Stop Press

Just booked our tickets for Halloween Horror Nights 2022. Our last visit was in 2019 and this is our first chance to return since 2019 due to Covid -19. Booking from the UK, we used Attraction Tickets Direct; now known as “Attraction Tickets”; having used them for the last 9 years and found them to be amongst the cheapest and most importantly the tickets arrived safely.

We’ve usually opted for the Frequent fear pass which gives us 8 nights of horror during our two week vacation. However this year we’ve had to buy them direct from Universal as other ticket vendors could only sell single night tickets. When I questioned this, they said it was due to Universal wanting to keep tabs on the numbers of guests. If you can get these it’s great value compared to the cost of a single night.

As more Houses are being announced the excitement is building. . I’d love to see a House based on the Alien films. They did Alien versus Predator a few years ago which was really good. Still waiting for most of the scare zones to be announced and hoping I may actually get scared this year – I seem to spend most of the time giggling. So far they have announced: The weekend – After Hours Nightmare, The horrors of Blumhouse, Halloween and Universal Monsters: Legends Collide. Due to our age my hubby is a big Universal Monsters fan.

As Universal Fans are preparing for the newest ride – Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure; the other most anticipated event is the yearly Halloween Horror Nights.

I have been a fan of all things Horror for as long as I can remember, having seen The Exorcist when it first came to the cinema resulting in sleeping with the light on for around two years. Only when I got older and special effects were the norm was I able to watch it again and not suffer any ill effects. Same for The Evil Dead the first time around.

Nowadays I take Horror with a pinch of salt and look forward to the trek across the Atlantic for my yearly fix.

Tips you need to know before you go

• Universal’s Halloween Horror nights is a separate ticketed event. Having regular Park tickets won’t give you entry. Although if you have a Premier Annual Pass, that entitles you to one entry on a select night.
• The venue is in Universal Studios which then closes at 5pm for daytime Park Guests.
• Anyone already in Universal Studios having a valid Halloween Horror Night ticket for that date is allowed to stay after 5pm in selected roped off areas until the Halloween event opens. If you don’t have a day ticket but want to be one of the first in you can now pay extra to be kept in the holding pen so long as you have a valid HHN ticket.
• There are several Scare Zones amongst the streets where different characters hang out. They may get pretty close and in your face but aren’t allowed to touch you. Most will oblige with a photo or selfie. The theme in the zones change from year to year. My favourites were the Zombies from the Walking Dead and the Twins from The Shining. One group always has chainsaws so be warned.
• There are several Houses like Mazes which you have to queue for. You go through these in single file at a pretty quick pace usually in pitch blackness with scare actors popping out at you and some special effects. I’d say each lasts about 5 minutes at the most after queuing for hours. Be prepared to be ushered along if you’re walking too slow. Some of the theming is excellent – my favourites over the years have been The Exorcist, The Shining, Alien V Predator, Evil Dead and Penn and Teller. Each to their own taste. See map of houses and zones below.
• There will be massive queues for the Hogwarts Express Train towards 5pm at Universal Studios for those who aren’t staying for Halloween to get to Universal’s Islands of Adventure as this Park is opened until later.
• There are several rides opened during the event. You can buy a Halloween Horror Nights express pass or a combined ticket with express pass. This will save some time on the long queues for the rides and Houses. Regular Park express passes are not valid for this event.
• Guests staying at a Universal Resort hotel have their own entrance to Universal Studios on the Halloween nights from 6 to 8pm. The express passes given free for those staying at certain Universal Resort Hotels are not valid for this event.
• Ticket types vary and generally range from buy one night, get one night free to the Frequent Fear pass. Like day time Park tickets the more nights you buy the cheaper it becomes. I usually get a frequent Fear ticket which gives me around 5 select nights over my holiday period of 11 days.
• I would say the Express Pass is a must if you are only there for one or two nights.
• If you’ve money to spend there are several opportunities to increase your horror with an add-on such as The Halloween Horror nights R.I.P. guided tour giving priority entry to houses and rides (once per House) or a daytime behind the scenes tour.
• For those staying at a Universal Hotel there’s photo opportunities at Cabana Bay in the evenings, this year based on Universal Monsters. I’m assuming there’ll be the props from the Monsters Cafe which is now closed.

• Universal recommend Halloween Horror Nights are not suitable for children under 13 years. I have seen parents there with younger children however. There is alcohol served on nearly every corner and though I’ve never seen any bad behaviour there’s always a few who get quite ill. You will be asked to leave if you are spotted supplying any minor with alcohol even if its only a taste.
• Flash photography is not allowed – I’ve been pulled up myself as I didn’t realise though most of my photos seem OK without the flash. Taking photos or video is not allowed when you’re in a show – I have seen people being escorted out because of this.
• Wait times can run into a few hours. Try to queue early or late. I’ve usually only managed one or two houses in one night.

• There are Horror themed beverages and food for sale and Universal Halloween Horror souvenir goodies to buy.
• Dressing up in costumes and masks isn’t allowed but you can buy light up accessories and flashing horns etc to wear at the gift shops and mobile vendors.
• Closing times vary with the day of the week but be aware that if you’re staying onsite that the boats returning late will be busy.
• Several areas have a thick mist which adds to the eeriness and suspense but means your photos won’t be very clear. I love the mist as you never know what or who’ll be lurking round the next corner.
• Take a Poncho you don’t want to be stuck in a queue for hours in the rain without one. Tip- be prepared and buy one from the dollar shop as the cost is very high in the parks.
• Stay on site at one of the Universal Resort Hotels for regular free transport to the Parks via bus or boat.
• The Escape from Gringott’s Ride, Diagon Alley, Men in Black and the Simpsons rides are usually opened during Halloween Horror Nights. Bear in mind that the day time park express passes don’t work at the HHN.

I can’t wait to return for the next Halloween Horror Nights this year. Hope to see you there.