Halloween Review - Knott's Scary Farm VS Halloween Horror Nights

Knott's Scary Farm at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park   

VS   

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

👻 Which Haunted Theme Park Is Worth Your Money?

This past weekend, my daughters and I experienced both Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, and I want to share my first-hand comparison of these two top Southern California Halloween attractions.

From ticket prices and haunted houses to scare zones and overall experience, here’s everything you need to know before choosing the best Halloween event for you and your family!                                                                                                                                                                                                  

🎟️ Price Comparison – Which Offers the Best Value?

🎬 Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights – Cost & Hidden Fees

💰 Total Cost Per Person: $229 (After 2 PM Day/Night Combo Front-of-Line Pass)

❌ Cons:

• Front-of-line access doesn’t start until 7 PM, meaning you wait in lines from 2 PM to 7 PM.
• Does NOT include parking – Costs $25-$50 (we paid $35 for preferred parking).
• No food included – You’ll need to eat before arriving or pay high park prices.
• Front-of-line pass is one-time use per attraction – No re-entry for favorites.
• Total for 3 people: $779 (excluding food costs).
• Upgrade to the R.I.P. Tour: Another $100 per person.

🎢 Knott’s Scary Farm – Cost & Benefits

💰 Total Cost Per Person: $153.99 (All-Inclusive Scary Farm Pass)

✅ Pros:

• Unlimited front-of-line access from 6 PM until closing.
• Includes FREE parking ($18 value).
• Includes FREE Boo-fet dinner ($28.99 value) with monsters for entertainment.
• Unlimited re-entry to haunted houses and rides.
• Total for 3 people: $461.97 (including parking, food, and admission).

🔥 Verdict: Knott’s Scary Farm offers more value for less money. The included dinner, free parking, and unlimited front-of-line access make it a far better deal compared to Halloween Horror Nights.

👀 Haunted Houses & Attractions – Which Delivers More Scares?

🎬 Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights (2023 Lineup)

👻 Haunted Houses (8 total):

• American Horror Story: Roanoke – 3/5 ⭐
• The Shining – 3/5 ⭐ (Good, but not as impressive as expected).
• SAW: The Games of Jigsaw – 5/5 ⭐ (Best maze—immersive and intense).
• Ash vs Evil Dead – 1/5 ⭐ (Lacked creativity and wasn’t scary).
• Insidious: Beyond the Further – 3/5 ⭐
• Titans of Terror – 4/5 ⭐
• The Horrors of Blumhouse – 3/5 ⭐ (Purge, Sinister, Happy Death Day).
• Terror Tram (Bates Motel & Friday the 13th theme) – 3/5 ⭐

🎡 Rides Open: Transformers, Jurassic Park, The Simpsons, The Mummy.

⚠️ Disappointments:

• Too many people at once – Actors couldn’t reset between scares.
• Costumes & makeup felt rushed – You could see actors' real necks under masks.
• Less attention to detail than previous years – 2016’s Krampus maze was far superior.

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🎢 Knott’s Scary Farm (2023 Lineup)

👻 Haunted Houses (10 total, including Timber Mountain Log Ride transformation):

• Dark Ride – 5/5 ⭐ (Creepy abandoned amusement park theme).
• Paranormal Inc. – 5/5 ⭐ (Great intro sequence).
• Pumpkin Eater – 5/5 ⭐ (Surprise scare element that stops people in their tracks).
• Shadow Lands – 5/5 ⭐ (Hard to find entrance, but solid maze).
• Special Ops: Infected – 5/5 ⭐ (Interactive laser tag against zombies!)
• The Red Barn – 4/5 ⭐
• The Tooth Fairy – 4/5 ⭐ (Dark and disturbing theme).
• Trick or Treat: Lights Out – 5/5 ⭐ (Interactive flashlight maze that dies out).
• Voodoo – 5/5 ⭐ (Only maze that made me physically jump!).

🎡 Rides Open: 10 total (with priority front-of-line access).

🔥 Verdict: Knott’s Scary Farm wins again. The mazes were more immersive, scarier, and had more hidden passageways for scare actors to interact with guests.

🎭 Overall Experience & Final Verdict

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

🎥 Movie-Themed Mazes – Great for fans of horror films, but execution felt rushed.
💰 Overpriced – Too expensive for what you get.
🚶‍♂️ Long Waits Even with Front-of-Line Pass – No re-entry to haunted houses.

⭐ Final Rating: 3/5 ⭐

Knott’s Scary Farm

🎃 More Attractions – More haunted houses, scare zones, and rides.
💵 Better Value – Lower cost, free food, and unlimited front-of-line access.
😱 Scarier Experience – More effort in costumes, themes, and scare tactics.

⭐ Final Rating: 5/5 ⭐

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🧐 Knott’s Scary Farm vs. Halloween Horror Nights – Which Should You Choose?

👉 Choose Halloween Horror Nights if:
✔️ You’re a die-hard horror movie fan.
✔️ You want to see movie-accurate sets and characters.
✔️ You’re okay with paying more for a shorter experience.

👉 Choose Knott’s Scary Farm if:
✔️ You want more haunted houses & better scare zones.
✔️ You want unlimited front-of-line access to houses and rides.
✔️ You want a full Halloween experience for a lower price.

🔥 Winner: Knott’s Scary Farm! 🔥

For less money, more attractions, better scares, and unlimited front-of-line access, Knott’s Scary Farm outshines Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights.

Check out other Haunted houses around the country!