Sunday, October 21, 2018

Halloween Horror Nights Tips and Tricks

I'm not a fan of clowns. So naturally Natalie led me to the area where they were.





"Natalie, I don't like the way they are staring at me," I whispered as one got close.

"They're cute though, aren't they?" Natalie mused.

No. Not at all. No.



We were at our first ever Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios in Orlando. My daughter is all about the scary things. I am not. I am a wimp, I fully admit that. But she has been wanting to go to one of these for years.



I have some tips to help enjoy your time at Halloween Horror Nights. (One? No costumes are allowed, so don't show up in one.)





1. Arrive early.





It starts at 630, but people start lining up at 4. We didn't get there until 5 and the line was pretty far back. Now, if you already have tickets for Universal Studios you can already be in the gates. They have areas called Stay and Scream where those people wait, and they generally can get in line for haunted houses earlier than 630. However, we only had tickets for Halloween Horror Nights, which, as I mentioned, doesn't start until 630. Annual Passholders can get in early as well. You will be herded like cattle to the ticket scanner. It took us about 25 minutes to get through it when Horror Nights officially opened. Hopefully the people around you have on plenty of deodorant.

Also, do not bring backpacks. I mean, you can, but you have to put them in lockers for a lot of the rides, which can be a pain. So I recommend rocking a fanny pack. They're in again, so don't worry about looking like a nerd.




2. Check out the Scare Zones. There are 5 of them around the park. This year they are: Revenge of Chucky, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Harvest, Twisted Tradition, and Vamp '85.







Now, the scareactors roam the zones and don't have to stop for photos, but many of them did. If you're making videos, they usually lean in for a close up.



3. Try out the special foods dedicated to Halloween Horror Nights.





Obviously because the big draw this year is Stranger Things, a lot of the food is waffle themed. We tried the strawberry shortcake waffles. They were good, but they were hard to cut into.




We also tried the pizza fries! I liked the flavor of the sauce and the meat. I preferred these to the waffle treats.





4. Go to the Revenge of Chucky Scare Zone more than once.










This was our favorite area. The monkey's are hilarious. Be warned: they might spray you with water. Chucky also might poke fun at you. When he's out, make sure you stand near him and he might call you out! He told told Natalie to "keep walking" and she went, "No." Also, you'll see evil looking Care Bears walking around, plus crazed toy soldiers.



5. Browse the Halloween Horror Nights merchandise.










6. Take in all the decor. I recommend doing the scare zones when it's light out so you don't miss anything. Then go back when it's dark, because it's obviously spookier then.












7. Don't forget the rides!






We walked right on Men In Black. We also got to ride Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, The Fast and the Furious (it was our longest wait and it was just okay. Don't wait more than 20 minutes for this), and Natalie did the Rip Ride Rocket Coaster. Most rides were 15 minutes or less, but we had express passes.



8. Watch out for the chain saw maniacs.



They'll sneak up on you. You'll be walking and one will creep up behind you and turn on the chain saw. They seem to be all over, but mostly around The Simpsons area.



9. BUY EXPRESS PASSES.




Yes, they cost extra. But they were worth it to us. The line for the Stranger Things house was always over 100 minutes when we were there. We waited 15 minutes. Some people told us that Express Passes are half of whatever the real line is, but we didn't experience this. The longest we waited was 20 minutes for the Poltergeist house. You can also use the Express Passes for the rides. If you're going multiple days you might not need them, but we only went one day, so I'm glad I got them. You can buy them online or in the park.

The houses this year are the following: Stranger Things, Halloween 4, Poltergeist, Trick R Treat, The Horrors of Blumhouse, Carnival Graveyard, Dead Exposure, Scary Tales, Seeds of Extinction, and Slaughter Sinema.



We had a ton of fun at Halloween Horror Nights. Would I do it again? Yes. But we probably won't be able to afford to do it again for many years.


Would wimps like me be able to handle it? Yes. The houses weren't horribly scary. They were all well done and yes, people pop out to scare you, but because you go in with a group of people, sometimes others get the huge scare and you're just like "Lalala, don't mind me, just going past."




What was my favorite house? Poltergeist. Stranger Things was awesome, don't get me wrong, but I just thought Poltergeist was extra neat and well done. My daughter was all about Stranger Things and she swears the actor who played Will was really in there.


On the night we were there, Halloween Horror Nights went on until 230, but we left around 1. We were tired.


Also, yes, Voodoo Donuts was still open, but there was quite a long line so we didn't go in. However, the chair was free for photos, and normally it's always swarmed.




So have you ever been to Halloween Horror Nights?




