Tips for Visiting Halloween Horror Nights Orlando

We’ve compiled our top tips for visiting Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights to ensure you maximize your time at the event and get the most out of your night.

Getting Your Ticket

• Purchase your tickets online and in advance at orlando.halloweenhorrornights.com to save time during your trip and money.

Avoiding the Lines

• Use our FREE Halloween Horror Nights crowd level indicator to determine which night(s) is/are best for your trip.
• Use our FREE Halloween Horror Nights touring plan and resources to get the most out of your night.
• Download the official Universal Orlando Resort mobile application on the App Store or Google Play Store to view wait times for houses at the event. You can use the app to easily view which houses have short lines and long lines. You can use this information to decide which houses to experience.
• Arrive early. If you didn’t purchase early entry to the event, you should get to the turnstiles for Universal Studios Florida by at least 4:30 PM. You won’t be permitted into the park yet, but you’ll be closer to the entry, allowing you to get a head start on other guests. Keep in mind that it may take up to an hour and a half to arrive at the front gates from the parking booth.
• If you’re staying at a Universal Orlando on-site hotel, take advantage of the designated entrance for on-site hotel guests. You won’t have to arrive at the turnstiles as early and you’ll get into the park faster than at the regular entrance.
• If you’re visiting Universal Studios Florida during the daytime on the same day you’re attending Halloween Horror Nights or if you have a Scream Early ticket, stay in the park past closing and wait in a designated “Stay and Scream” location. This is the best way to get the most out of your night. As the park transitions its operations for Halloween Horror Nights, you’ll be permitted to stay inside the park. You’ll also be allowed into select houses before guests at the park turnstiles. This will give you the chance to visit more houses early in the night.
• Stay until the event ends. Lines for some houses tend to get shorter later in the night.
• If your budget allows for higher costs, we highly advise purchasing a Halloween Horror Nights Express pass to drastically reduce your time in lines. It should be noted that you are only permitted to use the Express pass once per house. Due to this, we suggest using the regular line if the posted wait time is below 30 minutes and you are interested in revisiting the house. You can then use the Express line afterward when the regular line has a longer wait time.

Saving Money

• Select annual passes are eligible for discounts at various stores and dining locations throughout Universal. If your pass offers such discounts, simply show your card at a participating location.
• Don’t purchase water. Rather, bring an empty bottle and enjoy free refills at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines and select dining locations located throughout the park.
• If you plan to have soft drinks, consider purchasing a Coca-Cola Freestyle cup at select stores and dining locations throughout Universal Orlando. With an activated Coca-Cola Freestyle cup, you can enjoy refills for an entire day. Afterward, your cup can be reactivated for a fee to receive additional refills.
• Eat a meal either in the CityWalk complex or at a nearby dining location off-site. You’ll not only be able to maximize your time at the event, but you may also save money for higher-quality food.

Getting Through the Night

• Try to limit the number of items you bring to the park. It can be a hassle to carry a lot of items all night long, and it’s inconvenient when trying to navigate your way around the park and in the houses.
• Dress comfortably for the night. Be sure that the shoes you’re wearing provide enough cushion and aren’t tight.
• Take a nap before heading to the event if you’re not usually active late in the night. This will help you feel more relaxed.
• Take short breaks at the park. Walking and standing all night long can be tiring, so sitting down and stretching can help relieve the discomfort you may have. You can choose to take a break at a scare zone so that you’re still immersed in the Halloween Horror Nights experience.
• Drink cool beverages throughout the night to stay hydrated. You can take advantage of free cups of water at any dining location or purchase a Coca-Cola Freestyle cup for refills of soft drinks throughout the day. Bottled water, however, is an additional charge.

Experiencing the Houses

• When visiting houses before dusk, wear sunglasses. This will make it easier to adjust to the dark environment inside some houses when the sun is still out. Sunglasses may also help darken the environment in houses that are situated in tents.
• Be on the lookout for any red buttons or other interactive elements inside the houses. If they’re pressed, you can experience a special surprise.