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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, nearly by no means watch horror motion pictures, and have been identified to leap at my very own shadow (I want that was an exaggeration!). I used to be nervous that HHN is perhaps 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 time and again, as a result of there’s one thing addictive in regards to the adrenaline rush that comes together with real, full-body terror!
So I went alongside, hoping that the thrill and adrenaline would outweigh the concern. Which it did – for essentially the most half. My coronary heart price 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 had 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!
Beneath, 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 ideas 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 Anticipate at HHN
OK – so what precisely IS Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando?
This can be a particular occasion that runs yearly all through late summer season and autumn, the place the Common Resort parks get a spooky makeover and open late until 2am for a critical fright fest.
There are designated “scare zones” all through the park: particular themed areas with scare actors, horrifying set items, spooky mist and ugly 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 number of homes themed round latest or in style motion pictures (this yr consists of A Quiet Place, Insidious and Ghostbusters) – plus a number of unique homes designed by Common’s artistic staff.
HHN is now in its thirty third yr and it’s longer than ever: operating on chosen nights from 30 August to three November 2024. This yr 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 hard to reply, because it’s all relative. However if you happen to’re studying this, I’m guessing you maybe have a barely nervous disposition. Otherwise you’re a full-blown unashamed hen, like me!
The Halloween Horror Nights at Common Studios are designed to be scary. That’s the entire level! They usually do an important job: the haunted homes are usually not solely filled with jump-scares, however each is brilliantly designed to create an immersive storytelling expertise – like strolling by way of a reside horror film.
The concern can be much like watching a scary film. The anticipation of realizing that one thing is about to leap out at you, however not realizing when, makes the soar 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 really terrifying expertise.
That received’t do it for everybody. We had been a gaggle of a few dozen and solely about 50% of us had been screaming in each home. Some persons are simply fearless I suppose! However if you happen to are likely to spook simply, then sure, you’ll doubtless discover Halloween Horror Nights fairly scary.
That stated – it’s additionally enjoyable! Very like 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 following. It was nice!
Good to Know: Many of the homes characteristic some pretty slender passageways. For those who get claustrophobic they won’t be appropriate. Likewise, if in case you have any critical 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 helpful for kids below 13 (see the complete warning beneath). Nonetheless, there’s no minimal age to attend and I noticed a number of surprisingly younger youngsters wandering round.
Truthfully, I feel this might have been an excessive amount of for me at 13. There’s no means 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 realize your personal child, so if you happen to suppose they will deal with it, by all means carry them alongside.
I’d recommend beginning them out with a number of of the scare zones and one of many much less scary haunted homes. This yr, 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 towards the foundations. Fairly logical, actually, since there’s no means of realizing in case your fight-or-flight response will result in an instinctive punch within the face!
Suggestions for Halloween Horror Nights
Beneath, I’ve shared my high tricks to be sure to survive your first Halloween Horror Nights expertise – with out fainting from concern! For extra nice ideas, my pal (and Common knowledgeable!) Helen has an important information to Halloween Horror Nights – click on right here to learn it.
1. Analysis the homes and plan your night time upfront
Just about as quickly because the HHN occasion launches, individuals 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 perfect, and which is perhaps 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 coated my eyes and ran blindly by way of the previous couple of rooms screaming), and even lots of seasoned HHN regulars stated it genuinely made them scream.
For those who’re feeling nervous about your first Halloween Horror Nights, this might be the home to keep away from this yr – a minimum of till you’ve gotten used to issues. Check out the evaluations to see which homes are being thought of the scariest, so you’ll be able to ease your self in with a number of of the much less terrifying homes.
Personally, I prevented all spoilers as a result of I wished to go in as a whole newb to see precisely how scary the expertise could be. The issues I do for analysis!
Least and Most Scary Homes at HHN33
Most Scary:
- Insidious: The Additional – my coronary heart price spiked at 165 on this one!
- A Quiet Place – presumably much less scary if you happen to haven’t seen the films, however the concept that I mustn’t scream made this one really feel REALLY unhealthy.
- Main Sweets Sweet Manufacturing facility – I’ve seen combined evaluations for this one but it surely actually received me. I feel it was the combo of loud noises, bizarre smells, and creepy kids!
Much less scary:
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – enjoyable, nostalgic, and designed to perfection.
