The pumpkins are carved, the fog is in the air, the chainsaws are revving up…this can only mean one thing. Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is just around the corner! Be still, my undead heart.
If you ask me, the only thing scarier than dodging ghouls and goblins throughout the streets of Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood is arriving unprepared. (And that’s saying something, because whew are those ghouls terrifying!) Luckily for you, I’ve missed nary a year of HHN since I first went to the event in 2011, so I have packing and prepping down to a mad science. Let’s break it down!
If this is your first time at HHN and you need an overall guide, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Orlando guide here and our Hollywood guide here.
The Essentials
Before we get to the fun stuff, we’ll run through some essentials. These are the items that I would recommend to anyone headed to HHN, or just to the parks for a normal daytime adventure! They should all fit into a fanny pack (my go-to) or small backpack. While you can carry a regularly sized backpack or bag through the haunted houses, I recommend traveling lighter to avoid wearing yourself out. (And the lighter you travel, the faster you can run away from the chainsaw wielding maniacs on your tail.)
- Your Ticket – I know, this one is obvious. But since a ticket is the only thing you absolutely 100% need for HHN, I can’t leave it out. I highly recommend downloading the official Universal Orlando App or Universal Studios Hollywood App so you can easily access your event ticket in your virtual wallet!
- Lanyard – For even easier access to your cards, rock a lanyard! In addition to the convenience, this is a great way to show off your favorite fandom. If you forget to pack your lanyard, you can always pick one up at a Universal Studios Store on either coast!
- Rain Gear – This one’s for the Orlando guests. While fall in LA is dry and hot, autumn weather in Florida can be unpredictable, so play it safe and plan for rain. Pack a poncho or small umbrella, bring a hair tie or two, and opt for waterproof shoes. Because the only thing scarier than HHN is getting stuck with wet bangs. Trust me.
- Water – You know what they say: hydrate, don’t diedrate. (There’s plenty to scare you to death at HHN anyway.) I like to pack a small reusable water bottle (think kids-sized) and refill it throughout the evening. This is especially important if you plan on indulging in any of the specialty beverages offered during the event! Just make sure your reusable bottle is empty when you arrive.
- Portable Charger – You’ll be spending most of your time at HHN screaming your head off, but you don’t want to miss out on capturing any memories! I always bring along a portable charger to make sure my phone stays alive among the undead. You can also purchase a FuelRod at select locations in Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood; these can be swapped out all night long, so no need to worry about your battery dying.
- Earplugs – While earplugs aren’t essential for everyone, I recommend first-time HHN goers pack them just in case. Between all the screaming and the things making you scream, it can get noisy in those haunted houses, especially if you’re sensory sensitive.
Spooky Extras
All right, you’ve got your ticket, your water bottle and your bravest face — now we can move on to the fun stuff! You don’t need any of these to have a great time at HHN, but they can certainly help take your experience to the next level. Or the next circle of the underworld, if you will.
- A Nice Camera – Sure, you can snap photos on your phone, but if you really want to capture HHN in all its glory, bring along a nice camera! You can’t take photos inside the haunted houses, but scare zones are practically begging to have their terrifying ambiance captured for all eternity. Just make sure you turn that flash off after dark, or you risk angering the wrathful spirits.
- A Deadly Fit – It’s finally time to dig that obscure horror movie T-shirt out of the closet and let it see the light of…night. The Horror Nights community is known for their flair and personal style, so don’t be afraid to put together a look to die for.
- A Plan – OK, this is a stretch. But heading to HHN without a plan of attack is like stepping into a graveyard without a protective talisman: just darn silly! I always recommend starting in the back of the park and working your way to the front; you’ll dodge the longer wait times and get to see all of the scare zones along the way. You can also use the Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood mobile apps to set wait time alerts for your must-do houses so you know the best time to hop in line!
- Queue Entertainment – If you’re ever in need of a little time-killer, why not brush up on your HHN lore while you’re at it? You can listen to Echoes from the Fog, a Discover Universal anthology series exploring the stories behind HHN’s original creations, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon or wherever you listen to podcasts. I also love to download group-friendly games onto my phone (charades, anyone?) before I get to HHN. Just make sure you have that portable charger I mentioned earlier to avoid draining your battery!
Study the Lore
Yes, this is me suggesting you pack the concept of lore. Hear me out: HHN is known for the incredible level of detail that goes into each and every haunted house, scare zone and show. If you really want to appreciate that detail — and pass the time while you wait for your event night to arrive — make sure you watch the movies (or listen to the music) featured in this year’s event ahead of your visit!
In addition to racking up some movie critic credibility, you’ll be shocked at how many subtle details you notice as you make your way through the haunted houses. (That is, if you can focus on anything besides the terror coursing through your veins at every turn.)
Besides any specific IPs featured in the event, you should also brush up on your knowledge of Halloween Horror Nights lore! If you aren’t a superfan, you might not be aware that HHN has a rich history filled with original characters and narratives of its own horrifying creation. You certainly don’t need to know everything inside and out, but you’ll be shocked at how many Easter eggs you do notice when you’re in the loop.
Oh, and don’t forget the last HHN essential you simply can’t forget to pack: guts. Like, your insides. For harvesting. But bravery is good, too!
Did I leave out any essentials for a night in the fog? Drop them in the comments!