[EVENT REVIEW] Halloween Horror Nights 33 Orlando
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort is the haunt trip I anticipate most every year, and HHN 33 did not disappoint. With two new icons leading the charge—the visceral horror of SINIST3R and the unearthly terror of SURR3AL—this year's event promised a night of terrifying thrills. Though the marketing felt rushed and raised some doubts, all skepticism melted away once I entered the event. Experiencing standout houses like Major Sweets Candy Factory and the chilling Insidious: The Further reminded me why HHN consistently delivers some of the best haunts in the industry.
The Duality of Fear scare zone greets guests as soon as they enter Halloween Horror Nights 33, forcing them to choose between two terrifying paths: the visceral horror of SINIST3R or the unearthly terror of SURR3AL. While the sight of the two icons on the LED sign makes for an impressive welcome, the scare zone itself falls short. It's less immersive than expected, with just 3–6 actors wielding chainsaws, making it feel more like a brief encounter than a fully realized scare zone.
The Demon Queens scare zone in Hollywood was a sweet surprise at HHN 33. Set in an otherworldly hellscape ruled by four merciless queens loyal to SURR3AL, this zone was both beautifully eerie and visually captivating. The haunting atmosphere, combined with an engaging interactive show, elevated the experience and made it stand out as one of the more impressive and immersive scare zones of the event.
The Swamp of The Undead scare zone in Central Park transports you to the eerie backwaters of Louisiana, where zombies rise from the bodies of trespassers killed and dumped in a nearby bog. The thick, swampy atmosphere combined with the relentless undead creates an unsettling, immersive experience. The fog, eerie lighting, and detailed set pieces really add to the tension, making you feel like you're wading through a true nightmare.
The Torture Faire scare zone in New York brings the horrors of a twisted renaissance faire to life, with brutal medieval torture devices and grisly executions. I loved the clever twist of setting it in 2024, where these modern-day fanatics are killing people in medieval fashion. The sacrifice show for those loyal to a certain icon added an extra layer of immersion, providing plenty of great character interactions that really drew you into the gory spectacle.
The Enter the Blumhouse scare zone in San Francisco brings iconic Blumhouse characters to life, from The Grabber to M3GAN dancing her way into your nightmares. While I went through the zone during cast changes, which took away some of the scare factor, it was still cool to catch glimpses of some favorite Blumhouse characters. It's more of a nostalgic walk through horror cinema than an intense scare experience, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Slaughter Sinema 2 in Sprung Tent 2 was a blast for fans of B-movie horror! Set at the Carey Drive-in, this house takes you through scenes from various genres like creature features, grindhouse gore, and spaghetti westerns, all with HHN’s signature twist. I loved the Night of the Living Clowns, Blood and Chum, and Killer Kringles sections—each one felt like a mini-horror film. While the Hatchet and Chains section could have used better lighting, that's just a small nitpick. This wasn't the scariest house, but it was a ton of fun and one I’d revisit to catch more of the fantastic details.
Goblin’s Feast in Sprung Tent 4 was high on my hype list, and it absolutely delivered for an HHN original concept! The house took you through a goblin-filled adventure, from eerie pubs to a forest graveyard, a goblin village, and finally the king's castle. The set design was incredible, on par with the detail of Dead Man's Pier: Winter's Wake that everyone loved a couple of years ago. The cast really leaned into their roles, providing solid scares and fun interactions after the initial scare, making this house a standout of the event.
Major Sweets Candy Factory, located in the Fast & Furious section, was my favorite house of the year at HHN 33. This house played with all your senses in that signature HHN style. The story takes place one day before the Major Sweets Scare Zone from a couple of years ago, creating a cohesive narrative. The factory section was a sensory overload, with working conveyor belts and taffy pulls adding to the chaos. Creepy characters like Taffy, Major Sweets, and Miss Treats popped up several times, and the cast was on point, making for a perfect experience. The guest-activated triggers added an extra layer of fun!
The Museum: Deadly Exhibit in Sprung Tent 1, while intriguing in concept, ended up being on the lower end of my HHN 33 experiences. The story of an evil escaping from the folklore museum exhibit, "The Rotting Stone," was straightforward enough, but it didn’t translate well in the physical design. The Viking Ship scene was a standout for me, but the monsters and possessed items just didn’t deliver on scares. Instead, I found myself more confused than frightened, wondering what I was looking at.
Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America in Soundstage 23 was one I was excited to experience, especially after hearing how much everyone loved the LA version last year. Seeing the La Lechuza animatronic up close was a highlight, but the scariest part by far was El Silbón's section. While the set design could have been stronger, the narrow Latin streets and alleyways added a sense of suspense and unease. The creature designs for all three monsters were excellent, making this a solid house overall.
The Triplets of Terror house in Soundstage 24, while featuring an interesting premise of a murderous birthday bash, felt too short and repetitive. The scenes, though thematically appropriate, seemed to loop without much variation, making the experience feel cut short. The aging of the characters was a nice touch, and the cast's aggressive energy helped elevate the intensity. I especially loved Jr.'s mask design—it added an extra layer of creepiness that stood out amidst the repetition.
The A Quiet Place house in Soundstage 22 was one I was super curious about, especially with the HHN challenge to stay silent throughout the maze. It took me six tries before I could confidently say I'd survive! The monsters were really impressive in person, and the scenes from the first movie, particularly the cornfield and basement, were both accurate and genuinely terrifying. However, the scenes from A Quiet Place Part II, aside from the intense final battle room, felt a bit underwhelming. The boat dock looked cool but didn’t deliver much in terms of scares.
Ghostbusters Frozen Empire in Soundstage 23 was a treat for any fan of the franchise. Walking through it felt like visiting the movie set in every room. Iconic locations like Ray’s bookstore, the flashback frozen room, the new Ghostbusters’ lab, and the firehouse were all stunningly recreated. The animatronic mini puffs were a fun addition, and the ghost costumes—both in actor and puppet form—were incredible. The special effects, especially the lighting and the way the proton packs were showcased, felt even more polished than in the original Ghostbusters house. Plus, the house was packed with Easter eggs, both scary and non-scary, which added a lot to the overall experience!
Insidious: The Further was easily one of the scariest houses I’ve experienced in 16 years of attending HHN. From the moment you enter, the tension is palpable as the Red-Faced Demon lures you deeper into his lair and KeyFace tries to unlock your fears. The cast was absolutely extraordinary, bringing the terror to life with relentless scares. The sets looked like they were ripped straight from the eerie dimensions of The Further in the films, adding to the overall dread. Every walkthrough felt nerve-racking, with no sense of safety from start to finish.
Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines in Sprung Tent 3 was a fun homage to the classic Universal monsters, continuing their legacy with original stories. While it may not be the strongest Universal Monster house to date, it was still enjoyable, especially with characters like Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein facing off against Dracula's Daughter and her monstrous allies. The house left me curious about where they’ll take the story next year, as it feels like a solid continuation of their ongoing monster saga.
HHN 33 was a uniquely scary take on the event that every fan of Halloween Horror Nights will love! The food this year was a noticeable step up from last year, offering a variety of delicious options to fuel your night of terror. If you're looking to extend the experience, I highly recommend the "Behind the Screams" tour. It’s a fantastic way to get more scares and a behind-the-scenes look at the houses with the lights on, offering a new perspective on the amazing set designs. Overall, HHN 33 delivered an unforgettable year of fright and fun!
