I was in Orlando for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights

Let’s start by saying I’m a horror fanatic. When it comes to films about ghosts, goblins, vampires and the darker side of life, this genre is at the top of the list of films; Chick films barely get a look.

So when the opportunity arose to go to Universal Studios for the opening of their annual Halloween Horror Nights, I was the only one in the office who raised my hand.

By the time my Aer Lingus flight departed Dublin at 3pm for an eight-hour direct flight to Orlando, my ESTA visa ready (something that is essential before flying to the States), I was ready for the fright of my life !

If there’s one event in life that Americans know how to navigate well, it’s Halloween. It’s exactly what you see in the movies. People go out of their way to decorate their homes and stores put out the best displays. The hotel we stayed at, Loews Sapphire Falls Resort, was already getting into the Halloween spirit with a lobby full of pumpkins and Grim Reaper statues, considering it was still August.

There was an eerie excitement from the people around us. Some people are counting down the days until Christmas, but those visiting Orlando are counting down the hours until the gates open and allow them entry into the Halloween horror nights.

After a good night’s sleep, we took it easy the next day and chose our darkest outfits for the evening – it was over 25 degrees, so black outfits felt like they were slowly melting. But it had to be done, all in the name of horror.

By boat downstream, each Universal hotel has a port that will pick up guests and take them to the theme park for free.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the event, Halloween Horror Nights is an annual spooky night event that has been held for 33 years. Every year they resort to the scariest movies and characters to, quite frankly, scare the crap out of you.

With ten terrifying haunted houses and five Scare Zones (where ghosts and ghouls roam the streets of Universal), you’ll never know what’s lurking around the corner, no matter how prepared you are.

Each house has a different theme. Some were created by people at Universal, such as the Triplets of Terror. They enter a seemingly average home and are greeted by the Barmy triplets, wearing disfigured bunny masks and holding a giant knife.

Their party is unique in that you witness them reenacting the murder of their entire family on the day they celebrate their birthday. Yes, there were cakes and decorations surrounded by decapitated bodies and blood splatters all over the wall – certainly not for the faint of heart!

Other houses are based on Hollywood films, this year one house was dedicated to the films A Quiet Place, Ghost Busters A Frozen Empire and the mother of all horror films – Insidious.

Walking through the gates, you got an idea of ​​how many people have a deep and eerie love for horror. Many went all out with their costumes, and when a zombie ran after them, you could tell from their faces that they were overcome with mixed emotions – they initially screamed wildly, then suddenly burst out laughing.

There are fear zones scattered all over the streets on the way to the houses. It features frightening characters. Some you may recognize from films like Black Phone’s The Grabber. And then there are some that make up nightmares, like insane hospital patients and masked murders.

There was even a medieval zone where various torture methods were demonstrated, such as the bull – a device in the shape of an animal that stood over a fire. A person was placed in the device, which slowly boiled them alive. Even though they didn’t exactly use live people to demonstrate, the explanation was enough to send a shiver down your spine.

After gently settling in, we decided to visit our first house, Sweets Candy Factory. I mean, what could be so scary about that? Let’s just say I was wrong and the term “having an incredible sweet tooth” was certainly more literal.

The story behind this house is about a class of children who visit a candy factory – there’s nothing too scary about it. But when you find out that the kids who ate the candy are turning into candy-coated killers and are targeting you, get ready to act as quickly as possible.

For some old-school horror, Universal decided to revisit the ladies of darkness with the introduction of Monster’s Eternal Bloodline. Yes, ladies, this is for you.

Here you will come across well-known female characters such as Saskia Van Helsing, the Bride of Frankenstein and Dracula’s daughter. As the theme park aptly put it: “All Female.” All fearless. All fatal.’ Even though there were some jumps in this film, I have to say that you come away from this film with a feeling of girl power, even if it involves dark and scary characters.

While ten houses might not seem like a lot, you’ll hardly notice the time once you get past the lines and make your way through the park. Oh, and believe me, wear comfortable shoes as they will be the size of your feet due to the walking and heat that will scare you the most.

The good thing about having to walk a short distance to your next horror house is that it gives your nerves a chance to calm down before venturing into another house that is completely different and yet completely terrifying.

But to finally talk about the house we’ve all been waiting for… Insidious. I’ve been watching horror movies for as long as I can remember, and now it takes a lot to scare me or keep me awake at night – I almost feel like I’m immune to it now.

However, when it comes to the movie Insidious, it definitely unsettled me, and as scary movies are, there’s something about this story that’s disturbingly dark.

For those who may not have seen it, it centers on a couple whose child mysteriously falls into a coma and becomes a vessel for ghosts. It takes you into a forbidden realm where lost or tortured souls wait for a chance to escape.

But it is the red-faced demon, the pinnacle of all demons, that lurks around this house you are about to enter. He lies in wait, ready to pounce on some poor soul he has his eye on. You have been warned.

When it comes to horror trips, Universal Orlando’s Horror Nights is right up there with one of the best scare festivals – I mean, who wouldn’t want to be chased down the street by a man with a giant roaring chainsaw?

Although it’s not for the faint of heart, it’s a perfect way to test your limits – start slowly and see how much you can take – you might surprise yourself.

The event runs until November 3rd, making it the perfect event to get the kids on their mid-term break. Keep in mind that this is recommended for ages 13 and older.

For flights, visit a reputable airline’s website or check prices on Skyscanner.

When it comes to tickets for this spookfest, there are different packages to choose from. The basic tariff, which allows access to all houses, costs €80 per person. For those who hate waiting in line, the best option is the Halloween Horror Express Pass, which allows you to skip the line once at every house and ride. That’s €173 per person.

These are just examples of two options available. Click here to find out which one suits you best.

So if you’re looking for something that’s outside your comfort zone, why not take a trip this October and see how far into the dark side you can go? Good luck