13 Halloween Horror Nights Mistakes to AVOID in 2024

Do you dare to venture out to this year’s Halloween Horror Nights? If so, you are in for a real treat. I’ve put together the top mistakes you MUST avoid to help you survive Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).

Halloween Horror Nights is an event takes place annually from September until late October at Universal Studios Florida.

It’s a premiere event with new levels of fear and terrifying haunted houses along with outrageous entertainment.

So today, I take it as a great honor to give you a few tips to help you have the best HHN vacation EVER!

How to do Universal Halloween Horror Nights with theater monster staring at you. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid.

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First, listen to Podcast Episode 30 below on How to Do Halloween Horror Nights like a true Pro Below!

1. Not Getting to Halloween Horror Nights Early

This is one of the biggest Halloween Horror Nights mistakes you can make.

Halloween Horror Nights Tips with ghoulish being at Universal Studios. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
Photo: Universal Orlando

If you’re lucky enough, you may be able to get into the park early and knock out two to three houses within one hour.

Get your Halloween Horror Nights ticket TODAY!

2. Going Alone

Yeah, yeah I know I’m the solo travel chick, but there’s something so special about going to HHN as a group.

NikkyJ at Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Taste of Terror Food Event
myUniversal Photo included in Taste of Terror Event

It increases the excitement of the night and you create so many fun memories.

HHN 2012 with NikkyJ of ThemeParkHipster. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
HHN 2012 with NikkyJ of ThemeParkHipster

Not-to-mention, you’ll have plenty of people to hide behind in the HHN haunted houses!

Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!

3. Bringing Little Kids to Halloween Horror Nights

Now I’m not going to judge you on the decision you make, just know that this is not your Mickey Mouse bubbly Halloween party!

HHN Chance Halloween Horror Nights Shirt 2016. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
Chance Halloween Horror Nights Shirt 2016

HHN is the world’s premiere Halloween event, so the creators of this event HOLDS NOTHING BACK!!!

2023 Halloween Horror Nights HHN 32 Universal Studios Orlando Vamp 69 Scare Zone (5)
HHN 32

The imagery is incredibly intense and the scareactors do not discriminate on who they will torment.

So before you bring your child, be sure to watch a few Halloween Horror Nights Vlogs on YouTube to get an idea of how the event is.

Revenge of the Tooth Fairy Unmasking the Horror Tour HHN 30 servant quarter with words every child owes a debt on the wall. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
Revenge of the Tooth Fairy Unmasking the Horror Tour HHN 30 (Servant quarter with words every child owes a debt on the wall)

An official statement from Universal states that this event may be too intense for young children.

Get up to 25% off of your Universal Orlando Vacation with Groupon TODAY!

4. Not Choosing the Best HHN Outfit

It’s important to know what to wear at Halloween Horror Nights.

What I do recommend is wearing comfortable sneakers for all of the standing, walking, and running you will be doing.

NikkyJ at HHN 30 Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid

Don’t forget to pair your shoes with a light-weight t-shirt and comfortable shorts or pants.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

5. Not Having a Game Plan

This is one of the biggest Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to AVOID on your trip!

HHN 30 Tribute Store Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights Caretaker Islands of Fear. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid

Be sure to Route your path around the park in advance by retrieving the Halloween Horror Nights park map.

2023 Halloween Horror Nights Map HHN 32
2023 Halloween Horror Nights Map HHN 32

Once you have a Halloween Horror Nights itinerary and game plan in place, you’ll be at ease knowing how to tackle the night.

2023 Halloween Horror Nights Map HHN 32
HHN 32 Map

Be sure to watch this video to learn all the best hacks and tips for HHN here!

Revenge of the Tooth Fairy Unmasking the Horror Tour HHN 30 Lights on Tour with Host Kelly. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
HHN Host Kelly going over everything about the Revenge of the Tooth Fairy House.

