Whether you’re a young kid, or going through a midlife crisis, chances are you still have fun at amusement parks. They’re known for being family friendly; kid zones can be found in almost every park, with rides specialized to appeal to a younger audience. Disneyland is even known as “the happiest place on Earth.” However once a year, these parks ditch their friendly personas and become filled with scares and terror.
This year, I had the privilege of attending Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. Universal is known for their spooky season, with haunted houses, creepy characters, and spectacular shows to see. While this sounds perfect at first glance, the tickets are expensive, and long lines can hinder a lot of the fun. Is Halloween Horror Nights really worth it?
How much are the tickets?
Ticket prices vary depending on what day you go; weekends tend to be more expensive, and are cheaper the further away you go from Halloween. I went on the 30th of October; to get into the park for only the Horror Night experience, it was $90, and doors open at 6:30. I got an early access ticket for $10 dollars, which allowed me to enter the park at 5:30 instead.
Personally, I support getting an early access ticket. Certain houses are open during early access, allowing you to get a head start on popular attractions and waiting in a shorter line. I decided to go on the Harry Potter ride (which was amazing!) Instead of trying to go on rides when it got late, sacrificing the time I could be walking through the houses, I was able to go on my favorite rides before the scary part of the night began.
How long were the lines?
The length of the lines is definitely an accurate reflection of how exceptional the houses are. In the lower lot, I went to the house “The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy.” It had a five minute wait, and I wouldn’t have bothered going if it had been any longer. Besides having a Weeknd song playing, the house didn’t stick to the theme, and seemed to be a combination of any leftover supplies the park hadn’t used already. However the house “Insidious: The Further” had over an hour queue, but was the best house I went through! Even though the lines can be long, if you’re willing to spend a little time waiting, the outcome will be worth it. (And if you’re not willing to wait, prepare yourself to only walk through the mediocre attractions.)
So, were any of the houses actually good?
Yes! Popular houses tend to be popular for a reason (hence the longer lines), and they are exceptionally scary and exemplary. The houses tend to all follow the same layout: you walk through a winding maze of rooms, full of scary scenery and adorned with props. Actors in terrifying costumes interact with the rooms, pretending to bear weapons or run away from a monster. The most horrifying parts are when actors jump out from behind curtains and doorways; it’s hard to imagine how anyone could not get jumpscared.
When walking through the entrance of the park, actors in costumes walk all around you, lunging towards people and following them. This experience is amazing on its own and a great way to start off the visit.
Is it worth going?
In my opinion, it was worth every penny I spent. If you love being scared, then Halloween Horror nights are for you, and I would recommend you purchase a ticket immediately next year - hopefully you have as much fun as I did!
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