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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 just lately attended my first-ever Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Common Orlando. It was an evening of pure concern: jump-scares, haunted homes, spooky sights, and creepy characters galore.
Earlier than I went, I used to be apprehensive. I’m fairly wimpy, nearly by no means watch horror motion pictures, and have been identified to leap at my very own shadow (I want that was an exaggeration!). I used to be fearful that HHN could be 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 time and again, 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 concern. Which it did – for probably the most half. My coronary heart charge was so excessive that my smartwatch logged a 2-hour exercise – and I’ve actually by no means screamed that a lot in my life. However the screams have 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 prime ideas for much less fearless guests (aka huge fats wimps like me). Completely satisfied 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 season 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 ugly smells.
However the principle sights 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 normally just a few homes themed round current or standard motion pictures (this 12 months contains A Quiet Place, Insidious and Ghostbusters) – plus a number of authentic homes designed by Common’s artistic workforce.
HHN is now in its thirty third 12 months and it’s longer than ever: working on chosen nights from 30 August to three November 2024. This 12 months 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 difficult to reply, because it’s all relative. However in case you’re studying this, I’m guessing you maybe have a barely nervous disposition. Otherwise you’re a full-blown unashamed rooster, like me!
The Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios are designed to be scary. That’s the entire level! And so they do an awesome job: the haunted homes are usually not solely full of jump-scares, however every one is brilliantly designed to create an immersive storytelling expertise – like strolling by means of a stay horror film.
The concern can be much like watching a scary film. The anticipation of realizing that one thing is about to leap out at you, however not realizing 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 really terrifying expertise.
That received’t do it for everybody. We have been a gaggle of a few dozen and solely about 50% of us have been screaming in each home. Some individuals are simply fearless I assume! However in case you are inclined to spook simply, then sure, you’ll seemingly discover Halloween Horror Nights fairly horrifying.
That mentioned – it’s additionally enjoyable! Very similar to watching a scary film, the adrenaline rush and the sensation of “survival” on the finish was a superb excessive. I’d shriek with concern one second, then burst out laughing the following. It was nice!
Good to Know: A lot of the homes function some pretty slender passageways. For those who get claustrophobic they won’t be appropriate. Likewise, when you have 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 underneath 13 (see the complete warning under). Nevertheless, there’s no minimal age to attend and I noticed just a few surprisingly younger children wandering round.
Actually, I feel this is able to 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 recognize your individual child, so in case you assume they’ll deal with it, by all means carry them alongside.
I’d counsel beginning them out with just a few of the scare zones and one of many much less scary haunted homes. This 12 months, that’s most likely Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. See how they get on with that earlier than transferring 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 realizing in case your fight-or-flight response will result in an instinctive punch within the face!
Ideas for Halloween Horror Nights
Beneath, I’ve shared my prime tricks to be sure you survive your first Halloween Horror Nights expertise – with out fainting from concern! For extra nice ideas, my good friend (and Common knowledgeable!) Helen has an awesome information to Halloween Horror Nights – click on right here to learn it.
1. Analysis the homes and plan your night time prematurely
Just about as quickly because the HHN occasion launches, individuals 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 most effective, and which could be 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 coated my eyes and ran blindly by means of the previous couple of rooms screaming), and even lots of seasoned HHN regulars mentioned it genuinely made them scream.
For those who’re feeling nervous about your first Halloween Horror Nights, this is able to be the home to keep away from this 12 months – no less than till you’ve gotten used to issues. Check out the evaluations to see which homes are being thought of the scariest, so you’ll be able to ease your self in with just a few 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 charge spiked at 165 on this one!
- A Quiet Place – presumably much less scary in case you haven’t seen the flicks, however the concept that I mustn’t scream made this one really feel REALLY dangerous.
- Main Sweets Sweet Manufacturing facility – I’ve seen combined evaluations for this one however it actually bought me. I feel it was the combo of loud noises, bizarre smells, and creepy kids!
Much less scary:
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – enjoyable, nostalgic, and designed to perfection.
