UniversalParksBlog News for July 27th, 2025
Universal Orlando Resort just announced plenty of new stuff for Halloween Horror Nights, and it’s terrifying.
If you love Scare Zones, THIS is the UniversalParksBlog News update you’ve been needing!
Ooh, Scary, Scary
Image: Cedar Fair
Okay, let’s get right to it. We know most of the Houses for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights (HHN).
So, Universal Studios executives switched gears and announced several Scare Zones, and you’ll love all of them.
Photo: Universal
Let’s start with the first Scare Zone Universal Orlando Resort (UOR) confirmed for 2025.
Meet Origins of Horror, which features a description I’ll readily admit I don’t fully understand:
“Enter a decaying conservatory of twisted vines where artists carve tributes to Halloween Horror Nights 34. You’ll encounter monstrous crows, gargoyles, and more.”
So, I guess this one will have a Resident Evil vibe, with a picturesque setting bastardized by years of erosion.
I’m curious how serious Universal is about the twisted vines, as I doubt they’d risk park guests injuring themselves.
Also, let’s be honest that some jerks would try to shred them. That’s why I expect them to be purely cosmetic.
Universal
The monstrous crows and gargoyles? Less so… This will be a fun place to terrify HHNers…but it’s not the best one!
Allow me to introduce you to Masquerade: Dance with Death, another 2025 Scare Zone.
Photo: Universal Blog
As a Bioshock fan, this one reminds me of Sander Cohen, a villain who threw some wild parties.
There’s also a bit of a Strangers vibe with this one as well. Apparently, “When their masks fall, you’ll become their prey.”
Photo: People
So, yeah, frightening folks in masks are gonna chase you around Universal Studios Florida.
Remember, you don’t have to outrun them, just the person beside you!
More Scare Zones
HHN
The next Scare Zone really speaks to me as a cat person. It’s the Cat Lady of Crooked Lane!
I’m guessing she’s just a misunderstood pet lover. Still, I’m gonna let you find out for me just to be safe.
Image: Cedar Fair
You’ll be fine. All you have to do is “travel down a spooky winding path to a mysterious home.”
Warning: You WILL be turned into a cat. But look on the bright side. Humans will cater to your every whim.
Vamp ’69
Plus, you can do some very impressive parkour once you join the Bell, Book and Candle crowd.
I’m less enthusiastic about the next Scare Zone, even though I love Roaring ‘20s retro vibes as a rule.
Universal
Still, the name is a bit of a dealbreaker. It’s Mutations: Toxic Twenties. And it sounds like a Troma film:
“In a 1920s neighborhood, a BuzzCon truck with radioactive cargo crashes into a mobster getaway car, sending the city into toxic pandemonium.”
Deadline
So, yeah, you’ll bump into Toxic Avengers everywhere, although they sound more like radioactive CHUDs.
On the bright side, they will be dressed to the nines, and you’ll feel like the cat’s meow if you do this Scare Zone and Crooked Lane consecutively.
UO
In addition to these new Scare Zones, UOR teased some new street experiences, one of which I’m confident you’ll love.
Mel’s Die-In Zombies will pay tribute to zombie films AND Mel’s Diner at Universal.
UO
We’re also getting some sort of street rave called Club Horror. It’s got a good beat, and you can die to it.
Oh, and we’re getting another Nightmare Fuel. This year’s stage show is called Circus of Decay.
Photo: Universal Orlando
Universal still hasn’t confirmed everything yet, but we’re about 80 percent of the way there by my count.
Universal Miscellany
Universal
As a reminder, Horror Unleashed, the new HHN permanent installation in Vegas, will open on August 15th.
I’d hoped to have some sneak preview videos for you this week, but I realized that was a bit ambitious.
Universal
I’m fairly confident we’ll have something in time for the next update. Based on the calendar, it may be the following one, though.
What I can tell you is that Universal sounds downright cocky about what it’s done here.
Universal
Since these buildings are permanent, the HHN Houses can take on a more detailed shape.
At theme parks, the installations are half-measures since they’ll only stay for a couple of months.
Universal
Since Universal’s AREA15 experience will be there for a while, the new sets are the most elaborate ever for HHN.
That may be reason enough for you to hop on a plane and head to Vegas, but remember that Chicago arrives next year.
Image: Area15
So, you have your pick of Horror Unleashed locations. AREA15 is pretty great, though.
Universal Miscellany Part II
Universal
Speaking of installations, Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition is coming to Philadelphia next year.
This immersive experience will take you behind the scenes of some Universal attractions, including some from Universal Epic Universe.
Universal
Speaking of Epic, park officials are leaning into the expansion rumors circulating right now.
Everyone knows that Universal intentionally held some stuff back, and it sounds like details for the first expansion could come sooner than expected.
Universal
In more immediate news, we just learned details about Passholder Appreciation Days.
Starting on August 15th, UOR will treat passholders like royalty for six weeks.
Photo: universal
We’re getting Passholder Nights on August 15th and 16th, a free magnet, and the UOAP Lounge.
You should read the above link for additional information about various discounts available to annual passholders.
Photo: Universal
Oh, and I’ve got another HNN story for you right at the buzzer. We’re getting a lagoon show!
Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey will entertain the nighttime guests at HHN.
Universal claims, “A ghost story is rising from its watery grave to haunt the Universal Studios lagoon, featuring towering water screens and eerie music.”
You now know as much about it as I do!
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Feature Photo: Universal
