Spooky season is quickly approached and Universal Studios Florida has started the transformation for Halloween Horror Nights. The event starts September 1 this year and scare zones have started to take shape in the park. Scare zone trusses have gone up throughout several areas of Universal Studios Florida as construction for Halloween Horror Nights 32 gets underway. Let’s take a look at what we can see so far.
New York
In the park’s New York section, crews have set up a stage near the Metropolis Tribune façade. This scare zone stretches throughout the street and is usually one of the biggest. Two years ago, we saw a stage in this same area for the Seek and Destroy scare zone.
Trusses are up around the elevated stage. For safety, a sign warns guests to keep off the stage.
On Horror Night Nightmares’ latest speculation map, this scare zone was labeled with zodiac symbols. But no scare zone themes have been confirmed so far.
Another pair of columns and blue scaffolding wrapped in black scrims are across from the stage, in front of the previous Tribute Store location. This set up is much different than the Sweet Revenge scare zone from last year.
This may be the first year the Halloween Tribute Store will be in the park’s Hollywood section, though many hope to see it return to its original location.
San Francisco
As you approach the San Francisco section of the park, there are many tall trusses throughout the area. This scare zone is located near the exit of Fast and Furious Supercharged and Chez Alcatraz. Tall lighting trusses line the walkway leading through San Francisco, towards The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Last year, this scare zone had a stage and was called Conjure the Dark.
There are three trusses lining the edge of the lagoon, all topped with lighting, pointing towards the open space in the center. This area is usually pretty narrow and gets congested with crowds during the event, so we’re hoping this area will maintain a more open feel this year. Scare zone set pieces should start arriving any day now. This scare zone is rumored to be themed to Krampus. During the holidays, Krampus took over the All Hallows Eve boutique and there’s even still a sign that reads “Krampus is coming” in the Monster Gram Pictures Studios. Could that be a hint? We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
We noticed more lights had been installed on the corner of the buildings at the exit of Fast and Furious, overlooking the scare zone. This area definitely looks like it’s going to have a lot of spooky lighting.
Blue construction walls are currently up in front of the San Francisco Beer Company stand. We don’t know if the stand is permanently closed, being replaced, or being updated like other snack kiosks in Universal Studios Florida. We can see over the construction walls that the stand has been completely removed from the area. Several snack stands were recently demolished and replaced with updated stands, so this could be the case here. We also might see the removal of this stand to make more room for the Halloween Horror Nights scare zone in this area.
The stand could be completely gone during the event, but pop-up bars around the park may compensate for alcohol sales during the event. Construction around Lombard’s leads us to believe we will see the addition of several Halloween bars in this area again. Last year, the bars behind Lombard’s were the best places to grab mixed alcoholic drinks (not premixed) without waiting in line.
Across the street, an archway frames the entrance to the lagoon-side seating area next to the San Francisco Pastry Company. Another column truss is just past the archway, where San Francisco transitions into London (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter).
More trusses are through the archway, on the pier. Last year, there were 3 bars and plenty of seating to grab a drink and relax away from the crowd.
A square set of trusses is at the far end of the pier. Despite the fencing and trusses, guests can still walk through this area to the tables and chairs.
And more columns line the pier behind Lombard’s Seafood Grille. Let’s just hope this is a good sign for spooky things to come.
Hollywood
Hopping over to the other side of the park, an upside-down L-shaped truss is at the front of the Hollywood street. It’s right outside the Brown Derby, where the entrance to the Nettlewoods Cemetery was last year. This scare zone was Graveyard Deadly Unrest at last year’s event.
The speculation map lists this scare zone as “Vamp ’69,” but again, nothing has been announced or confirmed.
The Tribute Store is now located in this area of Universal Studios Florida. Currently, it’s themed to the 30th anniversary of “Jurassic Park.”
One more L-shaped truss is at the other end of Hollywood, close to Mel’s Drive-In, which is currently closed for refurbishment. Let’s hope the refurbishment finishes up in time for us to visit the Die-In.
Central Park
Heading into Central Park, tall trusses covered in green scrims have been erected on the sides of the walkway. Since our last check on this scare zone’s progress, lights have been installed on top of the tall trusses. Wires connect them to each other overhead. There is also an archway over part of the sidewalk and road.
The tall trusses alternate from one side of the street to the other.
The last one is just before the courtyard in front of Animal Actors on Location! More trusses are in place near KidZone and Springfield.
So far, Universal Studios Florida has announced houses based on “Stranger Things,” “The Last of Us” video game, and “Chucky.” Here are more stories about Halloween Horror Nights 32:
- Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store Preview Date, Giveaway, & Other Passholder Perks Announced at Universal Orlando Resort
- New Capacity Management System In Place for Team Members Attending Halloween Horror Nights 32
- November Dates Added, Multi-Night Tickets Now Available for Halloween Horror Nights 32 at Universal Orlando Resort
- RUMOR: ‘Dueling Dragons’ Themed Original House Coming to Halloween Horror Nights 32 at Universal Studios Florida
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