Universal Orlando is offering ways to experience more fear than ever at Halloween Horror Nights 2010. The annual Halloween event has increased in popularity over its now twenty-year run so much that trying to see all of its haunted houses and shows in one night is nearly impossible due to long lines.
In recent years, Universal has added Express access to bypass the lines for an additional cost onto a single night’s ticket (sometimes nearly doubling the cost – but well worth it). This year, they’ve expanded that idea allowing Halloween Horror Nights regulars to not only purchase the popular Frequent Fear Pass but also add Express access to those passes. But for the system to work, passes are available only in limited quantities.
A standard Frequent Fear Pass to Halloween Horror Nights 20 offers 14 nights of admission for $74.99: Sept. 24, 25, 30, October 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28 & 31, 2010. An additional $15 also adds access to Fridays at the event throughout October (called the “Frequent Fear Plus Pass”).
But frequent access to Halloween Horror Nights is no fun when you’re frequently waiting in line to experience their world-class haunted mazes. So for a little more than twice the price, $154.98, you can skip the lines (one skip per house, per night) with the Frequent Fear Pass with Express Access. While the price is expensive for an equivalent of two weeks of entertainment (14 nights in Sept. and Oct.), the biggest Horror Nights fans are likely going to want to jump at this chance to cram as much scare-filled excitement into that time, while it lasts.
If fourteen nights of Express access isn’t enough, the Frequent Fear Plus pass is also available with the added option for a price of $239.98. The difference between having access to Friday nights and not is $85 – not worth it for me personally as I don’t mind staying out late on weeknights. For those can only visit on weekends, this is likely the best deal.
Update: Universal Orlando annual passholders can also receive $15 off the prices for the Frequent Fear + Express Access passes, bringing them down to $139.98 and $224.98, respectively.
I can’t stress enough how much more enjoyable Halloween Horror Nights is when skipping the long lines. While the street scare zones are often thrilling unto themselves, the incredibly detailed haunted houses are what everyone comes to see and being able to avoid standing in the seemingly endless queues to enjoy them greatly heightens the overall experience, even if it means paying twice the price.
More information about all of the available Halloween Horror Nights tickets, including single night and Florida Resident prices, can be found at HalloweenHorrorNights.com.