After the sun had set and darkness filled the air, Universal Orlando tonight unveiled all the details surrounding Halloween Horror Nights 2010, the milestone twentieth year of the popular Halloween time event.
The event once again takes place at the Universal Studios theme park and will feature haunted houses, scare zones, and shows. Universal Orlando is promising this year’s event will bring in “a new era of darkness” with more scares than ever, all pulled together by a gruesome creature appropriately called Fear (pictured here). This Fear character is a departure from icons featured in recent Halloween Horror Nights years, moving away from a demented human character and offering close encounters of another kind. Since this character seems to be pulling the event together under the slogan, “This year the thing you most have to fear is Fear himself,” he/it seems to be a natural “icon” to represent the entirety of Halloween Horror Nights, though Universal this year is pulling together all the most popular characters from the past within its haunted houses and scare zones.
It is this Fear character that is being called “the Master of everything Halloween Horror Nights has ever been and will become.” As the story goes, he has been the controller of all of the regular Horror Nights icons of the past.
In the video below, Fear speaks to you:
Universal Orlando show director Mike Aiello talks about Halloween Horror Nights’ past and future:
Below are the full details about each of the 8 haunted houses, 6 scare zones, and 2 shows to be featured as part of the “twenty years of fear” celebration:
Haunted Houses
Eight haunted houses fill Halloween Horror Nights 2010, none of which are based on any particular movie or outside property:
Catacombs: Black Death Rising: In 1534, an undisclosed outbreak plagued thousands of citizen sin Paris and Marseilles. As a group of doctors quarantined the most infected against their will, the townspeople turned and sealed them to their doom. After almost 500 years, they remained without escape. Until now… they are rising, ready to take vengeance on any living being that dares to enter the Catacombs.
Hades: The Gates of Ruin: Hades bids you welcome. Make your way into the Underworld and come face to face with the most terrifying creatures of legend as you cross through the Gates of Ruin.
Horror Nights: The Hallowed Past: Halloween Horror Nights - the name brings with it millions of tales, each filled with thousands of screams. Tonight, you have the opportunity to travel into a realm where Horror Nights isn’t just an event, but a reality.
Havoc: Dogs of War: Ten years ago, The Shadowcreek Enterprise was tasked with developing an elite corps of soldiers. They succeeded. Through an inhalant that includes a compound of testosterone, adrenaline, and other anesthetics, Shadow Creek’s latest run of volunteer test subjects are ready for inspection. The project name: HAVOC. The subjects are simply known as Dogs of War.
Zombiegeddon: It’s Zday +6 months. The US government has taken back the continental states while clearing the remaining Canadian infestations. They license and sanction private companies to capture “un-live” subjects for target training. Dozens of independent training “companies” appear, promising the best training that money can buy. Then there’s ZAP…The Zombie Awareness Program.
Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate: The Spirit Seekers have created a machine to attract spirits, and are broadcasting live from one of the most “haunted” sites in the US. Ghosts of the Wyandot Estate, built by Malcolm and Lydia Wayndot, are told to have inhabited there since Malcolm killed his wife, 13 guests and himself on October 30, 1929. Now as the murdered hear their call they answer the team with terrible violence.
PsychoScareapy: Echoes of Shadybrook: They say truth is far stranger than fiction, and it happens that in this instance they happen to be correct. Although Shadybrook’s doors have indeed been closed for the last 15 years, the place is still very much alive with all of the criminally insane souls that have ever walked its halls.
The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes: Ashes to ashes, forever now dust. For years she has existed in the shadows, never getting her due. Misunderstood by all around her, she has had enough of her playthings at the Good Harvest Orphanage- now is the time for vengeance. This burned out shell contains the souls of the forgotten and the lost who all scream one name: Cindy.
Scare Zones
Five scare zones will be featured in the Halloween Horror Nights XX streets, two of which bring back characters and fear from past years:
The Coven: The Cult of the Raven has unsettled spirits, and its Sirens are screaming throughout the witches’ realm. AS you creep past their obelisk, beware their spells. For those who don’t believe will be condemned to death! Where there are 5 sacred to the Raven, virtue is with the obelisk, for if you don’t believe you will be condemned to Death!
