Guest Writer: Dominique’s Horror Nights Experience!

Hello all, so I am starting a new series on this blog where once in awhile I will have guest writers on here to write about their theme park experiences! Today I am proud to introduce Dominique who has written about her time at Horror Nights.

“Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights changes little by little each year. They add elements to popular mazes like Stranger Things, and replace ones for others based from new movies like Us.

Unfortunately, I was only able to go on three mazes: Stranger Things, Holidayz in Hell, and Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Image result for stranger things logo

Comparing to last year, Stranger Things was definitely better this time around, as they added more beings and it looked scarier as well. I loved the humongous being that they added in this maze called “Mindflayer”. It looked incredible and intimidating as it basically towers over you on its fours. The intense music throughout the maze with all of the demogorgans and other characters popping out flowed a lot more.

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Now I am a person that cannot stand clowns, but Killer Klowns from Outer Space maze was actually pretty interesting. It was the only maze where someone/something made me jump, and I am not surprised. Those clowns looked super creepy, and I’m pretty sure they would haunt my dreams if I went into that maze for a second time. The big smiles on their faces freaked me out already, imagine one coming out from around the corner? No thanks! That is enough challenging my heart rate for the day.

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It wasn’t over yet though, Holidayz in Hell made me rethink about all of the holidays we have over the year. I knew from the moment walking though, that I would hate looking at the Easter Bunny. The creepy Easter Bunny was the scariest one in my eyes out of all the holiday madness. I know for sure that Stranger Things was my favorite maze out of the ones we went to, even though the other ones were just as cool looking.

As for some of the tasty snacks during horror nights: yeah sure Panda Express is great, but the 6x chocolate shake was really good at Studio Scoop. They also had some limited edition Stranger Things treats that looked amazing: one was a really rich chocolate shake with black licorice and raspberry syrup, as well as soft served ice cream with mini waffles on top. Now that’s how you would get a crazy sugar high for a long day like that.

Image result for 6x chocolate shake was really good at Studio Scoop
Ice Cream Shakes from Studio Scoop
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Stranger Things Ice Cream Waffles

Overall, Horror Nights was pretty fun. Of course the lines were very intense, especially as hours went by after opening. We avoided the majority of the lines due to them being pretty much two hours just to go in some of the mazes. It was also a bummer that the tram wasn’t happening this year, but the time spent at the event was exciting. Was the ticket expensive to get in? Yes. Will I want to go next year? Most likely yes. As long as you got some friends to hangout with it could make the trip worth it.”

Thank you Dominique for your review of Horror Nights. What do you guys think of the treats and mazes? Comment your thoughts below! Donations are always appreciated and welcome to help keep this blog going!

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My Favorite Mazes at HHN Hollywood 2019

So I had the pleasure of going to Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Studios Hollywood last weekend and I wanted to share my two favorite mazes that I went through. That night my group and I ended up going through 3 scare zones and 7 mazes. We went through Us, Pandora’s Box, Ghostbusters, Killer Klowns, Frankenstein Meets Wolfman, Walking Dead, and Creepshow.

The Curse of Pandora’s Box

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This was by far the best maze in my opinion in terms of scares and set design. This maze was incredible from the facade to the interior design in each room. Each room had a specific pattern and there were scare actors that were dressed as the patterns jumping out at you. It was visually extremely impressive and it was worth the 110 minute wait.

The scares were great too since they camouflaged with the patterns you did not notice most of the scare actors and they instantly leaped out at you (and made my friend cry). I definitely say that Pandora’s Box is a MUST DO maze if you decide to go to Horror Nights in Hollywood.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

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This maze turned out to be a surprise hit for me. I thought it was just going to be silly like Ghostbusters was intended to be, yet this one had some amazing set design and scares as well. The Klowns were also very interactive with guests by squirting water all over their faces. From above this maze looked like it was going to be mostly black walls, but that was not the case at all thankfully.

So that is my short review of Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights 2019. Did you attend this years event either here or Orlando? Let me know what you thought of either one in the comments below! Donations are always welcome and appreciated to keep this blog going strong thank you!

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Universal Studios Hollywood Construction Update

Hello all and welcome back for a quick Universal Studios Hollywood construction update. Today I will show you updates on the Secret Life of Pets, Super Nintendo World, and the Holidayz in Hell maze.

Secret Life Of Pets

First, let’s take a look at the Secret Life of Pets (SLOP) attraction being built next to the minions. Nothing really new has changed here since my last update as the building is still behind green scaffolding.

