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Simply how scary is Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios Orlando? Right here’s a wimp’s information to the scariest occasion of the season!
I lately attended my first-ever Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Common Orlando. It was an evening of pure worry: jump-scares, haunted homes, spooky points of interest, and creepy characters galore.
Earlier than I went, I used to be apprehensive. I’m fairly wimpy, nearly by no means watch horror films, and have been identified to leap at my very own shadow (I want that was an exaggeration!). I used to be apprehensive that HHN is perhaps an excessive amount of for me to deal with.
My solely earlier expertise with one thing related was the (now-closed) Noticed Maze at Thorpe Park (in South England). It used to terrify me – however I’d nonetheless go on repeatedly, as a result of there’s one thing addictive in regards to the adrenaline rush that comes together with real, full-body terror!
So I went alongside, hoping that the thrill and adrenaline would outweigh the worry. Which it did – for probably the most half. My coronary heart price was so excessive that my smartwatch logged a 2-hour exercise – and I’ve truthfully by no means screamed that a lot in my life. However the screams had been adopted by (barely delirious) giggles, and I can genuinely say I had a good time – regardless of (or perhaps due to) being so scared!
Beneath, you’ll discover my tackle simply how scary the Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando actually is, what to anticipate from the occasion, and some high ideas for much less fearless guests (aka huge fats wimps like me). Blissful Halloween…
Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando
Disclaimer – my journey to HHN was supported by Common Orlando and Virgin Atlantic. As at all times all phrases and opinions are my very own.
What to Anticipate at HHN
OK – so what precisely IS Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando?
It is a particular occasion that runs yearly all through late summer time and autumn, the place the Common Resort parks get a spooky makeover and open late until 2am for a severe fright fest.
There are designated “scare zones” all through the park: particular themed areas with scare actors, horrifying set items, spooky mist and unsightly smells.
However the primary points of interest are the haunted homes: brilliantly designed indoor horror mazes the place actors are ready within the darkness to jump-scare you at each flip. There are often a number of homes themed round latest or in style films (this yr contains A Quiet Place, Insidious and Ghostbusters) – plus a number of unique homes designed by Common’s inventive group.
HHN is now in its thirty third yr and it’s longer than ever: working on chosen nights from 30 August to three November 2024. This yr there are 5 scare zones, ten haunted homes, and a life leisure present – plus the Dying Eaters have returned to Diagon Alley!
How scary is Common Orlando Halloween Horror Nights?
Clearly this query is hard to reply, because it’s all relative. However for those who’re studying this, I’m guessing you maybe have a barely nervous disposition. Otherwise you’re a full-blown unashamed hen, like me!
The Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios are designed to be scary. That’s the entire level! They usually do a terrific job: the haunted homes aren’t solely full of jump-scares, however each is brilliantly designed to create an immersive storytelling expertise – like strolling by way of a stay horror film.
The worry can be just like watching a scary film. The anticipation of understanding that one thing is about to leap out at you, however not understanding when, makes the bounce even worse when it will definitely comes. Combine that with flashing lights, creepy smells, bizarre surroundings, dense mist, loud noises and low lighting – and you’ve got a very terrifying expertise.
That received’t do it for everybody. We had been a gaggle of a few dozen and solely about 50% of us had been screaming in each home. Some persons are simply fearless I assume! However for those who are inclined to spook simply, then sure, you’ll possible discover Halloween Horror Nights fairly horrifying.
That mentioned – it’s additionally enjoyable! Very like watching a scary film, the adrenaline rush and the sensation of “survival” on the finish was an excellent excessive. I’d shriek with worry one second, then burst out laughing the following. It was nice!
Good to Know: Many of the homes characteristic some pretty slim passageways. If you happen to get claustrophobic they may not be appropriate. Likewise, when you’ve got any severe phobias, it’s most likely price checking they received’t be featured earlier than you enter any homes.
Is HHN appropriate for youths?
Common Studios says Halloween Horror Nights is not really helpful for youngsters below 13 (see the complete warning under). Nonetheless, there’s no minimal age to attend and I noticed a number of surprisingly younger children wandering round.
Truthfully, I believe this could have been an excessive amount of for me at 13. There’s no means I’d let my 13-year-old niece attend, not to mention my youthful nieces and nephews. They’d by no means sleep once more! However you realize your personal child, so for those who suppose they’ll deal with it, by all means deliver them alongside.
