Frightening haunted houses, blood-curdling scare zones, and eerie live shows. Say hello to Halloween Horror Nights.
Every year, Universal Studios transforms itself into this gruesome event, welcoming in new shows, zones and houses. But this year celebrates the 20th anniversary, so for the first time in Halloween Horror Nights’ history, Fear itself will come to life in the park.
“The entire experience is an adrenaline rush,” sophomore Luna Ghraoui said. “When I’m there, its like I’m in a whole new world.”
The general idea for the theme “Fear” comes from everything done in the past, but enhanced. “Fear,” an evil mastermind that lurks in the shadows of Halloween Horror Nights, finally comes to life after nineteen years. He is treated as a character, emphasizing his “weapons,” which include chaos, death, sacrifice, mythos and vengeance. His “pawns” include clowns, a storyteller, a caretaker, a director and an usher.
“We wanted an all-encompassing character,” Mike Aiello, Show Director of Entertainment, said in an interview. “One of our big goals was to pay homage to the last 20 years, while still paving the way for future Halloween Horror Nights. Fear is a constant, and we wanted to personify on that feeling.”
Halloween Horror Nights came into fruition in 1991, but under the name “Fright Nights.” Since then, Horror Nights became a sought-after event for people all over the globe.
The park’s first theme, “Crypt Keeper,” came from the television series “Tales from the Crypt,” a popular television show at the time. Since then, the park released a variety of new characters and themes to haunt its grounds, including Bloody Mary, Chuckie, Wolfman, Dracula, Frankenstein and many more.
This year, the event boasts eight new haunted houses—Horror Nights: The Hallow’d Past, The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes, Hades: The Gates of Ruin, Phychoscarepy: Echoes of Shadybrook, Havoc: Dogs of War, Catacombs: Black Death Rising, Zombiegeddon, and Legendary Truth.
If that cannot satisfy spooky hankerings, six new “scare zones” will open: HHN: 20 Years of Fear Fear Revealed, Zombie Gras, Esqueleto Muerte, Saws ‘n Steam, and The Coven. “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” and “Brian Burshwood: Menace and Malice,” two live shows, are also available for park guests.
“I’ve been going to Halloween Horror Nights since I was two years old,” sophomore Kassandra Lezcano said. “At first I was so scared, but then eventually it got to the point where I would be hiding behind trash cans and scaring people myself.”
This year’s event takes place on select nights in September and October, and prices for a Florida resident range from $39.99 on Sundays through Thursdays, to $49.99 on Fridays and $64.99 on Saturdays. Express passes are also available for purchase.
According to Internet bloggers, these five tips will help you to reach that extraordinary, unforgettable night—Arrive early, purchase a front-of-the-line pass, stay connected to the group, check the weather before going to the park and tell terrified friends that the characters will feed on their fear.
“Everything we have done for the past nineteen years, everything we have learned, leads to this moment,” Jim Timon, Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort, said. “This year’s Halloween Horror Nights is not about the past; it’s about the future.”
