In Orlando the haunting season tends to start a little early. The spooks at Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) kicks off SEPTEMBER 1 – OCTOBER 31, 2023 for 48 select nights. The spooky Halloween season begins early around here, and this year is another special moment for Halloween Horror Nights.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Announcements

There are 10 haunted houses, plus five original scare zones. The complete lineup is now announced. Keep reading for all the gory details!

Stranger Things and Last of Us

Season 4 of Netflix’s original series “Stranger Things” comes to life in a terrifying all-new haunted house!!!

This year’s petrifying haunted house will once again transport guests to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will encounter the newest supernatural villain, Vecna, who is hell-bent on obliterating the volatile barrier between the eerie Upside Down and the real world in an attempt to reign supreme.

Plus, an all-new haunted house based on “The Last of Us” is coming to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort and we can't think of anything more terrifying. The popular PlayStation video game turned TV series is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and what better way to celebrate (or terrify) than a haunted house inspired by the chilling game.

The question is, will you dare to enter this post-pandemic world of ‘carnage and mayhem' just like Joel and Ellie? Be sure to watch out for the Clickers, Raiders, and others as you navigate through the Pittsburg Quarantine Zone… You can check out the first-look here.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Last of Us Merchandise
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Last of Us Merchandise (Dani Meyering)

Horror Nights 2023 Tips

  • View the full lineup ahead of time
  • Visit on a weeknight
  • September is less crowded than October
  • Plan extra time to enjoy the scare zones
  • Take a break and hydrate
  • Save time with early admission
  • Fuel up with signature food and drinks
  • Don't forget to ride some rides
  • Talk about your expectations and comfort level
  • Splurge on an Express Pass
  • Book a guided tour

Read on for our guide on making the most of a date night, or should we say dare night, at Halloween Horror Nights 2023.

Note: Admission to Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is NOT included with regular park admission. You will need a separate event ticket in order to attend. Also, parking is NOT free until after 10pm, so be prepared to pay full price.

Can Teens Attend Halloween Horror Nights 2023? How to Know if They’re Ready (from Orlando-Parenting.com)

 

Check out the full Halloween Horror Nights lineup

The headlining houses are worthy of the buzz, but you won't get the full experience if you overlook the incredible scare zones, shows, and original concept houses. Be sure to review the full list of Universal Orlando's HHN houses, scare zones, shows and rides in advance.

The theme for 2023 is sure to intrigue Universal Orlando fans: a circus that’s spiraled into chaos, the long-awaited emergence of Halloween Horror Nights legend, Dr. Oddfellow, and a dark, resurrected story that delves into the haunting history of Universal attractions past.

Viewing the 2023 Halloween Horror Nights Map in advance will save you time! And the lineup below will help you plan ahead.

Halloween Horror Night 2023 Map Universal Orlando
Halloween Horror Night 2023 Map Universal Orlando

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS HOUSES (2023)

  • The Exorcist: Believer
  • Stranger Things (based on Season 4)
  • Last of Us (based on video game)
  • Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count
  • Universal Monsters: Unmasked
  • “Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins” (original house)
  • “Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate” (original house)
  • “YETI: Campground Kills” (original house)
  • “The Darkest Deal” (original house)
  • “Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings”(original house)

 

The Exorcist: Believer
Inspired by Universal Pictures’ terrifying new horror film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment (in theaters Friday, October 13), “The Exorcist: Believer” haunted house will unleash an entirely new level of terror to Halloween Horror Nights.

Guests will be transported to a bustling street market in Haiti, where an innocent purchase of a strange folk doll with three eyes leads to the opening of a demonic portal, the awakening of sinister spirits, and the subsequent disappearance of two 12-year-old girls in the U.S. The girls are found three days later with no memory of what happened to them. After the girls begin to exhibit unsettling behavior, it soon becomes clear that only an exorcism can save them – and everyone who comes in contact with them, including unwitting guests, is suddenly at risk of losing their souls.

Image provided by Universal Orlando Media Relations

 

Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count
Inspired by the hit USA & SYFY series and cult classic films, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” casts this killer doll as the star of his very own haunted house for the first time. A true sadistic killer, Chucky has been mired in the agony of disrespect he feels from his peers at not being taken seriously. Thus begins his quest to turn his haunted house into a living slaughterhouse by killing every person who enters.

Universal Monsters: Unmasked
Lurking sixty feet beneath the bustling streets of the City of Lights, the dank Catacombs of Paris house a much darker secret… The all-new haunted house “Universal Monsters: Unmasked” takes guests down into the infamous burial grounds where every corner and crevice overflows with millions of skeletal remains and even more sinister secrets.

