It’s that time
of year again where ghouls, monsters, zombies, and fiends fill the streets of
Florida’s theme parks once again. I just recently spent a night of screams at
Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night 2014, and I must say, I had a scary
time. So what’s new this year at Halloween Horror Night? Well before I get to
that, I have to tell you about something that you absolutely need: an Express
Pass.
When I went to
HHN last year, I didn’t use it. I had a pass, so I could go to multiple nights
for free. My friends and I usually hit one or two houses each night. I didn’t
have that luxury this year. So for the first time, we decided to get the
express pass. You’re probably wondering, Steven, why are you going to spend
practically another park ticket for an express pass? The wait time for the
haunted houses is at best an hour. The popular houses, such as AMC’s “The
Walking Dead”, is 2-3 hours depending on the night. With the express pass, I
was in the house within fifteen minutes of getting in line. In just one night,
I managed to see each and every single house using the express pass. You really
do get your money’s worth, especially if you’re planning on just going one
night.
HHN haunted houses are best described as “movie-set
quality” recreations of fantastic and fearsome locations. Upon stepping inside,
you feel like you’re in a maze, each haunted house being indoors and set up in
unused areas of Universal Studios. Their purpose is to make you scream and wet
your pants. From every nook and crevice, expect fearsome creatures,
blood-curdling sound effects, loud music, bursts of air, special effects, and
of course gruesome props.
So what’s new this year? “AMC’s The Walking Dead” is back,
however it’s bigger than ever. It is by far the most elaborate haunted house
and it has been redesigned to reflect on the previous season. If you’re a fan
of the show and you want to feel how Rick Grimes feels when he’s being chased
down by a zombie, this is a must see.
“Dracula Untold” is a brand new house in which you’re
caught right in the middle of a struggle between bloodthirsty vampires or the
attacking turks. You’ll experience first hand how the one-time hero who fought
for his family plunged his soul into darkness and became Dracula. That’s not
the only house based off an iconic movie. Everyone remembers their friendly
neighborhood psycho killer? Michael Myers dons his iconic mask once more as you
go through the story of “Halloween”. Finally, “From Dusk Till Dawn” will
completely drain you of your energy as you will scream and squeal through every
turn. This labyrinth of death is based on the hit series in which you discover
a remote biker bar concealing bloodthirsty creatures that are just hungry for
you.
Three original houses include Dollhouse of the Damned, Giggles
& Gore, Inc, and Roanoke – Cannibal Colony. My absolute favorite is Giggles
& Gore, especially if you have a fear of clowns. Psychotic clowns aim to
kidnap the audience and turn them into clowns; just don’t get caught yourself.
Finally, you will come across scare zones. Scare zones are
basically outdoor sets in open areas that are meant to make you scream your
head off. One of the zones that I particularly enjoyed came at the front of the
park. As the gates open, so too does the annual Purge begin. “The Purge:
Anarchy” is a new thriller released by Universal Pictures in which the scare
zone is based off of. If you’ve watched the film, you’ll see the auction being
recreated right in front of you as dozens of people are just waiting to use you
in order to cleanse their souls.
Needless to say, Universal Studios always delivers when it
comes to Halloween. I highly recommend hitting the new houses. If you’re going
there for one night, make your night worth it by purchasing an express pass. For
more information, go to www.halloweenhorrornights.com.
Thompson, A. (n.d) Halloween
Horror Nights Reveal: Walking Dead Returns!. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/experience/america/theme-parks/universal-orlando-halloween-horror-nights-walking-dead/10087447/
