Friday, September 15, 2017

How to survive Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2017 


One of the highlights of Halloween is experiencing Hollywood's Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. This annual event runs on select nights in September, October and November starting September 15th 2017.

Here is a survival guide for your chance to experience the movie quality haunted houses, mazes and scare zones in Universal City, CA, the best part is they are themed around your favorite Horror TV shows and movies.



One of the most terrifying parts of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights is the fear of not getting to experience all of the mazes due to long lines. So here are some tips.

When to Visit Universal Studio's Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights


Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studio's Hollywood starts September 15th and runs on select nights through November 4. Be sure to add the following information to your crowd calendar when planning your trip.

Halloween Horror Nights often will sell out and gets very crowded, the least crowded nights tend to be Sundays and Thursdays. Going in September or after Halloween in November generally provides for slightly smaller crowds and a discount ticket price.

Saturdays are usually the most expensive and crowded, followed by Fridays.

In October Sundays and Thursdays generally still offer the best discount on price, but crowds become a problem, especially closer to Halloween.

Peak Nights: Here are the “busy dates” so you can scratch them off your calendar: October 7, 14, 21, 27, 28, 29 and 31.

Halloween Horror Night Hours


The event runs from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. each night. I recommend that you arrive by 5:00 p.m. for early entry.

Select mazes will open at 5:15 p.m. and if you start in the lower lot, you may be able to do several of the mazes with short to no lines.

Last year, as soon as the event officially opened at 7 p.m., the wait for some of the mazes were already near 2 hours long. Those waits only increased as the evening went on, so having Front of Line passes or taking advantage of early entry is important when trying to see it all.

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Ticket Prices


The general admission prices range from $65 to $95.
These are separate tickets from the regular park admission. You can arrive early (5:00 p.m.) for early admission some of the mazes open at 5:15 p.m.

If you can’t get to the front of the line tickets and you miss early entry, here’s my advice, save the year-round rides for after you have done your favorite mazes and scare zones. Skip the shows unless you are a huge Jabbawockeez fan.

Front of Line Passes range from $169 to $219.
These are also separate tickets from the regular park admission. Front of Line is good for one Front of Line access for each maze.

Be sure to buy in advance because Universal only offers a limited number of Front of Line tickets. Arriving early can mean doing your favorite mazes twice, just do not scan your Front of Line Pass the first time and then use the pass later when the line is long.

They offer a Day/Night Combo ticket, which allows you to enter the park at 2 PM. These tickets range from $95 to $139 for general admission and $199 to $259 for Front of Line access.

This allows you to visit daytime attractions that will be closed during Horror Nights. Since The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and normal Studio Tour and shows close at 5PM for Halloween Horror Nights.

For a killer experience, The R.I.P. Tour offers an exclusive VIP walking tour (approx 4.5 hours) of Halloween Horror Nights and includes:
Complimentary VIP parking
VIP entrance to event
Gourmet buffet dinner with drinks (up to two adult drinks for guests over 21) at a VIP dining room
Unlimited Front of Line access

The Frequent Fear Pass. For $159 you can select any night for your first visit and then return for a total of 16 visits on select nights. They are: September 28, October 5, 12, 15, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29, and November 2, 3, 4.

For Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood tickets or Front of Line passes, you will need to purchase them from Universal Studios Hollywood.

The heart of Horror Nights is in the Lower Lot and Back Lot, which has a long walk involving two scare zones along the way to reach three mazes.

Complete everything you want to do while you are down in the Lower Lot/Back Lot and then move to the Upper Lot after you have exhausted everything down there. You don’t want to spend valuable time going up and down the escalators to/from the Lower Lot.

Halloween Horror Nights 2017 Mazes


The Shining
American Horror Story: Roanoke
Ash Vs. Evil Dead
Titans of Terror (Freddy Krueger, Jason, Leatherface and Chucky)
SAW - The Games of Jigsaw
The Walking Dead (This attraction is year round so make sure you see the others first)
Insidious
The Horrors of Blumhouse


Universal Studios Hollywood 2017 Scare Zones


Urban Inferno
Hell-O-Ween
Toxic Tunnel


Halloween Horror Night Terror Tram


This is no child’s play. The Titans of Terror cannot be contained in just a maze. These guyss will also take over the backlot. Chucky hosts, as the Terror Tram transports you into a nightmare: Freddy with his glove, Jason in his hockey mask and machete and Leatherface with his chainsaw will be waiting. The experience takes about an hour, which is why we don't usually recommend riding it first thing, but me mindeful as the line closes at 11:15 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays and at 11:45 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Halloween night.


Halloween Horror Night Shows


Jabberwockeez

Features music, theatrics and dance moves of the Jabbawockeez. They deliver gravity-defying choreography as well as special effects and humor. We say that this is one you can skip or save for the end after you have gotten in your must-see mazes. Do not see the first show because you need to use that valuable time to hit the mazes.


Open Rides During Halloween Horror Nights


The normal Tram Tour will not be running. Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem will be closed so these must be done between 2pm and 5pm.

Some of the regular rides: Transformers 3-D, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park In the Dark and The Simpsons Ride will be open, but only do these between 2pm and 5pm or after you have completed the Halloween attractions.


Parking costs during Halloween Horror Nights


Parking ranges from $10-$50 depending on lot and time of arrival. After paying for parking, you'll be given a receipt and directed by attendants to one of five garages. Your garage assignment will depend on the tier of parking you purchased and the time you arrive at the park.

Garages typically open an hour before the park's scheduled opening time. Take note of your garage character, floor level, and letter.

Curious George – General Parking, typically filled up first, Approx 15 minute walk to the park
E.T. - General Parking, furthest from the park, Approx 20 minute walk to the park

Jurassic Park – Preferred Parking, Approx 10 minute walk to the park
Woody Woodpecker - Preferred Parking, Approx 8 minute walk to the park

Frankenstein – Front Gate Parking, adjacent to the park entrance. Approx 5 minute walk to the park


Other things to note:


No masks or costumes allowed.
You may not take flash photos.
Do not touch the actors.
You cannot bring food or drink into the park.
No alcohol may be bought or served during this event.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Stay hydrated.
Recommended for 13 and up.

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