The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr. Jekyll and his deranged alternate personality Mr. Hyde, and Dr. Jack Griffin, aka The Invisible Man – also lie in wait as they bide their time and seek vengeance against guests after the opening of the Catacombs to public visitation.

Halloween Horror Nights Monsters Unmasked House Entrance 2023
Halloween Horror Nights Monsters Unmasked House Entrance 2023 – image by Jodi Caballero

 

“Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins” (original house)
A demented, late-night circus led by an evil ringmaster and notorious icon looking for human souls to fuel his dark intentions. This house will be a must-do! All of the 2023 Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones feature demented creations from Dr. Oddfellow.

“Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate” (original house)
A horrific twist to a frightening, yet familiar tale and sinister battle between Fire and Ice

“YETI: Campground Kills”
Blood-soaked campgrounds deep in the trenches of mountains where vicious, bloodthirsty monsters have returned with a vengeance

“The Darkest Deal”
Selling their souls for fame in “The Darkest Deal” where they quickly learn a deal can be more than they bargained for

“Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings”
A colonial cult looking to slaughter those who dare refuse to worship the Bloodmoon

Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights at Universal Orlando Resort from Friday, September 1 through Saturday, November 4. Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out and tickets should be purchased in advance.

Scare zone details and more tips await, keep reading.

promotional image for Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights x Stranger Things 2023
Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights x Stranger Things 2023 – provided by Universal Orlando

 

TIP: The original concept houses tend to have shorter wait times, especially early in the evening and toward the end of the night.

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS SCARE ZONES 2023

  • “Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror” – Come face to face with the devious legend who is promising immortality for those who dare to enter
  • “Dark Zodiac” – Cower in fear as the signs of the zodiac come to life where Dr. Oddfellow uses his power to transform the zodiac signs into horrifying horoscope creatures
  • “Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror” – where Dr. Oddfellow’s twisted and bizarre experiments combine elements of nature and animals to create vicious jungle creatures looking to satisfy their cravings
  • “Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood” – Attend a music festival crashed by bloodthirsty vampires let loose by Dr. Oddfellow
  • “Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged” – Stumble upon Dr. Oddfellow’s crates and cages that once housed monsters of all kinds who have escaped in pursuit of chaos

Halloween Horror Nights Vamp '69 Scare Zone 2023 - image by Jodi Caballero
Halloween Horror Nights Vamp '69 Scare Zone 2023 – image by Jodi Caballero

STAGE SHOW

“Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream”

Nightmare Fuel is a running theme for Halloween Horror Nights stage shows in recent years. This year features a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares.

Please confirm on the Universal Orlando app or event guidemap, but it looks like Nightmare Fuel showtimes are 8:00 pm, 9:30 pm, 11:00 pm, and 12:30 am.


How to save time at Halloween Horror Nights

The lines for the most popular Universal Orlando HHN houses can get as long as three hours, with average wait times around at least an hour or more for popular houses based on movies and TV shows. Alternatively, the original concept houses are full of detail and unique experiences, and tend to have lower wait times – not a bad Halloween Horror Nights shortcut!

Halloween Horror Nights officially kicks off at 6pm on most nights and generally runs until 1am.

Take breaks, enjoy the experience, and show those scary fiends they are no match for the power of love!

A Halloween Horror Nights Tradition Mel's Die-In in bright neon lights
A Halloween Horror Nights Tradition Mel's Die-In – Image by Jodi Caballero

EARLY ADMISSION

You can purchase early access! Start the thrills early at Universal Studios Florida from 3-5 pm. At 5 pm you’ll wait in a Stay & Scream area until the event begins. Event admission for the same day is required and not included.

To use the early access you must arrive to Universal Studios Florida before 5:00PM and present proof of a valid 2023 Halloween Horror Nights Event ticket at time of redemption.
The cost is $40 per person.

Guests who arrive at Universal Studios after 5 pm forfeit their Scream Early Ticket.

It is wise to map out the event ahead of time and determine which part of the park has one or two houses you want to see the most so you can utilize the proper holding area. You should be able to get through one house right away and then get in line for your next house with little wait time.

EXPRESS PASSES

The alternative to early admission is the Halloween Horror Night's Express Pass – and it is going to cost extra. The prices range from $89.99 all the way up to $159.99. The question always is “is it worth it?” And there’s no easy answer to that. Will you get through more houses in less time? Yes. Will it eliminate all waits at all the houses completely? Not so much.

A few important notes: Halloween Horror Night Express Passes do sell out on peak nights, including weekends and dates in mid to late October, so make your decision about purchasing Halloween Horror Night Express Passes well in advance. If you choose to go on a peak night, some wait times can be as long as 2 hours or more for the most popular houses. An Express Pass for Halloween Horror Nights 2022 does not guarantee you won’t have to wait in line. On peak nights, the line for the Express Pass can still be up to half of the posted wait time.

