SCAREZONES
VANITY BALL
"Beauty is pain. Literally. In the streets of Hollywood, your flesh becomes the canvas as blade wielding artists slice up willing participants into horrific living works of art. Here, going under the knife takes on a whole other meaning."
I didn't get to spend a whole lot of time in this zone. It was my last zone of the night, and I walked through when it was fairly empty. The costumes and makeup I saw were pretty nice, and the whole zone felt fierce (in an LGBTQ way). I sensed that this was a pretty active, fun zone. There were mini-stages set up throughout wit doctors either operating on patients or preparing to operate, throughout the zone patients wondered, waiting to pounce. It also had a runway with an announcer, although it wasn't being used when I traversed the zone (likely due to it being so late). I honestly would have enjoyed walking through the zone when it was more alive, but I still had fun in it nonetheless.
4 STARS (8/10)
ANARCH-CADE
"An 80s-inspired arcade has taken over Avenue of the Stars. At first glance, you may think it's a party. However, you quickly learn that "Game Over" means a permanent end for you. A gang of neon slashers are out to play and this is one game you won't want to lose."
This may be one of the better zones to take place in Avenue of the Stars. It's not scary, but it sure was fun and cool, with some very striking costumes. There was bright neon (lights and costumes) everywhere, lasers (that beam above the zone like a wave), and arcade consoles. The most impressive characters were the female nanchuck wielding stilt-walkers. Always fun to walk through.
3.5 STARS (7/10)
ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP
"It’s time to brush up on those rules of survival. Based on the hit film and its upcoming sequel, this scare zone puts you in the middle of the United States of Zombieland. The infection has spread and bloodthirsty zombies are everywhere. The most important rule to remember: Always double tap."
This zone looked cool just from pictures alone, however walking through it was a different story. It's set in Waylon's Pacific Treasures, the amusement park from the first film (complete with a faux drop tower ride). Everything was too spaced out, and it all just felt dead/empty. (I got to walk through it numerous times). The props, sets, and characters were cool (there was even a zombie Bill Murray, complete with gold club). It seemed like the NYC area was too big for it, and the designers just didn't know how to properly utilize the space. Very disappointing and likely the weakest zone of the night.
2.5 STARS (4/10)
ROB ZOMBIE HILLBILLY DELUXE
"You know his music, now it’s time to live it. Step into the heavy metal horror of Rob Zombie’s music and imagery in this pulse-pounding scare zone. From otherworldly beings to brutal maniacs, you’ll come face-to-face with his twisted creations as the music cranks to a frenzy."
Now THIS was a scarezone. Plenty of good scares, top-notch theming, killer costumes, and impressive props/sets. The theme here is you are walking through various Rob Zombie music videos (like Dragula and Living Dead Girl, for example), with characters, sets and props from the music videos interspersed throughout. I got to walk through the zone 3 times, and always wanted to just sit and enjoy the atmosphere for a good long while (helped that there were scantly clad hot girls dancing on tall platforms. One slowly bent over, presenting her ass to guests). The scareactors all seemed to love the camera and love being in the zone (I would have to guess they were fans of Rob Zombie too). Complete with copious amounts of fog and Rob Zombie music blaring over the loudspeakers. Is there anything cooler than walking through a scarezone while Dragula or Super Beast (Just to name two) set the mood. This was easily my favorite zone of the night.
5 STARS (10/10)
VIKINGS UNDEAD
"We’re all familiar with the brutal Viking warriors. It’s terrifying enough thinking about facing them alive. Now picture facing them as the undead. They have risen and laid siege to Central Park with an onslaught of gore. Bloodlust never dies."
This was the best themed zone of the night. The Central Park area is overrun with spooky hanging lanterns and ghostly, ethereal lighting. The vikings were cool (plus what looked like tree creatures on stilts), but the sets/props were the real star (especially the blood eagle!!!!). Central Park rarely if ever disappoints. Another zone I likely could have spent all night in.
5 STARS (10/10)
HOUSES
GRAVEYARD GAMES
"In the Ascension Parish Cemetery, it’s normal to find teens playing amongst the tombstones. You’ll find yourself witnessing the repercussions of the disrespectful antics of two teens who have awakened the spirits of the dead. As you roam through the cemetery, you’ll wind through dark mausoleums and decaying piles of coffins."
"Ghosts of every shape and form will rise from the tombstones to exact their revenge as you try to escape the maze of crumbling tombstones and mausoleums. Skeletal beings, ghastly apparitions and vengeful spirits will try to drag you to the grave. And in the end, you’ll find out what happened to those who set out to deface the cemetery."
