UniversalParksBlog News for April 14th, 2024

This week in UniversalParksBlog News, we’ve got massive updates.

Seriously, you’ll want to know about Halloween Horror Night 2024 and the hotels of Universal Epic Universe. So, read on…

HHN Tickets Are Now on Sale!

Deciding which topic to discuss first is a challenge, as we have two stories that matter.

One is more temporary for 2024, while the other will have a long-term impact on Universal Orlando Resort.

However, you care the most about the more immediate option, and that’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) 2024!

Universal executives have announced the official dates and some of the details for this event.

This year’s festivities begin on August 30^th, which is even earlier than last year! Yes, it’s only by a day but still.

Universal is gradually expanding its signature event into August, just as Walt Disney World has done with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

Also, Universal has decided it’s not beholden to the calendar this year, either. HHN will run through November 3^rd!

Overall, you’ll enjoy more chances than ever to hang out in the Houses and Scare Zones.

Universal confirmed 48 (!) different dates for HHN 2024.

Here are this year’s events:

• August 30^th-31^st
• September 1^st
• September 4^th-8^th
• September 11^th-15^th
• September 18^th-22^nd
• September 25^th-29^th
• October 2^nd-6^th
• October 9^th-13^th
• October 16^th-20^th
• October 23^rd-27^th
• October 30^th-31^st
• November 1^st-3^rd

So, HHN will offer Friday-Sunday its first weekend, followed by a Wednesday-Sunday throughout September and October.

The Wednesday through Sunday part of the schedule will start during the second weekend and last until November 3^rd.

That’s an airtight way of tracking whether there’s an HHN event on a given night.

Unless it’s Monday or Tuesday, the answer is yes!

More about HHN 2024

You should know the basics by now, but Universal has confirmed ten Houses for 2024.

Also, most importantly, tickets are already on sale. You should speak with an agent at Let’s Adventure Travel immediately to book!

Last year’s dates sold out, and HHN has only grown in popularity since the pandemic briefly shut it down.

Fans better appreciate how much they love HHN, and it’s been an absolute juggernaut ever since then.

Understandably, this year’s tickets have increased in price a bit from 2023.

This year’s tickets start at $82.99, which is nine dollars more than during 2023.

Also, you still need regular park admission to visit during the day.

Universal is also bringing back its line-skipping option for the Ten Houses.

For $129.99 plus tax, the Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass entitles you to avoid the line once per House.

Based on what happened last year, that’s a bargain. As a reminder, it works on most Universal attractions during the event, too.

You can also purchase the Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour again in 2024.

This option is the ultimate line-skipper. It’s a hosted walking tour of HHN, and you can skip to the front of the line at everything.

Universal charges $359.99 per person plus tax for the R.I.P. Tour.

Finally, the divisive Halloween Horror Nights Behind-the-Screams Tour: Unmasking the Horror is also back.

For $99.99 per person plus tax, you can visit three of the Houses during the day and see how the sausage is made.

You may not admire the Houses as much with the lights on, but it’s good for people who don’t like jump-scares.

Notably, you don’t need park admission for this option, though.

The Epic Universe Hotels

We’ve previously discussed two of the resorts that will anchor Universal Epic Universe.

This past week, park officials provided additional details about them, though.

According to Universal, the Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort will provide “a Universal Orlando vacation at an affordable price point.”

Each resort will host 750 rooms with double-queen beds and galaxy-related theming.

So, Universal will add 1,500 total rooms as part of its Epic Universe expansion.

Even with that much new inventory, park officials describe it as “a drop in the bucket” compared to the heightened demand.

Universal added that hotel demand grew by as much as 15 percent when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened.

They describe Epic Universe as “four or five Harry Potters,” explaining the pressing need to add more hotel space.

Universe considers 2025 potentially its biggest year ever in terms of overall demand and revenue.

Stella Nova and Terra Luna are the more economical hotel options for tourists.

Since guests must eat during their hotel stays, the Stella Nova will add multiple dining options.

The announced ones are Cosmos Café and Market, the Nova Bar, and the Galaxy Bar and Galaxy Grill.

Terra Luna will add the Omega Café and Market, the Luna Bar, and the Moonrise Bar and Moonrise Grill.

Notably, you’ll find the Nova Bar and the Luna Bar in the hotel’s lobbies.

So, that’s a restaurant and market, lobby bar, and poolside bar and grill at each resort.

Each hotel will also feature a fitness center, game room, recreation room/center, and Universal Orlando Resort Store.

You can read more details here.

Universal Miscellany

I’ve got three other stories to cover this week.

The most exciting is that the World-Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood turns 60 this year.

As part of the anniversary celebration, Universal will bring back the classic Glamor Tram design!

The Studio Tour will also stop for a few unique and presumably limited-time photo ops.

Fittingly, Earthquake — The Big One will return in some form as well.

Similarly, the 1976 Runaway Train experience is coming back, too.

Details are sparse at the moment, and I don’t want to get your hopes up. This sounds like a joyous turn of events, though.

The 60^th anniversary Studio Tour starts on April 26^th and will remain through August 11^th. It definitely sounds like a can’t-miss event.

Universal Miscellany Part Two

Meanwhile, Universal Orlando Resort is offering another “free wand” promotion.

When you purchase a Hogwarts House Robe and interactive wand, you’ll get another wand valued at $55 for free.

As usual, some caveats apply, so you should ask a store employee for the details.

Finally, while I consider most theme park lawsuits unworthy of comment, this one earned widespread media attention.

For instance, Entertainment Weekly has covered the lawsuit regarding stranded guests on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

The incident occurred just over two years ago at Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

Something happened to trigger a ride stoppage at an awkward moment for the guests, who were suspended in the air at the time.

There, they sat for what they describe as more than an hour.

Also, their moving chair had frozen in an unfortunate position, which they described as “tilted backward and to the left.”

The aggrieved party is claiming “severe injuries” and seeks financial recompense.

Having been trapped on a ride for an hour myself, I’d joke about this one.

Alas, I remember the time Universal described an injury as minor, only for it to have partially paralyzed someone.

So, we’ll have to wait and see whether this lawsuit’s frivolous or serious.

 

Feature Photo: Universal Orlando