Universal Rocks Halloween Horror Nights With Unbelievable New Update

Universal Studios is taking a page out of Disney World’s playbook and has introduced the first-ever Dining Plan option for Halloween Horror Nights guests in 2025. Here’s everything you need to know.

Universal Studios Hollywood entrance at night covered in orange light for Halloween Horror Nights — Credit: Universal Studios

Universal Studios Introduces First-Ever HHN Dining Plan

The gates open, the fog rolls in, and the screams begin. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood has long been a proving ground for horror fans—an event where terror, adrenaline, and atmosphere collide. But this year, Universal has slipped in a surprise that isn’t lurking in the shadows of a haunted house—it’s sitting on your dinner table.

For years, HHN guests have complained about long food lines, pricey snacks, and the struggle of finding time to eat while navigating the chaos of scare zones and haunted mazes. Now, Universal may have found the perfect solution: a brand-new Halloween Horror Nights dining pass that just might change the way fans experience the event.

Universal first teased the pass in a dramatic Instagram reveal, leaving guests buzzing with questions. Could this new option really save time, money, and sanity? Or is it simply another upcharge in disguise? Let’s dig into what this eerie new perk offers—and why fans are already split between excitement and suspicion.

Three guests running away from a skinless horse demon at Halloween Horror Nights in Universal Studios Hollywood — Credit: Universal Studios

What’s New: Universal Studios HHN Dining Pass

The Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood Instagram account has given fans their first glimpse at the new dining pass for HHN 2025.

Design: A plastic card on a lanyard featuring two skeletal hands clutching a bloody knife and fork alongside the HHN logo.
Inclusions: Two eligible entrées plus four eligible sides, snacks, desserts, or beverages.
Availability: Not yet listed on Universal’s official HHN ticket or add-on page, and no pricing details have been confirmed.
Location: Currently only announced for Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal Orlando has not been mentioned.

HHN Hollywood 2025 runs September 4 through November 2 and will feature houses including The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Terrifier, JASON UN1V3RSE, Scarecrow: Music by Slash, Fallout, and Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America.

Two people who look easily spooked stand in a narrow, brick-walled hallway filled with eerie green light. “Halloween Horror Nights” appears in bold white text at the top left corner. — Credit: Universal Studios Orlando

How to Use It: Tips for Maximizing the Pass

If you’re planning to grab the dining pass, here’s how to make it work in your favor:

Eat Early or Late: Skip peak dinner hours when lines are longest and use the pass for snacks later in the night.
Prioritize Entrées: Since the pass includes only two entrées, choose the most filling options available to maximize value.
Hydrate with Beverages: With water bottles often costing as much as snacks, using beverage credits wisely can save cash.
Split & Share: Couples or groups can strategize—one person uses their pass for entrées while the other focuses on snacks.

Two people stand close together at night at Halloween Horror Nights, holding glowing cups filled with light-up drinks. Their faces are illuminated by the purple and blue glow, with a crowd and dim lights visible in the background. Perfect for the easily spooked!. — Credit: Inside the Magic

Insider Hacks Most Guests Miss

Veteran HHN fans know food lines can rival maze waits. To beat the system:

Head to Lower Lot Stands: Historically less crowded than Upper Lot spots.
Mobile Order When Possible: Keep an eye on the app for pickup options.
Snack Swap: If your group has multiple passes, trade snacks to avoid repetition.
Scare Zone Sips: Use beverage credits in zones where food carts pop up—faster than main dining halls.

Guests being scared by a clicker in the Last of Us house — Credit: Universal Studios

Why It Matters: Fans React to the New Perk

For fans, this isn’t just about food—it’s about control in a night designed for chaos. Social media buzz shows a split reaction:

Excitement: “Finally, a way to save money at HHN. I’m in!” one fan wrote on Instagram.
Skepticism: Others worry about exclusions or fine print, since Universal hasn’t released the rules yet.
Speculation: Many are asking whether Orlando will follow suit, especially given the popularity of dining packages at other theme parks.

By introducing the dining pass, Universal acknowledges a long-standing guest frustration: balancing food with frights. Whether this becomes a fan-favorite or a forgettable experiment will likely depend on pricing and restrictions.

Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2023 New Merchandise — Credit: Universal

Final Thoughts

Universal’s new dining pass for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 might not have the same scare factor as a haunted maze, but it could prove just as game-changing. If priced right, it could help fans stretch their dollar, spend less time in food lines, and more time screaming in the fog-filled streets of Hollywood.

One thing’s certain: this year, the horror isn’t the only thing on the menu.