PHOTOS: Scare zones coming to life at Universal Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights
As this year’s Halloween Horror Nights approaches at Universal Orlando Resort, props for the scare zones have started to appear in the streets of the park.
In this quick photo update, we’ll take a look at all five zones for this year’s event, Vamp 85: New Year’s Eve, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, Revenge of Chucky, Twisted Tradition, and The Harvest.
UPDATE – 09/10/18: It may not be a scare zone, but brand-new decor has popped up by the location for this year’s HHN Tribute Store in New York, as well as the bar in the queue for Transformers: The Ride. Check it out below:
Vamp 85: New Year’s Eve
In this zone, vampires punks and big-haired 80s humans will mix as they wait for the ball to drop – and then the feeding frenzy begins.
UPDATE – 09/03/18: This zone is really starting to take shape with a little less than two weeks until the event begins.
The zone has added a new HHN18 news truck, no doubt covering the New Year’s Festivities, as well as a full stage for the long-awaited ball drop, as well as some upgrades for the other stages.
UPDATE – 08/20/18: As of today, a new display has arrived on the stage, featuring a touching tribute to Bryan Frank from Universal Creative, who passed away a few weeks ago. Check it out below:
Just the bare bones are out for this already cult-favorite scare zone. Only an empty stage with scaffolding stand here as the zone waits for its New Year’s regalia.
Over by the entrance to the Revenge of the Mummy attraction, another rig has gone up, likely for lighting or other decorations.
The only other aspect of decor is this display window, featuring quintessential fashion staples of the 80s.
You can see the food and beverage tents are already up in this area as well. Bring on the Twisted Taters!
Killer Klowns From Outer Space
UPDATE – 09/03/18: This zone added a new prop in the form of the Klowns’ ice cream truck. Not sure if you would want what’s on this menu, though.
In this zone, Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s cult classic comes to life as guests will have to escape the Killer Klowns, or else become a tasty cotton candy snack ready to be drained via Krazy Straw.
Just outside Sting Alley is a sign for the zone, with the film’s title displayed. Also here is a machine-type structure with a hanging prop hidden under a black bag – which could possibly be one of the infamous cotton candy cocoons spun from the victims.
Elsewhere in the scare zone, two box-style props can be found hidden under camouflage tarp. At first glance, these are likely speakers for whatever sound effects and score will be played in the zone.
Another worthy inclusion is this photo posted on Twitter by Michael Aiello, Senior Director of Entertainment and Creative Development for Universal. It features a first-look at one of the klown masks that will be worn by performers in the zone.
Klowns…. and they’re Killer. @HorrorNightsORL #HHN28 pic.twitter.com/26TxhmM6F4
— Michael Aiello (@Michael_Aiello) August 29, 2018
Revenge of Chucky
Over on Hollywood Boulevard, Chucky prepares for his terrifying toy fair. Tall posts line the street with Chucky’s “Good Guys” character and logo, as well as a dated stand with the logo “Play Pals Toys.”
I want to be your best friend, too!
Checking out the new #Chucky scarezone. Can you imagine how creepy Chucky is going to be on that stage, surrounded by cursed toys?@HorrorNightsORL @HHNRumors @UniversalORL @insideuniversal #hhn28 #halloweenhorrornights #hhn pic.twitter.com/58Yv33hdYl
— Nick (@nc_username) August 28, 2018
Further down the street, a “Good Guys” stage can be found, which will no doubt host some kind of macabre display by Chucky and his minions.
Twisted Tradition
In Central Park, an ancient evil has been awakened. Halloween has turned into an abomination of an event, where rotting pumpkins are fused with decaying human flesh. Gusts will have to escape these mutated beings with nothing but the light from jack-o-lanterns to guide them.
Our first look at this zone is up – up at the trees, that is! This zone recycles the well-loved jack-o-lanterns in the trees from last year’s Trick ‘r Treat scare zone.
As you walk into the zone, you’ll come across the sign welcoming you to Carey, Ohio, circa 1843. HHN fans of years past will know this location all too well.
Other highlights of this zone include displays of rotted pumpkins, barrels, and other farming equipment long since forgotten.
Toward the end of the zone, you can see longer displays like these two, featuring an abandoned tractor and a horseless carriage overtaken by pumpkins and crawling weeds.
The Harvest
UPDATE – 09/05/18:
New theming has been added to this scare zone to represent each of the haunted houses in this year’s lineup.
So far, we can see props representing Trick ‘r Treat, Poltergeist, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Horrors of Blumhouse. Check out the photos below:
We find ourselves in the makings of an old barn in this photo-op zone, located in Plaza of the Stars at the front of the park.
The walls of this old barn will be decorated with menacing mementos and images from every house on the lineup this year, and it seems as though those barn walls are starting to take shape.
This zone still seems to be in the rough stages, though it will no doubt pick up speed as the opening night of HHN approaches. As you can see below, some of the set is being used as stroller parking in the meantime.
You can check out our full rundown of everything happening at Halloween Horror Nights this year at Universal Orlando Resort here. Stay tuned to our website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube Channel for more updates on this year’s scare zones as they continue to go up.
To learn more about this year’s HHN, and to purchase tickets, visit Orlando.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
