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Universal's Halloween Horror Nights

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Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios Florida
StatusOperating
Opening dateOctober 25, 1991; 33 years ago (1991-10-25)
Universal Studios Hollywood
StatusOperating
Opening dateOctober 9, 1997; 27 years ago (1997-10-09)
Universal Studios Singapore
StatusOperating
Opening dateOctober 21, 2011; 13 years ago (2011-10-21)
Universal Studios Japan
StatusOperating
Opening date2012; 13 years ago (2012)
Ride statistics
SeasonHalloween (September – October)
OwnerUniversal Parks & Resorts
WebsiteOfficial website
Universal Express available

Halloween Horror Nights is an annual special event that occurs at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Singapore, and Universal Studios Japan. Universal Studios remains operational during the day and transitions to Halloween Horror Nights at night. The event features haunted houses, "scare zones", and live entertainment; many of which utilize Universal's characters and other licenses.

The event is not recommended for children under 13 years old because it contains themes of terror and violence, as well as strong language.

History

Program cover for Fright Nights (HHN1) at Universal Studios Florida

Halloween Horror Nights began at Universal Studios Florida in 1991 under the title Fright Nights. The event was renamed "Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights" in 1992 and advertised as the second annual Halloween Horror Nights. It began as a three-night event October 25, 26, and 31, 1991, with one haunted house, The Dungeon of Terror. In 1992, there were two haunted houses, with The Dungeon of Terror returning to the Jaws queue building, and The People Under The Stairs making its debut in Soundstage 23. The event ran five nights, October 23, 24, 29, 30, and 31.[1] The first year, the admission price was only $12.95[2].

From 1991–2001, the event was held at Universal Studios Florida. Halloween Horror Nights moved to Universal's Islands of Adventure in 2002.[3] In 2004, the resort experimented with a dual-park format, which connected and utilized parts of both parks.[4] In 2006, the event returned to the Universal Studios Florida park only.[5]

The Third Annual Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Florida saw the event increase to seven nights. Due to the re-opening of the Jaws attraction, the in-park haunted house moved from the Jaws queue in Amity to the Nazarman's facade in the New York area.[6] The number of haunted houses increased to three. [7]

Halloween Horror Nights 4 expanded to an eight night run in 1994.[8] This year marked the return of a newly-designed Dungeon of Terror, along with three more haunted houses, for a total of four. This year also marked the first use of the term "scareactors", as well as the first official "Ghoul School" for actors participating in the event.[9] Ticket prices increased to $26.00 this year.

Halloween Horror Nights V is the first time Universal marketing began using Roman numerals in the title of the event. Featuring a 12 night run and three haunted houses, one of which was a dual-path house, it was also the first time Universal themed the event around an icon, in this case the Crypt Keeper. The event was subtitled "The Curse of the Crypt Keeper".[10]

Print ad for Universal's first Halloween effort, at USH in 1986


Universal Studios Hollywood had featured Halloween attractions in 1986 and 1992. The 1986 effort was actually a tram tour, and bears little resemblance to the modern event.[11] The 1992 event was a direct result of the success of Fright Nights at Universal Florida the year before, but was not successful.[12][13] Halloween Horror Nights officially launched at Universal Studios Hollywood October 9, 1997, running through the 2000 season.[14] From 2001 to 2005, Halloween Horror Nights went on hiatus at USH, then returned in 2006.[15][16] It has continued yearly since.[17]


Halloween Horror Nights XI, coming so close after the events of September 11, 2001, caused Universal to make many changes to tone the event down. Lots of gore was scrapped from the event, and blood was replaced with green "goop". The names of several houses, scare zones, and shows were changed. The original icon character "Eddie" was scrapped. Edgar Sawyer was conceived as a demented, chainsaw-wielding horror movie buff that had been disfigured by a fire. He was supposed to be a threat to previous icon Jack and the tagline "No more clowning around" was used and even seen on early advertisements and merchandise. Eddie was ultimately removed from the event before it began, although he was still appearing on that year's logo and merchandise with the official "I.C.U." tagline. As a hurried replacement, Jack would return along with a line of merchandise bearing the tagline "Jack's Back." Eddie's back-story was changed, and his name was changed to Eddie Schmidt, Jack's younger brother. He later appeared with other icons at Halloween Horror Nights XIV in Horror Nights Nightmares, and with his own house for Halloween Horror Nights XVI, "Run: Hostile Territory".[18]

The Caretaker was not the original icon for Halloween Horror Nights XII. Cindy, the daughter of mortuary owner Paul Bearer, was originally the icon of the event. In the event's premise, every land would be ruled over by her "playthings". After several child abductions in the area, the Cindy concept was abandoned and her father Paul Bearer morphed into Dr. Albert Caine, also known as The Caretaker.[19] Cindy would eventually appear in 2006's "Scream House Resurrection", and 2009's "Shadows of the Past" and "The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes".

