Universal Orlando’s Sunday schedule turns on one important deadline: Universal Studios Florida ends its regular park day at 5 p.m. before Halloween Horror Nights. Tonight also closes the calendar for Rush of Fear passholders, while a newly updated CityWalk guide gives day guests a practical post-park option.
Universal Studios Florida closes at 5 p.m.
The official Universal Orlando park-hours calendar lists Universal Studios Florida from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 20. Islands of Adventure operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Epic Universe from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Volcano Bay from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The early Studios close is the day’s most consequential operational change for guests using regular admission.
Halloween Horror Nights follows as a separately ticketed event at Universal Studios Florida. Universal’s official event overview says the 2026 season runs on select nights through November 1 and advises guests that individual nights can sell out. Standard daytime admission does not include HHN, so guests without an event ticket should finish priority attractions before late afternoon and plan to continue at Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe or CityWalk after the Studios day ends.
Rush of Fear pass reaches its final night
Sunday is the final included event date for the 2026 Rush of Fear pass. The season calendar compiled by Orlando Informer lists the pass’s first 18 HHN nights from August 28 through September 20. That makes tonight a real use-it-or-lose-it deadline for passholders rather than a general seasonal reminder.
Other multi-night products use different calendars, so guests should not assume that a friend’s pass has the same access. Universal’s official HHN 35 guide confirms this year’s 10 haunted houses, four scare zones and two shows, and links directly to the current event calendar and available ticket options. Passholders should verify their specific product in the Universal Orlando app or account before traveling.
CityWalk’s updated guide reflects its newest dining stop
Universal published a refreshed Complete Guide to Universal CityWalk on Saturday. The directory now includes Fat One’s Hot Dogs & Italian Ice, which opened this weekend, alongside the district’s established quick-service restaurants, full-service dining, entertainment and nightlife.
That timing matters today because CityWalk does not require theme-park admission and can absorb part of the evening after the 5 p.m. Studios close. The official guide also recommends reservations for full-service restaurants through the Universal Orlando app or by phone. Guests wanting a quick meal can use the newly opened counter-service option without committing to a sit-down reservation.
What to know before you go
Check TAQ’s Live Theme Park Wait Times before leaving and during the day. Select Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Epic Universe or Volcano Bay individually for a shorter near-real-time view of posted waits and operating information. During HHN, choose the dedicated Universal Studios — HHN selector for posted haunted-house waits.
Today’s best strategy is to separate daytime and nighttime plans: finish Studios priorities before 5 p.m., confirm the exact admission product needed for HHN, and use CityWalk or another Universal park only if the ticket permits it. Additional regional coverage is available through TAQ’s Florida Theme Parks hub.
