Before you dig in, make sure you’ve secured your Halloween Horror Nights ticket. You can learn more about discounted admission through Orlando Informer here.

Vegetarian Halloween Horror Nights Dishes

Twisted Tater Chips – $9.99
Twisted Tater Chips, Production Central
A Halloween Horror Nights classic returns with a twist! In past years, these spiralized potatoes came on a stick. For 2025, they’ve been reimagined into a crispy chip form while keeping the same delicious flavor. Choose your topping: spicy cheddar or ranch & vinegar seasoning.

Abracadabra Sunflower Glasses – $7.99
Terrifier Booth, Gramercy Park
Equal parts creepy and cute, these sunflower sugar cookies are styled after Art’s iconic shades in Terrifier 2. Finished with chocolate and a splatter of “blood,” they’re as Instagrammable as they are tasty.

Death by Cheese Stick – $10.99
Cursed Carnival, Gramercy Park
This monstrous mozzarella stick is hand-breaded, fried to perfection, and delivers a cheese pull worthy of its name. Served with a side of spicy marinara, it’s hearty enough to fuel you through a full night of scares.

Ramblin’ Rabbit Fried Carrot Cake – $8.99
The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks Booth, Gramercy Park
This dessert is a flavor smackdown: crispy fried carrot cake drizzled with sweet white icing, topped with a puff of torn Ramblin’ Rabbit cotton candy.

Cupcake – $12.99
Five Nights at Freddy’s Dining, New York
Inspired by Chica’s mechanical companion, this cupcake hides no deadly surprises! It’s built with layers of rich chocolate cake, raspberry filling, cannoli cream, and topped with mascarpone buttercream frosting.

Pan con Tomate – $7.99
El Artista: A Spanish Haunting Booth, Hollywood
Simple, savory, and satisfying—this bite layers grilled garlic bread with tomato pulp and a sprinkle of Manchego cheese for a crunchy, flavorful snack.

Artist’s Palette – $7.99
El Artista: A Spanish Haunting Booth, Hollywood
A sweet treat inspired by Sergio Navarro, the tortured artist of this year’s event. This “palette” features crispy sugar-dusted churros served with “paints” of dulce de leche, raspberry jam, and Bavarian cream for dipping.

Elotes – $8.49
Jason Universe, San Francisco
Channel those campfire vibes with this fire-grilled corn on the cob. Choose between toppings of cotija cheese with Tajín seasoning or a bold layer of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. A killer snack—minus the hockey mask.

Vegan HHN Options

Vegan Pizza Fries – $11.99
Dreamworks Imagination Cafe, Hollywood
No trip to Halloween Horror Nights is complete without Pizza Fries—and now everyone can join in on the tradition! This vegan-friendly version layers crispy French fries with marinara sauce, melty vegan cheese, and plant-based pepperoni and sausage crumbles.

African Lentil Coffin – $8.99
Avenue Bites, Gramercy Park
A longtime fan-favorite returns from the grave! The African Lentil Coffin is filled with savory African-spiced lentils and a crispy potato sambusa, creating a flavorful vegan dish that has become a Halloween Horror Nights staple.

Fritos Vegan Walking Taco – $14.99
The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane Booth,  Springfield: Home of the Simpsons
This handheld meal is a flavor explosion in a bag! Fritos corn chips are loaded with zesty vegan chorizo crumbles, salsa verde, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Bold, crunchy, and deliciously satisfying—it’s a plant-based party in every bite.

We hope this guide helps you discover the best vegetarian and vegan food available at Halloween Horror Nights 2025! From sweet treats to savory classics, there are plenty of delicious options to enjoy throughout the event. For the full list of every dish and drink available, be sure to check out our complete Halloween Horror Nights Food Guide.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 29 through November 2. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Although BzzzCon (sometimes referred to as “BuzzCon”) made its debut at HHN 31 in 2022, the lore hints at a deeper history—suggesting their reach stretches much further than we once imagined. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For now, let’s rewind to the Roaring Twenties, where one of BzzzCon’s earliest incidents takes center stage in this year’s scare zone, Mutations: Toxic Twenties.

And if you’re ready to experience this twisted history for yourself this year, don’t forget—you can purchase discounted Halloween Horror Nights admission directly through Orlando Informer. Learn more here.

BzzzCon Origins in HHN’s Mutations: Toxic Twenties

Digging into the lore, BzzzCon’s roots trace back as far as late 1928. While they kept most of their dastardly doings hushed, the company had a notable presence in New York during the early days of the Golden Age and Prohibition. It was there that “Diamond” Joe Malone and his group of mobsters attempted a bank heist gone wrong. On the run from authorities, their escape erupted into a high-speed chase through the city streets.

Unfortunately, it ended with Malone’s crew crashing into a BzzzCon truck that was carrying toxic cargo. The impact sent the hazardous material everywhere, including a Flapper party being held at a local speakeasy. Attendees attempted to flee to the streets, but it was too late, as the toxins had already begun mutating their DNA. Upon escape, they went from harmless partygoers to midnight monsters. 

Rumors had long circulated that BzzzCon engaged in shady practices, with whispers of a toxic rat poison that mutated rather than exterminated the vermin it targeted. Accidental as it was, the news of the mobsters crashing into a company vehicle should have been enough to make BzzzCon halt its questionable operations. However, the corporation would find itself at the center of another disaster nearly three decades later.

Expanding Lore in Bugs: Eaten Alive

In 1952, BzzzCon sought a rebranding to separate itself from the Malone incident. The company shifted its focus to pesticides and related home appliances, even introducing a new mascot, B-Cide the bee. They had developed Extermin-Air, a pesticide designed to flow through household ventilation systems, eliminating pests while also cooling your home. The concept was well-received, with investors throwing in to fund BzzzCon’s latest endeavour. This prompted them to debut it at the 1952 World Tech Fair. 

Representatives and staff arrived months in advance to set up shop in Pavilion 31. Installing concrete walls that held all of BzzzCon’s latest equipment, the space was designed to impress expo attendees as a glimpse into the “home of the future.” However, when the time came for the much-anticipated Extermin-Air showcase, the invention malfunctioned, filling the tent with a green, toxic fog. Instead of eliminating the bugs, it caused them to multiply, then mutate to enormous proportions, while also sending them into a frenzy.

As attendees and staff scrambled to escape, they were met with swarms of nightmarish insects. Armies of ants overran the home, massive roaches claimed the model kitchen, and some creatures even twisted into upright monstrosities. Many believed the most terrifying sight was the grotesque spider-beast that dominated the pavilion—but worse still were the victims themselves, transformed into living hives, their bodies crawling with thousands of mutant insect eggs.

Other BzzzCon Easter Eggs and Appearances at HHN

Canonically, it seems BzzzCon is just getting started after the stories woven in Mutations: Toxic Twenties and Bugs: Eaten Alive. Outside of the main lore, BzzzCon Easter eggs appeared in two of the fictional B-movies within 2024’s Slaughter Sinema 2 house: Blood and Chum, where the company is suspected of mutating and driving a killer shark into a frenzy, and Night of the Undead Clowns, where BzzzCon’s overflowing landfills gave rise to zombie clowns attacking humanity. Universal is certainly no stranger to using Slaughter Sinema as a springboard for future concepts—but that’s not where things get interesting.

This year, BzzzCon made its presence known not in one but in two corners of HHN. The obvious connection lies within Mutations: Toxic Twenties—but the more subtle reference appears in Dolls: Let’s Play Dead. Keen-eyed house-goers may notice that BzzzCon batteries are found powering a portion of Lyla’s dollhouse of torture. Are Lyla and her toys part of yet another twisted BzzzCon experiment? Is that how her victims were reduced to toy size? Perhaps it’s nothing more than a clever Easter egg. For now, the answer remains a mystery—but it certainly sparks curiosity about how this sinister company connects to the house, and what role it might play in HHN’s future..

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post The Dark History of BzzzCon at HHN: From the Twenties to Bugs and Beyond appeared first on Orlando Informer.

This year’s lineup is absolutely stacked and easily one of the most anticipated in HHN history. Step into the twisted universe of The Wyatt Sicks, survive the post-apocalyptic Wasteland of Fallout, and face the mechanical nightmares of Five Nights at Freddy’s. Then, come face-to-face with Jason Voorhees and prepare for chaos with Art the Clown in the grotesque world of Terrifier.

All that is just the beginning — the event also features a slate of original concepts, from a haunted dollhouse and a demon-infested Old West to a harrowing descent into the underworld, and more.

With all this event has to offer, we ranked every house, scare zone, and show to help you navigate it all. Our rankings come from a mix of feedback from the online community and our team here at Orlando Informer. Both groups bring the same elements to the grading scale: an understanding of Horror Nights in years past, an appreciation of the source material, and an unrivaled enthusiasm for Halloween.

Haunted Houses at Halloween Horror Nights 2025

10. Grave of Flesh

It’s your funeral, so dress your best! In Grave of Flesh, you’re not just attending a burial; you’re being pulled into the underworld to face what lies beyond the grave.

The set design is easily one of this house’s biggest strengths. Early on, you glance upward and see your own tombstone, as though you’re staring at it from six feet below. One scene pays visual homage to M.C. Escher’s “Relativity”, with twisted staircases defying logic and space. The entire layout feels disorienting, like you’re being pulled deeper into a surreal nightmare. All the while, mole-like creatures claw their way out of the darkness, reaching for you and trying to drag you even further below.

We especially loved the opening sequence as it set the tone perfectly, immediately immersing you in the sensation of being buried alive. However, some of the scares began to feel repetitive as the house progressed, and it occasionally struggled to maintain its momentum.

While it may not have landed at the top of our list, Grave of Flesh was still a fun and creative original concept that offered a unique take on the afterlife.

Read the announcement

9. Fallout

Fallout comes with a massive built-in fanbase, thanks to its long-running video game series and the hit Amazon Prime show (with Season Two premiering December 17). That said, the pressure was on for Universal to deliver, and this house doesn’t hold back. 

This maze follows Lucy, a Vault-Dweller from Vault 33, who is forced out of the safety of her secured home and into the harsh Wasteland — a world left desolate by nuclear fallout (hence the name of the franchise). The journey begins on her wedding day, as a brutal massacre unfolds inside Vault 33. From there, you’re thrust into the unforgiving surface world, a landscape crawling with mutants, raiders, and dangers at every turn.

The set design here is a standout, transporting you into post-apocalyptic Los Angeles with impressive accuracy. Locations like the Super Duper Mart are recreated in stunning detail, making it feel like you’ve stepped straight into the Amazon series itself. Along the way, you encounter familiar faces, including The Ghoul and Maximus, adding another layer of authenticity that fans of the show will instantly recognize. 

And remember that Season Two mention? Keep your eyes open — there are subtle teases and nods to the upcoming season, offering something extra for die-hard viewers.

It’s clear that this house was crafted with respect for the source material, staying true to the tone, style, and world of Fallout while layering in HHN’s signature scares. While it earns points for its faithful adaptation, it doesn’t quite deliver on pure scare factor, which is why it lands at 9th place in our overall rankings.

Read the announcement

8. The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks

In 2019, Bray Wyatt expressed his hope that his twisted world might one day come to life at Halloween Horror Nights. Though the beloved WWE Superstar tragically passed in 2023, his legacy endures — not just through the haunting presence of The Wyatt Sicks, but also now within the very fabric of HHN history.

The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks are made up of five personas inspired by the puppets from Bray Wyatt’s infamous Firefly Fun House TV segments. In this house, we encounter each of them as they haunt and taunt guests throughout their journey.

The house begins on the stage of Monday Night Raw, a dream-come-true for wrestling fans, made possible by the partnership between WWE and Universal Orlando Resort. From there, you’re pulled into a tunnel of flickering televisions, descending deeper into Wyatt’s world, including a tour through the Wyatt Family Compound and a detailed recreation of the Firefly Fun House set.

A recurring and powerful symbol throughout the experience is Bray Wyatt’s lantern, once used to lead him to the ring — now guiding us through the darkness of The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks. And perhaps the most chilling moment of all comes when The Fiend, Bray’s most iconic alter ego, follows you closely behind, whispering his signature invitation: “Let me in.”

It’s a house steeped in heart and horror, serving as both a terrifying experience and a touching homage to one of wrestling’s most visionary and unforgettable minds. You can feel the care and passion poured into every detail, a clear reflection of the respect the creative team holds for both Bray Wyatt’s legacy and his devoted WWE following.

Read the announcement

7. Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters

This house is rooted in Halloween Horror Nights lore that stretches back years before 2025. Slaughter Sinema, a 2018 fan-favorite, brought cult B-movies to life, featuring everything from sacrificial sororities and werewolf bikers to murderous barbers. Its success sparked a wave of follow-ups, inspiring attractions like the 2019 house Yeti: Terror of the Yukon.

That legacy continued with Slaughter Sinema 2 in 2024, which introduced an entirely new lineup of flicks (and topped our rankings last year). Among those concepts was Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters, and in 2025, it finally gets the full haunted house treatment it deserves.

So now that you’re caught up, let’s dive into what we thought of the main feature.

Hatchet, himself a demon, and Chains, a bounty hunter, join forces after an old woman from a small cowtown grows furious about a new train station being built. Naturally, she does what any reasonable citizen would do: summon a horde of lava demons from the local Hell’s Well (visible just outside the house façade). The demons physically possess their victims in three gruesome forms: demon, flesh, and “hodgepodge.” Victims have skin peeling away, flesh dangling, and in some cases, are literally stitched together with metal pieces.

Your journey winds through the town depot, fellowship hall, the Horse-Toothed Saloon, the undertaker’s parlor, and the cemetery. There are clever nods along the way, like windows peering into future locations within the house, and it’s all decorated with trails of blood that coat the floors, walls, and just about everything else.

While Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters is thematically rich and visually striking, it’s admittedly light on scares. We can’t say that we have lost sleep over lava demons under the bed, but the concept was a blast, and the execution made for a fun, well-designed addition to the lineup.

Read the announcement

6. Gálkn: Monsters of the North

This original house concept transports you to a remote northern village, where a long-buried evil has returned. A wicked being rises from the dead, unleashing a horde of monstrous creatures that descend on the village in a wave of frost, fury, and blood. As the land freezes over and terror spreads, your only hope is to escape the belly of the beast or become another soul lost to legend.

This house felt like a blend of 2023’s Blood Moon: Dark Offerings, with its village horror, and 2019’s Yeti: Terror of the Yukon, thanks to its snow-covered wilderness setting. You journey through a series of intense scenes as the monsters overtake this community, with each space layering dread and detail.

One of the standout features here is the use of puppetry, which adds a dynamic layer to the scares. Instead of relying solely on traditional scareactor moments, the house mixes in puppet creatures, giving the maze a dynamic rhythm that keeps you guessing.

The setting is chilling, the energy intense, and the frights delivered with variety, making Gálkn a house that truly feels like a northern nightmare come to life and earns a solid spot as #6 in our ranking.

Read the announcement

5. Dolls: Let’s Play Dead

In this house, you’re shrunk down to doll size and become the unwilling plaything of a twisted little girl named Lyla — think Sid from Toy Story, but far, far darker.

The oversized props sell the illusion brilliantly: you’re no taller than a crayon or AA battery, and electrical sockets tower overhead. Adding to the interactivity, this house incorporates guest-activated triggers (G.A.T.s) that you can press throughout, similar to last year’s Major Sweets Candy Factory, letting you influence some of the scares firsthand.

The vibe here screams “Weird Barbie” meets twisted toybox terror. Dolls are shaved, melted, dismembered, and warped into grotesque creations that reflect Lyla’s imagination. Navigate through a dollhouse, squeeze through a kids’ toy oven, and even scramble beneath her bed in a desperate attempt to avoid becoming just another broken toy in her collection. 

With constantly changing scenes, clever scale tricks, and an overall creepy feel, this house landed higher on our list. There’s something especially unsettling (and oddly relatable) about watching childhood playtime turn so dark. Even if we didn’t play with our toys this way… Lyla definitely did.

Read the announcement

4. Five Nights at Freddy’s

Halloween Horror Nights fans have been begging for a Five Nights at Freddy’s house (or FNAF for short) for years, and in 2025, Universal Orlando Resort finally delivered. Inspired by the hit franchise and based on the 2023 Blumhouse film, this house drops guests into the after-hours world of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, where once-friendly robotic performers turn deadly when the lights go out.

Follow in the footsteps of Mike, the nighttime security guard, as you step through the pizzeria’s entrance. The details are spot-on: classic black-and-white tile, stained glass accents along the booths, and children’s drawings hanging on the walls as a reminder of patrons’ past.

At the heart of it all, Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, and Chica stand proudly on stage as they perform their cheerful routine (don’t worry, Foxy isn’t far behind), but look closer: as the lights dim, their eyes narrow with an unsettling glare, almost warning you to turn back before venturing deeper into the restaurant’s dark secrets.

The sense of immersion is especially strong thanks to the characters brought to life by the Jim Henson Creature Shop, the same team behind the costumes and mechanical figures in the film. That level of craftsmanship gives this house a cinematic authenticity that fans will appreciate.

That said, what elevates the experience further is the blurring of lines between puppets and scareactors. You’re never quite sure who (or what) is about to move, and that constant uncertainty keeps tension high throughout. The figures are so detailed and well-executed, it often feels like you’re inside a fully operational theme park dark ride, not a haunted house.

That balance of atmosphere and anxiety is what helped this house earn a top spot on our list. And before you exit, don’t miss the Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 poster cleverly placed near the end of this nightmare.

Read the announcement

3. Jason Universe

He’s back! For the first time in 10 years, Jason Voorhees makes his return to Halloween Horror Nights, and fans of classic slashers couldn’t be more excited. If you’re new to HHN (and hey, we’ve all been there), you can check out our full breakdown of Friday the 13th’s long legacy at the event over on our blog here.

With a sprawling franchise spanning 12 films and decades of lore, this house had a lot of ground to cover to do this horror icon justice, and it wastes no time throwing you straight into Jason’s brutal and bloody greatest hits.

While the narrative was light, the scares were relentless. Jason remains one of the most intimidating icons in horror, and the house makes full use of his unpredictability — you’re constantly on edge, never knowing where he’ll strike next.

For longtime fans, it was a treat to revisit iconic locations from the franchise, including Camp Crystal Lake, Jason’s infamous shack, and even a cameo from his mother, Pamela Voorhees. These nods elevated the experience and added that extra layer of nostalgia and reverence.

The combination of genuine scares and a faithful tribute to one of horror’s most enduring legends earns Jason Universe a well-deserved third place in our rankings.

Read the announcement

2. Terrifier

It’s hard to emphasize just how stacked and highly anticipated this year’s lineup of haunted houses really is. Fans have spent months speculating and making their dream requests, and Terrifier has been near the top of almost every list.

The Terrifier franchise has become the epitome of grotesque, unrelenting horror. Art the Clown, the star at its center with an unhinged grin, has arguably carved his place alongside icons like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and fellow clown Pennywise. That said, it only feels right that he now joins the HHN pantheon. And what better way to welcome him than with his very own chaotic funhouse?

But let’s be real, we know why you’re really here. You’ve heard the rumors about this house, and yes… the water effects are real. We won’t spoil the specifics, but let’s just say: you may want to prepare to get wet. (If you’re not into that sort of thing, don’t worry — there’s a dry path available, too.)

While this may be one of the goriest houses in HHN history, we were surprised by just how fun it is! If you’re rolling through with your scream squad, taking the wet path adds a whole new level of hilarity as you react to the aftermath. The over-the-top nature of the scares, paired with Art’s darkly comedic presence, creates an experience that’s as entertaining as it is shocking. For that balance of chaos, humor, and horror, it earned a higher spot in our rankings.

Read the announcement

1. El Artista: A Spanish Haunting

We love it when a house completely transports us, and this one takes us far from 2025 Central Florida to 19th-century Spain. The story follows Sergio Navarro, a multi-talented artist — sculptor, woodworker, writer, and above all, painter. Seeking inspiration, he relocates to La Casa Creación, an isolated Spanish manor that, in true HHN fashion, is haunted by vengeful spirits. At first, it seems like a few extra “roommates” couldn’t hurt… but the ghosts have other plans, using Sergio’s art as a portal into our world and slowly consuming his mind and soul.

Even before entering the manor, you’re met with a massive, wisteria-draped façade, realistic and hauntingly beautiful. Listen carefully to catch ghostly whispers and Sergio’s own voice echoing faintly outside. Once in the manor, you enter Sergio’s studio, where he is hard at work while the spirits begin channeling their power through his paintings.

From there, you wander the conservatory, where the horror escalates as topiaries, gargoyles, and stained glass come to life. In fact, La Casa Creación’s conservatory connects directly to the event-wide narrative — it’s referenced in the Origins of Horror and Masquerade: Dance with Death scare zone and echoed throughout the park. Stained-glass motifs appear across multiple offerings, and Sergio’s voice can be heard narrating both the opening ceremony and playing intermittently throughout the evening, tying this house to the overall theme of Halloween Horror Nights 2025.

Back inside the manor, you wind through the courtyard (yes, more wisteria), library, and crypt, where the house really blurs the line between art and reality. The paintings themselves become unpredictable: subjects step out of their frames, ghosts burst through canvases, and figures seemingly walk through solid walls.

Adding to the immersion, this house engages all the senses. A somber score swells as Sergio loses control, while his journal narration guides you deeper into his unraveling mind. Thanks to the lingering wisteria, a result of a florist who moved into the house with her family seeking creative inspiration, only to fall victim to its curse, the air is even floral-scented, adding one final touch to this beautiful nightmare.

The experience is not only cohesive and beautifully executed but also elevated in both theme and design. It’s richly layered, emotionally resonant, visually stunning, and one of our favorite mazes in recent history. 

No surprise here: El Artista: A Spanish Haunting takes the #1 spot on our list.

Read the announcement

Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones 2025

4. The Origins of Horror (Production Central)

The conservatory awaits — a haunting garden of stone and shadow, where monuments pay tribute to the icons and terrors of Halloween Horror Nights 2025. But as you wander through its dilapidated beauty, don’t get too comfortable… you never know what’s lurking behind you.

This scare zone serves as an introduction to your night, with statues honoring icons like Art the Clown, Freddy Fazbear, Jason Voorhees, and more. 

While the concept is strong and the atmosphere foreboding, the zone itself feels a little sparse, leaving some wishing for a few more scares to match its potential.

3. Masquerade: Dance with Death (Hollywood)

You’ve received an invitation to an exclusive Halloween masquerade — but beware, you’re not here as a guest. These are vampires, and you’re on the menu.

The area oozes opulence, centered around a massive fallen chandelier — with two very unfortunate souls crushed beneath it. Surrounding the scene are elegant stages adorned with champagne towers, stained glass windows, and ominous gargoyle statues. If you look closely, you might even spot a body or two tucked among the decadence.

The vampires stalking this space are dressed in Victorian attire, their faces hidden behind intricate masks that (almost) conceal their bloodthirsty nature. It’s tempting to be swept up in the glamour, but don’t get too entranced… or you might not make it out of the dance alive.