This house was essentially the spiritual successor to Winter's Night from 2011. There was a fantastic variety of effects and scares, some were absolutely effective, beautiful, impressive and jaw-dropping. The house was lengthy, but not super-scary (My only real complaint would be that it needed some chilly gusts of air and falling snow throughout). I'd say it was more-so atmospheric, creepy and gorgeous (The theming, MY GOD THE THEMING! Loved the pitch dark room, the hallway with the talking mini-statues, and the final room with the glowing statue, just to name a few). Wish I could have gone through it several more times, but rest assured this house raised the bar on what you could experience inside a haunted house. A definite DO NOT MISS!!!
5 STARS (10/10)
US
"Are you ready to enter the shocking reality of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele and Universal Pictures’ global horror hit Us?"
"In this new haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights, you will walk through the Wilson family beach house and Santa Cruz Pier, where you might spot a familiar character outside of the Fun House. You’ll also venture through the unnerving tunnels that stretch for miles deep below America and come face-to-face with “The Tethered” – a group of terrifying doppelgängers of every living man, woman and child in the country. You’ll quickly discover that you are your own worst enemy."
"Follow in the footsteps of Adelaide Wilson as she experiences a horrifying and traumatic encounter with her tethered double, Red. Watch her face off with her menacing mirror image in a deadly dance with a fatal ending."
"As you venture deeper through the haunted house, you will be transported to modern-day, and witness “The Tethered” rise-up from their underground labyrinth, ready to take on their privileged upperworld counterparts – determined to enact their plan of murder and revenge."
"Prepare to run for your life, as there is no escaping yourself."
This house was easily the best IP house of the night. Very creepy, and pretty scary. There aren't many people jumping out at you, instead you'd pass by a person who would stand perfectly still and then, on a music cue, would suddenly strike out at you. I loved how you started out walking down a path with dark curtains on both sides, bright multi-colored lights strung high-above, while "I Got 5 On It" played (And all this was before you reach the facade). It definitely felt like you were walking through the film. This was the only house to use one of my favorite effects: a room full of mannequins, with some real people hidden amongst them. A fantastic house, and another one you would do well not to miss if you saw and loved Us (ALso, we never encounter our own tethered, just the tethered from the film, mostly).
4 STARS (8/10)
KILLER KLOWNZ FROM OUTER SPACE
"Go beyond the mayhem and madness of last year’s wildly popular scare zone and step right up for an entire haunted house experience based on the cult classic film, Killer Klowns from Outer Space. This new experience will feature a gaggle of new characters including the baby Klowns, Boco, and Klownzilla, as well as new scenery like the Klowns’ circus-tent spaceship, and the cotton candy cocoon storage room where they keep their victims."
"Throughout the house your sense of fear will be triggered by your sense of smell as you encounter strong whiffs of familiar fairground fare like sweet cotton candy, stale buttery popcorn and ice cream. Don’t be fooled though, these otherwise pleasant aromas are a sign of the murderous gang of klowns that awaits you as you move from scene to scene."
"Try to evade them or you’re likely to end up captured in one of their cotton candy cocoons and doomed to a terrible fate. There will be no escaping the big teeth of the Big Top."
This house was more fun and silly than scary. You walk through recreations of scenes from the film along with brand new rooms that replicate the atmosphere of the movie. The Klownz look exactly like those seen in the movie, and are perfectly mischievous and playful. My favorite scene had to be the enormous Klownzilla puppet/animatronic (quite impresive). While I definitely enjoyed my time in the house, it was still the weakest houses at the event this year, though it certainly wasn't bad in any means.
3 STARS (6.5/10)
GHOSTBUSTERS
"In this haunted house, you’ll be transported to the streets of New York as the rift between worlds opens, releasing ghoulish spirits, hideous specters and ectoplasm-dripping phantasms in every shape and size. Come face-to-face with the voracious Slimer, the all-power Gozer the Gozerian, Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and more."
"Peter, Ray, Egon and Winston will have to save the day as these paranormal creatures materialize in unexpected places – but will their proton packs be enough?"
