It is Halloween time in Orlando, and Disney World has already kicked off its festivities with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. This is a family-friendly event, which, as the name suggests, is really not that scary. But if you are looking for a more frightening time, then you may need to plan a trip to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort this year!

Halloween Horror Nights, or HHN, is on the other side of the spectrum of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, as it is definitely VERY scary. If you’ve never been to one of these events before, you may be in for a surprise if you don’t know what you’re getting into. But that’s why we’re here! If you’re heading to the event this year, here’s everything you need to know so you’re not caught off guard!

The Basics

Halloween Horror Nights runs on Wednesday through Sunday nights, August 29th to November 2nd, 2025 (except for one week in September, where there is no Thursday event on September 18th, but it is running on Tuesday, September 16th instead). The park will close for regular ticketed Universal guests at 5 PM, and the event officially runs from 6:30 PM until 2 AM (we recommend arriving around 45 minutes before the official start time because gates tend to open early).

Only guests with special tickets purchased for Halloween Horror Nights will have access to the after-hours event. And if you were wondering if the event is worth it, even THE Josh Hutcherson gave his seal of approval. If that doesn’t convince you — we don’t know what will.

Josh Hutcherson’s special message at tonight’s media event 🥹 #HHN34 #mediaevent #hosted @UniversalORL @HorrorNightsORL pic.twitter.com/ErG7vIeabi

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2025

There are four different ticket types to choose from, which can all be bought online ahead of the event, which is what we recommend. They are:

• Halloween Horror Nights Single-Night Ticket: Allows access to the event on one night of your choosing (made at the time of booking) and starts at $85.99 per person.
• Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass: This can be purchased ON TOP of a regular ticket. It allows you to skip the line for every haunted house once throughout the night! Begins at $179.99 per person.
• Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour: A guided VIP walking tour that gives you priority entry to haunted houses, pre-tour reception, valet parking, and reserved seating at select shows. Starts at $439.99 per person.
• Halloween Horror Nights Behind-the-Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour: Allows daytime access into the park to tour 3 or 6 haunted houses and get a look behind the scenes — valid park admission NOT required and starts at $99.99 per person
• Scream Early Ticket: This is an additional purchase ON TOP of a regular ticket. Enjoy the park from 3 PM to 5 PM and then get early access to Halloween Horror Nights. Prices start at $55 per person.

Multi-night tickets are also an option, but they can sell out! These options are:

• The Rush of Fear Pass: Provides entry to the first 18 event nights.
• The Frequent Fear Pass: Access to 30 event nights, every Sunday through Thursday, plus the first weekend.
• The Frequent Fear Plus Pass: Includes entry every Sunday through Friday, plus the first and last Saturday.
• The Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass: Grants access to EVERY night of the event, along with complimentary regular parking after 5 PM on all event nights.

What an iconic way for artists craving tributes to Halloween Horror Nights 34 through a decaying conservatory 🤯👻#hhn34 #hosted @UniversalORL @HorrorNightsORL pic.twitter.com/9bsJ0Af9Gr

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2025

Haunted Houses & Scare Zones

The Haunted Houses are the main draw of the event, but not the only thing to keep you entertained. This year, there are ten haunted houses to explore, but keep in mind that lines can get long for the most popular house. Make sure to prioritize your top houses to ensure you can make it through at least those if you’re not using an Express Pass.

This year’s haunted houses are:

• Five Nights at Freddy’s
• The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks
• Terrifier
• Jason Universe
• Fallout
• Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
• Dolls: Let’s Play Dead
• Grave of Flesh
• Gálkn: Monsters of the North
• El Artista: A Spanish Haunting

In addition to the haunted houses, you can also walk through four scare zones throughout the park!

These do not have any official lines; instead, you will walk through them and come face-to-face with scare actors throughout the area.

Grab your best mask, dress, suit and tie to Masquerade Dance with Death ✨💃🏽#hhn34 #hosted @UniversalORL @HorrorNightsORL pic.twitter.com/ONthPSYc9A

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2025

The scare zones this year are:

• The Origins of Horror
• Masquerade: Dance with Death
• The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane
• Mutations: Toxic Twenties

These are a great way to experience the frights of the night without waiting in line!

The gilts and the glam of the 1920s.. but suddenly I sense a mutation happening through me as I walk through Mutations: Toxic Twenties! pic.twitter.com/cJH90mgqZK

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2025

There will also be some street experiences this year! We can’t wait to explore these more and see what they are all about. These include:

• Mel’s Die-In Zombies
• Club Horror

Other Entertainment

You’ll also find some incredible live entertainment during the night, such as the Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay show!

This is described on the Universal Orlando website as “this once-vibrant circus has festered into an unending nightmare. It’s a sinister spectacle of pyro, aerialists, and illusions.” We checked out the 20-minute show this year, and, WOW, it is FANTASTIC! We know there’s a lot to see and do during Halloween Horror Nights, but this is NOT to be missed.

Also, don’t miss the Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey show over the Universal Studios lagoon. The show features towering water screens and eerie music.

But that’s not all! In addition to the Houses and Scare Zones, you can also ride some of the most popular attractions with shorter waits! The rides that will be open during this event are:

• Revenge of the Mummy
• Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts
• MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack
• TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D

Food

It’s not Halloween Horror Nights without special food offerings around the park! There are LOTS of exclusive eats you can only get during the event!

Got to try some of the bites for the Five Nights at Freddy’s house!

– Why Not Have Both Pizza & Pasta
– Cupcake (look how cute 🤭) pic.twitter.com/egGkx2kmac

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) August 30, 2025

While some restaurants will continue to have their regular menus during the event, you can find special eats at places like Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria.

Look out for snack spots throughout the park — Universal is serving up sweets, like the Camp Bloody S’mores…

…and savory snacks like Tater Tots.

Merchandise

Of course, it wouldn’t be a special event without some commemorative merchandise! While you can find select merchandise online, make sure you also check out the following shops for this special merchandise if you want to find the perfect item:

• Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store (THIS is the jackpot, friends, don’t miss exploring this store!)
• Five and Dime
• Kwik-E-Mart
• MIB Gear
• The Film Vault
• San Francisco Candy Factory
• Sahara Traders
• Simpsons™ Games
• Supply Vault
• Universal Studios Store
• Diagon Alley Shops
• Borgin & Burkes

Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts, and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

 

We’re always here to keep you updated on the latest Universal Orlando news, so stay tuned to DFB!

7 Rules Halloween Horror Nights Is Enforcing in 2025

Are you attending Halloween Horror Nights this year? Tell us in the comments!

Disclosure: In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend a preview as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Today, we were invited by Universal Orlando to attend their media preview of Halloween Horror Nights. Note that when we attend events as media, we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