Universal Studios

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Every year Halloween Horror Nights seems to get bigger and bigger, and so do the crowds. 2021 was one of the busiest years for Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood and given the line-up of attractions for 2022, we expect pretty much the same thing this year. 

Below you will find some of our tips for making the most out of your Halloween Horror Nights experience. Some do's and don'ts and most importantly, what should be your "plan of attack" for the night. 

You can also check out the HHN site for more information on tickets, hours, etc. 
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Event Dates

September: 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29-30
October: 1-2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-31
Tips: 
  • BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE!!! The event sells out. Tickets will not be available at the ticket booths. Make sure you print them or use your phone to get in the gates. 
  • GET A FRONT OF THE LINE PASS!!! We can't stress this enough. If your budget can swing it this is truly the best way to have an enjoyable and relaxing night at the event. Click here for Front of the Line Pass info and prices. Front of the Line passes sell out so your best bet is to get them online. 
  • DON'T GO ON A FRIDAY OR SATURDAY NIGHT!!! If you cannot swing the cost of the Front of the Line Pass then you should try to go on a slower night. Sunday's are typically a good night to go, especially early in the event. Last year however, Thursday Nights were busier than we'd ever seen them.  
  • DON'T BE LATE!!! You are paying a LOT of $$ to go to HHN. Don't show up at 9:00pm and expect to do everything or expect there to be no lines. The event starts at 7:00pm, you should be lined up by 6:00pm AT THE LATEST. Earlier on Friday and Saturday nights. 
  • USE EARLY ENTRY!!! Basically this is your best way to get into the event easily. Early Entry begins at 6:00. ​
    • This means you need to be at the park and in line for early entry by 5:00! 
  • IGNORE THE RIDES!!! (Unless you have a Front of the Line Pass). You are there for Halloween Horror Nights. You can come back on most days and ride Jurassic World, Mummy, The Simpsons or Transformers: 3D all you want. Especially if you have an Annual Pass. Ride lines are typically longer during HHN than they are during the day.
    • If you have visitors from out of town, consider the After 2pm Day/Night Pass so you can ride during the day and get scared at night. These passes are available on the HHN site when you buy tickets. 
  • Get the App!! The Universal Studios Hollywood app is great, even better during HHN. It will allow you to see what has long waits and what you can come back to later in favor of something not so long. 
  • WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! This should pretty much be a no brainer but you'd be surprised what we've seen some people wearing. With the Terror Tram being even longer this year, you will still be walking A LOT. You will be taking escalators up and down to the lower lot. Do yourself a favor and be comfortable. 
  • Avoid the busiest nights: HHN is busy every night, some nights are "less busy". Assume that any night not included with the regular Frequent Fear Pass to be the busiest nights. These would be Oct: 8, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29. 
  • New Tip for 2022! - Get a Frequent Fear Pass: This really is the best way to see all of Halloween Horror Nights, and not feel that you have to rush through to get everything done in one night. We've found that we really do enjoy going on multiple nights, doing a few houses, and just hanging out and enjoying the event. 
  • New Tip for 2022! - After 10pm Express: Yes, there is an Express Pass that is only good after 10pm, and it's only sold at the event. If you got to the event late, or just want to make sure you experience everything, this is a pretty great deal. But be warned, this DOES sell out (we got the last 2 one night last year). So if you see the signs for the After 10pm Express, get them right away! 
Early Entry Attractions

The Weeknd, Killer Klowns and Universal Monsters Legends Collide

We've been able to confirm that the 3 lower lot houses will be available for early entry this year! Early Entry begins at 6:00pm every night. 
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Recommended House Order
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND you get to the park for Early Entry! This gives you your best chance to experience all of the attractions without Front of the Line. 
This rundown of recommended houses is if you are using early entry. That's how much we recommend it. If you aren't doing Early Entry, we will have a recommended house order list below. 

We've made some major changes to our house order thanks to a thread from @tai-nugget on Twitter who has been to the event a few nights. 

We kind of thought this may have been the way to go after Sunday night, but this has pretty much confirmed it. Check out our updated strategy below. 
Front of the Line tip: If lines are short when you get to the a particular attraction (or if you are there for Early Entry) DO NOT use your Front of the Line Pass early in the evening. Go through once in the stand-by line and then use your Front of the Line later in the evening. This way you get two trips through each House. With no backlot this year, getting back to a favorite house will be rather easy. 
First Maze: Killer Klowns 

