08/29/2026
I never thought Halloween Horror Nights would be for me, after experiencing one in Los Angeles in 2009.
I even gave up a chance to go to a media event a few years ago. (Believe me, I’m kicking myself now, because NOW, I want that invite!!!).
I'm not a huge horror movie fan, and not a fan of haunted houses. I don’t like being scared. This event is out of my comfort zone… and I love it!
Hear me out… read my story…
So, last year, was the first time I went to HHN Universal Orlando Resort. I didn’t know what to expect. I was scared. But, my son was turning 21 and that’s what he wanted to do for his birthday. I was convinced I'd spend the entire night avoiding guys with chainsaws, staying in restaurants, and hiding in stores with my eyes closed. (Like the first time I went in Los Angeles).
Honestly... I was completely wrong!!!
Again, hear me out…
My first HHN experience happened years ago at Universal Studios Hollywood.
It was an employee preview, so it was not as crowded, and before “influencers” would get invited to film and give us sneak p*eks.
Freddy Krueger was at the entrance, but on a platform, so that wasn’t bad. I chose not to go in the houses, and sat on a bench watching people get scared.
I went on the “Terror Tram”, thinking it was just a tram ride, I can just close my eyes. I WAS SO WRONG!!! The tram stopped and told everyone to get out. I looked out at where we were stopped, we were on the path to the Psycho house, near the Bates motel, then these “monster alien soldier looking things” were walking down towards us. “WAIT, WHAT???- No, absolutely not-I’m not getting off this tram.”I refused, the Tram driver was like- “I’m sorry, you have to get off the tram”, I was shaking my head, saying that I couldn’t do it. But,I had to get off the tram. They literally could not let me stay on. (In the regular tram ride, there is no option to get off the tram.)
For the next, ETERNITY (maybe 20minutes), I had to walk past the bates motel where knife wielding Norman Bates in long hair wigs jumped out of the hotel rooms, and other scarers came up to terrify and “chase” everyone. I’m a screamer, and so they were attracted to me. At one point, there were about 3 or 4 scare actors around me. Yup! My screams were attracting them!
Finally, at the Psycho house. “This is cool, let me take a picture”. I stopped because, finally there were no monsters.
WRONG!!!!
Someone wearing a Gilly suit, dressed as a bush jumped out at me.
Well, let me tell you, I PEED MY PANTS. And it wasn’t a little p*e, it was a lot!! Luckily, I had a jacket on to cover up my p*e p*e pants.
I was so done, and the terror tram wasn’t over yet! I don’t remember much more of the walk through, except for at the end of it, Chucky was in what was usually the Grinchmas part of the regular tram tour. We had to walk by him hacking up a “body” to get back on the tram.
I wanted to leave, I was done. I found out that the scare actors couldn’t go in the stores. So, I walked and hid in the stores as I tried to get to the exit of Universal Studios. You see, there were guys with chainsaws and pig masks all in the streets chasing people, it was foggy and dark.
One last bit, as I was hiding in the store, the scare actors were all lined up in the street, not moving, the crowd was moving through them. Then an alarm goes off, then they start moving and getting in peoples faces.
I swore I’d never go to one again.
-Well, last year I went to HHN in Orlando and THAT changed everything.
Now, I didn’t go in the houses, but I went through the scare zones. I had fun! I smiled and waved, and took video (which, yup, filming makes them more attracted to you, just like screams). I experienced the horror themed food, and had fun watching people get scared, I was looking for Art the Clown (never saw the movies), and absolutely LOVED the Nightmare fuel show. I looked for the Death Eaters in Diagon Alley. I walked through the Club zone. I HAD FUN!!!
Full disclosure- You see, before I went to the event, I started watching YouTube videos of what to expect at Halloween Horror Nights. I NEVER watched a Disney or Universal YouTuber before. But, I found a few that I liked and they featured what was happening, so I knew what to expect. For me it didn’t ruin the event, it helped me to see that it was so different than my first experience, so many years ago.
I watched a video on the R.I.P. tour, and wanted to do the Behind the scares tour. I learned about Bray Wyatt and the tribute house that was for him (watch the documentary).
This showed me that Halloween Horror Nights is not just about haunted houses, it’s also about incredible storytelling, creativity, and artistry behind the event.
Here’s my take away, you don't have to love every part of Halloween Horror Nights to love the experience.
Also, things change, don’t let one bad experience keep you away from something you may truly enjoy.
I’m excited for this years HHN, I even plan to go in a few houses. Sometimes the experiences we think aren't for us end up becoming some of our favorite memories.
Do you have an HHN story? Put it in the comments. Are you a scaredy cat like I am? Are you on the fence about going, because you don’t know what to expect? Comment, message me, like, share- I’m here for you, and can guide you through your first time at HHN.
