halloween horror nights

July 21, 2019 by Jenn

Halloween Horror Nights – 2019 Guide

Halloween Horror Nights 2019 is quickly approaching. This year, the biggest Halloween event in the country will be held Sept 6- November 2, 2019. Last year was my first Halloween Horror Nights and I have to say it is absolutely worth all the hype.

Still debating if Halloween Horror Nights is right for you? Read my 7 Tips For Survival from my first event last year.

Halloween Horror Nights 2019 Guide

This year you will face your fears in ten elaborately themed haunted houses, and navigate through five harrowing scare zones. We only have part of this years houses announced and I have to say it is going to be an epic year of frights! When you need a break from the scares, you can ride any of the amazing attractions in Universal Studios.

Halloween Horror Nights 2019 Dates

Halloween Horror Nights runs select dates from September-November. You MUST purchase tickets in advance as most nights sell out, and you cannot buy tickets at the gate, especially on Saturday night.

September – 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29
October – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31
November – 1, 2

HHN Tip: To avoid major crowds try to visit on a Wednesday or Thursday night.

2019 Halloween Horror Nights Houses

Stranger Things

This year’s chilling maze picks up where last year’s maze left off, continuing the suspenseful storyline where a predatory entity terrorizes the small town of Hawkins, Indiana, and delving even further into the parallel universe, referred to as the Upside Down.

This was my first maze last year,and I have to say it was absolutely worth it! If you are a fan of this show you really need to experience this maze. It was scary, but not blood and guts, and perfect start to Halloween Horror Nights.

Nightingales: Blood Pit

From the twisted minds of Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team, guests will enter an all-new horrifying original story featuring nightingales, a grisly race of creatures, in Nightingales: Blood Pit. Guests will be transported to ancient Rome where they must escape the gladiator arena as the bloodthirsty nightingales begin to feed on the dead and dying. But with nothing to protect them, will they make it out alive or become part of history…

Universal Monsters

Guests will be hunted by every single grisly monster from the anthology, including Dracula, The Wolf Man and Frankenstein, in the all-new experience, “Universal Monsters.” Each sinister environment will bleed from one to the next as guests press through the darkened realms of horrifying creatures. Guests will face bloody terrors in Dracula’s castle and flee from what is behind the cryptic howls of the grim forest. They’ll run from the horrifying man-made monster within Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory, and fall prey to an ancient Egyptian curse as they are pursued by the evil Mummy. Guests will try to escape the mysterious Creature lurking in the Black Lagoon, or become victims of other horrors waiting in the shadows.

Depths of Fear

The workers of a deep-sea mining company have found themselves in a dire situation. They’ve delved too deep and encountered a parasitic race of creatures that turn out to be deadly. Panic ensues as you find yourself encountering infected miners and acidic creatures. The pressure builds as the self-destruct sequence counts down to the inevitable implosion of the facility.

As you venture further into the depths, you’ll encounter the creatures known only as the “Mouthbrooders.” Picture being trapped in a claustrophobic mining installation underwater with a countless number of these slithering monsters. Your worst nightmares will come to life as these fiends spew flesh-eating acidic eggs at human hosts, and you witness miners being driven mad by the infection.

Yeti: Terror of the Yukon

Yeti: Terror of the Yukon will transport guests to an isolated logging camp in a remote part of Canada that’s all but uninhabitable. As they venture through the camp, they will quickly discover they are not alone and now must flee from a tribe of Yeti, beasts as brutal as the winter. If the cold doesn’t get them, the Yeti will…

Story

Deep in the remote tundra of the Yukon, loggers and trappers seek refuge from the frigid grip of an arctic blizzard. But out in the darkness, a terror lurks far more dangerous than the deluge of snow and ice. These unfortunate souls have intruded into a territory that is haunted by their worst nightmares. Enter a logging camp that’s been torn apart, floors caked with snow, bones and gore. Right outside, screams are frozen on the faces of those who fled the towering monsters only to succumb to the elements. But there is no escape from beasts as brutal as the winter.

