Search Travel Market Report

ALGV
mainlogo
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Barbara Peterson
    • Brian Israel
    • Daine Taylor
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Jessica Montevago
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Mary Gostelow
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Steve Gillick
Sponsored By NCL
Sponsored By NCL
Great to Share with Your Clients

First Look: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2019

by Jessica Montevago / September 11, 2019
First Look: Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2019

Halloween Horror Nights 2019 kicked off Sept. 6. Photo: Jessica Montevago/Travel Market Report


Formerly known as Fright Nights, starting in 1991 with one haunted house that ran for three nights, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights has grown into a blockbuster event – running 41 nights with 10 houses and five scare zones. Its reputation brings together horror fans and scare junkies, fans of cult favorites, and mainstream hits. Some people return year after year, donning “I Survived HHN XVI” shirts.

Opening night on Sept. 6 kicked off the 29th anniversary of the event. From the twisted minds of the theme park’s Creative Development Group and the Art & Design Group, each maze is incredibly detailed with a high production value. The all-new haunted houses range from original stories, like Universal classic monsters, to intellectual property – or IPs in industry speak – from Netflix’s “Stranger Things” to Jordan Peele’s “Us” to “Ghostbusters.”

Returning for a second year, this year’s Stranger Things house brought to life scenes from seasons 2 and 3 of the popular show. It starts off right where it left off last year from season 1, with Eleven battling the demogorgon, all the way to the Mindflayer at the Starcourt Mall. With 14 scenes, this attraction ran longer than the other houses, which had an average of eight scenes. It was a huge hit, with the opening night posting 120-minute wait times shortly after the 6 p.m. opening.

The house based on Jordan Peele’s “Us” is also laid out using chronological scenes from the movie. At the funhouse entrance, the creepy “tethered mix” remix of the Luniz song, “I Got Five on It,” welcomes you inside to a hall of mirrors where young Adelaide Thomas meets her doppelganger. Scissor-wielding members of the Tethered (doppelgangers that live underground) and blood-spattered murders ensue, with a final room that will send shivers down your back.


Jordan Peele's Us house starts off at the funhouse. Photo: Jessica Montevago/TMR

A little less sinister, but promising incredible visual effects, the Ghostbusters house was another fan favorite. The maze took you through iconic New York City scenes from the 1984 hit film, with all of your favorite characters, from Zuul and Slimer to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

After being a popular scare zone last year modeled after the 1988 cult classic B-movie, “Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” this attraction has been upgraded to a maze of its own. Walking through, smells of cotton candy and popcorn waft through the halls of the big-top tent, as a massive Clownzilla and other film favorites make an appearance.


Killer Klowns brings to life the cult classic B-movie. Photo: Universal

“A love letter to Universal’s monsters,” each room in this house is dedicated to a classic monster, including Frankenstein, Wolfman and Dracula, as well as Phantom of the Opera, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Other houses include Graveyard Games, set in a Louisiana cemetery; Yeti: Terror of the Yukon — think blood-thirsty Yeti played by actors standing taller than six feet; House of 1000 Corpses, based the disturbing scenes from the Rob Zombie movie, and not for the faint of heart (take it from me); and Depths of Fear, which has the added layer of providing the claustrophobic feeling of being deep beneath the water’s surface, in addition to monstrous sea creatures.

Nightingale’s Blood Pit, where beaked creatures feed off of dead gladiators in ancient Rome, “gives us the opportunity to blend that historical aspect of it, which I think is fun because it gives a time period an aesthetic that is not similar to anything else we have in our slate,” said Patrick Braillard, creative development show director and writer at Universal Orlando, at a media preview. “It also gives us the chance, much like the Yeti but in a completely different fashion, to have a group of aggressors going after our guests, which leads to a lot of fun as far as the scare tactics.”


Universal's classic monsters are the stars of this house. Photo: Jessica Montevago/TMR

The streets of Universal Studios are transformed into scare zones, where zombies or actors carrying dayglow chainsaws may run up to you. Rob Zombie makes another appearance with Hillbilly Deluxe, where gory scenes accompany Vikings Undead, and plastic surgery horrors.

If you should find yourself in need of a break, there are two brand-new shows to take in. The “Academy of Villains: Altered States” features acrobatic and choreographed dances. This year, the show is set to a mad scientist storyline, and features a scene-stealing contortionist who had the audience gasping. The “Halloween Marathon of Mayhem” show displays visuals from some of the IPs the houses are based on. Set to music, scenes are projected onto fountains of water at the lagoon.

