From spine-chilling haunted houses to sickly sweet treats, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights are back and scarier than ever.
WORDS BY MALIK HADDINGTON-AHMED
SPECIAL THANKS TO MATTHEW SKEELS, MOLLY MCNAUGHTON, KEVIN GIBSON AND ROSA ASGHARI
‘Gay Christmas’ is rearing its grisly head once more as Universal Orlando celebrates Halloween Horror Nights 2024!
Kicking off earlier than ever and running for 48 select nights until 3 November, the 33rd iteration of Universal’s acclaimed spooktacular features a spine-tingling lineup of haunted houses, scare zones, live shows and themed treats.
Scream queens, it’s the time to round up your ride-or-dies and head to Orlando for the ultimate Halloween experience…
Haunted Houses that will leave you quaking
This year, Halloween Horror Nights unveils 10 all-new haunted houses, each crafted to transport you to the most nightmarish realms, with every corner hiding a new scare.
In A Quiet Place, you’ll need to summon all of your courage to remain silent as you navigate a post-apocalyptic world where monsters with hypersensitive hearing stalk their prey. If the paranormal is more your style, then the horrifying Insidious: The Further’s tortured souls and demonic entities will draw you into a new bloodcurdling dimension. Meanwhile, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire plunges you into the icy depths of New York City’s streets as you join forces with the Ghostbusters to save the city from a chilling new threat.
One of the most exciting additions is Universal’s first all-women haunted house. In Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines, this clash of iconic female characters will have you on the edge of your seat.
And the scares don’t stop there! Universal Orlando’s Entertainment team has also crafted six original haunted houses that will introduce you to new, bone-chilling stories.
In Slaughter Sinema 2, you’ll face a B-movie marathon at a drive-in theatre, while Goblin’s Feast could end in delectable disaster, home to a medieval village full of creatures hungry for more than just your company. If you’re up for a sugar-coated horror show, Major Sweets Candy Factory may just be the sickly sweet treat for you.
With themes ranging from folklore horror in Monstrous: The Monsters of Latin America to petrifying parricide in Triplets of Terror and ghastly artefacts in The Museum: Deadly Exhibits, your limits will be tested in ways you never imagined.
Scare Zones that will keep you on your toes
If the haunted houses aren’t enough, the fear continues as you explore Universal Orlando’s five Scare Zones, where hordes of menacing creatures are on the prowl. The park has introduced two new terrifying hosts this year, SINIST3R and SURR3AL, each ruling over their own unique realms of horror.
Whether you’re trying to evade the unearthly terror in Duality of Fear or hoping to survive the zombie-infested Swamp of the Undead, every step you take will be fraught with danger.
You’ll confront unspeakable horrors as you brave the gloriously gory homemade torture devices at SINIST3R’s twisted Torture Faire. But the terror doesn’t stop there. Get caught in an otherworldly hellscape ruled by four merciless Demon Queens, where their loyalty to SURR3AL ensures that no one leaves unscathed.
For those brave enough to face the most notorious figures in horror, Enter the Blumhouse brings together iconic characters from Blumhouse films like The Purge and Black Phone. And don’t forget to watch your back – M3GAN may just be lurking in the shadows.
Food and fun you can enjoy between the screams
Halloween Horror Nights isn’t just about being scared out of your skin, it’s also about indulging in the rich atmosphere, complete with themed entertainment, food and shopping.
Inspired by the event’s haunted houses, guests are offered deliciously spooky twists on classic dishes. From the Mini Stay-Puft S’mores (a nod to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) to Abbott’s Farm Corn Chowder (inspired by A Quiet Place), you’ll want to sample everything on offer.
Don’t forget to stop by the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store for some exclusive merch. It’s the perfect place to take home some gory goodies.
Hotels to rest your weary bones
To make your Halloween Horror Nights 2024 experience even more unforgettable, this year, staying at a Universal Orlando hotel means you’re not just close to the action – you’ll be living in it.
Each hotel across the resort has undergone spooky transformations, offering guests Halloween-themed lobby décor and eerie atmospheres.
In addition to these immersive settings, as a Universal Orlando hotel guest, you’ll have access to an exclusive entrance gate for faster entry into the event and complimentary transportation to and from the park.
Halloween Horror Nights 2024 offers the perfect combination of fear, fun, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a hardcore horror buff or certified scaredy-cat, this immersive blend of cinema-quality sets, original stories, and frightening characters promises to leave you both terrified and exhilarated.
So, what are you waiting for? Gather your friends, summon your courage, and prepare for a night of terror like no other.
@gaytimes Spooky season is back with @UniversalStudiosOrlando’s #HalloweenHorrorNights 😱 #universalstudios #universalorlando #halloween2024 #spooky #spookyseason #aquietplace #ghostbusters #hhn #horror ♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando runs on selected nights from 30 August to 3 November and tickets start from £69 per person. More information on how to book your trip can be found below:
Seven nights in Orlando from £1460 per person.
Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, including scheduled Virgin Atlantic Economy flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando. Room-only accommodation at Loews Sapphire Falls at Universal Orlando. Price is based on two adults travelling and sharing a Standard Room and includes Universal 3 Park Explorer, Halloween Horror Nights single night tickets and all applicable taxes and fuel surcharges which are subject to change. Price is based on a departure on 17th September 2024. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. To book, visit www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.
Prices subject to change and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays terms and conditions apply.
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