UniversalParksBlog News for September 7th, 2024

This is THE best UniversalParksBlog News update of the entire year.

We get to talk about the Houses at Halloween Horror Nights 2024! So, let’s have some fun, everyone.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

We’re focusing exclusively on Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort. I’ll get Hollywood’s extras next time.

As an FYI, I’ll link the appropriate Houses from the same video so that you’ll have a baseline.

The first thing you need to know is that you’ll find the biggest crowds at a couple of expected candidates.

Obviously, the ones in the marketing campaign are more popular, so you should expect some longer lines for Ghostbusters.

Thankfully, this House is more than worth the wait, with the perfect combination of modern Ghostbusters and classic reminders.

A hot dog cart at the beginning hints at the climactic ending, and a couple of the special effects are dynamic.

Also, I quite like the ending, which feels fitting for a Ghostbusters House. Overall, this one’s among my favorites for 2024.

Goblin’s Feast

I’m just gonna say it. I haaaate two Houses this year, and they’re the next two we’re about to discuss.

The first is Goblin’s Feast, which is just too gross for me. The Irish (or Scottish) fantasy setting is quite clever.

Alas, this is a gorefest overflowing with “food” that I’d strongly encourage you not to eat.

In fact, you might want to stay out of this place lest you become the food.

Some people adore the cheeky, dark humor on display in this House, and if it’s for you, more power to you. I…am not a fan.

PS: NEVER disrespect the ancestors. It’s just common sense.

Insidious: The Further

Similarly, as a movie critic, one of the worst parts of my job over the past 20 years is reviewing Insidious movies. Not even joking.

The first film has some redeeming qualities, but the second one isn’t very good. Then, the next three are objectively awful.

So, I was never enthusiastic about this House from the moment Universal announced it.

 

“He’s got the baby” is a pretty good catchphrase to start, which gave me some hope.

Alas, everything that happens in this particular home is predictable and overly reliant on jump scares.

Honestly, that’s a trend at HHN 2024. There’s an overreliance on Scareactors jumping out at you, which has always been a thing.

Universal has simply dialed it up to 11 this year, which I find a bit lazy.

If you enjoy them, Insidious: The Further will be like the mother ship calling you home.

Major Sweets Candy Factory

Now that we’ve got my two least favorite Houses out of the way, we can focus on the positives.

Major Sweets Candy Factor takes the same concept as Goblin Feast, drops the charming rogue-ish setting, and somehow delivers a superior experience.

This is like the mirror universe take on Willy Wonka, where Veruca Salt doesn’t receive a funny comeuppance.

No, the overeaters die screaming here. And it really works. What helps is how much the Scareactors enjoy working at the candy store.

These performers earned the fun assignments this year, terrorizing anyone with a sweet tooth. Their vibrance elevates the experience.

Monstruous: The Monsters of Latin America

We saw a similar version of this concept last year at Universal Studios Hollywood. You can compare the two here:

I don’t have much to add beyond what I said last year, but I love that the impressive set pieces returned.

The Museum of Deadly Exhibits

I love this concept as a dark take on Night at the Museum.

You’ll quickly realize this as a security guard has the worst night of his career.

The ideas here are over all the place in terms of creativity and daring. Some really work, while others fall flat.

There’s a hand that appears through netting that startles me every time. The creepy oversized face mask think is great, too.

Where the House really shines is in the dialogue, although you have to pay attention lest you miss it.

I’m an ardent proponent of ambitious Houses. This one and Slaughter Cinema 2 are this year’s best in this category.

A Quiet Place

The first thing you should know about A Quiet Place is that the House is unexpectedly loud.

I made an incorrect assumption here that Universal would employ silence for its fear factor.

Instead, random sounds like a crying baby punctuate integral moments, creating the illusion that the story is really unfolding in front of you.

As far as immersion goes, that’s a high concept executed quite well.

The visuals of the people fighting back, including a woman firing a rifle make you believe you’re in peril. Well, you and that baby.

You also have to love any House that believes the solution is more cowbell. Somewhere, Will Ferrell is beaming with pride.

Universal relied on just two intellectual properties this year, and I’m happy to report that it nailed both.

Slaughter Cinema 2

Oh, my. This House has everything. For those of us old enough to remember the glorious B movie era from the Night Flight era, this is paradise.

We’ve got an evil heavy metal band, final girls trying to survive, an axe-wielding Kris Kringle, murder clowns, and…Jaws.

Okay, it’s technically a different shark. Still, I admire Universal’s willingness to make some of its own favorite things.

For instance, the start of this House lampoons Mardi Gras activities only a few months before the park throws its own Mardi Gras party.

You can almost see the wheels turning among HHN 2024 planners as they spitballed during Mardi Gras 2024.

This House is like the Meta House of the year…or maybe even ever.

Triplets of Terror

So, Universal created original characters this year, complete with a backstory and story bible.

Meet the Barmy triplets, who spent their ninth birthday slaughtering their family.

Now, every ten years, they repeat their atrocities to commemorate the occasion.

If you like weird-looking people in masks holding disembodied heads, you’ve found your House for this year.

FWIW, the Scareactors really seem to be having fun at this House, especially the blondes with baseball bats.

I feel like this House could have used that extra touch of Happy Birthday playing throughout the scenes. It would have provided a bit more oomph.

This one falls in the bottom tier of 2024 Houses, at least for me, but I admire Universal for swinging for the fences here.

Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines

Okay, here’s my favorite for this year and by a LOT!

I dunno if UnexpectedBuffy is a thing on Reddit, but I thought of it throughout the House.

This story feels like Universal’s take on a strong female protagonist waging war against ALL Classic Universal Monsters.

Poor Frankenstein’s Monster gets it bad early in the experience, driving his Bride (even more) insane with a thirst for revenge.

Meanwhile, a ferocious huntress, the last of the Van Helsing bloodline is leaving a trail of undead corpses everywhere.

There’s even a staking during the House experience. Those Classic Monsters should be running!

 

 

Thanks for visiting UniversalParksBlog.com! Want to go to Universal? For a FREE quote on your next Universal vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from Let’s Adventure Travel will be in touch soon!

Feature Photo: Universal