Survival Guide: Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2009

As a frequent screamer at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, I can say I've learned a few things in my many times attending the park's October event.

Flaunting Saw, Halloween and My Bloody Valentine Universal Studios Hollywood drew me in to my 5th or 6th (I've lost count actually) time attending Halloween Horror Nights and by the light of a Full Moon on October 3rd (seriously, what better night to go?!), my fellow Halloween Addicts and I ventured once more into the breach.
(See pic... that's a Full Moon over the park... always looks bigger in person...)

I'd like to pass on my tips and knowledge for making the most of this excellent attraction.  It's a pretty straight-forward bluntly honest look at the attraction and how to get the most out of it.  Although this particular guide is aimed at the Hollywood park, you can really apply the tips to just about any attraction you may go to.
I'll be building off the Universal Studios mailing list e-mail "tip sheet" that was recently sent out.  I hope this Survival Guide serves you well...

TIP 1: ARRIVE EARLY

I agree wholeheartedly.

We were there on the 2nd night of Horror Nights opening and the crowds were THICK.  It only gets worse as the month goes on. 
More people, means more time in line.

More time in line, means less time to get your money's worth and see the park.
So take that "arrive early" to heart.  Both in time of day and day of month.  

The park opens at 7pm, you should plan to BE there by 6:30.

Even though we had pre-purchased tickets, the throngs are so thick that it still took us 45 minutes to get through security, past the ticket booths and to the turnstiles.

If you've got the dough, go for the "Front of the Line" pass.  It is exactly what it says.  You get in special line that has maybe 20 people in it as opposed to 100 or more. 

TIP 2:  PARKING

It takes you 30 minutes or more just to inch your vehicle into the parking lots.  The freeway exit for Universal starts stacking up with cars at 6:30pm and beyond.   

I know a guy who parked on Ventura Blvd. and walked in because it was faster and cheaper than following the herd in and out at the end of the night.

If you took the Metro and crossed the street to get in, know that you're going to wait at least another 15 minutes just to get on the tram to take you to the top of the steep hill where the entrance is.

Get some exercise.   Walk up the hill.

Seriously:  the clock is ticking and there's no organization by staff at the bottom to get on the trams.  A new tram pulls up and people swarm to get on.  If you're not pushy and a complete jerk, you're going to miss the first couple.

Walk it.

It only takes about 5 minutes, gets the blood going and will help work off the giant Simpsons donuts you'll eat later in the park.

TIP 3:  PLAN YOUR NIGHT

This is war.  You wanna see as much of the park as you can to get your money's worth?
Well you're going to have to listen to me and do as I say.

The park opens at 7pm and closes at 2am.  That gives you only 7 hours to get through everything.  Sounds like a lot but get there late and start waiting in line for one maze for an hour and that time quickly evaporates.  

Check out a scan of the map and plan your attack.

SUB-TIP:  Go long, I'll throw to you!

For frequent theme park goers, this is common sense and old news, but people sometimes forget and newbies don't know any better:

Go deep into the park.

Amateurs walk in the door and hit the gift shop first or stop at the first maze they stumble on.

At Universal Hollywood, you have to go WAY deep into the park.  That means all the way in to The Simpsons Ride, then hang a left and down three sets of escalators to where the SAW maze is. 

OR you can bear RIGHT at The Simpsons Ride and head down the escalator to the Backlot Terror Tram tour.

Either one of these should be your first choice.  

TIP 4:  PURCHASE A FRONT OF THE LINE PASS

I mentioned this earlier, but here's the the truth of it:  it's expensive.  And, actually, it gets more expensive the closer you get to Halloween ($99 earlier in October, $119 later in October).

Supply and demand, I guess.

To be completely honest:  In my experience it is physically impossible to see every single show, maze and ride in the park in one night with a general ticket.

There I said it.

That said, I've never done the FOTL Pass and still got to see ALL the Halloween Horror Nights mazes before I left. 

I've been to Universal before so going on Jurassic Park The Ride IN THE DARK is not something I need to do.

SUB TIP:  Go see the things that aren't evergreen.
Pretty self-explanatory but The Mummy rollercoaster, Jurrasic Park The Ride, The Simpsons Ride, Terminator 3D, etc. are all there year 'round so you can go back and catch them anytime.  You're paying to go to Universal Halloween Horror Nights, so make sure you get what you pay for.

TIP 5:  STAY CONNECTED

Universal has a note to text a number for specific info on your specific attending night.  I didn't use this service so I can't really comment on how useful it was.

