Universal's Halloween Horror Nights is an annual Halloween-themed event at Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan and Singapore. The longest-running and most successful iteration of the event, in Orlando, Florida, began as Universal Studios Fright Nights in 1991 as a 3-night event at Universal Studios Florida. The following year, it was re-branded as Halloween Horror Nights, advertised as the "second annual event". Since then, it has evolved into a scare-a-thon event filled with themed haunted houses, scare zones and shows that runs over the course of select nights from early September until late October/early November, inspiring offshoots at other Universal Studios locations across the globe.
| Universal's Halloween Horror Nights | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Universal Orlando | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | October 25, 1991 |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | October 9, 1997 |
| Universal Studios Singapore | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | October 21, 2011 |
| Universal Studios Japan | |
| Status | Operating |
| Opening date | September 14, 2012 |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Annual event |
| Designer | Universal Creative |
| Theme | Halloween Haunted houses |
| Date | Early September–Late October/Early November |
| Owner | Universal Destinations & Experiences |
| Website | halloweenhorrornights |
 Universal Express available | |
 Wheelchair accessible | |
The Orlando event was held at Universal Studios Florida from 1991 until 2001, after which Halloween Horror Nights moved to neighboring Islands of Adventure for 2002 and 2003. In 2004, a dual-park format was tested, which opened parts of both parks, before returning exclusively to Islands of Adventure in 2005. Making its return to Universal Studios Florida in 2006, the event has been held yearly with the exception of 2020, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the first year that Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights was not held since its inception. The event later resumed with its 30th year in 2021.
History
editUniversal Studios Hollywood first featured an event titled Halloween Horror Nights in 1986. Bearing little resemblance to the modern event, the 1986 effort was actually a haunted tram tour, and was marred by the accidental death of a retail employee who, like many employees at the time, had volunteered to perform in the event.[1] This event would be discontinued thereafter.
A year after the opening of Universal Studios Florida in 1990, Universal set out to create a Halloween event for its new east coast park. Universal Studios Fright Nights began as a 3-night event held at Universal Studios Florida on October 25, 26, and 31, 1991, featuring one haunted house, The Dungeon of Terror, and a collection of shows.
The event was renamed in 1992 and advertised as the second annual Halloween Horror Nights. There were two haunted houses, with The Dungeon of Terror returning and The People Under The Stairs making its debut in Soundstage 23. The event ran five nights, October 23–24, 29–31.[2] In its third year, the event saw an increase to seven nights and the number of haunted houses increased to three, with the third at the Bates Motel film set.[3]
Also in 1992, Halloween Horror Nights was relaunched at the Hollywood park as a direct result of the success of Fright Nights in Florida the year before, but was unsuccessful and discontinued for a second time.[4][5]
For its fourth year, in 1994, Halloween Horror Nights in Florida expanded to an eight-night run[6] with the return of a newly designed Dungeon of Terror haunted house, along with three more haunted houses. In addition to Nazarman's and the Bates Motel film set, the new locations were in the Earthquake overflow queue and the Boneyard. This year also marked the first use of the term "Scaracters", as well as the first official "Ghoul School" for actors participating in the event.[7] Ticket prices increased to $36 this year.[8]
Halloween Horror Nights V featured a 12-night run and three haunted houses, one of which was a dual-path house. It was also the first time Universal themed the event around a character, in this case Tales from the Crypt's Crypt Keeper. The event was subtitled "The Curse of the Crypt Keeper".[9]
Following an unsuccessful attempt to franchise the "Chamber of Chills" haunted house located within CityWalk in 1996, Halloween Horror Nights once again relaunched at Universal Studios Hollywood on October 9, 1997, running through the 2000 season.[10] From 2001 to 2005, Halloween Horror Nights went on another hiatus at Universal Studios Hollywood, returning in 2006.[11][12] It has continued yearly since.[13] Between 2007 and 2014, Universal Studios Hollywood made use of Universal's House of Horrors, its permanent haunted attraction, as a part of Halloween Horror Nights, by re-theming it for the event.
