Already in the spooky spirit? Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights starts early

Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·5 min read

Now that St. Patrick's Day and Easter have passed, why won't we just go straight to Halloween? Universal Orlando got a jumpstart with its newest update.

Theme park officials gave an exciting announcement to Halloween Horror Nights fan on Thursday, sharing the terror will start earlier than ever before this year.

Universal Orlando Resort’s iconic Halloween Horror Nights will kick off on Aug. 30 – one day earlier than last year – and run on select nights through Nov. 3 this year, the theme park announced Thursday. If you want to keep count, that's a total of 48 nights of frightful fun.

Already daydreaming about what houses you want to see and the food you'll splurge on? Here's what horror enthusiasts and theme park junkies should know before locking in their desired dates and buying tickets.

What are the upcoming dates for Halloween Horror Nights 2024?

Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights will be on:

  • Aug. 30-31

  • Sept. 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29

  • Oct. 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-31

  • Nov. 1-3

Can I buy tickets and passes to Halloween Horror Nights 2024? How much are HHN tickets?

Universal Orlando officials said guests can secure their spot for the screams with single-night event tickets and Express Passes available for purchase now on its website.

A single-night ticket for HNN at Universal Orlando Resort starts at $82.99 and increases depending on the date, which USA Today notes is a hike from last year’s $73.99. The ticket is a separate event ticket from park admission.

There’ll also be an express pass allowing visitors to skip the line at haunted houses one time. The cost for the express pass is $129.99.

As for passes to attend multiple nights, they have not released the prices for 2024. Here's a breakdown of last year's prices to help you budget for when August sneaks up:

  • Fear of Fear Pass: Access to up to the first 18 event nights of terror - $179.99

  • Frequent Fear Pass: Every Sunday - Thursday, plus the first weekend - $229.99

  • Frequent Fear Plus Pass: every Sunday - Friday, plus the first weekend - $269.99

  • Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass: Every night of the event -$374.99

How many houses, scare zones will be at Halloween Horror Nights 2024 in Orlando, Florida?

According to its press release, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort will debut 10 “movie-quality haunted houses inspired by cinematic greats and eerie original stories created by the twisted minds of Universal’s Entertainment team."

The themes of the haunted houses have not been revealed as of Thursday’s announcement.

There will also be five new scare zones filled with “hundreds of menacing creatures” waiting to scare guests. The themes have also not been revealed yet.

What special deals can Universal Orlando guests grab?

Guests can save up to $200 (based on a seven-night stay) with a special vacation package that includes one-night admission to the event and accommodations at a Universal hotel, officials said. The package includes admission to all three Universal Orlando theme parks during the day before facing the terror of Halloween Horror Nights at night.

Additionally, park officials shared that hotel guests will receive exclusive benefits, such

  • Access to a dedicated Halloween Horror Nights gate for faster entry into the event;

  • Early park admission to the theme parks during the day;

  • Complimentary resort transportation and more.

Savings vary based on length of stay and this package is available for purchase now through Nov. 2 for use from Aug. 30 to Nov. 3.

What is the Halloween Horror Nights Nights tour?

There are also some HHN event upgrades as well, including the guided nighttime R.I.P. Tour experience, where guests receive priority V.I.P. access to the haunted houses, and the "Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror" Tour that offers a glimpse into how the scares are brought to life via a daytime, lights-on journey through select haunted houses.

For those who can’t wait to peek at what’s coming to Universal this year, there’s also a limited, three-house "Behind The Screams: Unmasking the Horror" Tour available for purchase for select days starting Aug. 11.

Is there an age limit for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando? How old do guests have to be to attend?

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, a fright-centered event that features themed haunted houses, scare zones and live shows, debuted Sept. 2 and will continue through Oct. 31.
Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, a fright-centered event that features themed haunted houses, scare zones and live shows, debuted Sept. 2 and will continue through Oct. 31.

There is no official age limit for Halloween Horror Nights. However, on the webpage, it warns guests that the event might not be suitable for those under 13 years old.

Can I wear a costume to Halloween Horror Nights?

Guests are not allowed to wear costumes or masks to Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights.

Can I still ride rides at Universal Orlando during HHN? How long are the lines?

During Halloween Horror Nights, you can still ride select attractions in the hosting theme park.

With haunted house lines getting up to as much as three hours, the lines for "Gringotts" or "Men in Black" can reach only 10 to 20 minutes. Perfect for a quick break from the constant frights.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Halloween Horror Nights 2024: Aug. 30 to Nov. 3 in Orlando, Florida