October is really a special month isn’t it? Something about that crispness in the air and for us Floridians, saying goodbye to atrocious humidity for a little while. There is just a buzz in the air over the changing of the seasons, am I right? I feel like everyone gets inspired and motivated after the lazy days of Summer. One of my favorite parts of October is Halloween. I said it before, I cannot stomach horror movies but I love haunted houses. At Halloween horror nights in Orlando, they definitely went all out this year with the 25th Anniversary of the scare fest. Here is my complete guide for you.
Halloween Horror Nights Review & Survival Guide
Since we are annual pass holders, it allows you to get into the park early for the nighttime events. The park closes at 5 and the haunted nights begin at 6. As a pass holder you are able to stay in the park at various “holding zones“throughout. We picked Finnegan’s pub because it has air conditioning, seating and some adult libations. If you are not a pass holder, my recommendation is to get to the park right when it opens. Those Haunted Houses lines get long extremely quick.
Insiders Tips
As a pass holder you get access to the houses 15 mins early. We were able to get two houses done before the crowds came in.
If you aren’t a pass holder, when entering go all the way to the back by the Men in Black ride. That is where the Insidious house is. It always has the longest wait. Hit that one first. I do wish it was a little darker out when we went through it but I got over it, since I only waited 15 minutes instead of the 90 it was all night.
The fast passes are worth it but EXTREMELY pricey. Like almost twice the amount of the ticket added on top of it. We were able to get through every house, the longest we waited was 45 minutes. We saw a ton of groups playing “heads up” on their phones. Good way to pass the time. Or as my mother would say “it’s a great time to just catch up with each other“……..
I also passed the time by snapping (@meetatthebarre). A lot. As many of you are well aware.
Those scare zones to me weren’t scary, just like that “boo!” surprise you factor. Especially if you are distracted on your phone……I was looking down at something and when I looked up, some zombie was running straight at me with a chainsaw. I definitely let out a real scream. Not a so scared you are going to kill me scream but like a holy crap you got me. Did not see you coming, kind of scream.
Other insiders tip. Pack some snacks. Those lines are long and the food is expensive. Good thing I had my arsenal of protein bars and other assorted goodies in my bag. Those IV jello shots. Just no. I can’t even. Sugar and bad liquor. Steer clear from those bad boys like I did.
Here is the rankings of my favorite houses
25 Years of Monsters and Mayhem – Right in the front of the park. Hit that one at the end of the night when the crowd dies down. It is the first one people see when they walk in, so the wait is bad in the beginning and then better later on. The clowns in there. I still can’t figure out which ones were real and which ones weren’t but there was a lot of them.
Body Collectors – Anything with strobe lights is straight up scary to me. That one definitely got me a few times.
Insidious – Probably would have been higher up if I went at night. Lots of twists and turns for people to get you.
Asylum in Wonderland – People really hyped this one up but it fell flat for me. Yes, it was pretty on the inside and the 3D was different but it wasn’t scary in the least bit. The whole time I was thinking, if someone was some extracurriculars or something this would be the scariest place on earth but for us normal peeps it was just eh.
The Purge– This one is also at the back of the park and you can hit it up after you go to the Walking Dead or Insidious. Good scares.
American Werewolf in London– The shortest house out of all of them but still had some good scares and surprises in there. Plus, it was cool to be walking around the London underground.
Freddy vs Jason– This was the first house we went into. Perhaps if we went later on in the night it would have been a little more scary with the darkness and all the creepy ambiance but it just fell a little flat for me. Mark and I both walked out and were like, “I hope all the houses aren’t like this“.
The Walking Dead – I had such high hopes for this house and the wait was pretty long. I think fans of the show will be disappointed with it.
Run: Blood, Sweat and Fears – This was the only one we didn’t go to. I had read quite a few reviews that said it was a total bust. The line was always 20-30 minutes so we decided to see a show instead. If you make it, let me know your thoughts.
My favorite part!
Seeing Diagon Alley at night. This is the first year that they have had the Harry Potter attraction open during Halloween Horror Nights. Mark and I spent almost an hour there walking up and down the streets. It is usually really crowded during the day and you miss so many details. At night, all the store fronts are illuminated so you are able to see all the magic come to life. Plus, seeing the underground Knockturn (the dark arts back alley) at night. Makes it that much more creepy.
There are shows to see and most of the rides are open like the Mummy and Escape from Gringotts. We were pretty much there till closing (2am) which lead to my fabulous early morning on Monday. I look forward to going every year. The best part it was cold that night (in the 60s!) and it really felt like a spooky October Fall night. Really gets you in the holiday spirit. Grab some friends and head to Orlando to check it out. Snap me some of the fun!
Do you like Halloween Horror Nights like this? Do you have anything similar where you live? Do you hate scary movies but love Haunted houses? Tell me what your favorite part of October is! I wasn’t compensated any way shape or form for this review. I just wanted to share a fun October outing with you that is totally worth the adventure! xoxoxoxo
I really liked the American Werewolf house when we went but it wasn’t in London. And ugh, I remember when fast passes were only like $25! Heck I remember when it was only like $30 to get in. Sucks it’s gotten SO expensive and the lines have gotten so bad. I think I’d have to skip the house with the clowns. No thank you. <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Why do I love being scared so much but don’t like scary movies? It’s the weirdest thing!! I didn’t realize you guys were season pass holders – that’s awesome!! Great tip on the snacks – I always forget that part! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
My favorite part would have been the Harry Potter part too–it looks SO much like the movie! Glad you had a good time!
