Universal at end of October - How Scary?

[bhyer]

My daughter and I want to visit Universal at the end of October. My daughter absolutely HATES Halloween and I know they have the Halloween Horror Nights events going on but if you go during the day are you affected by any of that? Are the folks dressed up in scary costume jumping out at people during the day? Or is that limited to the special ticketed events? If anyone has experience I'd love to hear it.
Thanks!

 

[shh]

Normal park during the day, except for all the posters/signs advertising the HHN event.

 

[mjhtvchick]

The event itself is quite scary but it is normal park operations during the day. Keep in mind though that the parks will close earlier on HHN nights.

 

[bhyer]

Thank you so much for your replies! That is exactly what I need to know. I do love these discussion boards!!!

 

[bhyer]

I have more questions...
- What time is Universal open until typically in October on a night with no Halloween party? And what time is it open until on a night with the party?
- Is it busier overall - even during the day - during the end of October because of folks who are there for the evening parties?

 

[Lynne G]

Most of the time, if it is a party night, the studios close at 5pm and IOA will stay open to 7 or 8pm. If not a party night, both parks will close around 7 or 8 pm. Universal tends to not put out a calendar until a few months before. Many complain about the early time, but that just gives you more time to enjoy a late dinner, clubs, movie, golf, swim, etc. Come visit the Universal part of the boards, lots of good info there.

Crowds in the Studios grow as the afternoon passes, as you can stay in holding areas inside the park after the park closes to wait for HHN. As such, some of the crowd not going to HHN move to IOA later in the afternoon and stay to park close.