Through the gate, once my ticket has been scanned, I'm by creatures in masks with chain saws running in between people until they find the one that screams and runs. They then lead chase while a woman stands on top of a car and welcomes everyone to Halloween Horror Night - purge edition - just as fire shoots up the building behind her. I've finally made it to this crazy event I saw on TV 10 years ago... here goes nothing...

That was the start of the first time I went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios with all the craziness of a horror movie mixed with mazes, and I survived. Now I can give you some tips and hints about this exciting evening of fear.

For the last few years Horror Night typically starts on select nights in the middle of September and continues through to the first week of November. Returning fall of 2018, the specifics have not been released yet so I will use 2017's information for this article.

When it comes to pricing, typically September and November will be cheaper than October and busier dates will be more expensive than slower dates. The first week of September is usually the cheapest week of the event. As a rule of thumb, Saturday will be the most expensive followed by Friday. Sundays are normally the cheapest of the week and also the quietest. Weekends and holidays will be busy and sell out fast.

If you are wanting to gain entry, you have a few options:

General Admission - gets you into the park

Save about $4/ticket if you buy online

sells out fast

usually U$ 65 to 95 per person+ taxes & fees

Front of Line Pass - exactly what it says

allows you into the park and to skip the line once per maze

limited amounts per night are sold so they fell out very quickly

U$ 169 to 219 per person + taxes & fees

RIP Tour - like the standard VIP ticket

4 - 4.5 hour long tour (including dinner) at a max of 14 guests/tour

departs at scheduled times.

Unlimited front of the line access

Gourmet buffet dinner with drinks (2x beer or wine, if over 21) at the VIP dining room

Complimentary parking

Reserved VIP show seating (select show) start as early as 5pm to enjoy the open attractions before your tour

U$ 269 to 299 per person + taxes & fees

Frequent Fear Pass - visit more than once

allows you to return up to 16 times (select dates only)

not combinable with front of line passes

can only buy online if you click on a valid event date and then the option will appear

U$ 159 per person + taxes & fees

Universal Studios Pass Member - offers may vary year to year

Standard Pass Members: Sunday Pass Offer - 5 Sundays for U$99/person + taxes & fees

Platinum Pass Holder: 1 free Horror Nights general admission ticket (select dates only)

Debating between RIP & Front of Line? Compare the costs before deciding what will work best for you: (prices are based on an average cost and may fluctuate)

Valet Parking - RIP included, $25 for Front of Line (FoL)

Front of Line - RIP includes unlimited, FOL only allows one per maze

Dinner with 2 beers - RIP included at a sit down restaurant, FOL is about U$ 50 at a self-serve counter

Guided Park Walking Tour & VIP seating (select shows) VIP included, FOL has no access nor can they purchase access

If you are planning on going, then you need to know what time to be there:

Early Admission: arrive after the Daytime park closes but before 5:00pm

Mazes open: 5:15pm Scaremony: 6:00pm-ish

Wizarding World Closes: 6:30pm

Official Opening: 7pm

First Terror Tram & Scarezones open: 7pm

Park closes: 2am

One of the most frightening things is not being able to see all of the mazes/houses because of the lines so what can you expect? If you decide take advantage of the early admission you won't just save money you will also have a chance to breeze through the lines at the mazes/houses and be in line for the first Terror Tram. If you decide to get RIP then none of this matters but if you have the Front of Line pass then this would allow you to hit up the mazes/house more than once (just don't scan your pass when you go through).

Going early is great if you want to explore the park without all of the immersive horror experience as there won't be any scare zones open plus it's light out so you can see the badies running at you. If you are going to go early, get the backlot done first and then work your way back up as the best mazes/houses are in the baclot. The downside of getting there early if you want the scare is that you don't have the dramatic effects and you'll have to backtrack to see the scarezones.

1. Pass up the rides until you've done the mazes and houses
   he rides will normally have shorter lines as people can do those year round
   the lines for the houses/mazes can get crazy long and you will run out of time to do them all if it's a busy night and you don't have a RIP or Front of Line pass
   
2. Skip the shows unless you are a fan or need a break
   
3. Do the park in sections for the same reason you would do it in sections during the day
   ie. do all the backlot at the same time)
   f you haven't read the other Universal articles the reason is because the escalators between the two takes a long time
   
4. Don't assume that a long line means it's a good / must-see house
   ex. Alien vs. Predator took us 2 hours in line and the line was 5 hours when we got out.
   The whole maze took under 10 minutes to do and was not worth it at all but since it was a well known property, everyone had to do it. They had an unnamed 3D clown house by Springfield that was a blast and only had a 30 minute line up.
   
5. Duffs Brewery sells beer
   
6. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking (and maybe running....)
   
7. This event is rain or shine so bring an umbrella just in case it might rain
   

No masks or costumes allowed

No recording, flash photos, or bring laser pens

No food or drink (even gum)

Do not touch or harm the actors

No line jumping

No re-entry for any reason.

There are no refunds

Ages 13 and up only