On Sept. 14, Universal Studios Orlando started Halloween Horror Nights which will be running until Nov. 3. Every year, it is always supposed to be bigger and better with new houses and scare zones. This year, Universal Studios Orlando had 10 houses with five scare zones. Usually, there is some type of theme for the event but not for 2018. They had four houses based off of “Stranger Things,” “Poltergeist,” “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers” and a combination of “Happy Death Day” with “The Purge” called “The Horrors of Blumhouse.” The rest of the haunted houses are ideas that Universal Orlando created themselves, where some were amazing while others were a disappointment. This article will be about the top five houses that are a must-do for attending Halloween Horror Nights.
“The Horrors of Blumhouse” is a house that combines the two movies “Happy Death Day” and “The First Purge.” In this house, you start by being stuck in the loop of “Happy Death Day” as the main character getting killed by The Babyface Killer. This house makes you feel like you are in the movie and the best part is whenever the main character dies you will also restart again. Don’t expect this house to be as scary because the Babyface Killer will only jump out at least once for every scene you are in but that makes it fun. Once you get through with the Babyface Killer, you will walk into “The First Purge.” Sadly, this was a small part of the house where you feel like you blink, and the purge is over. This house is a must-do if you enjoyed both movies, plus it is pretty fun.
After visiting the yellow monkey at the “Child’s Play” scare zone, stay and you might have a special guest. Credit: Bernard Ramos
This year’s main attraction which everyone should be excited for and needs to see is the “Stranger Things” house. As soon as you get to the park, this should be the first house to see since it will be at least a 2-hour wait; however, this house wasn’t as scary since it’s based on the show. What made this house worth the wait and the hype was the minute you walked in, you were teleported into the show. The best part of this house was the technology they used to make the kids on the show look alive and real. They didn’t use actors to play Eleven, and they used technology to make it look like everyone else was with you, but they did have actors to play the older characters on the show. The best part of this house was the Demogorgons, which looked like they came right out of the show to scare you. Instead of being scared by them, you might be amazed by how they look instead. Hardcore “Stranger Things” fans should also keep a look out for hidden Easter Eggs. Head over to the San Francisco Bakery to get the Triple Decker Extravaganza which is three layers of waffles with whip cream and candy to be just like Eleven.
Scary Tales Deadly Ever After was the last house Universal announced, and it is an original that Universal created. At the beginning of this house before you walk in you might think this house will be a little corny but beware, this house turned well-known fairy tales from Happy Ever Afters to Deadly Ever Afters. Once you get past the witch flying over you, you might want to turn back. This house was dark and had nonstop
scares with so much happening at once that you won’t know what to do. Some fairy tales in the house are the three little pigs, Hansel and Gretel and the wicked witch of the west. Some should be prepared for the end of the house because it might look like it ended but there might be another scare. Don’t let this house fool you, and do not skip it; it will make you scream.
One of the scare zones you can visit is the “Killer Klowns.” These klowns will give you a good laugh after running away from chainsaws. Credit: Bernard Ramos
When you first walk into Halloween Horror Nights and survive the men with the chainsaws, the first house you will see is “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.” This house transports you into the movie. It starts off in Haddonfield, where Michael Myers escapes from prison. Unfortunately for us, we bump into Michael and follow his journey along the way. The beginning is where you will get the most scares, where Michael comes out of everywhere to get you. Walking towards the middle of the house gets a little less scary, but with his theme music in the background, you don’t know what to expect. The best part has to be at the end of the house when you see the end, but you have to go through a path filled with Michael Myers coming after you left and right. This house will also make you scream.
The candy corn is a delicious and sweet drink that is only sold during Halloween Horror Nights. This is the drink to go with your Triple Decker Waffles Extravanganza for the perfect sugar rush. @HorrorNightsORL
The best house which is No. 1 is the “Poltergeist” house. This house is based on the 1982 “Poltergeist” movie not the 2015 remake. Walking into this house, you start from the beginning of the movie, where you walk into the house and finish at the end of the movie. This experience does an amazing job keeping you on your toes and bringing you into the movie. This house felt like it was never-ending because of how much was going on from the scares, to the details, and to the different scenes of the movie; this is the No. 1 house for 2018 Halloween Horror Nights: do yourself a favor and do not miss out on this one. The best part is, is that it won’t be as long as the “Stranger Things” wait.
Halloween Horror Nights had 10 houses and five scare zones. The park is only open 6 p.m.-1 a.m., which may not be enough time to cover everything. However, if you do get through all five of these houses and still have time, try to experience the rest of the houses Universal has to offer. When you get hungry try some delicious pizza fries, and wash it down with a candy corn or syrup and waffles drink. The best part is when you get tired of screaming and getting scared, you can take a break by riding some fun rides that remain open. This event is something you must do for Halloween or after Halloween. Hurry up because all of the horror will be gone after Nov. 3.
