Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. For years, no, decades, my boys have been begging me to go. What can I say? They wore me down. And this lily-livered coward has a confession. With some strategic avoidance, I came to LOVE this annual monster-ous bash. By using this guide, I promise you can too. Wimps unite!
Halloween Horror Nights
With devilish outposts in Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore, and Universal Studios Japan, the demons come out to room every September through November. Though scares are the name of the game, there is so much more that rounds out the night. Chickens unite! With some planing, even YOU can have a great time at Halloween Horror Nights.
Residents of the Town of Carey (or is it S-Carey?)
Scare Zones
Yes, I had heard the stories of chainsaw maniacs chasing guests down the streets. This one was scarier for me to overcome than the houses. Luckily, the scare zones are well-designated, so I could stand and watch from afar. Sidewalks are unspoken safe zones. Once I could see that the ghouls had limits, and were having some harmless fun, I joined in!
Michael Jackson in Zombieland
The Halloween Horror Nights “scareactors” are NOT allowed to touch guests. (This goes the other way as well.) Knowing that Michael would not be running after me throughout the park made me much braver. From what I can gather, this might not have been the case 20 years ago…
STRANGER THINGS haunted house
Haunted Houses
I was brave enough to enter the Netflix STRANGER THINGS haunted house, but only because the show seems so benign. However I did make my son “go first” and kept my hand on his shoulder the entire time. It was fabulous and really not-so-scary! As a first timer, that’s as far as I went. This year, I promised my sons I would do this house as well as Ghostbusters. Again, how harmful could those Stay Puff Marshmallow man blasters be? If all goes well, I may even go see my friends the Killer Klowns; their scare zone last year was hysterical! Point being, there IS a way to dabble in the haunted houses without heart failure. Stay tuned…
Entertainment
Dotted throughout the park is music, dance, and stage shows. Hyperventilating? Take a moment to yourself and enjoy.
Specialty Food
And while you are enjoying the demonic sounds, grab yourself some tasty event food and snacks. This year, the Universal Orlando STRANGER THINGS-themed “Starcourt Mall Food Court” should be a hit. Enjoy a Bento Box, Bao Bun, and Pot Stickers (think Chinese from Imperial Panda) and Grilled Street Corn and Nachos Queso Fundido (based on the mall’s Ole Amigo).
The FAMOUS Pizza Fries
Yes, those now-famous Pizza Fries will return (sooo decadent), along with the new S’Mores Fries (sweet potato fries, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and Graham Cracker crumbs). Now we’re talking! A variety of restaurants will be open, but since you’re paying top dollar for an event ticket, why squander your valuable time? (Unless of course, you can’t take it anymore!!)
Specialty Drinks
Here’s where this bash differs most from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The open drinking and smoking was off the hook. (And I’m no teetotaler.) Specialty Drink tents are seemingly everywhere, and so are the results.
Halloween Horror Nights Specialty Drinks
The 29th outing of Halloween Horror Nights 29 is serving four special event drinks: The Saturn, Vampire’s Curse, The Twilight Galaxy and Blood Pit. And you can take home those specialty souvenir glasses as a bonus.
Decoration
Despite those boozy selections, try and keep a clear eye out for the decorations that dot the park. There are some fun details that add to the “spirits” of Halloween Horror Nights. Even in the daylight.
Ride the Rides!
Now’s your chance to OWN Diagon Alley. Ride Harry Potter and the Escape from the Gringotts and then roam this area unencumbered by bodies. Escape if you must into MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack, Revenge of the Mummy, The Simpsons Ride, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride- 3D, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and Fast & Furious- Supercharged. All are in the 2019 lineup.
Finally putting Halloween Horror Nights under my cream puff belt was a win for me. SO liberating! The downside? I’m going back again this year. Cha-ching!!
Coward Tips:
- Do your chicken homework!
- DO take advantage of Halloween Horror Nights Early Entry and ease into the “Stay and Scream.” On YOUR terms. Everything looks tamer with the lights (or sun) on.
- Take a looooong look at the Halloween Horror Nights 2019 Event Map so that you can steer clear of the areas that might make you “uncomfortable.”
- Wearing headphones will dull the intensity. Cowards unite!
Thanks for sharing