What’s the best time to go to Halloween Horror Nights? That depends on your definition of “best.” Do you want to buy the lowest-priced ticket possible? Or do you want to go during a peak time of the season? As in years past, Halloween Horror Nights 2023 ticket prices fluctuate depending on the day of the week and the month.
For instance, Wednesday and Thursday nights are usually the cheapest prices, and September is generally a little less than October. The exception to both of those rules is Labor Day weekend in September, which sees some of the highest prices, while Halloween is one of the lowest-priced nights.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look. We’ll start with what we know about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights so far. Then we’ll examine ticket prices to help you decide which night would work best for your budget.
About Halloween Horror Nights 2023
There are Halloween haunted houses and attractions and then there’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Orlando, a Halloween event of epic proportions. It’s not just one or two haunted houses. For 2023 there will be 10! Plus amazing sets, costumed actors, and terror aplenty.
The terror awaits on select nights starting Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. Generally it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and open Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of Tuesday, October 31.
10 Haunted Houses
Every year HHN fans anxiously await the announcement of what the haunted house themes will be. They’re usually inspired by pop culture and the latest horror movies.
For instance, last year’s included The Horrors of Blumhouse, Universal Monsters: Legends Collide, The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare, and Halloween. They’d had that last one before, but how could they resist including it again with the release of Halloween Ends? They couldn’t. Plus, it’s a classic. Of course they included it again!
And they might have it again in 2023, too. We don’t know yet. They’ve only announced one so far, a Chucky house based on the TV series, which was inspired by the Child’s Play movie franchise.
Which could be a clue as to the other themes we might see. As Fox 35 Orlando reported, this year’s houses will once again be “movie-quality” and inspired by “top names in terror and pop culture.” But there will also be “unfathomable original abominations devised by the twisted creators of the event.” (Last years originals included Bugs, Spirit of the Coven, and Fiesta de Chupacabras, just to name a few.)
We can expect to learn the rest of the themes in the coming months. They’re always good about releasing them steadily in the months leading up to the grand opening to heighten anticiaption.
5 Scare Zones
I don’t know how many they had when we went 20 years ago, but who needs the haunted houses when you have the scare zones? They’re filled with fog and monsters and, speaking from experience, are terrifying if you venture into them when the park first opens and hardly anyone’s there. The scareactors lurking in these zones take delight in having victims all to themselves.
Live Shows
Need to take a break from the scares and catch your breath? (Or perhaps rest your feet to get them ready to run again?) Their world-class shows are a great way to relax for a bit.
Rides
They don’t create unique rides for HHN, but certain Universal Park rides are open during the event.
Themed Food & Drinks
If you work up an appetite from all the terror or the screaming leaves you parched and thirsty, you can also partake in specialty food and libations. They’re crafted to match the themes of the haunted houses.
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Tickets
Basically, getting into Halloween Horror Nights starts with the Single Night Ticket option. Prices start at $79.99, and this is where we can determine which nights will be less attended and which will be more popular, and therefore less expensive or more expensive. Prices are as follow:
Labor Day Weekend
Friday, Sep. 1: $99
Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sep. 3: $103.99
September Ticket Prices
Wednesday, Sep. 6, 13, 20, and 27: $79.99
Thursday, Sep. 7, 14, 21, and 28: $79.99
Friday, Sep. 8: $89.99
Friday, Sep. 15, 22, and 29: $92.99
Saturday, Sep. 9, 16, 23, and 30: $103.99
Sunday, Sep. 10 & 17: $79.99
Sunday, Sep. 24: $82.99
October Ticket Prices
Wednesday, Oct. 4: $79.99
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 18, and 25, and Thursday, Oct. 12, 19, and 16: $84.99
Thursday, Oct 5: $82.99
Thursday, Oct. 12, 19, and 26: $84.99
Friday, Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27: $99.99
Saturday, Oct. 7: $114.99
Saturday, Oct. 14, 21, and 28: $119.99
Sunday, Oct. 1: $82.99
Sunday, Oct. 8: $99.99
Sunday, Oct. 15, 22, and 29: $89.99
Tuesday: Oct. 31: $84.99
The closer we get to the biggest day of Spooky Season, Halloween, the more expensive the tickets get, especially on the weekends. But in a weird twist, Halloween itself is one of the least expensive nights.
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Express Pass
The Express Pass promises you “get to the fear faster.” Upgrading your ticket allows you to skip the regular lines one time at each haunted house, as well as “participating” rides and attractions. As you might expect, this privilege doesn’t come cheap. It starts at $109.99, which is in addition to what you pay just to get into Halloween Horror Nights.
But if you’re the sort who doesn’t like to wait and wants to make the most out of your visit, it could be worth it. Especially on the more popular nights. Just keep in mind, like the tickets themselves, the Express Passes also increase on the more popular nights.
