Halloween

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights 2016: The Blood-Curdling Lineup So Far

It’s August, which means back to school for a lot of the country. While some aren’t even thinking about fall yet, theme parks are already making huge plans to scare the tar out of you, with some starting as early as next month! Before the leaves even start turning, Universal Orlando and Hollywood will be rolling out their annual Halloween Horror Nights events.

This year, the events are going to be bigger and meaner than ever, as the parks prepare to roll out some of the biggest names in horror. While some have haunted us before, there will be some that will be brand new to the horror game at two of the biggest haunted attraction destinations in the world!

Hollywood

Halloween Horror Nights runs at both Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Florida. They both are extra ticketed events, which means that you have to pay an additional fee to get into them, besides your daily admission. No, Halloween isn’t included.

It’s a good thing too, because as the day turns into night, all manner of creatures come out to play. This year, Hollywood and Orlando will share the name of some of the mazes (that’s haunted houses for most of us), but the names are pretty much where they end. The mazes at each park will vary, as each coast has its own unique take.

This year in Hollywood, guests will come face to face with the gang from “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” as Leatherface and Chop Top from Texas Chainsaw Massacre Two become “Blood Brothers.” Then you’re in for the battle of a lifetime as Freddy vs. Jason duke it out in a battle over who gets first crack at you. Michael Myers rounds out the horror “scream team” as Hell Comes to Haddonfield in their take on the John Carpenter classic “Halloween 2.”

If that wasn’t enough, “The Exorcist” rounds out the excitement as guests will be able to walk into the world inspired by one of the most controversial and scary films of all time.  Then celebrate the holidays with the dark comedy, Krampus.

The year-round haunted attraction based on “The Walking Dead” will also be open, which is a huge plus for zombie fans.

Outside of the mazes, guests will take part in Scare Zones, which will all be themed to the hit film series, The Purge.

Orlando

This year marks the 26th year of HHN at Universal Orlando. They’ve got a mix of huge horror names and original ideas lined up. Guests will visit Haddonfield with “Halloween 2,” get possessed by “The Exorcist,” venture through the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” come face to guts with “The Walking Dead,” and take on the shadow of Santa with “Krampus.”

The original content will spread to three houses, two shows, and five scare zones. First up is the face of the event, Chance. Chance is the demented other half of original Universal Orlando creation, Jack the Clown. Last year Jack brought his carnage to HHN, and left Chance (his hotter partner in crime) to foot the bill. While Jack is away, Chance gets locked away…though her imagination runs wild, as the show goes on.

There will be a scare zone based on Chance’s crazy mind, as well as a 3D trip through the asylum. There will also be a show, headed up by the Academy of Villains, called “House of Fear.” Again, we’ll see the incarceration theme played here as the show offers dance and wild acts. If it’s anything like their appearance on America’s Got Talent, then guests are in for a treat. Other houses include Ghost Town: Curse of Lightning Gulch, which will take guests back to town haunted by the violent ghosts of the past. There’s also Tomb of the Ancients, which puts guests into a cursed Egyptian tomb that is actually the deepest pit of Hell.

Then there are the other four terrifying scare zones, including Dead Man’s Wharf (haunted docks filled with fog), Vamp 1955 (Vampire high school in the 50’s) Banshee’s Lair (evil spirits in the woods), and Survive or Die (fight or be eaten).

If that’s not enough, there’s one more HUGE announcement coming. While Universal has not confirmed it, rumors suggest that American Horror Story will have one of the biggest houses in Horror Nights history. There are no details, but many believe we’ll see all five seasons so far, as we scream our way through iconic moments in television history.

Are you up for a good scare? The event will begin Sept. 16 and run through Halloween! Get ready, because the dark is coming!