TL/DR

The best way to enjoy Halloween Horror Nights to it’s glorious fullness is to go in with a solid plan, be flexible, stay hydrated, stay dry, take breaks, and be prepared to spend a little bit extra money to truly maximize your time. Endless lines are not fun and there is so much more to experience at these event if you chose wisely!

I’ve been a Halloween Horror Nights fan since their 14th year and started attending in their 16th year in 2006. Initially, my fear of the dark kept me from going, but that didn’t stop me from being fascinated by the event, eagerly browsing the website and looking at photos. Except for a few years when I was busy ‘growing humans,’ I’ve rarely missed an event. When I heard about this year’s special event, I knew I had to check it out. Despite the growing crowds and the decline in original houses in recent years, I’ve found that spending a little extra on Express Passes is necessary to fully enjoy HHN, so why not pay a bit more for unlimited food and soft drinks? The new Premium Scream event was irresistible.

This year, I embraced the challenge of their tagline, ‘Never Go Alone’, by experiencing the brand-new event solo. The idea of no stanchion mazes, shorter wait times, and unlimited food made the event feel exclusive and tailored for true horror fans. While I came in with realistic expectations—knowing new events might have some initial hiccups like other theme parks’ offerings—the thought of a night away exploring haunted houses at my own pace was simply exhilarating.

Arriving at the Premium Scream Night, it was clear that this was an entirely different caliber of Halloween Horror Nights. The hefty price tag seemed to filter out the casual attendees, leaving a crowd of die-hard fans. This created an atmosphere that was positive, excited, and thrilled to be part of such a historic event.

I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of food, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the regular quick-service food included, but also the specialty horror-themed options. It felt like a dream come true!

One of the most amazing aspects was experiencing the haunted houses almost entirely alone, which allowed me to catch every single scare—a rare feat on a normal Horror Nights evening. After checking out vlogs and chatting with other guests, I learned that some people faced lines up to 25 minutes. However, by carefully planning my route, I managed to avoid most waits, with my longest line being just about 5 minutes. I’m confident that this route will be a solid strategy for regular nights as well if starting at event opening or stay and scream.

Everyone will have different opinions on what the best and worst houses are, depending on the scares they experienced, the type of horror they enjoy, and their interest in the house’s theme. So, my list may vary wildly from someone else’s, and I’d be surprised if anyone’s rankings matched mine exactly. I tend to appreciate highly themed houses where the storyline is cohesive and easy to follow as it progresses. It’s also worth noting that I usually favor original houses over IPs, as I typically haven’t seen the movies or shows featured.

This year, some of the zones seemed less immersive and detailed compared to past years. Sections of the park were left unthemed, which felt like missed opportunities to build atmosphere between houses.

A few of the scare zones did seem somewhat bare-bones, with minimal decor or theming beyond the core actors and props. While there were a few standout performances from the scare actors themselves, the overall lack of elaborate sets or props in some zones may have contributed to the underwhelming feel. Overall, it feels like this year didn’t maintain the same level of cohesion and immersion that Horror Nights veterans have come to expect.

One treat that stood out was the Floorboard Éclair, a rich chocolatey dessert with just a hint of spice. I could easily eat four of those in one sitting! For classic Horror Nights staples, the Twisted Taters are back, but sadly, I miss the salt and vinegar flavor they used to offer. Now the available options include sour cream & onion and salt & pepper, both fine choices, but I’ll always have a soft spot for that tangy twist they used to offer. If you’re in the mood for something cheesy and satisfying, you can’t go wrong with Pizza Fries over in the DreamWorks area—one of the quieter spots, making it a great place to sit down, dig into a serving, and take a breather before diving back into the frights.

If you’re into photo ops, the bar near the waterfront by Transformers is worth visiting, not just for the drinks but for selfies with characters from Goblins Feast, Major Sweets, Slaughter Cinema, and Monstrous. You can also expect a fast-moving line since there are typically six bartenders ready to keep the drinks flowing.

Additional Tips

Arrive Early with Stay & Scream: If you’re already inside the park before Halloween Horror Nights officially starts, take advantage of the Stay & Scream zones. These allow you to get into the event earlier and hit a couple of houses before the crowds pick up.

Timing Is Everything: Without an Express Pass, the best times to experience the haunted houses are in the first two hours of the event and during the final hours before closing. 

Smart Use of Express Pass: If you have an Express Pass, make the most of it by first doing a few houses via the regular standby lines while they’re still short early in the evening. Then, later in the night, when wait times increase, go back to your favorite houses using the Express Pass.

Prepare for Rain: Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, so bring rain gear. If it rains, a lot of local attendees, who can go again in the season, tend to leave, which can make the lines significantly shorter for those willing to wait it out.

Maximize Scare Actor Attention: Want to get more scares? If the actors aren’t targeting you, try acting more scared. Scare actors love to feed off reactions, so playing up your fear can draw more attention and scares.

Mid-Event Downtime: During the middle of the event, use your time to explore scare zones, try out some of the special foods, or catch a show like Nightmare Fuel. Four attractions not part of the scares, while still packing in thrills, often have very short waits during the middle of the night and could be a great use of this time. 

By following these tips, you can maximize your time and experience at Halloween Horror Nights, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned fan!

Special Mentions:

The smaller crowd at the premium scream event allowed the scare actors to truly showcase their skills, focusing on quality scares over quantity considering the volume of guests at present quick in succession scares weren’t necessary. One particular scare will haunt my dreams. As I exited the Major Sweets house and entered the Blumhouse scare zone, the fog was thick, and my sense of relief from escaping the scares of murderous children was short-lived. Suddenly, the masked figure from Happy Death Day emerged from the fog, snapping his head in my direction and pointing his dagger at me. He closed the distance between us with alarming speed. Consider my nightmares fueled.

Conclusion

While there were highs and lows, the thrill of being scared in such a creatively immersive environment is what keeps me coming back to Halloween Horror Nights year after year. Each house offered something unique, and even with the occasional missed scare or emotional trigger, the night was a fantastic escape. As HHN continues to evolve, I look forward to more original houses, better crowd management, and, of course, those special moments of sheer terror that make me scream and laugh in equal measure.