While autumn doesn't technically kick off until Sept 21st, everything frightfully fall has arrived! That means pumpkin spice in everything, comfy clothes, and, at Universal Orlando, it means the return of Halloween Horror Nights.
What is Halloween Horror Nights?
Well, the name says it all. HHN is a special ticketed nighttime event (taking place inside Universal Studios) dedicated to all things that go bump in the night. If you are picturing something similar to the Halloween parties that take place down the street, this is not it! Here, you won't meet the Simpsons dressed as zombies... although that would be pretty cool to see. At HHN you can expect to come face to face with some of your worst nightmares. Highly recommended for guests 13 and up, you can look forward to experiencing up to 10 "haunted houses," five scare zones, live entertainment, and a partridge in a pear tree. Ok, maybe not that last one, ha! This year marks the 32nd season of HHN and Universal Orlando is ready to make this the scariest year yet. So, let's take a look at what you can experience this year. (Not a horror fan and just going for the food and merch? ...Or maybe tagging along with a friend who needs a hand to hold? Scroll down to see below what you can snack on and purchase during your HHN experience. Plus, tips to "survive" the night!)
Photos and summaries courtesy of Universal Orlando.
Haunted Houses
Pick your poison...
This year the 10 "haunted" houses offer everything from a storyline based on Netflix's hit series Stranger Things, all the way to a house dedicated to the Dueling Dragons (a fan favorite ride that once thrilled guests at Universal Orlando).
Here's a short snippet to sum up each of the houses:
1. Stranger Things 4
"Try to Escape the Curse of Vecna"
You’ll need your squad to resist Vecna’s gruesome curse. Like Eleven, now’s your chance to stop him once and for all as you take on the scariest season of Stranger Things yet.
2. The Exorcist: Believer
"An Evil Reawakened"
Two missing girls have been found with no memory of what happened to them. But wherever they went, the ultimate evil has returned with them. Enter the most terrifying scenes from the new Blumhouse film.
3. The Last of Us™
"Step Into the World of The Last of Us™"
You and your squad will encounter the haunting and overgrown world of the video game in a brand-new, terrifying way. Stay silent if you want to survive a multitude of Clickers, Hunters and more.
4. Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count
"Chucky’s Back for Even More Carnage"
Chucky, the serial killer doll, is back for a new gorefest! He’s hijacked his own haunted house with all kinds of bloody hijinks. You and your friends must try to survive his ultimate kill count.
5. Universal Monsters: Unmasked
"Four Universal Monsters. One New Nightmare."
Descend into the Paris Catacombs, where you and your squad will face a new horde of Monsters: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Invisible Man.
6. Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins
"Your Soul is a Price He’s Willing to Pay"
You won’t be able to resist going inside Dr. Oddfellow’s menacing menagerie of twisted oddities. But the price for you and your friends is steep: the cost of your souls to feed his immortal power
7. Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate
"No Matter Who You Choose, You Lose"
Two warlocks of great power were turned into dragons after trying to take Merlyn’s spell book. Now you and your friends are caught in their epic battle. You must choose a path and a victor.
8. YETI: Campground Kills
"Yeti or Not, Here They Come"
You and your friends are about to venture into a 1950s campground overrun by huge, menacing yetis who rip apart anyone who gets in their way. You must flee to the ranger tower to escape.
9. The Darkest Deal
"Fame is Fleeting. Fear is Forever."
Blues musician Pinestraw Spruce will have to face the music after meeting with The Collector and trading his soul for musical glory. You and your squad learn the terrible price of fame.
10. Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings
"Bleed for the Blood Moon"
In a Colonial-era village, moon-worshippers witness a blood moon at their fall festival. They take it as a sign to hunt down any non-followers, including you and your scream squad.
Scare Zones
They say "it's not about the destination, but the journey" and that perfectly sums up how you'll feel about the Scare Zones at this year's HHN. Making the trip to your next house means making a trip through one of the sinister scare zones set up to make sure the blood stays pumping all night long.
This year's Scare Zones are extra spooky! Check out their themes:
Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror
Dr. Oddfellow will lure you into Halloween Horror Nights with a promise of immortality. As he lifts the veil on all the horrors to come, you’ll soon realize you may not even survive the night.
Dark Zodiac
Dr. Oddfellow has entered a dark dimension to harness the power of the Zodiac and live forever. He twists the signs into malevolent beings who foretell your doom. As his star rises, yours falls.
Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror
In the 1920s, Dr. Oddfellow ventured deep into the darkest jungle, performing horrific experiments on nature. Now his monstrous creations are running amok and are coming after you.
Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood
At a 60s music fest in a small New York town, you’ll jam to popular bands with fellow concert-goers until Dr. Oddfellow unleashes vicious vampires on the audience. They’re out for your blood.
Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged
Enter a 1940s San Francisco shipping yard full of mysterious crates and cages bearing Dr. Oddfellow’s symbol. Beware, his nightmarish oddities have now escaped, spreading fear and chaos in their wake.
Entertainment
Need a place to kick up your feet and take in a show? Universal Orlando offers one of the best live Halloween themed shows there is! It's pure adrenaline. Perfectly named, "Nightmare Fuel: Revenge Dream" you'll let your nightmares burn out of control as the pyro and aerial performers fire you up to the beat of metal and electronica.
That's not all...
We are so excited for this little tidbit! For the first time at HHN Orlando, Death Eaters will be wandering the hallowed paths of Diagon Alley inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You'll see them searching to find others willing to show loyalty to the Dark Lord’s cause. Make sure to keep your wands at the ready.
And we can't forget to touch base on the terrifying treats and one-of-a-kind merch you can pick up on your trip to "terror."
Here's a sneak at some of the special treats you can sink your fangs into:
Mummy Pop- The cheesecake is perfectly creamy, the cookie crunches just right, and the Mummy design gives it a fun, spooky vibe that just screams HHN. Plus, it’s easy to eat on the go, thanks to it being a cake pop.
Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries (Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins)- "This Oddfellow-themed offering is a churro funnel fry and sour apple carnival-feel dessert that is super delicious,” Chef Robert Martinez, executive chef of Research and Development says. “It’s kind of like you’re eating this twisted apple pie.”
Trick Or Treat Bucket- A combination of chocolate creme brulee, peanut butter buttercream, caramel popcorn, candy corn, both chocolate-filled and peanut-butter-filled candies, and licorice strip, the Trick or Treat Bucket offers so much deliciousness in what looks like such a small package.
Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Puff- Another dessert that just worked in all aspects, the Pumpkin Dulce de Leche Puff truly hits the spot. The cream puff is filled with pumpkin and dulce de leche, and has whipped ganache, pumpkin seeds, and gold accents on top.
Bloody Snowball (YETI: Campground Kills)- This tasty treat is described as a chocolate snowball covered with desiccated coconut and some cream inside of it that’s super delicious.
How can you pass up this HHN 32 Stranger Things swag? Not a ST fan? No worries, you'll have countless limited-edition items to choose from as you shop till you drop around Halloween Horror Nights! ...Like this Chucky themed "Good Guys" merch. You'll find all the goods inside the Tribute Store, located in the back corner of the "New York" area of Universal Studios.
Tips for Surviving Halloween Horror Nights
Universal said it themselves. #NeverGoAlone. Having someone to push into the path of danger, so that you can run away is always smart. We're kidding... sort of.
Know your limits. This isn't the $5 Haunted Houses you visit down the road. These are much more realistic. If you feel like you're in trouble, just let one of the UOR team members who are standing guard inside know and they will help you get to the nearest exit. Again, a reminder, this event is recommended for 13 years and older. This wasn't rated the Best Halloween Event for 13 years for no reason!
It's ok to just spend the evening taking advantage of the short ride times. That's right! There will be ride attractions open during HHN events. Check your app to see which ones you can hop on when you need a breather.
Safety first! Remember that the scary person walking near you with a rubber hatchet is a Universal Team Member. While their job for the evening is to give you alllll the goosebumps, underneath that makeup is a normal person who would like to go home without bumps and bruises. So, don't touch the cast. They won't touch you.
Arrive Ready with the App downloaded on your phone. Download the official Universal Orlando app for free before you arrive. This will help you save time and energy planning out your night. Plus, you can check out wait times, look at interactive maps, and take advantage of the app's contact-free features and more. With the app you know exactly where you want to scream.
We could keep going, but you get the picture! Halloween Horror Nights 32 is ready to help you shriek with terrific terror and make memories you'll be talking about for years! So, if you're ready to face your fears, contact your MMV agent and they will help you plan a haunting good time and make sure you're ready for the fear... we mean fun!