Another house that was more fun than it was scary (I mean, I even got to get Winston to hi-five me at the end!). Like the other film based IPs, you walk through recreations of scenes from the film. There were plenty of impressive ghost puppets throughout that perfectly replicate the types of ghosts you would see in the film (Yes, including Slimer). My favorite rooms would have to be the opening library hallway (where Venkman flings slime everywhere in the film), the Ghostbusters firehouse (complete with Janine on the phone), and the Gozer rooftop. It's just a joy to get to walk-through one of the greatest films of all time, and rub elbows with all your favorite characters (including Rick Moranis!). That said, it was still one of the weaker houses at the event this year.
3 STARS (6.5/10)
YETI: TERROR OF THE YUKON
"From the evil geniuses (they paid me to say that) who brought you Attack of the Swamp Yeti in last year’s grindhouse-themed Slaughter Sinema house comes a frightening new take on the fear-inducing folklore of the wild Yeti. But beware, because this experience will trade B-movie scares for bloodthirsty terror that will send you running in the opposite direction. The snows will be red with blood in the Yeti: Terror of the Yukon haunted house coming to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights this year."
"Deep in the remote tundra of the Yukon, loggers and trappers seek refuge from the frigid grip of an arctic blizzard. But out in the darkness, a terror lurks far more dangerous than the deluge of snow and ice. These unfortunate souls have intruded into a territory that is haunted by their worst nightmares. Enter a logging camp that’s been torn apart, floors caked with snow, bones and gore. Right outside, screams are frozen on the faces of those who fled the towering monsters only to succumb to the elements. But there is no escape from beasts as brutal as the winter."
"Just when you thought the only thing to fear was the elements, an icy terror will descend over you. Cringe at the trail of blood leading to caves none have lived to see. As you enter the labyrinth of caves, you’ll hear the screaming echoes of those who couldn’t escape the inevitable. If you survive long enough to see the end, you’re likely to find the remains of those who came before you and meet their same demise. You’re in Yeti territory now. They’re stone cold vicious and will stop at nothing for a taste of blood. If the cold doesn’t get you, they will."
The only house this year to be consistently chilly throughout. Very well-themed with some cool scares, scenes, and Yeti's (along with some Canadian logger and trappers who are fighting back or fleeing). We travel through a camp, eventually making way into and through the Yeti's lair. The house was one of the ones that tries to scare you. I love the legend of the Yeti/Abominable Snowman, so this one was right up my alley. Not one of my favorite houses of the night, bit certainly one of the better ones (Gotta love the Yeti that rips his arm through a man's chest, and one that lurks high above and screams at you in it's icy caverns).
4 STARS (8/10)
DEPTHS OF FEAR
"If you have a fear of water and what lies beneath, your skin will crawl with this new haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights. Depths of Fear mixes all the elements of the unknown with underwater elements, monstrous creatures and a countdown to a disastrous fate."
"The workers of a deep-sea mining company have found themselves in a dire situation. They’ve delved too deep and encountered a parasitic race of creatures that turn out to be deadly. Panic ensues as you find yourself encountering infected miners and acidic creatures. The pressure builds as the self-destruct sequence counts down to the inevitable implosion of the facility."
"As you venture further into the depths, you’ll encounter the creatures known only as the “Mouthbrooders.” Picture being trapped in a claustrophobic mining installation underwater with a countless number of these slithering monsters. Your worst nightmares will come to life as these fiends spew flesh-eating acidic eggs at human hosts, and you witness miners being driven mad by the infection."
Another one of the houses that tries to be scary. The theme and sets are very neat, and I LOVED how the further in you go, the more and more chaotic things get (There's even a nift video in the first room that sets things up). It's clear that this facility is starting to break down all around you due to the "Mouthbrooders". The design of the creatures is quite cool, but we only get a few of them (fine by me, this tactic was pretty effective). Mostly we get assaulted by the unfortunate victims of the creatures. I was expecting to get wet in this house, but never did (though there are some neat water effects used throughout. This was a lengthy house, and it definitely worked more than it didn't, making it another one of the better houses of the night
4 STARS (8/10)
UNIVERSAL MONSTERS
"Terror is about to be unleashed with Universal Pictures’ iconic Universal Monsters coming to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights."
"In this all-new haunted house the world’s most terrifying monsters unleash havoc – thirsty for anything and everything in their paths. As you try to escape to safety, you’ll step into each monster’s domain – but beware – they refuse to let anyone get out alive…"
"Come face-to-face with Dracula in his gothic castle, the Wolfman in a dark Bavarian forest, and the man-made monster within Dr. Frankenstein’s lab. And if you survive them, you still may encounter the vicious Creature of the Black Lagoon, the ancient evil of the Mummy and more."