The Yetis

Just when you thought the only thing to fear was the elements, an icy terror will descend over you. Cringe at the trail of blood leading to caves none have lived to see. As you enter the labyrinth of caves, you’ll hear the screaming echoes of those who couldn’t escape the inevitable. If you survive long enough to see the end, you’re likely to find the remains of those who came before you and meet their same demise. You’re in Yeti territory now. They’re stone cold vicious and will stop at nothing for a taste of blood. If the cold doesn’t get you, they will.

Ghostbusters

In each maze, guests will follow in the footsteps of the Ghostbusters – Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston – as they venture through artfully recreated scenes from the film, including the firehouse, New York Public Library and the Temple of Gozer, as an army of ghoulish spirits, hideous specters and ectoplasm-dripping phantasms attack from every corner. As they delve deeper into the maze, guests will come face-to-face with an array of paranormal creatures, from the voracious Slimer to the all-powerful Gozer the Gozerian and in its ultimate destructor form – the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, to brave the demonic spirits and survive the night.

HHN Tip: Prepare yourself for long lines, for what is sure to be the most sought after house this year. If you have a valid park ticket you can wait in the Stay and Scream area once the park closes and be among the first in line when it re-opens for Halloween Horror Nights.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space

Based on the cult 1980s film favorite, the “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” mazes will transport guests to the sleepy small town of Crescent Cove, taken over by a pack of murderous clown-like creatures. Guests will be lured by the sweet smell of cotton candy and ice-cream and find themselves in an otherworldly circus tent where they’ll come face-to-face with the crazed klowns and their sinister, side-splitting antics. As they make their way through the Big Top Space Ship, guests will witness diabolical klowns making cotton candy cocoons from unsuspecting victims and will realize the joke’s on them as they are next to become the gooey snack. From one shrieking klown to the next, the mazes will lead guests through the doomed community of Crescent Cove to an eerie amusement park closed for the season. Trapped in a terrifying funhouse full of killer klowns, guests will be left screaming as there’s no stopping this twisted three-ring circus.

US

The journey begins circa 1986 as guests follow in the footsteps of the young girl they first meet as Adelaide Wilson as she innocently ventures through a mirror funhouse at the Santa Cruz boardwalk and has a fateful and traumatic encounter with her tethered doppelgänger, an event that will forever alter both of their lives. The harrowing experience will then transition to present day, thrusting guests into the chaos of “The Tethered” uprising as they emerge from their tunnels to murder their privileged doubles in a nationwide coordinated act of rebellion.

Graveyard Games

Created by the twisted minds of Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team, Graveyard Games will transport guests to a haunted cemetery where vengeful spirits have been awakened from their graves. As guests venture through the graveyard in the dead of night, the ghastly apparitions will rise from their tombstones, ready to torment any soul who so foolishly disturbs them. But the graveyard is not meant for the living…and guests will soon realize that no one gets out alive.

2019 ScareZones

You will navigate five scare zones filled with menacing scare-actors that will stalk your every move.

Zombieland: Double Tap: As guests enter the streets of New York, they’ll be thrown into the world of Zombieland where they must escape bloodthirsty zombies or become a midnight snack.
Rob Zombie Hellbilly Deluxe: Inspired by the heavy metal horror music of Rob Zombie, guests will be surrounded by otherworldly beings, brutal maniacs and menacing machines all while they scream along to Zombie’s haunting lyrics on the streets of San Francisco.
Anarch-cade: On Avenue of the Stars, guests will enter a sinister 80s-inspired arcade where they only get one life. Their fear will level up as they try to flee a band of neon slashers, highlighted in black lights, with chainsaws.
Vikings Undead: Brutal, horn-helmeted warriors will rise from the grave and seize Central Park. Guests will become victims of these skeletal fighters and draugr, reanimated corpses who have channeled their vindictive rage into an endless onslaught of gore.
Vanity Ball: On the streets of Hollywood, guests will quickly discover beauty is pain as they watch artists turn willing participants into horrific living works of art.

2019 Food and Drink

Stranger Things fans can enjoy Starcourt Mall inspired food stands!

