First-timer’s guide to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights

By Michael Lee Simpson via SWNS

A first-timer to Universal Orlando Resort's Halloween Horror Nights has revealed the best way to beat the queues - and which zones are genuinely terrifying.

Andrew Smith, 36, walked through the gates of Universal Orlando Resort despite hating horror movies.

The spooky event involves more than a dozen haunted houses and 'scare zones' inspired by the likes of Insidious, The Quiet Place and Ghostbusters.

It runs at the theme park for selected nights around Halloween from 6:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. - and comes with a warning it may be "too intense" for the young or faint hearted.

Newbie Andrew, from Kansas, Missouri, who despises the scary movies due to their "overuse of gore and often bad storylines," was met by screaming demons and shirtless men with roaring chainsaws meandering the streets as he walked between each house.

"The different themes were executed well," Andrew says, noting the "Scare Zones" alongside the river featured masked killers, evil gypsies selling "tortured goods" and dismembered body parts.

"Everything looked like a real movie set."

Among the haunted houses, his top recommendation was Eternal Bloodlines, which centers around a battle between iconic monsters.

"I liked how the candles were all lit and thought that was done very well creatively,” he says, highlighting an "attention to detail" that enhanced the overall experience.

The house pitted characters like Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein against Dracula’s daughter and her monstrous allies.

Andrew also enjoyed Goblin’s Feast. Attendees were transported to a village preparing a meal with the guests as the main course. “I like how they infused fantasy and horror,” he notes.

Insidious: The Further, said to be the scariest house, sprayed billowing fog and featured a looming red door with ghouls lurking behind every corner.

“It had the most jump scares, and the feeling that it gave you was that you were more alone,” he explains.

Next, he entered the “Ghostbusters” themed attraction.

“I haven’t seen any of the movies that inspired the houses except for ‘Ghostbusters,’” he admits.

The atmosphere of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, was "nostalgic" along with the thrill of battling supernatural forces in a frozen adventure, included giant blobs of green ghosts and fake snow swirling around Ernie Hudson's Winston Zeddemore character in the films.

The haunting Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America featured legends like La Muerte, Tlahuelpuchi, La Lechuza, and El Silbón, while Slaughter Sinema 2 whisked Michael away to a drive-in horror movie marathon.

Reflecting on his experience, Andrew states, “Halloween Horror Nights was really well done and really creative, so I liked it better than I thought I would.”

He expressed his intention to return next year to discover new houses and themes. “I recommend the express pass if you can because it helps significantly cut down the wait time,” he says. "If not, you'll be waiting in line for two to three hours."

With a newfound appreciation for the Halloween season, Andrew encourages others not to let fear hold them back from experiencing the magic of Halloween Horror Nights.

“Just enjoy the experience," he says. "Have a good time and don’t let your fear of the houses keep you from going.”

It runs until November 3.