I’d counsel beginning them out with a number of of the scare zones and one of many much less scary haunted homes. This yr, that’s most likely Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. See how they get on with that earlier than shifting on to the scarier stuff. And perhaps give Insidious a large berth except you’re actually assured in your child’s fearlessness!
“WARNING: EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR COSTUME MASKS ALLOWED.”
Can the actors contact you at Halloween Horror Nights?
I’ve already talked about Thorpe Park’s notorious Noticed Maze. On that, the actors might contact and seize the victims within the maze (us). I keep in mind on one event a crazed zombie clung onto my then-boyfriend’s leg and wouldn’t let him go. Clearly, I deserted him and ran for my life!
Fortunately, the actors within the Halloween Horror Nights homes can’t contact you. It’s in opposition to the foundations. Fairly logical, actually, since there’s no means of understanding in case your fight-or-flight response will result in an instinctive punch within the face!
Suggestions for Halloween Horror Nights
Beneath, I’ve shared my high tricks to be sure to survive your first Halloween Horror Nights expertise – with out fainting from worry! For extra nice ideas, my good friend (and Common skilled!) Helen has a terrific information to Halloween Horror Nights – click on right here to learn it.
1. Analysis the homes and plan your evening prematurely
Just about as quickly because the HHN occasion launches, folks begin posting pictures and ideas on social media. Press and influencers are invited to the opening nights – and in contrast to most guests, they’re allowed to take pictures and movies contained in the haunted homes.
This implies you are able to do some pre-trip analysis to see which haunted homes are the very best, and which is perhaps too scary for you. In 2024, the scariest home by far was Insidious: The Additional. It was FAR an excessive amount of for me (I lined my eyes and ran blindly by way of the previous few rooms screaming), and even quite a lot of seasoned HHN regulars mentioned it genuinely made them scream.
If you happen to’re feeling nervous about your first Halloween Horror Nights, this could be the home to keep away from this yr – no less than till you’ve gotten used to issues. Check out the critiques to see which homes are being thought of the scariest, so you possibly can ease your self in with a number of of the much less terrifying homes.
Personally, I prevented all spoilers as a result of I needed to go in as a whole newb to see precisely how scary the expertise could be. The issues I do for analysis!
Least and Most Scary Homes at HHN33
Most Scary:
- Insidious: The Additional – my coronary heart price spiked at 165 on this one!
- A Quiet Place – presumably much less scary for those who haven’t seen the films, however the concept that I mustn’t scream made this one really feel REALLY dangerous.
- Main Sweets Sweet Manufacturing facility – I’ve seen combined critiques for this one however it actually bought me. I believe it was the combination of loud noises, bizarre smells, and creepy kids!
Much less scary:
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – enjoyable, nostalgic, and designed to perfection.
- Slaughter Sinema 2 – a number of humorous bits (like Stripper Mummies) assist stability out the frights.
- Common Monsters: Everlasting Bloodlines – this one could be very superbly designed and actually tells a narrative. There have been nonetheless some good jumps, although!
2. Know the place the scares might be coming
With out giving an excessive amount of away – understanding the fundamental mechanics of the haunted homes could assist put together the uninitiated. Typically, the actors will cover round corners or behind “boo holes” – an lovely identify for a decidedly un-adorable follow.
Boo holes are basically one thing that appears strong, however has a spot to permit the actor to burst out snarling/shrieking/flailing/wielding some form of horrific weapon. It is perhaps a portray that’s really a curtain, a bit of wall with a hidden seam, or a hidden door.
Trying round and forward as you stroll by way of the home, you might be able to spot a number of of the boo holes coming and mentally put together your self. If you happen to’re hunched over working in terror (like I used to be) they’re much less simple to identify – though that’s extra enjoyable in a means!
HOWEVER – you possibly can by no means see all of the bounce scares coming. Some actors have a couple of boo gap to make use of so that you’ll by no means know the place they’ll come out. Typically issues that appear like boo holes are literally only a distraction, and the true one is behind you or hidden round a nook. And the scariest home this yr, Insidious: The Additional, had quite a lot of terrifying methods in place to be sure to by no means knew the place the following scare could be coming.
3. Keep away from the jump-scares in Scare Zones
Even for those who do see them coming, the bounce scares within the haunted homes are unavoidable. Nonetheless, the scare zones are a bit completely different. These zones are outside, with fog, set items, and actors wandering round.
For probably the most half, they don’t actually jump-scare you a lot as leer ominously – although some will bounce out at you. And I did get chased by a zombie with a chainsaw at one level!