- Slaughter Sinema 2 – a number of humorous bits (like Stripper Mummies) assist steadiness out the frights.
- Common Monsters: Everlasting Bloodlines – this one may be very superbly designed and actually tells a narrative. There have been nonetheless some good jumps, although!
2. Know the place the scares shall be coming
With out giving an excessive amount of away – realizing the fundamental mechanics of the haunted homes could assist put together the uninitiated. Typically, the actors will cover round corners or behind “boo holes” – an cute identify for a decidedly un-adorable follow.
Boo holes are basically one thing that appears strong, however has a niche to permit the actor to burst out snarling/shrieking/flailing/wielding some type of horrific weapon. It is perhaps a portray that’s truly a curtain, a chunk of wall with a hidden seam, or a hidden door.
Trying round and forward as you stroll by way of the home, you might be able to spot a number of of the boo holes coming and mentally put together your self. For those who’re hunched over operating in terror (like I used to be) they’re much less simple to identify – though that’s extra enjoyable in a means!
HOWEVER – you’ll be able to by no means see all of the soar scares coming. Some actors have a couple of boo gap to make use of so that you’ll by no means know the place they’ll come out. Typically issues that seem like boo holes are literally only a distraction, and the true one is behind you or hidden round a nook. And the scariest home this yr, Insidious: The Additional, had lots of terrifying methods in place to be sure to by no means knew the place the following scare could be coming.
3. Keep away from the jump-scares in Scare Zones
Even if you happen to do see them coming, the soar scares within the haunted homes are unavoidable. Nonetheless, 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 soar 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, persist with the pavement (sidewalk). Apparently, there’s an unwritten rule that if you happen to’re strolling on the street you’re prepared and prepared to be jumped on. More often than not, if you happen to’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’ll be able to step away from the concern for some time and search some thrills as a substitute.
Outdoors of the designated scare zones, the remainder of the park is dimly lit however in any other case comparatively regular, so you’ll be able to 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 realm.
Most of the rides keep open throughout HHN, so profit from the chance to experience them after darkish. Considered one of my faves, the Hollywood Rip Experience Rockit rollercoaster, is a blast at night time – and offers 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 large 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 best choice at any time of yr. Common Resort Lodge visitors get plenty of advantages, together with early park entry* and free transport to the parks.
Halloween Horror Nights run from 6:30pm till 2am. Even if you happen to don’t keep out that late, you’ll doubtless 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 lodge – 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 beloved it – it’s one of many extra mid-range accommodations however feels very luxurious. It’s additionally a 15-minute stroll (if that) from the park entrance – or you’ll be able to hop on a ship for a scenic journey downriver! Alternatively, if you happen to’re doing Common Studios on a funds, the Infinite Summer time Resort is a brief shuttle bus from the parks.
(*Early entry doesn’t embody Halloween Horror Nights)
A Few Extra Suggestions
- Put on comfortable sneakers – I can’t stress this sufficient!
- Go along with individuals you belief! You want mates who will take care of you within the haunted homes – NOT mates who’ll ditch you on the first signal of hassle!
- Get the suitable tickets. This occasion is ticketed individually to the primary park so even if you happen to’re there within the day, you’ll have to buy a HHN ticket on high.
- Gown up – costumes and masks aren’t allowed, so go for a Halloween-themed t-shirt and/or spooky equipment. There’s lots of enjoyable merch on the market on the park outlets, too.
- Keep away from peak occasions like weekends to profit from shorter queue occasions.
Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando: Scariness Abstract!
To sum up, then:
Sure, Halloween Horror Nights at Common Orlando may 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 critical phobias.
For those who’re feeling significantly nervous, my high tip could be to analysis all of the haunted homes upfront so you could have a tough thought of what to anticipate.
In any other case – dig deep, discover your internal film hero, and GO FOR IT! I promise, if I can face these haunted homes, you’ll be able to.
Learn 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 Financial system flights direct from London Heathrow to Orlando, a 3 Park Explorer Ticket, a Halloween Horror Nights single night time ticket and room-only lodging at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort.
Value relies on two adults travelling and sharing a Commonplace Room and consists of all relevant taxes and gasoline surcharges that are topic to alter. Value relies on a departure on seventeenth September 2024. Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL-protected. Costs topic to alter and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays phrases and situations apply.
To guide: www.virginholidays.co.uk or name 0344 557 3859
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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!
