If your idea of Halloween involves the frightening, the gory, and the all-around scream-inducing, look no further than Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights for your perfect Halloween vacation. The mega-popular fall event is returning again this year to both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, promising to deliver just as many screams and laughs as in years past.
Recommended for teenagers and adults (not for children under 13), Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights begin September 1 and runs through November 4, 2023. Universal Studios Hollywood kicks off its Halloween Horror Nights on September 7; it continues through October 31, 2023. While some details have yet to be announced for the West Coast’s full lineup of haunted houses and scare zones, we do have the full details of everything you need to know if you’re planning on attending this year at Universal Orlando.
SPOOKY STORIES: 38 Great Halloween Books for Kids and Teens
Haunted Houses at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando will feature 10 haunted houses this year. These haunted houses feature both original stories and fan-favorite horror properties from the NBCUniversal umbrella of brands. Here’s the full lineup confirmed for Orlando in 2023.
- The Exorcist: Believer (also confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count (also confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Universal Monsters: Unmasked (also confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Stranger Things 4 (also confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood)
- The Last of Us (also confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood)
- Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins
- Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate
- YETI: Campground Kills
- The Darkest Deal
- Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings
Park-specific haunted houses appearing at Universal Studios Hollywood will be announced at a later time.
HALLOWEEN READS: 33 Books Like Harry Potter to Binge on Your Next Vacation
Scare Zones at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 2023
In addition to the haunted houses, Universal Orlando will feature five scare zones at Halloween Horror Nights. The scare zones are open-air walk-through experiences that give you a little more elbow room but just as much fright. The five scare zones in Orlando this year, all centered around the story of Dr. Oddfellow, are:
- Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror
- Dark Zodiac
- Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror
- Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood
- Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged
Universal Orlando will also debut a new show called “Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream,” described as featuring a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares.
WATER WORLDS: 15 Best Orlando Hotels with Pools, Water Slides, and Water Parks
The fan-favorite Halloween Horror Nights-themed Tribute Store will return this year. This time, you can experience the “Tribute to Terror” by entering a New York City comic book shop. Also returning to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando in 2023 is Dead Coconut Club, where you can grab a drink in between scares. This will be joined by a new location called Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar, where adults can grab a libation “within an ominous nightclub vibe.”
Planning a Universal Orlando Vacation During Halloween Horror Nights
Thinking of braving the fog and attending Halloween Horror Nights this year? Single-night tickets begin at $79.99 per person. Just like Universal Orlando’s rides, Halloween Horror Nights offers an Express Pass that allows you to skip the regular line at each haunted house once per evening. Participating rides and attractions are included in this Express Pass as well.
DRESS CODE: What Not to Wear to a Theme Park (and What to Put on Instead)
Multi-day Tickets: Frequent Fear Pass
If you don’t think you can accomplish everything in one night, or you already plan on visiting multiple times throughout the season, you may want to consider a Frequent Fear Pass. These multi-day tickets give you access to a select number of evenings at Halloween Horror Nights. There are four tiers of multi-day tickets to choose from:
- Halloween Horror Nights Rush of Fear Pass grants you access to up to the first 18 event nights. Starts at $179.99.
- Halloween Horror Nights Frequent Fear Pass grants you access for up to 30 nights, including every Sunday through Thursday event night, plus the first weekend. Starts at $229.99.
- Halloween Horror Nights Frequent Fear Plus Pass grants you access for up to 40 nights, including every Sunday through Friday event night, plus the first at last Saturday event nights. Starts at $269.99.
- Halloween Horror Nights Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass grants you access for up to 48 nights (every night of the event). In addition, you’ll receive free regular parking after 5:00 p.m. on all event nights. Starts at $374.99.
Hotel and Ticket Packages and More
If you’re visiting from out of town, Universal Orlando offers a number of hotel and ticket packages when booking a stay during Halloween Horror Nights. You can “Stay and Scream” and save up to $200 on your visit. The offer includes hotel accommodations, admission to all three theme parks, and one-night event admission. Universal Orlando also offers a “One-Night Halloween Horror Nights Hotel and Ticket Package” that includes accommodations and one-night event admission.
FUN FOR ALL: 10 Best Theme Parks in Orlando for Every Age Group and Interest
You can also save 20 percent if you book a four-night stay at one of Universal Orlando Resort’s hotels. This offer includes special access to a dedicated hotel guest-exclusive Halloween Horror Nights entrance each event night until 8:00 p.m. (Separate event admission is required and is not included in the offer.)
Florida residents can save even more when booking through Universal Orlando. Residents save 35 percent when staying at a Universal Orlando Resort hotel. The deal includes special access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights entry gate each event night from 6:30 pm until 8:00 p.m. (as above, separate event admission is required and not included). Florida residents can also take advantage of a “Two-Night Halloween Horror Nights Hotel and Ticket package” that includes hotel accommodations, admission to all three theme parks, and one-night event admission.
But beware! According to Universal, the fog has spread to all eight Universal Orlando hotels this year. At Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, you’ll find “Chucky’s Twisted Playground,” a photo illusion experience. Also, be on the lookout for the Universal Monsters Gallery of Legends photo opportunity in all of the other hotel lobbies.
In addition to hotel and ticket packages, Universal is also offering a number of add-ons to enhance your Halloween Horror Nights experience in 2023. These include V.I.P. (or “R.I.P.” as Universal likes to call them) tours, daytime lights-on private tours, and more. For foodies, Universal is offering a Taste of Terror experience prior to the start of Halloween Horror Nights. From August 10 through 26, you can sample select food and drink items that will be sold during Halloween Horror Nights in an all-you-care-to-eat preview.
