BB1's Universal Studios Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 2024 Review

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Halloween Horror Nights, arguably the best halloween event I've ever been to and a perennial favorite to come back year after year. I always do two trips before I give my true rankings. Why you may ask? September is arguably when most haunts are pumping on full cylinders, the scareactors are typically accustomed to the scares by weeks 2-3 when I typically go. October is typically about when you will see changes to the houses occur, with additions or subtractions being made. That being said, I was able to go the 12th-15th of September, and just this past weekend from the 3rd-5th. My rankings aren't exactly a hey this was 1 2 etc, rather I gave serious thought to the level of scares, theming, quality, story telling and overall guest interactivity. I'll be giving each review 1-5 Lil Boo's, with some context to support and some analysis based on my experience and understanding of house logistics for 2024. 

Starting out, I wanted to first just talk about this year's theme, which made sense but didn't at the same time. For those unbeknownst to HHN lore, we typically get an icon, then a sub theme for merch that correlates to said theme or scarezone/house. This year we got SIN3STER and SURR3AL, which arguably were brilliant icons, duality of 33, giving each of them a solid scarezone, I feel like this was a very well thought out theme for 2024. The punk rock aspect, it's somewhat highlighted in Slaughter Sinema 2, but I feel like we missed out on a scrapped scare zone as Blumhouse just felt last minute. That being said, I'd give the icons 5/5 Lil Boo's, they were out, they had plots in their scarezones and I felt like this was an excellent reflection of what Oddfellow was last year. As for the punk rock edge I love the idea, I wanted more, but we only got one room in SS2 and that's practically it, which I feel like it was a letdown for what we could have gotten.

The merch this year was honestly bizarre. In years past I spent hundreds on merch as HHN has really solid merchandise. This year just felt a bit off. The Ghostbusters Frozen Empire button up shirt and glass were amazing, the Stay Puft and Lil Boo shoulder sitters were excellent and have gotten a lot of positive feedback from other guests at HHN and KI. The battlevest was solid, but everything else just felt really tacky. The Major Sweets bumper sticker is beautiful, but I feel like we could have gotten shirts and glassware with the actual logo, not the artist design. I can't really complain though, I bought the shirt, loved it, I bought the bumper sticker which I finally got on my car today. The flannel was solid this year as in years past, but everything else with the hoodies to the shirts just felt like it was not on the same value line as years past. 3/5 Lil Boo's. 

The food quality this year honestly wasn't that terrible. The Stay Puft smore was honestly enjoyable, I did have one that was somewhat cold but it was still warm where it mattered most. The charring actually exalted more of the chocolate flavor coming from the hersheys bar but it was definitely a must. The Goblin Hand Pie felt very similar to a raspberry Mcdonalds pie. The Fish and Chips was absolutely immaculate. The cod nuggets were just the right size to dip into the sauce. The sauce, that sauce was so delicious, for something I found unappealing to see, it was absolutely delicious. You had just enough to dip your fish, and your fries and still have some left over. The Pizza Skulls however were lacking the sauce as they did in years past which was upsetting but still pretty good, same could be said for the pizza fries which were amazing. Ghoul Juice, well, it's Ghoul Juice, it's still an amazing drink. 5/5 Lil Boo's, seriously if you aren't eating the event food you're missing out.

Next section I'll dive into the houses and scare zones, coming tomorrow night! 

 

[BB1]

HHN traditionally speaking has some of the most creative, and intense haunts in the industry. Every year there are at least 2-3 solid houses, a few mid tier houses then one or two houses that didn't really work out in the long run. This year, the formula still stands, but I feel like I did eventually get some solid run throughs in every house. Warning this next section will have spoilers, you have been warned!

Monsters Eternal Bloodlines - The latest incarnation of the Monsters series, Monsters Eternal Bloodlines takes you through the story of Saskia Van Helsing and her quest to take out a werewolf, mummy and Dracula's daughter. The house concept was something I was really interested in. It gave a strong story to go off of and felt like it could really resonate with the past houses in this series. The problem is that the house, simply put, has some staffing issues. The house would consistently not have 1-2 scareactors not present, however when the scareactors were present the scares would hit. I feel like there were maybe at best 3 decent scares throughout the house. Which, to be frank, is led even more down by the vacancies in the beginning and middle of the house. If there were ample staff, you would get a decent run through, but it wasn't something that I consistently wanted to run through. I even got a solo run after the group in-front of me chickened out midway through, and that didn't even do it for me. Theming and concepts were really the only saving graces of the house. The fact lady Frankenstein got a really solid supporting role was a boon but didn't really do much for me in terms of the scares. Overall, with everything I experienced I'll give this one a 2.75/5, Lil Boo's I feel like it needed maybe one or two more decent scares to really pack a punch, which the theming gave much needed support but that was about it. I would even go as far to say that this was the weakest Monsters series house we had period.

