Well, it's that time of year again! A time where your greatest fears come out to scare you in the (normally) cooler month of October. It is also the time Universal Orlando brings out the big guns for it's annual Halloween Horror Nights event.
For starters, I got there just before the park opened for the event at 6:30. I recommend doing this because this year they do a Purge themed opening ceremony (at Disney we call this rope drop). I thought it was a cleaver way to get the crowd excited to get scared. Once the park was opened, the nightmares began (in a good way).
The Scare Zones Return
Over the past few years, Universal has experimented with it's street scare zones. In 2012, they were gone completely and replaced with roaming troupes, which turned out to be a disaster. Last year, they came back sort of. The entire park was themed to Walking Dead, so there were lots of set pieces and areas themed to various memorable parts of the first three seasons and tons of walkers wondered the streets. This was great for Walking Dead or zombie fans in general, but if you are over zombies, probably not your thing. Fret not, 2014 brought back the traditional scare zone concept with four areas with different distinct themes.
1. Face-Off: In The Flesh: As you enter the park and go right (towards Terminator 2: 3-D), you enter the Face-Off scare zone featuring creations made by contestants on the Sy-Fy competition show. There were a few roaming scaractors, but for the most part you had cool creatures on mini stages you could pose for pictures with. Cool concept, but not that scary.
2. Bayou of Blood: A little down the road you find the Louisiana voodoo themed scare zone featuring witch doctors and such. It had a unique look, but wasn't super impressive. Because it takes up the dark, foggy path to the Kids Zone area of the park, you will get spooked from time to time.
3. The Purge: Anarchy: This was by far the most impressive scare zone. It's funny because there weren't monsters or mutants roaming the streets, just crazy people in masks with various household tools or weapons, but it worked so well in the New York section along with scattered props and a mini show where various purger's exploits were showcased. Very well done scare zone.
4. Masquerade: Unstitched: This was the last scare zone I saw but the first one you'll come across as you walk into Production Central (aka Despicable Me and Shrek 4-D area). Here you'll find creepy, well dressed folks, some of whom are on stilts, sort of dancing in the street. It's creepy and a different theme from what you're use to a HHN.
Overall, the scare zones were a very welcome return to form for Universal and hopefully next year they'll be even better!
Magical Tracking Bands
For starters, I got there just before the park opened for the event at 6:30. I recommend doing this because this year they do a Purge themed opening ceremony (at Disney we call this rope drop). I thought it was a cleaver way to get the crowd excited to get scared. Once the park was opened, the nightmares began (in a good way).
The Scare Zones Return
Over the past few years, Universal has experimented with it's street scare zones. In 2012, they were gone completely and replaced with roaming troupes, which turned out to be a disaster. Last year, they came back sort of. The entire park was themed to Walking Dead, so there were lots of set pieces and areas themed to various memorable parts of the first three seasons and tons of walkers wondered the streets. This was great for Walking Dead or zombie fans in general, but if you are over zombies, probably not your thing. Fret not, 2014 brought back the traditional scare zone concept with four areas with different distinct themes.
1. Face-Off: In The Flesh: As you enter the park and go right (towards Terminator 2: 3-D), you enter the Face-Off scare zone featuring creations made by contestants on the Sy-Fy competition show. There were a few roaming scaractors, but for the most part you had cool creatures on mini stages you could pose for pictures with. Cool concept, but not that scary.
2. Bayou of Blood: A little down the road you find the Louisiana voodoo themed scare zone featuring witch doctors and such. It had a unique look, but wasn't super impressive. Because it takes up the dark, foggy path to the Kids Zone area of the park, you will get spooked from time to time.
3. The Purge: Anarchy: This was by far the most impressive scare zone. It's funny because there weren't monsters or mutants roaming the streets, just crazy people in masks with various household tools or weapons, but it worked so well in the New York section along with scattered props and a mini show where various purger's exploits were showcased. Very well done scare zone.
4. Masquerade: Unstitched: This was the last scare zone I saw but the first one you'll come across as you walk into Production Central (aka Despicable Me and Shrek 4-D area). Here you'll find creepy, well dressed folks, some of whom are on stilts, sort of dancing in the street. It's creepy and a different theme from what you're use to a HHN.
