Spooky Season. Halloween. In my opinion, the best season of the year. I’m a big fan of all spooky things, including classic horror films and haunted houses. Even as a child my big birthday event (in late October) was going to a haunted house. So, it should come as no surprise that my favorite annual Halloween event is Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.
This event is perfect for horror and haunted house fans. Spending a night “in the fog” leads to many screams, laughs, and unforgettable memories. And it just might keep you coming back for more. I recently completed training at Universal Orlando Resorts and Parks and had to get in my horror fun with this event.
In this review, I will breakdown everything you need to know and rank what I consider the top 10 houses in 2024 to help prioritize your spooky fun night at Halloween Horror Nights 33.
Warning! Although I enjoyed spooky horror events as a child, this event is best suited for children 13 years and up.
About Halloween Horror Nights (HHN 33)
Halloween Horror Nights, also known as HHN, is an annual Halloween-themed event that runs on select nights between August and November at Universal Studios theme parks. The event is held between 6:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
Each park has a different theme, layout, and haunted houses to experience. At Universal Orlando, there are 5 different scare zones (i.e., designated areas where “scarers” walk among you in the park), 10 haunted houses, and 1 stage show. Certain rides are also open to experience at the event, including my personal favorite, the Revenge of the Mummy.
One of my favorite perks to this event is a near empty Diagon Alley. You can enjoy this amazing land, including encounters with Death Eaters, free of its normal busy nature.
While my team and I didn’t have a chance to see the stage show (Nightmare Fuel: Nocturnal Circus), it looks like an entertaining show!
Theme & Scare Zones
This year, Universal Orlando’s theme revolves around the duality of fear with the hosts of the event, Surreal (psychological fear) and Sinister (physical fear), greeting you upon entering the gates. You then make your way through 5 different scare zones including Duality of Fear, Demon Queens, Swamp of the Undead, Torture Faire, and Enter the Blumhouse. Each scare zone has great designs and amazing scarers throughout.
My personal favorite was the Torture Faire scare zone, perfect theming and some great scarers remembering our group throughout the night. The Enter the Blumhouse was super fun filled with various characters including Megan.
Snacks & Drinks
HHN offers an array of specialty snacks and drinks during the event. Some of the items go along with the theme of the haunted houses. Some of the traditional (and exceptionally popular items) include the twisted tater and loaded pizza fries.
We loved the twisted tater, especially the sour cream and chive flavor. One of the fun themed snacks this year was the Ghostbuster “Stay Puft Marshmallow Man” s’more. It was delicious and so cute. Another favorite was the Quiet Place wooden board eclair with spicy dark chocolate, which was a fun surprise.
The event also offered specialty cocktails, including a Quiet Place cocktail served in a lightbulb souvenir cup. You can truly just go to this event to partake in great snacks and scare zones alone!
Haunted Houses: The Definitive Ranking List
These houses are amazing to experience. From the design and production to the scares within, HHN touches on different horror themes based on popular movies and original concepts with great detail. There’s something scary and enjoyable for everyone.
For those looking for a guide of where to go and what houses to prioritize, here’s my HHN 33 ranking, complete with scare and production grades. I have organized the houses into 2 tiers for those looking to plan your night accordingly.
TIER 1 HOUSES: YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THESE
#1 Slaughter Sinema 2: If you’re dying for a B-movie horror marathon, head to the Carey Drive-in. Scream through scenes from creature features, grindhouse gore, spaghetti westerns and more.
This house gave me two unexpected jump scares and a lot to look at throughout. It was so fun. Each room in the house has a different film genre, including a fun Jaws reference. The queue is also so amazing, complete with a mini drive-in experience with B-film horror trailers to enjoy.
My Rankings:
- Scare: 4/5
- Production: 5/5
- Overall: 9/10
#2 Ghostbusters Frozen Empire: In this bone-chilling haunted house inspired by the film “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” the Ghostbusters must team up to save the world from a second Ice Age. A new specter, Garraka, has escaped from an ancient artifact. He’ll stop you cold with a whole army of ghosts. Try not to freeze in fear as you dodge spears of ice and he freezes people solid before your eyes.
