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Simply how scary is Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios Orlando? Right here’s a wimp’s information to the scariest occasion of the season!
I lately attended my first-ever Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Common Orlando. It was an evening of pure concern: jump-scares, haunted homes, spooky points of interest, and creepy characters galore.
Earlier than I went, I used to be apprehensive. I’m fairly wimpy, virtually by no means watch horror motion pictures, and have been recognized to leap at my very own shadow (I want that was an exaggeration!). I used to be fearful that HHN could be an excessive amount of for me to deal with.
My solely earlier expertise with one thing comparable was the (now-closed) Noticed Maze at Thorpe Park (in South England). It used to terrify me – however I’d nonetheless go on many times, as a result of there’s one thing addictive concerning the adrenaline rush that comes together with real, full-body terror!
So I went alongside, hoping that the joy and adrenaline would outweigh the concern. Which it did – for essentially the most half. My coronary heart fee was so excessive that my smartwatch logged a 2-hour exercise – and I’ve actually by no means screamed that a lot in my life. However the screams have been adopted by (barely delirious) giggles, and I can genuinely say I had a good time – regardless of (or perhaps due to) being so scared!
Under, you’ll discover my tackle simply how scary the Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando actually is, what to anticipate from the occasion, and some high suggestions for much less fearless guests (aka large fats wimps like me). Completely happy Halloween…
Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando
Disclaimer – my journey to HHN was supported by Common Orlando and Virgin Atlantic. As at all times all phrases and opinions are my very own.
What to Count on at HHN
OK – so what precisely IS Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando?
It is a particular occasion that runs yearly all through late summer time and autumn, the place the Common Resort parks get a spooky makeover and open late until 2am for a severe fright fest.
There are designated “scare zones” all through the park: particular themed areas with scare actors, horrifying set items, spooky mist and unsightly smells.
However the primary points of interest are the haunted homes: brilliantly designed indoor horror mazes the place actors are ready within the darkness to jump-scare you at each flip. There are normally a couple of homes themed round latest or well-liked motion pictures (this 12 months contains A Quiet Place, Insidious and Ghostbusters) – plus a number of authentic homes designed by Common’s artistic staff.
HHN is now in its thirty third 12 months and it’s longer than ever: operating on chosen nights from 30 August to three November 2024. This 12 months there are 5 scare zones, ten haunted homes, and a life leisure present – plus the Demise Eaters have returned to Diagon Alley!
How scary is Common Orlando Halloween Horror Nights?
Clearly this query is difficult to reply, because it’s all relative. However in the event you’re studying this, I’m guessing you maybe have a barely nervous disposition. Otherwise you’re a full-blown unashamed rooster, like me!
The Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios are designed to be scary. That’s the entire level! And so they do an ideal job: the haunted homes will not be solely full of jump-scares, however each is brilliantly designed to create an immersive storytelling expertise – like strolling by way of a stay horror film.
The concern can be much like watching a scary film. The anticipation of figuring out that one thing is about to leap out at you, however not figuring out when, makes the bounce even worse when it will definitely comes. Combine that with flashing lights, creepy smells, bizarre surroundings, dense mist, loud noises and low lighting – and you’ve got a very terrifying expertise.
That received’t do it for everybody. We have been a gaggle of a couple of dozen and solely about 50% of us have been screaming in each home. Some individuals are simply fearless I assume! However in the event you are inclined to spook simply, then sure, you’ll possible discover Halloween Horror Nights fairly scary.
That stated – it’s additionally enjoyable! Very similar to watching a scary film, the adrenaline rush and the sensation of “survival” on the finish was an excellent excessive. I’d shriek with concern one second, then burst out laughing the subsequent. It was nice!
Good to Know: A lot of the homes function some pretty slim passageways. When you get claustrophobic they may not be appropriate. Likewise, when you have any severe phobias, it’s in all probability value checking they received’t be featured earlier than you enter any homes.
Is HHN appropriate for teenagers?
Common Studios says Halloween Horror Nights is not really useful for kids below 13 (see the complete warning beneath). Nevertheless, there’s no minimal age to attend and I noticed a couple of surprisingly younger children wandering round.
Actually, I feel this is able to have been an excessive amount of for me at 13. There’s no approach I’d let my 13-year-old niece attend, not to mention my youthful nieces and nephews. They’d by no means sleep once more! However you understand your individual child, so in the event you assume they’ll deal with it, by all means carry them alongside.
