Once September hits you can be assured of a few things - the kids are all back in school, Pumpkin spiced flavored everything is being stocked in stores everywhere and Halloween makes its annual return to Universal Studios Orlando Resort. This year marks the 29th year for the scary, good time that runs on select nights from September 6th through November 2nd and if there was a theme, I would say it is a mix between the ‘80s and '90s. With classic movies like Ghostbusters and a Stranger Things house for the second year in a row, plus a Rob Zombie Hellbilly Deluxe scare zone, Universal brought something for adult fans to relate to and love.
The intellectual properties included the aforementioned Ghostbusters and Stranger Things to this year's sophomore movie from Director Jordan Peele, Us. There was also a second nod to Rob Zombie with 2003's film House of 1000 Corpses as well as last year's most popular scare zone graduating to its own house this year - Killer Klowns from Outerspace. All of them are extremely well done and fans won't be disappointed. From the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man to a two-story Mind Flayer that takes 3 people to operate the houses are bigger and more impressive than ever.
The original content also has some great and unique offerings as well. The Universal Monsters house brings you face to face with classic creatures including Frankenstein and his bride, Dracula, Werewolf, Creature from the Black Lagoon, etc. Then guests are able to explore the deep seas in Depth of Fear, wander through a cemetery in Graveyard Games, and run from Yetis in Yeti: Terror of the Yukon. One of their best original houses this year is Nightingales: Blood Pit, which is impressive even from the outside with Roman statues and columns marking the entrance.
The Scare zones transport guests from ancient Viking lands with Vikings Undead to catwalk runways for Vanity Ball. As mentioned, there is a terrific tribute to Rob Zombie's debut album, which is probably the best scare zone this year, as well as a Tron-esque zone called Anarch-cade. Finally, Universal offers a sneak peek of this year's sequel film, Zombieland: Double Tap. Also returning again this year is the popular Academy of Villains Dance Troupe with Altered States and for the first time, Universal Studios brings a laser light and water show called Halloween Marathon of Mayhem.
This year offers some of the biggest houses ever with Strangers Things boasting fourteen different scenes from seasons 2 and 3 of the show and some of the goriest and most graphic moments in Halloween Horror Nights history with House of a Thousand Corpses. Of course, there is also plenty of great merchandise to purchase as well.
Always looking to make the event even bigger and better, Universal studios has expanded Halloween outside the park for the first time ever. This year guests can experience different Stranger Things pop-up locations throughout Cabana Bay Resort as well. In the fun in the sun lounge, they recreated the living room and the Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream Parlor, which guest can explore and take pictures. Oh and be sure to press the button located inside the ashtray on the coffee table for even more fun!
Halloween Horror Nights is always a great way to celebrate Halloween especially if you love creepy, scary things. Universal Studios always tops themselves and since Halloween Horror Nights gets better and better each year, I'm excited to see what they have in store for us next year, the 30th anniversary of the best-haunted houses in Florida.
