The fog, chills, and monsters of Halloween are just a few days away. But that’s not all that’s going on at Universal Orlando Resort. We’ll look at Passholder Appreciation Days, mysterious construction projects, and the stupendous HHN Tribute Store. You’ve got to see this to believe it…
2021 Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store
And just like that, the Jurassic World Tribute Store is a fond memory… Halloween is moving in! The 2021 Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store is now open! The themes from last year’s HHN Tribute Store have carried over into this year’s mazes, but Universal went in a new direction for this year’s store and created four all-new themed rooms for 2021. Let’s step through the old haunted house facade and check out the hauntingly beautiful shopping experience…
Stepping through the front door… the house seems to be abandoned. Old photos, dust, and cobwebs fill the foyer before entering the parlor. Antiquities and props from HHN’s past 30 years decorate every surface from floor to ceiling, while HHN-themed merchandise is displayed in old wooden bookshelves lining the walls. There seem to be a lot of Easter Eggs here, we can’t wait to go back and explore!
Moving onto the library, this room is dedicated to Halloween Horror Nights Icons with busts and animated portraits of Chance, The Caretaker, The Storyteller, The Director, The Usher, and Jack the Clown in the middle of it all. Creepy cabinets line the walls with more merchandise and event memorabilia.
Before entering the third room, you’ll encounter a hallway of [comedically] photoshopped portraits. Earlier this month, guests were able to purchase a portrait featuring their own headshot, superimposed onto an older photo, to be featured at the upcoming HHN 30 Tribute Store (after the event is over, the portrait is then shipped to their home – a unique keepsake!). So, you may spot some familiar faces while walking through!
Continuing on, we enter the Conservatory – a darker room with overgrown foliage, greens and purples, and blacklight displays that comfortably house Beetlejuice goods.
Leading on from the Conservatory are the “outdoor” stables filled with terrifying treats, including this year’s Beating Heart and Electrifying Brain Gummies!
Those monstrous sweets in the case look amazing… we’re accepting donations to try them all!
Just before exiting, a carriage for the Shadybrook Asylum has crashed in the town of Carey – home to many original HHN house backstories. It seems some residents of the Asylum are on the loose… we’ll have to investigate further by visiting the Welcome to SCarey: Horror in the Heartland house!
If you’re visiting Universal Orlando within the next few months, whether it’s for Halloween Horror Nights or not, you should definitely plan a visit to this Tribute Store! Each room is completely decorated, no detail is left unrealized… and all those Easter Eggs! We can’t wait to return!
All Hallow’s Eve Boutique
…Or, if you’re only visiting Islands of Adventure, a seasonal Halloween shop has opened in the Lost Continent area. The All Hallow’s Eve Boutique offers a smaller spooky walk-through featuring The Pumpkin Lord and some merch you’d find at the Tribute Store at the neighboring park.
UOAP Appreciation Days
Universal’s all-things-Passholder celebration is back, with plenty of merchandise, discounts, offers, limited-time menus, and more. The AP Lounge in the Hollywood area of Universal Studios is home to exclusive goods, and one of two locations to pick up your magnet and button!
We’re loving this month’s colorful passholder gift set! These are complimentary for Annual Passholders – pick yours up from the AP Lounge at Universal Studios or Toon Extra at Islands of Adventure from 9AM-4PM.
Take a look at the next design, available beginning September 1st:
You’ll find special passholder dining menus all around the parks and CityWalk. Look how delicious:
On a recent visit to Islands of Adventure, we tried the Vegan Pizza Tots from Green Eggs and Ham Cafe. They were delicious! (Note: the cheese pictured below is not plant-based. While the dish is listed as vegan, they didn’t have vegan cheese available the day we visited.)
Construction Wall Curiosity
While visiting Islands of Adventure this week, we noticed fresh construction walls have cropped up around a few attractions. In Lost Continent, Poseidon’s Fury has remained closed since the park’s reopening last year. With walls surrounding the land’s premier attraction, the status remains unknown. Could this simply be for maintenance? Or is something big coming? I guess Universal could always use another Churro cart. (That’s a joke, folks. When the park started construction for the Velocicoaster, they claimed they were building a churro cart. And they didn’t lie entirely. On opening day, they handed out free churros to guests.)
Camp Jurassic has also been walled off, and Pteronadon Flyers is temporarily closed. Interestingly, the playground portion had just reopened in April 2021. Could a Camp Cretaceous overhaul be on the way?
It’s Almost That Time…
The countdown is on! We’re less than a week away from a little thing called Halloween Horror Nights. On select nights between September 3rd and October 31st, Universal Studios is transformed into the stuff of nightmares, and we’re already seeing some hints of the iconic event at the park.
Are you ready for 30 Years 30 Fears, or are you somewhat of a scaredy-cat like me? Time to put a brave face on!
All around the park, event eateries and Scare Zones are almost show-ready… these elements will be a lot more intimidating with proper lighting, plenty of fog, and of course, scare actors!
It’s Time To Go
Craving more frightful fun? Read up on this year’s houses, scare zones and all-new entertainment lined up for 2021:
https://www.micechat.com/295901-halloween-horror-nights-screaming-back-to-universal-hollywood-and-orlando-this-september/
We’ll be attending HHN’s opening night on September 3rd! Stay tuned… and send help if you don’t hear back!
Until next time… trick or treat?
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