READER TIPS:

“As a team member, express passes are the way to go. They have hundreds of people that do the stay and scream and get in early (they open certain houses 15 minutes early). When the event actually starts, many lines can be longer than an hour.” -@atlippold

“We always splurge and get the Express Pass. It’s double the price but so worth it. Definitely hit all the houses you really want to see first, then enjoy the rest. The Killer Klowns scare zone is the absolute best!!!!!!” – @mustangcaryn

Halloween Horror Nights 2022-Universal Monsters graphic with dracula wolfman and the mummy
Halloween Horror Nights 2022-Universal Monsters | Image credit: Universal Orlando Resort

GUIDED TOURS

If you're able to splurge, Universal offers a special R.I.P. Tour where you'll join fellow fans on a guided VIP tour of Halloween Horror Nights 2023. The tour includes VIP entry to all houses along with other perks. R.I.P. tours begin at $329/person and require separate event admission.

If you can swing it, this is a pricey but fun way to ensure you won't have to wait in line and will be able to see all of the houses.

author taking a selfie in front of Halloween Horror Night RIP Tour Sign
Halloween Horror Nights RIP Tour Sign – image by Terri Peters

VISIT ON A WEEKNIGHT

I recommend visiting Halloween Horror Nights on a non-peak night (such as a weeknight and in September or early October) and that you take advantage of early admission if eligible. It is also recommended that you enjoy the scare zones and shows and a ride or two to get the full value of your event ticket.


Fuel up on signature HHN food & drink

Over the years the good people at Universal Orlando have learned that special events require special food and drinks. The Halloween Horror Night food and beverage should not be overlooked. There are multiple food and beverage kiosks throughout the park.

Some of the 2023 food and beverage offerings announced so far:

  • Bloody Campground Poutine
  • El Pastor Torta
  • Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries,
  • Returning fan-favorites like Pizza Fries.
  • New this year, Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar will feature themed libations within an ominous nightclub vibe, photo opportunities, and more.

Can't wait to try? Check out our list of booth locations and Halloween Horror Nights Food and Drinks

Halloween Horror Nights Taste of Terror Hellfire Club Cake – Terri Peters

Ride some Horror Nights rides

Take a break from the horror to ride some rides. Some of Universal Studio's top attractions are open during HHN. This is a great way to experience rides with very low wait times and without having to pay regular park admission.

The following five rides are usually open during Halloween Horror Nights:

  • Transformers: The Ride 3D
  • Revenge of the Mummy
  • Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
  • The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley (Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts)
  • Men In Black Alien Attack

Pro-tip: Type the code “666” into Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit for a special spooky song to play while you're riding this roller coaster.

Also while you're enjoying Diagon Alley, keep an eye out for some dark characters. An ominous presence returns to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort this fall as Death Eaters appear for the first time ever in Diagon Alley select dates September 1 through November 4.


OTHER HELPFUL HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS TIPS

 

Talk about your HHN comfort level

Perhaps one of you is more enthusiastic about being scared. Perhaps you're both a little hesitant. Or maybe you're both brave and ready to face the Halloween Horror Night scare zones and dark, loud houses together. Whatever your tolerance level for scary stuff may be, it is best to get it out in the open upfront. This way you're both on the same page and prepared to be supportive of each other if needed.

It is fun to push yourself and conquer your fears, but you also don't want to end up making each other uncomfortable without realizing it. The best way to have a date night at Halloween Horror Nights is to be supportive and understanding of each other’s comfort level.

Map it out

Halloween Horror Nights is a different experience and layout even if you've been to Universal Studios. In order to maximize your time, it is best to review the official Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights map – which is usually available to view halfway down the Halloween Horror Nights things to do page.

Take note of the location of your must-see houses and scarezones. Start in the back of the park and work your way back to the front.

Make it a getaway

Consider making your trip to HHN an overnight getaway. Universal Orlando has a great variety of resorts that are perfect for couples. For the first time ever, the fog has spread to all eight of Universal Orlando’s hotels with exclusive activations and experiences for hotel guests inspired by this year’s event.

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort has an exclusive “Chucky’s Twisted Playground” photo illusion experience based on the USA and SYFY series, plus, the Universal Monsters Gallery of Legends lobby photo opportunities in all other hotel lobbies and more.

The pop-up is open from 2-10pm during Halloween Horror Nights, and is free for Universal Orlando hotel guests. Guests must show their room key. Cabana Bay guests will receive priority access, and guests staying at other Universal Orlando hotels will wait in a standby line.

Feature image credit: Jodi Caballero