Every fall, Universal Studios Orlando undergoes a sinister metamorphosis, welcoming all who dare to Halloween Horror Nights, an event that transforms the park into a nightmarish playground of terror and thrill.
This year, the terror is set to be bigger and more heart-pounding than ever before, featuring an array of ten chilling haunted houses, five immersive scare zones, and shops and attractions that promise to deliver spine-tingling excitement.
Haunted houses
With a lineup of ten haunted houses, Halloween Horror Nights ensures that guests will experience a spectrum of terror that spans from psychological horrors to jump-scare-filled nightmares.
Among the highlights are the three new haunted house attractions set for 2023:
Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count – Inspired by the USA & SYFY series and cult classic horror film franchise, “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count” gives the killer doll the starring role in his very own haunted house for the first time. After years of being disrespected, Chuckey turns his haunted house into a slaughterhouse. Universal has built a Chucky haunted house, but when Chucky himself finds out people aren’t really being killed there, he takes matters into his own hands.
The Exorcist: Believer – Inspired by the new horror film from Blumhouse and Morgan Creek Entertainment (in theaters Oct. 13, 2023), the all-new haunted house will transport guests to a bustling Haitian street market where a folk doll with three eyes opens a demonic portal, leading to the disappearance of two American girls. The girls are found three days later with no memory of what happened, but they soon exhibit unsettling behavior – and only an exorcism can save them.
Universal Monsters: Unmasked – The mysterious Catacombs of Paris hold a dark secret, and the all-new haunted house takes guests into the infamous burial grounds to come face-to-face with Universal’s most notorious creatures – The Phantom of the Opera, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Dr. Jekyll the deranged Mr. Hyde, and Dr. Jack Griffin (aka The Invisible Man) – who seek vengeance against guests navigating the tunnels of their underground home.
Plus:
The Last of Us – For the first time, the award-winning post-pandemic video game comes to life in an all-new haunted house that takes guests on a journey through a world overtaken by a fungal virus that turns humans into a new threat known as “the Infected.”
Stranger Things 4 – A terrifying all-new haunted house transports guests back to Hawkins, Indiana, where they will be immersed in the Upside Down to confront their deepest fears and come face to face with Vecna himself.
Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins – A demented, late-night circus led by an evil ringmaster and notorious icon looking for human souls to fuel his dark intentions. Look for the creation of Jack the Clown in this house. As the immortal Dr. Oddfellow is killing the human Jack, Jack slices Oddfellow’s cheek, causing his immortal blood to mix with Jack’s.
Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate – A horrifying twist to the sinister battle between Fire and Ice. This house is based on the old roller coaster at Universal Islands of Adventure.
Yeti: Campground Kills – Blood-soaked campgrounds deep in the mountains hide bloodthirsty monsters.
The Darkest Deal – Selling your soul for fame can be more than you bargained for. This one tells the tale of a Jazz musician who sells his soul for fame.
Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings – A colonial cult looks to slaughter those who refuse to worship the Blood Moon.
Five scare zones
Universal Studios Orlando’s scare zones are not for the faint of heart. These immersive areas serve as chilling landscapes inhabited by nightmarish creatures, ensuring that there’s no safe haven from the terror.
Dr. Oddfellow’s Collection of Horror – Come face to face with the devious legend who promises immortality to those who dare to enter. Located in the front of the park.
Dark Zodiac – The signs of the zodiac come to life when Dr. Oddfellow uses his power to create horrifying horoscope creatures. Located in the Hollywood area of the park.
Jungle of Doom: Expedition Horror – Where Dr. Oddfellow’s twisted experiments combine elements of nature and animals to create vicious jungle creatures. Located in the path next to the Central Park area of the Universal Studios Florida.
Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood – Dr. Oddfellow has released bloodthirsty vampires at a 1969 music festival. Located in the New York area of the park.
Shipyard 32: Horrors Unhinged – Monsters have escaped Dr. Oddfellow’s crates and cages as they are brought shoreside. Located in the San Fransisco area of the park.
These zones create a seamless transition between the haunted houses, adding an extra layer of suspense and trepidation to the Halloween Horror Nights experience.
Shops and more attractions
Beyond the spine-chilling thrills, Halloween Horror Nights offers a variety of shops and attractions that cater to guests seeking mementos from their nightmarish journey.
Tribute Store – This all-new shopping experience is themed as a mysterious NYC Comic Book Shop featuring the “Tribute to Terror,” an original horror comic book.
Dead Coconut Club – The Red Coconut Club in CityWalk will transform again with a new horror movie theme: “Revenge of the Red Planet”.
Nightmare Fuel Revenge Dream – An all-new show featuring a new dreamer confronting the creature that’s been turning her dreams into nightmares. The show features pyro and aerial performers accompanied by metal and electronic music.
Conclusion
Universal Studios Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights continues to redefine the boundaries of fear and entertainment, offering an unparalleled experience that caters to both hardcore horror enthusiasts and those new to the genre. With ten haunted houses that explore the depths of horror cinema and original storytelling, five immersive scare zones that keep visitors on their toes, and a collection of shops and attractions that provide a variety of engaging experiences, Halloween Horror Nights creates an atmosphere that is truly unparalleled.
This year’s trio of new haunted houses— “Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count,” “The Exorcist: Believer,” and “Universal Monsters: Unmasked”—further solidify the event’s commitment to delivering unforgettable scares and thrilling encounters.
As the sun sets and the moon rises, Universal Studios Orlando becomes a realm of terror where nightmares come alive, leaving a lasting impression on all those who dare to venture into its dark corners.