Photo Source: Orlando Sentinel
This year marks the 28th anniversary of ‘Halloween Horror Nights’, an annual event at Universal Studios Hollywood. In its inaugural debut, the park opened as a three day, one attraction event under the name “Fright Nights”. As its popularity rose in the event, the original three-day concept gradually increased its event period, which now lasts around 1 month and a half long. As the years have gone by and their event period increased, more attractions have been added to the venue and now it reached up to 13 mazes.
‘Horror Nights’ has a large number of icons, also known as characters. It’s the theme of mazes and scare zones. Back in its first opening, the only maze they had was called “The Dungeon of Terror”. When starting off, their mazes were not based on icons they were just frightening scare zones. Once the population increased, Universal Studios decided they needed to have more scare zones to attract more and more people. Annually, when the event period expanded, the number of mazes increased. Year after year, they would at least have 2 new mazes, at this point they would theme each one based on horror movies or shows that came out that same year. Now, Horror Nights features many themed mazes such as The Walking Dead, The Purge, Chucky, etc.
To be able to enjoy the horror fest that is ‘Halloween Horror Nights’, an entry ticket must be paid. For the average consumer, general admissions tickets vary from $72 to $97. The difference in prices changed depending on the selected day for the ticket. It is recommended to buy your tickets on a Sunday-Thursday, and not Friday & Saturday. This is due to Friday & Saturday tickets having a higher price than the other days of the week. This high ticket price eclipses other venues, like Knotts Scary Farm, by almost double on certain days. If one wishes to buy an all-access pass for the event, ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ offers their Universal Express Unlimited, including UNLIMITED express access to all mazes and rides, with an added priority seating to the horrifying Jabbawockeez live show. For this all-in experience, one must look into paying from $208 to an almost $300 ticket. Leaving it up to the consumer if the fright is worth the price. So enjoy a day at Halloween Horror Nights, while it lasts.
By Arianna Alequin, Staff Writer