As the calendar flips to October, Universal Orlando Resort enters its peak season, largely due to the overwhelming excitement surrounding Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).
This annual event draws thousands of thrill-seekers eager to experience haunted houses, scare zones, and themed entertainment that dominate the parks throughout the month. With its 33rd year in full swing, HHN 2024 offers a terrifying array of experiences, making it one of the most popular Halloween events in the country.
Running select nights through November 3, Halloween Horror Nights is an essential part of the Universal Orlando Resort experience in October. This year’s lineup features haunted houses based on popular franchises like Insidious and A Quiet Place, along with original creations like Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America.
Fans can also step into Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, where they’ll try to avoid being frozen solid by a ghostly new villain. From battling supernatural entities to escaping post-apocalyptic nightmares, the haunted houses cover every genre of horror imaginable. Additionally, the event offers thrilling scare zones, immersive shows like Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus, and exclusive food and merchandise that keep the creepy vibes alive.
But while Halloween Horror Nights takes center stage, Universal Orlando is still a theme park destination with daily operations.
Updates on refurbishments for Universal Orlando Resort in October 2024
For those visiting during regular hours in October, it’s essential to be aware of a few significant closures and refurbishments happening at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure.
These closures include The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, which will be down from October 21 to November 6 for refurbishment, and Fast and Furious – Supercharged, which has been closed since August 19 and will remain down until November 3.
Additionally, Pteranodon Flyers remains closed with no confirmed reopening date, and Me-Ship, The Olive will also close on October 21, reopening on December 4. Finally, Shrek’s Little Swamp for Ogres has closed down unexpectedly and is undergoing refurbishment. We’re not sure when it will reopen.
While closures can be disappointing, Universal often uses this time to enhance and upgrade attractions for future visitors.
Keeping track of these changes and planning accordingly can help visitors avoid unnecessary frustration. Despite these temporary closures, October remains one of the most thrilling times to visit Universal Orlando Resort, especially for those seeking a mix of traditional theme park fun and Halloween horrors.
One final note to keep in mind if you’re visiting Universal Studios Florida this month: Expect early closures. The theme park operates Halloween Horror Nights most nights during the week and weekend, meaning that it will close down early, most days at 5:00 p.m.
Islands of Adventure operates on a different schedule, with its closing time fluctuating throughout the month anywhere between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., depending on the day.
