(image source via wikimedia commons)
For some disturbing reason, I grew up fascinated with horror. As a child I begged for a subscription to Fangoria magazine. One of my favorite movies growing up was Friday the 13th VIII, (um, why was I allowed to watch this? lol), and I absolutely LIVED for the top haunted houses featured on The Travel Channel Halloween specials every year.
I remember my little 12 year old self vowing to make it to Halloween Horror nights at Universal Studios Florida one day, and 11 years later, my 23 year old self made it! I was stoked. I was hyped. I was so ready to drink alcohol and get scared simultaneously. Although my fearlessness has dissipated since my younger days and I was feeling quite chicken about the whole thing, I’ve been hyping this up in my head for years, and I was just ready for a good time.
(Courtesy of Universal Studios Multimedia)
This year, Halloween Horror Nights at the Orlando location contains 9 haunted houses, 5 scare zones, and 2 outrageous shows. When I went last year there was only 8, so to you lucky folks going, you get an extra one this year! This event is also held at the Hollywood location, and in Singapore.
A tip for you first timers; make sure to arrive early to this event. It’s extremely crowded, and without fast passes, we were only able to go in about 6 of the 8 houses. We got there about a half hour past opening, and some of the haunted houses (such as The Walking Dead House), already had an hour wait time. While the fast pass was extremely tempting, the price tag on it was a bit too horrifying for comfort, and we managed fine without it.
(Courtesy of Universal Studios Multimedia)
Some houses were a bit underwhelming (I’m looking at you Roanoke Colony!); for such a high level of production, I expected a high scare factor (and prop/makeup design quality) from each house. Other houses were worth the wait and definitely lived up to the hype for me. The Walking Dead house was chock full of zombies crashing through metal fences under flickering strobe lights; The Dollhouse of the Damned had demented ballerinas jumping at me in a room full of mirrors. All this with some vodka cran in my complimentary light up cup? It was a pretty fun night.
(Courtesy of Universal Studios Multimedia)
With that being said, I do think that there are less expensive (and scarier) options than Halloween Horror Nights. Ticket prices start from $49.99 for an add-on ticket (buying in addition to a theme park ticket), or $101.99 for an individual Halloween Horror Nights ticket. It was fun and I would recommend going with a group of friends if you don’t mind the price tag, but I have been to more terrifying haunted houses for a fraction of the price.
Have you been to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando Flordia? (Or any of the other locations?) If so, what did you think?