Back in Florida, Halloween Horror Nights VI through X followed the formula developed for Halloween Horror Nights V in 1995, growing from 15 nights in 1996 to 19 in 2000. There were three haunted houses each year, although from 1998 on, two each year were dual-path houses, for a total of five experiences. One notable change was the first 3-D haunted house, in 1999, in the Nazarman's facade. By 1999, ticket prices were $44.[14] In 2000, Universal launched its first in-house created Icon, Jack the Clown.[15]
Because the September 11 attacks occurred so close to Halloween Horror Nights XI, Universal made many changes to tone down the event. Much gore was scrapped from the event, and blood was replaced with green "goop". The names of several houses, scare zones, and shows were changed. The original icon character "Eddie" was scrapped. Edgar Sawyer was conceived as a demented, chainsaw-wielding horror movie buff that had been disfigured by a fire. He was supposed to be a threat to previous icon Jack and the tagline "No more clowning around" was used, and seen on early advertisements and merchandise. Eddie was ultimately removed from the event before it began, although he was still appearing on that year's logo and merchandise with the official "I.C.U." tagline. As a hurried replacement, Jack would return along with a line of merchandise bearing the tagline "Jack's Back." Eddie's back-story was changed, and his name was changed to Eddie Schmidt, Jack's younger brother.[16] The event again ran for 19 days, admission was $48, with five haunted houses. The dual house was in Soundstage 22.[17][18]
Halloween Horror Nights moved to Islands of Adventure in 2002.[19] The Caretaker was not the original icon for Halloween Horror Nights 12 in 2002. Cindy (sometimes spelled "Sindy"), the daughter of mortuary owner Paul Bearer, was originally the icon of the event. In the event's premise, every land would be ruled over by her "playthings". After several child abductions in the area, the Cindy concept was abandoned and her father Paul Bearer changed into Dr. Albert Caine, also known as The Caretaker. Cindy would eventually appear in 2006's "Scream House Resurrection", 2009's "Shadows of the Past" and 2010's "The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes". Halloween Horror Nights 12, the first to be held at Islands of Adventure, featured five haunted houses, with admission set at $49.95.[20][21][22]
Halloween Horror Nights 13 again took place at Islands of Adventure. It featured six haunted houses. The Icon was The Director.[23]
For Halloween Horror Nights 14 in 2004 the resort experimented with a dual-park format, which connected and utilized parts of both parks.[24] The fourteenth edition featured a mental patient. It ran 18 nights and featured seven haunted houses.[25]
Halloween Horror Nights 15 in 2005 ran 19 nights, had seven haunted houses, and an admission of $59.75. This year was the first time an entire alternate reality (Terra Cruentus) was the basis for the entire event. Universal offered backstage tours of the Halloween Horror Nights sets.[26][27]
In 2006, "Horror Comes Home" to the Universal Studios Florida park for its sweet 16 celebration with the four previous icons. Admission was $59.95.[28][29] It ran 19 nights, featuring seven haunted houses.[30][31]
For Halloween Horror Nights 17 in 2007, Universal Studios acquired the rights to use New Line Cinema's characters Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface for Halloween Horror Nights. There were eight haunted houses.[32] The event ran 23 days, with a ticket price of $64.95.[33]
2008's Reflections of Fear featured a new icon in the form of Dr. Mary Agana, an original take on the Bloody Mary legend. The event revolved around the realm of reflections where Mary dwelled.
