Universal’s Halloween Horror Night has been played. The 2025 edition of the After-Hours Flight Fest has remained intense and may have just come outright.
Among the trends discovered on Friday of Opening Night were the revival of puppet shows, returns for lagoon shows and chainsaw-driven walkaround characters, more in-house screen use than ever before (mostly positive), and even more splashing effects that keep addressed by reassuring that it was just water. It’s just incredible. Repeat, repeat.
Thanks to a RIP tour provided by Universal Orlando, the Sentinel wandered through the maze of all the haunted houses of the night. Here’s the impression that it’s quick and not too painful.
Doll: Die and play
What we saw: It’s a proven theme park scheme that reduces to the size of a transformed doll. This is the handiwork of a creative/twisted young girl who may grow up to become a makeup artist. Ah, hey, was it Woody? (There is also a button that lets visitors push additional effects.)
Why did we scream: that big baby, that big baby’s head, and one baby with three heads.
El Artist: Unforgettable Spain
What we saw: (fictional) Spanish artist Sergio Navarro’s house and architecture is well seen and unfolded throughout this year’s HHN conservatory. There is a high and low fear, including flying gargoyles.
Why we cried out: Very well-camouflage-based characters, and we fake/afraid some of the statues that didn’t really scare the actors in the end.
fall out
What we saw: The retro futuristic feel of “Fallout” video games and TV series. As you know, the bunker, the Earth, and its surviving residents are changing drastically. It didn’t take much population during the tour. This may be due to a horrifying change in the actor.
Why we cried: classic misdirection caused by the robot, eye fault makeup prompted simultaneous “painful” from our group, and a sense of view of the room with an uneasy mirror.
5 nights at Freddie’s
What we saw: The most in-demand home for opening nights based on posted wait times features animatronics-inspired looks and lurks throughout Freddie Fazvia’s pizza location. This was achieved through collaboration with Jim Henson’s creature shop. It’s not really a comedy house, but there are interesting situations.
Why we cried out: It’s not the best record ever, but the 150-minute wait is scary enough.
Gálkn: The Northern Monster
What we saw: A cool and very non-Florida setting like a northern village where you see fjords and Norse mythology. But there is also fire and ice, and there is a young girl in distress (not the first of the evening). They got mama and poppa, she cried. This space had multiple horned beings (monsters? demons? both?) with impressive headpieces. The ending is also effective, like a beast.
Why We Cry (and Laughed Hard): One of the scary actors made us cheer up three times in a row. And then there was follow-up of others in the transition scene. (Co-worker: “I did a scary dance.”)
Meat grave
What we saw: This is the home of this year with many skulls, skeletons and intestines. Not because of claustrophobia among us, the space is dirty and scattered with decomposition.
Why we cried: The creatures in Black Light Stretch were effective, but members of the tour group placed this in the “interesting concept” category (odd to meat eaters, but headed towards the end of the night).
hatch and Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
What we saw: more horny beings, but rootin’tootin’ torture among humans in the old western environment where rootin’tootin’ is common. There are a variety of characters and environments, including prisons, banks, cemeteries, and more. Meanwhile, the portal known as Hell’s Well has won the HHN34 “Fun To Say” award.
Why We Cry: That fireplace scene gave ICKS early on.
Jason Universe
What we saw was that it was Gillion Jason’s home, showing off the rapid fire with its trademark “Friday the 13th” slash effect. Once you enter the beat of terror, just a walk through the forest near Camp Crystal Lake, your pace will be desperate. JU also has a rare indoor and outdoor floor plan. Kills are largely implied and have less blood than expected (see Terrier House below).
Why We Woke up: Distracted by one fake Jason, jumped just 1 inch to the left and in a live show.
Fear
What we saw: Two words – bloody and stinky. Or it may be wet and dry. This place was dripping down on it, and fans are true to three films featuring Art The Clown, which also appears unannounced on this year’s HHN Street program. Certainly, there are two options at the end. One is dry, the other is wet, and in the story it is bloody. (There are some guided signs, but they are a bit expensive. I know before you go). People posted that they were “pretty wet” but our party thought it wasn’t a big name. The dry route was lonely and scary. Both routes will soon arrive at the same exit.
Why We Cry: Universal sells ponchos at Kew.
WWE Presents: The Fear of Wyatt Sids
What we saw: it is a long, winding home featuring a majestic wrestler of meat and screen. There are lots of Uncle Howdy and pig hascus. Wrestling fans will likely find Easter eggs, but you can see the signature lantern of the late Bray Wyatt who died in 2023 (actual life alert).
Why we cried out: There is a surprise at the leaning forward, but then we settled early and “get” by one of the big drop-down windows, and later “get” by an intermittent finale that only lifts our fist into the air.
Halloween Horror Night will be held at Universal Studios’ theme parks, from March 2nd to March 2nd. You will need a separate ticket from the usual theme park entry. For more information, please visit universalorlando.com.
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Original issue: August 30th, 2025, 11:59am EDT