Overall, the scare zones were a very welcome return to form for Universal and hopefully next year they'll be even better!
Magical Tracking Bands
Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure has been a staple of HHN for a long time. The show is viewed as a welcome break from all the horror and gore in favor of lots of adult themed humor and a nice bashing of pop culture and politics. This year was arguably the best I've ever seen. The show used the Seth Rogen and Zac Effron frat house comedy Neighbors as it's primary inspiration, but made fun of lots of popular films of 2014 and late 2013 such as Captain Phillips, Godzilla, The Lego Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy. As a Disney fan, I especially appreciated the pretty harsh skewering of Disney this year. The show began with an infomercial for "Magical Tracking Bands", making fun of Disney's MagicBands. They also bashed Avatarland and Frozen pretty heavily, complete with the same snow effect used in the Frozen Sing Along show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It was hilarious, adult comedy that is a must do this year at HHN.
IP Houses Rule the Night
IP Houses Rule the Night
This year's lineup of eight houses was once again strongly leaning on IP houses. The Walking Dead was featured as the icon house once again, but the lineup of IP houses dominated this year. I have ranked the houses based on my personal preference and included a separate ranking based on special effects, set design and scare level.
8. Roanoke: Cannibal Colony
8. Roanoke: Cannibal Colony
Scare Level: 6
Special Effects: 5
Set Design: 5
Bringing up the rear is Roanoke, a house that is too similar to Walking Dead that it gets lost in the shuffle. Zombies and cannibals are way too similar, so why Universal went with this rather than some other kind of horror is beyond me. The house itself was decent, but nothing to write home about. It used mostly jungle locals, which looked fairly cheap. There were a few decent scares in there, but not a whole lot. It's not a bad house, but not a great one either.
7. Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood
Special Effects: 5
Set Design: 5
Bringing up the rear is Roanoke, a house that is too similar to Walking Dead that it gets lost in the shuffle. Zombies and cannibals are way too similar, so why Universal went with this rather than some other kind of horror is beyond me. The house itself was decent, but nothing to write home about. It used mostly jungle locals, which looked fairly cheap. There were a few decent scares in there, but not a whole lot. It's not a bad house, but not a great one either.
7. Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood
Scare Level: 4
Special Effects: 6
Set Design: 7
Vampires, like zombies, are a bit overdone these days. Yes, I know Universal just released this Dracula prequel film, but we had two vampire themed IPs this year and this was by far the weaker of the two. The set design was actually pretty solid, but that's all the house really had going for it. The scares were weak at best and the special effects were decent, but nothing amazing.
6. Giggles & Gore
Special Effects: 6
Set Design: 7
Vampires, like zombies, are a bit overdone these days. Yes, I know Universal just released this Dracula prequel film, but we had two vampire themed IPs this year and this was by far the weaker of the two. The set design was actually pretty solid, but that's all the house really had going for it. The scares were weak at best and the special effects were decent, but nothing amazing.
6. Giggles & Gore
Scare Level: 6
Special Effects: 5
Set Design: 6
The second original house on our list was set up in the queue for Disaster, which is usually used for a more comedic house. This one wasn't very funny despite being about clowns. It was gory and had a few decent scares. The special effects were pretty standard fare, but how the set was set up gives it a few bonus points. Decent house, but again, nothing amazing.
5. Dollhouse of the Damned
Special Effects: 5
Set Design: 6
The second original house on our list was set up in the queue for Disaster, which is usually used for a more comedic house. This one wasn't very funny despite being about clowns. It was gory and had a few decent scares. The special effects were pretty standard fare, but how the set was set up gives it a few bonus points. Decent house, but again, nothing amazing.
5. Dollhouse of the Damned
Scare Level: 8
Special Effects: 6
Set Design: 7
Out of all the original house concepts this year, this was by far the best. Taking place in an abandoned doll factory, you had creepy monster dolls and disturbing children (played by adults of course) wanting to play with you... The concept is unique and probably the most original concept at this year's event. The scare level was pretty high in this one due to many unexpected moments and it had a very creepy and unique set. I want to rank this one higher, but the next four IP houses are just too good.