A musical tribute to The Rocky Horror Picture Show was added for the 18th and 19th installments.[34][35][36][37]
2010 marked the 20th installment of the event at the Orlando park. It was titled "Twenty Years of Fear", and it featured Fear as the event's icon.[38] There were eight haunted houses. The event ran 23 nights and admission was $74.99.[39][40]
2011 (Halloween Horror Nights 21) and 2012 (Halloween Horror Nights 22): eight and seven haunted houses, respectively; 25 nights and 22 nights, respectively; $81.99 and $88.99. "Roaming hordes" replace scare zones and The Walking Dead arrive as the event icon in 2012.[41][42][43][44][45][46]
In 2011, Universal Studios Singapore began their Halloween Horror Nights event. There was one haunted house, the event ran seven nights, and admission was S$60.00.[47][48] Universal Studios Singapore Halloween Horror Nights 2 in 2012, ran seven nights, had three haunted houses, with admission at S$68.00.[49][50] By 2015, Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights 5 had grown to four haunted houses, three of which were designed using local Singaporean horror legends and myths.[51] Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights 6, in 2016, featured five haunted houses, ran 16 nights, with admission at S$69.00.[52]
In 2012, Universal Studios Japan joined the Halloween Horror Nights franchise with an event themed to the Biohazard video games (known as Resident Evil in other countries). It ran 36 nights, from September 14 through November 11. Tickets were ¥8,400.[53][54][55][56] By 2015, Universal Studios Japan had increased its "Universal Surprise Halloween at Universal Studios Japan" (which includes Halloween Horror Nights) to 59 days, featuring both daytime and nighttime activities.[57]
2013 Florida's Halloween Horror Nights 23 featured a haunted house based on An American Werewolf in London, another based on The Cabin in the Woods, and a third based on Resident Evil, plus five more, for a total of eight. The Walking Dead continued as the event icon and The Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute returned.[58] It ran 27 nights.[59] Admission was $91.99.[60]
Florida's Halloween Horror Nights 24 in 2014 featured eight haunted houses and a return to the use of scare zones, absent since 2012. Universal again made use of licensed properties from others, including The Walking Dead, Alien vs. Predator, From Dusk till Dawn, Halloween, and The Purge. There were two shows, Bill and Ted and the Rocky Horror Tribute.[61][62]
Halloween Horror Nights 25, in 2015 at Universal Studios Florida, brought back Jack the Clown as the icon along with his icon friends. HHN 25 ran a record 30 nights.[63][64] HHN 25 featured nine haunted houses, with admission reaching $101.99 during the prime days.[65][66][67]
Halloween Horror Nights 27 was the final year Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure was performed at Universal Studios Florida. The show had been running at HHN since 1992.[68]
Universal Studios Florida debuted a brand new lagoon show entitled "Halloween Marathon of Mayhem" during HHN 29 that featured "iconic scenes from well known and cult classic horror films and TV shows.[69]
Universal Studios Hollywood included Throwback Thursdays as part of Halloween Horror Nights 2019. With a special welcome from Chucky and had Beetlejuice and a live DJ playing 1980s hits. Along with local Los Angeles 80s cover band, Fast Times, performing on select nights for the event.[70]
Halloween Horror Nights 30 was initially planned for 2020, but it was cancelled and delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on theme parks.[71] They later decided to feature two of the planned haunted houses as attractions for guests for the initially planned 2020 season.[72] For the Halloween weekend of 2020, the originally planned Beetlejuice house was featured for a limited engagement.