Labor Day Weekend Express Pass Prices
Friday, Sep. 1: $139.99
Saturday, Sept. 2, and Sunday, Sep. 3: $149.99
September Express Pass Prices
Wednesday, Sep. 6, 13, and 20: $109.99
Wednesday, Sep 27: $119.99
Thursday, Sep. 7: $119.99
Thursday, Sep. 14: $139.99
Thursday, Sep. 21 and 28: $119.99
Friday, Sep. 8: $129.99
Friday, Sep. 15: $139.99
Friday, Sep. 22 and 29: $149.99
Saturday, Sep. 2 and 9: $149.99
Saturday, Sep. 16: $159.99
Saturday, Sep. 23: $179.99
Saturday, Sep. 30: $189.99
Sunday, Sep. 10 & 17: $129.99
Sunday, Sep. 24: $139.99
October Express Pass Prices
Wednesday, Oct. 4: $139.99
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 18, and 25: $149.99
Thursday, Oct 5: 149.99
Thursday, Oct. 12, 19, and 26: $159.99
Friday, Oct. 6: $169.99
Friday, Oct. 13 and 20: $189.99
Friday, Oct. 27: $179.99
Saturday, Oct. 7 and 28: $199.99
Saturday, Oct. 14 and 21: $219.99
Sunday, Oct. 1: $159.99
Sunday, Oct. 8, 15, and 22: $179.99
Sunday, Oct. 29: $199.99
Tuesday: Oct. 31: $149.99
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Hotel and Ticket Packages
A Halloween Horror Nights Ticket Package will save you a little money if you’re planning on spending a few days at the parks in addition to going to Halloween Horror Nights. Specifically, if you’re planning to spend at least 5 days going to the parks because you get five nights accommodation, plus essentially five days of park passes. (3-Park 3-Day Park-to-Park tickets plus 2 days free promo ticket.)
The package also includes an admission to one night of Halloween Horror Nights and early park admission.
There’s also a 20% discount on a 4-night stay at Universal Hotels. It doesn’t include any park tickets or admission to Halloween Horror Nights, but you’re still close to the action and have “special access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights entrance.”
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Event Add-Ons
I’ve only been to Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights once. It didn’t go well. Through no fault of theirs. The blame fell entirely on my shoulders.
Well, and my husband’s. We got there way too early, were the first in the park, and consequently ended up fair game for all the actors in the scare zones. By the third one, my nerves were shot, I was bawling hysterically, and dove into the nearest eatery to take cover, where I removed to budge for the next hour.
When I finally relented and agreed to come out, it was only to head to the exit. I’d had enough.
Not my finest moment. Wayne knew I had issues with haunted houses, but I assured him I’d outgrown them. Nope. (It’s the masks. I can’t handle them.)
Worse, I’d wasted money, which is a cardinal sin in his book. He didn’t speak to me for three days.
But I’ve always wanted to go back.
Wait, what?
“Why would you want to go back if you had such a bad time the first time?” is a reasonable question to ask.
To see the haunted houses —but in the light of day with a behind-the-scenes tour. Maybe they’ve always offered one, but they definitely do thanks to one of the add-ons for Halloween Horror Nights 2023.
Behind-the-Screams Tour
It’s a daytime lights-on V.I.P. tour of three or six of the haunted houses. The three-house tour starts at $119.99. The six-house tour starts at $169.99
Similar to the ticket prices, they go up on weekends and the more popular/high attendance days. And, also like the tickets, one of the least expensive days is Tuesday, October 31.
Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour
This is sort of like the Express Pass. You get priority V.I.P entry once per house while with the R.I.P. Guide. You also get to attend a pre-tour reception at Cafe La Bamba (cash bar) and complimentary valet parking.
Your commemorative R.I.P. Tour credential, lanyard, and button also gets you unlimited express ride access and reserved seating at select shows. It doesn’t get you priority entry to any of the haunted houses, though, except the ones you go to with your guide. Prices start at $299.99
They also have a Private version of this tour. Prices weren’t listed. You have to call to book it, subject to itinerary.
For More Info
Visit https://www.universalorlando.com/hhn/en/us.
Check-In
Have you ever been to Halloween Horror Nights? Or are you a bawk bawk chicken butt like me when it comes to Halloween haunted houses?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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Haunted houses are fun as long as they are fake. I would be chicken to go to a real haunted house for some ghost hunting.
Isn’t that so interesting? I’d much rather go to a real one than a fake one because I’m more afraid of the people in the fake one than anything unseen in a real one. I wish I could be like you and others who see it the other way though. I’m desperate to be one of those who enjoys Halloween haunted houses rather than the kind that freaks out from them. lol