Universal's Halloween Horror Nights returns with The Weeknd, Blumhouse and bugs
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers - USAToday Network.
Editor's note: The following contains spoilers about some of the haunted houses at Universal Orlando's popular Halloween Horror Nights.
Whether you prefer slasher-style intensity or iconic classic monsters, Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights 2022 is designed to thrill. The theme park marks 31 years of scares with the return of this popular Halloween event.
FLORIDA TODAY was invited to experience the haunted attractions at an opening night media event.
The haunted houses
This year's Halloween Horror Nights includes popular brands. The haunted mazes - there are 10 of them - put guests face to face with "Halloween" villain Michael Myers as well as characters from some of Universal's most iconic movie monsters, the Wolf Man, Dracula and the Mummy.
In "The Horrors of Blumhouse," guests will get a double dose of scares as they are immersed in scenes from the supernatural thriller "The Black Phone" and the horror-comedy "Freaky."
Universal Orlando will also include a haunted house based on award-winning artist The Weeknd's "After Hours" album. Select tracks from the album are reimagined as an eerie horror movie soundtrack for "The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare," a surreal maze where guests are stalked by slashers, bandaged maniacs and other gruesome creatures.
“I always wanted my own Halloween Horror Nights haunted house as Halloween has always been significant to my music, so this is a total dream come to life," said Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye in a news release.
"I feel like my music videos have served as a launching pad for a collaboration like this, and I cannot wait for people to experience this madness!”
Other haunted houses feature original themes, from a 1920s speakeasy that hides a coven of witches to a toxic subway tunnel filled with mutated humans.
In Halloween Horror Nights' first Spanish-language haunted house, "Fiesta de Chupacabras," we visit a Latin American mountain village celebrating the legendary creatures. But things take a dark turn when you realize the tourists may be sacrificed to the beast.
One of the most visceral original mazes was "Bugs: Eaten Alive," in which guests are swarmed by hordes of mutant insects. If you are entomophobic, be wary of this house.
The most visually haunting maze is “Dead Man’s Pier: Winter’s Wake,” where you'll encounter undead fishermen haunting a New England village. With a cinematic design and sensory elements like cold raindrops, this experience is immersive and eerie.
The Scare Zones
There are also five scare zones where guests will have close encounters with sinister scaracters (short for "scare actors," rhymes with characters).
This year's immersive experiences include "Horrors of Halloween," featuring a sinister Pumpkin Lord with legions of demons, ghosts and witches. Particularly creepy is "Graveyard: Deadly Unrest," where you'll walk through a haunted cemetery teeming with specters.
Live shows
If you need a break from all the spooky thrills, check out one of the live performances. In "Halloween Nightmare Fuel Wildfire," pyro and aerial performers rock out to a metal/electronica beat.
For even more chill time, head over to the lagoon to watch "Ghoulish! A Halloween Tale," in which a ghost story is projected onto the huge water screens.
Helpful tips
The popularity of #HHN has grown year after year, and on opening night the wait time for the most popular mazes was about 80 minutes.
Due to popular demand, event nights are expected to sell out. Plan to purchase your tickets in advance. Consider paying extra for an express pass, which will get you shorter wait times. That means you'll have more time to enjoy the attractions in the park.
RIP Tours allow a guided tour of the haunted houses with front-of-line entry, valet parking, a pre-tour reception and more. You'll have to pay extra for those perks, as separate event admission is required.
Many of these haunted houses and scare zones may be too intense for young children. Halloween Horror Nights is not recommended for kids under 13.
A word of caution: If you're sensitive to strobe lights, loud noises or jump scares, this event may not be for you. Also, be aware that costumes and costume masks are not allowed.
The gory details
Halloween Horror Nights 31
Where: Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., Orlando
When: Select nights through Oct. 31.
Cost: Single-night tickets start at $73.99 online. Multi-night tickets start at $129.99 online. Express passes may be added on at additional cost, starting at $119.99. RIP Tours are available from $299.99 per person. Event occurs rain or shine. No rainchecks, returns or refunds.
Info: Call Universal Orlando at 402-224-7840
On the web: universalorlando.com/hhn
What to expect
Haunted houses: “The Weeknd: After Hours Nightmare"; "Halloween"; "Universal Monsters: Legends Collide"; "The Horrors of Blumhouse"; "Spirits of the Coven"; "Bugs: Eaten Alive"; "Fiesta de Chupacabras"; "Hellblock Horror"; "Dead Man's Pier: Winter's Wake"; "Descendants of Destruction"
Scare zones: “Horrors of Halloween"; "Scarecrow: Cursed Soil"; "Sweet Revenge"; "Graveyard: Deadly Unrest"; "Conjure the Dark"
Live shows: "Halloween Nightmare Fuel Wildfire"; "Ghoulish! A Halloween Tale"
Christina LaFortune is the Entertainment and TgIF Editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortune, on Twitter at @lafortunec, or send her an email at clafortune@floridatoday.com.
Whether you're interested in music, theater, festivals or other local entertainment, FLORIDA TODAY has got you covered. Support local journalism by subscribing at Special Offers - USAToday Network.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Universal's Halloween Horror Nights 2022: Themes, houses, tickets
