Universal Studios’ annual Halloween Horror Nights kicks off in mid-September, and for horror film aficionados and scare-zone lovers, there’s no better time of year. For the rest of us self-proclaimed scaredy-cats and haunted house first-timers, however, the idea of walking through the alien-infested town of Hawkins, Indiana or being accosted by an evil army of possessed toys might induce something akin to genuine terror.
Whether you’re venturing out to the event for the first time or want to be a good support system for your friends who may not be as immune to 80s-themed zombies and twisted fairy tale villains as you are, here are a few tips for surviving Halloween Horror Nights.
Know your limits (and those of your friends and family).
Image: Diana Kelly, Flickr (license)
What are you scared of? More importantly, how do you react when you’re scared? If you’re the type to shudder or scream, soldier on. If, on the other hand, you’re more inclined to throw a punch at the first scareactor you see, Halloween Horror Nights may not be the right event for you. While the actors will do their best to get in your face as you move through scare zones and haunted houses, it’s crucial to remember two things: 1) they can’t touch you, and 2) they’re looking to get a reaction out of you. Don’t react, and they’ll back off—if not instantly, at least more quickly than they otherwise would.
Knowing your limits will help you plan the safest and most enjoyable experience at Horror Nights, but it’s also important to know the limits of any family or friends who may be attending the event with you. Discuss your expectations with your party before you go, and don’t be afraid to plan a few breaks if you need them.
Don’t try to do everything in one night.
Image: Universal Studios
There’s a lot to see (and scream at) during Horror Nights each year, from the VIP Tour to the scareactor buffet, scare zones, and haunted houses, not to mention the live entertainment and shopping. Five different scare zones are themed around Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Revenge of Chucky, Twisted Tradition, The Harvest, and Vamp 85: New Year’s Eve. Universal also set a new record in 2018 after adding a tenth haunted house to their rotation, so guests can choose from Stranger Things, The Carnival Graveyard: Rust in Pieces, Slaughter Sinema, Poltergeist, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers, Dead Exposure: Patient Zero, The Horrors of Blumhouse, Trick ‘r Treat, Scary Tales: Deadly Ever After, and Seeds of Extinction.
Needless to say, even the most ambitious and steely-souled guest might have a hard time trying to get everything done in one go—and if you’re feeling nervous about your ability to handle a high level of gore and horror, you’re far better off picking a few things you really want to do and leaving the rest for next year.
Go with a (sober) buddy.
Image: Sean O’Shaughnessy, Flickr (license)
This isn’t Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (in so many, many ways): There’s plenty of alcohol to be found at Horror Nights, but it may not give you the kind of liquid courage you need to tackle some of the more intense frights at the event. Feeling really spooked? Make sure you use the buddy system while moving through the scare zones and mazes… and make sure that buddy is capable of taking care of you, too.
It’s always a good idea to pair up with at least one person who doesn’t find Horror Nights as chill-inducing as you do—at the very least, someone who won’t throw you into the path of scareactors as you enter each room of the haunted house. If you’re the kind of person who tends not to get scared (or does a much better job at hiding it than the rest of us), be a pal and help out your friends who might need a little coaxing to take on closet skulls and creepy clowns.
Opt for the less-scary activities.
Image: Daryl Mitchell, Flickr (license)
You don’t have to work yourself into a nervous sweat walking through a werewolf-infested drive-in theater or carnival graveyard in order to soak up the Halloween spirit. If the haunted houses are too much for you to handle, test your limits with one of several scare zones or preface your visit to Halloween Horror Nights with a daytime Behind-the-Screams: Unmasking the Horror tour, which will allow you to take a peek (in the light! With no jump scares!) at the décor and effects utilized in 3-6 of Universal’s haunted houses.
If you’ve tested your limits and still come out terrified (and not in a fun way), you can always run back to “safety” and take a breather with Transformers: The Ride 3D, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black: Alien Attack, or Fast & Furious – Supercharged. All other attractions appear to be scheduled for closure during the event, but it’s worth noting that estimated wait times are at an all-time low once Horror Nights begins.
Feeling somewhere in the middle? You can also catch the Academy of Villains: Cyberpunk show or enjoy some photo ops while indulging in the Scareactor Dining Experience all-you-can-eat buffet.
Watch the movies first.
Image: Universal Studios
Here’s what makes Horror Nights a horror fan’s best nightmare: It delivers a healthy dose of scary stuff while pulling in elements from both classic and contemporary films and TV shows. Haunted houses from years past have featured elements and storylines from popular shows like American Horror Story and The Walking Dead as well as Halloween classics like The Exorcist and Saw, and this year will feature much of the same.
Should you consider yourself a film buff (or, like me, find some sense of reassurance in reading spoilers and knowing what to expect ahead of time) or want to develop a deeper appreciation of all Horror Nights has to offer, try arranging a scary movie marathon before heading out to the parks. By the time you make it out to the haunted houses, you’ll likely find some time to gawk at all the cool set replicas and monster costumes in between all the screaming you’ll be doing, too.
Are you a veteran or first-timer at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights? What helps you keep your cool when you face off with alien clowns and possessed dolls?