Halloween Horror Nights, an after-hours/extra ticket event, runs select evenings through Nov. 2. The best way to see all the houses is the R.I.P. tour, where a guide takes you to the front of the line (passing even the express line) and provides you with fun facts about each house. The four-hour tour visits all 10 houses, making it perfect for non-Florida residents who might not have multiple nights to spare. There’s also a private group option. It runs $199 per person, in addition to a regular ticket price.

  3
  0
Related Articles
Universal Orlando Mulls Plans for Eventual Reopening
Universal Orlando Resort Shares First Look at Newest Hotel
Universal Orlando Resort Rewards Top-Selling Travel Agencies with New Program
Universal Orlando's Endless Summer Resort Sets Opening Date
Top 10 Spookiest American Towns to Visit for Halloween
Universal Orlando Upgrades Wizarding World Vacation Package
The 10 Best Rides at Universal Orlando, According to the Experts
Universal Orlando's CityWalk to Welcome New Restaurant This Summer
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Now Accepting Reservations
First Look: Universal Orlando’s Latest Hotel

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Thailand Introduces New Tourist Tax for International Travelers
  3. Op-ed: Five Travel Predictions for 2021
  4. Marriott to Open Seven EDITION HOTELS in 2021
  5. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  6. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. U.S. Will Require Negative COVID-19 Tests for All International Visitors
  2. Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements
  3. Kauai Reopens to Tourists with New Travel Rules in Place
  4. ASTA: CDC Testing Requirement ‘Threatens to Create a Logistical Crisis’
  5. What Advisors Need to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
  6. American Airlines Launches Health Passport to Help Passengers with COVID Test Requirements
Tip of the Day

I think being in contact with [my clients] gave them more confidence in me and the suggestions I offer.

Linda Kinsey, Custom Travel & Cruise

 Share...
Daily Top List
Brought To You By

5 Things Every Travel Agency Should Do To Boost Business

1. Specialize
2. Give a personal touch
3. Find your niche and sell an experience
4. Maintain a high standard of quality
5. Become a salesman…but inspire trust

Source: Azavista.com

 Share...
Previous Daily Top List
Riviera
TMR Recommendations
KNTO
Learn about Korea's amazing 5,000 year tradition, history and culture. Become a Korea Travel Specialist!
hbar
Top Stories
In a First, Eastern Iowa Airport Will Require COVID-19 Screening as Part of Security Process
In a First, Eastern Iowa Airport Will Require COVID-19 Screening as Part of Security Process

Eastern Iowa will launch a 10-second, first-of-its-kind COVID-19 screening requirement prior to TSA security checkpoints. 

Read...
Thailand Introduces New Tourist Tax for International Travelers
Thailand Introduces New Tourist Tax for International Travelers

The tax was announced this week and will officially go into effect once it is published in the country’s Royal Gazette. 

Read...
Bonaire in the Caribbean Reopens in February
Bonaire in the Caribbean Reopens in February

North Americans will be able to take direct flights into Bonaire starting in February. 

Read...
Reports: Europe and Brazil Travel Restrictions from U.S. Will Not Be Lifted
Reports: Europe and Brazil Travel Restrictions from U.S. Will Not Be Lifted

Despite news breaking Monday that travel restrictions would end, the timeline for unrestricted travel is again unclear. 

Read...
Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements
Caribbean Destinations, Hotels Work to Meet to New CDC Requirements

Aruba, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, and more are all working to accommodate guests. 

Read...
DOT Approves JetBlue and American Airlines Partnership
DOT Approves JetBlue and American Airlines Partnership

The DOT agreed to terminate its review of the alliance in exchange for a series of commitments to ensure the alliance delivers consumers benefits without harming competition. 

Read...
News Briefs
  • British Virgin Islands Takes Roadshow Virtual
  • Eastern Airlines Expands Service to Latin America
  • Barbados Teams with At-Home COVID Test Company
  • Lonely Planet Unveils Best in Travel Picks for 2021
  • Disneyland Paris to Close After France Announces Lockdown
  • The British Virgin Islands Update Travel Advisors on Reopening
TMR Outlooks
Expedition 2020
Wellness Outlook
Distribution Outlook
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/-C65Uqm5evk/0.jpg
Video: Why Consumers Should Use a Travel Agent in 2021
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
243 South Street, OysterBay, NY, 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2021 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy