Universal Studios Hollywood main park entrance sign
Photo by Madelaine Brown
By Madelaine Brown and Esmeralda Meckler
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood can be an exciting night of haunted houses, scare zones and rides, but spending several hours at the event requires some preparation. With large crowds, long lines and hours of walking, getting prepared can make the difference between an enjoyable night and an exhausting one. This piece includes photos highlighting aspects of the annual Halloween event and tips to survive your visit!
Animatronic mariachis inside the maze ‘Killceanera’, located on the Upper Lot
Photo by Esmeralda Meckler
‘Mozzarella Massacre’ cheese stick and the ‘Root in Evil’ alcoholic beverage from the Clown Cafe, located on the Lower Lot
Photo by Madelaine Brown
‘Killceanera’ maze entrance, located adjacent to the “Sinners” maze on the Upper Lot
Photo by Esmeralda Meckler
Mulligan’s Irish Pub transforms into Club Juke from “Sinners,” serving themed specialty cocktails, located on the Upper Lot
Photo by Madelaine Brown
Hello Kitty “Chucky”-inspired strawberry cheesecake sundae, located next to the “Transformers” ride on the Lower Lot
Photo by Esmeralda Meckler
“Sinners” maze entrance sign, located adjacent to the “Minions Mayhem” attraction on the Upper Lot
Photo by Madelaine Brown
Survival Tips for Halloween Horror Nights
1. Comfort
First, wear comfortable, breathable shoes and clothing. You can expect to spend most of the night walking and standing, so comfortable shoes are essential. Breathable clothing is also recommended, especially on warmer nights. Avoid wearing jeans, as they can become uncomfortable after hours of walking. Bringing a light jacket can also be helpful as temperatures drop later in the evening.
2. Hydrate and pack lightly
Staying hydrated is another important part of surviving the night. Bring a reusable plastic or steel water bottle to refill throughout the event. A portable hand fan is useful to stay cool, especially while waiting in long lines. Bring a portable charger since phones are often used throughout the night for tickets, wait times, maps and photos. It is also a good idea to pack a few basic necessities, such as tissues and hand sanitizer. Bandages can also come in handy, especially after several hours on your feet. A small backpack can be used to carry these items, along with a jacket and other essentials. Keeping everything together in one bag can make it easier to move through the event without constantly carrying loose items.
3. Go in with a plan
Most importantly, go into the event with a plan. Rather than simply following the posted wait times or going wherever the crowds are headed, consider starting with the Lower Lot and working your way upward. The World-Famous Studio Tour, commonly known as the Tram Ride, typically closes earlier than the other Halloween Horror Nights attractions, so guests who want to experience it should prioritize it earlier in the night. When going through the mazes, keep moving. Stopping in the middle of a maze can create backups and make it more difficult for the guests behind you to experience the attraction. Just keep moving forward and leave enough space between yourself and the group ahead of you.
4. Strategy
Finally, consider saving the most popular intellectual property-based mazes, like “Sinners,” for later in the night if possible. While these attractions often have the longest waiting times, crowds can change throughout the evening as other guests move around the event. Many guests follow the same strategy based on the event’s typical timing, which can create larger crowds in certain areas. Starting at the Lower Lot can potentially help you get ahead of the crowds before making your way through the rest of the event. Keep in mind that not every attraction operates on the same schedule. On the other hand, guests should not necessarily worry about reaching every maze before the official closing time. If you are already in line when the event reaches closing time, guests generally are allowed to remain in line and experience the attraction rather than being immediately removed. Having a strategy instead of immediately heading to the most popular mazes can help you make the most of your time.
The key to surviving Halloween Horror Nights is simple: wear comfortable clothes, stay hydrated, charge your phone, keep moving and have a plan. Most importantly, embrace the chaos, scream as loud as you want and enjoy the scares!