In 2020, a limited-edition album, entitled Music of Halloween Horror Nights was made available at the Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store. The album featured songs created by Midnight Syndicate specifically for Halloween Horror Nights in addition to other tracks that had been used at the event and on the event's websites since 1999. The initial pressing sold out in less than a day.[73][74] Subsequent pressings were made available at the event in 2021.[75]
By December 2023, Halloween Horror Nights was confirmed to be included for the upcoming Universal Studios United Kingdom.[76]
In June 2024, it was announced that A Quiet Place would be coming to Universal's Halloween Horror Nights.[77] A first of its kinds HHN premier night was also announced in June 2024 called "Premium Scream Night". The event offers guests early access to HHN before its official opening to the public, being the first event of this kind.[78]
Event summaries
editUniversal Orlando Resort
edit| Year | Name[79] | Icon(s) | Haunted House(s) | Scare Zone(s) | Show(s)[80] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Universal Studios Fright Nights | None | Dungeon of Terror | None |
|
| 1992 | Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights |
None |
|
None |
|
| 1993 | Third Annual Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights |
None |
|
None |
|
| 1994 | 4th Annual Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights |
None |
|
Horrorwood |
|
| 1995 | Halloween Horror Nights V | The Crypt Keeper |
|
|
|
| 1996 | Halloween Horror Nights VI | The Crypt Keeper |
|
Midway of the Bizarre |
|
| 1997 | Halloween Horror Nights VII: Frightmares |
None |
|
Midway of the Bizarre |
|
| 1998 | Halloween Horror Nights VIII: Primal Scream |
None |
|
Midway of the Bizarre |
|
| 1999 | Halloween Horror Nights IX: Last Gasp |
None |
|
Midway of the Bizarre |
|
| 2000 | Halloween Horror Nights X | Jack the Clown |
|
|
|
| 2001 | Halloween Horror Nights XI | Jack the Clown |
|
|
|
| 2002 | Halloween Horror Nights 12: Islands of Fear |
The Caretaker |
|
|
|
| 2003 | Halloween Horror Nights 13 | The Director |
|
|
|
| 2004 | Halloween Horror Nights 14 | None |
|
|
|
| 2005 | Halloween Horror Nights 15: Tales of Terror |
|
|
|
|
| 2006 | Halloween Horror Nights: Sweet 16 |
|
|
|
|
| 2007 | Halloween Horror Nights 17: Carnival of Carnage |
|
|
|
|
| 2008 | Halloween Horror Nights 18: Reflections of Fear |
Bloody Mary |
|
| |
| 2009 | Halloween Horror Nights 19: Ripped From The Silver Screen |
|
|
|
|
| 2010 | Halloween Horror Nights XX: Twenty Years of Fear |
|
|
|
|
| 2011 | Halloween Horror Nights 21 | Lady Luck |
|
| |
| 2012 | Halloween Horror Nights 22 | None |
|
|
|
| 2013 | Halloween Horror Nights 23 | None |
|
|
|
| 2014 | Halloween Horror Nights 24 | None |
|
|
|
| 2015 | Halloween Horror Nights 25 | Jack The Clown |
|
|
|
| 2016 | Halloween Horror Nights 26 | Chance |
|
|
|
| 2017 | Halloween Horror Nights 27 | None |
|
|
|
| 2018 | Halloween Horror Nights 28 | None |
|
|
Academy of Villains: Cyberpunk |
| 2019 | Halloween Horror Nights 29 | None |
|
|
|
| 2020 | Cancelled due to delays and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. | — | |||
| 2021 | Halloween Horror Nights 30: Never Go Alone |
Jack The Clown |
|
|
|
| 2022 | Halloween Horror Nights 31: Never Go Alone |
Pumpkin Lord |
|
|
|
| 2023 | Halloween Horror Nights 32: Never Go Alone |
Dr. Oddfellow |
|
|
Nightmare Fuel: Revenge Dream |
| 2024 | Halloween Horror Nights 33: Where Horror Lives |
SINIST3R & SURR3AL |
|
|
Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus |
Universal Studios Hollywood
edit| Year | Icon | Terror Tram | Mazes | Scare Zones | Shows[89][90] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | None | The Terror Tram | None | None | Ready for the World "Oh Sheila" |
| 1992 | None | The Terror Tram |
|
None |
|
| 1997 | None | None |
|
None |
|
| 1998 | None | None |
|
None | None |
| 1999 | None | None |
|
None |
|
| 2000 | None | None |
|
Nightmare Creatures II |
|
| 2006 | The Director | The Director's Cut |
|
|
|
| 2007 |
|
The Nightmare Tour |
|
|
|
| 2008 | The Nightmare Tour |
|
|
| |
| 2009 | Live or Die |
|
|
| |
| 2010 | Chucky's Revenge |
|
|
Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure[d] | |
| 2011 | Ghostface | Scream 4 Your Life |
|
|
Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure[d] |
| 2012 | The Walking Dead[j] | Invaded by The Walking Dead[j] |
|
|
Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure[d] |
| 2013 | The Walking Dead[j] | Invaded by The Walking Dead[j] |
|
|
|
| 2014 | The Walking Dead[j] | Invaded by The Walking Dead[j] |
|
|
None |
| 2015 | The Walking Dead[j] | Survive The Purge |
|
Jabbawockeez | |
| 2016 | Beyond Your Wildest Screams | Eli Roth Presents Terror Tram |
|
The Purge: Election Year[m] | Jabbawockeez |
| 2017 | The Best Nightmares Never End | Titans of Terror Tram (Hosted by Chucky) |
|
|
Jabbawockeez |
| 2018 | True Fear Comes From Within | Terror Tram: Hollywood Harry's Dreadtime Storiez |
|
|
Jabbawockeez |
| 2019 | Maximum Screamage | None |
|
|
Jabbawockeez |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to delays and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. | — | |||
| 2021 | Never Go Alone | Terror Tram: The Ultimate Purge |
|
Jabbawockeez | |
| 2022 | Never Go Alone | Terror Tram: Hollywood Harry's Halloween (feat. Jordan Peele's Us and Nope) |
|
|
Jabbawockeez |
| 2023 | Never Go Alone | Terror Tram: The Exterminatorz |
|
|
|
| 2024 | Fear Cannot Be Contained | Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse[m] |
|
|
|
Universal Studios Singapore
edit| Year | Name | Lead Icons / Theme | Other Icons | Haunted Houses | Scare Zones | Shows[91] | Special Experiences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Halloween Horror Nights | - The Director | None | - Vengeance of the Matriarch | - Carn-Evil - Post-Apocalyptic Rage - The Pestilence - The Void - The Edge of Darkness |
- 44 Sins - Director's Final Cut |
None |
| 2012 | Halloween Horror Nights 2 | - The Puppet Master | - High Priest - Doctor Dementia - The Undertaker |
- Dungeon of Damnation - The Insanitarium - Death Alley |
- House of Dolls - Total Lockdown - Bizarre Bazaar |
None | None |
| 2013 | Halloween Horror Nights 3 | - The Evil Sisters - The Crone of the Forest - The Daughter of the Undead - The Maiden of the Opera |
None | - Adrift - Songs of Death - House No. 13 |
- Attack of the Vampires - Convention of Curses - Forbidden Forest |
None | None |
| 2014 | Halloween Horror Nights 4 | - The Minister (Jonah Goodwill) | None | - The L.A.B: Laboratory of Alien Breeding - Mati Camp - Jing's Revenge - Jack's 3-Dementia |
- Scary Tales - Canyon of the Cursed - Demoncracy - Bogeyman |
- Jack's Nightmare Circus | None |
| 2015 | Halloween Horror Nights 5 | Theme: The Blood Moon | - Tok Naga Arang - Silas the Cult Leader - Paper Effigy - Flesh-eating Zombie |
- True Singapore Ghost Stories: The MRT - The Tunnel People - Hell House - Siloso Gateway Block 50 |
- CONTermination - Hungry Ghosts - The Invaders |
- Beast Club | None |
| 2016 | Halloween Horror Nights 6 | - Lady Death | - Pontianak - Damien Shipman - Augusta DeFeo - Hu Li - Poisoned Teen - Jack the Clown |
- Old Changi Hospital - Bodies of Work - The Salem Witch House - Hu Li's Inn - Hawker Centre Massacre |
- Suicide Forest - March of the Dead |
- Jack's Recurring Nightmare Circus - Death March |
None |
| 2017 | Halloween Horror Nights 7 | Theme: The 7 Deadlier Sins | - Malice (Malice) - Raven (Narcissism) - Empress Qing (Creulty) - Midnight Man (Manipulation) - Lord Obsession (Obsession) - Father Time (Perversion) - Doctor White (Deception) |
- Death Mall - Make the Cut - Terrorcotta Empress - Hex - Inside the Mind |
- Happy Horror Days - Pilgrimage of Sin |
- Laboratorium - Slice of Life Tour |
- Zombie Laser Tag |
| 2018 | Halloween Horror Nights 8 | Theme: Infinite Fear | - Demogorgon - Lu Xi Fa - Pontianak - Yin Demon - Lady Oiwa - Zombie - Cannibal Chief - Gaia |
- Netflix's Stranger Things - Killuminati - Pontianak - Pagoda of Peril - The Haunting of Oiwa |
- Cannibal - Apocalypse: Earth |
- Infinite Fear - DEAD Talk - Blood and Bones |
- Zombie Laser Tag |
| 2019 | Halloween Horror Nights 9 | - The Undertaker | - Serpentine Spirit - Ring Leader Rusty - Langsuir - Executioner - Yumi - Savage |
- Curse of the Naga - Twisted Clown University - The Chalet Hauntings - Hell Block 9 - Spirit Dolls |