I’d counsel beginning them out with a couple of of the scare zones and one of many much less scary haunted homes. This 12 months, that’s in all probability Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. See how they get on with that earlier than shifting on to the scarier stuff. And perhaps give Insidious a large berth until you’re actually assured in your child’s fearlessness!
“WARNING: EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR COSTUME MASKS ALLOWED.”
Can the actors contact you at Halloween Horror Nights?
I’ve already talked about Thorpe Park’s notorious Noticed Maze. On that, the actors might contact and seize the victims within the maze (us). I bear in mind on one event a crazed zombie clung onto my then-boyfriend’s leg and wouldn’t let him go. Clearly, I deserted him and ran for my life!
Fortunately, the actors within the Halloween Horror Nights homes can’t contact you. It’s in opposition to the principles. Fairly logical, actually, since there’s no approach of figuring out in case your fight-or-flight response will result in an instinctive punch within the face!
Ideas for Halloween Horror Nights
Under, I’ve shared my high tricks to be sure you survive your first Halloween Horror Nights expertise – with out fainting from concern! For extra nice suggestions, my buddy (and Common knowledgeable!) Helen has an ideal information to Halloween Horror Nights – click on right here to learn it.
1. Analysis the homes and plan your evening upfront
Just about as quickly because the HHN occasion launches, folks begin posting photographs and ideas on social media. Press and influencers are invited to the opening nights – and in contrast to most guests, they’re allowed to take photographs and movies contained in the haunted homes.
This implies you are able to do some pre-trip analysis to see which haunted homes are the most effective, and which could be too scary for you. In 2024, the scariest home by far was Insidious: The Additional. It was FAR an excessive amount of for me (I lined my eyes and ran blindly by way of the previous couple of rooms screaming), and even plenty of seasoned HHN regulars stated it genuinely made them scream.
When you’re feeling nervous about your first Halloween Horror Nights, this is able to be the home to keep away from this 12 months – a minimum of till you’ve gotten used to issues. Check out the critiques to see which homes are being thought of the scariest, so you may ease your self in with a couple of of the much less terrifying homes.
Personally, I averted all spoilers as a result of I wished to go in as a whole newb to see precisely how scary the expertise can be. The issues I do for analysis!
Least and Most Scary Homes at HHN33
Most Scary:
- Insidious: The Additional – my coronary heart fee spiked at 165 on this one!
- A Quiet Place – presumably much less scary in the event you haven’t seen the flicks, however the concept I mustn’t scream made this one really feel REALLY unhealthy.
- Main Sweets Sweet Manufacturing facility – I’ve seen blended critiques for this one nevertheless it actually received me. I feel it was the combination of loud noises, bizarre smells, and creepy youngsters!
Much less scary:
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – enjoyable, nostalgic, and designed to perfection.
- Slaughter Sinema 2 – a couple of humorous bits (like Stripper Mummies) assist stability out the frights.
- Common Monsters: Everlasting Bloodlines – this one could be very superbly designed and actually tells a narrative. There have been nonetheless some good jumps, although!
2. Know the place the scares will probably be coming
With out giving an excessive amount of away – figuring out the fundamental mechanics of the haunted homes could assist put together the uninitiated. Usually, the actors will disguise round corners or behind “boo holes” – an lovely title for a decidedly un-adorable follow.
Boo holes are primarily one thing that appears stable, however has a spot to permit the actor to burst out snarling/shrieking/flailing/wielding some form of horrific weapon. It could be a portray that’s truly a curtain, a chunk of wall with a hidden seam, or a hidden door.
Wanting round and forward as you stroll by way of the home, you could possibly spot a couple of of the boo holes coming and mentally put together your self. When you’re hunched over operating in terror (like I used to be) they’re much less straightforward to identify – though that’s extra enjoyable in a approach!
HOWEVER – you may by no means see all of the bounce scares coming. Some actors have multiple boo gap to make use of so that you’ll by no means know the place they’ll come out. Typically issues that appear like boo holes are literally only a distraction, and the actual one is behind you or hidden round a nook. And the scariest home this 12 months, Insidious: The Additional, had plenty of terrifying tips in place to be sure you by no means knew the place the subsequent scare can be coming.
3. Keep away from the jump-scares in Scare Zones
Even in the event you do see them coming, the bounce scares within the haunted homes are unavoidable. Nevertheless, the scare zones are a bit totally different. These zones are open air, with fog, set items, and actors wandering round.
For essentially the most half, they don’t actually jump-scare you a lot as leer ominously – although some will bounce out at you. And I did get chased by a zombie with a chainsaw at one level!