Monstrous The Monsters of Latin America - Ah yes, the HHN Hollywood rip off comes to Orlando. I've ran through the Monstrous house at HHN Hollywood and I personally wasn't too much of a fan. There were some decent scares, but it really didn't have a major standout moment besides the bird woman near the end. Even then the scares just didn't cut it for me. There were locations on both run throughs where I felt like there should have been a scareactor, which there wasn't and that was confirmed by friends who live down there who go often. The ending even just felt cheesy, again there was a lot of good concepts but just poor execution. I would even go as far to say that this house didn't really do much if at all for me in terms of delivering an experience worth while. 2/5 Lil Boo's, I didn't care for it in Hollywood, and I didn't care for it at Orlando.

A Quiet Place - Arguably the biggest let down of the whole event. A Quiet Place was a horror film I was content with, I never had a need to rewatch, but it's enjoyable to watch when there's nothing else available. This house.....just did not live to expectations. The whole concept is you should try to remain silent. The first hallway with the camo and the monster popping out of the hole with strobe lights was arguably the best scare in the house, one of the better ones of the event; and you want to know what's sad? That's literally the only saving grace of this house. You then went under a sign that said the literal movie name which felt interesting but when you actually started running through it felt like they were so focused on creating set scenes and they forgot it is a haunted house. The scares in my opinion were mediocre, the scenes were well designed but I just didn't get why this house even existed. This was a house I was cautiously optimistic for, but honestly it just didn't live up to expectations. 1/5 Lil Boo's, which is upsetting as the first scare was actually really good, the rest was just okay to say the least.

Triplets of Terror - This was one of the houses that made me very confused starting off as it felt extremely rushed and the concept itself wasn't really interesting. That being said, I want to be very upfront on the fact that this house grew on me. The scares got better after the first run and the set pieces were well done. I wouldn't say this house was terrible, but I wouldn't say this house was the best at all. I wish they had a scare in the meat locker scene, I wish they had some more scares in the house where you got into tight spaces, but that simply wasn't the case. The one thing I think this house got right was that it took you along a journey and led to a climax at the end in the sewers, which mind you was somewhat jarring but it at least had a story as for why things would change and the costumes would adjust based on the age of the triplets. 2.75/5 Lil Boo's primarily because I felt like it was practically on par with Monsters.

Moving into the next cadre of houses I'll be giving some more nuance in the score, primarily because some houses were based on the fact that the theme was unique, others due to the sheer scare factor!

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Goblin's Feast - This was arguably one of my favorite houses as a "fun house". It's definitely a house where you could dance through, play with the actors and yet still get some solid scares. You're literally walking through the annual Goblin's Feast, a day where the goblins feast to celebrate the demise of the human kingdom, which means they eat humans, for goblin's feast. The concept was absolutely brilliant, the ambience outside gave a lot of character to the house. You enter through a tavern, greeted by goblins of varying shapes and sizes, meandering into the woods where you'll meet a giant, to the town where you'll see townsfolk enjoying their feasts. You wind through the dungeon, past the catch of the day, meet goblin royalty, then be caught by a court goblin yelling for guards as you get away. This house, if you got through at the right point, gave a 3 point scare similar to what Yeti Campground Kills gave last year. The whole theme is just fun, it's gorey but a lively house that just screams that this was a passion project. In no way shape or form is this the house to get terrified as you go through, but you'll have fun, a few decent solid scares and experience the goblin's feast as it was intended. 3.5/5 Lil Boo's and my "Most Fun" award for 2024.

The Museum Deadly Exhibits - Cursed objects, they can't be that bad right? This house definitely dives into the ruin a cursed object can bring. The fact that the scareactor at the desk in the stone monster costume looked like a robot and didn't realize it was a scareactor until they lunged at me said everything. I'll admit, the first few run throughs weren't that amazing, or stood out. However the house actually grew on me when it was fully staffed. The Japan section delivered some seriously good scares, there were even points where the museum staff jumped out in places where I didn't anticipate them. The viking scene was arguably one of my favorite scenes as you got some amazing fog, scents and scares in such a small spot. Also can we talk about the goblin in the house? I felt like it was a happy little nod to Goblin's Feast across the park. The actual stone woad that you see at the end really sealed the deal. The first time I ran through it actually got me, the set pieces were on point and it actually felt like a museum. 3/5 Lil Boo's and my "Most Improved" award for 2024.

