Halloween Horror Nights

Masked figures with chainsaws, creepy clowns and famed mass murderers roam the premises, but instead of screaming in terror, their victims scream with delight. Where does this logic-defying scenario take place? Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. From mid-September until early November, when the clock strikes 7 pm at Universal Studios the previously fun and family-friendly amusement park transforms into a terrifying land of nightmares.Halloween Horror Nights is mainly comprised of scare zones, mazes, and the terror tram. A scare zone is a small area of the park where actors in costumes that follow a theme, such as “the purge”, approach those who pass through it and attempt to scare them by jumping out, circling around them or coming very close. In previous years there have been many small scare zones with different themes scattered throughout the park, but this year Universal Studios seems to be focusing on one or two larger scare zones. Another main attraction at Halloween Horror Nights is the mazes. There are normally around five or six, each with a specific theme, such as “American Horror Story”. Inside these mazes are incredible sets, frightening actors with very realistic costumes and makeup, impressive special effects and many, many jump scares. As soon as you walk into a maze you should be prepared for actors to jump out from behind every possible crevice and special effects such as flashing lights, smoke and sound effects are used to enhance the experience. This year the themes for the mazes are “American Horror Story”, “The Exorcist”, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Freddy vs. Jason”, “Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield” and “Krampus”.The Terror Tram is one of Halloween Horror Nights’ scariest and most popular attractions. This year’s theme is clowns and a video shown on the tram ride will provide its viewers with the story of “Hollywood Harry”, a clown who turned from a friendly entertainer into a violent murderer. Then the tram “breaks down” in the lot and guests are forced to get off but are immediately confronted by a multitude of clowns with chainsaws. This year’s Terror Tram ride is made up of many costumed clowns as well as multiple confined areas. These areas will have a freak show theme and contain displays such as clowns playing the game Operation with a live human being. Finally, you will return from the terror tram experience with an increased fear of clowns and adrenaline pumping through your veins.Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights is a simultaneously exciting and terrifying experience, but if your idea of Halloween fun is treats rather than tricks, I wouldn’t recommend it.