Scary houses and horror movies are not my jam, but that alley is pretty cool! Chris would be all over this though!! :-)
This is good to hear. We’re doing HHN Sunday, getting there around 3/4 with our annual passes and while I don’t think we’ll get the fabulous Fall weather you got I’m glad to hear you don’t like scary movies but can handle HHN. I’m the biggest scaredy cat alive but my friend wanted to go and since we’re spending the weekend in Orlando anyway, it makes sense that we would go while we were there. I had already looked up a bunch of tips, but I’m definitely taking away that doing the house at the front last is best, thanks!!
I’m continually amazed each year at how much Disney and Universal keep raising their prices, but at least Disney has kept their fast passes free (probably not for long lol). I can’t believe I still haven’t been back to Universal since the HP expansion, for that alone I need to get my annual passes! Yay for nice weather and being able to access the park early – worth everything :-D
Green Fashionista
Diagon Alley looks so fun! IV Jello Shots sound awful… yuck!
I AM SO JEALOUS!! I love haunted houses and there just aren’t enough where I live. Even more jealous of Diagon Alley, I could watch Harry Potter all day every day and I still haven’t been to Harry Potter world.
OMG NO WAY. i’m such a scaredy cat that if i went into one of these things and they jumped out at me, i’d roundhouse kick them in the face!
Ah! You are more brave than I, friend. I cannot do haunted houses OR scary movies. Yuck!
I’m seriously the biggest scaredy cat ever. I’ve gone to the six flags fright fest a few times and my heart rate is seriously at 160 bpm like all night. I’ve only ever gone into 2 haunted houses and for me that was 2 too many. I screamed so much I lost my voice. I can’t do clowns and people coming at me with various sharp objects. Nope, nope, nope! I do think it’s neat that you guys were able to head to the Harry Potter area without a crazy crowd!!
This would be a major perk to living in Florida! I know you thought a few fell short, but hey – it’s Disney-esque and it’s not there to REALLY scare you. In Minneapolis, there’s an art studio called the Soap Factory that goes all out for Halloween. They have an old warehouse along the Mississippi and do a “haunted basement” and it is LEGIT – you have to sign a waver and no pregnant women, no one under 18, no health conditions allowed. I haven’t found anything as great in any other city!
This looks SO fun!!!!
ah as much as I love Halloween, they are a bit too scary (and scarily expensive) for my taste! but look at you with your good review and tips! perfect!
xoxo cheshire kat
This looks like such a neat event – October always has the best/most festive things to do! Glad you enjoyed!
Theo and I would love this! Makes me wish I lived closer to Orlando! I’ve been to Harry Potter World at night before and it’s so magical! I bet it’s awesome for Halloween! I should plan a trip next year to go to Universal for this and Disney for The Food and Wine Festival next October!
I’d have a heart attack … I’m sure – even in the easiest of the houses.
I’d love to see the walking dead one!
It would be so awesome to see Diagon Alley at night! I might go just for that. I can’t handle scary stuff so I’ve never been to any of the Halloween events at the theme parks.
Looks so fun! I want to go to the Harry Potter attraction so bad! I love Halloween, wish we had something like that. I need to catch my favorite (non-scary) Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus, very soon!
Omg, how FUN! I love Halloween juuuuust for stuff like this!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Ah looks creepy but also really fun!
Also, SO happy I came across your blog, I love it =]
xoxo
Rebecca
rkush.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh, I want to go to this so bad!! It looks like a blast and I’m dying to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday and even though I haven’t dressed up in 2 years, I love doing things like this!
I am 100% certain I would piss my pants.
Haha for reals though, I could not handle this haha
ahh this is awesome! i wish i wasn’t such a scaredy cat!!
I am afraid of everything, so I wouldn’t be able to hang. I got scared watching Scream Queens last night, pathetic. But it sounds like you had fun!!!
Good to know about the perks passholders get. When our disney passes expire, we’re thinking of getting Universal passes so we can finally check out Halloween Horror Nights although I think I will be terrified the whole time. lol Diagon Alley looks very cool at night.
I would be such a chicken!!!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Ugggh, I have had those jell-o shots (I was 21) and I agree with you! Looks like you had a good time!
I love HHN! But the past few years have just fallen flat for me! And the ticket prices and crowds have gotten to be insane! I love a good scare though!
<3 Shannon
Upbeat Soles
I want to go to Universal to see the wizarding world of Harry Potter more than anything! It looks so amazing! I can’t imagine living near it, how freaking cool! What a bummer about the Walking Dead themed scare zone. I’m a super fan, bummer to hear you didn’t care for it. I would have loved the Insidious one! I dont find those movies scary, but the story line blows my mind!
I love HHN! You definitely didn’t miss anything in the Run house. We enjoyed stepping into Diagon Alley as well! It was so empty and quiet which was nice. During the day it’s SO crowded, so it was a nice change of pace!
We actually went on the 3rd. We didn’t buy fast passes because dolla dolla bill yall, which sucked because lines. I was worried that I was going to pee my pants because I don’t do scary things, but I owned those haunted houses like a pro. I was always on the lookout for “baddies.” I think my favorite was the Asylum in Wonderland, but mostly because of the tube at the entrance which was really messing everyone up. I also may or may not have poked a woman in the eye when she poked her head out from behind a curtain. Oops. We waited 60 minutes for the Walking Dead house and I wasn’t very impressed because nothing in the house “got me.” Some of the less popular houses did though. I was a little sad we didn’t do Insidious, but that line was not something I was willing to endure. My definite favorite part of the night was the Bill and Ted’s show. I didn’t know about it at all, which made it even better. I’m also a bit sad we didn’t check out Diagon Alley at night, but the group I was with wasn’t as big of HP fan as I am, so I didn’t want to pull them away from the scary stuff for my fangirling.
There are so many great things to do here in NY but we don’t have anything like that as far as I know. I was just talking with a friend about how next year we need to go down to FL for this! Seems way better than the haunted houses we have here.