Are you the over-anxious planner of your group? Do you secretly despise all of your chaos goblin mates who barrel into occasions with zero consciousness? Because you’re right here, I will assume you are the previous, and for the report, you are about to take heed to somebody who’s the latter. Folks can change, and I am attempting to reform my goes-to-concerts-with-the-wrong-sized-bag methods.
I am right here that can assist you put together for Common Studios Halloween Horror Nights: a wonderful celebration of all that’s ghoulish, chainsaw-happy, and pushed by our favourite mental properties. It is an extension of Common Orlando and Common Hollywood, so if you understand these guidelines, you have already got a head begin. Halloween Horror Nights introduces a bit extra mischief into the fold, but it surely’s nonetheless a Common Studios theme park territory. Consider it like several common go to, besides this time at evening, and with “Homicide Crowz.”
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. For many who do not know, Common Studios shuts down its regular operations and reopens at 7 PM for Halloween Horror Nights. Audio system begin taking part in acquainted sounds of autumnal eeriness, scare actors start to roam their Scare Zones, and the park stays open till 1 AM or 2 AM (relying on the date). You should purchase particular ticket packages that can get you into the park 1.5 hours early, or splurge for an “After 2 PM Day/Night time” combo package deal, however on your Basic Admission wants, doorways open at 7 PM and assume you may be ushered out round 1 AM (in case your legs final that lengthy).
How are the crowds and what is the meals scenario?
As an avid Halloween Horror Nights attendee, I do know crowd sizes are a yearly gamble. In 2023, even with a Common Specific move that granted me precedence entry to homes and exhibits, my group barely completed checking off each attraction proper because the park closed. Some specific traces nonetheless got here with 30ish-minute waits. This yr was a lot totally different, as we completed a bit of previous midnight after beginning an hour and a half after Halloween Horror Nights opened. I might nonetheless stress the Limitless Go for visitors who would possibly solely have a single evening to beat all the things as a result of Basic Admission will include some hefty waits — however that is simply my advice. It’s best to carefully type by way of the ticket packages to find out what most accurately fits your wants.
Upon coming into the park, attendants will instruct you to eliminate any exterior food and drinks. Don’t fret — the park has loads of concession stands and eating places nonetheless working for Halloween Horror Nights. Even higher, there is a particular menu catered to Halloween Horror Nights with toasty Keep-Puft marshmallow s’mores treats or Leatherface’s BBQ. Different common eateries, like a lot of the Simpsons space’s choices, Three Broomsticks, or the Jurassic Cafe, are additionally accessible for many who are followers of the on a regular basis Common Studios fare. Choices are nonetheless plentiful, so do not fret if you happen to miss consuming dinner beforehand.
Are you able to drink alcoholic drinks throughout Halloween Horror Nights? Completely! Common Studios understands you would possibly require some liquid braveness to enterprise into their haunted homes, however they do require one legitimate ID to be proven for one drink. There is not any ordering rounds on your buddies and shedding monitor of what number of drinks you’ve got imbibed. You by no means wish to be the drunkest individual at Halloween Horror Nights. Drink responsibly as you are taking a dance break at The Weeknd’s themed bar within the decrease lot, hit up Isla Nu-Bar for his or her yummy “Die-Tai” cocktail with gummy skulls, or try the Dia De Los Muertos Plaza for margaritas and Modelo. Get together with the lifeless — however do not turn into a zombie.
What are the costume restrictions?
As for costumes, Common Studios has loads of restrictions as a result of there is a hazard of being mistaken for scare actors. You is likely to be tempted to decorate in character if you happen to’re a Chucky superfan or put on your ickiest Leatherface masks into his namesake maze this yr, however that won’t fly. As well as, it is a public theme park — not some Greek Life yard Halloween get together the place everybody’s competing to see who will be probably the most scantily clad [insert profession of choice]. There is a fairly concerned listing of necessities that you must rigorously learn if you happen to plan on cosplaying or placing collectively even the vaguest costume.
Common Studios is a family-friendly atmosphere, they usually reserve the suitable to refuse entry in the event that they deem your apparel inappropriate for both being too ugly or too revealing. Visitors should be totally clothed (you heathens), together with footwear and shirts. You can also’t put on something that makes you appear like a Common worker or emergency personnel (regulation enforcement, the army, servers, and so on.). Chorus from getting elaborate concepts about face paint or prosthetic make-up, too. Face portray is just permitted if it covers not more than one-half of the face (utilized vertically solely) until you pay for face portray from a Common worker, whereas prosthetic make-up is a complete no-no. Save that effort for some fancy producer’s get together in Beverly Hills.
Whereas service canines are admitted to the park, they might not put on something or be a part of your costume (as cute as they is likely to be). Additionally, do not be a dingus and take a look at to herald weapons — you are not making it previous the safety verify. You need to bodily be capable to match by way of the steel detectors in no matter you put on, so ditch the stilts and inflatable dinosaur go well with despite the fact that it’d make an awesome Jurassic World: The Trip photograph. It should be abundantly clear that you’re a visitor and never a scare actor; we do not want a “Hell Fest” state of affairs in actual life. These all look like frequent sense laws, however what about that one hyped pal who desires an image dressed because the Grabber with one of many precise scare actors dressed because the Grabber? You, the accountable pal, can shut that concept down now.
Are the rides open as effectively?
Concerning how a lot of the park you possibly can discover, it will likely be clear which areas you possibly can traverse. Directories will all have particular Halloween Horror Nights directions, since some mazes are tucked away behind parking buildings the place typical daywalkers aren’t allowed. You will have a free-enough reign of the park, together with most rides that Halloween Horror Nights patrons could be desirous about driving. That is certainly one of my favourite elements about Halloween Horror Nights: seeing no line for Revenge of the Mummy and sneaking in a cheeky darkish coaster session. Or possibly there is a warmth wave whenever you’re attending, and also you want a fast splashdown soak — Jurassic World: The Trip may help there. It is all included in your park ticket, so I might recommend making the most of the shortened experience queues throughout Halloween Horror Nights.
When you have any nervous members of your group who fear about how far scare actors can push their skilled duties, you possibly can guarantee them that performers can’t contact the visitors. Los Angeles has haunted homes the place you possibly can turn into a part of the narrative with permission, however Halloween Horror Nights is not any such occasion. Common Studios would not want that legal responsibility, nor do the scare actors want to fret about bodily altercations with unruly or reactionary visitors. Halloween Horror Nights is a secure area for horror lovers to immerse themselves within the joys of being scared foolish — I imply that actually. Try to be laughing as a lot as you are screaming. Scare actors aren’t attempting to make your expertise depressing; their job is to boost leisure whereas respecting boundaries.
So far as specific Halloween Horror Nights guidelines, these are the heavy hitters. Customary park laws are nonetheless in play, akin to how luggage, backpacks, and purses are allowed, however luggage with wheels usually are not. Halloween Horror Nights might look like a gathering of the damned, however its insurance policies are supposed to shield visitors and employees from any avoidable nightmares. With correct consciousness, you may don’t have any downside having fun with your go to to the fullest and with minimal frustrations.