For 2007, Universal Studios acquired the rights to use New Line Cinema's characters Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface for Halloween Horror Nights. Universal Studios Hollywood used the characters for a second year in 2008. In 2010, Hollywood again used the characters Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees, in their newer incarnation, following franchise reboots.[citation needed]

2010 marked the 20th installment of the event at the Orlando park. It was titled "Twenty Years of Fear", and it featured the "Fear itself" as the event's icon.[20]

In 2011, Universal Studios Singapore began their Halloween Horror Nights event.[21][22] The event in Orlando is currently headed by Michael Aiello, while the Hollywood event is run by John Murdy and Chris Williams.[23]

Halloween Horror Nights XXV, in 2015, ran a record 30 nights, exceeding the 28 nights in 2014 and 27 nights in 2013.[24]

Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Singapore

Universal Studios Japan

Event icons

Halloween Horror Nights has amassed a number of lead characters, known as icons. These icons usually have elaborate back-stories that involve the events' themes, houses, or scare zones. Predominantly, they have been used for promotional materials and merchandising. The first unofficial icon was Crypt Keeper, from the TV series Tales from the Crypt, a series popular at the time of his first event appearance. The Crypt Keeper returned the next year for one of the houses, but was not featured in the advertising campaign. After the Crypt Keeper, the event continued for four years without an icon. Halloween Horror Nights has had an icon, and in some cases, multiple icons, every year since, excluding Halloween Horror Nights XIV and XXII. These characters have included Jack the Clown, The Caretaker, The Director, The Storyteller, Bloody Mary, The Usher, Fear, Lady Luck, and Chance. Chance was the icon for Halloween Horror Nights 2016. She was a new icon but used to serve as a "sidekick" to Jack (though there are rumours that they have a romantic relationship) in his shows (her role and look being inspired by Batman antagonist Harley Quinn[38]).

Houses

When the event first started as "Fright Nights",[39] there was simply one haunted house,[40] but as the event progressed, the number has increased by up to as many as nine different houses, as of Halloween Horror Nights 2015.[citation needed]

Scare zones

Halloween Horror Nights IV was the first year to introduce a "scare zone", a name given to specific outdoor areas that feature costumed characters that fit the theme with the intent of scaring people who walk through the areas. To get to certain areas of the park, it is necessary to travel through these scare zones. In 2012, Orlando re-envisioned the scare zones as "street experiences," claiming that scare actors were no longer restricted to specific "zones." Instead, there were a number of "hordes" which would change their location in the park every 90 minutes. By 2014, the traditional scare zones returned with The Purge: Anarchy (inspired by the film), Face Off: In the Flesh, Bayou of Blood, and MASKerade: Unstitched.[citation needed]

Robosaurus in a show from Halloween Horror Nights 16

Live entertainment

Halloween Horror Nights has featured several live entertainment shows. Recurring shows have included "The Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute",[41] "Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure",[42] and Robosaurus.[43]

The Universal Entrance Decorated for Halloween Horror Nights 17

Rides

Several of the rides at Universal Studios remain operational during the event.[44] In past event years, some rides were re-themed for the event such as Kongfrontation becoming Tramway of Doom during HHN II. Since 2015 Diagon Alley has been open for Halloween Horror Nights. It was closed-off in 2014 despite opening just a few months earlier and to date it has never been re-themed or have any scare actors present.[45]