While this zone, like The Origins of Horror, felt a bit light on scares, we ranked it third thanks to its stunning set design and costuming, which gave it a haunting elegance that stood out from the rest.

2. Mutations: Toxic Twenties (New York)

Step into the aftermath of a mobster getaway gone horribly wrong. They almost escaped — until their car collided with a BuzzCon truck hauling toxic materials. Now, the roaring twenties have taken a dark turn, and the streets are crawling with mutants.

The New York area of the park is the perfect backdrop for this crime… or rather, this scare zone. Universal has layered in additional set pieces like florist stalls and newspaper stands (be sure to read the headlines!) that blend seamlessly with the existing cityscape. One detail we really enjoyed here was that the power to the set piece in the middle of this zone was cleverly disguised as a powerline post. 

A central stage features show moments where mobsters and flapper girls fall victim to the glowing green toxins, transforming before your eyes. All the while, a jazzy piano track loops in the background, tying the whole scene together with an unsettling, radioactive rhythm.

It truly feels like you’re wandering the streets of 1920s New York… if the Big Apple had neon-green goo seeping through the cracks and mutated mobsters lurking in the shadows.

1. The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane (Central Park)

Legend has it that the woman at the end of Crooked Lane lures unsuspecting trick-or-treaters down her path, transforming them into cats to add to her ever-growing collection.

In our opinion, this is one of the strongest scare zones Universal Orlando Resort has created in recent years. This area leans more playful than terrifying, with oversized storybook pages of the tale lining the street and toys scattered about — relics from former trick-or-treaters now turned felines. Overhead, a canopy of pumpkins strung in the trees adds an extra layer of classic Halloween charm. 

A standout portion of this scare zone is the house façade near Animal Actors on Location!, the home of the famous Cat Lady herself. It extends the depth of the zone and adds a strong visual anchor as she looms outside, scanning the crowd for her next victim. Throughout the night, catch show moments featuring the Cat Lady brewing potions or transforming trick-or-treaters into her feline familiars. If you look closely, you can even spot a few of her cats inside as they leap across furniture. 

Plus, as you walk this path from Hollywood toward Springfield: Home of the Simpsons, notice how the zone subtly evolves — with cat toys scaled for humans, and yes, even a few disturbingly oversized hairballs.

Honestly, with its fun theme and character potential, we’d love to see The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane evolve into a full-fledged house one day.

Honorable Mentions

This year, Universal has introduced several street experiences that may not be full-fledged scare zones but still pack plenty of frights and atmosphere. 

Death Eaters return to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, casting a dark spell over the cobblestone streets with their menacing presence. Elsewhere, the faint growl of chainsaws in the distance signals the arrival of a roaming horde — one that can strike any time, anywhere, keeping you constantly on edge.

Over in San Francisco, the tone shifts with Club Horror, complete with live DJ and dancers that bring a party vibe to this area. Just down the street, Zombie Car Hops haunt the area around Mel’s Drive-In (or Mel’s Die-In, as it’s renamed for Halloween Horror Nights), serving up classic Americana with an undead twist.

But the one that has everyone on edge? Art the Clown. You never know when he’ll show up… or what kind of chaos he’ll unleash. 

Read the scare zone announcement

Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Shows

2. Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay

For the first time since 2022, Halloween Horror Nights features two live entertainment offerings, and in second place is the stage show: Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay. 

Nightmare Fuel has become a Halloween Horror Nights staple, setting the former Fear Factor stage ablaze (literally) year after year. The show blends death-defying aerial feats, explosive pyrotechnics, high-energy choreography, and jaw-dropping illusions into one of HHN’s most adrenaline-pumping performances.

The production continues to evolve with each new edition, and 2025’s installment, Circus of Decay, returns to its familiar dark circus theme as a direct sequel to last year’s performance. The energy is just as relentless, the visuals more polished than ever, and the performers continue to raise the bar with every gravity-defying act, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

1. Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey

Gather around the water’s edge for Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey, Halloween Horror Nights 2025’s lagoon spectacle, where a ghostly tale unfolds through the crackling narration of an old record player, brought to life with projection mapping and haunting visuals on water screens.

This show is a lighter, more whimsical break from the relentless horrors of the houses and scare zones, leaning into playful, vintage Halloween motifs like mummies, werewolves, skeletons, and black cats. The show evokes the same spirit as 2022’s Ghoulish! A Halloween Tale, and while it may not be the scariest moment of your night, it’s certainly an impressive spectacle worth catching.

Read the entertainment announcement 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Whether you’re starting your night of frights or winding down from the screams, Dead Coconut Club offers the perfect haunting hangout. 

Pair your visit to this one-of-a-kind witchy lounge with a ticket to Halloween Horror Nights—secure yours here.

Dead Coconut Club History

Since debuting in 2022, Dead Coconut Club has become a must-visit during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort. Each fright nights season, Red Coconut Club temporarily transforms with immersive storytelling, over-the-top themed décor, and creative cocktails.

In past years, Dead Coconut Club has channeled everything from tropical twists on Universal Monsters to a classic movie theater-inspired horror vibe. The 2024 theme blended an eerie 1980s vampire lair aesthetic with Blumhouse-inspired elements, adding retro chills to the club’s evolving legacy.

But the transformations don’t stop with Halloween. During the Holidays at Universal, the venue becomes the Green & Red Coconut Club, decked out in festive cheer. And when Universal Mardi Gras rolls around, it morphs again—this time into the enchanting and eerie Cursed Coconut Club.

A Look Inside Dead Coconut Club

This year, the KOΛΣN sisterhood invites you into Dead Coconut Club. The venue has fully embraced its witchy sorority theme, transforming into a two-story hideaway.

Downstairs, guests enter a moody study hall where these scholarly sisters hone their craft. Cauldrons bubble, spellbooks stack high, and a few watchful witches make sure you don’t stumble upon too many of their secrets. Stunning stained-glass windows inspired by tarot cards create a dreamy backdrop for photos. Be sure to snap a picture with the cheeky “Drink Up, Witches” sign, too!

You may even catch the KOΛΣN sisters performing one of their rituals—with an unfortunate frat boy as the star of the show. (Entertainment subject to change.)

Venture upstairs for a cozy, laid-back dormitory where the KOΛΣN unwinds between rituals. Here, you’ll find creepy dolls, band posters, twinkling fairy lights, and vanities tucked among plenty of seating. The lived-in feel nicely contrasts with the ceremonial atmosphere below, offering a glimpse into the sisters’ off-duty lives.

Don’t miss the glowing “Slay girl, slay” neon sign surrounded by the sisters’… let’s say “tools of the trade.” Trust us — this photo op is destined to become one of the most iconic shots of HHN season.

Dead Coconut Club 2025 Menu

Downstairs Cocktails

Kappa Killer
Planteray Siggins’ Fancy Pineapple rum, Planteray OFTD Overproof rum, Bols blue curaçao, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Omicron Punch
Three Olives Vodka, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, apple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, ginger beer
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00
Mocktail – $9.00

Lambda Lament
Jägermeister, Cruzan Dark Rum, lemon juice, orgeat syrup, ginger syrup, and red glitter
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Sigma-rita
Curevo Tradicional blanco tequila, Dekuyper triple sec, lime juice, sour mix, dragon fruit syrup
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Nu Brew
Old Forrester Bourbon, lime juice, blackcurrant syrup, and ginger beer
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Upstairs Cocktails

Moonlit Grove
New Amsterdam gin, St-Germaine elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, lavender syrup, and club soda
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Wormwood Whisper
Cruzan light rum, Green Chartreuse, lime juice, agave syrup, mint, club soda, and blue glitter
20 oz. Souvenir – $18.00
Souvenir Refill – $14.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $14.00

Enchanted Garden – $9.00
(Mocktail) Lemon juice, peach purée, lavender syrup, and club soda

Forrest Reserve – $19.00
Woodford Reserve bourbon, The Bitter Truth Violet liqueur, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters

Samhain Spirit – $18.00
Bailey’s Irish creme liqueur, pumpkin syrup, vanilla syrup, and heavy cream

Canned Beer

Cursed Cranberry Vodka Spritz – $14.75
Tripping Animals Brewing Co. Fresh Fangs Sour Ale – $14.00
Modelo – $11.75
Michelob Ultra – $10.75
Miller Lite – $10.75
High Noon – $13.00
Nütrl – $13.00

Wine

Spellbound Cabernet Sauvignon – $11.00
Cupcake Vineyards Prosecco – $13.00
Noble Vines 446 Chardonnay – $11.00

Draft Beer

Crooked Can Bürgermeister Oktoberfest
20 oz. Souvenir – $16.50
Souvenir Refill – $12.50
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.50
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Angry Orchard Headless Pumpkin Cider
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.75
Refill – $13.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $14.75

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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With the event creeping closer each day and this exciting announcement generating a wave of anticipation, it makes sense that fans of both Fallout and HHN would want to begin preparing accordingly. But navigating the sprawling lore, apocalyptic settings, and pop culture impact of Fallout can be overwhelming. That’s where your dependable team at Orlando Informer steps in to guide you through the rubble.

Now, hook on that Pipboy, and let’s take our first steps into the vast, glowing terrain of the Wasteland.

Key Details from the Amazon Prime Video Series

In the Amazon Prime Video series, fans enter this world circa 2296. Our journey begins in the tunneled halls of Vault 33, where we encounter Lucy—an optimistic vault dweller whose life is upended when raiders violently breach her home. In the aftermath of the attack, Lucy is forced to leave what remains of her underground refuge and venture into The Wasteland, a radiation-ravaged, post-apocalyptic version of Los Angeles. As she ventures beyond the vault in search of safety and answers, she meets unique characters like Maximus, a determined soldier of the Brotherhood of Steel, and The Ghoul, a centuries-old bounty hunter with a Hollywood past.

As the house is heavily based on the first season of the Amazon Prime Video series, this should be considered mandatory as part of your preparation for the house. Admittedly, it’s hard to predict exactly what Universal will incorporate into this house, but here’s what we do know via the timeline of announcements: guests can expect to cross paths with Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul, along with other familiar elements from the series. Expect confrontations with bounty hunters, scavengers, and raiders shaped by decades of post-nuclear survival.

Universal has also teased the inclusion of a brutal massacre scene—likely depicting the raider attack on Vault 33—as well as encounters with mutated creatures like RADroaches. Fans of the franchise will also spot familiar locations, like the Super Duper Mart, which appears throughout the games, and twice, so far, in the series.

Which Fallout Games to Play Before HHN 2025

The most important thing to consider is that much of the Fallout series on Amazon Prime Video is unique to the show. Central characters like Lucy, The Ghoul, and Maximus do not appear in the mainstream games. That said, the series draws heavily from the Fallout franchise in both style and substance, incorporating iconic themes and lore that long-time players will instantly recognize.

So, what should we know going into the house that the show hasn’t already presented? That may be difficult to answer, as the official announcements only speak about the Amazon Prime Video series. However, playing the games certainly wouldn’t hurt and may even get fans more excited to enter the Wasteland in person. This leads us to ask which of those games to consider.

The Fallout franchise began in 1997 and comprises a series of 11 games to date (excluding Fallout 5, which has been greenlit but not yet given a release date). While every installment offers something worthwhile, the Amazon Prime Video series stands as its own original narrative within the universe. That said, it shares notable similarities with Fallout 4, making that 2015 installment an excellent choice for fans looking to dive deeper into the world ahead of Halloween Horror Nights.

Several confirmed elements from the haunted house, including RADroaches, Ghouls, and the Super Duper Mart, are part of the 2015 entry’s in-game environment. While Deathclaws and Super Mutants haven’t been officially confirmed for the house, both would be fitting additions—especially given the series has teased their eventual appearance.

Fans of both Fallout and HHN are chomping at the bit for this highly anticipated house. Fortunately, the wait to step into the Amazon Prime Video series’ post-apocalyptic world won’t be much longer. Until then, diving into the show—and the games that inspired it—is the perfect way to prepare for the Wasteland that awaits.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Fallout Comes to HHN 2025: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Orlando Informer.

But for longtime HHN fans, Jason’s presence is anything but new. Over the span of three decades, Jason has crossed into the HHN realm many times, even before the announcement of Jason Universe for 2025.

So, let’s revisit the twisted path that led from Camp Crystal Lake to Universal Orlando Resort. Here’s a deep dive into Jason’s storied history at HHN.

Jason Voorhees Debuts in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure

Long before the days of Nightmare Fuel, back in 1992, Halloween Horror Nights welcomed the debut of a fan-favorite show: Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure. That year marked the first time the Wyld Stallyns brought their unique show to HHN audiences.

During a mishap in which the duo time-traveled, intending to trick-or-treat in their neighborhood over and over again, Bill and his best friend Ted ended up in the Old West. Here, they encountered Black Bart, who stole their time booth and recruited cinema’s most sinister killers (as you do), including Freddy Krueger, The Terminator, and Jason Voorhees. Although Bill and Ted were, naturally, most victorious, this marked Jason’s first appearance at HHN.

Jason Voorhees in Early HHN Compilation Houses

After his appearance in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, Jason went on to feature in various houses and shows over the following years. Most could be considered minor cameos, except for 2003’s All Nite Die-In.

This house was inspired by the HHN13 icon, The Director, and split into four parts, where guests encountered some major movie baddies: Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Leatherface. Although all four would go on to become HHN alumni with multiple appearances over the years, Jason would be the first to receive a house of his own just four years later.

Friday the 13th: Camp Blood

In 2007, guests were treated to a “best-of” journey across the Friday the 13th timeline with Friday the 13th: Camp Blood. This house marked a milestone as the first Halloween Horror Nights maze fully dedicated to Jason Voorhees.

While the house was created specifically for the event, its story served as a love letter to the entire franchise up to that point. Its name not only acknowledged the original Friday the 13th’s working title, A Long Night at Camp Blood, but also featured some of the franchise’s most memorable kills, multiple iterations of Jason Voorhees (even Jason X), and a literal shrine to Jason’s mother.

Freddy vs. Jason

Jason made a comeback for Halloween Horror Nights’ 25th anniversary—but this time, he wasn’t alone. In the Freddy vs. Jason house, two of horror’s most iconic slashers went head-to-head, reigniting a rivalry that had first thrilled fans on the big screen more than a decade earlier in 2003.

However, Universal Creative added a twist: The house ended with a random finale kill. Either Jason emerged with Freddy’s decapitated head, or Freddy emerged holding Jason’s mask. This allowed Universal to pay homage to the film’s ambiguous ending while showcasing their creative dedication to honoring the movie’s spirit.

Jason Universe

A decade after what was arguably one of HHN’s most beloved houses, Jason has re-emerged once again from the dark depths of HHN. The 2025 house will serve as an introduction for franchise newcomers and a reminder of Jason’s bloody legacy for longtime Horror Nights enthusiasts.

Guests kick off their terrifying journey at the infamous Camp Crystal Lake, stepping straight into Jason’s “vengeance tour.” Jason also has a revamped look, thanks to a collaboration with horror legend Greg Nicotero. Among the upgrades? A brand-new, 13-holed hockey mask.

How this ties in with the upcoming Crystal Lake series has yet to be seen, but what’s certain is that HHN’s Jason Universe will serve as a terrifying new chapter in the Friday the 13th franchise.

Ready to face Jason yourself? Secure your Halloween Horror Nights tickets through Orlando Informer and be among the first to experience this chilling new house… if you dare.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here’s how Universal describes the experience:

Enter the eerie arena of The Wyatt Sicks, where you’ll go through an ominous doorway into the maniacal minds of Uncle Howdy, Rambling Rabbit, Mercy the Buzzard, Abby the Witch and Huskus the Pig.

The Wyatt Sicks is a WWE professional wrestling group that blends the surreal with the sinister. The group is made up of five members:

• Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas)
• Erick Rowan (as Rambling Rabbit)
• Dexter Lumis (as Mercy the Buzzard)
• Joe Gacy (as Huskus the Pig)
• Nikki Cross (as Abby the Witch)

Each character is a real-world embodiment of the puppets from the late Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House TV segments. Wyatt (the real-life brother of Bo Dallas) turned heads in WWE with his twisted creativity, and now, these puppet-inspired personas carry on his legacy, though with a far more darker tone. While Firefly Fun House had a whimsical, if unsettling, aesthetic, The Wyatt Sicks deliver a menacing vibe that leans heavily into horror, making them a perfect fit for the Halloween Horror Nights setting.

This isn’t WWE’s first brush with Halloween Horror Nights, either. Back in 2000, Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood featured a house called The Undertaker: No Mercy. Guests entered The Undertaker’s haunted funeral parlor, only to be surrounded by demonic presences. 

However, that collaboration was strictly a West Coast affair. Now, WWE is finally getting its long-overdue moment at Halloween Horror Nights on the East Coast.

Will you make it to the final bell? Find out when you visit Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights, occurring on select nights from August 29 until November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here is everything we know so far about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights shows:

Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay

For the past four years, Halloween Nightmare Fuel has ignited the former Fear Factor Live stage with a blazing mix of fire, illusions, aerial feats, and pulse-pounding choreography. 

Now, in 2025, the saga continues with a brand-new production, set to push the limits of your imagination. Expect a new storyline, explosive energy, and dazzling aerial acts that will leave your jaw on the floor. 

Here’s what Universal Orlando Resort has revealed about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights show:

This once-vibrant circus has festered into an unending nightmare. It’s a sinister spectacle of pyro, aerialists and illusions.

Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey

For the first time since 2022, the Halloween Horror Nights lagoon show returns to Universal Studios Florida. You and your scream squad will once again be able to gather around the lagoon for an immersive experience that surrounds you with the spirit (and screams) of the season.

Here’s what we know so far from Universal:

A ghost story is rising from its watery grave to haunt the Universal Studios lagoon, featuring towering water screens and eerie music.

Don’t Miss These Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Shows

From blazing stages to eerie waters, these exciting performances are the perfect complement to the event’s haunted houses and scare zones. Experience these shows and more at Halloween Horror Nights 2025, occurring on select nights from August 29 through November 2. Learn more about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Halloween Horror Nights 2025 Shows REVEALED appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s a shriek peek of the full lineup!

The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane: This scare zone gives a whole new meaning to “cat lady.” Wrought iron gates guard the entrance to Crooked Lane, a shadowy, winding path that leads straight to her lair. Local legend whispers that she lures unsuspecting trick-or-treaters down this winding road, only to transform them into feline companions for her ever-growing collection. Enter if you dare, but don’t be surprised if you leave with a few extra lives… and a tail.

Mutations: Toxic Twenties: Trouble brews on the gritty streets of a 1920s neighborhood when a mobster escape collides (literally) with disaster. When a getaway car collides with a BuzzCon truck carrying toxic materials, it twists the town’s speakeasy spirit into pure nightmare fuel. Welcome to the roaring (and ravaged) twenties.

Masquerade: Dance with Death: You’ve received an invitation to a Halloween masquerade, an opulent affair where guests don masks inspired by legendary monsters. But as midnight draws near, the illusion begins to crumble. One by one, the masks slip off, revealing not costumes… but vampires. The feast has begun, and you’re on the menu.

The Origins of Horror: Stroll through the garden of the conservatory, where monuments pay tribute to the terrors of Halloween Horror Nights 34. Each statue stands as a preview of the nightmares that await beyond. But don’t let your guard down—massive crows circle ominously, their eyes tracking your every move. This garden isn’t just a tribute… it’s a warning.

And just when you think you’ve braved it all, Universal is raising the stakes once again. This year’s event also introduces all-new street experiences that take the horror to new heights—zombie carhops at Mel’s Die-In, undead DJs, and more sinister surprises lurking around the corner.

These scare zones also complement the array of offerings at Halloween Horror Nights, including Fallout, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and more. Check out these haunts on select nights from August 29 through November 2. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Scare Zones Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal teased the nightmare to come:

Try your luck against Art the Clown in the Terrifier funhouse. You’ll witness his grotesque handiwork of torture and be exposed to the spatter of his victims. It’s a whole new level of gore!

Art the Clown first appeared on the horror scene in Damien Leone’s 2008 short film The 9th Circle. The silent, sinister killer returned in Leone’s 2011 short, simply titled Terrifier, both of which showcase Art stalking unsuspecting victims.

Producer Jesse Baget, intrigued by the potential of this character, approached Leone about including the shorts in an anthology project. Leone saw this as the perfect opportunity to take Art to the next level—and Baget agreed. Leone combined The 9th Circle, Terrifier, a newly created third segment, and never-before-seen footage to craft All Hallows’ Eve, released in 2013. This marked Art the Clown’s terrifying feature film debut.

What followed was the birth of a modern horror franchise. Art returned in Terrifier (2016), Terrifier 2 (2022), and Terrifier 3 (2024). With each film, Art’s notoriety grew, transforming him into a cult icon known for his brutal kills, uncanny silence, and maniacal grin. 

Beyond the silver screen, Art has made his way into mainstream pop culture. He appeared in the popular games Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare III. Additionally,  the heavy metal band Ice Nine Kills paid tribute to the character with their song “A Work of Art,” featured in Terrifier 3.

And now, Art’s legacy extends to a new realm—Halloween Horror Nights. Guests can come face-to-face with this Terrifier clown at Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights, running select nights from August 29 through November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Prepare for battle—here’s how Universal described the house:

In a remote northern village, a wicked being rises from the dead with a horde of monsters. Try to escape the belly of the beast.

Gálkn, the Old Norse word for “monster,” echoes the fearsome legends of Viking lore, making it a fitting reflection of the chilling horrors that await at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights.

While you can experience the more family-friendly side of Viking life over at How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk in Epic Universe, Halloween Horror Nights offers a far grimmer glimpse into Norse legend. Back in 2019, the Vikings Undead scare zone transformed Universal Studios Florida’s Central Park into a battlefield of reanimated warriors and brutal carnage.

Witness the fury of the beasts at Halloween Horror Nights 2025, happening on select nights from August 29 through November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here’s how Universal Orlando Resort set the tone: 

Welcome to your funeral, where it’s about to go from bad to worse. You’ll enter the underworld and be hunted by flesh-eaters for eternity.

A cemetery is a classic backdrop for a Halloween Horror Nights haunted house, and it’s one Universal has returned to time and time again. One especially memorable example is Graveyard Games, an original house from 2019. In this maze, rebellious teens dared to disrespect the dead by sneaking into a burial ground after dark. Their foolishness awakened vengeful spirits of all kinds, rising from crypts and tombstones to seek revenge on the living.

The house was a fan favorite, earning high praise across the board, and we even placed it third in our annual Halloween Horror Nights ranking that year.

Universal returned to the graveyard theme a few years later, in 2022, with a scare zone in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios Florida titled Graveyard: Deadly Unrest. This time, guests wandered through the paths of Nettlewoods Cemetery, where weathered tombstones and mausoleums marked the resting places of the unrestful dead.

Ready to awaken what should have stayed buried? Experience Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort, running on select nights from August 29 to November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Grave of the Flesh Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal Orlando Resort described the experience:

You’re about to become doll-sized and be hunted by toys that have been burnt, melded and stitched together by a twisted little girl.

Dolls may seem innocent at first glance, but in the world of horror, they’re pure nightmare fuel. (Let’s not forget a certain infamous haunted doll currently touring the United States) But for longtime Halloween Horror Nights fans, one haunted house immediately springs to mind: Dollhouse of the Damned from HHN 2014.

This wasn’t your average dollhouse. It was a nightmare come to life, where every room was a twisted scene of childhood innocence gone horribly wrong. Doll parts weren’t just part of the décor—they were woven into the very fabric of the house and the scareactors themselves, from unsettling Raggedy Ann and creepy baby dolls to possessed marionettes and cracked ballerinas. These dolls weren’t waiting to be played with… they were playing with you.

Ready to play? Step into this nightmare at Halloween Horror Nights 2025, running select nights from August 29 through November 2 at Universal Orlando Resort. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Dolls: Let’s Play Dead Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal sets the stage for this rootin’-tootin’ nightmare:

In this Old West town, all hell is breaking loose. Red-hot lava demons are trying to possess everyone, melting everything in their path.

Does the name sound familiar? That’s likely because this haunted house appears to be inspired by one of the fictional B-movies, Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters, featured in Slaughter Sinema 2 at last year’s Halloween Horror Nights.

For any Halloween Horror Nights newbies out there, Slaughter Sinema first debuted in 2018, offering guests a walk-through of wild and wacky B-movie scenarios, each one a mini-house of its own, stitched together into one exciting, campy attraction. The concept was such a hit with fans that Universal brought it back in 2024 as Slaughter Sinema 2, complete with an all-new roster of flicks. Among them was Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters, a western-themed story following a pair of bounty hunters: one a seasoned demon slayer, the other a demon himself.

This isn’t the first time a fan-favorite short concept from Slaughter Sinema has earned a full-length haunted house. In 2019, Yeti: Terror of the Yukon sprang from the original Slaughter Sinema, and in 2022, the Meetz Meats event food stand also drew inspiration from that B-movie anthology.

And for the true Halloween Horror Nights nerds (or those about to become one), even the fictional town that houses the Slaughter Sinema theater has its own sprawling lore. Go ahead—fall down that rabbit hole. Many of us did, and it’s often where the HHN obsession begins. (Start here)

But that’s a story for another day. For now, we’re saddling up and heading into the haunted frontier when Halloween Horror Nights 2025 kicks off at Universal Orlando Resort, running select nights from August 29 through November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here’s how Universal sets the scene:

In 19th-century Spain, a tortured artist moves into an isolated country manor for inspiration, but the art comes alive and possesses him. 

Face this nightmare, along with many others, including Fallout, Friday the 13th, and Five Nights at Freddy’s, when Halloween Horror Nights returns to Universal Orlando Resort, running select nights from August 29 through November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post El Artista: A Spanish Haunting Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2025 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal Orlando Resort teased the comeback:

The iconic horror villain Jason Voorhees is coming for you. Step into his terrifying world, from his sinister shack in the woods to the summer camp where it all began.

The story began with the original Friday the 13th film in 1980. Set in the seemingly tranquil Camp Crystal Lake in 1958, just one year after a camper mysteriously drowned, tragedy strikes again. Camp counselors are picked off one by one, and the killer is ultimately revealed to be the drowned camper’s grief-stricken mother, seeking revenge for her son’s tragic fate. 

That boy? Jason Voorhees—who, as we come to find out, survived the accident and would go on to unleash decades of terror. With his signature hockey mask and machete in hand, Jason turns Camp Crystal Lake into his personal hunting ground, returning again and again.

Now celebrating 45 years of mayhem, Friday the 13th has grown into a sprawling horror empire. With 12 films, a television prequel series (expected around Halloween 2025), novels, comic books, video games, and more, the franchise has carved a permanent place in pop culture. It’s almost impossible to look at a hockey mask without thinking of Jason Voorhees.

Jason Voorhees has haunted Halloween Horror Nights since 1992. He first appeared in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, and again the following year in its sequel, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure II. Over the years, Jason was seen in multiple haunted houses, but in 2007, he finally got his own dedicated experience with Friday the 13th: Camp Blood.

He resurfaced in 2015 in the Freddy vs. Jason house, a crossover inspired by both Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. That same year, he also stalked the streets of San Francisco in the All Nite Die-In: Double Feature scare zone, surrounded by other cinematic monsters.

Now, ten years later, Jason Voorhees is back once more, ready to terrify a whole new generation in a brand-new, dedicated house. Experience it for yourself during Halloween Horror Nights, occurring on select nights from August 29 to November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here’s how Universal describes this experience:

Face your fears in post-apocalyptic LA, devastated by nuclear war, based on the hit show and game franchise “Fallout.” You’ll travel into the vaults and be attacked by raiders alongside Lucy. You’ll escape to the wasteland and confront the bounty hunter, The Ghoul. You’ll even encounter Maximus with the Brotherhood of Steel and see T-60 power armor.

The Fallout franchise got its start back in 1997 with the release of the very first game, a post-apocalyptic role-playing adventure set in a world ravaged by nuclear war. Players emerged from underground vaults into a harsh wasteland, facing off against mutants, scavenging for supplies, and navigating the remnants of a shattered civilization. The game was a critical and commercial hit, breathing new life into the RPG genre and earning widespread acclaim for its innovative gameplay.

That initial success paved the way for a sprawling franchise of sequels and spin-offs. Its influence reached far beyond gaming, thanks in large part to its mascot: Vault Boy. With his cartoon look, blue jumpsuit, and thumbs-up pose, Vault Boy became a cultural symbol. (Fun fact: Time Magazine once ranked him the third most influential video game character of all time.)

Fallout’s impact has seeped into games like Fortnite, Magic: The Gathering, Call of Duty, and Super Smash Bros. And in 2024, Fallout leapt from consoles to the small screen with an Amazon Prime series starring Ella Purnell and Walton Goggins, further cementing Fallout’s place in pop culture history.

Are you ready to face what lurks in the Wasteland? Find out during Halloween Horror Nights, occurring on select nights from August 29 to November 2. Learn more about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Here’s how Universal Orlando Resort teased the experience:

What began in 2014 as a small indie game quickly grew into a full-blown horror empire. Five Nights at Freddy’s puts players in the role of Mike Schmidt, a night shift security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a seemingly innocent family restaurant with animatronic mascots that felt straight out of Chuck E. Cheese… until the lights went out. Once night fell, these characters sprang to life—and not to perform. Instead, they turned hostile, forcing players to survive five increasingly terrifying nights (hence the name), using limited power and surveillance cameras to stay one step ahead of their mechanical stalkers. 

The game exploded in popularity, becoming a viral hit and launching a multimedia phenomenon. In fact, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, 3, and 4 followed in a single year, each deepening the sinister lore of the Fazbear franchise. From new pizzerias and haunted attractions to managing your own restaurant by day and fending off possessed animatronics by night, each sequel to the Five Nights at Freddy’s game added fresh layers of story and suspense. 

The game continues to evolve. Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Secret of the Mimic was released on June 13, 2025, continuing the twisted legacy of jump scares and animatronic terror.

The franchise’s influence reaches far beyond gaming. The game inspired a trilogy of novels and a 2023 feature film from Blumhouse Productions starring Josh Hutcherson, with a sequel set to hit theaters later this year.

Will you survive the night? Find out when you visit Universal Orlando Resort’s Halloween Horror Nights, occurring on select nights from August 29 until November 2.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 180,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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In case you missed it, Universal Horror Unleashed is set to be a year-round horror experience in Las Vegas, Nevada, designed to keep your adrenaline pumping between seasons of Halloween Horror Nights. This addition will haunt the 20-acre expansion of the AREA15 entertainment district. Originally announced in January 2023, we’ve been eagerly awaiting more details, and now, the nightmare is becoming a reality!

Universal Horror Unleashed will feature four haunted houses: Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow: The Reaping, and Blumhouse’s The Exorcist: Believer. These attractions are surrounded by four immersive, themed areas, each offering unique live entertainment. Select locations will serve up horror-inspired eats and drinks. Plus, the experience will be continuously updated with must-see seasonal events and exclusive, one-of-a-kind merchandise.

“Universal’s rich history in the creation of the horror genre drove our desire to bring a year-round horror experience to the incredible entertainment offerings in Las Vegas,” said Page Thompson, President of New Ventures for UDX. “We’re thrilled to have our award-winning Creative and Entertainment teams working tirelessly to bring these terrors to life in 2025.”

Can’t wait until 2025 to experience Universal Horror Unleashed? You’re in luck—there are still four more nights of Halloween Horror Nights 2024, running on October 31 and November 1, 2, and 3. Even better, you can save on admission by purchasing your tickets through Orlando Informer here!

Do you have any tips to overcome coaster fears? Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Boris Shuster is also ingrained in Universal Studios Florida itself. Guests can visit the facade of his detective office during the park’s daytime hours any time of the year. He’s known to frequent The Kitty Kat Club’s jazz shows in his downtime, and Louie’s Italian Restaurant is his favorite go-to meal in New York. Boris even had a summer home in Amity Island prior to its transformation to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Halloween Horror Nights mastermind Michael Aiello has even gone on record to say that he considers Boris Shuster an event icon – a fact that this writer wouldn’t argue, given the information presented.

With such an intricate connection to the park, it’s no wonder that Boris Shuster would inevitably be part of the event mythos. So, let’s shine a spotlight on the gritty details that connect Boris Shuster to the lore of Halloween Horror Nights.

Reflections of Fear (2008)

In 1948, Boris Shuster began a new career as a private investigator after retiring from the New York Police Department. Unfortunately, this led Boris to uncover the strange underbelly of the city. He encountered the likes of ghouls and she-devils in cases that would haunt even the most staunch investigator. However, his most impactful encounter came ten years later when he crossed paths with Dr. Mary Agana, otherwise known as the supernatural being Bloody Mary.

In the fall of 1958, Boris hired freelance photographer Charlie McPherson to assist with a divorce investigation. After the lensman had abruptly vanished, Shuster took concern. Boris knew Charlie was seeing a new therapist, Dr. Mary Agana, who specialized in fear, and that her practice had been called into question. Booking himself as a regular patient of Dr. Agana, the detective began finding evidence of her experimenting on her patients, including Charlie. He also noticed that Agana became increasingly younger and that she began talking to her music box.

On the night of August 27, Dr. Agana was murdered. The details of her death are murky, but it was originally suspected that Boris had killed her after a brief struggle. Though he was arrested that same night in relation to Mary’s death, the charges were dropped after an ex-con who worked for her came forth with a confession. However, it wasn’t the murder that was the strangest part of the case. It was that Mary Agana’s body went missing sometime during the investigation. It wouldn’t be learned until later, but the truth was that Agana’s death would allow her to become the powerful entity Bloody Mary.

Though Boris walked away a free man, his experiences still haunted him. He’d had constant interactions with the paranormal since 1948, but everything since tuned him into something larger happening in the world. This led him to establish the Legendary Truth, a collective joining him with researchers to investigate the paranormal. 50 years later, the Legendary Truth would reopen Bloody Mary’s case, returning to the crime scene. They’d discover that Mary Agana’s transformation into a god-like being with unfathomable power and that she’d become a devoted follower of Adaru, the God of Fear.

Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth (2021)

Boris Shuster’s encounters with the supernatural would lead him to author a series of detective novels based on his experiences. These same novels gained the attention of conspiracy theorist and amateur sleuth Tim Foyle, whom we’re introduced to in the 2021 house, Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth. Through the house’s narrative, we learn that Tim broke into Boris’ Delancey Street office on the night of October 25, 1991. Desperate to know more about the detective and his group, Foyle learned about Boris Shuster’s early days as a detective via the gumshoe’s novels and discovered that each case had led the sleuth to mystic totems.

As it turned out, Shuster had never rid himself of the totems. As if drawn by some dark, unearthly force, Foyle brought the totems together, placing them into an arcane circle. What truly happened to Tim Foyle thereafter is highly debated, but it’s generally accepted that he met his fate that night. Whether it was a sacrificial one or otherwise will never be known. What is known is that the totems were actually keys to unlocking a demonic dimension that held the Legions of Horror — the very monsters that originally wrought Halloween Horror Nights upon our world.

Boris Shuster’s Other Halloween Horror Nights Appearances

Since 2021, the last canon reference of Boris Shuster noted that he had gone missing via viral marketing, but that doesn’t mean Boris hasn’t made other appearances since then.

As part of Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store’s The Tribute to Terror comic book theme in 2023, Boris appeared in the short story “False Idols Pt. 1: A Boris Shuster Mystery.” This was a black-and-white noir story in which Boris investigates the murder of his brother, Jake, at the hands of fish people who worship a Cthulu-type monster. Guests entered the Shuster Brothers’ detective agency and passed by narrative comic panels filled with references from Halloween Horror Nights lore of years past.

The following year, in 2024, references to the Shuster Brothers were found within the tribute store’s post-apocalyptic theme. This time, keen-eyed guests could spot an idol of the monster worshiped by the aforementioned fish people among the graffiti lining the store’s walls. With it, the messages “Jake Shuster still lives!” and “Boris wuz here” were spray-painted, all acting as clear references to the previous year.

Although these stories are said to have occurred in an alternate “what if” styled universe, and it’s unclear how the Shusters are connected to the 2024 tribute store’s bat creature story, we’re still left excited that Boris Shuster’s legend lives on.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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That, readers, is precisely what we’re going to get into.

A Brief History of Major Sweets at Halloween Horror Nights

Major Sweets was first introduced in 2022 as part of the New York scare zone Sweet Revenge. The zone appeared as a 1950s Halloween parade set in the town of Hollow Hills, but it had a sinister twist — the candy distributed by the Major Sweets Candy Co. turned the children into cold-blooded killers! The zone’s story was also uniquely tied in with that year’s Tribute Store via newspaper clippings posted around the shop.

We weren’t the only ones who loved the Sweet Revenge scare zone. It was so popular that Universal created a prequel house, Major Sweets’ Candy Factory, just two years later for Halloween Horror Nights 2024. Universal Orlando Resort elaborated on Major Sweets’ background via short stories that accompanied the announcements of both Sweet Revenge and Major Sweets Candy Factory. Fans can find these on the park’s official Discover Universal podcast. The short stories are great supplements to understanding Halloween Horror Nights lore and how they fit into the event. This could require some digging, but don’t worry — we did the legwork on Major Sweets for you.

Now, let’s take a bite to see who Major Sweets is.

The Untold Story of Major Sweets and the Lonely Boy

Back in the 1930s, there lived a young boy in the town of Hollow Hills who loved Halloween and candy. Every year, he’d dress up in full costume, and though he was excited for the holiday, his childhood was spent alone and bullied. The boy spent many lonely days staring out his second-story bedroom window while the other children played. While he was upset, never understanding why he was treated this way, he still desperately yearned for a friend.

Every afternoon, the boy would run from his troubles at school to his parents’ cinema, the Tribute Theater. Whether it was sneaking into one of the latest movies or spending quality time with his beloved parents, it was here where he’d escape both the torment of school bullies and his loneliness at home. As he got a little older, he started helping with the family business, with his father assigning him to work behind the snack counter.

One afternoon, as the boy took inventory of the candies, a girl his age asked for a recommendation. After a moment’s pondering, the boy suggested lollipops. She took two, thanked him, and left one for the boy. With a grand smile, he realized something special just happened. The girl returned often and became a lifelong friend of the boy.

Tragedy Strikes the Tribute Theater

In 1939, the boy and girl had become part of the Tribute Theater’s official staff. Coming into his shift one day, the boy planned on meeting with his dad as he always had before getting to his duties. He greeted his friend, who was already on her shift, making his way to his father’s office only to find no one there. Noticing his parents’ absence, he and the girl decided to clean the theater before the next movie to surprise them upon returning.

Eagerly entering the screening room with his cleaning supplies in hand, the boy noticed two patrons still seated. From a distance, he announced that the movie was over, and everyone had to leave in order to clean the theater for the next screening. When there was no response, he moved closer, only to be struck by a horrifying realization — it was his parents! Rushing to their side, he frantically checked their pulses, but it was too late. His mother and father were gone, leaving the boy heartbroken and distraught.

Three years passed as news of their deaths spread throughout Hollow Hills. Overwhelmed with grief, the boy let his family’s theater fall into disrepair, spending his days sitting in the ticket booth, staring out the window, just as he had in his lonely youth. Eventually, the girl came with the gift of a lollipop, just as the boy’s only friend had all those years ago. Unwrapping their treats, an idea sparked — a way to bring life and positivity back to the theater: candy! A free piece with every ticket, one unlike anything their patrons had ever tasted!

The Tribute Theater’s Sweet New Deal

The friends began testing. They’d need a secret ingredient since honey and gelatin are passè and all too common. They dug deep into their ingredients until one stood out: “Potions. But what are potions doing in a…” The boy paused. As years of traumatic questions flooded in, he remembered his parents’ foam-lined lips, dilated pupils, and their faces frozen in pain. What had killed his parents was now as clear as the label before him — Poison!

Hearing his sudden outburst of grief, the girl came to her friend. As she comforted him, a suggestion was made: What if poison was their candy’s secret ingredient? The idea came all too naturally, and a plan began to take shape. After all this time, the boy and girl only had each other. There was no way to truly identify the killer, and there was no one in Hollow Hills they could trust. There seemed to be only one way to get their revenge.

Not long after, the Tribute Theater reopened with its new deal! The townies of Hollow Hill came in droves, and though the plan seemed a success, it had actually worked all too well. Families began losing members not long after seeing a flick. Hollow Hills’ newspapers and the rest of Progress County ran reports rife with allegations. Investigators had even started questioning the boy and girl directly at the theater. Overwhelmed, the friends fled and were, seemingly, never seen again.

Major Sweets Arrives in Hollow Hills

The Tribute Theater’s story would have ended prior to the 1950s if not for the newly elected Mayor of Hollow Hills. Though a newcomer, he was well aware of the theater’s controversial past. But unlike the rest of the town, he saw the potential for revival, with its former glory shining through its now musty cracks. Determined to make a name for himself and knowing Hollow Hills had once loved that theater as much as they love Halloween, he decided to transform it into a family-friendly venue. Its first event? Hollow Hills’ first annual Halloween Parade Party!

There were just some minor wrinkles: The theater was in dire need of refurbishment, and what’s Halloween without candy? Fortunately, a new candy manufacturer, Major Sweets’ Candy Co., had just opened nearby. The mayor paid a visit and met the owner — Major Sweets himself! Sweets was a boisterous character, sporting a pencil-thin mustache and eccentric attire. The mayor knew little about him but was sold on his confectionery expertise, and a deal was struck — Major Sweets would fund both the event and the refurbishments! At the center would be the theater’s return, the parade, and, of course, plenty of candy for all the children.

Major Sweets Candy Factory

A few days before the parade, Major Sweets opened his factory for public tours, with local schools eagerly participating. The excitement could be felt from all the students and even the chaperones over their newest celebration. However, none could have foreseen the horrors that were in store.

According to one of the surviving chaperones, things had begun normally enough. Miss Treats greeted everyone, ushering them into the factory and offering complimentary treats to the children. As the entry doors shut, hints of the chaos lurking within began to emerge. Sounds of children running and shouting could be heard as they passed the occasional smashed candy container. When questioned, Miss Treats would simply brush it off as “the effects of extreme sugar rush.”

As they entered the projector room, Major Sweets personally greeted everyone before playing footage of their latest experiments in candy concepts. Following this, room after room became overrun with sickly sweet danger as the children, and even Miss Treats, began attacking the chaperones with broken candy pieces and even factory tools.

What had caused this? In retrospect, it’s likely that the complimentary candy had turned the children ravenous, but to what end? As the chaperone had made his escape, he remembered hearing Major Sweets instructing his associates to round up the children, destroy all evidence of what happened, and prepare to head to the Halloween celebration.

If only Hollow Hills knew what was going to happen to their fair town.

Major Sweets’ Sweet Revenge: The Shocking Finale

Major Sweets and his crew made their way to the festival, where the candy maker would be honored for his contributions. As the event began, kids and the Hollow Hills denizens arrived in high spirits. Contests were held for the best Halloween costumes, with Miss Treats and Major Sweets giving extra special candy to the winners. After the event’s keystone parade, the mayor of Hollow Hills took to the judge’s booth, with his daughter blissfully in tow, to honor Major Sweets with the key to the town. It was then that things would take a dark turn.

Sweets thanked him, handing the mayor’s daughter a chocolate bar. After the first bite, the candy’s contaminated effects quickly took hold. The candy maker revealed a knife from his coat, which the daughter snatched away before stabbing her father several times, to the horror of onlookers. Major Sweets’ blackhearted plan was underway as he and Miss Treats threw open the doors of their trucks, releasing the army of candy-crazed children from the factory and revealing what can only be described as a mobile armory as they terrorized the town. The festival’s dreadfully bloody conclusion ended with several deaths as Major Sweets and Miss Treats stole the town’s highest honor and fled into the night.

Since then, investigators have tried to understand what actually happened in Hollow Hills. Although there’s no confirmation, the strongest evidence places Major Sweets and the lonely boy of the Tribute Store as one and the same. If that were true, then one must return to the identity of his parents’ killer. How did the poison get in the theater in the first place? Did he actually enact his “sweet revenge,” or was the killer still lurking, possibly even right under Sweets’ nose? This writer has his own thoughts on the matter, but only time will tell if we’ll ever get the truth lying at the center of this candy-coated horror story.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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With such a strong presence at Halloween Horror Nights and three Blumhouse entries for 2024 (Insidious: The Further, Enter the Blumhouse, and this year’s Dead Coconut Club featuring Blumhouse), it’s the perfect time to explore the deep ties between HHN and Blumhouse Productions. Specifically, we’ll be focusing on the in-park use of Blumhouse properties, including haunted houses, scare zones, and roaming characters. While Blumhouse has also been featured in media events, Blumfest at Universal Orlando Resort, and even the popular Scare-Actor Dining experience, those are more HHN-adjacent rather than part of the main event itself.

Now, without further ado, enter the fog of history with us as we begin our journey in 2014.

The Purge: Anarchy (2014)

After signing a 10-year first-look deal with Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions made its first Orlando appearance at Halloween Horror Nights 24 with The Purge: Anarchy. Based on the first two Purge movies, the scare zone was located in the New York section of Universal Studios Florida. The areas unique story placed guests in the midst of this year’s Purge, where the Old Elegant Woman and Big Daddy would capture and auction off victims as part of the national festivities.

This was the first, but certainly not the last, time we’d see one of Blumhouse’s most beloved franchises at HHN. The success of The Purge: Anarchy was likely due in part to the integration of plain-clothes victims and facade televisions displaying “live feeds” of the Purge, which helped elevate the zone’s storytelling.

Insidious (2015)

Following the success of the previous year, Blumhouse was granted an increased presence in HHN 25. This included two of the event’s nine houses being based on Blumhouse properties: Insidious and The Purge. The Insidious house was based on the first three movies from the franchise. Guests would enter the house via the Smith Estate facade and Dalton’s bedroom before entering The Further and passing through several key scenes from the movies.

