Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2023 Tips and Survival Guide

Hi, we're Gotta Go Orlando, your Halloween Horror Nights friends till the end! Check out our Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2023 Tips and Survival Guide on how best to enjoy, and survive this years HHN 32!

They say never go alone to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida, so that outta be our first tip for this year's Halloween Horror Nights Orlando 2023 Tips and Survival Guide!

Read on for all the juicy tips and advice on how best to make the most of your time at Halloween Horror Nights...

Halloween Horror Nights 32 is back to terrify guests at Universal Orlando Resort from September 1 through November 4, 2023.

The dates for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 are:

September: 1-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, & 27-30

October: 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29, & 31

November: 1-4

Weekdays are usually the best nights to attend Halloween Horror Nights, with lighter crowds allowing you to visit more houses due to lower wait times.

The busiest time to visit HHN is a Friday and Saturday night, when you will experience huge crowds and long wait times for the houses.

At Halloween Horror Nights 2023 in Universal Studios Florida, you will step into 10 terrifying haunted houses featuring Chucky, Stranger Things, The Exorcist Believer, and many more.

You will also come face-to-face with hordes of taunting scare actors in five all-new scare zones, this is a circus that’s spiraled into chaos, the long-awaited emergence of Halloween Horror Nights legend, Dr. Oddfellow, and a dark, resurrected story that delves into the haunting history of Universal attractions past.

Plus, In the midst of the screams, guests can experience a disturbingly entertaining live show, an all-new Tribute Store, take a bite out of the horror with scary-good food and beverage, and so much more.

If you’re visiting the theme parks soon for the first time and just hearing of Halloween Horror Nights, this guide will tell you how to get the most out of your upcoming fall vacation.

The same goes for you if you’re a local and looking for something bigger and better to do for this Halloween season.

So horror fans, are you ready to delve deep into what horrors await you at this years Halloween Horror Nights?

Haunted Houses

The beating heart of Halloween Horror Nights is the haunted houses. This year, Universal’s Entertainment team have brought to life the biggest names in horror from movies, TV shows, video games, and urban legends in twisted, maze-like haunted houses.

There’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than walking through your very own real-life horror movie where you’ve been cast in the role of playing the victim.

TIPS

Never Go Alone: Whether you’re a scaredy cat yourself and you need a friend to get through the haunted houses, or you’re a die-hard fan that enjoys seeing your scaredy cat friend jump, the best way to experience HHN is to bring your crew with you to maximize the scares and fun.

Start in the Back: The haunted houses near the front of the park tend to get crowded first. Start with the houses in the back of the park and you’ll be able to get half of the haunted houses done quickly.

Visit Early: Both in time of year and time of day. September is oftentimes less crowded at the event than October is, and if you come earlier in the evening you are more likely to beat the crowds and see more of the haunted houses.

Appreciate the Details: Take time to appreciate the level of detail the Art & Design team puts into the houses. They’re movie-set quality and you may even discover hidden easter eggs.

Watch the Movies: Before you come to HHN, binge watch the movies or TV shows that are featured in this year’s event. You’ll be able to truly appreciate the houses by recognizing the iconic scenes, details, and characters.

Scare Zones

During Halloween Horror Nights, there is nowhere safe to escape to in the theme park. The streets transform into demented scare zones that are swarming with creatures and monsters that are birthed from the darkness like hellish demons, morbid deformities, and the undead.

You are quite literally walking through real-life nightmares. Oh, and watch out for the roaming chainsaw hordes.

Snap a Photo if You Dare: Keep an eye out for killer photo ops that will give your friends who were too scared to come serious fomo.

Live Show

Every year there are new live shows that bring horror to life in a whole new way. This year's show features the all-new disturbingly entertaining show, Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream.

This performance is perfect for those who may not be too keen with the intense scares of haunted houses, but still want some thrills.

Take a Break: I recommend downloading the Official Universal Orlando Resort mobile app to see the show times. That way you can navigate around house wait times and grab a drink or quick bite before the show starts.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s lingering in the fog at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Haunted Houses

The beating heart of Halloween Horror Nights is the haunted houses. Every year, Universal’s Entertainment team brings to life the biggest names in horror from movies, TV shows, video games, and urban legends in twisted, maze-like haunted houses.

They also create their own original storylines that have given birth to iconic characters over the years. There’s no better way to celebrate Halloween than walking through your very own real-life horror movie where you’ve been cast in the role of playing the victim.

This year's all-new terrifying haunted houses, include “The Exorcist: Believer,” inspired by the new Universal Pictures film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” based on the popular USA & SYFY series, and “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” inspired by Universal’s legacy of iconic cinematic monsters.

