Facing Fears: My Experience at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights

This weekend, Universal Orlando opened its 32nd Halloween Horror Nights event, kicking off a record-setting 48-night run occurring now through Nov. 4. This year’s iteration of the fan-favorite event features 10 haunted houses, including some themed to popular TV shows and iconic horror film franchises, five scare zones located throughout the park, live entertainment, and numerous frightfully themed food and drink options. Located in Universal Studios Florida—one of three Universal Orlando theme parks, alongside Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay water park—this eerie event boasts a substantial following. Every year, horror-loving fans speculate about the house and scare zone themes online for months before they are finally announced, and subsequently line up in their spooky best as September approaches and Horror Nights begins.

I must admit, I never quite understood the excitement. The notion that people genuinely wanted to be startled by figures emerging from dark corners was alien to me, yet I was curious. I adore theme parks—indeed, themed entertainment of all kinds—so this year, curiosity finally compelled me to check it out. Over the years, I’ve listened to fans rave about Halloween Horror Nights and its intricately themed houses and detailed scare zones, but my fear held me back from exploring it myself. I tend to watch horror movies with my hands covering my eyes, and I haven’t visited a haunted house since high school. One popular saying at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is “never go alone,” so I enlisted my sister (who also shies away from scary experiences), and we flew to Orlando to uncover the hype.

After one night amidst the fog, I can confidently say that I now understand the appeal—and I am already eager to return. It took me about two houses to truly get into the spirit, but by my third house of the evening, I was enjoying “good scares” and genuinely excitedly screaming. In fact, we scaredy-cats had such a delightful time that we seriously contemplated splurging on last-minute tickets for a second night.

Halloween Horror Nights Houses

This year, there are 10 scream-worthy houses strategically dispersed throughout the park. Five are based on cult-favorite horror shows, films, and franchises: “Stranger Things 4,” “The Exorcist: Believer,” “The Last of Us,” “Universal Monsters: Unmasked,” and “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count.” Additionally, there are five original houses crafted by Universal’s Entertainment team: “Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins,” “Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate,” “Yeti: Campground Kills,” “The Darkest Deal,” and “Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings.” Each house offers a distinctly unique—yet utterly over-the-top—set, with live actors enacting macabre scenes while others lurk in the shadows, waiting to spring out and frighten guests as they pass. The IP-based houses like “Stranger Things 4” and “The Last of Us” tend to be the most popular, drawing considerable crowds each night, so it’s worth it to walk through iconic scenes that are crafted with incredible detail and receive a scare or two along the way.

As a fan of the show, I found the “Stranger Things 4” house to be my personal favorite. Inspired by the latest season, it featured memorable moments from the series and a few daunting Vecnas waiting to ‘claim’ your soul (or at least induce a good jump scare). Among the original houses, “Yeti: Campground Kills” shone brightly. The campy 1950s aesthetic, combined with towering yetis, created a unique and enjoyable experience filled with thrills; I even found myself caught between a baby yeti and a full-sized yeti, resulting in my loudest scream that night. As per our guide’s insights (which our group confirmed), “The Exorcist: Believer” ranked as the scariest house. For those easily frightened, I recommend starting with “Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate,” as its stunning sets and theming (based on a now-retired Islands of Adventure coaster) are impressive while remaining less intimidating.

Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones and Shows

This year’s event centers around the malevolent Dr. Oddfellow and his sinister exploits. Scare zones themed to different eras of his storyline include: “Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror,” “Dark Zodiac,” “Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror,” “Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood,” and “Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged.” Each zone features central set pieces along with roaming scare actors adorned in chilling costumes aligned with the theme of the zone; my personal highlight was “Vamp ’69,” as the playful interaction between hippie vampires and groovy music epitomized the essence of campy horror. Keep an eye out for a group of dancing M3GANs throughout the park and Death Eaters making appearances in the Diagon Alley area as well.

Finally, the “Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream” show showcases aerial stunts, magic, pyrotechnics, gymnastics, and more, all set to a vibrant metal/pop/electronic soundtrack. While several rides remain operational during the event, it’s advisable to devote your time to indulging in the Horror Nights houses, scare zones, and shows, as these experiences are exclusive to event guests.

Frightening Food and Drink Offerings

The frightfully themed food and drink selections around the park represent some of my favorite features of Halloween Horror Nights. Expect specialty items at existing locations as well as booths specifically for the event offering imaginative dishes. The “Last of Us” booth presented delectable options, including savory Left Behind Ravioli, a sweet peanut-buttery Fedra Ration Bar, and a delightful Salt Lake City Iced Coffee. Furthermore, we savored Yuri’s Favorite peanut butter mousse dessert and Surfer Boy Tropical Dream Punch at the “Stranger Things 4”-themed booth, which also offers a vegan French bread pizza. For more details regarding the food and drink selections available at this year’s event, visit the Universal Orlando website.

Halloween Horror Nights Tickets

Situated within Universal Studios Florida, this separately ticketed event offers a range of thrilling experiences. Guests may opt for the basic single-night ticket, with rates starting at $79.99 per person, or multiple-night Rush of Fear or Frequent Fear passes available at varying tiers based on duration and frequency of attendance. For those seeking to bypass regular lines at the haunted houses—which often exceed an hour for the most popular attractions—it’s advisable to include an Express Pass (beginning at $119.99 per person).

Please note that the event is not recommended for children under 13. Beyond jump scares, guests can expect elements of gore, violence, adult language, and other themes potentially unsuitable for younger audiences. For more ticket information, deals, and packages, kindly visit the Universal Orlando website.

Halloween Horror Nights RIP Tours

The most dedicated fans looking to maximize their scream time should consider the premium RIP Tour, offering front-of-the-line access to haunted houses, a private reception, a knowledgeable guide, and additional features. We were fortunate to experience an RIP Tour during our recent visit, and it proved to be an exceptional way to experience nearly all that Halloween Horror Nights has to offer in one evening. Our guide Danni navigated us through the park while providing backstories for each house and zone, highlighting Easter eggs and details that we might have otherwise overlooked. The Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror, a daytime VIP tour, provides a unique ‘lights-on’ look at the houses, making it perfect for hardcore fans and those wishing to explore the world of Horror Nights.