During their journey, guests crossed paths with the Lipstick Face Demon, The Man Who Can’t Breathe, and The Bride in Black. The haunted house successfully captured the spirit of the Insidious series. The simple but impressive effects and techniques allowed the franchise’s iconic characters to deliver powerful scares.

The Purge (2015)

With its success as a scare zone and popularity with Blumhouse fans, creating a house for The Purge franchise only made sense. The house would be based on The Purge and The Purge: Anarchy. Similar to the scare zone from the previous year, guests entering the house would find themselves in the midst of the nation’s annual Purge event. As the guests navigated the maze of scenes from both movies, they were joined by “fake victims” who would be captured and murdered as part of the Purge festivities while trying to escape the other purgers.

While The Purge is more effective when executed as a scare zone rather than a house, the 2015 iteration was still solid. The Purge has always been a natural fit for HHN, and the house’s narrative was still well-done, with scares that allowed it to be genuinely terrifying.

All Nite Die-In: Double Feature (2015)

Carey, Ohio has a storied history in HHN, so it makes perfect sense that Blumhouse would find its way into a scare zone based on its infamous drive-in movie theatre. All Nite Die-In’s scareactors and themes were divided into two halves. One was a black-and-white portion based on classic horror movies like The Wolfman, Dracula, and The Invisible Man. The other half would be modern movies such as Chucky, Freddy vs. Jason, and The Purge.

This scare zone was unique in its own right with the era-divided halves. Naturally, characters from Blumhouse’s The Purge were found in the modern line-up. Guests would encounter figures from The Purge franchise, such as the gray hooded skeleton, as well as the demon-mouth and smiling purgers.

The Horrors of Blumhouse (2017)

Two years later, Blumhouse would make its return to HHN in the first iteration of The Horrors of Blumhouse, a tent house based on three of their legendary franchises. Guests would navigate through scenes from The Purge, Sinister, and Insidious within the maze. After passing through the Blumhouse Productions logo, guests were greeted by a title card for Sinister, featuring a bloodied image of Bughuul. The blood trail led them into a series of gruesome scenes from the Oswalt house and the church, both iconic locations from the first two Sinister films. From there, the experience transitioned to chilling scenes from the original Purge and culminated with terrifying moments from the Insidious movies.

Featuring some of Blumhouse’s most popular franchises is undoubtedly a draw for attendees, but that wasn’t the best part of this house. As if that wasn’t enough, The Horrors of Blumhouse not only recreated iconic scenes from the first Insidious movie but also offered a special sneak peek of the franchise’s latest installment, Insidious: The Last Key. To top it off, the house even made an appearance in the Altars of Horror scare zone, serving as a teaser for that year’s haunted house lineup.

The Purge (2017)

True to the chaotic spirit of the Purge franchise, the inescapable dangers weren’t confined to just the houses that year. The Purge also returned as a scare zone, immersing guests in the horrors of the first three films. It featured fan-favorite elements like the auction hosted by the Old Elegant Woman and the eerie Smiling Purgers, along with new additions, such as a car outfitted with a steel cage containing a Purger, a victim, and a wood chipper.

Set in the New York section of the park, the scare zone felt like a full-blown invasion, with a multitude of scareactors creating a relentless atmosphere of fear. The inclusion of Kimmy’s car from The Purge: Election Year and the plain-clothes victims from the past heightened the feeling of being fully immersed in the world of The Purge.

The Horrors of Blumhouse (2018)

In its second iteration, The Horrors of Blumhouse had a more concise journey as it was based on Happy Death Day and The First Purge. Guests would cross through the Blumhouse Productions facade, entering into Happy Death Day. Here, they were greeted with an introductory jump scare by the Baby Face Killer — as well as a certain, pivotal poisoned cupcake — in the Bayfield College tunnel. They then witness the many deaths of Tree Gelbman at the hands of Babyface as she tries to figure out the mystery of the killer’s identity and why she keeps reliving the same day.

After exiting the Happy Death Day’s final scene, guests are brought into The First Purge via a transition hall of televisions commencing the New Founding Fathers of America’s original experiment. Guests are thrust into the streets of Staten Island where they encounter a variety of purgers. Not even the exit is safe as a final purger squeezes out one last jump scare as guests left the house.

The Horrors of Blumhouse (2022)

Universal announced the return of The Horrors of Blumhouse for HHN 31, this time featuring a double feature of Freaky and The Black Phone. Its narrative was a dramatic retelling of the movies as guests attempted to escape the clutches of The Grabber and the Blissfield Butcher.

This version of The Horrors of Blumhouse may have been based on only two movies, but it’s among the longest houses Universal has created for Halloween Horror Nights. This is due to it utilizing both the extended queue of Fast and Furious: Supercharged and an additional tent to weave its story.

The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

The following year, the Jason Blum-produced The Exorcist: Believer made its way to the HHN 32 house lineup. Upon entering, guests were immediately transported to a Haitian market, complete with the smells of food cooking and the eerie sound of demonic growls, setting the stage for what was to come. Inside the house, guests were thrust into scenes from the movie, playing a role as the demons possessing Katherine and Angela pursued them.

This latest entry in The Exorcist franchise marked the first time the series had appeared at HHN since 2016. It also served as a living trailer for The Exorcist: Believer, which didn’t hit theaters until October 6, 2023—right in the middle of that year’s Halloween Horror Nights season.

M3GAN (2023)

After the success of the highly acclaimed M3GAN, her appearance at HHN was inevitable. Instead of a dedicated house or an anchored scare zone, M3GAN dolls randomly appeared in roaming hordes throughout the park. These M3GANs were similar in style to the beloved chainsaw drill teams and the zombie prisoners from 2008’s Zombies! scare zone. What made the M3GAN horde unique was their parkwide presence and that they weren’t meant to frighten guests. Instead, they performed a choreographed routine based on the film’s popular dance scene that would segue into a photo op.

Insidious: The Further (2024)

Based on the popular Insidious franchise, this house brings its guests into the infamous red door and into the Further. Insidious: The Further brings guests with the franchise’s most terrifying demons. At the start of the house, you’re guided by Elise Rainer’s voice as you enter the Red Door and cross into the Further. Once in the house, guests encounter monsters from the franchise, such as the Lipstick-Faced Demon, Key Face, and The Bride in Black.

The great thing about Insidious: The Further is that it’s based on the overall franchise rather than a specific movie. This helps it appeal to everyone, as watching the movies is not necessary to understand this house.

Enter the Blumhouse (2024)

Much like The Horrors of Blumhouse, Enter the Blumhouse is a scare zone based on several properties of the horror production company. Upon entering the San Francisco section of Universal Studios Florida, guests run a gauntlet of horror armed with some of Blumhouse’s most fearsome villains. This scare zone features the Grabber from The Black Phone, M3GAN, characters from The Purge, Millie Kessler, and the Blissfield Butcher from Freaky, as well as Tree Gelbman and the Baby Face Killer from Happy Death Day.

The scare zone works very well as a highlight of Blumhouse’s most popular franchises. As a bonus surprise this year, it also features a photo op for Blumhouse’s upcoming 2025 Wolfman reboot.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post The History of Blumhouse Productions at Halloween Horror Nights appeared first on Orlando Informer.

We’ll walk through everything you need to know, from must-pack items to strategies for navigating scare zones and haunted houses with confidence. Whether you’re dodging jump scares or seeking out scare-free paths, these insider tips will help you make the most of your Halloween Horror Nights experience—even if you’re a self-proclaimed scaredy cat!

Halloween Horror Nights Preparation for Scaredy Cats: What to Know Before You Go

What To Pack

We highly recommend bringing two essential items to prepare for the houses at Halloween Horror Nights: sunglasses and earplugs. During the early hours of the event, the sun can be quite bright, making the transition from daylight to the darkness of the houses disorienting. Wearing sunglasses while you wait can make this shift easier on your eyes.

Earplugs are another must-have. I never go into a house without them! They help muffle the loud noises that often accompany jump scares, making the experience less jarring and allowing you to better take in your surroundings.

Research

Filming inside the houses is not permitted; however, Universal Orlando Resort allows select members of the media to record the houses at the start of each year’s Halloween Horror Nights. You can find plenty of videos and perspectives on YouTube to help you prepare for the scares and know what to expect. This can be especially helpful if you have specific fears or phobias, as it allows you to gauge your comfort level and decide if there are any houses you might want to skip.

Express Passes & RIP Tours

Sometimes, the anticipation can be scarier than the house itself. Waiting in line gives you plenty of time to overthink and possibly talk yourself out of going through with it. To avoid this, we highly recommend purchasing Express Passes or booking an RIP Tour to speed up your entry into the haunted mazes. You can learn more about these options in our guide here.

Plan to go with a group

Not only does having a scream squad make the event more fun, but it also provides great support. With friends, you can have someone you know lead the way in front of you and someone else behind, making you feel more secure. Plus, it’s comforting to have someone to hold onto if things get too frightening.

Navigating Scare Zones at Halloween Horror Nights for Scaredy Cats

Scope Out the Event During Daytime

You’ve done your prep, and now it’s time to arrive at Halloween Horror Nights. You’ll likely encounter a scare zone before entering a haunted house, as these themed areas are typically located in Production Central, Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, and Central Park, with haunted houses scattered throughout Universal Studios Florida.

Arrive early while there is still daylight to get a good look at these sections. This will allow you to see what the scareactors look like and identify any set pieces that might cleverly conceal incoming scares.

Stay Alert in Scare Zones

Stay on your toes as you navigate the scare zones at Halloween Horror Nights! Scareactors love to catch you off guard, and their unexpected interactions can be quite startling if you’re not paying attention. But don’t worry—while they might give you a good scare, they can’t touch you, and you can’t touch them. In fact, some of these interactions can be playful and lighthearted. I’ve often found myself laughing at my own reactions rather than feeling frightened. Enjoy the fun and let yourself get caught up in the experience! 

It’s also a good idea to keep your cool. Scareactors are less likely to target you if you maintain a neutral expression and remain calm as you move through these sections. Don’t let them see you sweat!

Find Scare Zone-Free Paths

While we highly recommend exploring the scare zones to admire the stunning costumes and set pieces, we understand that sometimes you might not be in the mood and would rather skip them altogether. If that’s the case, we have a few suggestions to help you navigate around these areas.

First, stick to the sidewalks within a scare zone. Scare actors usually focus on the central parts of the zone and tend to avoid those walkways (though this isn’t a guarantee). This way, you can still take in the ambiance from a comfortable distance without getting too close to the action.

If you want to avoid these sections entirely, there are some routes you can take around Universal Studios Florida. Although the front portion of the park is a scare zone that’s fairly unavoidable, you can use the sidewalk strategy to make your way toward Illumination’s Minion Land. After passing Illumination’s Minion Cafe, turn right to access the Gramercy Park food stands or continue deeper into the park, bypassing the New York and Hollywood scare zones.

Consider passing through Central Park to avoid the San Francisco and Central Park scare zones. Interestingly, the scare zone isn’t actually located within Central Park but rather along the pathway between Cafe La Bamba and DreamWorks Imagination Cafe. This particular area is the smallest of the bunch, with narrow walkways and foliage that create immersive set pieces and more opportunities to get startled. By using this alternate route, you can still access attractions like MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack and Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts, as well as food stands in Springfield: Home of the Simpsons and World Expo, and the Nightmare Fuel show.

Strategies for Scaredy Cats to Navigate Halloween Horror Nights Houses

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

If you’ve prepared for Halloween Horror Nights by doing your research, packing the essentials, and bringing along a few friends for support, you’re already set up for a great experience. But as you face your fears in the mazes, here are a few more tips to keep in mind.

One thing to look out for is large speakers overhead. These are often placed where scareactors are stationed since their actions are usually accompanied by sound effects. I also like to look for the scareactors’ footwear—it can be quite grounding to realize that even the most terrifying monsters put their shoes on one foot at a time, just like the rest of us.

Lastly, pay attention to what’s happening in front of you. Because of the flow of people entering the mazes, you can often anticipate a scare based on the reactions of those ahead. Listen for their screams, watch for strobe lights, or notice sudden noises—all of these can signal that something is coming.

Alternative Experiences for Scaredy Cats at Halloween Horror Nights

Tribute Store

So, you’ve tried all our tips and tricks but still aren’t quite ready to face the houses or scare zones. Don’t worry—there’s still plenty for you to enjoy! Start with the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store. It’s located near the New York scare zone, but as long as you stick to the sidewalks, you should be able to make your way there without any scares.

The Tribute Store is an attraction all its own. Every year, the creative brains at Universal Orlando Resort design a unique shopping experience that not only features the latest Halloween Horror Nights merchandise but also tells a captivating story as you move through the store. You could easily spend over an hour exploring all the incredible details inside!

Nightmare Fuel

Despite its name, this show isn’t scary at all—it’s packed with dancing, acrobatics, optical illusions, and more! Each year brings a new and improved version of the show, and this year’s Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus is my personal favorite. With a cohesive story to follow, you’ll be captivated by the incredible stunts and fiery (literally) performances throughout.

Halloween Horror Nights Exclusive Food

Halloween Horror Nights doesn’t just feature ten houses and five scare zones—it also offers a delicious lineup of themed foods. The menu usually includes Halloween Horror Nights classics like Pizza Fries and Twisted Taters, along with creative new bites like this year’s The Frozen Death Chill: a Korean corndog-dipped mint cheesecake topped with Bugles and glitter.

Daytime Attractions

If you’re not up for the houses, why not scream your heart out on some of Universal Studios Florida’s attractions that stay open during Halloween Horror Nights? You can take on the thrills of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Revenge of the Mummy, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, and Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts. But before you dash to these rides, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Revenge of the Mummy is just off the New York scare zone. You can avoid most of the frights by sticking to the sidewalks, as we suggested earlier, but be aware that you’ll still be close to the scares.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley used to be a safe haven from the Halloween Horror Nights fears, but recently, Death Eaters have taken over, patrolling the streets and looking for new followers. While they add to the ominous atmosphere, they’ll generally leave you alone if you steer clear of them. Also, remember that Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts closes before the park does, so if this ride is on your must-do list, make sure to experience it early in the evening.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Halloween Horror Nights Survival Tips for Scaredy Cats appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Make sure you have your ticket in hand to unlock the hauntingly delicious realm that awaits you at Halloween Horror Nights. Learn more about discounted admission through Orlando Informer here!

Vegetarian Halloween Horror Nights Dishes

Eggs in the Further – $11.99
Insidious: The Further, Production Central
Inspired by this year’s haunted house themed to the Insidious franchise, try the Eggs in the Further. This dish features a jalapeño brioche “egg in the hole,” filled with shakshouka and topped with feta cheese.

“Last Key” Pop – $6.99
Insidious: The Further, Production Central
Sink your teeth into a deliciously sweet twist on a terrifying horror movie, a red velvet cake pop adorned with a chocolate key on top.

Twisted Tater – $9.99
Twisted Tater, Gramercy Park
Twisted Taters are a classic Halloween Horror Nights snack, and we are ecstatic that Universal Studios Florida is serving up two delectable vegetarian options this year! Enjoy this iconic spiraled ribbon potato grub with either Garlic Parmesan or Sour Cream & Chive. 

The Frozen Death Chill – $11.99
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Gramercy Park
When hunger strikes, who you gonna call? Head over to the Ghostbusters food stand for a unique treat: a Korean corndog-dipped mint cheesecake topped with Bugles and a dash of glitter.

Forbidden Falafel – $10.99
Twilight Tavern, Gramercy Park
Curb your cravings with this refreshing dish: crispy falafel paired with a tomato cucumber salad and tzatziki, all nestled inside a warm pita.

The Bride’s Cake – $6.99
Twilight Tavern, Gramercy Park
After braving the scares, you’ve earned a treat! Indulge in the Bride’s Cake—a decadent, chocolate-coated, three-tier vanilla cake filled with raspberry jam.

Wooden Board Eclair – $6.99
A Quiet Place, New York
Relive one of the most terrifying moments from A Quiet Place with this dessert. Bite into a spicy dark chocolate pastry cream-filled éclair, dipped in chocolate ganache and topped with a bloody chocolate plank. Just try to forget how much you cringed when you first saw this scene on the big screen!

Chocolate Tres Leches – $5.99
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America, Hollywood
The Chocolate Tres Leches is a must-try vegetarian dessert, with its perfectly moist, milk-soaked chocolate cake and light, fluffy whipped topping that strikes the perfect balance.

Sinema Popcorn – $6.69
Slaughter Sinema 2, Springfield: Home of the Simpsons
Inspired by this year’s house centered around a night at the movie theater, nothing pairs better with a film than popcorn. But instead of the usual buttery treat, Halloween Horror Nights cranks up the heat with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos-flavored popcorn.

Rocks from Hell – $7.49
Slaughter Sinema 2, Springfield: Home of the Simpsons
While we’re here celebrating Halloween, get into the holiday spirit a little early with these crispy jalapeño and cheddar cheese stuffed lumps of coal.

Vegan HHN Plates 

The Red Door – $9.49
Insidious: The Further, Production Central
Terror may lurk behind The Red Door in the Insidious franchise, but at this food booth, it’s a yummy vegan option that awaits: a savory hand pie filled with seasoned potatoes and onions.

Seasoning Salt Twisted Tater – $9.99
Twisted Tater, Gramercy Park
As we mentioned earlier, Twisted Taters are a staple Halloween Horror Nights dish. Our vegan friends won’t miss out on this classic—they can enjoy a Twisted Tater topped with seasoning salt.

Heart “Beet” Tostada – $7.49
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America, Hollywood
Looking for something a bit more filling? Appease your appetite with this red beet tartare, perfectly paired with creamy hummus, vegan feta, and fresh watercress, all served on a crispy tortilla.

Vegan Walking Taco – $13.99
Slaughter Sinema 2, Springfield: Home of the Simpsons
Fuel up with this Vegan Walking Taco, a flavorful medley of Fritos chips, vegan chili, vegan sour cream, lettuce, diablo sauce, and vegan cheddar cheese. It’s a plant-based party in every bite!

Pumpkin Guts – $10.49
Goblin’s Feast, World Expo
Inspired by the fantasy of the Goblin’s Feast house, this dish looks like it’s been plucked straight from a fairy garden. Sink your fork into a blend of butternut squash and zucchini noodles, complemented by crunchy pumpkin seeds and rich vegan butter, all elegantly served inside a roasted acorn squash.

Goblin Pie – $5.99
Goblin’s Feast, World Expo
This treat not only satisfies your sweet tooth but also warms your soul. This baked mini apple pie is the perfect handheld delight as you make your way to the next haunt. It’s drizzled with just the right amount of raspberry sauce, perfectly complementing the apple filling without overpowering it.

African Lentil and Potato Sambusa Coffin – $8.99
Major Sweets Candy Factory, San Francisco 
This Halloween Horror Nights favorite features African-spiced lentils and potatoes entombed in a vegan pie dough. A returning star on the menu for the past few years, it’s become a plant-based staple for those looking for a delicious themed treat.

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Vegan & Vegetarian Options at Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

This year, the event brings to life major movie franchises like Insidious, Ghostbusters, and A Quiet Place, alongside a medley of Blumhouse films and original stories involving fictional B movies, a murderous birthday bash, crazed candy fiends, and much more.

To help you navigate this extensive lineup, we’ve put together a ranked list of all ten houses and five scare zones, from great to absolute favorites! Our rankings come from a mix of feedback from the online community and our team here at Orlando Informer. Both groups bring the same elements to the grading scale: an understanding of Horror Nights in years past, an appreciation of the source material, and an unrivaled enthusiasm for Halloween. 

Ready to explore the ultimate fright fest? Let’s dive in.

Haunted Houses at Halloween Horror Nights 2024

10. Triplets of Terror

You’re invited to the Barmy triplets’ 59th birthday party! Junior, Melody, and Harmony – three siblings with a chilling past – have turned their celebration into a spectacle of blood, guts, and gore. In 1984, these relatives, raised in a hoarder’s home, gruesomely slaughtered their family. Every decade, they relive that horrific night, unleashing a murder spree in a new city. This chilling scenario is Halloween Horror Nights’ twist on a classic slasher. We took part in the Halloween Horror Nights Behind-the-Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour, which includes Triplets of Terror in its 3-house lineup. Check out a lights-on look at this haunt here.

While Triplets of Terror earns points for its creative, original story, particularly with a nod to today’s true-crime podcast culture, a disturbing scene featuring a deceased dog detracts from the intended fear factor. Instead of inducing terror, this moment evokes sadness, which isn’t the emotion we’re seeking at this event.

Read the announcement

9. The Museum: Deadly Exhibits

You’ve scored a ticket to the hottest exhibit in town, The Rotting Stone, but beware—the main attraction harbors a curse. A possessed spirit within causes decay wherever it lingers. We also toured this house before its opening, so make sure to check out our sneak peek here.

Stepping inside The Rotting Stone, you genuinely feel as if you’ve been transported into a museum. The details are incredible, with plaques throughout the house that the creative team has meticulously crafted, containing readable content—if you can manage between the scares, of course. However, the story is somewhat lacking, leading to scares that start to feel repetitive and predictable.

Read the announcement

8. Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines

Universal Monsters is usually a highlight for our team, as it brings iconic characters together each year at Halloween Horror Nights. This year is particularly noteworthy as we anticipate the 2025 opening of Epic Universe and its Universal Monsters area, Dark Universe. Despite typically scoring high in our annual reviews, this year’s Universal Monsters house fell short of our expectations.

Eternal Bloodlines follows the saga of Saskia Van Helsing, daughter of Abraham Van Helsing. Teaming up with the Bride of Frankenstein, they confront Dracula’s daughter, Countess Marya, who, alongside She-Wolf, rises from the dead to avenge her father and obliterate the Van Helsing lineage.

Despite the promising battle of the bloodlines, the execution left something to be desired. While the house’s decor was visually impressive—earning a special place in our Halloween-loving hearts—the scares, unfortunately, felt repetitive once again.

Read the announcement

7. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

As a Ghostbusters fan, the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire house was my most anticipated attraction in the Halloween Horror Nights 2024 lineup. Ghostbusters boasts a rich history at Universal Orlando Resort—a legacy we explore in the house’s announcement—making its return to the park all the more exciting. Inspired by the 2024 film, this house recreates iconic moments and brings back fan-favorite characters, including plenty of Mini-Pufts.

This maze offers a fantastic scene-by-scene recreation of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, using the spacious location to showcase these scenes on a large scale. However, we missed hearing the iconic Ghostbusters theme song, which only played at the very end, giving it a bit of a “credits rolling” vibe. While we still prefer the 2019 Ghostbusters house, this one was overall a fun experience that shouldn’t be missed.

Read the announcement

6. Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America

After a successful run at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights last year, the Latin American legends Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza, and El Silbón have made their way to Florida’s fright nights. Although a handful of the scares mirror those from the West Coast, Orlando’s creative team has enhanced this take on Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America with additional scenes, taking advantage of the extra space available here.