Hawkins Heroes: Choose from a variety of classic sandwiches – from a turkey, roast beef and ham hero served with Hawkins special sauce or a veggie hero topped with roasted Portobello mushrooms, squash and zucchini.
Imperial Panda: Enjoy an orange chicken bao bun served with mouth-watering potstickers and ginger soy sauce.
Merrill’s Mini Pumpkin Doughnuts: These donuts are served warm with cookie crumbs and green frosting – inspired by the mysterious decaying pumpkin patches in Hawkins, Indiana.
Triple Decker Extravaganza: This popular waffle dessert filled with whipped cream and jelly beans returns to this year’s events, being the most popular dish from last year.

HHN Favorites & ‘80s Film Inspired Menu Items

Trap Popcorn: Served in a Ghost Box container, try some salty Slimer-green popcorn from the Ghostbusters.
Pizza Fries: A “Halloween Horror Nights” fan-favorite, they are piled high with sausage, pepperoni, marinara sauce and loads of cheese.
S’mores Fries: These sweet potato fries are drizzled with melted chocolate, graham cracker crumbs and marshmallows.
Twisted Tater: Choose from Sour Cream and Chive, Seasoned Salt, Garlic Parmesan or Salt and Vinegar.
Specialty Drinks: From the tasty Syrup & Waffles and Candy Corn non-alcoholic frozen drinks to ‘80s inspired cocktails like the “Blood Pit-Fuzzy Navel” and “Vampire’s Curse”, with the cocktails coming in collectible cups.

Entertainment

Academy of Villains – Altered States

Academy of Villains returns in an epic experiment of mind and body. Man’s true nature is dragged out into the dark, gothic streets of anarchy. This wickedly talented group of artists is back for an all-new performance featuring a killer mix of visionary dance and extraordinary theatrics.

“Halloween Marathon of Mayhem” Lagoon show

The screams featured at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights will come to life in a whole new way with the debut of the nighttime lagoon show, “Halloween Marathon of Mayhem.” Guests will watch as terrifying moments inspired by some of the Halloween classics taking over the event come to life right before their eyes in the Universal Studios Florida lagoon.

Giant water screens highlighting iconic horror scenes, accented with more than 100 fountains, awesome special effects, pounding electro music, lasers and more will bring this all-new experience to life – creating a larger-than-life mix tape that guests won’t want to miss. Guests will witness a twisted new take on Netflix’s Stranger Things, Sony Pictures’ Ghostbusters, Universal Monsters and Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s Killer Klowns from Outer Space as they invade the Universal Studios lagoon for “Halloween Marathon of Mayhem,” running on event nights at the world’s premier Halloween event.

I will be updating this guide as soon as more information is announce from the Universal Orlando Resort team.

October 1, 2018 by Jenn

Halloween Horror Nights: 7 Tips For Survival

Halloween Horror Nights is THE event of the haunting season, anywhere, not just in Orlando. I have never been able to muster up the courage to attend this annual event, until now. Take a look at my survival tips for your first time at Halloween Horror Nights.

Halloween Horror Nights comes alive select nights at Universal Studios each September, and haunts guests until November. The creative minds at Universal have conjured up the most amazing event for 2018 including a record number of TEN horrifying houses to brave. Full disclosure, I only made it into four houses, and I was perfectly fine with that.

Halloween Horror Nights Tips

If you are a chicken like me, and have avoided Halloween Horror Nights, let me be the first to say, STOP doing that! I am always impressed with the special events Universal Orlando puts on, but Horror Nights takes the cake.

I think its success is very much credited to the team led by Michael Aiello, and his creative counterparts. They have a true passion for bringing your nightmares to life. The other part of its success is the scare-actors who work night after night to bring this event alive. The passion that goes into Halloween Horror Nights is clearly recognizable.

7 Tips For Survival

Its time to brave the fog and go into Halloween Horror Nights, here are my seven tips for survival out of the fog.

1. Stay and Scream

Halloween Horror Nights is a separate ticketed event, which means the park closes at 5 pm and re-opens at 6.30 pm for ticket holders only. When you have regular park admission you can hang out in the Stay and Scream area while the park is swept for non-ticket holders. Once given the all-clear, the gates are taken down and you can head to the houses as early as 30 minutes before the public is let in. That may not seem like a big deal, but it is a huge advantage.

