Return to The 1980's At This Year's Halloween Horror Nights 28 at The Universal Orlando Resort

For those who are under the age of 35, welcome to the 1980s,  For those of us who are older…welcome back.  Universal Orlando Resort kicked off its 28th annual Halloween Horror Nights and the definitive theme was the bygone time of big hair and neon leg warmers.  From the iconic world of "their heeeerrrrrreeeee" and the current hottest television show set in 1983 to the cheesy, shlock horror movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space,  the brilliant minds behind the world-renowned October celebration have brought some of the best moments of that era to life before our very eyes.  With a record-breaking ten, unique houses and five scare zones, it's an evening of fun and frights any parkgoer won't soon forget.

This year Universal blends its intellectual property houses with an equal amount of Original content.  To start things off they offer us a glimpse of Paris in 1982 with Dead Exposure: Patient Zero as an epidemic breaks out infecting everyone.  Then they move to Seeds of extinction as plant life comes alive.  Carnival Graveyard: Rust in Pieces gives fans lots of Easter Eggs to enjoy as old props from the theme park are incorporated into the scenery. Slaughter Cinema has a comedic edge to it while benign and less scary than the other houses. Finally, Scary Tales: Deadly ever after brings a new twist to your favorite fairy tales complete with a flying witch. 

With the intellectual property houses, Universal has partnered with various production companies to bring guests the biggest and the best.  Once again Universal brings back a perennial favorite with the menacing man in the mask, Michael Meyers.  Guests are transported again to the town of Haddonfield, Illinois as Michael seeks revenge.  Also returning is the Horrors of BlumHouse with Happy Death Day and The First Purge combined into one scary house. A fan-favorite scare zone from last year - Trick ‘r Treat- got an upgrade to a full haunted house this season and, of course, the two most anticipated houses this year, Poltergeist and Stranger Things, did not disappoint.  While many would probably find the last one to be the best, I thought Poltergeist was incredibly well done and worth the price of admission (however, if you are unfamiliar with the movie some of the scares would be lost on you)

Missing this year was Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure show which was replaced on the big stage by the annual favorite dance troupe, Academy of Villians.  Their show including audience participation and two aerobatic, wire performers was entertaining and unique, though not terribly scary.  The scare zones are always fun and this year includes the Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Revenge of Chuck, Vamp '85: New Year's Eve, The Harvest, and Twisted Tradition. I definitely recommend Killer Klowns and Vamps '85.

As always, there are specialty drinks and foods for guests to enjoy and this year Eggo waffles are a definite theme thanks to Stranger Things.  Merchandise is extremely too is abundant and guests can buy everything from t-shirts to mugs and keychains to hats and pins.  Annual pass holders once again get their special collectors shirts and pins.

Universal Orlando Resort always makes Halloween Horror Nights a memorable event and this year is no exception.  With great themed houses full of minute details to figures lurking throughout the streets of the theme park ready to jump out and scare guests, thesis a must-attend event for anyone who is a fan of Halloween and haunted houses.  They do it right and it is definitely a fun evening for all.

As a side note, while you are in town for the fun, be sure to check out Universal's newest hotel Aventura. With smart technology in every room and a variety of dining options at the Urban Pantry plus Bar 17 Bistro with incredible views, it is a great night's stay for a moderate price. Conveniently located next to Sapphire Falls, it is within walking distance of all three theme parks.