The costumes are visually stunning, with La Lechuza being the standout, and the house incorporates animatronics to enhance the experience. Some of our team who saw Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America during its run at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights noted that it feels completely revamped and fresh this year.

Read the announcement

5. Major Sweets Candy Factory

Let’s revisit 2022 Halloween Horror Nights when the New York area of the park was transformed by the Sweet Revenge scare zone. Here, children transformed into crazed killers after consuming candy from the Major Sweets Candy Factory, unleashing havoc at a Halloween carnival. Fast-forward two years, and we now have the Major Sweets Candy Factory house, a prequel to that beloved scare zone.

Enter the factory just days before the Sweet Revenge events, run by Major Sweets and Miss Treats—characters you might remember from the earlier storyline. They’re on the hunt for taste testers for their new monstrous candy concoction, using children on a field trip as guinea pigs. Watch as the factory worker, Taffy, feeds the sinister sweets to the children, transforming them before your very eyes.

This house was a blast and surprisingly interactive, with three guest-activated triggers (also known as G.A.T.) you can press throughout for extra scares. It’s also become our favorite house to be located in the San Francisco area over the past few years of Halloween Horror Nights.

Read the announcement

4. A Quiet Place

Step into a house where silence isn’t just golden—it’s essential for survival. A Quiet Place house takes you through the events of the first two films in chronological order. With an emphasis on silence, you’ll find yourself wondering how this can be achieved at an event known for its screams. The creative minds behind this house have crafted it as an experimental endeavor: stay quiet, or the Death Angels will find you.

As you step inside, the usual noise of Halloween Horror Nights fades away, providing a rare moment of solace in the dark and quiet—until you realize bloodthirsty Death Angels are right behind you, creating an unnerving sense of dread. These creatures appear to be brought to life through puppetry, adding a unique visual element. There’s also a significant focus on the soundscape, making every subtle noise crucial to the experience. Listen closely.

Read the announcement

3. Insidious: The Further

Step beyond the red door and enter The Further, a realm where demons and insidious spirits take you captive. The creators of this house designed it to immerse fright night guests in a feeling of entrapment and doom, enveloping them in a terrifying hellscape.

Insidious: The Further easily earns the title of the scariest house at Halloween Horror Nights 2024. This house plays on disorienting its patrons, with scareactors appearing in unexpected places, often in quick succession, keeping you on edge. The design also induces a sense of claustrophobia, making you feel as though The Further is closing in around you. For those seeking the ultimate scares, Insidious: The Further is an absolute must-see.

Read the announcement

2. Goblin’s Feast

This house captures the essence of Halloween, teeming with goblins, orcs, giants, hobgoblins, and witches. While they celebrate their holiday festival, you are the intended feast. The experience masterfully blends horror with fantasy, weaving through settings like a tavern, a village, and a forest.

The diverse array of costumes for the fairy tale characters in Goblin’s Feast is truly impressive, featuring everything from stilts to puppets. Located in a new tent designed to accommodate taller elements, the setting not only allows for stilted costumes but also a towering giant water wheel that looms overhead, adding to the fantastical atmosphere.

Read the announcement

1. Slaughter Sinema 2

Easily a fan favorite from 2018, Slaughter Sinema brought the latest B movies to life on the silver screen, featuring adventures in films with sacrificial sororities, werewolf bikers, and murderous barbers. This house inspired subsequent attractions like the 2019 house, Yeti: Terror of the Yukon, and the Meetz Meats snack stand in 2022, further establishing The Carey Drive-In as a cornerstone of HHN lore. Now marked with a “2” for its 2024 sequel, we have been eager to see the new terrors Universal has devised. The original house’s influence extended into the following years—what could this sequel spark next?

We also had the opportunity to preview this house before its opening and have broken down every film featured in Slaughter Sinema 2. Read all about it, including its easter eggs, here.

Slaughter Sinema 2 earns our top spot for Halloween Horror Nights 2024, proving to be a worthy successor to the original. Just like its predecessor, the house features a movie theater screen outside while you wait, hinting at films that may or may not appear inside. If you opt to skip the lights-on walkthrough that we mentioned above, you’ll be in for even more surprises. As you walk through, each corner reveals something new and unexpected, with every movie concept differing greatly from the last.

Read the announcement

Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones 2024

5. Duality of Fear (Production Central)

For over 33 years, the screams of Halloween Horror Nights guests have been collected within the depths of Universal Orlando Resort, festering beneath the surface until now… they’ve birthed two horrifying realms of fear. Meet SINIST3R, the guardian of physical pain, and SURR3AL, the overlord of psychological torment. As these new icons stand at the gates of their respective domains, you face a choice: which will you brave?

Let’s start with this area’s strengths. This is where SINIST3R and SURR3AL kick off the evening, welcoming guests to a night of fright during the opening scaremony, accompanied by the familiar sounds of scareactors revving their chainsaws. You can also catch SINIST3R and SURR3AL here at the end of the night, thanking guests for joining them. However, beyond this, the zone feels a bit lacking. The decor is minimal, and while it serves as an entryway into each icon’s dedicated area, we were hoping for something with a bit more substance.

4. Demon Queens (Hollywood)

Step into the realm of SURR3AL, the master of psychological torment. Dark portals with eerie scenes dominate the streets of Hollywood, where souls are trapped and overtaken. The central setpiece features a staircase adorned with skulls and spines. Keep your eyes peeled here throughout the night, as this spot is where SURR3AL commands her realm and summons her followers for a thrilling show. The queens in this area, who serve as SURR3AL’s followers, wear intricate and unique costumes that play on psychological fears. Enhanced by fantastic lighting, the atmosphere is set perfectly for this otherworldly nightmare.

3. Enter the Blumhouse (San Francisco) 

Blumhouse Productions has cemented its place at Halloween Horror Nights, becoming a highlight of the event over the years. This year, the Enter the Blumhouse scare zone promises an unforgettable experience with an ensemble of villains from the silver screen, such as M3GAN and The Grabber. To prepare for this experience, consider brushing up on your Blumhouse favorites and hosting your own movie marathon. Line up films like Happy Death Day, Freaky, and The Black Phone to set the stage for this particular haunt. 

Beyond that, this area is a blast, with plenty of recognizable characters throughout the zone. It’s also the ideal spot to snap a picture or two with your favorite Blumhouse faces.

2. Swamp of the Undead (Central Park)

Louisiana is known for its swamps, but the most terrifying one is right here: the Swamp of the Undead. This eerie expanse is overrun with dense foliage, forsaken boats, and zombies in all stages of decay. Dare to step into this living graveyard, and discover the chilling fate of those who trespassed into these cursed waters.

With the lush foliage in this area year-round, it perfectly sets the scene for a swamp. The fog lingers, enhancing the atmosphere and brilliantly recreating the eerie feel of a bayou. The decor is expertly chosen and crafted, creating the perfect hiding spots for scareactors to jump out from and evoking a sense of dread, as if anything could be lurking in the murky waters.

1. Torture Faire (New York)

Like many others, I adore a Renaissance faire. The creative brains at Halloween Horror Nights have taken this beloved concept and infused it with their unique, dark twist, creating the Torture Faire scare zone. Here, guests can explore a grim collection of recreated medieval torture devices with modern supplies, adding a sinister edge to the traditional festive atmosphere.

The cast kept the energy high all night, both in the streets and on the stages, adding an extra layer of excitement to the terrifying atmosphere. With New York being the largest scare zone area, the cast and creatives had plenty of room to create a truly immersive experience, and they didn’t disappoint. Don’t forget to check out the windows of the New York buildings—you might just spot some fun Easter eggs.

Read the scare zone announcement 

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 Shows

Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus

While “Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus” at Halloween Horror Nights stands unchallenged in its category and claims the crown by default, its status as the sole contender doesn’t diminish its impressive production. Having occupied the former Fear Factor stage for the last several years, “Nightmare Fuel” annually evolves with new takes on twisted dreams. 

This season introduces a shift from its usual theme, incorporating a heartbreaking love story. The plot centers around a hero who falls for an aerialist at a circus. Tragically, he and the audience witness her death during a performance. Cursed to relive this moment repeatedly, he must find a way to save her.

Despite the emotional storyline, the show remains raunchy and edgy, packed with jaw-dropping illusions, daring stunts, pyrotechnics, aerialists, and more, all designed to push the boundaries of your darkest nightmares.

Read the entertainment announcement 

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post REVIEW: Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

As you step into the vampire’s lair at Dead Coconut Club, complement your evening with a visit to Halloween Horror Nights. Learn how to secure your pass to the horror here.

History of Red Coconut Club Transformations

Since 2022, Dead Coconut Club has become a staple in the lineup of Halloween Horror Nights. It’s now a tradition for the Universal CityWalk nightclub, Red Coconut Club, to feature decor that tells a story alongside its theme. In the past, the venue has showcased Universal Monsters-inspired decor for Halloween, incorporating tropical elements one year and classic movie theater theming in another.

However, the festive spirit isn’t confined to Halloween. For the Holidays at Universal, the club transforms into the Green & Red Coconut Club and for Universal Mardi Gras into the Cursed Coconut Club.

A Look Inside Dead Coconut Club Featuring Blumhouse

This year, Dead Coconut Club rewinds to the 1980s, channeling the vampires of that era. As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by an array of neon signs that scream retro—think “Bite Me” and bat wings—perfect for capturing that ideal Instagram shot. The venue is also decked out with photo-worthy spots featuring coffins and lip sofas adorned with fangs.

Unleash your inner gamer with a lineup of vintage arcade classics like Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and Centipede. And as you groove on the dance floor, keep an eye out—you might just spot vampiric versions of iconic music artists like Michael Jackson and Slash moving to the beat.

Step upstairs at Dead Coconut Club to discover a Blumhouse-inspired paradise—or, more fittingly, a hellscape. This space features a bar surrounded by photo ops with characters and props from films like The Purge, The Black Phone, Freaky, Happy Death Day, and M3GAN. Try your best to enjoy a cocktail or mocktail as The Grabber eerily looms nearby, watching your every move.

Dead Coconut Club Menu

Cocktails

Coffin Mojito
Bacardi Superior Rum, Green Chartreuse lime juice, agave nectar, Sprite, soda water, blue glitter and mint
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Blood Moon Punch
Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine White Lightnin’, Gran Gala, cranberry juice, orange juice, lime juice, dragon fruit syrup, grenadine and soda water
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Daggered Lemonade
Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Ferrand Dry Curacao, lemon juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, dragon fruit syrup and Sprite
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Night Elixir – $17.00
Beefeater London Dry Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, The Bitter Truth Violet Liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup and blue glitter

Immortal Thirst
Planteray Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum, Bols Peach Schnapps, lime juice, orange juice, BG Reynolds Original Orgeat Cocktail Syrup, Dale Degroff’s Pimento Bitters
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Bleeding Eye
Cuervo Tradicional Plata Tequila, DeKuyper Crème de Cassis, lime juice, agave nectar, ginger beer
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Death by La Dola
Cuervo Tradicional Plata tequila, cucumber and jalapeño essences, lime juice, simple syrup, and a hint of smoked salt
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Mocktail – $8.50

Red Velvet Revenge
Cruzan Aged Light rum, blackcurrant syrup, lime juice, mint essence, a hint of smoked salt, and an edible orchid
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50
Mocktail – $8.50

Purge Punch
Plantation O.F.T.D rum, coconut cream, pineapple, papaya juice, lime juice, and a hint of smoked salt
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Factory Made F3AR
Cathead Satsuma Mandarin vodka, DeKuyper Blue Curacao, lemon juice, cranberry juice, sour mix, and sour candy belts
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $17.50
Refill – $13.50
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.50

Beer & Cider

Crooked Can Bloody Murder IPA
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Bud Light
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $14.25
Refill – $11.00
20 oz. Single Serve – $11.25

Stella Artois
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Refill – $12.75
20 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Angry Orchard
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $15.25
Refill – $12.00
20 oz. Single Serve – $12.25

Halloween Horror Nights runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. Discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Dead Coconut Club: Blumhouse Edition Opens at CityWalk appeared first on Orlando Informer.

This sneak peek is courtesy of the Halloween Horror Nights Behind-the-Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour. This daytime “lights on” experience offers an in-depth look at the Halloween Horror Nights houses. With a guide highlighting details easily missed during the night’s frights, it’s an excellent choice for die-hard fans or those who prefer to appreciate the artistry without the scares. Our tour covered three houses, but a six-house option is also available. For more details on this immersive tour, check out our comprehensive guide here. 

Dear reader, proceed with caution – spoilers lurk just ahead!

Slaughter Sinema 2

This season, Halloween Horror Nights takes us back to a beloved haunt – The Carey Drive-In. For newcomers or those unfamiliar with its history, this location has been featured multiple times since its debut in a 2015 scare zone, later evolving into the backdrop for two haunted houses. The Carey Drive-In has also permeated other aspects of the event, including food stands and mazes, enhancing its haunted lore. Dive deeper into its story with our Slaughter Sinema 2 announcement here. 

A beloved highlight from 2018, Slaughter Sinema, brought to life previews of the latest B movies on the silver screen, setting the stage for adventures into films featuring sacrificial sororities, werewolf bikers, and murderous barbers. Now, with a “2” indicating its sequel status in 2024, we’re eager to see what new horrors Universal has concocted. We are in luck, as today’s tour offered us a first glimpse!

Like its predecessor, guests will be greeted with trailers on an outdoor movie screen, previewing the eight fictional films featured inside the house. Each section, or “flick,” is distinctly marked by a movie poster, signaling a transition in scenery.

Slaughter Sinema 2 kicks off with Mardi Gras Murders, set in an apartment that truly embodies the spirit of “letting the good times roll” a little too far. Amid the chaos of Jell-O shots, scattered liquor bottles, and vomit, the true horror emerges from jesters wearing cap and bells crafted from their own flesh.

Next up in our lineup of frightful film features is “Heavy Metal Hell 3D.” In this picture, a teen plays a record backward, unwittingly opening the gates to a realm that lives up to its name: Heavy Metal Hell. This segment features some 3D effects, so keep in mind that it’s BYO3D – bring your own 3D glasses!

For any diehard Halloween enthusiast, the arrival of the Christmas season might seem like a buzzkill. However, Universal cleverly embraces the holiday twist with its next horror flick, “Killer Kringles.” Here, guests venture through Santa’s twisted workshop, where Kriss Kringle keeps the naughty-list kids in his bag—not for coal, but for Mrs. Claus to feed their elves. As you step into this macabre scene, you’re greeted by the “Killer Kringles” movie poster featuring Mr. and Mrs. Claus portrayed by real-life master Character Designers from Halloween Horror Nights!

In 2022, the Bugs: Eaten Alive house tapped into the widespread fear of insects by featuring creepy crawlies supersized by Bzzzcon. In Slaughter Sinema 2, Bzzzcon unveils fresh terrors in the fictional film “Night of the Undead Clowns.” Here, Bzzzcon’s disposal of contaminated liquid into a clown graveyard reanimates the resting corpses into zombies.

Slaughter Sinema 2 takes a turn to the Wild West with “Hatchet and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters.” In this thrilling narrative, Chains is a rugged human bounty hunter, and Hatchet is his demonic counterpart. As the action unfolds, you find yourself caught in the midst of their supernatural showdown.

The fabricated film Blood and Chum transports guests to a classic horror backdrop—summer camp. A shark has infiltrated the lake, preying on every camper who dares to take a dip. Despite the chaos, the counselor declares that camp will go on—come rain, shine, or rampant gore. Visitors will be thrilled by the animatronic shark head puppet, nicknamed Megaladoom by HHN designers, featured in this segment of the house.

Slaughter Sinema 2 weaves the tale of “Mummy Strippers Unwrapped.” In this story, Tommy Two Thumbs, a strip club owner, turns a sarcophagus that tumbled out of a truck into a piece of decor for his venue, Mummy’s Room Adult Lounge. Little did they know, this ancient relic would awaken, with the mummies inside beginning to drain the life essences of patrons and allowing Tommy to keep his life in exchange. Additionally, fans of Halloween Horror Nights lore will spot a familiar face: Tim Foyle, known from Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth and rumored to have unleashed the horrors of Halloween Horror Nights upon Universal Studios Florida. He’s depicted here as one of the unfortunate victims of Mummy’s Room Adult Lounge.

In the climactic finale of the house, “Zyborgs” unveils a terrifying vision of the future where machines scavenge for human body parts to expand their mechanical army. As you navigate through this movie, beware. It’s a fun play on those classic B-movies featuring hybrid creatures like the “half-man, half-ant.”

And a little insider secret: each of the Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses has a code name before its reveal. Slaughter Sinema 2 was given “Cobbler.” each house will feature its dessert hidden somewhere within its walls, as well as a hidden animal—this year, it’s a snail. Keep your eyes peeled for these Easter eggs!

The Museum: Deadly Exhibits

Are you ready for a night at the museum? Brace yourself for an evening at The Rotting Stone Museum, a place left to decay and crumble, for a guided audio tour. As you travel further into its corridors, the house’s disintegration becomes increasingly apparent, with the rot setting in and your audio guide distorting.

Amid the narrative and jumpscares, keep your eyes peeled for a special cameo. Tucked away among the exhibits, you’ll spot the Mama Bear from Scary Tales: Deadly Ever After, featured in Halloween Horror Nights 2018.

Remember the code names that we mentioned earlier? The Museum: Deadly Exhibits has been codenamed “Baklava.”

Check out some more of The Museum: Deadly Exhibits below!

Triplets of Terror

Misfortune comes in threes, a fitting theme for our next Halloween Horror Nights house on the tour. Triplets of Terror delves into the gruesome Barmy family murders, where the triplets chillingly reenact their family’s demise as a macabre birthday celebration every ten years. 

We start off at the scene of the original 1984 crime on the triplets’ ninth birthday, where they infamously slaughtered their family at 3324 Wichita Lane (a nod to 2024 marking the 33rd year of HHN). Fast forward to 2024, and you’re thrust into the midst of a buzzing True Crime community, surrounded by newspaper clippings and the puzzled discussions of podcasters trying to unravel the mystery of the murders. A newly unearthed Super 8 film from the first crime scene emerges as a pivotal piece of evidence.

Adding a twist to the narrative, a familiar thrill-seeker will spot an unexpected connection: Jack the Clown, known in his previous life as Jack Schmidt, appears on an evidence bag as a detective on the case. 

Progressing through the house, you enter the kitchen of the Johnson family in Cradleton, Pennsylvania, surrounded by relics from the original murder: cake ingredients, a dog, a bat, and a baseball glove. These items serve as a calling card, with the triplets infamously mirroring the methods of their first crime, though they sometimes slightly alter their tactics. The terror escalates when the triplets target the Johnson family’s dog, previously seen in the 2019 Depths of Fear house.

Next, we follow the triplets to a garage-turned-man cave, where they brutally kill a man to collect the tools needed to recreate their initial crime. The journey continues through an alleyway with the town drunk and a corridor between a butcher and a baker shop. Keep an eye out for a bulletin board listing weekly specials, each a code name for this year’s houses, with Triplets of Terror named “fudge.” 

Entering the butcher shop, we witness one triplet has chosen a meat cleaver as their weapon, adding the butcher to their list of victims. The horror culminates in a slaughter party where the triplets unleash their terror, massacring characters introduced earlier in the house.

The mystery of their escape unfolds as we discover a sewer, their suspected route to freedom, while searchlights sweep overhead in a futile search for the elusive murderers.

Learn More About Halloween Horror Nights

This is just the beginning of what’s in store at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights. The three mazes featured are part of an extensive lineup featuring ten haunted houses, including standout themes like Ghostbusters and Insidious, along with five scare zones and showstopping entertainment. Experience these haunts on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Halloween Horror Nights 2024 Houses: FIRST LOOK appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Prepare to sink your teeth into the details. 

Enter the Blumhouse – Run a terrifying gauntlet of Blumhouse characters. From The Grabber to M3GAN dancing into your nightmares, this is a new kind of horror. 

Torture Faire – Enter this Renaissance Faire, where only the bravest souls dare to face the medieval torture devices. Can you endure the torment, or will you beg for mercy?

Swamp of the Undead – In the backwaters of Louisiana, zombies risen from the bodies of trespassers killed and dumped in a nearby bog are lurking. Are you ready to face the terror?

Duality of Fear – As soon as you enter Halloween Horror Nights, you must choose between two paths: the horror of SINIST3R or the terror of SURR3AL. 

Demon Queens – Four merciless queens loyal to SURR3AL haunt this otherworldly hellscape ripped from the darkest corners of the mind.

These scare zones complement the array of offerings at Halloween Horror Nights, including Insidious: The Further, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus, among many others. Check out these haunts on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post All Five Scare Zones Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Although it may seem like a fairly nondescript town, Carey has been something of a spool of just about every tale woven into the fabric of HHN. Icons like Jack the Clown and The Caretaker have roots in Carey, Ohio, as do the event’s mainstay butcher shop, Meetz Meats. Carey, Ohio is so deeply rooted within HHN lore that the event dedicated a house in 2021, Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland, to some of the fictitious township’s most notable houses and scare zones from years past.

So, what is it about this quaint little town that binds it to so much horror? Such a question prompted us to look into Carey’s ties to Halloween Horror Nights by building a timeline via the backstories of past houses, scare zones, and event icons. Before we do, we’ll remind you that Halloween Horror Nights 33 will run on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Remember to secure your discounted single-night tickets from Orlando Informer to make sure you and your entire scream squad are prepared.

Now then, let’s uncover the mysteries of Carey, Ohio.

Carey, Ohio – From Carae to SCarey

The fictitious township is named after its real-world counterpart, the hometown of a member of Universal’s Art and Design team. When these creatives needed a location for a backstory, this member suggested his own hometown, and that was that. While the reason at the time was simple enough, the truth was that it made more sense than one might realize. Sure, a quaint village named after an honorable judge, home to just over 3,000 residents, might seem an unlikely base for horror stories. Yet, Ohio has not only been the setting for numerous horror movies but has also been home to some of America’s most notorious killers, making it the perfect backdrop for Halloween Horror Nights.

As we mentioned, just about everything in HHN lore can be connected to Carey, Ohio. Although it seems as if it’s always been a part of the event’s history, Carey was actually only first mentioned by name in the 2008 scare zone titled The Skoolhouse. This was a semi-sequel to the 2005 house simply titled Skool, which did not mention the township of Carey. However, a deeper look reveals a connection that dates back to the 16th century in Carae, France, which is the sister city of the Ohio township. This connection marks the gruesome origins of Carey’s ties to Halloween Horror Nights.

Carey, Ohio: 1500s – 1970s

Catacombs: Black Death Rising (2010)

In 1534 France, a viral plague ravaged the regions surrounding Paris and Marseilles. The outbreak was so great that a group of doctors deemed it necessary to quarantine the infected in the French Catacombs to contain the spread. While their efforts were noble in spirit, they couldn’t have been more wrong. Imprisoned against their will, the infected took to uprising, locking the doctors with them in the legendary catacombs for 500 years.

