Halloween Horror Nights 35: The Ultimate Universal Orlando Survival Guide for 2026

Addicted to the Mouse: Disney Podcast | Disney World, Universal, & Cruise Vacation Planning

This episode of 'Addicted to the Mouse' serves as a comprehensive guide for Halloween Horror Nights 35 at Universal Orlando, covering logist

Key takeaways

Halloween Horror Nights 35 marks a milestone anniversary with fresh, year-over-year changes to keep the event exciting and unpredictable.
The premium 'Scream Night' event offers exclusive access for $435 per person, featuring shorter wait times, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and a souvenir lanyard.

Main topics

Halloween Horror Nights 35 logistics and timeline
Haunted houses, shows, and scare zones overview

Notable quotes

It's our season. This is something that literally we look forward to all year long.

Conclusion

With Halloween Horror Nights 35 approaching its opening weekend, the hosts express excitement

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (0:00) It is that time of year again, and I am pumped. Hello and welcome to A Tick of the Mouse. Today is Sunday, August 23rd. You're listening to episode number 826, and this is our everything episode to fill you in on all aspects of Halloween Horror Nights, Universal Orlando 35. Speaker 1 (0:31) Hey everybody, Dana and Leslie here. Thanks for joining us today. This is like our Super Bowl. Yes. Speaker 2 (0:37) World Series. Speaker 1 (0:38) It's our season. This is something that literally we look forward to all year long and then we have so much fun whenever it's here. And then I kid you not, on November 1st, whenever it goes away, we're like, aw. Speaker 2 (0:52) But then we just flip into Christmas and then it's all good. And then we're happy Speaker 1 (0:55) again. But we do like, I actively miss HHN during... the rest of the year. Like it's just, it's a really good event that I think a lot of people are very strongly against because they say they're not into horror. And I think most of Speaker 2 (1:12) those people just don't really know what it is. Speaker 1 (1:14) Exactly. And that's the thing. That was the point I was going to make is that it's, it's something that is, it's truly like a vibe, like going into Halloween Horror Nights is a vibe. And it's not something that I don't think that you have to like. You don't have to like scary movies necessarily to enjoy the event and appreciate the production value that Universal brings to Halloween Horror Nights. Speaker 2 (1:38) Yeah, I love this event so much. So if you are new to the channel or maybe don't remember from previous years, spooky season here in Central Florida is. It's a whole thing. So many people are into Halloween here and it is so fun from trick-or-treating to regular garage haunted houses that are in the communities around here. We've got three or four in just our community every year. Then they have the decorating contest. You just drive through these neighborhoods in Central Florida and you see all these houses with just crazy decorations. One of my favorites is not too far from us within walking distance is the creative director for merchandise at Universal. Orlando, his personal home. He opens it up a couple of days around Halloween every year. And he is an amazing artist and sculptor. And he creates these life-size like Demogorgons and all these like things from horror movies. I just love that. But you get to the theme parks and we love both theme parks, Universal and Disney World. Obviously, we've actually been highlighting some spooky season snacks over on our dining reviews on YouTube for Disney World. But we tend to gravitate and spend most of our spooky DC some time at Universal Orlando for Halloween, and then we flip it and spend most of our theme park time at Disney for Christmas. And that's just kind of... our personalities, that's where we gravitate to. Now, both destinations have very good holiday, seasonal overlay, specialty event type things. So nothing against Universal during Christmas. They do it very, very well. Nothing against Disney at Halloween. They do it very, very well. But what I love about Universal for Halloween, specifically Halloween Horror Nights, is they, every year, they change up. every aspect of it. Yes. Speaker 1 (3:21) It's so unique every single year. And so this year, Dan mentioned in the intro that it's HHN 35. So it's the 35th anniversary. So it's kind of a big deal year for HHN to be around. And there's definitely some exciting things that are coming that we want to talk about. Speaker 2 (3:40) Yeah, absolutely. So hang with us for the next hour-ish. And we were going to cover everything you need to know about Halloween Horror Nights. If you're thinking Speaker 2 (3:56) Thank you. Speaker 2 (4:02) different in many ways, some similarities. We're not touching on that. We've actually never been to the Universal Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights. We