ORLANDO, Fla – Universal Orlando announced on social media Tuesday that it’s extending its Halloween scares to Sept. 26-27 and Oct. 3 through Nov. 1.
This past weekend, the theme park tested out the new experiences, which included two terrifying Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses, trick-or-treating and a scavenger hunt known as the “Scarecrow Stalk.”
Guests can experience the new haunted houses “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives” and “Revenge of the Tooth Fairy” by getting a virtual pass through the the official Universal Orlando Resort app.
Here is how Universal described both houses on its website.
- Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives: “We belong dead.” The last words of Frankenstein’s monster on that fateful night when his Bride rejected him. But his end was her beginning. Now the Bride is stepping out of the shadows to bring him back. And there’s nothing she won’t do as she sharpens her brilliance by experimenting on unsuspecting victims. The mate will have her monster. And the monster his mate.
- Revenge of the Tooth Fairy: The innocent traditions of the tooth fairy hide a darker ritual. All children must give up their baby teeth to the goblinesque tooth fairies or pay a gruesome price. Step into an old manor that has been overrun by yellow-clawed fiends who extract teeth by force. It’s an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
*Haunted houses may be too intense for young children and are not recommended for children under the age of 13.
During the first weekend of testing the Halloween events, the theme parks and houses did reach capacity.
Universal Orlando is encouraging people to dress up in their best Halloween costumes.
Visitors can participate in the Universal Orlando Scarecrow Stalk, a new scavenger hunt that sends guests to find unique scarecrows and collect stamps at 13 retail locations throughout the park. After each guests finds all 13 scarecrows they will be able to get a Halloween treat.
At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, guests 12 years and younger will be able to trick-or-treat around the park’s retail stores.
RELATED: Beetlejuice invades Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights tribute store | Get free access to Universal Orlando through Dec. 24 with purchase of park-to-park ticket
Guests can also try a number of delicious food and beverage options, which include a variety of Halloween-themed drinks like the Frozen Candy Corn beverage at the all-new Skeleton Bar at Café La Bamba.
Horror fans can also live their nightmares through the Halloween Horror Nights tribute store at Universal Studios.
The retro-themed location gives guests the opportunity to purchase limited-time merchandise, taste heart-pounding treats and take in some bone-chilling immersive rooms. During the past few weeks, Universal has slowly rolled out new merchandise, including themed face coverings, throwback hoodies, T-shirts and specialty vinyl records.
An artist signing series has also rolled out for fans to get merchandise signed, on select days, by the teams that created them.
Universal began its tribute store in the 25th year of Halloween Horror Nights, and each year, leaders said they have tried to top the overall experience.
For fans this year, the tribute store is not just a place to shop but a Halloween experience that many are yearning for during the ongoing pandemic.
Universal officials recently talked about the making of the tribute store on its blog.
“You’re at a theme park and we’re going to give guests something they don’t expect,” said Rob Cametti, director of visual merchandising at Universal Orlando. “They come through this door and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ No exaggeration here, we’ve had people come in and get teary-eyed.”
Universal leaders expanded the store to include a special tribute to Tim Burton’s popular ’80s character, Beetlejuice.
“We’re all HHN fans and if we get excited about it, we think fans will get excited about it, too,” Cametti said.
This year would have marked Halloween Horror Night’s 30th anniversary.