T-minus 43 days until we get our wits absolutely obliterated at Universal Orlando‘s Halloween Horror Nights, and we could not be more stoked.
Halloween Horror Nights isn’t for everyone — it’s pretty intense, will likely scare your socks off, and while it’s got some fantastic exclusive snacks, merchandise, and entertainment, sometimes it’s not worth your heart rate jumping way higher than it should. However, if you were thinking about trying it out, we think this is the BEST year to do so, and here’s why.
The Unmasking the Horrors Tour is BACK
We were so thrilled to see that the Unmasking the Horrors Tour is back yet again this year! This tour allows you to see a few of the Haunted Houses during the day — you’ll get to walk through them to admire their design and artistry, but not be so scared you’re shaking in your Tevas.
The best part is that if you ONLY want to experience the tour and aren’t interested in entering the parks before or after your tour, separate theme park entry is NOT required for this experience! Tickets start at $99.99 for 3-house tours, and $179.99 for 6-house tours. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the world of horror without overwhelming yourself from the start.
Each Year Gets BETTER
Universal is constantly challenging itself to get better and better with each year. That goes for new attractions in the parks, entire new parks (*cough* Epic Universe *cough*), and we’ve seen the same happen for Halloween Horror Nights houses and scare zones each year!
So far, Universal has announced 8/10 haunted houses this year, and they’re all looking VERY unique and terrifying in the best way. So far, we’ve got:
- Terrifier
- Jason Universe
- Fallout
- Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
- Dolls: Let’s Play Dead
- Grave of Flesh
- Gálkn: Monsters of the North
- El Artista: A Spanish Haunting
We were pretty impressed with the houses and the event as a whole last year, so we’re looking forward to see how they one-up themselves this time around.
Much Cheaper Than Disney World
While Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party couldn’t be more different from each other in terms of content (HHN is terrifying, MNSSHP is far from it), there’s also the price factor.
Halloween Horror Nights tickets start at $82.99 plus tax for a single night ticket, whereas Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party start at $119 plus tax. While many people choose to add on an Express pass to their Halloween Horror Nights ticket to make sure they get through all their preferred Haunted Houses (an express pass starts at $159.99 plus tax, and that does NOT include the original ticket), it’s entirely possible to do Halloween Horror Nights without one!
It takes lots of planning and skill, but hey, that’s why we’re here to help — we’ve done it before, and plan to do it again this year!
Epic Universe is About to Change The Game
With Epic Universe now open, we’re curious to hear what Halloween Horror Nights event or opportunity will be available over in that new park. Universal hasn’t announced anything just yet, but we have hopes that it’s on the way!
With that being said, if something IS announced, it could mean that crowds are lower at Universal Studios, because more people will be experiencing what’s new over at Epic Universe. Crowds certainly won’t be gone, as this event is still iconic each and every year and cannot be missed by many, but this year may be your best bet to go if you want slightly lower crowds (especially earlier in the year)!
We’ll be at Halloween Horror Nights to experience it ourselves early on in its run this year, so you can count on us to bring you all the tips, tricks, and latest news to help you prepare. We’re always here to bring you the latest and greatest Universal Orlando news, stay tuned to AllEars!
I’ve Gone to Halloween Horror Nights for 4 Years and People Are WRONG About One BIG Thing
Are you planning to head to Halloween Horror Nights this year? Tell us in the comments!
