After attending Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights in September, I was unable to get through everything. It is such a huge event with so much to do. Heck, even after getting through all of the nine houses and the different scare zones, I still have yet to enjoy any of the two shows. With that said, here are my thoughts on the last four houses. You can find a complete ranking of all nine houses down below as well:
4. Lunatics Playground 3D
While it being an interesting house to go through, I can see why many people felt sick after getting through. Strobe lights and tons of fluorescent colors were dizzying. There was one moment in the beginning when you walk through a spinning tunnel that almost made me throw up. Being sick made the jump scares not so fun. Yet, there will be those who will enjoy the house most likely. It was one of the three original houses at Universal this year. In place of Halloween Horror Nights mascot Jack, we get his sister Chance as the big villain. Maybe it is just me, but I found her to be a Harley Quinn knockoff and not so compelling. Lunatics Playground was one of the more original and interesting houses despite the possible sickness factor.
3. The Walking Dead
Every year Universal has done a house based off the popular AMC TV show. This year, maybe it was just me, but they been reusing the same set pieces while just adding some new ones for the newer seasons. I just didn’t notice it before, till now. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Halloween Horror Nights this year seemingly changed the house to make it longer and surprisingly scared me a bit. Surprisingly, this was one of my favorite houses.
2. Ghost Town
Before going in to Ghost Town, I heard mixed things from people. Some thought it was the best original house, while others thought it was just OK. Would I rank it higher than Tomb of the Ancients? No, but it sure comes close. If not for the little jump scares, the house has some pretty neat effects (just like Krampus). It was windy, thundering and lightning. There was even some minor rain (more of a drizzle). Ghost Town definitely had a fun factor that didn’t disappoint. Compared to Lunatics, it definitely is worth going through.
1. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
The last house I went through at HHN also surprised me. It was really wasn’t scary, just nervewracking. I have a thing for chainsaws that freak me out so that made me uneasy. Texas Chainsaw Massacre is based on the 70s film, not the remake (if you were wondering). It wasn’t the best house at Halloween Horror Nights but it sure will leave an impression. The set design was well done and it looked like they repurposed some of last year’s Insidious House for Texas Chainsaw to great effect. But those chainsaws man…
Final Verdict
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights easily topped last year’s. While not everything was perfect and won’t appeal to everyone, you still can enjoy riding some coasters and 4D rides or even catch a show (unlike I did). As for my ranking of the houses, I’m curious to see what other people thought. Do you agree with my ranking? Sound off in the comments below!
9. Halloween: Hell Comes to Haddonfield
8. Lunatics Playground 3D
7. American Horror Story
6. The Walking Dead
5. Ghost Town
4. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
3. Krampus
2. Tomb of the Ancients
1. The Exorcist