- Dead End - Death Fest |
- Death Fest LIVE - Skin & Bones |
- Halloween Carnival |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to delays and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. | — | |||||
| 2021 | Halloween Horror Nights Exhibition | ||||||
| 2022 | Halloween Horror Nights 10 | Theme : Evil Has Returned | - The Killustrator - Sorceress - The Bitten Zombie - The Horrorcle - Pontianak - The Reaper |
- Killustrator: The Final Chapter - Operation: Dead Force - Hospitality of Horror |
- Dark Zodiac - The Hunt for Pontianak |
- The Silenced Auction | - Escape the Breakout - Die-ning with the Dead - Monsters & Manifestations |
| 2023 | Halloween Horror Nights 11 | Theme: Evil is Knocking | - King Yama - The Matriarch - Pied Piper - Gwi-Nam - The Weeknd - Agni - Madame Dragon - The Hacker |
- The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare - Netflix's All of Us Are Dead - Grimm Encounters - Rebirth of the Matriarch - DIYU: Descent into Hell |
- Dead Man's Wharf - The Hacker - The Cursed Kiramam |
- Judgement Day (Scaremony) - The Hacker: Game Over |
- Die-ning in Hell |
| 2024 | Halloween Horror Nights 12 | Theme : Enter Your Darkest Dreams | TBA | - Netflix's Sweet Home - Cursed Scrolls: Dynasty of Darkness - Singapore's Most Haunted: The Killings - Under The Castle |
- The Lost Kampung - Vampire Ally - Nether-Land |
- Dark Dreams - Ocu.lar's Rave - Night Terrors |
- Viper Lounge |
Universal Studios Japan
edit| Year | Name | Houses | Scare Zones | Attractions & Shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Halloween Horror Nights | Jason's Bloody Diner The Mummy Museum II |
Biohazard/Resident Evil | Parade De Carnival Trick or Treat |
| 2013 | Halloween Horror Nights 2 | Sadako Friday the 13th The Mummy Museum III |
Zombie Street | Parade De Carnival |
| 2014 | Halloween Horror Nights 3 | Sadako Friday the 13th Chucky's Horror Factory |
Zombie Street Biohazard/Resident Evil |
Parade De Carnival |
| 2015 | Halloween Horror Nights 4 | Sadako A Nightmare on Elm Street Chucky's Horror Factory 2 Alien vs. Predator |
Zombie Street Biohazard/Resident Evil |
Parade De Carnival |
| 2016 | Halloween Horror Nights 5 | A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 Chucky's Horror Factory 3 Tatari The Exorcist Trauma 2 |
Zombie Street J-Horror |
None |
| 2017 | Halloween Horror Nights 6 | Deadman's Forest Cult of Chucky A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 The Exorcist Trauma 3 Sadako Gakkou no Kaidan |
Zombie Street | Festa de Parade |
| 2018 | Halloween Horror Nights 7 | Insidious: The Last Key Cult of Chucky The Survival-Deadman's Forest 2 |
Street Zombies | SADAKO |
| 2019 | Halloween Horror Nights 8 | Biohazard/Resident Evil Area 51 Cult of Chucky |
Street Zombies Zombie de Dance |
SADAKO Space Fantasy: The Ride: The Black Hole |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to delays and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. | — | ||
| 2021 | Halloween Horror Nights 9 | GeGeGe no Kitarō | Zombie de Dance Psycho Street |
Sherlock Holmes: The Cursed Rose Sword |
| 2022 | Halloween Horror Nights 10 | Biohazard: The Extreme Universal Monsters: Legends of Fear Cult of Chucky: Chucky's Hospital Ward of Madness |
HAMIKUMA Psycho Circus Murderous Monsters Chainsaw Chain-gang Tortured Test-Subjects Gothic Killer Cuties Circus Freaks Atrocious Ancients |
Sherlock Holmes: The Cursed Rose Sword |
| 2023 | Halloween Horror Nights 11 | Biohazard: The Extreme + Horror UP! Universal Monsters: Legend of Fear Horror UP! Chucky's Carnival of Chaos – Chucky's Bloody Festival |
Zombie de Dance Street Zombies Horror UP! |
Sadako's Curse ~Dark Horror Ride~ Ado × Hollywood Dream – The Ride |
| 2024 | Halloween Horror Nights 12 | Biohazard: Night of Heroes Chucky's Carnival of Chaos |
Street Zombies Zombie de Dance |
Hami-Kuma's Shout It Out Party Chainsaw Man: The Chaos 4-D Ado × Hollywood Dream – The Ride |
Event icons
