For those looking for a close (and spooky!) weekend escape, a visit to Aventura Hotel and Halloween Horror Nights 28 at Universal Orlando Resort are in order.
Universal’s premier Halloween event launched last Friday and Boca magazine was there to experience it.
While at the event, we had the opportunity to stay at the brand-new Aventura Hotel on property. The hotel features sleek guest rooms controlled by smart technology (iPads) and a 17th floor rooftop known simply as Bar 17 Bistro. There, guests can nibble on Asian-inspired dishes and refreshing house-made cocktails while taking in impressive views of all three Universal theme parks. We highly recommend a visit there to nourish before taking on the grand event that is Halloween Horror Nights 28.
Hungry for more? Their communal dining hall, Urban Pantry, features a variety of yummy dishes such as fresh-made pizza and sushi to enjoy in a laid-back setting.
Aventura Hotel’s Bar 17 Bistro
While we explored HHN28, we were impressed with this year’s take on cult horror classics, such as a scare zone for “Killer Klowns From Outer Space” and an edgy ’80s-inspired scare zone, where it’s New Year’s Eve and the ball drops to murder, known as “Vamp 1985: New Year’s Eve.”
Academy of Villains Cyberpunk
Some highlights that we experienced and recommend visitors take on when they attend HHN28 include:
- An extremely spooky, and faithful to the television show, house known as “Stranger Things.” While there you will feel like you are in the Upside Down, and we even caught some visitors dressed like characters from the show enjoying the unique thrills, adding to the mood of the experience.
- A house that takes you straight to Haddonfield, Illinois where Michael Myers is ready for revenge in “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.” This creepy home will have you ready for the upcoming new film and will have you truly running scared from the title character.
- if you have ever wondered what creatures wait behind the glowing light of that iconic television screen, a visit into Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s (MGM) supernatural horror film “Poltergeist” is in the cards. No spoilers, but it’s definitely a scary and haunting cast of characters!
- Make sure to follow Sam, the spirit of Halloween, from Legendary Pictures’ cult classic “Trick ‘r Treat.” One piece of advice regarding this house is to go slowly, take your time, and take in the gorgeous Halloween sights, no matter how scared you are! The transportation into the film is impressive.
- The home of Jason Blum’s “Happy Death Day” and “The First Purge,” otherwise known as “The Horrors of Blumhouse,” will have you living the same day over and over again, like in the “Happy Death Day” cult film at the start, and then ends with the twists and turns of “The First Purge.” We loved the design of the home and found ourselves enjoying this one first, since we are big fans of the films, and were not disappointed.
- The five scare zones are worth a visit as well, and they are hard to escape as you travel the park! “Dead Exposure: Patient Zero,” “Slaughter Sinema,” “Carnival Graveyard: Rust in Pieces,” “Seeds of Extinction” and “ScaryTales: Deadly Ever After” will surely have you grabbing your date’s hand (or nearby friend) as you run your way through the park escaping zombies, chainsaws and other creepy characters that inhabit Halloween Horror Nights 28.
Trick ‘r Treat Haunted House
Some of our favorites of the weekend included “Trick ‘r Treat,” whose elaborate backdrop made us feel like we were transported to a super spooky Halloween eve and “Dead Exposure: Patient Zero,” where strobe lights and scary creatures confuse as you find yourself in a deadly maze where it takes effort and lots of focus to escape.
Another highlight that we experienced was the brand-new Halloween show with Academy of Villains combining dance, acrobatics and theatrics called “Academy of Villains: Cyberpunk,” featuring a new storyline that tests humanity against technology.
We don’t want to give any spoilers away, but this Halloween show and the entire HHN28 event is definitely the fall getaway you want to experience with your family and friends.
For more information about Halloween Horror Nights 2018 and to purchase tickets, visit HalloweenHorrorNights.com.
