Fans of all things spooky will be buzzing to know that Halloween Horror Nights 33 is finally underway at Universal Orlando, though there's one unwritten rule around the event which might shock you.
The annual scare fest at the Florida resort is much-loved by fans across the globe, with Universal putting on a whopping 48 dates this time around.
Horror Nights 2024 features ten new houses based on iconic films such as Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, A Quiet Place, Insidious: The Further and Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines.
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Speaking to press including LADbible before Halloween Horrors Night 33, Lora Sauls, Assistant Director of Creative Development and Show Direction for Art and Design, Entertainment at Universal Orlando Resort, said: "We have 48 select nights for Halloween Horrors Night this year to share in your screams and fears.
"This year we are celebrating 33 years and in those years the Universal Orlando creative group has created over 200 haunted houses. This year we are adding ten terrifying haunted houses to that collection. These ten come from amazing horror movie franchises."
I had the opportunity to experience the spooky event on its opening in Orlando, and it certainly didn't disappoint.
The production value put into the haunted houses cannot be underestimated, even if some of the experiences do not live up to the scare hype.
The Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire house was certainly the most impressive, though I walked away more impressed by the spectacle rather than being scared.
On the other hand, the Insidious house was well and truly horrifying, making guests jump out of their skin as they go round every corner.
The horror film is rated a 15 in the UK, so you'd think Halloween Horror Nights would have some kind of age limit, right?
That's not the case however, with Universal instead offering a disclaimer that the attraction may be 'too intense for young children'.
The resort recommends children under the age of 13 should not attend, though that is not an actual rule — it's really up to parents/guardians to make their own decision.
To be honest, I was left shocked by the non-existent rule considering how scary parts of the event are.
During my time venturing the park on opening night, I regularly saw young children partaking in the scare fest.
Alongside the haunted houses, Universal has created five awesomely-terrifying scare zones, which are scattered across the park.
You might think you're safe away from the houses, but the scare zones provide quite the fright as you walk between experiences.
Universal casts actors for the roles in the scare zones and houses, a process that is carefully planned out.
Speaking to LADbible moments before the opening of Halloween Horror Nights 33 last Friday, Sauls said: "We cast our scare actors, as we call them, in April, and the casting process goes through until after the event open.
"I think our fans absolutely love it [the houses and scare zones] and they fall into laughter after the scare."
The full list of houses at Halloween Horror Nights 2024:
A Quiet Place
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Insidious: The Further
Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodlines
Slaughter Sinema 2
Goblin’s Feast
Major Sweets Candy Factory
The Museum: Deadly Exhibits
Monstrous: The Monsters of Latin America
Triplets of Terror
Topics: Halloween, Horror, Entertainment, Film
Callum Jones