The Exorcist: Believer

An Evil Reawakened

Two missing girls have been found with no memory of what happened to them. But wherever they went, the ultimate evil has returned with them. Enter the most terrifying scenes from the new Blumhouse film.

Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count

Chucky’s Back for Even More Carnage

Chucky, the serial killer doll, is back for a new gorefest! He’s hijacked his own haunted house with all kinds of bloody hijinks. You and your friends must try to survive his ultimate kill count.

Stranger Things 4

Try to Escape the Curse of Vecna

You’ll need your squad to resist Vecna’s gruesome curse. Like Eleven, now’s your chance to stop him once and for all as you take on the scariest season of Stranger Things yet.

The Last of Us

Step Into the World of The Last of Us

You and your squad will encounter the haunting and overgrown world of the video game in a brand-new, terrifying way. Stay silent if you want to survive a multitude of Clickers, Hunters and more.

Universal Monsters: Unmasked

Four Universal Monsters. One New Nightmare.

Descend into the Paris Catacombs, where you and your squad will face a new horde of Monsters: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Invisible Man.

Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins

Your Soul is a Price He’s Willing to Pay

You won’t be able to resist going inside Dr. Oddfellow’s menacing menagerie of twisted oddities. But the price for you and your friends is steep: the cost of your souls to feed his immortal power

Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate

No Matter Who You Choose, You Lose

Two warlocks of great power were turned into dragons after trying to take Merlyn’s spell book. Now you and your friends are caught in their epic battle. You must choose a path and a victor.

YETI: Campground Kills

Yeti or Not, Here They Come

You and your friends are about to venture into a 1950s campground overrun by huge, menacing yetis who rip apart anyone who gets in their way. You must flee to the ranger tower to escape.

The Darkest Deal

Fame is Fleeting. Fear is Forever.

Blues musician Pinestraw Spruce will have to face the music after meeting with The Collector and trading his soul for musical glory. You and your squad learn the terrible price of fame.

Bleed for the Blood Moon

Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings

In a Colonial-era village, moon-worshippers witness a blood moon at their fall festival. They take it as a sign to hunt down any non-followers, including you and your scream squad.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Scarezones

As the sun sets on Universal Studios Florida and ominous clouds fill the sky, Dr. Oddfellow steps out of Halloween Horror Nights past to fill the streets with hordes of taunting scareactors in five all-new scare zones.

During Halloween Horror Nights, there is nowhere safe to escape to in the theme park. The streets transform into demented scare zones that are swarming with creatures and monsters that are birthed from the darkness like hellish demons, morbid deformities, and the undead.

You are quite literally walking through real-life nightmares. Oh, and watch out for the roaming chainsaw hordes!

Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror

Dr. Oddfellow will lure you into Halloween Horror Nights with a promise of immortality. As he lifts the veil on all the horrors to come, you’ll soon realize you may not even survive the night.

Dark Zodiac

Dr. Oddfellow has entered a dark dimension to harness the power of the Zodiac and live forever. He twists the signs into malevolent beings who foretell your doom. As his star rises, yours falls.

Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror

In the 1920s, Dr. Oddfellow ventured deep into the darkest jungle, performing horrific experiments on nature. Now his monstrous creations are running amok and are coming after you.

Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood

At a 60s music fest in a small New York town, you’ll jam to popular bands with fellow concert-goers until Dr. Oddfellow unleashes vicious vampires on the audience. They’re out for your blood.

Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged

Enter a 1940s San Francisco shipping yard full of mysterious crates and cages bearing Dr. Oddfellow’s symbol. Beware, his nightmarish oddities have now escaped, spreading fear and chaos in their wake.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Entertainment

Guests can enjoy the all-new disturbingly entertaining show, Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream, that features a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares...

Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream

The show that sparked your darkest dreams has reignited. Let your nightmares burn out of control as the pyro and aerial performers fire you up to the beat of metal and electronica.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Tribute Store

Each year Universal Orlando debuts a new Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, an elaborately themed shopping experience to purchase the latest Halloween Horror Nights merchandise and treats,

This years all-new Tribute Store will see guests enter a mysterious NYC Comic Book Shop and experience the “Tribute to Terror” by stepping into the pages of this original, terrifying, horror comic book.

If you plan to visit the Tribute Store it can get busy, so if possible visit during regular theme park hours when it is also open, This allows you to save time and spend more time in the houses and scare zones.

Dead Coconut Club

Guests can enjoy a drink at the Red Coconut Club as it will once again transform to the Dead Coconut Club donning a new theme and menu.

When guests want to take a bite out of the horror, they can enjoy a monstrous menu of all-new food & beverage items, including Bloody Campground Poutine, El Pastor Torta and Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries, in addition to returning fan-favorites like Pizza Fries.

Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar

New this year, Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar will feature themed libations within an ominous nightclub vibe, photo opportunities, and more.

Halloween Horror Nights At Universal Hotels

For the first time ever, the fog has spread to all eight of Universal Orlando’s hotels with exclusive activations and experiences for hotel guests inspired by this year’s event, including Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort’s exclusive “Chucky’s Twisted Playground” photo illusion experience based on the USA and SYFY series, plus, the Universal Monsters Gallery of Legends lobby photo opportunities in all other hotel lobbies and more.

Stay in the Middle of the Horror

Halloween Horror Nights ends late with closing times that vary depending on the night. You’re most likely going to stay until close to get the most scares in, so how great would it be to not have to drive home after?

Recruit your friends and split a hotel room at one of Universal Orlando’s hotels.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Tickets & Passes

Legend has it you should never go alone to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, The World’s Premier Halloween Event. Summon your scream squad, buy your tickets and you might survive....

In order to experience all Halloween Horror Nights has to offer you’ll need to purchase a separate event ticket for a night of your choosing.

If you’re visiting the theme parks during the day, make note of when Universal Studios Florida will be closing for the event. If you have a Stay and Scream ticket, you’ll receive a wristband and wait in a designated area until the event begins (this is the best way to get a head start as you’ll already be in the theme park). You can also snag a Frequent Fear pass to attend multiple times. The event is known to sell out on certain nights, so make sure to grab your tickets early!

Tickets for Halloween Horror Nights are available now, with a multitude of tickets to choose from, including single-day, multi-day, Frequent Fear passes, and more.

Click Here to Purchase Tickets and Packages

Things To Know

It’s a Separately Ticketed Event

In order to experience all Halloween Horror Nights has to offer you’ll need to purchase a separate event ticket for a night of your choosing. If you’re visiting the theme parks during the day, make note of when Universal Studios Florida will be closing for the event. If you have a Stay and Scream ticket, you’ll receive a wristband and wait in a designated area until the event begins (this is the best way to get a head start as you’ll already be in the theme park). You can also snag a Frequent Fear pass to attend multiple times. The event is known to sell out on certain nights, so make sure to grab your tickets early!

Upgrade Your Scares

I’m a die-hard horror fan so every year I splurge to get the most out of my nights at HHN. You can choose from a number of event extras to “upgrade” your experience like getting front-of-the-line access with a R.I.P. Tour, Scareactor Dining, and an Unmasking the Horror Tour where you can see a select number of haunted houses during the daytime to learn how they’re created.

Experience the Event Like a Pro

Whether you’re coming to do one haunted house that caught your eye, or if this is the year you decided to face your biggest fears, it can be scary to come to Halloween Horror Nights for the first time. Have no fear, there are plenty of tips and tricks from HHN veterans to put your mind at ease. Coming with your friends and making a game plan are just a couple tips to get you started.

Passholder Perks So Good, It’s Scary

Universal Orlando Annual and Seasonal Passholders get exclusive benefits and discounts for Halloween Horror Nights tickets (on select nights), event extras, hotel rates, and merchandise including Premier Passholders getting one free event ticket.

What To Bring & Wear

If it’s your first time, you may be wondering what you should bring or wear for a nighttime Halloween event at a theme park. In short, you should pack light and dress comfy, but you can have some fun with it.

Bag or Lanyard? Wear a lanyard to hold your tickets, passes, money, etc. You’ll get through security faster, avoid lockers at rides, and not have to worry about hauling a heavy bag around. If you do bring one, I would go small with a fanny pack or a crossbody and only bring the essentials (like chapstick in my case).

Can I Bring in a Refillable Cup? Yes, you can bring your refillable Coke Freestyle cup to the event to get soda and water refills. Getting scared, and laughing from getting scared, makes for thirsty work. Stay hydrated!

What’s the Weather Like? It’s Florida. It can change its mind weather-wise last minute, so be prepared for warm, rainy, or even chilly weather. Check ahead of time and plan accordingly. I usually wear layers just in case, and if you’re in for a rainy night, I recommend boots to avoid soggy shoes.

Comfort or Style? How about a mix of both? You’re going to do a lot of standing and walking, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes. HHN is the perfect place to let your freak flag fly though, so don’t be afraid to rock some cute fishnets, boots, or rep your favorite horror movie or villain with a T-shirt or accessory.

Can I Wear a Costume? Nope. Costumes and costume masks are not allowed at the event. Leave that to our scareactors.

WARNING: Event may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under the age of 13. No costumes or costume masks allowed.

Must be 21 years and older with valid identification to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages.

See you in the fog Orlando! Have an awesome 2023 Halloween here in Orlando!!

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