Courtesy of Fearnet.com
Universal Studios Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, one of the premiere Halloween attractions in the country, is back for its twentieth year. While many places would celebrate their anniversary by “recreating” classic events from the past (thereby making an event cheaper and easier), Universal has gone the other way. This year’s HHN promises to be bigger, scarier, and more original than ever before. Hit the jump for all the juicy deets I learned yesterday when I spoke with the people behind the event.
Each year, HHN creates an “mascot” of sorts, known as an icon. Previous icons have included the Usher, the Director, and the Caretaker. This year’s icon is Fear itself, a character who essentially is the puppetmaster of monsters past and present. “We wanted an all-encompassing character,” show director of entertainment Mike Aiello told me in a telephone interview. “One of our big goals was to pay homage to the last 20 years, while still paving the way for future Halloween Horror Nights. Fear is a constant, and we wanted to personify that feeling.”
“We always strive to make each event as intense as possible,” Aiello continues. He does promise that at least one haunted house will have a more comedic tone, though “it’s not the house you are thinking of.” This is not surprising to hear from the director of the “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure,” the one constant from year to year. “Bill & Ted” is in its 19th year, and this is the fifth - and likely final - year that Aiello directs. He promises that the pop culture roast will be essentially the same format as it always is. “We deviated from the format once in the past, and the fans didn’t like it,” Aiello admits. The major twist this year is that Bill & Ted might face replacement. “In the story!” insists Aiello. “No one could ever replace the actual ‘Bill & Ted’ show.”
The big draw of Halloween Horror Nights are the haunted houses. This year features eight brand-new houses, each with its own story, backstory, and characters. Themes include an abandoned asylum for the criminally insane; Black Plague victims returning as zombies; mutant soldiers; and an evil orphan. Favorite characters from Halloween past will show up in the Hallow’d Past maze, as well as one of the six new scarezones. “No creature is off-limits,” Aiello teases. He is mum on specifics. TJ Mannarino, director of art and design for entertainment promises that you won’t see Jigsaw or Captain Spaulding popping up in Orlando. “Halloween Horror Nights has a strong enough tradition that we didn’t need to go shopping in the intellectual property of others. Universal Studios Hollywood will feature largely movie-based experiences. But they are a working movie studio; their guests are looking for that. Fans in Orlando want all new stuff.”
Besides new experiences, what other innovations can fans look forward to? Mannarino promises that this will be the first year that an attraction has a live, open flame. The “Legendary Truth” attraction will be a “haunted maze that is truly haunted.” “‘Legendary Truth’ was actually developed two years ago, but we decided we needed more R&D to create the ghosts and gags we envisioned.” Mannarino also promised “new ways to be involved” with the attractions while waiting in the often cumbersome lines. This includes social media and “mobile content” that will allow patrons to further take part in the Halloween Horror Nights experience. More details about this and other tricks n’ treats will be revealed as the event draws closer.
Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights will run from September 24th to October 31st. Tickets start at $40 for Florida residents, with a number of travel packages and “R.I.P passes” available. To purchase tickets, call Supreme Clientele Travel (407)413-9578
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