Saws n’ Steam: Enormous trenches in the earth’s crust have opened below its vast oceans, exposing them to intense heat. Steam power is essential to the inhabitants of New Yorkshire, but diminishing oceans have put the city in jeopardy, forcing the citizens to evil lengths. Beware upon entering the city, as the water in your body is now a coveted resource. And the citizens will stop at nothing to get it.
Esqueleto Muerte: Revel in the seductive taunts of Death as you wind through a glowing skeletal nightmare.
Zombie Gras: Feet don’t fail me NOW! This Mardi Gras parade has gone severely off course - Infected by the North American zombie infestation, the undead walk among us, searching for their next meal…
XX: Fear Revealed: The souls of Chaos, Death, Sacrifice, Mythos, and Vengeance - He created them and gave them terror. Each with a part to play, they fulfilled their tasks. Their malice provided him bone, their rage gave him blood, and their terror fulfilled his soul. What has been 19 cycles for some have been eons for him. He’s waited patiently for the final piece, and now on the 20th cycle… HE IS REVEALED!
HHN: 20 Years of Fear: Step into the shadows of the last Twenty Years of Fear… Move towards the lantern, and encounter the most frightening characters of Halloween Horror Nights past!
Shows
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure: Party on as those two most excellent dudes return to skewer the biggest names in entertainment and pop culture.
Brian Brushwood: Menace and Malice: Experience two realms of bizarre magic by one of the country’s most outrageous illusionists.
Notably absent from the lineup this year is the Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute that was featured during Halloween Horror Nights during the past few years.
(Click the above image to enlarge it in gory detail.)
Halloween Horror Nights 2010 takes place over 25 nights in September and October on the following nights:
Not a stupid question at all. I apologize for not making it clearer. This year’s Halloween Horror Nights event takes place in Universal Studios Orlando only, not Islands of Adventure.
Hi Ricky
may sound like a silly question but from previous halloween horror nights there has been themes or characters which feature the halloween horror night aside from fear are there any other characters like previous events: jack, the storyteller, bloody mary, etC?
Thank you
Jodie
Many, if not, all icons from the past will be returning in some form this year. Jack, Storyteller, Caretaker, Director, and Usher will definitely be there. Bloody Mary will likely be seen somewhere as well.
hi Ricky! great blog! this may seem like a silly question but will gift shops be open? im really interested in knowing if the themepark is like fully operational throghout this event. lol we wont have access to IOA?
A ticket to Halloween Horror Nights grants you access to the Universal Studios park and any attractions that are open during the event, which are most of them. Many gift shops will be open as well.
Hi Ricky,
I’ve never been to Horror Night before, so I just wanted to know if any horror movie characters will be there too? And will there be any characters to take pictures with, or will they all be running after people scaring them? lol, these are serious questions. Thanks!
It seems like some horror movie characters will be there, if they have been involved in past years of HHN. There are no character meet-and-greets for photos, as they’re supposed to scare you. However, some “scareactors” will pose for pictures with you if you aren’t too scared.
I’ve been to the HHN 2 times in Hollywood and this year will be our 1st time attending the one in Orlando. Are they both similar meaning the Hollywood and orlando HHN. If not which one is better and why Thanks
The two events are similar in nature but the Orlando version is much bigger. The Hollywood version is its younger cousin, getting better year by year, but Halloween Horror Nights Orlando is the original. If you enjoy the Hollywood version, you’ll be amazed by the Orlando one.
You’re not familiar with Cindy because she never quite made it into the event as planned. She was supposed to be the icon several years ago, but was swapped out for her father (the Caretaker) when the real-life issue of child abductions became prominent around the same time. She has appeared a couple of times in the past, briefly, and now has finally received her own house. And it’s a good one!
Hey Ricky this will be my first time at HHN. I am concerned for my kids on a level of 1-10 how scary is it for kids. My kids have been in other haunted houses before.?