I was not excited for this house and it really became a top favorite of mine as soon as I entered. Amazing production, great laughs, and a couple of unexpected scares. The production only makes this one a good one to repeat, if that is desired!
My Rankings:
- Scare: 4/5
- Production: 4/5
- Overall: 8/10
#3 Insidious: The Further: Don’t get trapped in The Further as terrifying demons try to ensnare you. The Red-Faced Demon will lure you into his lair behind The Red Door, so he can possess your living body. And KeyFace will unlock your fears with his key-tipped fingers to keep your soul trapped in The Further forever.
If you’re a fan of the film, this house will not disappoint. Every detail is there including the red door. Lots of good scares in this one.
My Rankings:
- Scare: 3/5,
- Production: 4/5
- Overall: 7/10
#4 The Quiet Place: Silence your screams if you want to survive this terrifying, post-apocalyptic world based on the films “A Quiet Place” and “A Quiet Place Part II.” Like the Abbott family, you must keep quiet as you travel from the farmhouse, to the woods, to the foundry. As soon as you make a sound, monstrous creatures who can hear the slightest noise will hunt you down and silence you for good.
I was not sure how this house would come together and it was great. Loved seeing all the major highlights from the film and some American Sign Language as well. A couple good jump scares, but overall the great design work is the bigger draw to this house.
My Rankings:
- Scare: 3/5
- Production: 4/5
- Overall: 7/10
#5 Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines: Join Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein as they face off against Dracula’s Daughter and her monstrous alliance
This house had the unique theme of all female driven horror characters, lots of classic characters, and scenes throughout this house.
My Rankings
- Scare: 3/5
- Production: 3/5
- Overall: 6/10
TIER 2 HOUSES: ENJOYABLE, DO IF YOU HAVE TIME
#6 The Museum Deadly Exhibit: You decide to visit the new folklore museum exhibit, The Rotting Stone, when an evil escapes from within, destroying everything in its path.
Not bad, not great. Just an odd theme. I was not sure what the storyline was in this house, but it had some nice design work!
My Ranking:
- Scare: 2/5
- Production: 3/5
- Overall: 5/10
#7 Goblin’s Feast: Visit a goblin village, where hordes of bloodthirsty goblins, orcs, hobgoblins and witches would love to have you for dinner.
Another odd theme. It had some really great makeup and design, but not a stellar concept.
My Ranking:
- Scare: 2/5
- Production: 2/5
- Overall: 4/10
#8 Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America: ¡Ten cuídado! With La Muerte as your guide, you’ll be asking for mercy from these three terrifying monsters: the blood-sucking Tlahuelpuchi, owl-faced witch La Lechuza and bone-ripping El Silbón.
Based on HHN original characters, this house had some great scares but some strange themes (a running pattern with those in the Tier 2 list) that fell flat for me in my experience.
My Rankings:
- Scare: 2/5
- Production: 2/5
- Overall: 4/10
#9 Triplets of Terror: You’re invited to the Barmy triplets’ birthday bash. But beware, they celebrate by recreating their family’s murders. Prepare for a gory gathering.
Another original concept that was not great. This one did not have many scares, which made the theme throughout all the more confusing.
My Rankings:
- Scare: 1/5
- Production: 2/5
- Overall: 3/10
#10 Major Sweets Candy Factory: You’ve been invited to chaperone a field trip to a candy factory. But this sweet tour is about to turn sour when free samples transform the kids into candy-coated killers wielding sharpened candies.
Without question, my least favorite. I walked through it with no scares and the constant smell of a lot of candy. It would be the one to skip if you do not have enough time to get through all houses or want to revisit another one of your favorites from earlier in the night.
My Rankings:
- Scare: 1/5
- Production: 1/5
- Overall: 2/10
Plan Your HHN Trip!
Universal truly does spooky season justice with HHN. If you’re thinking of spending a night enjoying this event, there’s a lot more tips, tricks, and information to make it a perfect terror filled night.
There is no better way to be prepared than knowing you have someone who can navigate and help maximize your fun terror night with a HHN fan and planner like me or those I work alongside at Firefly Travels. There’s still time to experience this great event! I look forward to helping you plan a Halloween to remember!
Are you ready to plan your next vacation? Schedule a complimentary consultation with Emily to learn more. Or for more from Emily, you might enjoy:
