Going to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is scary fun, but it can be a bit of an exhausting blur. Between the theme park crowds, which obviously surge on weekend nights, making the the trek on foot to the back lot, standing in line and having the adrenaline spike as you scream your head off in all of the mazes, it can be quite the physical challenge.
This year’s event, which kicked off on Sept. 14 and runs on select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3, features mazes based on the popular Netflix series, “Stranger Things,” the cult-classic “Trick ‘r ‘Treat,” the 1982 supernatural thriller, “Poltergeist,” horror icon Michael Myers is back in “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers,” “The Purge” franchise is back this year with “The First Purge,” The Horrors of Blumhouse: Chapter 2 features scenes from the “Unfriended” and “Truth or Dare” films and there’s an attraction dedicated to classics in the Universal Monsters maze featuring music by Guns N’ Roses guitarist, Slash.
While Universal offers several ticket options, Universal Express Passes and Frequent Fear Passes it also has a luxurious R.I.P. Tour option. The park has taken its daytime V.I.P. Tour and turned it into the ultimate splurge for serious horror fans. It’s a guided tour with groups of up to 14 that lasts anywhere from 5 to 5 1/2 hours, with check-in hours from 5-8 p.m., and it costs between $299-$409 per person depending on the evening of the reservation.
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The R.I.P. Tour includes premium reserved seating for one of the Jabbawokeez live shows at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Fans can pose on bikes in front of a backdrop straight out of the Netflix series “Stranger Things” while on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood)
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Inspired by Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” the buffet in the Moulin Rouge includes Eleven’s Waffle Extravaganza. The buffet is only available to those on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights includes a grand buffet inside the Moulin Rouge. This dining area is only open to those on the R.I.P. Tour during Halloween Horror Nights, which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The set of the Byers’ living room from the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” is available for photo ops on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo by courtesy of Universal Studios HOllywood)
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The R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights includes a grand buffet at the Moulin Rouge that features a turkey carving station, roasted veggies, burgers, chicken tenders, fries and these smothered tater tots that are topped with Flaming Hot Cheetos. (Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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The horror starts in the bathroom of the V.I.P. Lounge for those taking the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Fans can pose with an adorable Demogorgon from “Stranger Things” while on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood)
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There’s a shrine dedicated to “Stranger Things” character Barb Holland, who met her demise on the show, in an exclusive “Stranger Things” photo op room available to those on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood)
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These delish Halloween-themed chocolates with caramel insides were in the dessert section of the gourmet spread inside the Moulin Rouge. This dining area is only open to Halloween Horror Nights guests on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.(Photo by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Fans can pose with an adorable Demogorgon from “Stranger Things” while on the R.I.P. Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights which runs select evenings through Saturday, Nov. 3. (Photo courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood)
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WHAT YOU GET TO DO
With an R.I.P. Tour ticket you basically get treated like a king or a queen for the evening and it’s a nice way to Trick-or-Treat-yo-self. When you arrive, you get valet parking in the Frankenstein parking structure and your very own swanky V.I.P. entrance at the front gate where you’re ushered up into a lounge filled with movie posters, props and awards from Universal Pictures films. Each group is assigned a tour guide and from there, you just kick back and enjoy complimentary water and snacks until the tour departure.
These guides are pros and can navigate groups quickly through even a dark and crowded walkway and they take out the guesswork as to what to do first. They set up a strategic plan of attack for the evening and guests are encouraged to ask questions about the theme park, the rides and attractions along the way.
The tour includes dinner at the Moulin Rogue, an exclusive V.I.P. restaurant located on the upper lot. Guests can load up plates at a the buffet, which features a meat carving station, salads, roasted vegetables, beef sliders, chicken strips, fries, tater tot casserole and adorable horror-themed desserts. Soda, bottled water and other non-alcoholic beverages are included and those 21 and older can enjoy two complimentary alcoholic beverages in the V.I.P. areas. Halloween Horror Nights is recommended for those 13 and older.
There’s a lounge with exclusive “Stranger Things” experiences including a themed photo op room with props just outside the Moulin Rouge that’s only for the R.I.P. Tour and a scareactor make-up demonstration in the secondary R.I.P. Tour lounge on the lower lot. The second lounge also has sweet treats and other snacks as well as a full bar and private restrooms.
Each person is given a Universal Express Unlimited pass that includes unlimited front-of-line access to mazes and available rides even after the tour is over. Guests can choose to branch off and explore the park on their own at anytime or stick with their guide and revisit some attractions after the tour. The tour guides arrange a time and premium viewing seating at The Jabbawockeez Halloween Horror Nights-themed dance performance and a private V.I.P. trolley escorts R.I.P. Tour guests down to the Backlot mazes as well as to the Terror Tram.
WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES IT WORTH THE MONEY
With valet parking and dinner included in the R.I.P. Tour ticket price, the other amazing amenity is the private trolley. During Halloween Horror Nights, the Terror Tram skips the regular back lot tour, but the R.I.P. Tour takes groups through some of the studio’s most famous movie sets — in the dark. It also cuts out a ton of walking, which is worth the ticket price alone and reserves energy to do and see more.
Guests will get to walk thru all of the mazes and have front-of-line privileges. The tour guides ensure that each group doesn’t get corralled in with other theme park guests and taking your time and really experiencing the sets and detail within each attraction is encouraged. Having a little bit of wiggle room between your group and the others, there’s a better chance of getting the good scares and the time to notice things that otherwise might have been missed.
Another nice perk is that the tour guides makes sure there are ample water, snack and potty breaks. It sounds like an elementary school field trip, but with a long night ahead you can appreciate the quick breaks and the feeling of not being rushed.
Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights
When: 5-8 p.m. check-in on select nights through Saturday, Nov. 3
Where: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Tickets: The R.I.P. Tour $299-$409 per person and reservations can be made at HalloweenHorrorNights.com.