4. From Dusk Till Dawn
Special Effects: 6
Set Design: 7
Out of all the original house concepts this year, this was by far the best. Taking place in an abandoned doll factory, you had creepy monster dolls and disturbing children (played by adults of course) wanting to play with you... The concept is unique and probably the most original concept at this year's event. The scare level was pretty high in this one due to many unexpected moments and it had a very creepy and unique set. I want to rank this one higher, but the next four IP houses are just too good.
4. From Dusk Till Dawn
Scare Level: 7
Special Effects: 7
Set Design: 7
Bonus Points for Vampire Strippers
I'll admit, I haven't seen the original movie or the TV show this is based on, but after going through the house, I kinda want to. The house was well set up, featured plenty of spooky moments that caught me off guard a few times and some cool special effects. Plus...vampire strippers. What else do I need to say?
3. Halloween
Special Effects: 7
Set Design: 7
Bonus Points for Vampire Strippers
I'll admit, I haven't seen the original movie or the TV show this is based on, but after going through the house, I kinda want to. The house was well set up, featured plenty of spooky moments that caught me off guard a few times and some cool special effects. Plus...vampire strippers. What else do I need to say?
3. Halloween
Scare Level: 9
Special Effects 8
Set Design: 7
Again, I haven't seen the movie this is based on, but I was still very impressed with this house. It's by far the scariest house this year, which is impressive considering all of the other IP houses we have. The special effects were great and you honestly didn't know where Michael Meyers would strike next. The set design was standard family home, but that's where the movie takes place, so it works. It was an excellent house.
2. The Walking Dead: End of the Line
Special Effects 8
Set Design: 7
Again, I haven't seen the movie this is based on, but I was still very impressed with this house. It's by far the scariest house this year, which is impressive considering all of the other IP houses we have. The special effects were great and you honestly didn't know where Michael Meyers would strike next. The set design was standard family home, but that's where the movie takes place, so it works. It was an excellent house.
2. The Walking Dead: End of the Line
Scare Level: 8
Special Effects: 8
Set Design: 8
The Walking Dead has been the focus of HHN for the past two years. This year is no exception. The Walking Dead house is also typically disappointing to fans of the show. Not so this year. Taking up an entire gigantic soundstage including the entrance outside of it, End of Line is by far the best Walking Dead house Universal has done and is one of the best IP houses to come as of late. You get to walk through some of the scariest moments from Season 4 of the show leading up to the beginning of the recently begun Season 5. Great set design, plenty of scares and great special effects make this a house you need to do at HHN.
1. Alien vs. Predator
Special Effects: 8
Set Design: 8
The Walking Dead has been the focus of HHN for the past two years. This year is no exception. The Walking Dead house is also typically disappointing to fans of the show. Not so this year. Taking up an entire gigantic soundstage including the entrance outside of it, End of Line is by far the best Walking Dead house Universal has done and is one of the best IP houses to come as of late. You get to walk through some of the scariest moments from Season 4 of the show leading up to the beginning of the recently begun Season 5. Great set design, plenty of scares and great special effects make this a house you need to do at HHN.
1. Alien vs. Predator
Scare Level: 7
Special Effects: 9
Set Design: 9
The award for best house of HHN 2014 goes to Alien vs. Predator. Why? Because it's awesome, that's why. Although the house feels more like Aliens with Predator thrown in for good measure, it's an awesome house. The set design is awesome and the Alien puppets are fantastic. If only the Aliens in The Great Movie Ride looked that good... It's a must do for all who go to HHN this year.
So that's it from Halloween Horror Nights 24. It's a great event this year and is only gonna get better. Hats off to Universal for another great event!
Written by Chris Coburn
10/16/2014
Special Effects: 9
Set Design: 9
The award for best house of HHN 2014 goes to Alien vs. Predator. Why? Because it's awesome, that's why. Although the house feels more like Aliens with Predator thrown in for good measure, it's an awesome house. The set design is awesome and the Alien puppets are fantastic. If only the Aliens in The Great Movie Ride looked that good... It's a must do for all who go to HHN this year.
So that's it from Halloween Horror Nights 24. It's a great event this year and is only gonna get better. Hats off to Universal for another great event!
Written by Chris Coburn
10/16/2014