As the sun sets and the fog rises, I feel the frights build and the urge to scream. Halloween Horror Nights 2025 is full of intense and unique experiences. This year’s theme proved that the creative team pushed the boundaries. While the event’s catch phrase warns to “never go alone,” this time, I embraced my solo status and found a way to face my fears.
This specially ticketed event at Universal Studios Orlando, which runs on select nights through November 2, 2025, offers a variety of scares:
- 10 haunted houses
- 4 scare zones
- 2 shows
- An array of specialty food booths and specialty merch.
Here’s my assessment of the scares and how I survived each one.
Editor’s Note: The writer attended a media event at Halloween Horror Nights.
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El Artista: A Spanish Haunting: A Stunningly Beautiful Haunting Tale
Before choosing to enter the alluring manor, I had to remind myself, art is in the eye of the beholder. With the El Arista house, the transformation of the art and the artist made me question the thin line between inspiration and insanity. Fiction rooted in truth is the scariest story to be told.
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While the jump scares waited to emerge from window pains and darkened corners, the intricacies captivated my attention and lured me with their beauty. If I had an opportunity to see this house with the lights on, it would be as stunning as a museum.
How I Survived
Although the concept is quite disturbing, the detailed design took me to a place that I love, a museum. With that reference, I could put aside the creepy factor and focus on the artistic concept.
Did I succumb to one of the tortured souls waiting in darkened corners? Yes, I did. But, keeping a familiar, cherished memory in mind helped my screams feel a little less frightful.
Five Nights at Freddy’s: Best Interpretation of a Theme
From my kids’ playing the game years ago to the recent movies, the popular Five Nights at Freddy’s concept was familiar. What I did not expect in this haunted house is to be captivated by the animatronics. Created by Jim Henson’s Creature Company, those signature characters made me think they were friends, not foes.
The haunted house captured what I remember from those classic childhood pizza joints. Blending imagination with fun, there were plenty of potentially happy moments that quickly brought a false sense of ease. That moment of belief let my guard down and the scares became more intensified.
How I Survived
Even though I had a few moments of laughter, Five Nights at Freddy’s lingered in my memories long after I exited. If I had the opportunity to do a second or third run, this one would be my top choice. It tapped into my childhood memories, which kept me from being too scared.
Dolls: Let’s Play Dead: You Will Never Look at a Dollhouse the Same
Sometimes the Halloween Horror Nights creative team takes a different approach to its creations. In the Doll House, guests shrink in size and become one of the toys. Even before walking into the first room, I felt the creepy factor. I prepared for the wrath from the doll that I misplaced all those years ago.
As I moved from room to room, each visual got creepier. Although it was not demonic, the twisted toys seemed to come from a child’s worst nightmare. This idea is not as simple as just a doll whose head has been shaved. These creatures are worse than the items plucked from the trash.
How I Survived
Since the Dolls house transformed all those childhood toys, I simply reminded myself that this experience was make-believe. Even though the red coils radiating heat made me think differently about that Easy Bake Oven, nothing is real. At the same time, I will ever again leave something precious near a heat source.
The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks: Even Non-WWE Fans Will Be Impressed
A few scenes will leave people speechless. Without giving away all the secrets, the television screen portion will have people mesmerized by the impressive visual. It is creepy in the most entertaining way.
How I Survived
The key to my survival of this HHN house was to put myself in the mindset of walking through a television studio. Just like a good commercial breaks up an intense plot, each staged scene had a build-up. Those moments allowed me to prepare for the jump scares waiting in the next room.
As for that rocking chair, it might be time to sit a spell. The lamplight will lead the way.
Jason Universe: Unrelenting Classic Horror
The first horror movie that I ever saw was Friday the 13th. Even just the first notes of that song can make me recoil. In this haunted house, the frights hit from the first moment and never let up until the exit.
For anyone who remembers Insidious from a previous Halloween Horror Nights will understand how this Jason Universe experience never stops. From start to finish, the man in the hockey mask is everywhere.
How I Survived
In the best possible way, it had me jumping at every turn. Even when I could expect that jump scare, I was off kilter. But, I anticipated this before even walking into the experience. More importantly, it was my last house of the night. At that point, I was a little more numb. This haunted house is the one that will get even the most seasoned HHN guest.
Terrifier: Not Worth the Hype
Anyone who follows Halloween Horror Nights knows that the Terrifier house is the most extreme offering that Universal’s creative team has ever done. From intense smells to the “wet” experience, it is unlike anything previously offered.
While Art the Clown is everywhere this year, this house left me wishing that I had not put on the poncho. Yes, the movie is about extreme gore, but many of this house’s moments seemed gratuitous. I felt that it was more about being grossed out versus being scared.
How I Survived
The best way I can encourage anyone to attempt the Terrifier house is to just know that it is going to be gross. Similar to the tasteless potty humor joke, it is about the reaction to the moment versus the moment itself. When you know it is all make-believe, that sprinkling on the way out is not as disgusting.
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