If you wish to discover the scare zones with out leaping out of your pores and skin, keep on with the pavement (sidewalk). Apparently, there’s an unwritten rule that in the event you’re strolling on the street you’re prepared and keen to be jumped on. More often than not, in the event you’re on the sidelines the ghouls received’t terrorise you!
4. Benefit from the park and rides after darkish
If all of the jump-scares and chainsaw-wielding zombies begin to get a bit a lot, you may step away from the concern for some time and search some thrills as an alternative.
Exterior of the designated scare zones, the remainder of the park is dimly lit however in any other case comparatively regular, so you may wander and discover with out concern. The Diagon Alley space of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ is especially atmospheric after darkish. There’ll, nevertheless, be Demise Eaters ominously wandering the world.
Most of the rides keep open throughout HHN, so take advantage of the chance to trip them after darkish. One in all my faves, the Hollywood Rip Journey Rockit rollercoaster, is a blast at evening – and provides some nice views over the HHN motion!
5. Don’t miss the themed foods and drinks
Yearly, the HHN homes are accompanied by a slew of pop-up foods and drinks stands serving restricted version snacks themed round every home.
We’re speaking issues like a Pink Door potato-and-onion pie for Insidious, Abbott’s Farm Corn Chowder for A Quiet Place, and a Bloody Goody Bag for the Triplets of Terror. Click on right here for the complete menu for HHN33.
Many of those spooky treats make nice picture ops! The massive hitter for 2024 is the Ghostbusters Keep Puft S’extra: the loveable marshmallow man, toasted and served on a mattress of melted chocolate and graham cracker. Don’t miss it!
6. Keep at a Common Resort Lodge
Staying inside the Common Resort tends to be the most suitable choice at any time of 12 months. Common Resort Lodge friends get a lot of advantages, together with early park entry* and free transport to the parks.
Halloween Horror Nights run from 6:30pm till 2am. Even in the event you don’t keep out that late, you’ll possible be fairly drained after an evening of pacing across the park, standing in queues, and screaming your lungs out! The brief journey again to a resort resort – both on foot, or by shuttle or water taxi – will really feel like a godsend if you make it out of the park!
I lately stayed at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort and liked it – it’s one of many extra mid-range inns however feels very luxurious. It’s additionally a 15-minute stroll (if that) from the park entrance – or you may hop on a ship for a scenic journey downriver! Alternatively, in the event you’re doing Common Studios on a funds, the Limitless Summer time Resort is a brief shuttle bus from the parks.
(*Early entry doesn’t embody Halloween Horror Nights)
A Few Extra Ideas
- Put on comfortable footwear – I can’t stress this sufficient!
- Go together with folks you belief! You want pals who will take care of you within the haunted homes – NOT pals who’ll ditch you on the first signal of hassle!
- Get the precise tickets. This occasion is ticketed individually to the primary park so even in the event you’re there within the day, you’ll must buy a HHN ticket on high.
- Costume up – costumes and masks aren’t allowed, so go for a Halloween-themed t-shirt and/or spooky equipment. There’s plenty of enjoyable merch on the market on the park outlets, too.
- Keep away from peak instances like weekends to profit from shorter queue instances.
Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando: Scariness Abstract!
To sum up, then:
Sure, Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando could be very scary. They’re additionally nice enjoyable, with brilliantly immersive storytelling. And the fun of escaping from the haunted homes is a real excessive!
The haunted homes are in all probability not appropriate for these below 13 or for anybody with claustrophobia or different severe phobias.
When you’re feeling notably nervous, my high tip can be to analysis all of the haunted homes upfront so you’ve gotten a tough concept of what to anticipate.
In any other case – dig deep, discover your inside film hero, and GO FOR IT! I promise, if I can face these haunted homes, you may.
Tips on how to Get to Halloween Horror Nights
Seven nights in Orlando with Virgin Atlantic Holidays begins from £1460 per individual, together with scheduled Virgin Atlantic Economic system flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando, a 3 Park Explorer Ticket, a Halloween Horror Nights single evening ticket and room-only lodging at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Value relies on two adults travelling and sharing a Customary Room and contains all relevant taxes and gasoline surcharges that are topic to vary. Value relies on a departure on seventeenth September 2024. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL-protected. Costs topic to vary and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays phrases and situations apply.
To ebook: www.virginholidays.co.uk or name 0344 557 3859
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Tips on how to do Common Orlando on a Funds
I hope you discovered this information to the HHN scary ranges useful! In case you have a query, attain out within the feedback beneath and I’ll attempt to assist!
