A scaredy cat’s guide to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights

As the fog rolls into Universal Orlando Resort, it can only mean one thing: Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is back. The fan-favorite event takes over the streets and backlots of Universal Studios Florida with haunted houses, scare zones, stage shows, themed food and drink, and more. But if you’re like me, then Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights may sound too scary. But take it from me, a certified scaredy cat that barely lasted an hour on her first night visiting HHN, that there’s a lot to see and do even if you’re afraid of what’s lurking beyond the fog at the entrance to the park. 

If you’re on the fence about going to HHN this year, I’ve gathered some top tips for making the event actually enjoyable for scaredy cats. Plus, I’m sharing insight from Lora Sauls, Assistant Director, Creative Development, Entertainment Art and Design at Universal Orlando Resort, about this year’s event. This will hopefully make it easier for those of us who may be frightened of the fog. 

Seven tips for surviving Halloween Horror Nights

Remember that “scary” is subjective

The very first thing Sauls reminded me of is that “scary” is subjective. “Everyone is afraid of something different. All of our haunted houses at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights offer unique and diverse scares, so some may find certain content to be scary, while others may not. A lot of our content tends to be on the funny side of horror,” she says. 

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To prepare for your HHN visit, read over the haunted house descriptions, watch some POV videos, and read online commentary about what others thought was scary and what was not. This could help you decide which houses you would be willing to try and which ones you may want to avoid at first. 

Arrive early to get used to your surroundings

While you may have enjoyed Universal Studios Florida before, it feels like a completely different park during HHN. Sauls suggests arriving early. Not only will you be able to get used to your surroundings, but she also mentioned the daylight hours are better for seeing the details and truly experiencing the story of each scare zone. She continues by sharing that nighttime is better for haunted houses. “Wait to go through the haunted houses after nightfall so your eyes adjust to the houses better and you will be able to see more of the detail,” she explains.

Always stay alert in scare zones

From the moment you enter HHN, you’ll need to have your head on a swivel. That’s because scare zones (open areas of the park that are themed and feature scareactors lurking around) are found around every corner. To get through these areas unscathed, Sauls suggests walking through with confidence. Don’t look at your phone or hide behind a friend either. All of these things make you an easy target. 

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Additionally, I’ve learned to stay on the sidewalks around the scare zones. The sidewalks are mostly “safe” spaces. So if you’re someone who wants to observe from a distance, walking on the sidewalk is key. 

Newbies and scaredy cats should always bring a friend

“We like to say… ‘never go alone!’,” says Sauls. “Bring a friend who doesn’t mind you hiding your face into their back for the first haunted house.” She also suggests going through a haunted house more than once (if you can) and to look up more each time to take in all the details. 

It’s okay to take a break

If you need a break from the scares and fear of what may be around the next corner at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, there are some places you can go for a reset. First, consider any of the open attractions, which will not have any HHN layovers. Additionally, Sauls says the Tribute Store is a good spot to take a break, shop for merchandise, or grab a snack. 

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And if you want to stay in the spooky spirit without the jump scares, Club Horror will be the spot to be. “We have a new experience this year that we’re super excited about – Club Horror. It’s an excellent place to sit, listen to upbeat music, have a specialty drink, and reboot for more scares,” says Sauls. 

Additionally, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley is a good spot to take a break. While you will encounter some Death Eaters roaming the streets, it’s more eerie than scary, so this is a good spot for witches and wizards who need a break from creepy clowns and manic monsters.

Choosing the right haunted house to start with is imperative

While all of the haunted houses are scary to some degree, it’s important to choose the right one to start with. This will help you get a good feel for the event without being too scared. Sauls says “Dolls” Let’s Play Dead” may be a good one for first-timers or scaredy cats. “The house will indeed be scary, but you might feel more at ease with tortured dolls and toys spooking you rather than a flesh-eating monster.”

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Bring a few essentials with you

There are a few essentials you should bring to the park with you for HHN. The first is a set or two of earplugs. Drowning out the noise, even just a little bit, can help tremendously. Besides the houses being loud, earplugs will help with the general din of people, music, and chainsaws on the streets of the park.

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You’ll also want to bring a set of sunglasses. Wear them during the first few hours of the event when the sun is still up to help your eyes adjust from outdoors to the haunted houses. You can also wear them inside the houses, even after the sun has set, for some extra protection from flashing lights. 

Halloween Horror Nights 2025 dates

Halloween Horror Nights is a separately ticketed event at Universal Orlando Resort. The event runs on select nights from August 29 through November 2, 2025. Your ticket includes access to Universal Studios Florida, where you’ll find 10 haunted houses, multiple scare zones, select attractions, and more. The event is intense and is not recommended for children under 13 years old. 

Ticket information for Halloween Horror Nights

There are ticket options for everyone who wants to go to HHN. Beginners may want to opt for a single-night ticket, which starts at $86. There are also a variety of HHN season passes, including getting entry to every night of the event, with prices ranging from $200 to $420. Express passes can be added to your ticket, starting at $180. This allows you to skip the line once for each house.

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