When choosing between Halloween Horror Nights or Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Orlando for Halloween parties, the obvious answer for most kids is Disney. However, teens may want some more scare, so HHN may be the answer. Is Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights too scary for kids? Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for kids under 13 years old.
Halloween Horror Nights Parents Guide
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando is a separate ticketed event on select nights from August 29–Nov. 2, 2025. There are 10 haunted houses, 4 scare zones, live entertainment, and you can ride some of Universal Studios’s attractions during Halloween Horror Nights. And it is scary!!
Universal posts a warning that Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for children under 13 years old, but it’s up to the parents.
You can buy single night tickets or consider buying a Frequent Fear Pass with multiple dates included.
You can also purchase discounted Universal tickets at Get Away Today!
If you want less scary on the west coast, consider Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure.
Small print: Event occurs rain or shine. No rain checks, returns or refunds. Prices, dates, times, attractions, entertainment, and/or experience details are subject to availability, changes and/or cancellation without notice. Parks/attractions/entertainment may close or be unavailable due to capacity and benefits are subject to change without notice. Free self-parking is available after midnight on all Halloween Horror Nights event nights.
Halloween Horror Nights Age Recommendations
Is Halloween Horror Nights too scary for kids? I would agree with the Halloween Horror Night age recommendation of 13+.
Are there age limits for Halloween Horror Nights? No, any age is able to attend Halloween Horror Nights. But it’s not recommended for all ages.
There are a lot of groups of teens that attend Halloween Horror Nights that can sometimes get rowdy or are disrespectful. Keep that in mind when debating whether to send your kids alone without adult supervision.
However, if your kids love horror films and that genre and are attracted to scary things, then some kids younger than 13 will love Halloween Horror Nights. If your kids scare easily and don’t like jump scares or chainsaws, then stay away.
Parents should know that there are strobe lights and flashing lights in the Haunted Houses.
Is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal OK for Kids?
Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for kids. My own teens get super scared with some of the houses. The scariest thing about Halloween Horror Nights are the Houses with the spooky and sometimes demonic ambiance. The scare actors have masks and makeup which could be scary for some kids. They can also get close to you with fake weapons and props. While they can’t touch you, they can chase you and get in your face.
Also, in the Halloween Horror Nights Houses they have tons of jump scares, dim lighting, and characters use words like, “I’m going to kill you.”
In the scare zones, it’s really dark and foggy, so they can scare you when you’re not expecting it and some of them have weapons and chainsaws as they follow you around.
You can expect jump scares, scary actors with masks and weapons, dimly lit walking areas, actors getting close to you with chainsaws, Haunted Houses with characters with knives, and more! To sum it up, Halloween Horror Nights is not kid-friendly. But for those who love to be frightened, then this event is a hit with many people. Crowds seem bigger than last year.
Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones
There are Scare Zones outside where people are dressed up and walk around and get really close to you. The Haunted Houses are basically scare zones all inside. My teens say the Haunted Houses are much scarier than the scare zones.
However, in the scare zones, if you look afraid, they’ll target you and try to scare you. Also if you see fog, there is most likely someone hiding there to try to scare you.
Do Characters Touch You at Halloween Horror Nights?
No, characters or scare actors are NOT allowed to touch you at Halloween Horror Nights, but they do get pretty close.
Can You Wear Costumes to Halloween Horror Nights?
According to Universal’s website you cannot wear masks or costumes to Halloween Horror Nights.
Is Halloween Horror Nights Worth the Cost for Kids?
If your kids scare easily and do not like to be scared, please save yourself the money and skip Halloween Horror Nights. However, if your 12- or 13-year-old loves scary movies, is tired of Mickey Mouse, and wants something more mature, then Halloween Horror Nights may be for them. I don’t recommend going alone.
We also took advantage of the Multi-night tickets which are a good deal if you can go to Halloween Horror Nights more than once. That way you can take your time and not have to do everything in one night.
Halloween Horror Nights is a scary good time, but maybe leave the little kids at home for this one.