Top Tips for Successfully Navigating Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

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Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Studios Hollywood is one of Southern California’s most anticipated fall events, drawing fans of frights, film, and fun from all over. With elaborate haunted houses, scare zones, live entertainment, and plenty of themed food and drinks, the event packs in a lot—and the crowds reflect that. To truly make the most of your night, a little strategy goes a long way. Here are some top tips to maximize scares, thrills, and memories at HHN.

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Take Advantage of Early Entry

One of Halloween Horror Nights’ best-kept secrets is Early Entry. This perk allows guests to enter the park before the official event start time (7:00 PM), giving them a head start on select haunted houses. The ticket includes one early access admission to select haunted houses (starting at 5:30 p.m., subject to change).

With wait times for popular mazes often stretching past an hour later in the night, this early window is a game-changer. By arriving on time for Early Entry, you can experience two or three houses before the general crowds even make it through the gates. This step is almost essential if you’re hoping to hit every maze. Early entry is only $15 extra, so take advantage!

Invest in an Express Pass

If your budget allows, the Universal Express Pass is the ultimate time-saver. It gives you one-time priority access to each haunted house, ride, and attraction during the event. With Express, you’ll spend less time in line and more time enjoying scares, food, and shows. The pass is especially valuable on peak nights when crowds swell, letting you bypass waits that can exceed 90 minutes. While it does come at a premium, many fans swear it transforms the night into a far smoother, more enjoyable experience (and yes, we can attest to this!).

Map Out Your Priorities

The event features multiple haunted houses, live shows, rides, and themed scare zones. It’s easy to get distracted, so plan ahead, especially if you’re not buying the Express Pass. If there are certain houses based on your favorite films or shows, make them a top priority early on. This year’s top houses (in our opinion) include Terrifier Funhouse (Upper Lot), Jason (Lower Lot), Monstruos 3 (Upper Lot), and the Terror Tram (Upper Lot). Use Early Entry or your Express Pass strategically first to knock out the most popular mazes (though if you keep a good pace, you should be able to get through everything with your Express Pass). Keep an eye on showtimes, too, so you don’t miss a performance that interests you.

Check out the full lineup for this year’s event here.

Don’t Forget the Food and Drinks

Seasonal treats and spooky cocktails are part of the fun, so leave some time to enjoy them. From horror-themed snacks to exclusive specialty drinks, these add an extra layer of flavor to the evening. Lines for food stands can get long later at night, so consider grabbing a bite between houses to recharge, or grab a bite to eat at CityWalk before you get to the park so you can spend the whole evening getting through the houses.

Pace Yourself and Enjoy the Night!

The night can fly by if you’re just rushing from maze to maze. Take short breaks, wander through the scare zones, and enjoy the atmosphere. Halloween Horror Nights is more than just haunted houses—it’s an immersive Halloween celebration with Universal Studios movie-quality sets and talented scare actors that bring every corner of the park to life.

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