6. Not Attending Halloween Horror Nights on Off Peak Nights

If you want to avoid the Halloween Horror Nights crowd as much as possible, then it’s vital for you to visit on the slower days.

HHN 23 Walking Dead Walker in Universal Studios Florida. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid

I recommend visiting Universal HHN Sunday through Thursday to take advantage of the cheaper days (especially for Florida Residents or Annual Passholders) and the smaller crowd.

Get your Halloween Horror Nights ticket TODAY!

7. Not Getting Your Halloween Horror Nights Tickets in Advance

This is another one of the top Halloween Horror Nights mistakes many people make for the event.

The Director HHN 30 Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
The Director HHN Icon

It’s best to buy your tickets ahead of time. This prevents waiting in a line once you arrive at HHN.

Universal Studios guide and tips
Sign up and get your FREE Universal Orlando Resort Theme Park Traveler’s Planner and Guide. Click the image to get started.

You’re going to be doing a lot of standing in line and you DON’T want to add buying tickets the night of to that list.

Universal Orlando Resort NikkyJ in front of Halloween Horror Nights 30 Sign Universal Studios HHN. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid

Plus, it’s cheaper to get your HHN tickets in advance from a variety of websites online.

8. Not Getting a Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass

You may be wondering, is a Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass worth it?

Absolutely!

This is a must-have upgrade for HHN!!!

Halloween Horror Nights Purge orange and white sign. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
The Purge Scarezone at Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights is extremely popular, if not the most popular Halloween event in Central Florida.

This popularity sometimes leads to wait times for haunted mazes exceeding three hours.

9. Not Buying a Unique Halloween Horror Nights Experience

Try out the Unmasking the Horror Tour where you’ll have a daytime, lights-on, chilling look into how Universal Orlando’s Art & Design team transforms the biggest names in horror into haunted houses.

This is one of the BEST things to do at Halloween Horror Nights!

10. Not Staying Hydrated

HHN requires A LOT of walking and sweating!

This is one of the biggest Halloween Horror Nights mistakes that you don’t want to fall victim to.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights HHN 30. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid

If you’re trying to do all of the houses, scare zones, shows, stores, and food, then you MUST remember to stop and drink a bottle of water every hour on your trip.

It’ll help make your next day recovery much better.

11. Not Watching Halloween Horror Nights vlogs

One of the best things you can do to prepare for HHN is to watch vlogs from some of the top creators.

Universal Orlando Resort HHN 30 merchandise with Universal Monsters at Universal Studios Florida for Halloween with NikkyJ. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid

View vlogs from people such as the Knight’s Trek, Zombie Chris or Losh TV to help get you excited for HHN.

Ready to start planning your next Universal Orlando vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!

12. Wearing Costumes to HHN

Please remember that costumes are NOT permitted at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. This is for the protection of you, the scareactors, and the guest at Universal Studios.

Halloween Horror Nights Solo NikkyJ 2007 with Scareactor. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
Halloween Horror Nights Solo NikkyJ 2007

Get your discounted HHN Tickets on Groupon TODAY!

13. Not Letting Your Guard Down

Just have fun!

HHN 17 The Shining Twins NikkyJ. Keep reading to know what Halloween Horror Nights mistakes to avoid
HHN 17 The Shining Twins Solo Trip with NikkyJ

You’re really going to have a great time, so try not to stress too much and enjoy the delightfully, ghoulish frights of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights!

There you have it, 13 easy first timer tips to do Halloween Horror Nights like a pro!

HOW TO SURVIVE HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
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What’s the number one mistake you think people make when going to Halloween Horror Nights? Leave your comment below!

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Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!

Hoop Dee Doo Revue NikkyJ Dinner Show Disney World. Author bio of theme park expert Nikida Metellus.

About the Author

My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!

Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.

Connect with me on Instagram!

UP NEXT: Goosebumps One Day at Horrorland: A Book Made for Theme Park Fans

(Original Article Date: October 28, 2018/Updated July 18, 2023)

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