Man, there is a lot to catch up on huh? After being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic that shut down theme parks worldwide, Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2021 has been announced for both Hollywood (Select nights, Sept 9 – Oct 31) and Orlando (Select nights, Sept 3–Oct 31). As both parks barrel toward their respective opening dates, announcements come rapid-fire in an attempt to build anticipation for the wildly popular events in a relatively concentrated window of time. They’re pulling it off though and may Cthulhu bless them for it.

Another interesting, yet inevitable change is that Creative Director of Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood, John Murdy, now has his own Twitter feed here where he is free to interact with the fans as he did before but without any of the implications that his tweets are representative of the company he works for. Essentially the same show, different channel. The @HorrorNights feed that he created now strictly handles official announcements.

Regardless, we are now looking at just about a month and a half before Hollywood HHN is planned to open if all goes well.

So now let’s get to the pictures, the fun, and the thrill of unearthing the progress of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights 2021.

Universal Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights Tracker 2021, Welcome Back

Watch this video on YouTube

Upper Lot

There are evidently 4 mazes under construction on the upper lot this year.

UNNAMED MAZE – Waterworld Queue

We start as we normally do at Waterworld. This vast queue has housed some pretty awesome mazes in the past, so here’s to hoping. We were not able to get any definitive shots the day of our visit so let the speculation begin. Seriously, how bent would it be to have a Waterworld maze just to use the permanent sign? Would there be alternate paths for splash zones? Discuss.

THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN LIVES

Parisian Courtyard is the location of THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN LIVES. This was confirmed by Murdy on his personal feed and the ubiquitous title on the façade that became visible just after the announcement. A new original maze that will have a counterpart at the Orlando park, BRIDE hopes to continue the brilliant work that Murdy has done to reintroduce the classic Universal Monsters to modern audiences. The Hollywood version of the maze will feature an original score by legendary Guns and Roses guitarist, Slash. If his work on previous mazes is any indication, this will be another work of hard-driving terror.

MAZE REVEALED: She’s taking her fate into her own bloody hands.

See full details about Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives at #UniversalHHN maze at https://t.co/WLYRtCJtpe. pic.twitter.com/SYsa7Fj7EU

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 15, 2021

The tome-like entrance to THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN LIVES.

He’s right behind me, isn’t he?

The backside of Bride.

Curious George Parking Structure Lot

So this is interesting. They have decided to construct two mazes in the flex lot next to the Curious George Parking Structure. We can only speculate that as with the Metro sets mazes from previous years, guests will gain access to this area by way of temporary backstage paths used exclusively for the event.

THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE

On July 8th, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE was announced for both Hollywood and Orlando. Based on the amazing Netflix original series, HILL HOUSE will feature elaborate sets and a foreboding atmosphere.

Halloween Horror Nights is back with a vengeance, including a terrifying maze featuring Netflix’s supernatural masterpiece, The Haunting of Hill House.

The screaming starts select nights Sept 9 – Oct 31! pic.twitter.com/anH8svIzpf

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 8, 2021

This is the one year in Hollywood where you can actually say you’re entering a haunted house at HHN. https://t.co/UDhyPjiB0S

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 8, 2021

THE CURSE OF PANDORA’S BOX

Hollywood got the bonus announcement of a returning original maze, THE CURSE OF PANDORA’S BOX. Easily one of our top ten mazes of 2019, PANDORA’S BOX begins in a curio shop where guests enter the cursed chamber to encounter the terrors of mythology. Will this be an exact repeat of 2019? Will it be a refresh or continuation? We kind of don’t care to be honest. This was one of the highlights of HHN 2019 for us and we just want to see it again.

Pandora’s infamous box is about to reopen, and it cannot be closed again. 💀 #UniversalHHN tickets now available: https://t.co/oOYF4GNR5l pic.twitter.com/Hs0VQ4yurM

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 22, 2021

LOWER LOT

Down on the lower lot we ventured the heat and crowds to discover, well, not a lot. Yes, there was the construction behind The Mummy attraction building, but little else to see.

THE EXORCIST – Stage 29

It was revealed that THE EXORCIST would return to Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights after its debut in 2016. The first version of the maze was located behind The Mummy and was marred by repetitive sets, strange use of mannequins in the place of actors, and long stretches of black hallways. Murdy assures that with the advantage of creating a revamped maze inside of the expansive Stage 29, things will be very different. PLEASE LET THAT BE TRUE.

MAZE REVEALED: The film that fueled your worst nightmares has returned to #UniversalHHN. The Exorcist is back, but this time the demon knows you’re coming.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE: https://t.co/34M7Ut8brc pic.twitter.com/DcUFsz13kx

— Horror Nights (@HorrorNights) July 22, 2021

STUDIO TOUR – ???

We close out the HHN report with a trip on the world-famous Studio Tour. 2018 was the last year that the Terror Tram was used as part of Halloween Horror Nights. In 2019, the Terror Tram was put on hold and, instead, two mazes were constructed in the Tram loading area, US and THE CURSE OF PANDORA’S BOX. in 2021 we see very little happening here or anywhere along the tram route.

Metro Sets

There appears to be little happening on the Metro Sets aside from the normal production tents.

Terror Tram and Bates Motel Area

We arrive at the Bates Motel area, which normally serves as the drop off for the Terror Tram walking portion, to find nothing, literally. The decaying styrofoam sets from How The Grinch Stole Christmas are gone.

Rounding the corner we scoot past the Bates Motel and find nary a sign of any Terror Tram construction.

Halloween Horror Nights 2021 Wrap-up

So as you can see, this is shaping up to be an interesting HHN. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. A bad thing would be the return of DRACULA UNTOLD. A bad thing would be another year not seeing our monsters having the fun of terrifying us all out in the fog. A bad thing would be nothing at all, perish the thought. This haunt lover is interested in another shot at THE EXORCIST on a grand scale and a return to THE CURSE OF PANDORA’S BOX.

We will work to keep you updated on what’s happening with both HHN Hollywood and Orlando as we come out of the fog of a global pandemic and into the upcoming months. What we do want to advise everyone to do is GET VACCINATED!!! That is the fastest way out of this mess and back to a normal haunt season.

Finally, the latest and a light at the end of a very long tunnel…

Kind of weird to have one foot in 2021 HHN production & the other in HHN 2022 development. Quietly been working on that for the last 4 months. In a couple weeks I’ll fly out to LA for HHN & then by late September fly back to Ireland and immediately start design! HorrorNeverSleeps pic.twitter.com/C1LwC2TXUs

— John Murdy (@john_murdy) July 29, 2021

Horror never sleeps indeed. Neither does COVID19. GET. YOUR. VACCINATION.

PARK UPDATE

Now then, a quick Park update. If you haven’t been to Universal lately there is plenty new to see. We finally had the chance to check out the all-new THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS: OFF THE LEASH.

The queue sets up the story as guests are puppies hoping to be adopted. We wind through various apartments that even feature some solid animated figures then it’s on to the ride.

The ride vehicles cruise along a sort of omni-mover system as we journey to the pet adoption center in hopes of finding a new home.

Of course, we exit through the gift shop.

I gotta say I seriously loved this little ride. The sets are beautifully detailed and wonderfully lit. This is an elaborately themed attraction that makes almost obscene use of cuteness and I can’t wait to go again.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

Also, here is a quick peek at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD now under construction.

Man oh, man. It was a bit of effort catching up on all the news after over a year and a half of waiting, but it’s almost time to dive back into the fog. Please, everyone. Get your vaccine. Mask Up.

Guests can click here to purchase tickets, and due to popular demand, the event is expected to sell out. Event dates are: September 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30 and October 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31.