Halloween Horror Nights still the best scare in Orlando

There is no water, but I’m drowning. It’s an illusion the masters of horror have created for their La Llorana haunted house.

   Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is regarded as the premiere Halloween event across the country and has been for quite some time. This is the event’s 23^rd year, and it’s more popular than ever.

   Every fall, Universal Studios stays open after-hours for some extra Halloween terror. It consists of roller coasters, haunted houses, and scare zones where actors run around as frightening characters to scare visitors throughout the park.

   Each year a theme is chosen leading up to the event. This theme can be anything from a made up character like Jack the Clown, to a T.V. show such as “The Walking Dead.” This year’s official theme was “What Evil has taken root?” Unofficially, “The Walking Dead,” is the theme. The hit AMC T.V. show has taken over the street experience along with its own house, “The Walking Dead: No Safe Haven.”

   Unfortunately, the street experience is more boring than scary. Other than “The Walking Dead” theme music played throughout the park, there was very little to keep your heart racing. The scare zones are littered with a few “walkers” from “The Walking Dead,” and occasionally a big guy wielding a chainsaw. Universal definitely could have done a better job making the experience outside of the haunted houses just as spooky as inside them.

   With that said, Halloween Horror Nights 23 is still a phenomenal experience. This year’s eight haunted houses are yet again some of the best in the business. Not only are they incredibly scary, but they are very creative.

   Whether the houses were based off famous movies or just an original concept by Universal, they were all terrifying and incredibly detailed. Some houses were based on movies or T.V. shows: “Evil Dead,” “Resident Evil,” “The Cabin in the Woods,” “An American Werewolf in London,” and “The Walking Dead.” Other haunted houses were La Llorana, Havoc Derailed, and After Life: Death’s Vengeance.

   What really made After Life: Death’s Vengeance unique was that it was in 3-D. At the entrance, they give you 3-D glasses. Certain figures, words and designs on the walls pop out at you along with the actors inside the house. The actors throughout the houses did a masterful job making sure everyone that walked through was terrified. The costumes that the actors wore throughout park were all once again incredibly detailed.

   The lines were long and uneventful, however they’re all well worth the long waits. I highly recommend fast pass tickets so you can skip the long lines, especially if you want to go through every house in one night.

   Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is well deserving of its notoriety and praise. It’s the perfect destination for a date, or some scary fun with friends. Florida residents can take advantage of a special discount on event tickets.