Being the chicken that I am, I loved being in the park before it was transformed completely. It allowed me to get my bearings, see where the scare zones were and familiarize myself with my surroundings for the night. Once the sun went down, and the fog rolled out, I was completely comfortable walking around the park. Had I entered after dark, I think my experience may have been less comfortable and more guarded.

2. Go With Friends

This may sound trivial, but it really helps take the edge off. I cannot imagine walking through the houses alone, I needed someone to hide behind! My friends have been going for 19 years, and laughed hysterically each time I was scared to death, this helped me loosen up.

If you aren’t preoccupied with where the scares are coming from you can take in the hard work put into the houses. It doesn’t make it less scary, because there is nothing sugar-coated about the houses, but it does make it more relaxing.

This works best if at least one person in the group is not afraid or is at least moderately brave. That person needs to go first when you enter the houses – every house!

3. Don’t Act Scared– No Really

Try not to look scared as you pass through scare zones, the fog and low light in scare zones is meant to disorient you, this means you have no clue who is coming at you. The scare-actors obviously enjoy scaring people, so if you look scared, they’re going to come right for you. I have talked to a few scare-actors and they do this job not just because they love horror, but because they LOVE to scare the living hell out of people. They aren’t there to be your friend.

As the good doctor told me this year, “Did you really think you paid NOT to be scared to death”! He got me really good when I wasn’t looking, because that is what he is there for.

4. Take The Edge Off With Liquid Courage

The one thing I took away from Halloween Horror Nights, it is the ULTIMATE Halloween Party. With special cocktails served only during the event, and beer carts on every corner you will find your courage with a little help. The 80’s vibe this year really makes it feel like a party, especially in the VAMP 85 scare zone.

5. Take A Break

There are attractions open during Halloween Horror Nights, and this is the perfect escape from the frights if you need a break. Wait times are generally are low during this time, so it’s a fun escape from the horror. Express Pass does not work during Halloween Horror Nights.

A total escape from the frights is to hang out in Diagon Alley, as there are NO scare-actors in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It’s the one safe zone in the park, so to speak.

6. Watch For The Patterns In Houses

My friends, the experts told me this little trick. After a house or two, you will start to notice the general pattern of how the scares go. You’ll notice that lights flash or a loud sound happens right before a scare in the houses.

Also, remember to look left and right anytime you turn a corner as you make your way through the houses. There’s a good chance if the path is turning left there might be someone hiding on the right. To avoid getting startled, look both ways at every turn.

I will say, this year the Seeds of Extinction house makes you very disoriented and it’s hard to see where the pattern is, It was the best house I went in as far as being scared.

7. Familiarize Yourself Before You Go

Knowing what to expect before you go can help a lot. Many of my friends were at the media event, since I was going a week later, I watched and read their reviews. It definitely helped to ease my fears.

There you have it, seven tips for how to survive your first Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort!

February 23, 2016 by Jenn

Save at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort during Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 26

You can now book your visit to experience the ultimate Halloween event, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Consistently rated the nation’s best event and known for terrifying hundreds of thousands of guests from around the world, Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Studios Florida this fall for a record-breaking 31 nights and with all-new content that will bring unimaginable terrors to life.

The twisted minds of Universal’s award-winning Entertainment team work year-round to create an intense experience that you will never forget. As soon as the gates of Halloween Horror Nights open, you will become a “victim” as you are immersed in iconic horror films, terrifying hit TV shows and haunting original stories.

You will encounter hordes of menacing “scareactors” who stalk your every move, incredibly detailed haunted houses that bring your worst nightmares to life and outrageous live shows. When you need a break from the screams you can enjoy Universal Studios’ popular rides & attractions throughout the night.

Will you survive?

Starting today, you can book a special version of the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort vacation package that combines the daytime thrills of Universal Orlando’s two world-class theme parks – Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure – with the spine-tingling chills of Halloween Horror Nights.