FINALLY, the Universal Monsters get the proper treatment at HHN. This house is a re-imagining of the ones who started it all while still staying true to their fundamental roots. This house was another lengthy one, and felt like classic HHN all the way. Innovative scares (Gotta love the Hunchback/bell tower scare. It looks like there is a dummy swinging from a bell. All you can see is his feet....then it's revealed it's a real scareactor as he drops down to scare you), fantastic designs, an immersive environment (you get to travel through each Monster's world including Mummy's crypt, Frankenstein's lab, Phantom's secret lair, Gill Man's swamp, and Quasimodo's bell tower among others). The facade is a mausoleum with statues of each Monster outside as rain pelts you), and plenty of freaky rooms (There's even a short mirror maze in Phantom's room that is not unlike the mirror maze found in the classic 1925 Phantom of The Opera. The final room of the house has a very short ceiling so it feels like you almost have to duck/bend down as you walk through). The house was absolutely perfect in every way, I walked out grinning from ear to ear (It's also very scary).
5 STARS (10/10)
NIGHTINGALES: BLOOD PIT
"Ancient Rome is suffering its worst drought in centuries. The ruthless emperor has declared the gladiatorial games to continue nonstop until the rains return. The gruesome bloodshed of the games is horrifying enough, but then come the creatures."
"As the blood soaks into the earth, the nightingales feed on the dead and dying. The nightingales are a grisly race of creatures that have been here since the dawn of time. You may think you’re familiar with their past feeding frenzies, but you haven’t seen them like this. You’ll try to survive alongside the gladiators as the ravenous nightingales tear into their victims and notice that fresh blood has come into their midst…"
This is a sequel house to 2011's Nightingales Blood Prey. Throughout the house, we travel through the bowels underneath the Roman Colosseum as the Gladiators (some dead, some dying, some preparing for gladiatorial combat) have to fend off a new threat: The Nightingales, drawn there by the scent of the dead and dying. The whole house smells like rotting human flesh and blood (I'm not kidding the whole damn house smells just pungent in a bad but undeniably effective way. If you are sensitive to smells, maybe you should sit this one out). The new design of the Nightingales aren't bad, but still aren't as cool and impressive as the originals. The house also has one of the best facades of the night (It's the entrance to the Colosseum, complete with a body on stakes, and a nightingale feasting on a dying horse. It's outdoors). Definitely one of the most impressive, and one of the scarier houses of the night (loved how in the first room a gladiator and had a stare down, with him eventually nodding at me out of , what I assume was, respect). A fantastic house, and undeniably one of the better sequel houses I've seen at the event.
4.5 STARS (9/10)
STRANGER THINGS
"This year, you’ll experience an all-new haunted house where you will travel back to the small town of Hawkins, Indiana and walk-through some of the most terrifying scenes from Stranger Things 2 and 3."
"Not only will you come face-to-face with snarling Demodogs, but you will also make your way through iconic scenes and locations, from Chief Hopper’s cabin to the Starcourt Mall."
"And the best part? This new version of the Stranger Things haunted house is also coming to our sister park, Universal Studios Hollywood. The haunted houses on both coasts will parallel the hit show as it leaps forward to 1985."
Most of the house is scenes from Season 2, with some scenes from Season 3 sprinkled throughout near the end. The scenes in the upside down are undeniably effective (complete with falling ashes) and feels like you are really in the upside down. I also loved the arcade, the cabin from Season 3, and Starcourt Mall from Season 3 (complete with the most impressive puppet in HHN history: a gigantic mind-flayer, with a head that turns from side to side. Absolutely Boss!!! Apparently it takes 3 puppeteers to animate the darned thing). A very impressive house that effectively feels like you are in the world of both seasons. A definite must-do for fans of Stranger Things.
4 STARS (8.5/10)
HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES
"This fall, you’ll discover firsthand why this house is built on horror. Come face-to-face with the psychotic Firefly family and their collection of blood and gore. Watch “The Legend of Doctor Satan” come to life right before your eyes. Keep a lookout for the latest addition to Captain Spaulding’s Museum of Monsters and Madmen, Fish Boy! And if you’re lucky, you’ll escape the house as fast as a rabbit, minus the fluffy bunny costume and tragic ending."