editHalloween Horror Nights has amassed a number of lead characters, known as icons. These icons usually have elaborate back-stories that involve the events' themes, houses, or scare zones. Predominantly, they have been used for promotional materials and merchandising. The first unofficial icon was The Crypt Keeper, from the TV series Tales from the Crypt, a series popular at the time of his first event appearance.[9] The Crypt Keeper returned the next year for one of the houses, but was not featured in the advertising campaign. After the Crypt Keeper, the event continued for three years without an icon. In 1999, Imhotep served as Icon. for Halloween Horror Nights X, Jack the Clown was featured as an icon. This represents the first time Universal created an icon in-house.[15] Halloween Horror Nights has had an icon, and in some cases, multiple icons, every year since, excluding Halloween Horror Nights XIV, 22-24 and 27–29. These characters have included Jack the Clown, The Caretaker, The Director, The Storyteller, Bloody Mary, The Usher, Fear, Lady Luck, Chance and The Pumpkin Lord. Chance was the icon for Halloween Horror Nights 2016. She was a new icon but used to serve as a "sidekick" to Jack (though there are rumours that they have a romantic relationship) in his shows (her role and look being inspired by Batman antagonist Harley Quinn[92]). In 2007, for Halloween Horror Nights 17, Universal again licensed intellectual properties from others, in this case New Line Cinema for Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface,[32] however, Jack the Clown was still featured. Jack the Clown returned in 2015 for Halloween Horror Nights XXV followed by Chance in 2016 at Halloween Horror Nights 26. The icons returned in 2021 for HHN 30 in their house, Icons Captured. Set in Fear's Lantern from HHN 20, each had their own special room in the house where they re-enacted famous kills. The final room would feature a different icon who sat in the throne each night. At HHN 31, The Pumpkin Lord served as that year's icon after appearing at HHN 30 in The Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin house. At HHN 32 Dr.Oddfellow became the icon. He was linked to all scare zones and his own house
Attractions
editHaunted houses
editThe haunted houses are the main attractions at the event. When the event first started as "Fright Nights" at Universal Studios Florida,[93] there was simply one haunted house: the Dungeon of Terror.[94] As the event progressed through the years, the number has increased to as many as ten different houses, as of Halloween Horror Nights 28 in 2018.[95] The houses are enumerated in the expandable charts above for each park, sorted by year. The event typically averages nine haunted houses along with numerous scare zones.
Scare zones
editHalloween Horror Nights IV was the first year to introduce a "scare zone", a name given to specific outdoor areas that feature costumed characters that fit the zone's theme with the intent of scaring people who walk through the areas. To get to certain areas of the park, it is necessary to travel through these scare zones. In 2012, Orlando re-envisioned the scare zones as "street experiences," claiming that scare actors were no longer restricted to specific "zones." Instead, there were a number of "hordes" which would change their location in the park every 90 minutes. By 2014, the traditional scare zones returned with The Purge: Anarchy (inspired by the film), Face Off: In the Flesh, Bayou of Blood, and MASKerade: Unstitched.[citation needed] However, Hollywood Horror Nights in California still has specific scare zones, that range in themes. In recent years, Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando has adjusted the locations of its scare zones, forcing attendees to walk through at least one zone when entering the park. While actors cannot touch guests and vice versa, many of them can surround them at one time. Many actors in these areas have props like bats, chainsaws, and fake guns, and can act like they are going to attack guests with their "weapons". Actors are also allowed to chase visitors in and out of the scare zones. From time to time, actors will pose as regular event guests, only to be captured by various hordes, specifically The Purge.