That's right, Killer Klowns should be your first maze. This has consistently been THE LONGEST wait of the entire event, we're not quite sure why. Instead of getting in The Weeknd Early Entry queue, head for Killer Klowns first. 
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Express Tip: Don't worry about using your Front of the Line during early entry. The Express line for The Weeknd was super long right as early entry started. Use it later when you come back downstairs. 
Next, we're going to forget the Lower Lot for now, as The Weeknd likely has about a 90 minute wait, and Universal Monsters has averaged about a 30 minute wait. Instead we're going to head to the upper lot for the opening of Wizarding World, Halloween and Scarecrow at 6:45. Head to the side entrance to Wizarding World between the Studio Tour and Three Broomsticks. 
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Halloween and Scarecrow: The Reaping
Head straight through Hogsmeade and directly to Halloween and Scarecrow The Reaping. 
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Halloween has been getting very long waits so you should head here first, followed by Scarecrow The Reaping. 
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Express Tip: If you happen to get here and the lines or short (30 minutes or less), go through the Stand-By line and then use your Front of the Line so you get to experience each house twice. 
Universal Horror Hotel and La Llarona 
After getting through the Curious George houses, head back through Hogsmeade and visit Universal Horror Hotel and La Llarona. 
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Express Tip: Just like before, if the stand-by lines are relatively short (30 minutes or less) go through the stand-by line and then you can experience both of these houses one last time on your way out. 
Death Eaters in Wizarding World and Terror Tram
This is usually the part of the yearly guide where we tell you to take a break, grab a snack, etc. And this year the Death Eaters will be out in Wizarding World, so this is probably a great place to take that break. 
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Express Tip: If the line for the Terror Tram is relatively short, 30 minutes or less, you CAN go through the stand-by line and use your Front of the Line later. But remember, this experience generally takes 30-45 minutes from beginning to end and closes early, so you may not have time to do it twice. Plus, there's a LOT of walking on this one. =) 
If you didn't take a break before now, it's a good time to do it. You can grab a snack in Springfield, at Dia De Los Muertos or Hogsmeade. In addition, single rider for Forbidden Journey has been open, so it's an easy trek from the Terror Tram over there. ​
Universal Monsters and The Weeknd
It's now time to head back to the Lower Lot and visit Universal Monsters and The Weeknd. 

If you didn't grab a snack/take a break upstairs, you can do so at Jurassic Café, the Killer Klowns BBQ or Ice Cream shop. The Weeknd bar is also down here, but has been getting crazy long waits. 

Keep in mind, house lines go down as the night goes on, so feel free to take a spin on one or two lower lot attractions (be sure to check if the single rider is open!) 
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Express Tip: If the lines are relatively short, 30 minutes or less, feel free to use Stand By and then experience them again with your Express pass. Remember, you still have an Express pass for Killer Klowns too! 
Blumhouse
It's getting late in the evening, you're tired, but you only have one house left to go. But that's ok, it's on your way out. 
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​Express Tip: Just like before, if the stand-by line is relatively short (30 minutes or less) go through the stand-by line and then use your Front of the Line to experience each house twice. 
Food
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Upper Lot: Back this year is the Dia De Los Muertos area in Universal Plaza. We absolutely loved this area last year, and it's a great place to get a snack, a drink and check out the awesome displays. 

Lower Lot: Killer Klowns BBQ and Weekend Bar

Click here for all of the yummy food details. 
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Not Using Early Entry

We get it, it's LA Traffic, maybe you had to work and can't get to the park for Early Entry. It happens. Here is our recommended house order if you are getting to the event at 7:00. 

If you do not get to HHN in time for early entry but are there at opening check the wait time for the Lower Lot Houses. If they are 45 minutes or more, head to the Curious George Houses first. The lines will be there all night. Better to wait in some shorter lines and come back and wait for The Weeknd, Killer Klowns and Universal Monsters later.

No Early Entry House Order: 
  • Curious George Houses (Halloween and Scarecrow The Reaping)
  • Terror Tram
  • Lower Lot Houses (The Weeknd, Killer Klowns and Universal Monsters)
  • La Llorona/Universal Horror Hotel
  • Blumhouse 

Remember, you can always get the After 11pm Express passes to make sure you can see everything without early entry. 
Jabbawockeez
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Like the last few years, there is only one show at HHN this year. Once we get showtimes we'll update this with recommended times to go. 

Once you have completed all the houses you can hang around the scare zones and watch the talent, check the wait board to see if there are any short house or ride lines or if you have a Front of the Line Pass use up any trips you haven't already. 
Chainsaw Chaseout
If you are brave enough, not tired enough, or want to experience a true Horror Nights Hollywood original, stay until the very end of the night and experience Chainsaw Chaseout. This is absolutely one of our favorite things every year, and we always make at least one late night trip to HHN to experience it (the benefits of having Frequent Fear). 

​Even if you're not staying for Chainsaw Chaseout, make sure you do some shopping, grab a t-shirt and hang out in the scare zones before heading out. 

Drive home safely! 
​Alright, that'll do it for this years Survival Guide. We will be attending 2 nights over the first weekend (once with Front of the Line and once without) so we'll be updating this for sure after opening weekend! 
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1 Comments
Nik - 4 years ago
Thank you for this thorough breakdown! I won't be able to do early entry this year so I'm going to try out the order you listed and will report back!

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