Universal Orlando plans earlier opening date for Halloween Horror Nights

[RNCollins]

Universal Orlando plans earlier opening date for Halloween Horror Nights
https://www.travelweekly.com/North-...s-earlier-opening-for-Halloween-Horror-Nights

By Holly V. Kapherr / USA / Travel Weekly / travelweekly.com / Jan 9, 2019


“Halloween Horror Nights, the terror-themed Halloween event at Universal Studios Florida, will open on Friday, Sept. 6, and will run select nights until Saturday, Nov. 2, this year. This marks the earliest the annual attraction has ever opened, adding a full week to the schedule.

Every year, Halloween Horror Nights unveils a roster of haunted mazes, "scare zones" and shows to delight horror lovers each night. Last year's event included the premier of the haunted maze themed after the Netflix show "Stranger Things," the films by Blumhouse including "Happy Death Day" and "The Purge," and a scare zone featuring the aliens from "Killer Klowns from Outer Space."

Details for this year's event, including vacation packages, event content and show schedule, will be released in coming months.”

The Spectre of Death greets guests during Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida.
Photo: Travel Weekly

 

[Sea Six]

We went there once, years ago, just for the experience. The Universal shows and events were AWESOME! Unfortunately, the crowd was filled with young people all drugged out or drunk, causing a scene everywhere. Never again.

 

[brianfox]

I have been going to this every year since 2004, and love it. Hard to believe what started as a 2-night event has turned into 42+ nights spanning three months. Places like Universal and Knott's make more money in October than any other month of the year, turning a normally off season into a time where they can double dip for admission/parking/merchandise/food. They offer more and more to feed the crowds, and the crowds continue to grow. The event is outgrowing Universal Studios Orlando, and has long outgrown Universal Hollywood.

What is really interesting is that Universal Orlando has now moved Rock the Universe from September to January, making room for Horror Nights to eventually start in August.
And their 4th or 5th gate will no doubt be designed for the Horror Nights crowds. I think by 2022, Horror Nights will look completely different than it is today, spanning 1/3 of the year.

Tiny Universal Hollywood, on the other hand, can't expand the event much. They have sell out crowds and have taken their foot off the accelerator, presenting the same stuff over and over. They will try to do as little as possible to maintain the high crowds.