haven't. Well, we don't Speaker 1 (4:11) ever want to leave here. I know. It's Speaker 2 (4:13) so good here. Anyway, so we are going to start with logistics and kind of just about the event. So we'll give you just background information and then information specific to this year. And then we're going to move into the different properties for the haunted houses, shows, and scare zones. And then we're going to finish up with some tips and tricks. Speaker 1 (4:29) Well, first, before we get into all of that. Something that I know everybody is dying to know. is what Aiden is doing for HHN this year. And all he can say is that he has been casted in a house. So we're doing an on-the-go for Halloween Horror Nights and it will air next Sunday. And we will tell you what he is then. Speaker 2 (4:52) Obviously, once the event starts, then he can tell everybody what he is and we can share that here and on the go and we will. But I will just say, I'm going to throw this out there. If anybody has... seen Aiden in our YouTube videos or our Instagram posts, if you've seen him and you want to venture a guess, as to which character he might be in one of these 10 houses that we are about to go over, then you're welcome to hazard a guess and then we'll let you know after or on the go if you are right or not. So anyway, I am really excited to see him in his house this coming Friday. So this week, so it is August 23rd, a Sunday. Tomorrow is the first. It's Speaker 1 (5:38) our anniversary. It is our Speaker 2 (5:38) anniversary. Actually, happy anniversary. We've been married 23 years. So our 23rd. Did I say 23rd? 23rd wedding anniversary is today, August 23rd. So that was fun. We actually took the boys over to Summer House on the lake and we had brunch over there, which is a fantastic brunch, by the way. So that's in Disney Springs. Fantastic brunch. If you go get the massive blueberry lemon cinnamon roll, it's great. We shared it. It's big enough to share between four people. Absolutely for an appetizer. That was really, really fun. Speaker 1 (6:05) It was really fun. So and then we're just going to enjoy the rest of the day after this podcast. We are. Speaker 2 (6:11) But this week for Halloween Horn. nights tomorrow and Tuesday are team member previews. So Aiden actually gets to go through all of the houses tomorrow night, um, and then turn around and be in the house so that the other half of the cast can go through. But all, I guess all universal team members have tomorrow and Tuesday that, um, they could go through, uh, Halloween horror nights. And then Thursday, um, is the, um, premium Speaker 1 (6:33) scream night. Thank you. I was Speaker 2 (6:34) like the high dollar event that we don't buy tickets for. Yeah. So Speaker 1 (6:37) this one is an extra cost for, um, supposedly smaller crowds. you get some food and some non-alcoholic beverages and that kind of thing. Um, it is, I believe I, I actually didn't pay attention to what the price was for August and that one is sold out, but it is, um, $435 per person for this event. Um, and the, it's happening August 27th and then it's happening again in October for October 19th. And the, you can actually still purchase tickets for premium screen night for October, but I didn't see August being available any longer. Speaker 2 (7:12) That is interesting because the last couple of years they've done this, I think the first year was two years ago, this premium screen night, and it was cheaper than that. It wasn't $435. I want to say it was like $250, $300, something like that. Speaker 2 (7:25) we haven't been, but it got really good reviews because the theory is like you're getting in before everybody. And, um, it's almost like you have an express pass because they should keep the, uh, the, the, the attendance very, very low. And so, um, shorter wait times is a big thing. You get a souvenir credential and lanyard. Um, you can wear costumes if you want, as long as you're conforming to the costume policy by universal. Um, and then you have all you care to enjoy on select food and non-alcoholic beverages. So, uh, so that's a, that's Speaker 1 (7:55) a Speaker 2 (7:55) big thing but you can try um all the food from like the the theme food and we're gonna go through some of the theme food as well yes Speaker 1 (8:01) yes we are so uh so let's talk a little bit about the logistics okay Speaker 2 (8:05) well real quick and then let's finish up the rest of this week so then friday is the opening night of halloween horror night so that's friday august 28th we will be there we will be there all this next weekend so if you're going to hhn for opening weekend look for us we will definitely be there all three nights friday night we are part of the media event so we'll get to get in and film some of the houses we're going to beg our our little tour guide. Once we start the houses, if we could potentially go through Aiden's