HHN 34: Tips, Tricks & Planning Thread

[Brian G.]

Tickets now on sale for Halloween Horror Nights 34 at Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando has released single-night tickets and additional event add-ons for this year's Halloween Horror Nights, taking place from August 29, 2025, through November 2 2025. Single-night tickets start at $82.99, with the Express Pass option starting at $139.99 per person. Multi-night tick

www.insideuniversal.net

 

[Kichkinet85]

Does anyone remember if the FFP usually includes the whole last week?

 

[SeanPhilly]

Does anyone remember if the FFP usually includes the whole last week?

Pretty sure yes. My group did that in 2022 and I’m pretty sure it included all days in the last week.

 

[cdogsumo]

Okay so this is extremely specific, but I’m trying to plan my vacation and you guys are a great resource.

If I wanted to spend the day in IOA and then go to HHN the same night, would I be able to take Hogwarts express over there? Maybe if I got a Scream Early ticket?

 

[Brian G.]

Okay so this is extremely specific, but I’m trying to plan my vacation and you guys are a great resource.

If I wanted to spend the day in IOA and then go to HHN the same night, would I be able to take Hogwarts express over there? Maybe if I got a Scream Early ticket?

Only if you take the train over before the park closes at 5p.

 

[SeanPhilly]

Only if you take the train over before the park closes at 5p.

But they would also need the scream early ticket, correct? (Assuming they don’t have the park hopper day ticket).

 

[Kichkinet85]

But they would also need the scream early ticket, correct? (Assuming they don’t have the park hopper day ticket).

If they don’t have the park hopper day ticket they can’t take the express at all. You need a park hopper for that. Don’t think a scream early will allow that.

 

[Brian G.]

But they would also need the scream early ticket, correct? (Assuming they don’t have the park hopper day ticket).

If they don’t have the park hopper day ticket they can’t take the express at all. You need a park hopper for that. Don’t think a scream early will allow that.

Sorry, should’ve added that bit!

Yes, you need a park to park ticket to jump on the Hogwarts Express and head to USF. Scream Early only allows entry into USF early.

 

[grlhowl]

If I wanted to spend the day in IOA and then go to HHN the same night, would I be able to take Hogwarts express over there? Maybe if I got a Scream Early ticket?

As someone else who comes to HHN from out-of-town, I did a day at IOA followed by a late night at HHN one time only and it was grueling. If you have the choice, I wouldn't recommend it. I've had a much better and more relaxing time exploring CityWalk for a bit before doing Scream Early and going to HHN. But if your heart is set on doing IOA and HHN in one day, don't let me stop you!

 

[Rikku]

Toying with the idea of going opening weekend since the long weekend of Labor Day but have never been opening weekend before and have always read how crazy crowded it is and ops still figuring a lot out especially with Express lines and such, I would assume first day no matter what is crazy but would the other two be just as bad or not as bad? Then also figuring if worth it since rain on opening weekend seems to be such a tradition. Or just pop for Premium Scream and just chill the rest of the weekend and get what I get and relax?

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

Toying with the idea of going opening weekend since the long weekend of Labor Day but have never been opening weekend before and have always read how crazy crowded it is and ops still figuring a lot out especially with Express lines and such, I would assume first day no matter what is crazy but would the other two be just as bad or not as bad? Then also figuring if worth it since rain on opening weekend seems to be such a tradition. Or just pop for Premium Scream and just chill the rest of the weekend and get what I get and relax?

I’ve done a few opening weekends at this point so I can give some pointers.
If you get express and scream early you really don’t have a whole lot to worry about. If you’re vigilant about doing houses and don’t have many stops or breaks in between each one you can probably look to finish around 10:30-11.

This year I would say gravitate toward the front of the park first to knock out those heavy waits (FNAF, Terrifier, Jason).

Everyone has a different way of doing opening weekend though so definitely entertain other strats.

 

[SeventyOne]

Toying with the idea of going opening weekend since the long weekend of Labor Day but have never been opening weekend before and have always read how crazy crowded it is and ops still figuring a lot out especially with Express lines and such, I would assume first day no matter what is crazy but would the other two be just as bad or not as bad? Then also figuring if worth it since rain on opening weekend seems to be such a tradition. Or just pop for Premium Scream and just chill the rest of the weekend and get what I get and relax?

Not that it matters, but this is at least the second, I believe third, Labor Day opening weekend.

Opening Saturday and Sunday seem just as busy as Friday the past couple years. Keep in mind it's the only Saturday a lot of multinight tickets are good, and (per ThrillData) Sunday runs neck and neck with Saturday for busiest day of the week all season.

Also, even Express is of somewhat limited value that weekend. As you mentioned, Ops still figuring out the inevitable new systems. And there are a ton of RIP tours -- media, corporate bigwigs -- who slow down all the lines. At one point I saw a traffic jam of four tours trying to enter a house at the same time. It's not the bang-for-your-buck you'll get on, say, a Thursday three weeks down the road.

It will storm for a couple hours. August v. mid-September in Florida. Equally true of premium night.

Ultimately opening weekend is more about the vibes and seeing old friends than marathoning houses. If the latter is your priority, I'd wait until later in the season. If seeing all the houses premium night will satisfy you, then just go and have fun, see what you can see.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I will say, avoid the last weekend RoF is active, especially that last Saturday. (September 19-21)

It's become HHN's busiest dates these past few years.

 

[Tereglith]

Toying with the idea of going opening weekend since the long weekend of Labor Day but have never been opening weekend before and have always read how crazy crowded it is and ops still figuring a lot out especially with Express lines and such, I would assume first day no matter what is crazy but would the other two be just as bad or not as bad? Then also figuring if worth it since rain on opening weekend seems to be such a tradition. Or just pop for Premium Scream and just chill the rest of the weekend and get what I get and relax?

I've done Saturday/Sunday Labor Day weekend for the last three years and always had a good time, even never having Express. With judicious use of Stay & Scream and a willingness to keep going until 2 AM I've averaged 8-9 houses per night, which means easily doing every house at least once and being able to repeat all of the originals and my favorite IPs. 90% of my house runs are before 9 PM and after midnight, with the middle three hours spent vibing in the zones.

If you look at the historical Thrill-Data averages, wait times are high on opening weekend but not significantly higher than any October weekend. It's like a 10% difference in posted wait times compared to other Saturdays and Sundays, not really something I've felt viscerally while I'm there.

 

[RedRightDan]

I will say, avoid the last weekend RoF is active, especially that last Saturday. (September 19-21)

It's become HHN's busiest dates these past few years.

Hard agree here. We went earlier in the season than we usually do one year, and went that Saturday. It was a nightmare (not in a good way). If that had been our only experience, we would probably never attend HHN again.