UniversalParksBlog News for September 22nd, 2024
In the latest edition of UniversalParksBlog News, we’ll provide a Wick experience that Rocks the Universe, presuming you can escape the Scare Zone.
Okay, none of this really connects, but it’s been a few couple of weeks for Universal Studios theme park updates!
The HHN Discussion
Photo: Universal
Last time, I detailed the ten new 2024 Halloween Horror Nights Houses at Universal Orlando Resort.
What I didn’t do at the time was list the various Scare Zones. So, I’ll do that now, but I’ll go ahead and tell you one simple truth.
None of them moves me like Vamp ’69: Summer of Blood. In fact, the best Scare Zone-ish experience of the year isn’t in America.
As a Resident Evil superfan, I’m soooo jealous of Universal Studios Japan, which is hosting this:
That’s Biohazard: Night of Heroes. As any gamer knows, Biohazard is the Japanese name for Resident Evil.
Image: Capcom
So, Japanese fans get Claire Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy fighting zombie hordes, including the chainsaw guys!
Nothing in Orlando or Hollywood will top that, but this year’s Scare Zones are still pretty good.
Enter the Blumhouse
Probably the best of this year’s batch is Enter the Blumhouse, which provides plenty of jump scares from recognizable faces.
Image: Universal Studios
Characters like M3GAN and The Grabber from The Black Phone approach you and threaten violence.
M3GAN was the breakout star of last year’s event due to this viral dance routine:
The Scare Zone somehow isn’t as intimidating as that, but it’s a gripping way to pass a few minutes during HHN.
Image: Universal
Note that this year’s Terror Tram is also part of Enter the Blumhouse. If you’re in Hollywood, it’s even better:
Demon Queens
The concept here is, “Four merciless queens loyal to SURR3AL rule.” Universal describes it as “an otherworldly hellscape.”
Image: Universal Studios
Honestly, the whole thing feels like The Upside Down scenes from the latest season of Stranger Things.
The Scareactors wear odd-looking costumes straight from Clive Barker’s fevered dreams.
Photo: discoveruniversal.com
So, strange-looking creatures approach you and make vaguely menacing gestures. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before at HHN.
But I’m a Stranger Things fan. That’s why I kinda dig it. Oh, and make sure to explore the various sets. They’re lovingly detailed.
Duality of Fear
The core conceit of this year’s HHN is that you must choose a path as soon as you enter.
Your choices are the SURR3AL side and the SINIST3R side. The followers you encounter depend on the path you walk.
Image: Universal Studios
This happens almost immediately after you enter Universal Studios Florida. So, you’re doing this Scare Zone no matter what.
As you can see, you’ll face some immediate smack talk from the Scareactors lording above you.
Photo: Universal
I quite like the immediacy of this one, as Universal immediately immerses you in the HHN environment.
Swamp of the Undead
I love the timing of this one, as DreamWorks Land just opened a few months ago.
Image: Universal Studios
In a way, you could perceive this Scare Zone as the mirror universe equivalent of Shrek’s Swamp.
I have no idea how intentional that link is, but it works for me. Here’s the description:
Photo: Airbnb
“In backwaters Louisiana, you unwittingly wander onto private property, where you’re swamped by zombies borne from the bodies of other trespassers who were killed and dumped in a nearby bog.”
Shrek hasn’t even lived there a year, and he’s already totally out of control!
Torture Faire
I’d describe this one as a renfaire from Hell, which you may believe are all renfaires.
Image: Universal Studios
During your visit, you’ll find Renaissance-era costumed Scareactors lurching at you and screaming incoherently.
Along the way, you’ll encounter medieval torture devices, which strike me as anachronistic, but hey! It worked in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure!
Image: Universal Studios
Seriously, if you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy the ridiculous costumes, which strike me as more immersive than the ones at Demon Queens.
In a way, this is the spiritual successor to last year’s Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate, and I absolutely adore it.
Universal Park Miscellany
The Scare Zones are the big story this week, but Universal Studios has plenty going on right now.
As Kristin Sabol mentioned the other day, Rock the Universe comes back to Universal Orlando Resort in January.
This year’s dates are January 24th and 25th, with the shows starting at 4 p.m. and running until 1 a.m.
Featured performers this year include Bethel Music, Brandon Lake, Forrest Frank, Rend Collective, and Matthew West.
Photo: Universal
Along with Mardi Gras, this will be THE event of the first quarter of 2025 at Universal Studios. You don’t want to miss it!
Then, we have the surprise reveal that makes perfect sense. Universal Studios will release Wicked in theaters on November 22nd.
As has become the norm for a potential Universal blockbuster, Wicked will gain a theme park presence.
The surprise here is how much Wicked the parks will get.
As we said the other day, the parks will add “exclusive offerings, new merchandise, limited-time food and beverages, and much more!”
The Wicked photo op looks spectacular as well. And I’m all about that Wicked Milkshake
Universal Miscellany Part II
Speaking of photo ops, Universal’s other big upcoming movie is The Wild Robot, a Chris Sanders joint.
You may not know the name, but Sanders is an absolute superstar in the movie industry.
Photo: Universal
He’s the creator of Lilo & Stitch and the co-writer/director of How to Train Your Dragon. So, you love him.
Universal has high hopes for The Wild Robot, whose trailer you can watch here.
Now, you’ll find multiple photo ops with The Wild Robot at Universal CityWalk and Universal Studios Florida.
Photo: Universal
And speaking of How to Train Your Dragon, Toothless is now visible at Universal’s Epic Universe. Check it out!
A wider view. Aerial photos of Toothless in the launch building are as challenging as getting photos of lightning! pic.twitter.com/2cFoC0XiQF
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) September 14, 2024
In waterpark news, Volcano Bay will switch to a seasonal schedule in October.
At that point, Universal will operate its water park five days a week.
Generally, it’ll either close on Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday and Thursday. You should check the water park schedule for exact dates.
Photo: Universal Volcano Bay
Lately, Volcano Bay has closed regularly during the off-season due to cold weather. So, this is a proactive solution to the problem.
Finally, Amusement Today announced their list of winners at the Golden Ticket Awards for 2024.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights officially became Legend as part of this ceremony. It’s long overdue.
Two of the park’s roller coasters also did well, with the VelociCoaster finishing as the second-best steel roller coaster.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was robbed, though. It only tied for 22nd!
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Feature Photo: Universal
