UniversalParksBlog News for May 26th, 2024
For Universal Studios fans, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Folks, we’ve got Halloween Horror Nights news in this week’s UniversalParksBlog update!
Meet the Houses
Credit: Universal
As Kristen Sabol recounted the other day, Universal Studios has announced six Houses for this year’s event.
By the time you read this, the theme park may have announced more. If so, I’ll make every effort to update this post.
Photo: Lynette Granger Rep/Facebook
For now, we’ve learned more about your favorite Halloween event, which starts on August 30th.
This year’s event runs through November 3rd, and we’ve also learned 2024 ticket prices.
Photo: Universal
Admission to this after-hours event will range from $82.99 to $122.99.
Oddly, Halloween itself only costs $87.99. Then again, Halloween falls on a Thursday.
Beetle Juice Halloween Horror Nights
Universal is also selling the Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass, which starts $129.99 per person.
This ticket’s price fluctuates, depending on the date of your visit. Under any circumstance, it’s at least $20 more than last year.
Photo: People
Similarly, the Halloween Horror Nights R.I.P. Tour also returns, with the price starting at $359.99 per person.
This is a guided tour with near-instant entry into all ten participating Houses, making it expensive but efficient.
Photo: Universal Blog
Finally, Behind the Screams: Unmasking the Horror Tour, the daytime tour of three Houses, is also back.
This event may ruin some of the mystery for you, but it’s a fascinating insight into how the Houses really work.
Photo: UNIVERSAL BLOG
All these events are highly recommended, presuming your budget stretches that far.
Remember to contact an agent at Let’s Adventure Travel as they professionals may know a few ways to stretch your budget.
Even better, their services are entirely free to you. So, you’ve got nothing to lose.
Now then, let’s discuss this year’s currently announced Houses, remembering that we’re lacking four.
Photo: Universal
Lately, Universal has either led with the showstoppers or saved them until the very end.
We appear to be leaning toward the latter in 2024, albeit with no disrespect intended to the Houses we’re about to detail.
Goblin’s Feast
Universal
“Welcome to the Goblin’s Feast Tavern and visit the goblin village where a lavish feast is being prepared for goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and witches. And you’re the main course.”
So, yeah. Dey gonna try to ‘et ya. That’s the theme of this year’s House, which hearkens back to the 2022 House, Spirits of the Coven.
Image: Cedar Fair
That House, set in a 1920s speakeasy, also had witches creating a special home brew, one where you were the main ingredient.
So, there’s some familiarity with this concept, morose though it may be.
This time, the witches have invited their friends, the goblins, and some other denizens of #TeamHorde for the feast.
In the immortal, slightly modified words of Chicken Run, you shouldn’t want to be their pie.
Major Sweets Candy Factory
Universal
We met Major Sweets just two years ago at Halloween Horror Nights 31, where he was the primary antagonist.
Now, the candy magnate will take you into his factory, which is probably more Willy Wonka than you’d expect.
Jungle of Doom
Remember that Gene Wilder was kind of a monster during parts of that first film.
Anyway, this House’s listing states, “You’ve been invited to chaperone a field trip to a candy factory. The deadly delicious treats turn the kids into sugar-fueled fiends.”
Shipyard 32
So, that’s probably not gonna be good for anybody. You know how obnoxious kids are when they get candy in them!
That’s probably why you prefer Universal Studios to Disney, right?!
Anyway, I like that Universal is leveling up the character of Major Sweets.
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America
This one might sound familiar to you if you’re multi-coastal or spent time in California last year.
Universal operated the same House at Universal Studios Hollywood’s HHN event.
Image: Universal Studios Hollywood
The description at the time was, “¡Ten cuidado! With La Muerte as your guide, try to survive the night with three terrifying legends: Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza and El Silbón.”
We have an ever-so-slightly modified description now, but it sounds nearly identical.
“With La Muerte as your guide, you’ll be begging for piedad from these three terrifying legends: Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza and El Silbón.”
Presuming you don’t mind spoilers, here’s how that House looked in 2023:
The Museum: Deadly Exhibits
Universal
“You decide to visit the new folklore museum exhibit, The Rotting Stone, when an evil escapes from within, destroying everything in its path.”
Well, that’s not good. First, why would I want to look at a Rotting Stone?
Second, who allowed an evil in a museum? That’s gonna destroy their insurance premiums.
All kidding aside, Universal employed a museum concept like this in the 1990s. It was a method of introducing some Classic Monsters.
Photo: Pinterest
So, we could witness something similar with the 2024 House, or Universal could go an entirely different way with it.
All we know for sure is that it’ll be a night at the museum gone awry. Poor Ben Stiller.
Slaughter Sinema 2
Universal
“If you’re dying for a b-movie horror marathon, head to the Carey Drive-in. Scream through scenes from creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti westerns and more.”
This one strikes me as meta, as it’s basically a Scare Zone reinvented as a House.
Vamp ’69
All the sights you’d expect in a Scare Zone should be on display at the Carey Drive-in.
The difference is that you’ll be in a more claustrophobic setting and less able to escape the horror.
Photo: discoveruniversal.com
This House is actually a callback to All Nite Die-In: Double Feature, which also featured some recognizable villains like Freddy Krueger.
So, without announcing anything, Universal has set the stage for a couple of potential big names to appear at the various Houses.
Triplets of Terror
Image: Universal
Finally, we have this new House, whose write-up states:
“You’re invited to the Barmy triplets’ birthday bash. But beware, they celebrate by recreating their family’s murders. Prepare for a gory gathering.”
So, you know, probably don’t RSVP for that one. Seriously, if someone advertises murder on an invite, you should decline.
I’m not familiar with the Barmy Triplets, who appear to be a new creation this year.
At least, I’m not finding anything about them on various HHN wikis.
As such, this is the biggest curiosity among the Houses announced over the past week.
Photo: Bloody-disgusting.com
We’ll find out more in the coming days, I’m sure. Also, we’re still awaiting news on the branded Houses for this year.
Given how great the 2023 ones were, I’m sure Universal executives know they have a high bar to clear for 2024.
Credit: Universal
While we wait for that information, here’s Super Enthused showing off the other big new thing this week.
Yes, the Summer Tribute Store has opened, and it’s totally on brand for Universal!
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Feature Photo: Universal