Instead, I'm going to expand on the "Stay Connected" theme:

Make sure everyone in your group has a cell phone and knows how to text (Grandma, I'm lookin' at YOU).

The park is big, loud and dark.  You're not going to hear someone say "hey wait up!" and if you run off to get a churro expecting to find your people somewhere later, you are sadly mistaken.

Why must they know how to text?

Because you won't be able to hear the message or the person on the phone.  It's much easier to read "Heading to Tram.  Meet at Simpsons."  Again:  I'm speaking from experience. 

TIP 6:  DOWNLOAD IPHONE APP

I'm an iPhone owner and was very excited about the prospect of gauging line length, checking show schedules and such from my illuminated handset than straining to see in the fog-filled dark from a wrinkled paper map shoved in my pocket.

Unfortunately for me and my group, the app wasn't up on iTunes on opening weekend so we had to have a go the "old fashioned" way.

The app is now up and though I've downloaded it to my phone, I can't get it to work right.   It could be as simple as I wasn't IN the park and tried using it during the week when Horror Nights wasn't up and running.  Don't know.

If the app is to blame, I'm sure they'll have it ironed out by next year and I look forward to using it.

If I'm to blame, then I would love to hear from someone who used it during their night and see how well it worked.

Chime in in the comments if that's you!

TIP 7:  RAIN OR SHINE

I've been lucky enough to not get caught with tickets on a night when Los Angeles gets rain.  That may sound laughable thinking of Southern California weather, but just about every October LA is hit by some sort of water from the sky.

Take a few seconds to check your weather report and pack a parka if it's looking like rain.  Though all the mazes are under some sort of roof, the tram and park itself is not. 

TIP 8:  THE RUNDOWN
Let's get down to brass tacks.  Here's what you should go to once you're in.
Hit all the major mazes.  There are 3 every year.

How do you know what the flagship/tentpole "big three" are?  Usually it's the faces plastered all over the marketing.
This year it's Saw, My Bloody Valentine and Halloween.  

(Universal is going to try and make you think that Chucky's Funhouse is a major maze, but don't be fooled.  More on that later.)

The "big three" (I'm enjoying this term and will continue to use it) usually have the most attention to detail and have numerous actors, scares, scenes, etc.

If you only see three mazes, make sure it's these three.

Scare Zones:

Here's the deal with "Scare Zones"... it's usually just an area of the park that you walk through that has costumed people jumping out at you.  Sometimes they've decorated the existing buildings and structures to tie in to the theme.  There's usually a lot of fog... don't let your guard down... ever.

Universal will try and bait you to head for that area using licensed characters like Shaun of the Dead, and Jigsaw but they shouldn't be sought out... only experienced as you walk through them on your way to bigger and better things. 

Sub Tip:  

If you're with someone who is terrified easily, let them know that the "scareactors" will feed on this and not let up.  They're trained to seek out those who react the most.  So screaming and backing away is only going to make them focus on you.

If you've learned nothing from the original Nightmare on Elm Street, it's that demons get their power from your fear.  If you need a break, don't act afraid.  Walk tall and smile and they quickly lose interest.
I've seen this actually work.  One year, when an exhausted member of our party had had enough and was approached by both a Jason AND a Leatherface, she simply said with a smile "You're adorable!  I just want to hug you!" and they turned and left. 

END OF THE NIGHT...

Chucky's Funhouse:

Remember what I told you about Universal trying to make you think that Chucky's Funhouse is a major maze?

Here's the secret:  Any other month of the year, there is a year-round maze called "Universal's House of Horrors" as part of the park. When you walk through for the first time, it's very impressive with grandiose sets based on the Universal Monsters. 

Whenever Halloween Horror Nights rolls around, they take the same maze and just add whatever second-tier characters they have.  Last year was The Strangers... this year it's Chucky. 

It's just not really worth it if you've already been through it on a "normal" day.  The characters are added like a garnish.

My advice:  Hit this on the way out or skip it entirely and either go through your favorite maze again or on one of the rides (Mummy, Simpsons, etc.).  Lines should be short enough that you can breeze through in about 30 minutes or less. 

So there you go.  Do I think Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is worth it?  Absolutely.
The fact that they license official characters for their mazes means that you're going to get to see, walk through and interact with your favorite horror franchises.  Plus their attention to detail is unparalleled.  (I'll have a full review of this year's mazes coming up).
With a group of friends, attending this annual event certainly has become a Halloween tradition that I continue to enjoy every year.
Get your scare on at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.  You'll be glad you did.
Click HERE for tickets!