Slaughter Sinema 2 - The cult classic comes back, Slaughter Sinema was literally the mother of many of my favorite houses, being the Yeti series. This house simply put did not relent. The movies they referenced were honestly unique and each had their own flavor. The house begins by going left, whereas in the past we went right. Every "film" is effectively a mini house which can become houses in the future. Mardi Gras Murders had some solid set design, the throwing up partier effect wasbrilliant. The fact a scareactor could trigger, then water would be actually sprayed at you really was an amazing effect. That coupled with the jesters it was actually a nice enjoyable room. Heavy Metal Hell 3-D didn't really do much for me besides looking interesting and giving the punk rocker from the merch a spot in the hhn house line up. The Killer Kringles was a set I wish they had more opportunity with, I loved the concept, but the scares were okay. The theming was immaculate as it is in almost every scene. Night of the Undead Clowns for some reason was the section that got me every time. The one two combo and the slash from inside the poster just really set up the scares well. Pair that with the fact that every scare from the clown zombies actually got me says everything. Hatchet and Chains, again, another section that was okay in terms of scares and more or less focused on the set pieces. I wish they had more space and more scares that were more decent as I love the concept and I wish it would come back as an actual house. Blood & Chum was effectively puppet the room, with one scare actor who pops out at the beginning but the main surprise was the not so inconspicuous shark head poking out of a pipe. Arguably the best part of that scene was the little otter, if you didn't see the otter then you weren't enjoying the house as much as me. The Mummy set, was just odd? I didn't find it too interesting and felt like a throw away set. Zyborgs, again amazing set design, the scares were actually decent, and the zyborg above you was just absolutely amazing. The ending was pretty much coming to the lobby area of the drive in, The Beast baby pops out from a drop down frame and the final scare comes from Gourdy himself as he rushes you out of the house. 4/5 Lil Boo's, there were a few spots focused on the set design but it was overall arguably one of my favorite houses for 2024. 

Major Sweets Candy Factory - The sequel to the Major Sweets scarezone a few years past, this house takes you to just before the parade on a field trip to the Major Sweets Candy Factory. You, the chapperone, get to tour the factory with the children from Progress County schools, in Carey Ohio. For those who may not have known, we had 3 houses set in Carey this year, Triplets of Terror, Slaughter Sinema 2 and Major Sweets. This house is honestly what I go to HHN for. You start off with a well designed exterior that looks like a factory, you walk in and begin the tour to Miss Major Sweets beckoning you to come in, only to find out things went ary as the principal comes out with candy protruding from his chest as he's been stabbed. Major Sweets greets you, with Mr Taffy coming out from behind the screen to scare you forward. The main premise is that there were kids who ate the candy and went on a murder spree in the factory, hence why there wee so many children in the house lunging at you. The unique thing about Major Sweets is that you have 3 guest interactive spots, the first being in the "demonstration room" where if you pressed the button the person passed out would vomit at you, another where a rodent would spit at you and another where it would create an affect. The most unique part of this house is that where it doesn't have solid scares, it is leading up with anticipation. You could almost feel the fear climbing in what very few spots they had no scareactors My favorite scare had to be the welder before going through the gummy bear hallway which mind you it felt like you were about to be formed into a gummy bear. Overall the theming was superb, every nook and cranny had some level of design and theming, the scares were on point, I never had a bad run through and honestly having Major Sweets throughout the house literally narrating/commentating on the scenes was absolutely brilliant. He may destroy the evidence in the end, but this house gets 5/5 Lil Boo's and is arguably my "Favorite" house for 2024. 