Commercials and media

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights is known for the dark tone of its advertisements and commercials. In 2010, the directors of Daybreakers, Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, directed the commercial for Halloween Horror Nights.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20130923/14492/part-i-origin-halloween-horror-nights
  2. ^ http://parkrumors.com/archive/fnmb.php
  3. ^ http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=758
  4. ^ http://www.hhnlegacy.com/hhn-xiv-2x-the-fear.html
  5. ^ http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20130923/14492/part-i-origin-halloween-horror-nights
  6. ^ http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-10-21/business/9310210392_1_halloween-horror-nights-theme-park
  7. ^ http://parkrumors.com/archive/93boo.php
  8. ^ http://parkrumors.com/archive/94hhnstb.php
  9. ^ http://parkrumors.com/archive/94101.php
  10. ^ http://parkrumors.com/archive/95sys.php
  11. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/1986-11-02/local/me-15522_1_halloween-event
  12. ^ http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-15/business/fi-758_1_halloween-horror-nights/2
  13. ^ http://www.horrornightnightmares.com/forums/topic/1774-park-memorabilia-1992/
  14. ^ https://secure.harkless.org/dan/info/theme_parks/USH/HHN_1997-2000/
  15. ^ http://www.thestudiotour.com/wp/studios/universal-studios-hollywood/theme-park/attractions/halloween-horror-nights/halloween-horror-nights-2006/
  16. ^ http://www.themeparkreview.com/hhn-hollywood2006/hhn-hollywood1.htm
  17. ^ http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-tr-universal-studios-horror-nights-review-20160917-snap-story.html
  18. ^ dR.fReAK. "Terror With a Chainsaw: Eddie". HHNvault.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010. [dead link‍]
  19. ^ "Pre-Fear: HHN XII". HHNvault.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010. [dead link‍]
  20. ^ Universal Orlando Resort. "Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Florida". Universal Orlando Resort. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  21. ^ Universal Studios Singapore. "Universal Studios Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights". Resorts World Sentosa. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  22. ^ "Fear has found a new home". RWScoop. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  23. ^ "Halloween Horror Nights 25 at Universal Orlando". 25 August 2011. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  24. ^ http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/theme-park-rangers-blog/os-universal-2015-halloween-horror-nights-dates-20150305-post.html
  25. ^ "Halloween Horror Nights Events By Year". hhncrypt.com. Retrieved 2016-08-04.
  26. ^ "Haunts". HHNvault.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010. [dead link‍]
  27. ^ Chris Cox. "Halloween Horror Nights, Orlando – Preview". now2do.com. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
  28. ^ DrGore (2007-09-18). "Halloween Horror Nights". Horror Society. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  29. ^ "New Attractions for Halloween Horror Nights! | Horror Movie, DVD, & Book Reviews, News, Interviews at Dread Central". Dread Central. 2008-08-26. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  30. ^ "Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios – Florida Events and Festivals". Places Around Florida. 2008-09-22. Archived from the original on 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  31. ^ Fritscher, Lisa (2008-11-01). "Halloween Horror Nights 2008 – A Phobic's Guide to Halloween Horror Nights 2008". About.com. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  32. ^ Matt (2009-10-26). "New scarezone added to Halloween Horror Nights – Feedback wanted for next year's event – Orlando Attractions Magazine". Attractions Magazine. Retrieved 2015-02-25.
  33. ^ Ricky Brigante (2012-10-23). "New Dark Legions invade Halloween Horror Nights 2012 as Universal Orlando enhances streets with trick-or-treaters, zombies". Inside the Magic. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  34. ^ "EXPERIENCE THE WALKING DEAD LIKE NEVER BEFORE AT HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS 26". Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  35. ^ "Halloween Horror Nights 2010 Orlando, Dates, Halloween Horror Nights Theme, Hollywood, Auditions". Altius Directory. Retrieved 2010-09-21.
  36. ^ "About Halloween Horror Nights (Hollywood)". Trip Atlas. 2006-06-06. Retrieved 2010-09-21.[dead link‍]
  37. ^ "Universal Studios Singapore". Resorts World Sentosa. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  38. ^ "The actors behind Halloween Horror Nights' Jack the Clown and Chance step out from behind the makeup at EDF 2016". Orlando Weekly.
  39. ^ OrlandoSentinel.com. "Halloween Horror Nights : Halloween Horror Nights News and Photos". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  40. ^ http://parkrumors.com/archive/fnrot.php
  41. ^ Theme Park Rangers (September 2007). "Halloween Horror Nights shows pop with pop culture at Universal Studios". OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  42. ^ BillAndTed.org (October 10, 2009). "Bill and Ted's Universal Halloween Main Page". BillAndTed.org. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  43. ^ Robosaurus. "Robosaurus – Bigger than life entertainment for the whole family". Robosaurus. Archived from the original on 2010-06-04. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  44. ^ Halloween Horror Nights (2010). "Halloween Horror Nights 2010". Halloween Horror Nights. Archived from the original on 2010-06-17. Retrieved June 29, 2010.
  45. ^ https://hhnunofficial.com/2015/03/31/diagon-alley-to-be-open-during-hhn25/
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