Top 10 Tips: The Faint-of-Heart's Guide to Halloween Horror Nights

Every year as fall creeps closer, the ghouls and gremlins of Universal Studios Florida’s Halloween Horror Nights get more and more restless.  

With 10 spectacle-filled haunted houses, five scream-worthy scare zones, and plenty of thrills and chills lurking around every corner, this gruesome event draws tens of thousands of horror-lovers to the theme parks every year.  

But for some people, the guts and gore of Halloween Horror Nights, or HHN, is truly terrifying – and not in a good way.  

Still, there are plenty of reasons to experience the brilliance of HHN. If you’re on the fence about going because you aren’t typically someone who enjoys being scared out of your wits, we’ve got your back.  

Here are our Top 10 Tips: The Faint-of-Heart’s Guide to Halloween Horror Nights.  

Go Early to Orient Yourself in the Daylight 

It’s no secret that things are way scarier in the dark, haunted houses included. HHN begins at 6:30 every night, giving you a little bit of daylight to orient yourself in the park before the sun sets in Orlando.  

While your HHN ticket only grants you access to Universal Studios Florida starting at 6:30 p.m., you can always invest in a regular park ticket and go roam during broad daylight. It won’t quite be the same without scare actors in their places and other atmospheric touches, but you’ll get an idea of the layout and setup for Scare Zones at the very least.  

Watch Walk-Throughs of the Houses Online 

Not sure if you’re up for an HHN house? The internet’s got your back.  

Travel and theme park influencers will often take it upon themselves to walk through each house with their phones ready, recording the path through the House. Watching them on YouTube can give you a really great idea of what to expect while you’re walking through.  

From jump scares to gore and violence, you may feel a little more confident in your scare tolerance once you’ve seen what lies in store. 

Book the Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour 

Have you ever wondered what goes into designing an HHN House? The Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour gives you an up-close look at HHN’s scariest houses – with the lights on and no scare actors in sight.  

You’ll be guided through either 3 or 6 houses by a knowledgeable Universal Team Member as you learn the inside scoop about how various special effects are executed, and even where the scare actors hide.  

Knowledge is power, and knowing exactly how each spook, scare, and scream is meticulously executed can make tackling an HHN House way less intimidating.  

Just be prepared; the tour is long, but worth it! 

Look Ahead for What’s Coming Next  

Each jump scare and scare actor is meticulously timed in an HHN House, and they’re often not spread very far apart. By staying focused on the group ahead of you, looking and listening for their reactions, you can better anticipate what’s to come.  

That’s not to say you won’t be caught off guard from time to time, and you don’t want to be so focused on them that you make yourself vulnerable to the scares directly in front of (or behind) you. It’s just one trick that can make you feel empowered as you’re making your way through the maze.  

Don’t Let the Anticipation Consume You 

While the houses themselves take only a few minutes to walk through, the lines to enter can be long (especially on busier nights.) While waiting in line, the anticipation of what’s to come can start to build and send your body into panic-mode.  

Spoiler alert: the lines are also designed to amp you up and get you into the mindset to be ruthlessly scared. Music, dim lighting, and sounds of distant screams are all great tactics to getting into the minds of the people waiting in line to be scared — yourself included.  

If you feel your heart racing and your palms starting to sweat, remind yourself that that’s exactly what the creative masterminds at Universal want to have happen. It’s literally their job. 

Take a deep breath, shake out your nerves, and remind yourself that the actual house lasts less than five minutes. You’ve got this! 

Try to Avoid Looking Scared 

Easier said than done, right?  

Scare actors are literally paid to scare people — and they’re good at it. They also know how to spot people that look like an easy target. 

If you’re feeling extra vulnerable to being scared, try rolling back your shoulders and staying alert (but not paranoid; that’s another giveaway that you’re good for a scream.).  

Also, stay off of your phone. It’s tempting to lose yourself in the distraction of your devices, but if you’re staring at a screen, you’re perfect prey for a predatory scare actor. 

Don't Forget that You’re Untouchable  

One of the biggest rules of HHN is that the scare actors are not allowed to touch guests – and they’re not allowed to be touched by guests, either.  

That doesn’t mean that they won’t sneak up behind you, or that they won’t use lighting and special effects to make it feel like they’re breathing down your neck. But it may help ease some of your fears to know that no matter what, you won’t be touched.  

Use the Time to Go on Rides 

When you purchase a ticket to HHN, you’ll still have access to all of Universal Studios Florida’s most beloved rides and attractions.  

In fact, HHN is a great time to go experience a new ride. The lines for coasters and rides are typically shorter because everyone is waiting in line for a house. Meanwhile, you can go seek your own thrills on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and so much more. 

See a Show or Grab a Snack Instead 

Halloween Horror Nights isn’t just about haunted houses and scare zones.  

The event is also home to some jaw-dropping live entertainment. Fire, feats of bravery, and death-defying stunts will awe and amaze you, and you’ll be able to enjoy every moment without worrying about someone jumping out at you.  

Additionally, HHN is known for its amazing specialty themed food and drinks. If you’re just not feeling the scares, make it your mission to go try some of the unique culinary creations designed to tease (but not torture) your taste buds. 

Remember: It’s About Having Fun  

Yes, Halloween Horror Nights is all about scaring the living daylights out of people. Yes, it’s supposed to be terrifying.  

But it’s also about having fun. People spend money because they enjoy the delightfully frightful experience. So, while being scared may not be your go-to for a good time, just keep in mind that the entire event is about bringing joy to people; even if it’s in twisted and terrifying ways.  

Make Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando your Safe Place for HHN  

Ready to give Halloween Horror Nights a try? We believe in you!  

When it’s time to rest your head at the end of a long night of screams and scares, Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando is a safe, comfortable place to chase the nightmares away. You can relax and rest easy in a big, soft bed with the comfort of knowing you won’t find any monsters hiding beneath it.  

Book your stay with us and get your Halloween Horror Nights tickets soon.