Okay, it’s officially spooky season in Orlando, and we are HERE for it!
Halloween Horror Nights kicked off its 35th year today (August 28!), the earliest this event has EVER started, and it’s running select nights all the way through November 1.
Thirty-five years of screams, and Universal went bigger than ever: 10 new haunted houses, a “Infernal Carnival of Nightmares” theme, and (for the first time ever) HHN legends Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow teaming up in one house.
If you know, you know.
Whether you’re a die-hard HHN regular who already has your nights picked out, or you just like living close enough to feel the buzz every fall, this is one of those “only in Orlando” moments. So let’s talk about it, and what it’s actually like to call this place home during the best time of year to live here.
What's New This Year (Because It's a Lot)
- Earliest opening ever – August 28, a full day earlier than last year, running Wednesday–Sunday nights plus Halloween itself through November 1.
- 10 brand-new haunted houses – the most in the event’s history: inspired by Sinners, Stranger Things 5, Hellraiser, and more.
- Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow, together at last in their own house. HHN fans have waited literal decades for this.
- Premium Scream Night is back on August 27 and October 19 for shorter lines and included food.
- New “Scream Early” add-on lets you combine a daytime park visit with your same-day HHN ticket, more bang for your buck.
Here’s the thing about living in East Orlando: this level of world-class entertainment isn’t a once-a-year vacation splurge for us, it’s 20–30 minutes down the road. We’ve got clients who treat HHN nights the same way you’d treat a regular dinner out. That’s genuinely one of the best parts of living in Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, or anywhere along the UCF corridor.
A few real-life things worth knowing, especially if you’re newer to the area or thinking about a move here:
Traffic picks up on event nights. From late August through early November, expect heavier evening traffic near International Drive and the surrounding interchanges ( especially Wednesday–Sunday) and especially the weekends closest to Halloween. If you’re commuting through that corridor, it’s worth building a little extra time in.
If you own (or are eyeing) an investment property near the tourism corridor, pay attention right now. HHN season is historically one of the strongest stretches of the fall for short-term rental bookings. If you’re weighing a vacation-home purchase with STR potential, this is a great season to actually watch how occupancy and nightly rates perform before you buy.
And honestly? It’s just fun to live here. Whether you’re taking the kids trick-or-treating in the neighborhood or making a night of HHN with friends, October in East Orlando has a rhythm to it that a lot of our relocation clients fall in love with fast.
Thinking About Making East Orlando Home?
If you’re dreaming about being this close to the magic (and the screams) year-round, we’d love to help you find the right spot, whether that’s a family home with an easy commute to the parks, or an investment property built for nights just like these.
Reach out to the Ray Lopez Team any time. We’d love to talk it through with you!
Ray Lopez Team | Keller Williams Advantage II Realty
407-697-8298 | closings@raylopezteam.com