- Slaughter Sinema 2 – just a few humorous bits (like Stripper Mummies) assist steadiness out the frights.
- Common Monsters: Everlasting Bloodlines – this one may be very superbly designed and actually tells a narrative. There have been nonetheless some good jumps, although!
2. Know the place the scares will probably be coming
With out giving an excessive amount of away – realizing 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 lovable title for a decidedly un-adorable observe.
Boo holes are primarily one thing that appears strong, however has a niche to permit the actor to burst out snarling/shrieking/flailing/wielding some sort of horrific weapon. It could be a portray that’s really a curtain, a bit of wall with a hidden seam, or a hidden door.
Wanting round and forward as you stroll by means of the home, you could possibly spot just a few of the boo holes coming and mentally put together your self. For those who’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’ll be able to 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. Generally issues that seem like boo holes are literally only a distraction, and the actual one is behind you or hidden round a nook. And the scariest home this 12 months, Insidious: The Additional, had lots of terrifying methods in place to be sure you by no means knew the place the following scare could be coming.
3. Keep away from the jump-scares in Scare Zones
Even in case you do see them coming, the bounce scares within the haunted homes are unavoidable. Nevertheless, 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 in case you’re strolling on the street you’re prepared and keen to be jumped on. More often than not, in case you’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’ll be able to step away from the concern for some time and search some thrills as an alternative.
Exterior of the designated scare zones, the remainder of the park is dimly lit however in any other case comparatively regular, so you’ll be able to wander and discover with out concern. The Diagon Alley space of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is especially atmospheric after darkish. There’ll, nonetheless, be Dying Eaters ominously wandering the world.
Lots of the rides keep open throughout HHN, so take advantage of the chance to trip them after darkish. One in all my faves, the Hollywood Rip Experience Rockit rollercoaster, is a blast at night time – and offers some nice views over the HHN motion!
5. Don’t miss the themed foods and drinks
Yearly, the HHN homes are accompanied by a slew of pop-up foods and drinks stands serving restricted version snacks themed round every home.
We’re speaking issues like a Purple 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 inside the Common Resort tends to be the best choice at any time of 12 months. 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 in case you don’t keep out that late, you’ll seemingly 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 once you make it out of the park!
I just lately stayed at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and liked it – it’s one of many extra mid-range inns however feels very luxurious. It’s additionally a 15-minute stroll (if that) from the park entrance – or you’ll be able to hop on a ship for a scenic journey downriver! Alternatively, in case you’re doing Common Studios on a finances, the Limitless Summer season Resort is a brief shuttle bus from the parks.
(*Early entry doesn’t embrace Halloween Horror Nights)
A Few Extra Ideas
- Put on cozy sneakers – I can’t stress this sufficient!
- Go together with individuals 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 appropriate tickets. This occasion is ticketed individually to the principle park so even in case you’re there within the day, you’ll have to buy a HHN ticket on prime.
- Costume up – costumes and masks aren’t allowed, so go for a Halloween-themed t-shirt and/or spooky equipment. There’s lots of enjoyable merch on the market on the park outlets, 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 may 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 underneath 13 or for anybody with claustrophobia or different severe phobias.
For those who’re feeling notably nervous, my prime tip could be to analysis all of the haunted homes prematurely so you might have a tough thought of what to anticipate.
In any other case – dig deep, discover your inside film hero, and GO FOR IT! I promise, if I can face these haunted homes, you’ll be able to.
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 Economic system flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando, a 3 Park Explorer Ticket, a Halloween Horror Nights single night time ticket and room-only lodging at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Value relies on two adults travelling and sharing a Customary Room and contains all relevant taxes and gasoline surcharges that are topic to vary. Value relies on a departure on seventeenth September 2024. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL-protected. Costs topic to vary and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays phrases and circumstances apply.
To guide: www.virginholidays.co.uk or name 0344 557 3859
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I hope you discovered this information to the HHN scary ranges useful! If in case you have a query, attain out within the feedback under and I’ll attempt to assist!