Five centuries later, the infected prisoners escaped. Having been trapped and suffering from the virus for so long, the doctors and townsfolk, both living and dead, had returned with a hunger for vengeance that knew no bounds.

Twisted Tradition (2018)

After the events in France, the first of many cases in America took place around 300 years later. The direct connection between France and America isn’t clear, but what is known is that German immigrants settled in the township of Carey, Ohio. Not long thereafter, a man named Ernst Meier restored an abandoned pumpkin farm to great success. Word was heard throughout Carey, and Ernst let the town know that they could harvest his pumpkins once Halloween came around. Just one thing — he needed help! As he was only one man, he employed the local children to whom he promised each a pumpkin as a reward.

The township was excited as this was the beginning of one of their newest traditions but grew worried after some time when their children hadn’t come home with their families’ reward. The concerned citizens took to Ernst’s farm and were horrified by what they witnessed. Ernst was chanting an unearthly incantation while stirring child-sized gourds filled with blood and pumpkin guts around a large bonfire. Enraged, the townsfolk overtook him in an attempt to rescue their kids. As punishment, they declared that he be burned at the stake for his misdeeds. Ernst let out a villainous, slow laugh before responding that his masters would appreciate their assistance in finishing the rites of his incantation. Despite his ominous warning, the townsfolk threw Ernst into the bonfire as he continued chanting before burning to death.

Unaware of what they had unleashed—and possibly originating Carey’s terrible curse—the townsfolk buried the gourds. Years passed as Ernst’s farm once again lay overgrown in the forest, and stories of creatures made from pumpkin, vine, and wood wandering its surroundings spread throughout the township. The creatures have been said to serve an ancient evil, seeking sacrifices for their otherworldly masters. Much like Ernst’s farm, this is often to great success.

The Skoolhouse (2008)

The first in a string of related events began in 1908 at Carey Elementary School when one of their teachers, Mary Worthington, went missing. If Mary’s name has a familiar ring to it, that’s because she’s directly connected to the icon, Bloody Mary. Worthington vanished after a prank orchestrated by the school groundskeeper, Aldridge Hesterson, and six students. The specifics of the prank are unclear, but the following morning, Carey Elementary’s Headmaster, Mr. Renshaw, opened the school the next day to a scene covered in blood and shattered glass.

Although a case of suspected murder was opened, Worthington’s body was never recovered. However, a strange energy began to overtake the school, and on Halloween, a seemingly possessed Mr. Renshaw and his usually respectful, well-behaved students went on a special field trip. Their mission: to teach the township of Carey a terrifying lesson in fear.

Were the two events related? Perhaps that’ll be revealed later, as this was hardly the end of Bloody Mary’s story.

The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes (2010) and Cindy Caine

Most of the records of the 1920 tragedy at Good Harvest Orphanage have been lost to time due to a strange fire at the children’s home, but most of the tales seem to involve a child named Cindy Caine. Cindy was said to have had a difficult childhood as she was quiet and mostly shunned since her arrival at the orphanage. Over time, she discovered that she possessed pyrokinetic abilities, which enabled her to exact fiery revenge against those who had wronged her at Good Harvest. Harnessing her newfound powers, she burned Good Harvest to the ground, settling scores with its staff and orphans.

Cindy Caine’s story is both promising and unfortunate. She was meant to be an icon for both 2002’s Halloween Horror Nights: Islands of Fear and Halloween Horror Nights: Twenty Years of Fear in 2010. Unfortunately, she was replaced on both occasions. Later revelations disclosed that she is the daughter of Dr. Albert Caine, also known as The Caretaker, deepening her connection to Carey, Ohio. While the full extent of Good Harvest’s tragic story may remain shrouded in mystery, Cindy Caine continues to lurk within the darkest recesses of Carey and Halloween Horror Nights.

Afterlife: Death’s Vengeance (2013)

In 1933, the good residents of Carey, Ohio finally saw the end of serial killer, Bobby “The Blade” Guletta after five murderous months of terror. Between June and October, Guletta had slain 22 victims, displaying their remains prominently as if wanting his “trophies” to be found while ensuring that he never left enough clues to his whereabouts.

Guletta was eventually tracked down with the help of one of his attempted victims, Susan Snowdon. She escaped from the old sawmill where she was being held and where Guletta had already murdered others. Guletta, true to his inferred ego, was heard provoking the executing policeman to pull the switch before his execution.

Following his execution, Bobby Guletta’s fate was ultimately sealed in the afterlife, where he was eternally tormented by various demons and his long list of victims. Although this wicked story stands alone within the annals of Carey, Afterlife: Death’s Vengeance is a notable house mainly in part because it is the first non-comedic house to use 3-D technology and one of those that utilizes a revolving tunnel as part of its effects.

Leave it to Cleaver (2009)

In the 1950s, the first of many cases involved local hero Samuel Meetz. Sam gained notoriety over the years after inheriting his family’s business, Meetz Meats. After generations of success, the Great Depression took a hard toll on the butcher shop. Sam’s father, keen on keeping the family business intact, decided that the best course of action was a change in livestock.

The new meat was a hit, even granting Samuel Meetz with a pop-up booth, The Meetz Locker. The source, Carey’s various vagrants and riff-raff, was only known to the Meetz employees and select others, but no one complained! It proved to be addictively delicious, kept the streets clean and crime-free, and was a great way to be rid of any snoops finding their way to the Meetz factories.

Aside from the meat’s source, the strangest part about the Meetz Meats products is their odd effect when consumed. During a case at Universal Palace Theater, movie attendees found a severed finger in the establishment’s latest hot dog offerings produced by Meetz Meats. Reports claimed that after eating the refreshment, the patrons couldn’t stomach any non-meat foods and even became ravenous with hunger.

Since appearing in the Leave it to Cleaver house, Sam Meetz, Meetz Meats, and its mascot, Meaty Meetz, have reappeared various times over the years, making it a staple for both HHN and Carey’s lore. Mike Aiello, Universal Orlando Resort’s Senior Director of Entertainment and Creative Development and a key figure behind Halloween Horror Nights, originally portrayed Sam Meetz in the house’s queue video.

Dead Exposure (2008)

One case is so prominent that it caught the unwitting eye of Charlie McPherson. McPherson was a natural-born photographer who received his first camera at a young age from his father, Shawn. His love for the art grew, and he eventually found himself among the staff of New York’s Metropolis Tribune and, later, a freelance photographer who’d often work alongside Private Investigator Boris Shuster. During this time in his career, McPherson would see grisly images while taking photos whenever his camera flash would go off. The sights were so horrifying that it led him to the offices of Dr. Mary Agana who specialized in new, sometimes extreme, ways of treating fear.

While under her care, he was also treated for claustrophobia, and during one of his sessions, Dr. Agana placed him in an airtight box with his camera’s flash bulb, which projected the horrifying images on the box’s walls. The treatment? Either he faces his fears of both claustrophobia and the images, or he suffocates. Although Dr. Agana informed Charlie that he simply had to open the box’s lid to escape, his fear held such a grip on him that he slowly suffocated to death in the glass coffin.

What’s especially interesting is the underlying connection the two of them have. Charlie McPherson is the son of Shawn McPherson, who was one of the children involved in the disappearance of Mary Worthington — the grandmother of Dr. Mary Agana. Charlie’s death even had an odd effect on Dr. Agana as it provided her with an unexpected thrill. This led to her slowly going insane and killing other patients as a way of conquering her fear of death. Furthering the connection, it’s also believed that Mary Worthington may have been slowly possessing Dr. Agana via the possessions the latter inherited, such as silver jewelry and a music box. As for Charlie, his body had also disappeared, but his death wasn’t the end of his torment. He’d become trapped in a zombie apocalypse within the realm of reflections, where he’d eventually become a zombie himself.

Reflections of Fear (2008)

Charlie McPherson’s disappearance inevitably caught Boris Shuster’s interest. The further he dove into Dr. Agana’s past and her other missing patients, the more suspicious he became of her practice. Eventually, Boris became a patient of Dr. Agana to investigate her further. Each time he visited her office, he’d continuously find evidence of Dr. Agana experimenting on her patients, including Charlie. He also noticed that each time he visited her, Dr. Agana became increasingly younger, and she began talking to her music box.

As time went on, Dr. Agana began to become aware of Boris’ intentions, which prompted him to escape her as she attacked during their session. Boris attempted to return and arrest Agana with backup but couldn’t find her. What they did find was a shattered mirror in her office and signs of an attack.

Following the arrest attempt, it’s revealed that while Dr. Agana did die that day, she would join her ancestor as the entity Bloody Mary in the Mirror realm. The events that took place also prompted Boris Shuster to found the Legendary Truth. The mainstay collective in HHN lore would be responsible for investigating many other cases within the event — including the accidental release of Adaru, or Fear itself.

Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin (2021)

The last documented case in the 1950s is when Carey returns us to a pumpkin patch owned by Mr. Carver. Similar to Ernst, Carver was renowned in Carey for his pumpkins, which the township would harvest and carve every year for their Halloween celebrations. However, unknown to the township, evil was growing within the soils and vines of Carver’s farm, which was a reason Carver’s pumpkins had grown so plentiful and large.

A local witch, Grimalkin the Summoner, and her sister, Locasta, had been assisting their dark leader, the Pumpkin Lord, in his return. His time back with us was short-lived, but his days walking amongst the township of Carey were still gruesome. While it seems to be a somewhat isolated occurrence, it does bear a strong resemblance to the events of Twisted Traditions in that one can’t help wondering just how related this incident was to Ernst’s farm all those centuries ago.

Wicked Growth: Realm of the Pumpkin is noteworthy for many reasons. This house is linked to a brand new event icon, The Pumpkin Lord, and has also inadvertently introduced a cute new character, Lil’ Boo. Within the house was also a plethora of callbacks from years past, including tie-ins to the Caretaker and a connection to Slaughter Sinema’s Pumpkin Guts movie by way of the Mr. Carver character.

H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: Holidays of Horror (2011)

In the 1970s, Lady Luck, the shapeshifting icon for 2011’s Halloween Horror Nights, made her appearance in Carey, Ohio. The entity had made contact with Larry Kurtzberg, an actor who was desperate for his next big role, under the guise of his agent. She offered him the role of H.R. Bloodengutz, the host of Midnight Horror Show, a horror variety program produced in Carey’s WKNB studio. Given the choice between this small-town show or his agency no longer representing him, he took the clear choice.

As the show went on, Larry enveloped himself within the role in every way, even demanding that he only be referred to as his character. As his obsession progressed, his show became increasingly disturbing, affecting its ratings and ad revenue. This was noticed by WKNB producer John Reynolds, who regrettably informed Larry that the show had to be canceled. Upon hearing this, Kurtzenberg kidnapped Reynolds and the production crew of Midnight Horror Show, putting them through obscene and terrible torture resulting in the death of the WKNB producer.

Modern-day horror in Carey, Ohio

Screamhouse (2002), Screamhouse: Revisited (2003), Screamhouse: Resurrection (2006)

There are many occurrences in Carey that don’t contain a specific date but can be assumed to take place in modern times. The first of which concerns Shady Oaks Cemetery, run by Dr. Albert Caine, better known as The Caretaker, and his family. Rumors ran throughout Carey that the Caine family were a strange bunch. They were said to look of varying ages, with an implied question of them being undead due to connected stories involving zombies. It’s also said that they often experimented and entertained themselves with the corpses of the town’s loved ones, often dancing with them. This was confirmed by two teens who took it upon themselves to snoop on the family, stirring the townsfolk and prompting the police to begin an investigation.

In an angry rage, the families of Carey set fire to Shady Oaks Cemetery. Once the fire and smoke cleared, although Shady Oaks Cemetery was burned to the ground, the only remains that were found of the Caine family were supposedly that of Cindy. A long series of tunnels that seemed to stretch for miles outside the township were later found. While the question as to whether the Caine family escaped the fire, a research team was dispatched to investigate later reports of ghoulish voices, strange howls, and moans coming from the ruins of Shady Oaks.

It’s important to note that although Cindy’s story takes place much earlier in the lore, Cindy actually appears twice here (officially and unofficially). In HHN 2003’s Screamhouse: Revisited, Cindy appears in the house’s kitchen scene with another character believed, but never confirmed to be, her unnamed brother. She’d later have her first official appearance in the 2006 sequel house, Screamhouse: Resurrection.

The Spawning (2009)

On a night like any other, a group of teenagers were seeing a movie at Universal Palace Theater. A few of them had gotten in trouble with the theater staff for being rowdy during the flick, which led to them all being kicked out and banned. Sometime later, they snuck back into the theater via the emergency exit on the night of their prom and were never seen again. Following reports of them missing, the police found no evidence of them in any part of the Palace Theater — until something prompted them to search the sewers under the building.

What they found was something out of a horror movie as they encountered a scene of torn and bloodied prom tuxedos that belonged to the teenagers. Their whereabouts remain a mystery, but all evidence led to foul play. Since then, locals of Wyandot County called in sightings of two-foot tall, snake-like creatures they’ve named “Sculders” within the sewers. A group of volunteers were sent to investigate reports of something tampering with the county’s water flow. Was this related to the Sculders? Only they would know for sure.

In addition to The Spawning’s setting of Wyandot County, the house’s first scene is identical to Dead Exposure, which provides a deeper connection to Carey’s influence in the event. This house would also be one of those revisited in Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland.

Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate (2010)

Years after their establishment, The Legendary Truth branched off to a smaller faction, the Spirit Seekers. Their biggest case brought them to the Wyandot Estate, a home built by Malcolm and Lydia Wyandot. The elaborate home served as the setting for a dinner party in which Malcolm brutally killed his thirteen guests, his wife, and himself on October 30, 1929.

Decades later, the township would tell stories of their ghosts haunting the decrepit Wyandot Estate, prompting the Spirit Seekers to investigate using a machine to summon the ghosts. What they received was more than they’d anticipated, as the tortured souls brought with them terrible violence. While there were some survivors of the resulting spiritual encounter, the main crew of the Spirit Seekers hasn’t been seen since.

Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate was another house revisited in a portion of Welcome to SCarey. Even more interesting, however, cameras were installed at portions of Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate, providing live cyber feeds of each night’s scares.

Lunatic’s Playground 3D (2016)

Over a few years, Carey continued to face some hardships involving disappearing teens at Carey’s Hartford Mansion in 2012 and a derailed convoy train carrying mutant soldiers in 2013. However, one case takes prominence as it involves Chance, Jack Schmidt’s sadistic assistant. After over a decade of horror, Jack had been returned to his box imprisonment, and Chance was committed to Shady Brook Rest Home and Sanitarium. As fate would have it, Chance escaped her holdings and began reaping havoc within Shady Brook. Although she was eventually recaptured, it didn’t come without casualties of both patients and staff.

Halloween Horror Nights 17 and Lunatic’s Playground are especially noteworthy because Chance took the role of that year’s icon. The house provided us with a great portrayal of Chance’s blurred reality while at Shady Brook. It also helped add more to the ever-expanding story of her and Jack within HHN lore as it told what happened directly after Halloween Horror Nights 25. It even showed us that Chance was more than Jack’s mere sidekick and worthy of being an event icon.

Slaughter Sinema (2018) and The Carey Drive-In

The Carey Drive-In theater had been closed to the public for years with good reason. Tragically, it became the murder site of movie patrons in its early years, causing it to be shut down. Decades later, in 2015, after reports of strange activity at the movie theater, a brave few were drawn in to investigate, only to discover their favorite horror movies were coming to life — literally! It was lights, camera, and carnage as they would find their fate sealed in cinematic blood. While the source of this has never been confirmed, one only wonders if there was truly someone behind this or the theater itself.

Three years later, the theater returned to life, seemingly hungry for more bodies. This time luring locals in with the promise of B movie showings, a movie type that had become popular with the times. Patrons flooded the theater to catch films like Pumpkin Guts, Cult of the Beast Baby, and Barber Chop only to realize that, once again, the movies had sprung to life from the flickering screens! While the fate of the theater’s victims was certainly tragic, it’s worth noting that the plots of each movie seem to resemble much of Carey’s history. One has to wonder just how much of it is truly fiction and how much of it is telling the story of days gone by.

When it comes to the Carey Drive-In theater, it’s been a landmark in Carey, Ohio since 2015 with the scare zone, All Nite Die-In: Double Feature, and returned in house form in Slaughter Sinema. This house was especially entertaining and groundbreaking for multiple reasons. The movie posters preceding each section of the house featured numerous references to past icons such as The Caretaker and Jack Schmidt. Additionally, the set for Barber Chop was located in Morton Meetz’s Barber Shop. Does that name sound familiar? Additionally, its Attack of the Swamp Yeti portion was also responsible for inspiring the Yeti: Terror of the Yukon house in 2019.

Many of these houses were revisited in HHN 2021’s Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland. 2024 will mark another return to the Carey Drive-In with Slaughter Sinema 2, a sequel to Slaughter Sinema. Those like this writer are especially excited to see what’s in store.

The township of Carey, Ohio, is such a recurring location in HHN lore that one wonders what we haven’t uncovered. Indeed, horror has found a home in the fog and shadows of the heartland.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Fans will encounter Saskia Van Helsing, a new fearless huntress and daughter of revered Abraham Van Helsing – who killed Count Dracula by driving a stake through his heart and destroying his reign of terror. Saskia now faces Dracula’s daughter, Countess Marya, who arose from the dead to seek revenge for her father and destroy the Van Helsing bloodline. With a mission to kill, Dracula’s daughter, from 1936’s Dracula’s Daughter, forms a deadly alliance with the She-Wolf, inspired by the 1946 film She-Wolf of London, and Anck-Su-Namun, from the 1932 film The Mummy – only to be intercepted by Saskia and an unlikely ally, The Bride of Frankenstein. The terrifying adventure will take guests on a journey between the hunted and the hunters in a life and death battle with only one bloodline left to survive.

While we always anticipate Universal Monsters’ presence at Halloween Horror Nights, this year is even more exciting. Once Epic Universe opens in 2025, the eerie world of Universal Monsters will be celebrated year-round at Dark Universe. This area is packed with attractions, dining, and shopping that celebrates legendary horrors like The Wolf Man, Dracula, Phantom of the Opera, and more things that go bump in the night.

Dare to face the next generation of horror? Check out Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines at Halloween Horror Nights 2024, running on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus

Halloween Nightmare Fuel has set the Fear Factor Live stage ablaze for the past three years, captivating audiences with its thrilling pyrotechnics, daring aerial performers, and mind-bending optical illusions. Each year, the saga of twisted dreams grows more elaborate, and this year promises to elevate the spectacle even further. Here’s what Universal is saying about this year’s iteration of night terrors:

Step right up to a dark circus, a new nightmare that carries with it a sinister curse. It’s a thrilling spectacle of pyro and aerialists.

The Nightmare Fuel story has taken control of the Fear Factor Live amphitheater since 2021. Before this fiery series of performances, the Academy of Villains dance troupe dazzled as they took the stage with various acrobatics and theatrics. 

Academy of Villains was preceded by a cornerstone of Halloween Horror Nights history, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, after its 26-year run. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure parodied the best in pop culture of the previous year, altering its storyline from one HHN season to the next. 

Watch nightmares come to life before your eyes during Halloween Horror Nights 2024, which runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Inspired by Latin American folklore, this house brings visitors face-to-face with three monsters of legend: Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza, and El Silbón, with El Muerte, the spirit of Death, acting as their guide.

While this maze is brand new to Orlando, it first appeared in Universal Studios Hollywood, where it became a hit among our West Coast friends, even opening the way for a sequel house just announced for Hollywood’s 2024 season – Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America. As we wait in anticipation for Florida’s iteration, we can use what we know from both of Hollywood’s Monstruos houses and Universal Orlando Resort’s official announcement, as well as the traditional stories Monstruos is inspired by, to get a taste of what to expect at Halloween Horror Nights 33.

Before we get too far, we should remind you that Halloween Horror Nights 33 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. If you’re like us and anxiously counting the days, you can purchase discounted single-night HHN tickets through us!

Now, gather your Scream Squad as we step into the dark world of Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America.

Who are the creatures in Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America?

La Muerte

While La Muerte isn’t specific to Latin America or even technically a monster, we should first touch on how they became our journey’s guide. While she’s known by many names, La Muerte (or simply translated: “Death”) is better known as Santa Muerte, or the Saint of the Dead, throughout Mexico.

In many cultures, there are some variations of the personification of Death, and we can expect Universal Orlando Resort’s creatives to put their unique spin on her. Generally, La Muerte is perceived as a woman, though she bears a familiar look as a hooded skeleton and holds a scythe.

Aside from her scythe, she’s also commonly seen holding a globe, but she isn’t restricted to just these two items. She also possesses an hourglass and an owl. Each of La Muerte’s items has a symbolic meaning, with the scythe representing her reach with its lengthy handle, the blade representing life’s beginning and end, and it overall serving hope and prosperity since it’s a common farm tool. Other items like the globe and hourglass have similar meanings to not only the scythe but also each other as they represent La Muerte’s presence across the world, her omnipotence, and that death isn’t necessarily the end since the hourglass can be inverted.

La Muerte, as our guide in Monstruos, is fitting as she’s known within a multitude of cultures for so much more than being a collector of souls. La Muerte’s appearance can seem horrific, but she’s actually a very benevolent spirit and is known as a powerful protector. As the visitors of Halloween Horror Nights encounter the monstrous legends of Latin America, one can’t help but wonder about the price of safety under the watch of such a powerful entity.

Tlahuelpuchi

Tlahuelpuchi is a vampiric witch that originates in Mexico and is thought to have origins dating back to the Aztecs. What’s especially scary about them is that a tlahuelpuchi could be anyone. Though they’re commonly women, they’re the product of an unpredictable curse that doesn’t show itself until around puberty. Once it’s in effect, the tlahuelpuchi must feed on blood once a month, or else they die.

When hunting and in the public eye, Tlahuelpuchi will shapeshift to blend in, taking on the form of a turkey vulture or another species of bird. Although much of their behaviors and abilities have a vampiric lean, they’re also mystic practitioners, performing rituals to change their form and claim victims. For example, before shapeshifting, the tlahuelpuchi must set a roaring fire in the middle of the floor of their home using specific woods and spices. They must then walk back and forth through the flames and detach their legs before becoming their chosen animal. Once they’ve chosen their victim, they must fly over their prey’s house in a cross formation before they can enter.

It should be noted that tlahuelpuchi take no pride in what they have to do, and because of this, they exist almost entirely in hiding once their curse reveals itself. Adding to these tragic circumstances, their family is obligated to protect them by any means necessary, lest the member who doesn’t abide by the curse will become one themselves. This rule has led to family members going so far as to help hide the tlahuelpuchi or even assist in their hunt for blood.

La Lechuza

By definition, La Lechuza’s name may not translate to anything scary as it’s the Spanish word for “owl,” but don’t let that drop your guard! Much like La Muerte, this monster is known by a few names in the regions of Mexico from which she hails, and many versions vary on how she became “the Owl Witch.” The majority of legends tell of a woman who was wronged in some way by either a man or her village, which led her to make a deal with the Devil to reap her vengeance.