40 comments:

  1. This looks so awesome! I’m not a friend of clowns but even I would jump from some of them. I would love to see the chucky place in person!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am totally freaking out with all these Halloween stuff.Those clowns are creepy and just make me get super scared.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Despite the fact that they are so creative, I'm not a huge fan of either horror or clowns, so I think I am gonna have to skip on this one. The food looks pretty good though!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree that it is a good idea to get there early. I like to beat the crowds, so I am usually there as early as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This would not be my thing to attend at all. But if one of my kids had ever wanted to go to one of these events I would have to suck it up and go. No not fun at all.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That looks absolutely horrifying fun! I am a HUGE chicken when it comes to horror so I would freak out if I went, but It does look like they went all out and it would be fun for those of us that are not chickens! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm such a wimp when it comes to all things horror related. My son was terrified of clowns when he was little and I had to leave a kid's birthday party because they had a clown and my son went nuts. Of course, if the grandkids wanted to go to Universal Horror Nights, I'd be there in a heartbeat. I'm glad to hear we're not allowed to wear costumes. They would put me over the edge.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just love Halloween! You have some great tips! And everything looks like so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just love halloween and I am absolutely loving it. It looks so much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your daughter and I would make the perfect scare team since we both love it scary. I wish we had Halloween here so that I could actually experience this. The event just sounds very fun! Especially the Scare points!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't think I'd like it but so glad Natalie got to go, I know she loves scary things!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I haven't been to Halloween Horror nights in years! I want to go again to the one down here in Florida. It is a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That looks like the perfect way to celebrate Halloween. I agree that I'd keep away from those clowns!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Univeral looks like the place to be for Halloween. I live up north so i miss it but the scary event is not to be missed if you are near there.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love watching paranormal investigation type of show. I would love to go to a scary event like this we have few tours here in town that conduct paranormal investogation I dont think I am ready for that.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I haven't been to Halloween Horror Nights in years since I am also a wimp. It's really well done but the lines are so, so long. Do they do the Bill and Ted's show anymore? That used to be my favorite. <--- wimp approved

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow this place is totally great a perfect place to celebrate the Halloween with family .

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a awesome place to visit this Halloween and have a great family bonding together .

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wish we too in India had an event like the Halloween...all we have is Halloween themed party nights but it's so much more than just dancing and drinking!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your Halloween Horror Nights look perfect and Universal Studios in Orlando is simply amazing in celebrating Halloween event. We do have lots of Halloween events in the UK but this one is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This looks like so much fun! I haven't really experienced a proper Halloween yet as it's not very big in my country. I'd love to go to the Halloween Horror Nights though if I'll ever get the chance to.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to do something like this. I like to be scared and just went to my first haunted house last week. I had the best time. Hopefully I can make it to Universal Studios one day!

    ReplyDelete
  23. The PEZ reminds me of my children's younger years, they collected so many. I should get them this Stranger things ones since they love the show.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This looks like a lot of fun. But I am scared with clown hahahhaha. I love universal studio hope to be back there again.

    ReplyDelete
  25. We have not this festival in our country. But it looks like a super fun type as well as scary.

    ReplyDelete
  26. OMGosh my kids (and I!) would LOVE this! I had no idea Universal put something like this on! Awesome!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This sounds like an awesome event. I would love to go there sometime. I love stuff like this! I just don't know if I'd get my kids to go, but I know my husband would.

    ReplyDelete
  28. This sounds so scary! I am chicken! Guess it serves the purpose :-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm out! I saw the creepy clowns and was like no thanks. I am just not that into being scared.

    ReplyDelete
  30. My kids would love to do this. They have a bunch of friends who want to go to something similar.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Oh man my kids would be over the moon! They love Halloween and such like this. What fun! - Jeanine

    ReplyDelete
  32. OMG my brother would be thrilled celebrating the Halloween. I'm not a huge fan of this holiday but prefer to watch horror movies at home while eating :D
    What will be your Halloween outfit this year?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Halloween is one of the much awaited events by kids and adults because of the spooky events. Getting all dressed up with Halloween costumes to win prizes are also what we look forward in our gatherings.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Oh my goodness - that's my happy place. Love the pizza fries (best of both worlds) and the Stranger Things PEZ! So cool!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have been wanting to go for years but haven't been able to do that yet. I really think it would be a lot of fun, and the food looks great too. My daughter just isn't ready to make it out there just yet.

    ReplyDelete
  36. We just went last weekend and loved it! Mind you, I'm not a fan of anything scary either.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Give me all the Stranger Things merch! So cute I will be in LA this weekend but I didnt allot any time to go darn it I should of!

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have never had any experience of attending such Halloween nights.But it all lpols damn scary.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm not a fan of clowns either! I'm not a big fan of Halloween, however I found you guide pretty useful.

    ReplyDelete
  40. I was really going to attempt to go to the Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood but it was last minute and didnt make it. OMG I cant believe Killer Klowns were there they used to scared me so bad as a kid!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the comment!

Share This

 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...