Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights: My Experience!

Intro

I had just gotten off the Disney Magic cruise, celebrating Halloween in the High Seas, but now it was the time for the parks of Orlando to get me even more into the spirit of Halloween. First, I was going to Universal Studios Florida to participate (and get scared) in the Halloween Horror Nights 33 event, and then I would go for the first time to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. It was going to be a weekend full of spookiness!

From Miami to Universal Studios Orlando

Woke up really early on this Saturday to go to Orlando on the Brightline, which I had used a few times in the past to go from Miami to Orlando and vice versa.

The train was on time and off we went to Orlando, it is a 4 hours trip.

On board you can buy food and drinks, and even order from your seat using the QR Code on the front of it.

Took a quick nap, since today it was going to be a long day, and arrived to Orlando on the scheduled time. Love, love, love Brightline. The downside could be the prices. Depending on when you buy it could be very expensive.

Arrived to the Orlando station by the MCO International Airport and took an Uber to my hotel. This time I stayed at Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites, a Universal hotel that’s just perfect for this horror escapade. The benefit of having free transportation to the parks, plus a Starbucks downstairs good enough lol.

Hopped on the bus, and went to Universal Orlando Resort. Hello again CityWalk.

Cloudy day, but at least the hurricane Helene had past a few days before, and I was able to enjoy this stay. Little did I know that for my next Halloween celebration in Disney I would be at the disposal of yet another hurricane, but that would be tomorrow.

Finally arrived to Universal Studios Florida, and with the Scream Early ticket I was able to get in at 3 PM. I miss being a Universal Annual Pass Holder, but here I was.

Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store

The Tribute Store this year, located in New York, had a theme of haunted urban-themed locations, and I actually had to ask someone to make sure where it was because the entrance was this container lol.

The store was a haunted house in itself. I liked it a lot, a lot of New York and movie references. You’ll see later in this post the sweets and pastries offered here.

Stay and Scream

Since I was already in New York, and I did not have time to do other rides before the event, I decided just to stay in the Stay and Scream Area, where I was able to eat some snacks, as seem later in this post. I waited there and 30 min before the event officially started, they opened the doors for the Haunted Houses.

Haunted House: A Quiet Place

 Silence your screams if you want to survive this terrifying, post-apocalyptic world based on the films “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place Part II.”

This was the premise per Universal’s website, and this was my first house of the day. I had Express pass, so I was able to swept in really fast. The houses on this area of the park are very well produced, and this one was no exception. Not many scares but it was beautiful to see. 8/10.

Haunted House: Insidious: The Further

Don’t get trapped in The Further as terrifying demons try to ensnare you. The Red-Faced Demon will lure you into his lair behind The Red Door, so he can possess your living body. And KeyFace will unlock your fears with his key-tipped fingers to keep your soul trapped in The Further forever.

Having not seen any of these movies, I was not too impressed coming in. But oh boy! It ended up being one of my favorite houses. It was scary, a lot of distractions to scare you, and the SMELL was horrible the whole time. 9/10.

At this point I had been to 2 houses and the event had just only officially started. It was going to be a long night aiming to do everything I could. The wait times for this house were already 75 min.

The good thing about being backstage is that you catch things like the Hogwarts Express actually moving between parks without all the magic surrounding it lol.

Haunted House: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

In this bone-chilling haunted house inspired by the film “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” the Ghostbusters must team up to save the world from a second Ice Age. A new specter, Garraka, has escaped from an ancient artifact. He’ll stop you cold with a whole army of ghosts. Try not to freeze in fear as you dodge spears of ice and he freezes people solid before your eyes.

A 10 min wait for the third house of the day was not bad. I was about to do the regular line, but still opted for the express. Mistake! I could have done it again. Why? Because it was one of the best houses of the night. I had seen this movie in one of my flights, in preparation for this event, and I actually liked it. The production design and the scared were there. When I thought I was out of it, a giant Garraka scared me by the exit. Epic. 10/10.

Haunted House: Triplets of Terror

You’re invited to the Barmy triplets’ birthday bash. But beware, they celebrate by recreating their family’s murders. Prepare for a gory gathering.

The last house of this part of the park also had a low wait. Very gory and disgusting, but a bit forgettable. 7/10.

Haunted House: Major Sweets Candy Factory

You’ve been invited to chaperone a field trip to a candy factory. But this sweet tour is about to turn sour when free samples transform the kids into candy-coated killers wielding sharpened candies.

The only house located in this side of the park, Major Sweets Candy Factory had its moments, but it was not the Chucky of the previous year. 7/10.

Haunted House: Eternal Bloodlines

Join Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein as they face off against Dracula’s Daughter and her monstrous alliance.

Located in the further side of the park, also backstage, this house was difficult to reach. It is always a lot of walking and it was ETERNAL to get there. I used my Express access because I probably was not going to be going in there anymore, and thankfully I did. I found this house a little bit boring and without many scared if any. 5/10.

You could see my next house from here.

Lines, lines and lines.

Haunted House: Goblin’s Feast

Visit a goblin village, where hordes of bloodthirsty goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and witches would love to have you for dinner.

After walking basically 10 miles to reach this house again (jk), I think it was worth it. The setting was nice, but it lacked the scares. I will give it points for the production. 7.5/10.

Haunted House: Slaughter Sinema 2

If you’re dying for a B-movie horror marathon, head to the Carey Drive-in. Scream through scenes from creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti westerns and more.

A sequel to the 2018’s haunted house, Slaughter Sinema 2 and its different settings through different holidays gave me hope for this year’s HHN. I liked it a lot and I believe it should come back for a 3rd time. 9/10.

Haunted House: The Museum of Deadly Exhibits

You decide to visit the new folklore museum exhibit, The Rotting Stone, when an evil escapes from within, destroying everything in its path.

Loved the setting, but they could have done more scares. 7/10.

Haunted House: Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America

¡Ten cuídado! With La Muerte as your guide, you’ll be asking for mercy from these three terrifying monsters: the blood-sucking Tlahuelpuchi, owl-faced witch La Lechuza and bone-ripping El Silbón.

The very last house of the night, thanks to my Express pass, was the Monstruos house, a follow up, copy, of the one in Hollywood the year before, which I had experienced. I liked this house a lot, and I hope that they bring it once again 9/10.

I finished all the houses in a little bit more than 4 hours with the Express pass, this is also including all the things I did in between like eating, exploring, passing by the Scare Zones and so on. The Express pass really is the way to do it.

Scare Zone: Torture Faire

Come one, come all, to the renaissance faire. Brave the gloriously gory medieval torture devices ‘til you’re put out of your misery.

Since I started with the houses in New York, and I finished them kind of fast, now I was going to move clockwise around the park, and of course I would have to start with the Scare Zone located on this side. I am not going to rate the Scare Zones this year because I think all of them were simpler than other years. Some people theorized that the building of Epic Universe left HHN 33 with not much budget like other years, and I fully believe it. Like for example the Monstruous house, even though I liked it, it was coming from Hollywood. And besides the IP ones, the houses were not that great. The vibes were also a bit off, like where is the Halloween spirit. I still had fun like every year, but those are my 2 cents.

I passed by again at night and it looked a bit more menacing.

Scare Zone: Enter the Blumhouse

Run a terrifying gauntlet of Blumhouse characters. From The Grabber to M3GAN dancing into your nightmares, this is a new kind of horror.

Located in San Francisco, I think this one was the most interesting one, since it was dependent on IP from the Blumhouse productions, including Megan of course. I enjoyed this one a little bit.

Scare Zone: Swamp of the Undead

In backwaters Louisiana, you’re about to be swamped by zombies borne from the bodies of trespassers killed and dumped in a nearby bog.

This one was the first Scare Zone I did during nighttime, leaving the houses located in the backlot by Men In Black. The setting with all the smoke was amazing, but I felt a little bit disappointed. Not too many scare actors. It was something like, where are the scares? Very underwhelming.

Scare Zone: Demon Queens

Get caught in an otherworldly hellscape ripped from the darkest corners of your mind, where four merciless queens loyal to SURR3AL rule.

Surre3al was the Icon of this year’s Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, and it was meh. Sorry for being negative on this year’s event, but I really did not give too much care about this character. And she had 2 Scare Zones. This one in particular I did not care much. I valued the production design though.

Scare Zone: Duality of Fear

As soon as you enter Halloween Horror Nights you must choose a path: the visceral horror of SINIST3R or the unearthly terror of SURR3AL.

Sinist3r was the other Icon (I think they were sisters?). Regardless, I liked this Scare Zone better, and it was the last thing I saw before heading out. They had the typical chainsaws that I love. Bring me memories of the first HHN I ever went in Hollywood, back before Pandemic times.

Death Eaters Encounter

My longest break between houses I spent it in the Diagon Alley section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I had a few goals in there: eating fish and chips, drinking a butterbeer, riding the Escape from Gringotts, and seeing the Death Eaters Encounter. It really did not disappoint. I liked the way they perform these characters.

Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus

Step right up to a dark circus, a twisted nightmare you’re cursed to relive over and over. It’s a sinister spectacle of pyro and aerialists.

I literally always skipped this show. I never saw it, even though it had many times during the night, it just did not attract me or I prioritized the houses of course. Also, you have to get in line at least 30-45 earlier, because it does not accept Express and it seems to be very popular. This time I had heard a lot of good things about it, and I was very well impressed. I liked the production, the effects, the sexiness, the performers and even the story. I was shocked by the twist at the end. I will definitely be back in the upcoming years.