Ghostbusters Frozen Empire- This was a movie I didn't care for too much at first, but the house actually had some decent scares and delivered the story pretty well. That being said they did take out a few of the mini stay puft figures later on in the season, however I don't feel like it took away from the scenes nor the plot. You start off at the occult shop, then meander into the frozen room with the firefighters which honestly did get me on a few run throughs. The dragon puppet was absolutely amazing in the dark hallway and you start to get some fan service as you get to meet Slimer, one of the devil dogs & Vigo the Carpathian throughout the house which I felt like was a solid nod to the fandom. The lab scene was brilliant, the emphasis on detail and focus on using the decor to evoke the scare was absolutely brilliant. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the firehouse being frozen effect was absolutely incredible, the ending show scene was brilliant when they combat Garraka in the final scene. I will say if you didn't watch the movie before hand, you get a solid understanding of the overall plot, but there maybe points where the set pieces maybe confusing for some guests. (I e the poltergeist ghost turning the ghostbusters mobile's headlights red). Overall the house conveyed the story brilliantly, it had some of the best set designs and it just felt like a solid IP house. I would be remiss to say that Garraka was present in several scenes, mainly to scare you as it is a person on stilts putting their hand out infront of you but even then there were times where he would just lunge out at you. Again, a very solid house, what every IP house should go for as a golden standard. 5/5 Lil Boo's and my "Most True to the Movie" house award for 2024.

Insidious The Further - Insidious, the first one at least, was brilliant, all those who came after for me at least somewhat tapered off in terms of being a horror flick. I will say however, this house definitely scared me at several points, and was executed perfectly. You start out going through the red door, coming to the house and meeting face to face with the bride in black. This house had some incredible set designs. You would then meander through several mannequins, which I hate mannequins in houses to be upfront as I know someone is in the fog waiting to come out and scare me.  You then begin to traverse, while being scared non stop by the bride in black before coming up to the hospital scene with the man who can't breathe who again looked almost like a statue and not an actual individual. You go through a jail scene with a few scares here and there before being vomited on by someone above you which again led to more mannequins, which I hate mannequins. Finally we enter the red face'd lair, the curtain scene was arguably the most intense part of this house where you get back to back to back scares in a single hallway which was absolutely insane. You venture forth into his workshop, still getting scared by him throughout this portion before reaching an attic scene and getting jump scared by 2 of the characters while the main red face entity stares you down at the end of the hall. Overall, the suspense with the music and the set pieces were immaculate. I cannot stress enough how this house actually got me at several points. 5/5 Lil Boo's and my "Best Scares" house for 2024. 

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Lastly, we would be remiss if we didn't cover the scare zones, as some were great, one was excellent.....and one just didn't cut it for me.

Enter the Blumhouse - simply put, did not care for sticker the scarezone. Plastering vinyl stickers, random set pieces and characters from almost every major blumhouse film just didn't cut it for me. Infact, I would argue that this scare zone just felt super rushed and didn't feel fleshed out as zones in the past were. 1/5 Lil Boo's, if I could go lower I honestly would. 

Swamp of the Undead - if you know anything about the swambies, you know this area is arguably one of the better ones for 2024. The use of fog and misters later on at night really set the damp atmosphere which coupled with the swamp theming was brilliant. The scareactors here aren't afraid to have a little fun with guests, but also can deliver some serious scares as you can barely see what's going on 2-3 feet ahead of you at some points. The theming was immersive, seeing it being built over the summer and seeing it in action really just showed me how well thought out this section was. 5/5 Lil Boo's, it's a must!

Demon Queens - Now this was the main scarezone for SURR3AL, where her surreal minions would walk around a preverbial web of portals and chaos strewn throughout the area. The scare zone show about giving over your mind was absolutely brilliant, the costuming was well thought out and it felt like every character had a story behind them. This scare zone felt like what we got with Oddfellow but it made it the central focus of the zone instead of being something only at one side or another. 5/5 Lil Boo's, and that's totally not influenced by my friend feeling like this was the best scare zone period.

Duality of Fear - This was the main entry point scare zone which really only had chainsaw actors running around, the costuming was on point however for who were under SURR3AL and those under SIN3STER; with surreal being those in purple and black robes, those for sinister being in bloodied up rags and wraps. I wish that Universal creative could have done something more, but with minions land and the new Wicked store coming I feel as if they were unable to really flesh this area out more than what they did. 2/5 Lil Boo's, as to be honest, I felt like Blumhouse was a waste, this one at least had scareactors who tried.

Torture Faire - Arguably my favorite scare zone for 2024, period. Every scarezone in New York for the past few years have been some of my favorites; this one did not relent to that streak. The setting is a ren fair that went medieval, where patrons were actually put into the torture devices from years past, being influenced by SIN3STER's dark machinations. Almost each device had a mini show in the section, and the scare actors really got into the spirit of things with guests and interacting with each other. The show for this area was absolutely brilliant. I cannot stress enough how the stage show had different story lines, different plots and different endings. This zone has to be honestly one of my favorite scare zones HHN has ever done. 5/5 Lil Boo's, it's the best what can I say!