A Little More Horrifying
More Halloween Horror Nights Reviews
In catching y'all up on so much, I neglected to tell everyone even more about Horror Nights and all that it offers. I've been to 8 total nights as of now so I think I should let you in on some more of my thoughts.
(I should've mentioned before but none of these are my photos.)
First, a major skip...
SCARE ZONES
I'll rank these like I ranked houses by going from least favorite to favorite.
ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP
I had such high hopes for this scare zone. I love horror comedies and as I've seen in the past, they work really well at Horror Nights and with such recognizable celebrities involved in this film I expected a lot. Instead, it is easily the most desolate zone I've ever experienced at Horror Nights. The last zone I experienced here had projections and fire and all this energy. While I didn't expect it to be to that scale, I expected it to be more than just another zombie zone, which is what it is. The non-zombie characters are usually just running around and hiding, they don't really talk to guests. Not to mention, there are areas where it is very sparse of decoration especially when moving towards the lagoon. I thought it would knock my socks off but it felt so flat. I also think maybe this would've been a better spot for the Rob Zombie zone? I don't know but easily my least favorite.
ANARCH-CADE
For the most part, this zone gets by. It's a really cool concept that has zero life to it but OMG if it is not one of the most aesthetically pleasing zones Horror Nights has ever done. I've taken so many photos in here and I love them so much, not to mention how they styled the scare actors. But all-in-all, it's not scary or feel horrifying minus weapons. It almost feels like an action zone. I still love it for the aesthetic and how it really kinda ties the whole event together but I tend to skip going through here most nights.
VIKINGS UNDEAD
Originally this was one of my least favorites but has really grown on me. As far as space goes, it uses its really well. Central Park is a prime location for a scare zone and easily one of the most iconic, which is interesting considering they don't have the pumpkins in the trees for once. The lanterns and skulls however work just as well and everything flows so nicely. There are also great set pieces and really cool character designs. I really love walking through there. It's a unique zone but also with a classic feel. I think my only critique is it is very small as is and I've heard this zone has been expanded before but I'm not gonna be too nit-picky.
ROB ZOMBIE: HELLBILLY DELUXE
I originally went back and forth on this zone but honestly I love it. I grew up on songs from this soundtrack and the music videos even though I wouldn't call myself a Rob Zombie stan. It feels like one of the more fully realized zones to be in this area and there's so much to see with photo ops galore. Clearly a zone made for the Zombie fans who flocked to the event this year for the House of 1000 Corpses house, which is interestingly the closest house to the zone. However, it is very cramped. Looking back at old scare zones here it blows my mind they put that much in this space and not think it would cause for a zone that has gotten really crowded on busier nights. Not to mention it gets "flow" from Fast and Furious. I feel like it was put in the wrong space even if it meant no flowing of themes to House of 1000 Corpses. I'd rather it have been in NY or heck even as the entrance zone, but I get the placement it just... the crampedness is really a negative.
Now for my number one and easily my favorite scare zone I've experienced in my short time experiencing Horror Nights (with one a close second).
~VANITY BALL~
I'm definitely in the minority on here as everyone seems to not be a fan of this zone but GOSH THIS WAS EVERYTHING. It also was in the spot where my last favorite zone was: Vamp '55. It is such a unique concept that feels so relevant and has made me feel seen in a way I doubt any other zone will be able to. The concept is that of a drag ball straight out of Paris Is Burning era Harlem with a sinister twist: the ultimate quest for perfection by way of surgeries. It's all about image in the zone and they are vicious about it in every way possible from constant insult humor to some surgeries that seem unnecessarily gory in regards to beauty. It is a perfect balance of fun, humor and disturbing. The scare actors are so much fun to talk to and I've even made friends with them with the amount of time I spend there. They also play along so well with each other. Not to mention, the central character of the MC really owns the role and they fill what could've been an empty space. It's clearly the favorite this year and I will cry tears of joy if it wins zone of the year especially considering the LGBTQ focus it has. It really makes me wish I could've auditioned this year because I feel like I'd fit in well here (and honestly with how the actors talk to me... I do).
Now for the entertainment of the event...
ACADEMY OF VILLAINS: ALTERED STATES
My first year and only other prior year at Horror Nights was when AOV debuted and they've now become a new staple. I didn't pay much attention to them first round but I definitely have this time and honestly they are so fun. This year they've put a Jekyll/Hyde + Black Plague spin on their show this year and even added some variety to it. The fantastic rock infused hip-hop dance stylings are still there but we also get contortionists, aerialists and... a soccer player? Yeah that one took awhile to set in but the energy coming from the performers and the audience every night is something I live for as someone who has been a performer for quite some time. I don't always run to it but if the lines are too long, I have no problem grabbing a glass of Vampire's Curse and sitting a spell for this.
MARATHON OF MAYHEM
People have been calling this "HHN World of Color" and while it is... I think it's WAAAYYY better. Even the viewing area works better not to mention the use of projection mapping behind the water... awesome. They really went all out for this and I'm just wowed that Universal might be outdoing Disney on water style entertainment here. Also, to just be walking by and hearing all the synth stylings of the hallmark IPs of the event... it makes my heart sing. I hope they continue this for years to come and make it the new Bill and Ted.
I also thought I'd give you a ranking of all the specialty drinks since YES I have tried them all and reaped many of the benefits of doing so.
My list...
Vampire's Curse
The Saturn
Blood Pit
Twilight Gateway
Vampire's Curse and The Saturn are honestly kind of a tie. They both are super fruity and go down real nice. Real nice comfort drinks. Blood Pit isn't necessarily bad but the fact it's called BLOOD Pit and is a light orange? Yeah, name it something else. Twilight Gateway is just a very meh drink. Even people I've had it with think so. I think it's consumable enough but I know one friend who was not a fan. I say try them all for the heck of it, but if that's not your speed at least Vampire's Curse or Saturn. Still bitter I got all but one cup before they sold out UGH
And I think that officially covers it. Now back to scheduled programming...
Continue Here
We will be in Disney from the 21st to the 26th.
HALLOWEEN!!
some sense into him. 
I'm glad you've enjoyed it. I apologize if the updates come slow and infrequent lol And thank you! I miss being able to pick up elsewhere so often.