What I ate during HHN 33

Omg I just realized now how much I ate during this event. From 3 pm to 12 am approximately, it was 9 hours of food and snacks. First off, I have to show the pastries and sweets offered in the Tribute Store. They all look so good, but this time I skipped them. I know, I know. I was just saving space for everything after.

Now, I stayed in the New York Stay and Scream area, and thankfully there were some food booths in the enclosure, including the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire kiosk I had eyes on.

From there I got the Mini Stay-Puft S’more, and it was so cute and delicious. Really a great start for the themed meals for the day. I ate it while waiting in line in this Stay and Scream area.

Later, and after doing the first houses, and walking into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Diagon Alley, I went into the Leaky Cauldron to get an actual meal.

This time a kid meal of fish and chips and a side of butterbeer. The restaurant was almost empty, so the service was quick.

Fish and Chips were always my favorite, and if you think I am wasting time in the Harry Potter land during HHN then you are wrong. I had Express, and really needed to take a rest before this long line. Despite this detour to get my favorite meal of the Universal parks, I still got to finish 2 hours before the end of the event. When I went out of the restaurant, I had to get another Butterbeer, this time the frozen version.

Continuing my walk clockwise, I could not resist the always iconic staple of this event: Pizza Fries, this year available in the same spot, just with a different name, since now it is called Dreamworks Imagination Cafe, located just outside Dreamworks Land.

It was spooky not having to do a line this time, it was so weird. I guess all the people were on the front of the park? On the show? On the houses? I always have to do a long line and eat among a crowd just outside of this establishment. Regardless, the Pizza fries were amazing. Just look at them. So good.

Almost at the end of my journey, and by Hollywood, I found the Chocolate Tres Leches in El Mercado de los Monstruos. I love Tres Leches, so I was curious about this item, and it was ok. I ate it all but not too sure if this was the best sweet thing in the event.

Mel’s Drive In transforms every HHN in Mel’s Die-IN. Genius. There are event related snacks but I just do not like going in there lol.

My friend from Spain had been by himself just the night before and recommended me to get the Surr3al Soda, and that I did, almost on my way out, I had to chase this drink.

It had vodka but the citricness gave it a nice kick I needed to end the night.

Open Attractions and Rides

Most rides on this park are open during the event, like for example Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, which of course I had to do.

After finishing the ride using the Express pass (which also cover rides, not only houses), I waited for the 10th on the clock to see the dragon spit fire.

Rides usually have low wait time during these events since most people are focused on the show and the 10 houses. I had not been in Men in Black Alien Attack in a while, so I wanted to try it out using my Express Pass.

It really had been years lol. I tend to past by this area and never get into any of the rides around. I did not even remember most of this.

Perhaps the most popular ride during the event, and mostly because it involves a literal Universal monster, Revenge of the Mummy is also one of my favorite attraction in this park.

Leaving Halloween Horror Nights

It was time to start exiting the event. I felt realized and accomplished tonight. I did everything. It was a long day coming from Miami on the train, waiting on the Stay and Scream areas, and then doing the 10 houses, the 5 scare zones, the show, a few rides, and enjoyed some snacks, all before 12:30 am, when the event ends at 2:00 am. And this was a Saturday in October, so yeah. Against all odds I finished everything, and now I was tired lol. I passed by this photo spot for The Wild Robot on my way out.

And the iconic Universal Globe…

Until 2025 Halloween Horror Nights… Definitely my favorite theme park event of the year.

A noon at CityWalk

The next morning, after checking out from my hotel in Universal, I head out to CityWalk, where I was going to hang with my friend from Madrid. There, I was able to go again into the Epic Universe Preview Center. I can’t wait to be there later in 2025.

And from The Cowfish® Sushi Burger Bar, we got the Pina Colada. I had my event at Disney later today, so I had to hurry up, but for now my adventure in Universal had ended.

Conclusions

Halloween Horror Nights 33 was an unforgettable experience, filled with thrilling haunted houses, eerie scare zones, and delicious themed food. Despite some underwhelming elements—like the lack of scare actors in Swamp of the Undead and my indifference toward the event’s icon, SURR3AL—I still had an amazing time. The highlights included standout houses like A Quiet Place, the high-energy Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus, and, of course, the classic Pizza Fries. Taking breaks in Diagon Alley, sipping Butterbeer, and catching the Death Eaters performance added a magical touch to the night. Using the Express Pass was key, allowing me to experience everything without feeling rushed. By the time I left the park, I felt accomplished—and exhausted! The next morning at CityWalk was a perfect way to wrap things up before heading to Disney. HHN remains my favorite theme park event of the year, and I can’t wait for HHN 34 in 2025!