Shifting our gaze to La Lechuza’s appearance, she’s widely accepted to appear as a gigantic barn owl with a fifteen-foot wingspan and the face of a woman of varying age as she also can shapeshift. Often, she’ll become a humanoid owl with talon-like fingers that emphasize her witchy appearance.

La Lechuza’s owl-like appearance is also more than a cryptid fashion choice. Within Latin legends, owls were messengers of Death and a bad omen, and La Lechuza is no different in this regard. To dream of her is said to be a prediction of the death of a family member or loved one.

Aside from this, the Owl Witch has quite a few supernatural powers at her disposal as well. She can manipulate the weather, is generally considered to be immortal, and is immune to most weapons. Additionally, if someone attempts to kill La Lechuza or touch one of its feathers, they’ll die.

In terms of her victims, La Lechuza will draw them out by mimicking the cries of a baby or whistling with her supernaturally alluring voice. Those who hear it are beckoned to investigate the noise, and by the time they come to their senses, it’s already too late.

El Silbón

El Silbón (or “The Whistler) is one of this author’s favorite monsters. His origin story has quite a few interpretations, but the more popular one in Venezuelan and Colombian culture tells a tragic tale along the lines of Romeo and Juliet. A teenage boy falls in love with a girl his father disapproves of. Despite his father’s requests that they cease seeing each other, the couple continue their courting until one day, the boy’s father catches them in his barn. The father, in a fit of rage, murders the girl in front of his son. Equally enraged with vengeance, the son retaliates by taking his father’s life.

To cover up what just transpired, the boy dismembers his father’s corpse, removing the meat from the bones, which he hides in a sack. He takes the meat to his mother, who uses it for their dinner, not knowing where it actually came from. Upon serving it to her family, the mother realizes the heartbreaking truth. After some time, the boy’s paternal grandfather arrives home and punishes the boy upon learning of his misdeeds. The grandfather ties the boy to a post, violently whipping his back and pouring lime juice, salt, and alcohol into his bloody wounds. After the boy is finally released, his grandfather condemns him to carry the sack filled with his father’s bones for all eternity. As the boy shoulders the grim burden and takes his first cursed steps, the grandfather sets the family’s hunting dogs on him, driving the boy into the nearby woods.

It isn’t clear exactly how or when the boy’s appearance changed, but what’s known is that it was drastic — he became a tall, gangly, ghoulish creature said to average between nine ant twelve feet tall. He also still bears the now-tattered farming clothes and hat he wore when he was punished.

Although El Silbón doesn’t need to feed upon his victims, that doesn’t mean he won’t exact his insatiable vengeance on an unsuspecting mortal. It’s been said that you can hear the bones in his sack clattering as he travels, and if you hear his namesake, an upward whistle — be wary! If the whistle sounds near, he’s actually some distance away. However, if the whistle sounds as if it’s from a distance, that poor soul’s fate is already doomed to be a part of El Silbón’s bone collection.

The Monsters of Latin America: A Haunting Presence at HHN

For anyone unfamiliar, this isn’t the first time the creatives behind Halloween Horror Nights have explored the monsters of Latin America. Over the years, we’ve made several trips to Latin America during the event. In 2022, Universal Studios Florida’s Halloween Horror Nights featured Fiesta de Chupacabras, a house steeped in the legend of the Chupacabra. Here, a seemingly innocent celebration in a Latin American village concealed a gruesome truth, as the festivities were tainted with the blood of tourists.

In 2013, HHN Orlando dipped its toes into Latin American folklore with Urban Legends: La Llorona after the concept had seen several years of success in Hollywood. Based on the legends of the Weeping Woman, this house brought guests to an old Mexican church and what’s presumed to be the funeral of one of La Llorona’s victims. Almost immediately upon entering and frequently throughout the house, they’re attacked and shown victims of the Weeping Woman. As they navigate through the house, the cries and weeps of La Llorona can be heard, often alongside the literal streams of those who have suffered at her hands. In this author’s opinion, it wasn’t a house for the faint of heart due to its nature, but it was very well executed. La Llorona was even so well received that the character also appeared in the ICONS: HHN house during HHN 25.

When Monstruos makes its appearance at Universal Studios Florida, a familiar take should be expected. This would include the monsters’ appearances, the set design, and some of the storytelling. With that said, some liberties could be taken to help differentiate Orlando from Hollywood. This could be the case with either the lore or the house. For instance, Fiesta de Chupacabras was only loosely based on the monster’s mythology, and Urban Legends: La Llorona at Universal Orlando Resort utilized roughly half of the original set from Hollywood.

In any case, Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America is sure to be a house worthy of the entire Scream Squad at Halloween Horror Nights 33.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Enter The Further as demons try to ensnare you. The Red Faced Demon will lure you into his lair. KeyFace will unlock your fears. And more.

The Insidious franchise, produced by Blumhouse Productions, has chilled audiences with its tales across five films: Insidious (2010), Chapter 2 (2013), Chapter 3 (2015), The Last Key (2018), and the most recent, The Red Door (2023). Centered around the Lambert family, these films weave a narrative of paranormal encounters. With two more installments to the franchise on the horizon, the fright is far from over.

The Insidious saga, perfect for the ambiance of Halloween Horror Nights, first made its debut at the event in 2015. Scream squads experienced a journey through the first three films in a single house, where the dead sought passage back into our world through the living.

Fast forward to 2017, when The Horrors of the Blumhouse haunted house combined the nightmares of Insidious, Sinister, and The Purge. That same year, the Altars of Horror scare zone unleashed the most fearsome characters from that season’s lineup onto Production Central, including some of the imagery from the Insidious franchise. 

Although Insidious has taken a brief hiatus from Halloween Horror Nights, Blumhouse Productions’ presence remains strong. Since their debut at the event in 2014 with The Purge: Anarchy, Blumhouse has consistently brought fear to life at Universal Studios Florida. The Horrors of the Blumhouse haunted house made a comeback in 2018, terrifying guests with scenes from Happy Death Day and The First Purge, and again in 2022, combining the horrors of Freaky and The Black Phone.

Even without a dedicated house last year, Blumhouse still captured the spotlight at HHN with their M3GAN horde, whose killer dance moves dominated the streets of Universal Studios Florida.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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An ancient artifact has released a chilling new entity, Garraka. Try not to freeze in fear as he freezes people before your eyes. Only the Ghostbusters can stop you from getting iced.

The Ghostbusters franchise blasted back into the spotlight earlier this year with its thrilling new chapter, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. However, this series has enjoyed a long history with Universal Orlando Resort, dating back to its inception.

Ghostbusters Spooktacular was an opening-day show in the New York area of Universal Studios Florida. This was a spectacle of live actors and cutting-edge special effects, bringing to life iconic moments and supernatural villains from the Ghostbusters films. The show ultimately closed on November 8, 1996 to make way for Twister: Ride it Out and now Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, but the original firehouse facade still stands—a nostalgic nod to its ghost-hunting glory days.

Before Halloween Horror Nights, there was Fright Nights, a three-night event at Universal Studios Florida in 1991. One of the featured shows was “Beetlejuice Dead in Concert! Featuring the Ghostbusters!” where the famous film characters would join forces in song and dance.

2019’s Halloween Horror Nights featured Ghostbusters in somewhat of a comedy house that had its jumpscare moments but was still an all-around good time. That same year, the spectacle spilled over into the Halloween: Marathon of Mayhem lagoon show, featuring the Ghostbusters in a starring role. 

Fast-forward to 2024, Ghostbusters is making a comeback to Universal Orlando Resort. This year, they’re not just featured in a Halloween Horror Nights house but are also a highlight of the Universal Mega Movie Parade and Cinesational: A Symphonic Spectacular.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Silence your screams if you want to survive the terrifying, post-apocalyptic world. Like the Abbott family, you must keep quiet as you travel from the farmhouse to the woods, to the foundry. As soon as you make a sound, monstrous creatures who can hear the slightest noise, will hunt you down and silence you for good.

Since its debut in 2018, A Quiet Place has captivated audiences worldwide. The first two films in the franchise, A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II, explore the harrowing lives of a family navigating a terrifying world overrun by bloodthirsty aliens. The eagerly anticipated third installment, A Quiet Place: Day One, a prequel that delves into the origins of this silent nightmare, is set to premiere on June 28, 2024.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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You’re invited to the Barmy triplets’ birthday bash. But beware, they celebrate by recreating their family’s murders. Prepare for a gory gathering.

Halloween Horror Nights knows how to throw a memorable birthday celebration. For its 16th anniversary, the event was dubbed “Halloween Horror Nights: Sweet 16,” revitalizing some of the most beloved houses from past celebrations and bringing back HHN icons like Jack the Clown, The Caretaker, The Director, and The Storyteller.

Are you brave enough for a party that’s literally to die for? Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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With La Muerte as your guide, you’ll be begging for piedad from these three terrifying legends: Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza and El Silbón.

Over the years, we’ve made several trips to Latin America during Halloween Horror Nights. In 2022, Universal Studios Florida’s Halloween Horror Nights featured Fiesta de Chupacabras, a house steeped in the legend of the Chupacabra. Here, a seemingly innocent celebration in a Latin American village concealed a gruesome truth, as the festivities were tainted with the blood of tourists.

Last year, Universal Studios Hollywood introduced this same house of an identical name that brought visitors face-to-face with three legends: Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza, and El Silbón. This maze became a hit among our West Coast friends, so we are excited to see this concept making its way back to Florida.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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You decide to visit the new folklore museum exhibit, The Rotting Stone, when an evil escapes from within, destroying everything in its path.

In the history of Halloween Horror Nights, a visit to a museum has been a recurring theme. Back in 1997, during the event’s seventh year, Universal’s Museum of Horror was one of the three featured houses. As visitors made their way through the museum, they encountered iconic monsters such as Count Dracula, Norman Bates, and The Phantom of the Opera, creating a truly immersive and chilling experience.

In the following year, in 1998, HHN explored two additional exhibits at Halloween Horror Nights, both of which drew inspiration from Universal Monsters yet again. The first, Universal’s Museum of Horror: Chamber of Horrors, featured the classic characters of Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, and The Wolf Man. The second exhibit, Universal’s Museum of Horror: Unnatural History, took a more contemporary approach, showcasing modern horror icons such as Ghostface, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, and more.

The Museum: Deadly Exhibit joins the Halloween Horror Nights 2024 lineup alongside Major Sweets Candy Factory, Goblin’s Feast, and Slaughter Sinema 2.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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You’ve been invited to chaperone a field trip to a candy factory. The deadly delicious treats turn the kids into sugar-fueled fiends.

Does this concept ring a bell? That’s because it draws inspiration from the 2022 scare zone known as Sweet Revenge. The New York zone appeared to be an innocent 1950s Halloween parade, but it had taken a sinister turn. The candy distributed by the Major Sweets Candy Co. had a horrifying effect, transforming the children into cold-blooded killers.

We loved this zone in 2022, so we’re thrilled to see the concept evolve into a full-scale haunted house.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Welcome to the Goblin’s Feast Tavern and visit the goblin village where a lavish feast is being prepared for goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and witches. And you’re the main course.

In 2022, witches seized the spotlight at Halloween Horror Nights with Spirits of the Coven. Set in a 1920s speakeasy, this bewitching house dazzled with flapper-style flair. Witches would lure unsuspecting guests with the promise of enchantment, only to threaten to transform them into a witch’s brew. The same year also saw the Conjure the Dark scare zone fall under the spell of witches, transforming the area into a haunting realm where magic ruled the night. 

We’re thrilled to welcome the witches back to this year’s event – after all, what would Halloween be without them?

Goblin’s Feast joins Slaughter Sinema 2 in the Halloween Horror Nights 2024 lineup. Discover more about this highly anticipated sequel house here.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Goblin’s Feast Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

If you’re dying for a b-movie horror marathon, head to the Carey Drive-in. Scream through scenes from creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti westerns and more.

Take a journey back in time to explore the history of the notorious Carey Drive-In in Carey, Ohio – a town with a deep-rooted connection to HHN since 2002. This haunted drive-in theater has set the stage for countless nightmares.

During HHN 25 in 2015, guests ventured into the ghostly remains of The Carey Drive-In with the scare zone All Nite Die-In: Double Feature. Long shuttered after a grisly murder during a double feature, but famous movie monsters still lurk, like Frankenstein’s Monster to Freddy Krueger. 

The story of the drive-in was further developed in HHN 28 with the fan-favorite haunted house, Slaughter Sinema. Guests revisited The Carey Drive-In, where previews of the latest B movies flickered across the old screen, setting the stage for adventures into films featuring sacrificial sororities, werewolf bikers, and murderous barbers.

We revisited The Carey Drive-In during HHN 2021’s Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland. This haunted maze guided us through the town of Carey, Ohio, weaving through various settings familiar from other Halloween Horror Nights events set in this Midwestern town. As we navigated the maze, posters from Slaughter Sinema adorned the walls of a hallway, setting the stage before entering the terrifying confines of the Meetz Meats deli.

The frights didn’t stop there – this haunted house theme continued to echo in subsequent years of Slaughter Sinema with attractions like the 2019 house, Yeti: Terror of the Yukon, and the Meetz Meats snack stand in 2022, further cementing The Carey Drive-In as a hallmark of HHN lore.

Halloween Horror Nights 2024 runs on select nights from August 30 through November 3. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here. 

Learn more about Halloween Horror Nights in our insider’s guide, then discuss it all with 170,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Slaughter Sinema 2 Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2024 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Don’t forget to have your ticket in hand to unlock the hauntingly delicious realm that awaits you at Halloween Horror Nights. Discounted admission can be found here through Orlando Informer!

Vegetarian Dishes

Sour Apple Pie Funnel Fries – $9.99
Gramercy Park, Oddfellow
Much like the sour heart of this year’s HHN icon, Dr. Oddfellow, this treat has a tart twist with its composition of fried dough, apple pie filling, and streusel, it includes a tart twist with sour sugar seasoning and sour apple ice cream.

Twisted Tater – $9.49
Gramercy Park, Last of Us Twisted Tater & KidZone, Twisted Tater
Twisted Taters are a classic Halloween Horror Nights snack, and we are ecstatic that Universal Studios Florida is serving up two delicious vegetarian options this year! Enjoy this iconic spiraled ribbon potato grub with either Garlic Parmesan or Sour Cream & Chive for $9.49. 

Mummy Cheesecake Pop – $6.49
Gramercy Park, 57 Scare
This Oreo cheesecake handheld dessert, resembling a comical cloth-dressed cadaver, takes the cake with its fun Halloween-theming and delectable taste.

Surfer Boy Cheese Pizza – $8.99
Gramercy Park, Surfer Boy Pizza
Surf’s up, Surfer Boy Pizza! Munch on this classic ‘za, made with French bread and cheese, for a simple, yet filling plate. 

Yuri’s Favorite – $5.99
Gramercy Park, Surfer Boy Pizza
Dip your fork into this rich dish, crafted with chocolate cake, peanut butter mousse, and Reese’s Pieces. Like Yuri, you can smuggle this dish into your bag while on the go with its resealable container (after purchase, of course!).

Bloody Snowball – $5.49
Gramercy Park, Yeti
Bloody Snowball is a scrumptious chocolate cake with marshmallow buttercream and dusted with desiccated coconut, inspired by the bone-chilling horrors from YETI: Campground Kills. 

Little Stevie Stuffed Pretzel – $7.49
Gramercy Park, Avenue Bites
Pretzels and theme parks are a dynamic duo, just like fog and Halloween Horror Nights! This year, elevate your snack game when you try this unique take on a timeless treat! Avenue Bites is dishing out a thrilling duo of pretzels – one stuffed with savory spinach and feta, and the other packing a spicy punch with jalapeño and cheese.

Créme Caramel Flan – $5.99
Gramercy Park, Avenue Bites
Dying to satisfy your sweet tooth? Take a bite out of this vegetarian-approved flan for a quick treat!

Left Behind Ravioli – $9.99
New York, Ration Station
A stones throw away from the chaos in The Last of Us maze, the Federal Disaster Response Agency (FEDRA) has established its distribution center in the heart of New York. The ration menu includes this mini cheese ravioli dish with marinara, truffle cream, garlic bread, and tempura fried enoki mushrooms served in a FEDRA-labeled can.

FEDRA Ration Bar – $5.49
New York, Ration Station
This FEDRA Ration Bar, a Scotcheroo Bar with coffee-flavored chocolate, peanut butter, and Rice Krispies, is the perfect fare to grab while you attempt to outrun flesh-hungry creatures and the other monsters that go bump in the night at HHN.

Chucky’s Pop-Dead Corn – $6.69
San Francisco, Chucky
In homage to the notorious serial killer doll, brace yourself for the fiery intensity of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos dust that packs a punch of flavor as daring as Chucky himself!

Confetti Battered Cookies – $7.49
Battery Park, Mel’s Die-In
Another Halloween Horror Nights classic, the Confetti Battered Cookies, marks its return as the final item included within this year’s vegetarian offerings. Nearly each year, it reemerges with a fresh interpretation. This time around, bite into confetti-battered and fried Oreos topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar!

Vegan

Twisted Tater – $9.49
Gramercy Park, Last of Us Twisted Tater & KidZone, Twisted Tater
As mentioned previously, Twisted Taters are a staple Halloween Horror Nights dish. Vegan options are available this year with three topping choices. My plant-based friends, you are welcome to choose between salt, porcini powder, or ghost pepper if you want to walk a bit more on the spicier side. Exclusive to The Last of Us Twisted Tater stand is the Infected Tater – a fried, spiralized potato dusted with mushroom emulsion and porcini powder for $10.49.

African Lentil & Potato Sambusa Coffin – $8.99
Gramercy Park, 57 Scare
Returning from HHN 31 is a coffin-shaped pastry filled with African spiced lentils and potatoes entombed in a vegan pie dough.

Surfer Boy Vegan Pizza – $9.99
Gramercy Park, Surfer Boy Pizza
Sink your teeth into this French bread-style pizza topped with Gardein sausage crumbles, pineapple, jalapeño, and vegan mozzarella. Fruit on your pizza is gnarly, you say? As Argyle says, “try before you deny!”

Burnt Ends Poutine – $9.99
Gramercy Park, Yeti
Inspired by the vibes of a cozy campfire, dig into these irresistible crispy fries, smothered with hearty beefless burnt ends gravy, velvety vegan cheeses, and sprinkled with scallions – all capturing the essence of the great outdoors! 

Vegan Pizza Fries – $11.49
KidZone, Kidzone Pizza Company
What is Halloween Horror Nights without pizza fries? We are thankful that the chefs at Universal Studios Florida have created a plant-based option for vegan guests to enjoy in this HHN tradition, as marinara sauce, vegan cheese, pepperoni, and sausage crumbles adorn these french fries.

Vegan Walking Taco – $12.49
Hollywood, Day of the Dead
Indulge your taste buds with this Vegan Walking Taco, a flavorful medley of Fritos chips, vegan chorizo, vegan shredded mozzarella, black beans, roasted corn salsa, pico de gallo, vegan sour cream, shredded lettuce, and cilantro. It’s a plant-based party in every bite!

Vegan Churritos with Ice Cream – $7.99
Hollywood, Day of the Dead
These vegan churritos with ice cream offer a combination of warm vegan churros, cold vegan gelato, crunchy Oreos, and a drizzle of coconut nectar. 

Chicharrones De Harina – $4.99
Hollywood, Day of the Dead
Deep fried and tossed in sugar and cinnamon, these pinwheels are a delicious, sweet snack option to munch on while enjoying a stroll through a scare zone.

We hope you enjoy the expanded list of vegetarian and vegan options for Halloween Horror Nights 2023! For a full summary of food and beverage offerings, you can visit our Halloween Horror Nights Food Guide.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Vegan & Vegetarian Options at Halloween Horror Nights 2023 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Dr. Oddfellow is Halloween Horror Nights’ event icon for their 32nd year. For those unfamiliar with him, Oddfellow has a direct tie-in with the event’s ongoing lore via Jack the Clown. Oddfellow has made some appearances over the years, with the most recent taking place during Halloween Horror Nights X. This year, Halloween Horror Nights attendees can now get the backstory behind Dr. Oddfellow through each of the event’s Scare Zones and a dedicated house.

In the pursuit of knowledge and preparation for the 2023 event, we scoured and pieced together everything there is to know about Dr. Rich Oddfellow. As it turns out, the dark doctor is much more than a second banana to Jack’s story.

Dr. Oddfellow’s Pursuit for Power and Immortality

Dr. Oddfellow’s story begins in the early 1920s and takes place within the ruins of an ancient jungle temple. Rich Oddfellow was essentially a low-level conman who held a deadly interest in the mysticism of the Zodiac, believing that it could grant him vast power and immortality. In his pursuit of this, he was known to perform sacrificial rituals, drawing Zodiac symbols on himself and the faces of his many victims.

Through extensive research, he learned about a fabled crystal skull that was said to reside in the jungle. He followed this tale to its purported coordinates, and after finally securing the relic, began experimenting with its mystic capabilities. This resulted in a transformation of the surrounding flora and fauna into monsters willing to do his bidding. They tortured and even killed many of the locals and any expeditionists who may have stumbled onto the ruins where he’d set up camp. Over time, he’d even use the crystal skull to construct his Cane of Souls, the tool that he used to absorb the essence of his victims, furthering his grasp on the Zodiac’s magic.

Dr. Oddfellow Brings His Horrors Home

Not one to pass up the opportunity to profit off the fruits of his labor, Oddfellow returned to the States with his jungle creations, touring in what would become his Carnival of Thrills and showcasing his living work. However, given the feral nature of his monsters and the need to satiate the cost of the mystical skull’s power, this didn’t happen without the occasional “accident.”

During his travels with the Carnival of Thrills, he crossed paths with Jack Schmidt, a young runaway who wanted to join the circus and escape his abusive home. Seeing Jack’s passion and love for performance and the circus lifestyle, Oddfellow recognized a kindred spirit within him. Over the years to follow, Dr. Oddfellow took Jack in, and the two grew close as Jack would become his best performer and bring the Carnival of Thrills great success.

In the 1930s, Oddfellow organized an event in the Midwest that would serve as a mass sacrifice in the name of the Zodiac, coaxing patrons in with a unique proposition – they could enter in exchange for their souls. Most may have brushed it off as a cheeky gimmick, but the circus master couldn’t have been more genuine in his ways. Oddfellow captured and tortured a number of victims, forcing them to participate in the carnival to lure more poor souls in. At the gruesome conclusion of the evening, Oddfellow arranged the sacrifices of his victims in the form of each mystic symbol, thus increasing his power greatly. As bountiful as the event was, Oddfellow couldn’t have planned for the dark secrets that lay within his own sideshow.

