Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is probably the best thing the park offers, with an after-dark takeover featuring haunted houses, scareactors, scare zones, live shows, and select rides. Everyone wants a part of the scream, shock, and horror.
Express Pass
This was my first time going to Halloween Horror Nights, and you 2000% NEED to get the Express Pass. Even though the ticket costs $300, you can arrive at 7PM, when the sun is setting, and can enjoy the entire park in one night, versus having to juggle with an early access pass, because why would you want to go to a haunted house in the peak of daylight? Or only being able to go through 2-3 haunted houses (mazes) maximum with a standard pass?
Unfortunately, we are in the age of “pay to play”, unless you’re getting a multi-night pass to Universal Studios, which would end up costing almost the same as a single Express Pass. If you don’t care for all of the attractions, a standard pass is fine – but expect a huge crowd.
Stranger Things 5 and Sinners were a 120-minute wait each. Express Pass? Less than 5 minutes.
The Haunted Houses
Universal Studios in Hollywood featured eight haunted houses in Halloween Horror Nights this year. This included Hellraiser, Evil Dead Burn, Killceanera, Sinners, [Dead, Deadlier, Deadliest], Ozzy Osbourne, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and Stranger Things 5.
The detail in the costumes and surroundings in each haunted house was crazy. The scare level varies – you’ll either be lucky where the scareactors spook you at the most unsuspecting time, or they’ll miss you. The scenery during the haunted house walk wasn’t exactly scary, unless you can’t handle guts and blood. The most distracting thing about the haunted houses was the curtains; you have to go through them, and that’s the scareactor’s chance to spook you a bit. Luckily, they can’t touch you!
Honestly, the scariest thing that got me screamed was the scareactors outside with the fake chainsaws. Hello, they just came at me with a sudden noise! Oh, and a couple of them were shooting water at me. Totally wasn’t expecting that.
The Rides
Select rides are open during Halloween Horror Nights. Thank goodness for the Express Pass because we got to get on Revenge of the Mummy, Mario Kart. Transformers, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff, and The Simpsons Ride.
Coming from Disney, Universal Studios is a bit different. They’re trying to do the most with very little space, which will result in shorter rides and more screen experiences. I ended up getting motion sickness from Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers, and The Simpsons Ride.
It’s best not to bring a big bag to the park. You’re better off carrying a mini belt bag and a small water bottle. It was so convenient not to have to rent a locker every time or worry about it that often!
Halloween Horror Nights
Overall, Universal Studios put on a great show during Halloween Horror Nights. The Express Pass was worth every dollar, considering how little time you spent waiting. I would’ve been upset if I paid $300 to wait an hour or so for a 60-second attraction. That way, Halloween Horror Nights is done for the year, and I don’t need to go back out of curiosity for everything else. I’m not the most spooked person at the park, but if you go, take your time with the mazes. There is no rush to enjoy everything.
There is no express line for the food, but I’d recommend eating outside before entering the park; that way, you can maximize your experience there without waiting for mid food.
PS. The Halloween Horror Night Instagram page posts daily codes, and if you’re the first 100 to tell the roaming “scareactor” Nikki (from Obsession) the code, you can win a small prize.
Don’t forget to end the night with the show, The Purge: Dangerous Waters.
