As a die hard Universal Parks fan, and a true fan of Halloween Horror Nights, you can imagine how heart broken I was when I learned I would not be able to attend Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando this year, due to being abroad in Asia. Then I realized that Universal Studios brought Halloween Horror Nights to Universal Studios Singapore. I am thrilled to share with you my experience at this relatively new park.
Opening Scaremony
The theme at Halloween Horror Nights 4 was Demoncracy Now. Before crowds of people can explore the Scare Zones and Houses at Halloween Horror Nights, they are treated to an epic “Opening Scaremony” on Hollywood Blvd with the Icon of HHN 4, Jonah Goodwill.
Jonah is a first world leader, and under his rule, people are upset. Angry protestors gather in front of the stage, and protest Jonah Goodwill’s reign. Jonah Goodwill takes the stage, and demands that everyone obey and submit to his rule.
Soon the Angry protestors are trying to attack the stage, and then down the street above the crowds, a shooter at the end of Hollywood Blvd fires shots, and assassinates Jonah Goodwill onstage.
However, that isn’t the end. Jonah rises from the shots, with horns, and terrifying wings, and begins to throw fireballs towards the audience, lighting people down Hollywood Blvd on fire! This surreal effect surrounded the massive crowd in the action.
Then with a flap of his wings Jonah soars above the audience, and fireworks explode behind him, marking the beginning of Halloween Horror Nights 4.
Scare Zones
At HHN 4, their scares zones are reminiscent of Halloween Horror Nights of old, with massive set pieces, story lines that unfold before you, and each scare zone had a unique choreographed show that helped explain the theme of the scare zone. If you loved the old school scare zones at HHN in Orlando, then you would die to experience these scare zones in Singapore!
Scary Tales
In the Forest of Disenchantment your favorite fairy tale have been twisted into nightmares, located in the Lost World land. Here you will see demented and nightmarish characterizations of some of your favorites like Rapunzel, Snow White, the Little Mermaid, and other classic characters.
Those who frequent Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, might see some great similarities between this Scare Zone and the house by the same name that was part of HHN 18.
Canyon Of The Cursed
Travel to the Wild West were treasure hunters have been lured to a place unmarked. In a place hidden from on the maps they believe they have found the place where there is gold buried. Ignoring warning of how it was guarded by spirits and protected by an ancient chieftain’s curse, these men and women rode into the unknown never to be seen again… until now. Here you will find Cowboys and Native Americans fighting, in the streets.
Demoncracy
All hell has literally broken loose. Here in the New York area, the streets have been torn up, the stature of liberty has fallen, subway trains have exploded up through the earth. While you might want to stop, you better run for your life, because the streets are crawling with the undead, and the minions of Jonah Goodwill.
Bogeyman
In a dark and shadowy playground, you will want to watch out for the children you come into contact with. These children no longer remember what it is like to be human, and now do the bidding of the thing that is what nightmares are made of… the Bogeyman.
The Houses
The L.A.B.
Deep inside the earth is the secret site of the alien experiments on homo sapiens. You will want to be careful, because they have been trying to create alien-human hybrids, and the results are grotesque and pretty disgusting.
Mati Camp
Jonah Goodwill put the Sergeant Major in charge of this military camp, where they are torturing recruits and putting them through a training process that includes mutilation and cannibalism.
Jing’s Revenge
This High School has never been same since a meek bully vicitm named Jing hung herself ten years ago. Once you step foot inside, it becomes instantly clear that something is wrong. The horrors of the past are about to be reborn with you as the witness.
Jack’s 3-Dementia
For anyone who has been to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, this house actually makes you nostalgic! With the old favorite icon from Orlando Jack, now in Singapore, he has set up a deadly den of deceptions with demonic clowns, who would love to practice their sick gags on you as you walk through this ghoulish funhouse.
The Show
What is Halloween Horror Nights without a big show? At Universal Studios Singapore, they hold their big show in the Pantages Theater which is a large two tired theater that can seat over 1,000 people. While Universal Studios Orlando and Hollywood have offered different version of the Bill and Ted show over the years, however in Singapore, they went a different route, and took Orlando’s old HHN icon Jack, and gave him his own show.
Jack’s Nightmare Circus
This show is a great balance of funny and scary, and really embodies everything that is great about Halloween Horror Nights. Starting out with a black and white silent film, that sets the mood, that this is going to be scary, Jack’s entourage comes on stage, and with a large dance number also lets you know that this is going to be fun.
Jack’s irreverent personality keeps things light and moving. With great jokes, macabre references, and some local humor, Jack definitely pushed the envelope in this show.
The show featured different side show acts, with dancers, skaters, contortionists, and even a man of strength.
One highlight during the show was when they picked an audience member out of the crowd, and twisted his body on stage. When he didn’t perform to Jack’s expectations, he was noosed, and then hung from the top of the stage. This was shocking, and terrifying, and surprised this jaded HHN veteran.
The end of the show featured a high powered dance number and some onstage pyrotechnics.
It was great to see a show so very different from Bill and Ted’s in Orlando.
As someone who fell in love with horror films thanks to HHN, it has become an event that I must experience every year. While I have loved watching HHN evolve in Orlando, you can’t help but feel nostalgic for how things “used to be.”
So it was an HHN lovers dream in Singapore where this new event started with a lot of the things that made us all fall in love with the original HHN events in the States.
The event was incredibly well executed, with each house built in incredible detail. It was great seeing a lot of people experience Halloween Horror Nights for the first time, and if the massive crowds are any indication, then this event is going to be around for a long time.
If you are in Asia during Halloween season, this event is worth a side trip. If you are an Halloween Horror Nights fan, make the pilgrimage to Singapore to experience this amazing even, you’ll be glad you didt.
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