house during the set time where he's supposed to be on set, he's going to hopefully let us know that right before the event starts when his times to be in the houses are. So we're going to try to see him and be able to, because it's our only chance Speaker 1 (8:39) to take a picture. It's our only night Speaker 2 (8:41) that we can get any footage of him in the house. So we are going to try to do that. And then we'll be back on Saturday and Sunday. And then we'll be, we did get the HHN equivalent of an annual pass. So we did get that this year. So we will be back. during the event for the next two months. Speaker 1 (8:55) Yes, yes, for sure. So let's first just talk about different tickets. So you can get a single night ticket to HHN, but then you can also get what Dan just referred to. And that is called a frequent fear pass. So there's a Russia fear, there's a frequent fear, there's a frequent fear plus and a ultimate frequent fear. Anyway, all these different options that you can do. And it just basically, they all just kind of have different dates that are covered. So like the Russia fear is like, basically September. And, uh, then like the pass that we got, we can basically go any night except for, uh, Saturday nights. And so, uh, so there's just different, like, obviously the ultimate one is like every day possible, but, um, so that is nice. If you're going to go to HHN multiple nights, it definitely is smart to look at the cost because, uh, a lot of times if you're, if you're going more than three nights, it's going to make more sense for you to probably get. some type of pass. Yeah, Speaker 2 (9:51) because the other option outside of the four frequent fear passes, which is again the annual pass for HHN, so it's just a two-month annual pass, but the other option is a single night ticket. So if you're going more than two nights, it makes more sense to get a frequent fear pass and then not buy three separate single night tickets. So those are the basic ways to get into the event. Now the frequent fear passes, to Leslie's point, so if you don't know, Halloween Horror Nights is five nights a week on pretty much most weeks and it is going to be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. So they don't hold Halloween Horror Nights on normal weeks on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mondays and Tuesdays are off. So if you're going and you don't want to see Halloween Horror Nights and you want to be in the Universal Studios Florida a little bit later, then you definitely want to go on a Monday or Tuesday. So during the next two months. Speaker 1 (10:38) Definitely look at the calendar though, because there are a couple of random one-offs this year where it is happening on like a Monday or whatnot. So just make sure you look at the calendar. that you always know the right times. And Speaker 2 (10:49) then the official event dates for the entire run. Yep. Speaker 1 (10:52) That runs August 28th through November 1st. So, um, now. The event itself starts at 6.30 and it is advisable if you are not going to take advantage of the stay and scream, which I'm going to talk about here in a second, then it's advisable that you get there about an hour-ish ahead of time. So if you're getting to the park around like 5.30, that's pretty smart. Just so you can have like some time to... make sure you're getting through security and, you know, getting to the gates and getting in line and all of that. Cause those lines get pretty intense, uh, leading up to, you know, the gates opening. And often, um, while they say that the gates will open at six 30, sometimes they open them just a smidge and earlier, um, just depending on the evening and how the line is and all of that. So, uh, it's always good to get there early. So in case they open up earlier, then you can get right in with everybody else. Okay. Speaker 2 (11:50) I know. that the logistics around this event can feel pretty complicated. And we thought the exact same thing whenever we first started going, and it is a little bit frustrating, but hang with us here and we'll try to answer all these questions. So the basic way to get into HHN is to either have a frequent fare pass or a single night ticket. Those are the basic ways to get in. And then if you want to just get in right when it opens, which is what Leslie was talking about, then those are the two tickets that you need. Speaker 1 (12:21) Oh, before we move on, if you are staying on property, there is a side entrance that will allow you to get in. a little bit earlier. So if you are staying on site, then hotel guests can enter the park usually around like 6 instead of 6.30. So that's kind of nice too if you don't want to do one of these things that we're getting ready to talk about. Speaker 2 (12:43) Now you may be thinking, but wait, 6.30, the event ends at 2 a.m. I'm worried that I'm not going to be able to see and do everything. And that is