Welcome one and all to the first Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights tracker of 2022. Yes, July just started and the construction of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights has been hard at work creating multiple moments of horror throughout the park that includes a total of eight haunted houses to immerse horror fans in their favorite horror films of all time. Haunted Houses announced so far are Universal Monsters: Legends Collide, Halloween, and The Horrors of Blumhouse. Yet there is still a lot of construction that we can see throughout the park that has yet to be revealed.
Of course, this is our first time back in a bit, so along with the usual HHN goodness, we have peppered in some park news as well.
CITYWALK
We arrive at CityWalk to see things happening. Most notably is the apparent construction of the popular Toothsome Chocolate Emporium’s Hollywood venue. Built in the old Hard Rock Cafe location, this delightful restaurant and calorie cavern are coming along quite well.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Despite the sweltering heat Universal Studios Hollywood is here, ready to welcome the masses. We venture into the park to relay the first signs of Halloween Horror Nights. Spoiler alert: there is a lot.
Upper Lot
We enter the park with a pathway to the ever-popular Waterworld stunt show on our right. Here we see obscured construction of The Horrors of Blumhouse in the expanded queue for the stunt show.
Scooching over to the Parisian courtyard we see an unannounced haunted house in the usual space. The entrance nestled between Mel’s Diner and the scramble serve deli, it looks like we have a dilapidated mission facade. Could this be a return of La Llorona?
Curious George Lot
Last year the flex space backstage that is next to the curious George parking structure was utilized for two mazes. This year the space is being used again for Halloween and a yet-to-be-announced house.
Looking over at the other house in this area we see that it is pretty far along. The piano truck that used to reside on Baker Street is being used as set decor for the entrance. It also seems as if this fenced-in area will be home to a scare actor offering a nice bit of pre-show for the crowds.
Studio Tour
Nothing can be spotted on the Studio Tour in regards to any possible return of the Terror Tram. Still, this is easily one of the world’s best attractions.
Lower Lot
The lower lot at Universal Studios Hollywood reveals another mix of revealed houses, mystery construction, and the compulsion to speculate.
Universal Monsters: Legends Collide
Then we spotted some curious construction happening behind the Transformers attraction building. This is, of course, right behind Soundstage 29 where The Exorcist was last year. Could there be a house inside Stage 29 and another just outside?
You can get a better sense of its size from the video, but it’s pretty much the same footprint as a house that would go behind The Mummy coaster.
Super Nintendo World
Yes, there is a little more than Halloween happening at Universal Studios Holywood. Super Nintendo World is set to open in early 2023 and from what we can see while riding the Starway to the Lower Lot, this will be impressive. The flagship attraction will be MARIO KART: BOWSER’S CHALLENGE and it will be supported by a host of themed shops and eateries.
That is a wrap, as they say. In summary, we have Universal Monsters: Legends Collide (Lower Lot), Halloween (Upper Lot), and The Horrors of Blumhouse (Upper Lot). Doing the math that is 8 houses promised, 3 announced with locations revealed. We still have multiple houses to be announced, but apparent construction only shows the Parisian Courtyard, a spot behind Transformers, and one other house in the expansion area near the Curious George structure. leaving 6 houses that we can see. Our guess is that there is something in Stage 29 and that they will be reopening The Walking Dead. Again, not fact, but our very best educated guess.
The countdown to the opening of Halloween Horror Nights on Thursday, September 8, begins as all tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood’s terrifying event are now on sale. Tickets purchased online or at the Universal Studios Hollywood front gate provide guests with early event admission and access to select houses, beginning at 6pm each night of Halloween Horror Nights (subject to change). Universal Studios Hollywood offers a variety of Halloween Horror Nights ticket options, including General Admission, Universal Express, After 2pm Day/Night, the premium R.I.P. Tour and popular passes, Frequent Fear and Ultimate Fear, which allow guests to experience the scares again and again. Click here for more information about each ticket type and for Terms and Conditions.
That’s it for the first HHN Tracker of 2022! We will see you in the fog.