If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando, let me tell you — this year (October 2025), I went all in. I treated myself to both the Scream Early Ticket and the RIP Tour, and it turned out to be the BEST way to spend my dollars and time!
Because as I always say, travel isn’t just about saving every dollar — it’s about creating memories.
👻 The Scream Early Ticket: The Best Add-On Decision Ever
Before the main event started, I wanted to make the most of my time at the park. With the Scream Early Ticket, you can enter Universal before the general admission gates open for Halloween Horror Nights — and it was the BEST decision ever.
Not only did we have Diagon Alley almost entirely to ourselves (look at the photo above, insane right?) – but we also got to ride Escape from Gringotts completely alone! Truly felt like VIP!
This little add-on gave us time to enjoy a few attractions without the chaos before the haunted houses began. Totally worth the extra cost.
💰 Cost: Around $60 extra (depending on the night and availability).
⭐ Pro Tip: Arrive early (around 3 PM) to get through security and maximize your early entry time.
💀 The RIP Tour: Universal’s VIP Experience
When I first saw the price for the RIP Tour, I hesitated. I had never been to Halloween Horror Nights before, and I wasn’t sure if it was worth it. But when I tell you the service was elite — believe me, it was.
Our private tour guide John knew everything — the hidden stories, shortcuts, and scare zones. It truly felt like a VIP experience from start to finish.
We didn’t wait at all for any of the haunted houses and managed to go through all ten houses in one night (yes, ALL ten)! Plus, the tour included snacks and refreshments at the start, bathroom and water breaks, and exclusive seating for select shows.
And the best part? The group size is capped at just 12 people, making it feel intimate and personal.
At one point, we even had a one-on-one moment with Art the Clown from Terrifier — and if you know, you know 😱🔥
🕒 Time: We arrived at 3 PM and didn’t leave until after 1 AM — nearly 10 hours of spooky fun, VIP service, and memories I’ll never forget.
💰 Cost Breakdown Per Person:
- 🎟️ Universal General Admission: around $103
- 👻 RIP Tour Ticket: around $430
- 🎢 Scream Early Add-On: around $60
That brings the total to roughly $593 per person — and when you divide that by about 10 hours of nonstop fun, it comes out to around $60 an hour. Honestly? That’s a win in my book!
🎢 Why It’s Worth It
Halloween Horror Nights is massive — lines can be hours long, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The RIP Tour took all the stress out of the experience.
It gave me back what matters most: time.
And to me, that’s priceless!!!
If you’re a thrill lover, horror fan, or simply someone who values convenience and experience — the RIP Tour is absolutely worth the splurge.
🕸️ Know Before You Go: Halloween Horror Nights Tips!
Here are a few things I wish I’d known before my first HHN experience:
- Buy early!
Both the Scream Early and RIP Tour tickets sell out quickly — especially for October weekends. - Arrive early (really early).
Get to the park by 3 PM so you can check in, get through security, and enjoy early entry. - Wear comfy shoes.
You’ll be walking a lot — between haunted houses, scare zones, and rides. - Don’t bring big bags.
Small crossbodies or fanny packs work best (and are HHN-approved). - Bring a portable charger.
You’ll want your phone for photos, videos, and using the Universal app to check showtimes. - Budget for food and drinks.
Even with the RIP Tour snacks, you’ll want to try the themed food and cocktails around the park. Alcohol beverages are NOT included and they were so good so you will want to buy some! - If you scare easily… embrace it!
HHN is meant to be fun — and the production quality is incredible. Literally the sets blew me away more than the scare!
🎃 Would You Go to Halloween Horror Nights?
So tell me — would you brave the haunted houses of HHN? Or maybe even splurge on the RIP Tour yourself?
Because sometimes, the scariest things aren’t the haunted houses — it’s giving yourself permission to enjoy the experience. 🖤