Dr. Oddfellow’s Murder of Jack Schmidt

While the ringmaster relished in his accomplishments, he was unaware that Jack was struggling with his own dark urges the entire time. Although Schmidt had managed to keep them a secret, the resulting body count had become too great. He’d caught the interest of the local and federal authorities who were on the trail of missing children, the patterns of which had led them to Oddfellow’s Carnival of Thrills. Facing this, a panicked Jack confided in Dr. Oddfellow, hoping he could help Schmidt evade the police. Taking in what Jack told him, Oddfellow knew that so much of this kind of attention clearly conflicted with his plans, especially considering that he had a warrant of his own to be concerned with.

Irate over what’d transpired right under his nose, Oddfellow berated Schmidt and demanded to know where he kept the remains of the murdered children. Desperate for help, Jack brought the circus master to his coach, where he revealed several small chests containing 13 rotting bodies. After processing the predicament he’d found himself in, Dr. Oddfellow knew he had to sever any connection to Jack, so he murdered his best clown.

To hide the evidence of both the murder and Jack’s crimes, he hid the corpses of Jack and the children within the sideshow’s House of Horrors exhibit. Dr. Oddfellow then disbursed and sold off the Carnival of Thrills and its numerous attractions, which allowed them to change ownership several times. Over the course of the next 60 years, Oddfellow and Jack’s stories were seemingly forgotten to the annals of history.

Dr. Oddfellow escapes to the Dark Dimension

After burning down any trace of both his ritual and his carnival within the small town he’d performed in, Oddfellow noticed Jack managed to claw a large scar onto his face during their fight. Knowing that such a sight would garner the unwanted eyes of the authorities, Dr. Oddfellow used his mystical abilities to escape into the Dark Dimension.

Oddfellow inevitably established his rule over the Zodiac realm, distorting it and its inhabitants into horrific monstrosities. As time went on, he’d found that he was becoming vastly more powerful and developing new abilities, namely, shapeshifting – the perfect power to keep his identity and that tattling tell-tale scar hidden. To his dismay, Dr. Oddfellow couldn’t conceal the mark of Jack Schmidt’s murder no matter how precise his skill or the form he took.

The Immortal Dr. Oddfellow

It’s ultimately unclear as to when Oddfellow had obtained his immortality. Some account it to his time in the Zodiac realm. Others accredit it to the mass sacrifice in the Dust Bowl Era prior to killing Jack. Either way, the now-eternal Oddfellow found himself in our world, traveling the country again in the 1940s. Having never stopped his dedication to studying the Zodiac’s mysticism, Oddfellow had begun storing the resulting cryptids in a private warehouse on Shipyard 32 in San Francisco, California. Once again, his creations managed to break free, mauling the dock workers and any passers-by. Rather than trying to contain the breakout, Oddfellow began relishing in it. Leaning into the ensuing, unhinged chaos, Oddfellow shapeshifted into various forms of his monsters. Reluctantly, his scar remained the only giveaway to his identity and power that grew with the absorption of each perished soul.

As Dr. Oddfellow’s knowledge of mysticism and the supernatural deepened, he learned of an underground sect of vampires in the 1960s. Desiring to add them to his nightmarish army, he used his demonic powers to take on the guise of Earlowe Wolfe. Infiltrating the group’s council, he explained that he was a mortal circus worker who’d been turned into a vampire thirty years prior during a violent feeding frenzy.

After convincing the group of his backstory, Wolfe became a member of their council and climbed his way through its ranks while convincing them that these vampires should simply treat mortals like cattle. He argued that they were superior to them and should be feasting openly and proudly. While some had supported him, his main adversary was a vampire named Olatto, an elder council member who preferred to feed in the shadows as their ancient kind had always done.

Eventually, Oddfellow had gotten wind of a music festival taking place in upstate New York, which would be ripe with souls for the reaping. Hungry for increased power and caught in a debate with Olatto, Oddfellow stood up to him and pleaded with the council to allow him to sneak the group into the festival as it would be a bountiful feeding for them. The council eventually abided and allowed Oddfellow and the Blood Slayers, a horde of vampire bikers, to descend upon the festival in the Summer of 1969. Interestingly, there’s no record of Olatto after this event aside from hearsay and anecdotes. Most tales, however, point to Oddfellow sacrificing Olatto’s life and drinking the Elder’s blood, which increased not only Oddfellow’s overall power but also his hold over the vampires.

The Demise of Dr. Rich Oddfellow

Following Dr. Oddfellow’s takeover of the vampiric council, he returned to the road again as he resumed his never-ending quest for power. He traversed the nation with his new show, Dr. Oddfellow’s Dark Carnival and Emporium, providing him with a way to obtain souls of the unfortunate with no one the wiser – or so he thought!

While Oddfellow was on his journey, Jack had found his own path in resurrection, the dark arts, and immortality, the roads of which led him back home to Shady Brook. In 2007, Schmidt discovered records of his former boss and murderer. After inspiring a riot and overtaking his asylum residence, Jack learned that Oddfellow had also spent some time in Jack’s old stomping grounds and, most interestingly, was still alive and touring!

With this knowledge, Jack set out to track down Dr. Oddfellow and made his way to the ringmaster’s Dark Carnival. He hid among the shadows of the lantern-lit tents and extracted his revenge on his former mentor by stealing his Cane of Souls. Taking control of the primary source of Dr. Oddfellow’s power, Jack transformed the Dark Carnival into his Carnival of Carnage while basking in his victory. Unfortunately for Jack, he failed to realize that his attack on Dr. Oddfellow never actually killed him. Instead, he had sent him back to the Zodiac Dimension, where he remained for 16 years.

The Return of Dr. Oddfellow and Halloween Horror Nights 32

Once he returned to our realm, Dr. Oddfellow learned not only of Jack’s immortality but also of the magic music box that he was recently forced back into. This allowed him to reclaim his Cane of Souls, and thus, his extraordinary powers. It’s unknown exactly how the demented doctor escaped the Dark Dimension beforehand. Most attribute it to his consumption of Olatto’s soul and incredible power; Others contend that it was an agreement with Fear itself, Adaru, and claim that many of the creatures at Halloween Horror Nights are direct products of Oddfellow’s experiments.

If it was a transaction with Adaru, one must wonder: When did Oddfellow return to our world? Has he been lurking in the shadows of the event year after year? Does his power derive from the Zodiac, or is there a deeper connection between his magic and the God of Fear? Perhaps his sinister secrets will be among the nightmarish wonders promised to attendees of Halloween Horror Nights 32. Word has it that he’s even back to offering immortality to whomever so desires. The cost is simply severing your connection with the mortal realm by way of mindbreaking horrific images – or possibly even your soul!

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post History of Dr. Oddfellow at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Halloween Horror Nights 2023 brings iconic characters from both the screen, such as Stranger Things and The Exorcist, and the console, like The Last of Us, to those who dare enter their spine-chilling worlds. Those who chase fear and excitement can also step into the unknown with original tales starring some familiar battling dragons, blues singers, and much more during this year’s haunts. 

Over Halloween Horror Nights history, an “HHN Icon” often commands the spotlight, and we explore their twisted realm during that year’s celebration. This honor was previously bestowed upon creatures such as Jack the Clown, Chance, and The Pumpkin Lord. HHN 32’s spotlight is on Dr. Oddfellow, the infamous ringmaster from the chronicles of Jack the Clown. We learn more about this petrifying practitioner in a dedicated house titled Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins and five original scare zones dedicated to this foe. 

With all this event has to offer, we have compiled a ranked list, from weakest to strongest (in our estimation), of all ten houses and five scare zones to help you navigate it all. Our rankings come from a complicated algorithm from the online community and our team here at Orlando Informer. Both groups bring the same elements to the grading scale: an understanding of Horror Nights in years past, an appreciation of the source material, and an unrivaled enthusiasm for Halloween.

The Haunted Houses at Halloween Horror Nights

10. Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count

Wanna play? Our favorite serial killer doll has overthrown a Chucky-themed haunted house, and it’s up to you to avoid being tallied into his kill count. This house had a fun air about it, with this Good Guys Doll popping up to scare thrill seekers. However, this playful space earns this spot due to feeling a bit sparse between scenes. But in the end, we’ll take any chance that we can get to come face-to-face with Chucky!

Read the announcement

9. YETI: Campground Kills

Yetis taking over a campground? Sounds “in-tents!” YETI: Campground Kills is Halloween Horror Nights 2023’s designated campy tale – pun intended. Travel back to the 1950s and outrun these ferocious monsters through this creepy, realistic forest with furry critters lurking around every corner.

Read the announcement

8. The Last of Us

With a massive fan base and a reputation as one of the best video game franchises, the stakes were high for this haunted house adaption. We felt it was fairly accurate to its original source material and enjoyed how the house developed as we ventured further. From stalkers, clickers, and bloaters, you’ll be met with varying levels of the infected as you follow Joel and Ellie’s journey through Pittsburgh. The close portrayal of this post-apocalyptic tale earned this house the eighth placement in our ranking.

Read the announcement

7. Stranger Things

The crew from Hawkins, Indiana has returned for their third HHN appearance, with the first taking place in 2018 and following the events of season one and the second in 2019 that chronicled seasons two and three. Four years and one season later, Halloween Horror Nights 32 tells the story of the Hellfire Club, international adversaries, and a new fearsome foe, Vecna. Stranger Things earns merit for some incredible effects that transport you to the infamous Upside Down, in addition to the moment you are met with season four’s villain.

Read the announcement

6. The Exorcist: Believer

HHN 32 allows us to step into the latest installment of one of horror’s most beloved franchises. In comparison to the rest of this year’s lineup, The Exorcist: Believer felt the most complete in regard to set design. Sometimes, we find there can be a lull in action when spending time in a haunt; however, this house felt very detailed and fluid throughout.

Read the announcement

5. The Darkest Deal

Follow the saga of musician Pinestraw Spruce as he experiences the shadowy side of fame after making a deal with The Collector. Was this house climbing the top 10 chart or singing the blues?

With a significant emphasis on storytelling, we were on the edge of our seats to see how The Darkest Deal would play out before us. The tale of Pinestraw is clear and easy to follow, compelling us to continue further and find the singer’s fate – from his agreement with The Collector to the downfall that came afterward.

Read the announcement

4. Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings

Enter a Colonial-era village celebrating the blood moon at their fall festival. The catch? They are moon-worshipers and hunting down any non-believers. Is this house to die for?

The set of Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings was hauntingly beautiful. The blood moon looms over the village laid before you, daring you to enter and find out what horrors lie inside. While this maze didn’t bring too many terrors, it was reminiscent of Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake from 2022 with its incredible design.

Read the announcement

3. Dr. Oddfellow’s Twisted Origins

As huge fans of Halloween Horror Nights lore, we were itching to step into the big top and dive into the past of this year’s icon, Dr. Oddfellow. We explored his time as ringmaster and were met with the moment Oddfellow stuffed Jack in the box, where he would remain for years to come. A band of clowns and circus fools also accompany Oddfellow, making this house well-rounded and a must-do for any HHN fan.

Read the announcement

2. Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate

Acting as an ode to the retired Universal Islands of Adventure attraction, Dueling Dragons, this house featured fantastic nods to its source material, earning its high rating. Fans will reminisce not only on the laid-to-rest coaster but also on Merlinwood memories with nostalgia weaved through every twist and turn of this house. We will certainly repeat this house as Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate lives up to its name, allowing you to pick a path a la “choose your own adventure.”

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1. Universal Monsters: Unmasked

The Universal Monsters mazes typically rank high among the Orlando Informer team, and this year was clearly no exception. This iteration featured a hoard of familiar foes lurking underneath the City of Love – Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Phantom of the Opera, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Invisible Man.

After years of attending this premier fright fest, it can be hard to get a scream out of us. However, this house rose to the challenge and made us jump! The combination of the Paris theming and scare actor performances was fantastic and culminated in becoming our top maze of the evening.

Read the announcement

The Scare Zones at Halloween Horror Nights

5. Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged (San Francisco)

A delivery of Dr. Oddflellow’s crated collection of oddities have broken free from their portable prisons, bringing nightmares into reality. An HHN connoisseur will appreciate this zone’s nods to previous houses, like Fiesta de Chupacabras and Revenge of the Tooth Fairy.

4. Dark Zodiac (Hollywood)

The stars have aligned themselves and point toward a visit to Dark Zodiac. Here, Dr. Oddfellow has harnessed the power of the Zodiac and unleashed malicious entities into Tinseltown. It was fun seeking out each zodiac symbol, even attempting to locate our own. You’ll also find that chainsaws, a classic HHN prop, make a return to Horror Nights within this mystic area.

3. Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror (Production Central)

Beckoning guests into their evening of fright is Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror, a menagerie of terror hosted in the front of the park. This area acts as a fantastic introduction to the character. Our antagonist appears on a stage, delighting and engaging guests alongside his army of terrifying creatures.

2. Vamp ‘69: Summer of Blood (New York)

It’s Summer Music Fest ‘69, a three-day celebration of love, music, and – vampires?! Dr. Oddfellow has unleashed a horde of bloodthirsty fiends, and they’re looking for new acts for their deadly performance.

The decor alone in this zone earned significant points within this ranking. Vamp ‘69: Summer of Blood is set apart from its competitors with its psychedelic patterns, fictional concert branding, and arguably two of the biggest zone set pieces this year – a festival stage accompanied by various instruments and a colorful, painted school bus. Paired with a killer playlist, this zone earns the number two spot within this year’s scare zones.

1. Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror (Central Park)

Dr. Oddfellow has played with the laws of nature, and now his creations are seeking revenge in this jungle. Starting our official timeline for Dr. Oddfellow, this is where our HHN icon’s story begins as he harnesses powers from a crystal skull found amongst the flora and fauna. As day turns into night, the creatures become more vibrant and various elements, like the hanging bats, become more noticeable with their creepy demeanor.

Read the Scare Zone announcement

The Shows at Halloween Horror Nights

Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream

As the sole show for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights, Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream automatically receives our number-one ranking for this category. The Fuel Girls have returned to be part of a new dreamer’s nightmare, and we were thrilled to see a third year of illusions and stunts. Much like the performances from the last three years, this show is edgy and has a raunchy characteristic – playing into the adult nature of Halloween Horror Nights.

Read the entertainment announcement

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post REVIEW: Halloween Horror Nights 2023 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

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Overview

A Halloween overlay for Red Coconut Club has risen from the grave to participate in this year’s haunted happenings at Universal Orlando Resort. Step into Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club on select nights from September 1 through November 4 anytime between 4 PM to 1 AM for delicious beverages and a party to die for.

Don’t forget to snag monster-sized savings on tickets to this year’s Halloween Horror Nights through Orlando Informer!

Jump to

• History of Red Coconut Club
• Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club Decor
• Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club Menu

History of Red Coconut Club Transformations

Prior to September 2022, Red Coconut Club sat vacant, waiting for its dance floor to fill with patrons for the first time since 2020. Red Coconut Club donned Universal Monsters-inspired decor to haunt alongside the Halloween Horror Nights 31 festivities and was called Dead Coconut Club. The all-hallows bar was met with astounding success but came to a close with the end of the yearly fright-fest.

The watering hole underwent numerous seasonal transformations following its initial overlay, celebrating alongside the Holidays at Universal with Green & Red Coconut Club and Universal Mardi Gras with Cursed Coconut Club. 

As we creep closer to Halloween Horror Nights 32, we were thrilled to hear that Red Coconut Club would dress in its Halloween best once again and be temporarily renamed Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club.

A Look Inside Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club

The Universal Monsters and Monstergram Pictures took over All Hallows Eve Boutique to film their latest movie earlier this summer. Frankenstein served as director, with Creature from the Black Lagoon behind the camera, Dracula on the boom mic, and the Mummy ensuring the team was well caffeinated.

Once they wrapped on their last film, Monstergram Pictures moved their crew to Red Coconut Club for their latest sci-fi flick, Revenge of the Red Planet. We received a shriek peek on August 30, with Annual Passholders receiving a look on August 31 and the club’s official opening on September 1.

Step inside the hot set of Revenge of the Red Planet to find odes to the teams that make pure movie magic. After all, Universal Orlando Resort was built out of love for cinema! Amidst this enchanting dedication, you’ll find the staple director chairs personalized to the cast and crew of this upcoming film, such as The Mummy, The Monster, and The Wolfman. Venture further to discover the working spaces of the art and makeup department in which the Bride of Frankenstein has taken over. When the tentacles of an aquatic terror from the deep aren’t dabbling in the art department, they are spinning discs at the DJ booth.

Head upstairs to take a gander at the Dead Coconut Club Drive-In theater, where you’ll find a bar designed as a nostalgic snack shack, additional seating next to some favorite Universal Monsters pals, and plenty of photo opportunities.

Once you’ve had your fill of an out-of-this-world set (and a drink or two!), don’t forget to look for Easter eggs of our favorite festive rodent, Earl the Squirrel!

Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club Menu

What spirits await at Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club? Here’s what’s on this limited-time menu: 

Specialty Drinks

Red Planet Punch  
El Jimador Tequila, Gran Gala Liquor, Passionfruit, Pineapple, and lime juice with vanilla bean paste and edible glitter

Asteroid Attack 
Old Forester Bourbon with lemon juice, agave, and a Malbec floater with blackberry and mint syrup

Plasma Punch  
Bacardi Light Rum, lime juice, Dragonfruit and Pear Syrup, and Bitter Truth Violette, garnished with an edible orchid

The Ooze 
New Amsterdam Gin, lime juice, vanilla bean, kiwi and honeydew syrups with tonic water

Souvenir – $16.50
Souvenir Cup Refill – $12.50
20 oz. – $12.50

Mocktail

Spirit-Free Slime – $8.00
Lime juice, vanilla bean, kiwi, and honeydew syrups with tonic water

Ice Cold Beer

Draft

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
Nightmare Nectar Blonde Ale
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Souvenir Cup Refill – $12.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

Crooked Can Bloody Murder IPA
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $16.00
Souvenir Cup Refill – $13.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $13.00

Canned

VooDoo Brewing Lacto-Kooler – $12.25

Original Sin Crimson Chaos Cider – $10.00

Wine

Spellbound Cabernet Sauvignon – $9.00

Noble Vines Chardonnay – $9.00

Be sure to make a stop on your way to Halloween Horror Nights to indulge in this star-studded spectacle at Revenge of the Dead Coconut Club, happening on select nights from 4 PM to 1 AM until November 4.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Tap into each article below to get the full scope of what to expect:

The Exorcist: Believer

Universal Monsters: Unmasked

Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate

Dr. Oddfellows Twisted Origins

The Darkest Deal

Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings

YETI: Campground Kills

Halloween Horror Nights Scare Zones

Halloween Horror Nights Shows

Which of these haunts are you most excited to encounter? Experience it all during Halloween Horror Nights, happening from September 1 through November 4, and purchase discounted admission from Orlando Informer here. 

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post REVEALED: Full Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Lineup appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream

Halloween Nightmare Fuel has ignited the Fear Factor Live stage for the last two years with its pyrotechnics, aerial performers, and optical illusions. The story of twisted dreams has expanded over time, with this year’s iteration being no different. Here’s what Universal had to say about this year’s showstopping night terror:

The show that sparked your darkest dreams has reignited. Let your nightmares burn out of control as the pyro and aerial performers fire you up to the beat of metal and electronica.

The Nightmare Fuel story has taken control of the Fear Factor Live amphitheater since 2021. Before this fiery series of performances, the Academy of Villains dance troupe dazzled as they took the stage with various acrobatics and theatrics. 

Academy of Villains was preceded by a cornerstone of Halloween Horror Nights history, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, after its 26-year run. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure parodied the best in pop culture of the previous year, altering its storyline from one HHN season to the next. 

Watch nightmares come to life before your eyes during Halloween Horror Nights 2023, running select nights from September 1 through November 4. Find out everything you need to know about tickets here.

Discover everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Shows Revealed appeared first on Orlando Informer.

The last we saw of Dr. Oddfellow was Halloween Horror Nights X inside The Fearhouse haunted maze. Those unfamiliar with this petrifying practitioner should know he has a perilous relationship with a clown of HHN fame – Jack the Clown. The legend goes that Dr. Oddfellow was the ringmaster in his “Carnival of Thrills,” which Jack was part of. Dr. Oddfellow learned of Jack’s murderous ways and ultimately had Jack killed. You can read our deep dive into this horrifying joker, with nods to Dr. Oddfellow, here. 

While the jester has had multiple HHN seasons in the spotlight, all eyes are on Dr. Oddfellow this year. 

Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror, Production Central

Dr. Oddfellow marks his return to this fright fest with his menagerie of terror, a shriek peak into what’s to come for your night of haunts. 

Dark Zodiac, Hollywood

What lies in the stars for you? Your horoscope says a trip into Dark Zodiac is in your future. Here, Dr. Oddfellow has harnessed the power of the Zodiac and unleashed malicious entities in a zone of doom. 

Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror, Central Park

During his jungle expeditions in the 1920s, Dr. Oddfellow decided to play with the laws of nature. Now, his creations are ravenous and seeking revenge.

Vamp ‘69: Summer of Blood, New York

It’s time to rock out at the music festival of the century – but is it just you, or are the attendees a little bloodthirstier than usual? Dr. Oddfellow has unleashed a fleet of vampires, and it looks like you’re next on the lethal lineup.

Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged, San Francisco

Travel through time and enter a 1940s shipyard where Dr. Oddflellow’s crated collections of oddities have arrived and broken free, making nightmares come to life. 

Try to survive these five zones during your visit to Halloween Horror Nights, bringing the scares from September 1 through November 4, and enjoy discounted thrills by snagging your tickets at a discount through Orlando Informer!

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post All Five Scare Zones Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s a shriek peak Universal Orlando Resort gave regarding Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings:

In a Colonial-era village, moon-worshippers witness a blood moon at their fall festival. They take it as a sign to hunt down any non-followers, including you and your scream squad.

It seems that this haunt will take on a similar tone to another in the past. If you recall, in Halloween Horror Nights history, Roanoke: Cannibal Colony transported guests in its 24th year to 1500s when the mystery of the village of the same name began. This house speculated on the fate of its residents when they inexplicably vanished. HHN’s theory of starved, flesh-hungry colonists played out in front of fright fans’ eyes as they journeyed further through the Roanoke settlement. 

Can you escape the village before you fall into its grasp? Find out for yourself during Halloween Horror Nights, running September 1 through November 4. Learn everything you need to know about tickets here.

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Here’s how Universal described this maze: 

Blues musician Pinestraw Spruce will have to face the music after meeting with The Collector and trading his soul for musical glory. You and your squad learn the terrible price of fame.

We will be singing the blues in this house of haunts, and this isn’t the first time in Halloween Horror Nights history that fame has inspired a collection of carnage and horror. Last year, The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare allowed us to step inside the mind of The Weeknd with the After Hours album as the house’s soundtrack. 

Halloween Horror Nights brings terror and fright to Universal Studios Florida from September 1 through November 4. Purchase discounted admission here. 

Find out everything you ever wanted to know about HHN – plus more! – in our insider’s guide. And then discuss it all with 160,000+ other Universal die-hard fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on TikTok, Threads,  Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

The post The Darkest Deal Announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2023 appeared first on Orlando Informer.