fair if you're only going one night. There's a lot to see and do, especially this year with the 35th anniversary. Now, if you want to get in and experience some of these things early, you can. But in addition to one of the aforementioned tickets, so either a frequent fare pass or a regular single night ticket, you can get a stay and scream admission. Now, there are several different ways to do this, but you have to have... some extra thing that allows you into the park as early as 2 p.m. to experience Halloween Horror Nights things. Now, this is a change from previous years. They've always had stay and scream, which essentially would allow you to, in years past when they did stay and scream, last year was a little different, so it was kind of morphing starting last year. But before that, you could get into the park with a single day ticket in the morning, and then as long as you had admission to Halloween Horror Nights that evening, you could just stay in the park. through. Everyone else who didn't have admission to HHN, they were kicking out of the park about 4 p.m. so they could turn the park over because they do cover like when you're in Universal Studios Florida during a regular day, like before HHN starts, or maybe on a Monday or Tuesday when they're not having HHN those nights, they cover all the scary stuff. So they put tarps over like anything that might... might potentially scare children or anything like that. So you don't really have to worry about that going through the park through days, but it does take them a little bit of time to kick every, all the day guests out and then open the park up and really like make it feel Halloweeny and scary and all of that. So. Yeah. Speaker 1 (14:15) Cause they move some large props and stuff. Yeah. They're moving things Speaker 2 (14:19) around, they're uncovering stuff, they're putting fog out and all of the things, right? So it does take some time to set up every, every, well, five nights a week. Now what is stay on screen? Speaker 1 (14:28) Okay. So this is an ability to access the Halloween Horror Nights. houses a little bit earlier. So you have to have valid daytime admission, which that can be a single day ticket to universal. It can be a multi-day ticket to universal. It can be an annual pass, or it can be a scream early ticket, which is an additional purchase that you can purchase just so like, if you're not wanting to go to the park during the day, but you still want to enjoy this and get in a little bit earlier for HHN, you can purchase the scream early ticket and be able to get in at 2 PM. And so, um, so those, Speaker 2 (15:02) sorry. to interrupt me, but those four things you just mentioned, so the single day ticket, a multi-day ticket, an annual pass, all those are regular tickets to Universal, or a separately purchased stay and scream early ticket. So that's the fourth type of ticket. You have to have one of those four. plus an HHN ticket for that night. And as long as you have both, you can get into the park either in the morning if it's a regular Universal Day ticket or at 2 p.m. or by 2 p.m. to experience HHN if it was a Scream Early ticket. As long as you still have to have the HHN night ticket as well. Speaker 1 (15:32) Yep. And so if you have that, if you have both, you can pick up your wristband because that's required to participate in the Stay and Scream. And you can pick it up at Park Open near like guest services inside Universal Studios. Florida, or if it's at 2 p.m., then you can also pick up your wristband at either Hogwarts Express, King's Cross Station, or Illumination's VillainCon Minion Blast. And then that is going to allow you to start experiencing the Stay and Scream, which this year is very unique in that three of the houses are going to open at 2 p.m. Speaker 2 (16:08) Yep. So those three houses we already know. So 2 p.m., Stranger Things 5. Hellraiser, and Jack and Oddfellow Chaos and Control. So those three houses, and we'll talk more about what those entail when we get to the houses and scare zones and everything, but those three houses open at 2 p.m., again, five days a week, so every HHN. Then it says at 4 p.m., select haunted house queues open. So for two hours, those three houses are guaranteed to open every single HHN day, and then at 4 p.m., they will open probably two or three more, depending on what staffing they can get in and all of that. And then at 5.15 p.m., it says more select houses begin opening. And that's generally in years past when these houses have begun opening. So usually in years past, if you had a Scream early ticket or you were doing stay and Scream with using your regular day ticket and you had Halloween Horror Nights admission for that evening, you could stay in the park. You would be corralled in like these areas of the park. And then the Halloween Horror Nights still wouldn't start till 6 or 6.30. They open the gate sometime between 6 and 6.30. But