Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando

So now we know. This year’s Halloween Horror Nights programme at Universal Orlando will be an absolute gore fest, and we love it!

Yes, Florida’s premier Halloween event is primed to return from September 1, and we think the line-up of haunted houses and scare zones will be one of their best to date, judging by the full list for this year’s event, which has just been released.

Big-name horror franchises like Chucky, the Exorcist, Stranger Things and The Last of Us are mixed in with a selection of Universal’s own dastardly creations for 10 houses, five scare zones and a blockbusting show.

It all adds up to the best fright-night performance that will be in its 32nd year in 2023, running for a record 42 nights on select dates between September 1 and November 3.

What IS Halloween Horror Nights?

Good question - here are the basics. HHN is a separately ticketed evening event that happens after regular park closing on select nights. It takes place mostly in the various sound stages and support buildings behind the main Universal Studios areas – where all the haunted houses are – but scatters the various scare zones throughout the park.

During normal park hours, you will see the array of set-ups and stages, but they will not be inhabited or animated in any way at all. There IS a day-time tour you can take to walk through the various Haunted Houses with the lights on, but you also need to buy a separate ticket for it.

The set-piece experiences are all themed, some to well-known horror franchises such as Stranger Things, and others to unique creations that often feature vampires, werewolves, zombies and other notable monsters. The Houses are like indoor one-way mazes, where you go through single file; the Scare Zones are outdoor areas where mysterious creatures lurk amid fog and other special effects!

In all areas, they are occupied by any number of scare-actors in suitable horror makeup and effects, and their makeup is convincing. Really, really convincing.

This year’s House highlights

Of the 10 all-new haunted houses for this year, we think there are three standouts that are really going to get people truly excited and/or terrified! They are:

Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count: Inspired by the SyFy TV series and cult classic horror films, this setting gives the killer doll the starring role in his very own haunted house for the first time. After years of being disrespected, Chucky returns to turn his haunted house into a slaughterhouse.

The Exorcist: Believer: Inspired by the forthcoming new film from Blumhouse (in cinemas on October 13; Friday the 13th, of course), this house aims to transport guests to a bustling Haitian street market where a folk doll with three eyes opens a demonic portal, leading to the disappearance of two American girls. The girls are found three days later with no memory of what happened, but they soon exhibit unsettling behaviour – and only an exorcism can save them.

*Universal Monsters: *Unmasked: Continuing the success of last year’s haunted house, Universal Monsters: Legends Collide, this time guests enter the mysterious Catacombs of Paris, which hold a dark secret for all-comers. Here, the infamous burial grounds bring visitors face-to-face with those notorious creatures The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr Jekyll and the deranged Mr. Hyde, and Dr Jack Griffin, otherwise known as The Invisible Man. Together, the group seeks vengeance against those who dare to navigate the tunnels of their underground home.

The other two blockbuster names are both hugely successful TV series, one that is making its debut at Universal, and the other which is making a welcome return:

The Last of Us: Here, the award-winning post-pandemic video game that spawned the HBO TV series will come to life in dramatic fashion in an all-new haunted house that takes guests on a journey through the world ravaged by the fungal virus that turns humans into the threat known as “the Infected.”

Stranger Things 4: Once again, the world of the Upside Down returns to transport guests back to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will be immersed in a realm that brings out their deepest fears before they come face to face with fearsome entity Vecna himself.

The remaining five houses are all originals dreamed up by Universal’s own creative team. We especially like the sound of the Yeti-themed house, which promises another of the icy mountain settings that Universal does so well. They are:

Dr Oddfellow: Twisted Origins: A demented, late-night circus led by an evil ringmaster and notorious icon looking for human souls to fuel his dark intentions.

Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate: A horrifying twist to the sinister battle between Fire and Ice (which might just be based on the former Dueling Dragons ride at sister park Islands of Adventure!).

Yeti: Campground Kills: Look out for blood-soaked campgrounds deep in the mountains that hide an array of bloodthirsty monsters.

*The Darkest Deal: *Taking the classic scenario of selling your soul for fame, and ending up getting more than you bargained for.

Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings: In this house, a colonial cult looks to slaughter those who refuse to worship the demonic Blood Moon.

The Scare Zones at Halloween Horror Nights

Like previous years, there are five various scare zones, and Universal has upped the ante on the horror quotient here, too. Instead of five different zones, this year’s quintet are all themed to the story of Dr Oddfellow, creating a continuous narrative of real Halloween horror. They are:

Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror: Come face to face with the devious legend who promises immortality to those who dare to enter.

Dark Zodiac: The signs of the zodiac come to life when Dr Oddfellow uses his power to create horrifying horoscope creatures.

Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror: Where Dr Oddfellow’s twisted experiments combine elements of nature and animals to create vicious jungle creatures.

Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood: Here, Dr Oddfellow has released bloodthirsty vampires at a music festival. Carnage ensues.

Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged: Look out for more monsters, which have escaped from the evil Doctor’s crates and cages.

New HHN 2023 Experiences

The thrills and chills don’t stop with the houses and scare zones, though. Oh no, not by a long chalk. Returning for their third year, British performance group the Fuel Girls have an all-new show to perform, while the legendary Tribute Store promises another horror treat.

Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream: This show features a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares. Once again, it features jaw-dropping pyro stunts and aerial performers, accompanied by metal and electronic music.

Tribute Store: The fan-favourite shopping experience will be themed as a mysterious New York Comic Book Shop featuring the “Tribute to Terror,” an original horror comic book.

Dead Coconut Club: Meanwhile, out in CityWalk, the Red Coconut Club will once again transform with a new theme and menu to fit the Halloween theme.

Tastes of Terror

Just because no Halloween night is complete without some tasty treats, Halloween Horror Nights will feature an array of new food and beverage items. These will include Bloody Campground Poutine, El Pastor Torta, and Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries, as well as returning favourites like Pizza Fries. Also new year, Peacock’s Halloween Horror Bar will feature themed cocktails, photo ops, and more, with an ominous nightclub vibe.

Guests dying to try this year’s “killer” food and beverages before the event opens can also purchase tickets for an exclusive preview of select items from August 10-26, called Taste of Terror.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

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