Secret Life Of Pets
You can see some detail and arched windows through the scrim
Grand Entrance

Super Nintendo World

Next up, I will show you some pictures of the under construction Super Nintendo World in the Lower Lot. You can see the Mario Kart foundations and track are really starting to come into focus and the layout should be completed in a couple of months. Some steel is going up near where the rumored Donkey Kong coaster is supposed to go (Side nearest to Jurassic World) so it will be very interesting to see how that area turns out.

The dirt curves represent the Mario Kart track
Mario Kart track up top, rumored Donkey Kong on the dirt lot to the lower left
Overview of Super Nintendo World

Holidaze in Hell Maze

I was with family and in a bit of a rush during this update so the only maze I was able to capture progress of was Holidaze in Hell. The only major progress I could see was they updated the facade to a really cool looking postcard like night time sky.

Holidaze in Hell Facade

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If you want to go visit these new attractions or go to Horror Nights yourself then click this link for special discounts and use the code TPW for $10 off packages!

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My First Time at Midsummer Scream

So this past weekend I went to the Midsummer Scream Halloween Convention in Long Beach. It was my first time going and I had an absolute blast and will be attending every single year from now on. Midsummer Scream is a relatively new (3 or 4 years old) Halloween Convention and is where Universal and Knott’s have panels announcing their Halloween mazes.

My original intent was to go to the Knott’s Scary Farm panel, but I ended up missing it because I didn’t realize how much else there was to do there. The convention is separated into a few different parts. There is the Grand Ballroom, where all the biggest panels happen, and there are several smaller ballrooms where different events are happening at all times of the day. Then there is the main exhibition area will hundreds of vendors offering everything from masks to VR. Lastly, there is the biggest and in my opinion the best room in the convention called Hall of Screams. This room is entirely dark and eerie and resembles what you would see at Halloween Horror Nights and even has six mini mazes for guests to go through.

All in all, I must say I had a wonderful time and cannot wait to go back next year. Have you been to Midsummer Scream? Let me know your thoughts below about your experience and be sure to click the follow button and share this article!

Universal Studios Hollywood: Construction Photo Update

Universal Studios Hollywood

Welcome to a brand new segment here on this blog and that’s right it features construction updates. Expect updates from mostly Disney and Universal as I have passes to those parks so I am able to go way more often than any other SoCal theme park. Today we are going to take a look at my Universal Studios Hollywood trip from last Friday where I went into the park to check out Halloween Horror Nights (HHN), Secret Life of Pets (SLOP), Super Nintendo, and Jurassic World construction, so let’s get right to it!

Halloween Horror Nights

There are two visible HHN sites under construction at this time. There is one on the upper lot by SLOP and there is another one hidden behind Mummy that you can see as you go down the Starway escalators.

I have not seen any rumors online about what the Upper Lot maze will be, but it is highly rumored that the maze near Mummy will be Killer Clowns From Outer Space. This seems to be correct because the front of the maze looks like a Circus tent.

Secret Life Of Pets

This ride has seen tons of progress over the past few months with the entire show building just about enclosed and work is rapidly progressing on the front facades of the attraction.

Scaffolding is down on most of the building
Peeking through the scrim, you can see work on the facades taking shape
More facade work on what will be the grand entrance of the attraction

I think this will be a wonderful addition to the park as it is rumored to have little to no screens. It is rumored to be an omnimover or track based dark ride. It is hard to see through the scrim on camera, but in person you can see they are working on each show scene on the second level of the attraction.

Jurassic World

This area has really shaped up to be so beautiful and so much of an improvement from what was there previously. The remodeled Jurassic Cafe and Jurassic Outfitters fits a very modern vibe and the new Isla Nu-Bar is a great beverage option. Universal should be announcing an opening date any day now for this revamped attraction.

New Jurassic World Logo
Great beverage options at Isla Nu-Bar
New signage at Jurassic Outfitters
Jurassic World Ride and DinoPlay Signs
Brand new Raptor Encounter

I also love the new grey and blue color tones painted around the area to match the aesthetic of the movies. If you would like to see a full walk around of the area plus Jurassic World testing and a close up of the boats, then click this link.

Super Nintendo World

Lastly, we come to Super Nintendo construction which is rapidly progressing, but the area and show building are so large it is hard to see the progress because there is just so much to be done.

View from the Starway, the crane is the site of Mario Kart
Closer view of Mario Kart
Foundation work for Mario Kart attraction
Mario Kart work
You can tell from the height of the stair case it will be a 5 story building
Lastly, here is the new extended queue for Transformers which should be opening soon

So that is it guys, I really hope you enjoyed my first photo update and want me to do more! Comment below what you think of all the Universal Studios construction and keep reading for some special offers on your next vacation!

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For all of your summer vacation needs contact Get Away Today via this link! If you happen to book a theme park package use the promo code: TPW for special discounts!