Entertainment/Shows
editHalloween Horror Nights has featured several live entertainment shows. Recurring shows have included "The Rocky Horror Picture Show A Tribute",[96] "Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure",[97] Robosaurus[98] and Academy of Villains.[99] Bill and Ted's show appeared in every Halloween Horror Nights from 1992 until its closure following Halloween Horror Nights 27 in 2017.[100]
It was "...a scatter-shot mashup of pop culture, popular radio and unexpectedly mature content" according to a review.[101]
For the first time, Universal Studios Florida will debut a brand new lagoon show entitled "Halloween Marathon of Mayhem" during HHN 29 that will feature "iconic scenes from top horror films, cult classics and TV shows.
Rides
editSeveral theme park rides remain operational during the event.[102] In past event years, some were re-themed for the event such as Kongfrontation becoming Tramway of Doom during Halloween Horror Nights II. Diagon Alley has been open for Halloween Horror Nights since 2015. It was closed-off in 2014 despite opening just a few months earlier and to date it has not been re-themed or had any scare actors present.[103] In 2023, Death Eaters were introduced roaming around Diagon Alley, in lieu of scare actors.
Commercials, media, and awards
editUniversal's Halloween Horror Nights is known for the dark tone of its advertisements and commercials. A majority of them were directed by Dean Kane. In 2010, the directors of Daybreakers, Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, directed the commercial for Halloween Horror Nights.[citation needed]
Universal Studios Florida has won Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for Best Halloween Event 12 of the 14 times it has been awarded, including the last eleven years straight.[104]
COVID-19 pandemic impact
editDue to COVID-19 and its spread to Florida and to California, Universal Orlando announced Halloween Horror Nights' 30th annual event would not be taking place in 2020 as originally planned in Orlando or Hollywood. In a statement "Universal Orlando Resort will be focusing exclusively on operating its theme parks for daytime guests, using the enhanced health and safety procedures already in place," the resort said in a news release Friday morning. "We know this decision will disappoint our fans and guests. We are disappointed, too. But we look forward to creating an amazing event in 2021."[105] However, Universal opted to open the Halloween Horror Nights merchandise store. Universal Orlando did open two haunted houses in the fall of 2020, the "Bride of Frankenstein Lives" house and the "Revenge of the Tooth Fairy" house, in an attempt to lure back park guests but under full COVID restrictions with only three guests per room and distanced accordingly. This was not considered as a true Halloween event as the company simply was testing the procedure for Halloween events as precautions. These houses lasted throughout the season. A third house, based on the film Beetlejuice, opened Halloween weekend. All three were closed November 1.
On September 9, Universal Singapore announced that they made a decision to not hold the event that year.[106]
See also
edit- Incidents at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
- Universal Horror Unleashed, a similar attraction from Universal Destinations & Experiences
- Jimmy Fallon's Tonightmares, a haunted maze experience at Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan.
Notes
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y The intellectual property rights are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j The intellectual property rights are owned by Sony.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The intellectual property rights are owned by Vortex Inc.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap The intellectual property rights are owned by Amazon MGM Studios.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n The intellectual property rights are owned by The Walt Disney Company.
- ^ a b c d The intellectual property rights are owned by the Wes Craven estate.
- ^ a b c d e f The intellectual property rights are owned by Paramount Global.
- ^ The intellectual property rights are owned by Dark Horse Comics.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m The intellectual property rights are owned by Lionsgate.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab The intellectual property rights are owned by AMC Networks.
- ^ a b c d e The intellectual property rights are owned by Renaissance Pictures.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j The intellectual property rights are owned by Trancas International Films.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa The intellectual property rights are owned by Blumhouse Productions.
- ^ a b c d The intellectual property rights are owned by Morgan Creek Entertainment.
- ^ a b c d e f g h The intellectual property rights are owned by Netflix.
- ^ a b c The intellectual property rights are owned by XO and Republic Records.
- ^ The intellectual property rights are owned by Vertigo Records.
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