It totally depends on your kids. Some can handle it, some can’t. Do they watch R-rated movies? If not, then it will be very scary. If so, then perhaps not so bad, though it is scary even for adults. The event is intended for ages 13+. With that said, I’ve seen a handful of younger kids there having fun.
hey ricky
i was wondering which rides will be open during horror nights ? the last and only time i went was while they had it at both parks, never been to horror nights just being in universal studios.
The Simpsons Ride, Men in Black, The Mummy. Rip Ride Rockit was supposed to be open, but recent unexpected “issues” have caused it to shut down indefinitely.
Hi there Ricky. Do you know if all 8 houses allow the use of the Halloween Horror Nights specific speedpass or just some of them? I want to buy it, but at $59 each I want to be able to visit all 8 houses with it. Thanks!
It is also probably the only way you can see all 8 houses. I went on a Thursday and the crowds were so bad then, I could barely move in the streets. I was told by a fellow patron to upgrade or else I would probably only be able to see 2 or 3 houses at most. Got to see Bill and Ted, rides, and visit all eight houses and zones.
i had read somewhere that there would be (new this year) a cafe/bar near the scare zones where, for $9.99 per person, you can rest a while, order drinks (food,too?) & watch others get the crap scared out of them. Is this true & where is it?
Thanks
This year, they have added the “VIP Lounge” which is $9.99 for admission. Inside, you can order drinks from waitresses without waiting in the long lines that plague all the drink stations throughout the park. You can also browse a fantastic display of props and artwork from Horror Nights’ past. Some of the street characters show up in there from time to time (Jack, the Usher, etc.) It is located near the Fear Revealed scare zone, but you won’t see too many scares there. Also, on Thursdays, the Horror Nights designers are making special presentations about the event inside the VIP Lounge.
I thought Halloween Nights was great. The only thing that deeply disturbed us was we passed through the metal detector archway, my husband went through and triggered it…the security told him to take his belt off, never wanded him to ensure he had nothing on him, never made him go back through the archway. I brought it to the police’s attention and their statement was “their useless that is why we are here”. Why bother paying for security when they aren’t going to do their jobs!!!!
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The event once again takes place at the Universal Studios theme park and will feature haunted houses, scare zones, and shows. Universal Orlando is promising this year’s event will bring in “a new era of darkness” with more scares than ever, all pulled together by a gruesome creature appropriately called Fear (pictured here). This Fear character is a departure from icons featured in recent Halloween Horror Nights years, moving away from a demented human character and offering close encounters of another kind. Since this character seems to be pulling the event together under the slogan, “This year the thing you most have to fear is Fear himself,” he/it seems to be a natural “icon” to represent the entirety of Halloween Horror Nights, though Universal this year is pulling together all the most popular characters from the past within its haunted houses and scare zones.
hey ricky, do you know what regular attractions will be open during this years event?
Great question. I’m trying to check on that for you.
Hi Rickey
Great Blog
This may sound like a stupid question but which park is this in? IOA or UOS
Not a stupid question at all. I apologize for not making it clearer. This year’s Halloween Horror Nights event takes place in Universal Studios Orlando only, not Islands of Adventure.
Ok thanks
Hi Ricky
may sound like a silly question but from previous halloween horror nights there has been themes or characters which feature the halloween horror night aside from fear are there any other characters like previous events: jack, the storyteller, bloody mary, etC?
Thank you
Jodie
Many, if not, all icons from the past will be returning in some form this year. Jack, Storyteller, Caretaker, Director, and Usher will definitely be there. Bloody Mary will likely be seen somewhere as well.
hi Ricky! great blog! this may seem like a silly question but will gift shops be open? im really interested in knowing if the themepark is like fully operational throghout this event. lol we wont have access to IOA?
A ticket to Halloween Horror Nights grants you access to the Universal Studios park and any attractions that are open during the event, which are most of them. Many gift shops will be open as well.
Hi Ricky,
I’ve never been to Horror Night before, so I just wanted to know if any horror movie characters will be there too? And will there be any characters to take pictures with, or will they all be running after people scaring them? lol, these are serious questions. Thanks!
