery Twisted Tater with Queso (vegetarian) – complete with white cheese sauce and sprinkled with flaming hot crunchy cheese puffs, and ghost pepper seasoning
Kill your thirst with these cocktails:
- Save Your Tears Signature Cocktail (inspired by “The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare” haunted house): This signature drink mixes bourbon, peach brandy, single-pressed lemon juice, agave nectar and bitters – topped with peach bursting boba and served in a souvenir cup
- Burning Skull: Includes tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, mango nectar, pineapple juice, smoked chili bitters, jalapeno and basil concentrate, shaken and served in a light-up molded skull cup
Beers
- Pecan Pie Cider: this cider on draft is the perfect pairing for desserts
- Lacto Kooler: a Berliner Weisse, sour beer in a fun, hologram-like can
- Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale: a returning favorite from last year. Infuses pumpkin pie spices, natural cinnamon, nutmeg, and real pumpkin
Check out Universal's foodie guide to Halloween Horror Nights for more details.
Ride some Horror Nights rides
Take a break from the horror to ride some rides. Some of Universal Studio's top attractions are open during HHN. This is a great way to experience rides with very low wait times and without having to pay regular park admission.
The following five rides are usually open during Halloween Horror Nights:
- Transformers: The Ride 3D
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley (Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts)
- Men In Black Alien Attack
Pro-tip: Type the code “666” into Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit for a special spooky song to play while you're riding this roller coaster.
OTHER HELPFUL HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS TIPS
Talk about your HHN comfort level
Perhaps one of you is more enthusiastic about being scared. Perhaps you're both a little hesitant. Or maybe you're both brave and ready to face the Halloween Horror Night scare zones and dark, loud houses together. Whatever your tolerance level for scary stuff may be, it is best to get it out in the open upfront. This way you're both on the same page and prepared to be supportive of each other if needed.
It is fun to push yourself and conquer your fears, but you also don't want to end up making each other uncomfortable without realizing it. The best way to have a date night at Halloween Horror Nights is to be supportive and understanding of each other’s comfort level.
Map it out
Halloween Horror Nights is a different experience and layout even if you've been to Universal Studios. In order to maximize your time, it is best to review the official Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights map – which is available to view halfway down the Halloween Horror Nights things to do page.
Take note of the location of your must-see houses and scarezones. Start in the back of the park and work your way back to the front.
Make it a getaway
Consider making your trip to HHN an overnight getaway. Universal Orlando has a great variety of resorts that are perfect for couples. Cabana Bay Resort offers a “Universal Monsters Gallery of Legends” – featuring a collection of immersive photo opportunities inspired by the terrifying trio of Universal's classic Monsters that guests will face at the event – The Mummy, The Wolf Man and Dracula.
The pop-up is open from 2-10pm during Halloween Horror Nights, and is free for Universal Orlando hotel guests. Guests must show their room key. Cabana Bay guests will receive priority access, and guests staying at other Universal Orlando hotels will wait in a standby line.
Feature image credit: Jodi Caballero
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