Special Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Halloween Horror Nights Package

Starts at $209 per adult, per night, tax inclusive

** Select event nights
Sept. 16 – Oct. 31, 2016.
Advance purchase required. Offer valid for bookings now – 5/31/16. Offer valid for travel 9/16/16 –10/31/16

3-night on-site hotel accommodations at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Universal’s newest on-site hotel
2-Day Park-to-Park Ticket
Early Park Admission one hour before the theme park opens to one (1) Universal Orlando theme park as determined by Universal Orlando
1-Night Admission to Halloween Horror Nights (Sunday – Friday)
Access to select live entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk
Plus, for a limited time – guests can receive a FREE $150 hotel dining credit (per room) that can be used at restaurants throughout Loews Sapphire Falls Resort when they book a stay of three nights (Sunday – Thursday).

Opening this summer, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort will be Universal’s fifth on-site hotel. The new, 1,000-room Caribbean-themed hideaway will feature the destination’s largest on-site, resort-style pool at 16,000 square-feet, with a white sand beach, a water slide and cabanas.

Halloween Horror Nights 26 will run select nights from September 16 to October 31. More details about the event will be announced at a later date. For more information about these offers, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando.

Are you ready to face your fears at Halloween Horror Nights?

October 7, 2015 by Jenn

Orlando Fall Fun for Families

Orlando is home to more than just the House of Mouse. Here are all of the great Halloween events happening in Orlando this spooky season! We will be at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Sea World Orlando Spooktacular this year. What parties do you plan to attend?

Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida

LEGOLAND Florida celebrates 2015 Halloween with their Brick-or-Treat event. Miniland USA will transform into a haunted but fun scavenger hunt where guests can find scary Lego creatures, from Oct. 3 – 28, 2015.

Kids can participate in a costume contest and guest of all ages can trick-or-treat along the brick-or-treat trail, build unique LEGO model activities, and witness the largest LEGO Jack-O-Lantern in the world. Event admission is included with regular park admission.

Zoo Boo Bash at Central Florida Zoo

Trick-or-treat in the wildest neighborhood in town during Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden’s Zoo Boo Bash. It’s a safe and fun event for the whole family. Kids are invited to dress up and bring goodie bags for the trick-or-treat stations, Oct. 17 – 31, 2015.

Take a haunted hayride, visit the Pumpkin Patch, and learn about some of the zoo’s misunderstood animals. Admission is included in regular zoo admission.

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Magic Kingdom Park plays ghost host to the ultimate trick-or-treating event at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on select nights from Sept. 15 – Nov. 1, 2015.

All guests are invited to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for trick-or-treating, meet and greets with Disney characters donning Halloween costumes, and entertainment unique to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Led by the infamous Headless Horseman, “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade,” is featured twice nightly, followed by “HalloWishes,” a green and orange fireworks display complete with Disney villains. This is a separately ticketed event.

Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights (recommended for kids 13 and up)

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 25 has some of the most pulse-pounding moments in horror history. On select nights from September 18 – November 1, 2015, the streets of Universal Studios Florida come alive with horrifying mutants, monsters and maniacs.

You can explore nine terrifying haunted houses, make your way through multiple street experiences where creatures lurk around every turn, enjoy outrageous live shows, and experience many of the park’s most exciting rides and attractions. Add Halloween Horror Nights to your daytime fun at Universal Orlando Resort for the ultimate in thrills and chills. This is a separately ticketed event and does sell out, plan ahead for your visit.

Sea World Halloween Spooktacular

SeaWorld Orlando invites families to dive in and explore the underwater “fantasea” at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular – a family-friendly event where children can trick-or-treat, dance with fanciful sea creatures, and create sea-themed arts and crafts select Saturday and Sunday nights in October.

Included with park admission, guests can enjoy the wonders of the sea at Penelope’s Party Zone, search for hidden “sea” treasures using their Spooktacular maps at fifteen different locations, and stroll among colorful, playful schools of pumpkin fish and other whimsical characters like Penelope Pumpkin fish, Shamu, Dolly Dolphin, Shivers the Polar Bear, Pete and Penny Penguin and more!