Spring is barely here but already the theorizing has begun on Universal Studio’s wildly successful Halloween Horror Nights.
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights hasn’t released anything official yet, but construction is already underway at both parks. Despite the lack of news, one thing is sure HHN 2022 will be back with a vengeance in Hollywood and Orlando. No dates have been confirmed, but the previous years would dictate that it should open on September 2nd and run through October 31st, 2022.
According to OrlandoParkStop.com, five permits have been filed for houses with detailed construction not limited to two different soundstages, plywood maze-work, and a parade building. The permits are light on details, only listing “interior work,” but the spaces held Beetlejuice, Captured, Revenge of the Tooth Fairy, Wicked Growth, and Puppet Theater: Captive Audience last year.
There are rumors that Fast and Furious: Supercharged will be used as a new house in 2022, utilizing parts of the massive queue and also the ride track itself. No one knows what this new haunt will be, but some concepts are being thrown around, including Nope, The Last of Us, and a The Weeknd-themed maze. We don’t know whether The Weeknd will get a show based on his music, a scare zone, or a full house, but the artist’s name is on almost everyone’s list. Although it may seem like a weird fit, The Weeknd’s previous music videos and 2021 Super Bowl performance both lend themselves to possibilities.
In Hollywood, last year’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The House on Haunted Hill locations are visibly under construction in Hollywood. A barn-like structure can be seen from the previously Haunted Hill location, which almost certainly means that the house will not be back this year. This could be the home for Scarecrow or a Chupacabra cryptozoo. Additionally, Soundstage 29 and the Parisian Courtyard that both held mazes last year are just beginning construction. This year, a Scary Tales return might be in store as Universal Studios always likes to inject a little twisted fantasy with its entertainment properties. These spaces not only break up the monotony of movie monsters but provide a different spin on what horror is.
Universal has a long history of working with some of Netflix’s most popular series. Stranger Themes and The House on Haunted Hill have both been used successfully. The rumor mill is working overtime, speculating that it will continue in 2022 with a Fear Street or newly imagined Stranger Things based on the newest season premiering this summer.
Jordan Peele’s Nope is almost certainly going to be included. The mysterious movie releasing this summer has themes of movie-making, aliens, and sideshows which would all play well at HHN. Peele’s Us got a place in both parks in 2019, which sets a precedent for this. Universal Studios Florida’s The Mummy overhaul set to be completed by the end of the summer could see the return of the classic monster. That would obviously be stationed at The Mummy’s Revenge and would include the updated ride. Those nostalgic for franchises from the ’80s and ’90s will be excited by the possibility of a Gremlins or Scream-themed house. The Scream one would reference the newest movie, of course. Halloween Horror Nights likes to use a mix of classic houses with new creations, so we could see a return of a past favorite as well. Halloween is always popular, and it is all set to end this Fall with Halloween Ends.
Horror Night Nightmares known for their speculative maps each year includes Nope, The Mummy, Evil Dead, Scarecrow, Terror Tram, La Llorona, The Weeknd, and Killer Klowns From Outer Space. Please keep in mind with nothing confirmed but construction and visual clues from the parks, these ideas can and will change. Watch for news as we get closer about mazes, shows, food, and merchandise. We will keep you up to date on all the latest at HHN, Disney’s Halloween Celebrations, and everything else regionally Halloween-themed.