If you wish to discover the scare zones with out leaping out of your pores and skin, keep on with the pavement (sidewalk). Apparently, there’s an unwritten rule that for those who’re strolling on the street you’re prepared and keen to be jumped on. More often than not, for those who’re on the sidelines the ghouls received’t terrorise you!
4. Benefit from the park and rides after darkish
If all of the jump-scares and chainsaw-wielding zombies begin to get a bit a lot, you possibly can step away from the worry for some time and search some thrills as a substitute.
Outdoors of the designated scare zones, the remainder of the park is dimly lit however in any other case comparatively regular, so you possibly can wander and discover with out worry. The Diagon Alley space of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is especially atmospheric after darkish. There’ll, nevertheless, be Dying Eaters ominously wandering the world.
Lots of the rides keep open throughout HHN, so take advantage of the chance to experience them after darkish. One among my faves, the Hollywood Rip Journey Rockit rollercoaster, is a blast at evening – and offers some nice views over the HHN motion!
5. Don’t miss the themed food and drinks
Yearly, the HHN homes are accompanied by a slew of pop-up food and drinks stands serving restricted version snacks themed round every home.
We’re speaking issues like a Crimson Door potato-and-onion pie for Insidious, Abbott’s Farm Corn Chowder for A Quiet Place, and a Bloody Goody Bag for the Triplets of Terror. Click on right here for the complete menu for HHN33.
Many of those spooky treats make nice picture ops! The large hitter for 2024 is the Ghostbusters Keep Puft S’extra: the loveable marshmallow man, toasted and served on a mattress of melted chocolate and graham cracker. Don’t miss it!
6. Keep at a Common Resort Resort
Staying throughout the Common Resort tends to be the best choice at any time of yr. Common Resort Resort visitors get plenty of advantages, together with early park entry* and free transport to the parks.
Halloween Horror Nights run from 6:30pm till 2am. Even for those who don’t keep out that late, you’ll possible be fairly drained after an evening of pacing across the park, standing in queues, and screaming your lungs out! The quick journey again to a resort resort – both on foot, or by shuttle or water taxi – will really feel like a godsend whenever you make it out of the park!
I lately stayed at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and liked it – it’s one of many extra mid-range resorts however feels very luxurious. It’s additionally a 15-minute stroll (if that) from the park entrance – or you possibly can hop on a ship for a scenic journey downriver! Alternatively, for those who’re doing Common Studios on a finances, the Countless Summer time Resort is a brief shuttle bus from the parks.
(*Early entry doesn’t embody Halloween Horror Nights)
A Few Extra Suggestions
- Put on comfortable sneakers – I can’t stress this sufficient!
- Go along with folks you belief! You want mates who will take care of you within the haunted homes – NOT mates who’ll ditch you on the first signal of bother!
- Get the best tickets. This occasion is ticketed individually to the primary park so even for those who’re there within the day, you’ll have to buy a HHN ticket on high.
- Costume up – costumes and masks aren’t allowed, so go for a Halloween-themed t-shirt and/or spooky equipment. There’s quite a lot of enjoyable merch on the market on the park retailers, too.
- Keep away from peak occasions like weekends to profit from shorter queue occasions.
Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando: Scariness Abstract!
To sum up, then:
Sure, Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando could be very scary. They’re additionally nice enjoyable, with brilliantly immersive storytelling. And the fun of escaping from the haunted homes is a real excessive!
The haunted homes are most likely not appropriate for these below 13 or for anybody with claustrophobia or different severe phobias.
If you happen to’re feeling notably nervous, my high tip could be to analysis all of the haunted homes prematurely so you’ve got a tough thought of what to anticipate.
In any other case – dig deep, discover your internal film hero, and GO FOR IT! I promise, if I can face these haunted homes, you possibly can.
Methods to Get to Halloween Horror Nights
Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Atlantic Holidays begins from £1460 per particular person, together with scheduled Virgin Atlantic Financial system flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando, a 3 Park Explorer Ticket, a Halloween Horror Nights single evening ticket and room-only lodging at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Worth is predicated on two adults travelling and sharing a Normal Room and contains all relevant taxes and gas surcharges that are topic to alter. Worth is predicated on a departure on seventeenth September 2024. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL-protected. Costs topic to alter and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays phrases and circumstances apply.
To e book: www.virginholidays.co.uk or name 0344 557 3859
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Methods to do Common Orlando on a Finances
I hope you discovered this information to the HHN scary ranges useful! When you have a query, attain out within the feedback under and I’ll attempt to assist!