It seems like some horror movie characters will be there, if they have been involved in past years of HHN. There are no character meet-and-greets for photos, as they’re supposed to scare you. However, some “scareactors” will pose for pictures with you if you aren’t too scared.
Hey there,
Does a ticket to Halloween Horror Nights also cover Islands of Adventure, or no?
Just wondering, thanks.
No, Halloween Horror Nights takes place this year within the Universal Studios theme park only.
I’ve been to the HHN 2 times in Hollywood and this year will be our 1st time attending the one in Orlando. Are they both similar meaning the Hollywood and orlando HHN. If not which one is better and why Thanks
The two events are similar in nature but the Orlando version is much bigger. The Hollywood version is its younger cousin, getting better year by year, but Halloween Horror Nights Orlando is the original. If you enjoy the Hollywood version, you’ll be amazed by the Orlando one.
Is it appropriate to wear costumes to Halloween Horror Nights?
No, costumes are not allowed. They don’t want guests to be confused with their scareactors.
This might be a stupid question but is IOA completely shut down while HHN is in progess?????
Essentially, yes. Islands of Adventure has reduced hours throughout September and October due to light crowds. On most days it closes at 6 or 7pm.
I’m not familiar with Cindy’s House lore… What is it? I’ve been to 9 HHN events over the past 12 years & not familiar with it.
You’re not familiar with Cindy because she never quite made it into the event as planned. She was supposed to be the icon several years ago, but was swapped out for her father (the Caretaker) when the real-life issue of child abductions became prominent around the same time. She has appeared a couple of times in the past, briefly, and now has finally received her own house. And it’s a good one!
Hey Ricky this will be my first time at HHN. I am concerned for my kids on a level of 1-10 how scary is it for kids. My kids have been in other haunted houses before.?
It totally depends on your kids. Some can handle it, some can’t. Do they watch R-rated movies? If not, then it will be very scary. If so, then perhaps not so bad, though it is scary even for adults. The event is intended for ages 13+. With that said, I’ve seen a handful of younger kids there having fun.
Thanks than it should not be to bad.
hey ricky
i was wondering which rides will be open during horror nights ? the last and only time i went was while they had it at both parks, never been to horror nights just being in universal studios.
The Simpsons Ride, Men in Black, The Mummy. Rip Ride Rockit was supposed to be open, but recent unexpected “issues” have caused it to shut down indefinitely.
Hi there Ricky. Do you know if all 8 houses allow the use of the Halloween Horror Nights specific speedpass or just some of them? I want to buy it, but at $59 each I want to be able to visit all 8 houses with it. Thanks!
Yes, you get access to each house one time during the night.
It is also probably the only way you can see all 8 houses. I went on a Thursday and the crowds were so bad then, I could barely move in the streets. I was told by a fellow patron to upgrade or else I would probably only be able to see 2 or 3 houses at most. Got to see Bill and Ted, rides, and visit all eight houses and zones.
i had read somewhere that there would be (new this year) a cafe/bar near the scare zones where, for $9.99 per person, you can rest a while, order drinks (food,too?) & watch others get the crap scared out of them. Is this true & where is it?
Thanks
This year, they have added the “VIP Lounge” which is $9.99 for admission. Inside, you can order drinks from waitresses without waiting in the long lines that plague all the drink stations throughout the park. You can also browse a fantastic display of props and artwork from Horror Nights’ past. Some of the street characters show up in there from time to time (Jack, the Usher, etc.) It is located near the Fear Revealed scare zone, but you won’t see too many scares there. Also, on Thursdays, the Horror Nights designers are making special presentations about the event inside the VIP Lounge.
I thought Halloween Nights was great. The only thing that deeply disturbed us was we passed through the metal detector archway, my husband went through and triggered it…the security told him to take his belt off, never wanded him to ensure he had nothing on him, never made him go back through the archway. I brought it to the police’s attention and their statement was “their useless that is why we are here”. Why bother paying for security when they aren’t going to do their jobs!!!!