This was my most anticipated houses of the year, and while it wasn't top house of the night...it certainly wasn't disappointing. Starting outside at the faithfully recreated facade of Captain Spaulding's Museum of Monsters and Madmen (Keep a look out for a cameo from Bill and Ted's phone booth), you can tell the designers of the house are HUGE fans of the film and went to great effort to get everything just right. From the gas station/museum interior, to the Firefly house, to the caverns of Dr. Satan's lab...everything is there (except for scenes from the Murder Ride. This is explained because the rest of the house after the first scene is supposed to be the Murder Ride. It's different, but oddly works). We get to rub elbows with Dr. Satan, Grampa, Mama Firefly, Otis, Tiny, Captain Spaulding, Dr. Satan's hulk of an assistant (very freaky), Dr. Satan's victims, and Rufus. I can imagine that people unfamiliar with the film would be lost and confused, but die-hard fans (like myself) will undoubtedly be tickled pink. A damn good, faithful, and fun house that perfectly captures the tone, feel, environment and sets of the film (You even exit through the famous Murder House exit). Another one of the better houses of the night.
3 STARS (6.5/10)
SHOWS
HALLOWEEN MARATHON OF MAYHEM
"Grab a bucket of popcorn and get ready as the lagoon lights up with iconic scenes from Netflix’s Stranger Things, Ghostbusters, Universal Monsters and Killer Klowns from Outer Space. This new show features a blend of fountain-based media, state-of-the-art technologies and special effects in a new way. This is one 80’s nightmare you won’t want to miss."
I was expecting to be blown away by this show, and I honestly wasn't. That said, it was certainly very cool , fun, and impressive. Scenes and music from Stranger Things, Us, Ghostbusters, Killer Klownz, and Universal Classic Monsters are featured along with some nifty water jets/fountains (that shoot up pretty high), water screens, lasers, and projection effects (used for some of the buildings in the park. The show lasts a total of ten minutes and is an easy recommendation. You should likely get there at least 15 minutes in advance so you don't miss the cool 5 minute pre-show.
3 STARS (6.5/10)
RIDES
FAST AND FURIOUS SUPERCHARGED
I had heard a lot about how terrible this attraction was, but still had to experience the suck-age for myself. First off: The positives. The warehouse queue is very cool, lengthy and realistic. I loved the Party Bus theme for our vehicles (So funny! A party bus with no drinks). The alley scene with the cars is pretty nice, the beginning tunnel scene is effective and cool (Couldn't tell if we were really moving or if it was just an effect ala Earthquake/Disaster) and I like how the 360 scene has a screen in front of our bus (it really helps to cement the illusion that we are traveling from Point A to Point B). All that said, the 360 scene is way too short, the graphics are bad, there is no climax/resolution, and we start at what appears to be night during the first few scenes before transitioning quickly to daytime during the 360 scene (plus apparently, the 360 scene takes place in LA while the queue is in San Francisco). So yeah, it's not a good ride but I wouldn't exactly say it's terrible. There are definitely aspects of it I appreciated so I wouldn't say it's a complete wash. I'd say I feel lukewarm to it overall. It's just ok (fun to laugh at, definitely). I would likely ride it again.
2 STARS
SUMMARY
So, overall HHN 29 is not as scary as previous years. The focus this year is definitely more so on fun and having a good time than it was on scaring you. While this was a little disappointing, I still loved the event. There wasn't a bad house in the bunch. I also got to Rip Ride Rockit twice in a row (once in the front seat), and I got to do Transformers (which is still my favorite ride in the park). I also got to catch up on F&F. Hopefully they pull out all the stop for next year's 30th anniversary and put together something scarier and freakier than this year's event....but I was still more than satisfied with my experience this time (Overall I'd give HHN 29 4 STARS). Till next time, this is your ghost host with the most most signing off from scare central. Pleasant nightmares!
SCAREZONE RANKINGS
1. Rob Zombie's Hillbilly Deluxe (5 STARS)
2. Vikings Undead (5 Stars)
3. Vanity Ball (4 Stars)
4. Anarch-Cade (3.5 Stars)
5. Zombieland: Double Tap (2.5 Stars)
HOUSE RANKINGS
1. Graveyard Games (5 Stars)
2. Universal Monsters (5 Stars)
3. Nightingales: Blood Pit (4.5 Stars)
4. Us (4 Stars)
5. House of 1000 Corpses (4 Stars)
6. Stranger Things (4 Stars)
7. Depths of Fear (4 Stars)
8. Yeti: Terror of The Yukon (4 Stars)
9. Ghostbusters (3 Stars)
10. Killer Klownz (3 Stars)
(I am honestly torn on which house is better: Graveyard Games or Universal Monsters. Both are phenomenal houses in different but similar ways. Very hard choice).
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