As summer fades away, fall takes center stage. With everyone craving a good fright, a trip to Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) at Universal Studios in Hollywood is the perfect way to kick off the Halloween season. Here’s my ranking of seven out of the eight mazes at HHN from least to most favorite.
Five Nights at Freddy’s
It was not in my top three, but I can see why it was a fan favorite for people who have played the “Five Nights at Freddy’s” games. But for those not into the game, it was probably not worth your time. There were about two or three jump scares, but the mechanics were meticulous and lively. This is only worth it if you are a serious “Five Nights at Freddy’s” fan and can tolerate standing in line for one to three hours.
Overall Rating: 1.5/5
Scarecrow
I expected a subtle experience, but the Scarecrow maze took an unexpected turn and proved to be fascinating. The maze began slowly, featuring fake corpses surrounded by crows. Every section of the maze, from the dining room to the farm area, was meticulously detailed. With one or two light scares that get you in each room. But once you continue into the maze, scare actors jump out at you from each corner like The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks. However, the scares lighten up after the halfway point and become less intense. With a one-hour-long wait, this maze is ideal if you’re looking for something that’s only scary in some parts.
Overall Rating: 2/5
Fallout
This new maze was introduced to Universal Studios, based on the video game and TV series “Fallout.” Numerous people have found a liking to this maze, but was it really the best? The wait was about one to one and a half hours. While navigating this maze, the jump scares were slight, and the details on the sets and makeup on the actors were impressive. This one was less about scaring you and more about making you feel like you were actually in the game. If you don’t enjoy slow-paced mazes, then this one isn’t for you.
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks
This maze was quite surprising to me. I was expecting to see wrestling since the maze was based on a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fighter. Once I entered, it changed my whole perspective on it. At the beginning, there are slight scares, but as you make your way inside, there are more scary actors using every second they have to scare you. At one point in the maze, they kept coming out of every corner. The regular wait time for the maze was one to two hours. I found this maze very entertaining, mostly since the scare actors were energetic with their scares.
Overall Rating: 3/5
Poltergeist
This maze, which has been around since 2018, remains entertaining and gives off the feeling of being at your grandma’s house upon entering. While walking through, I gradually felt more claustrophobic due to the constant pushing of people crowding into the room and the lights and mechanics constantly going off. Although there were not many jump scares, the props were authentic and enjoyable. The estimated wait time was two to two and a half hours. If you don’t enjoy being in a close and compact area, I don’t recommend it.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Jason
This new maze was a fan favorite. The wait time was about two to three hours. Right at the start, Jason presents the mother with her fake head lying on the table. As you continue, the perfect attention to detail in everything makes for a great experience. At one part of the maze, they scare you at each corner, but compared to The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks and Scarecrow, it delivered a much better scare. Overall, this was one of my favorite mazes and lived up to the hype.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Terrifier
This was one of the most popular mazes and my favorite this year. Art the Clown is not only found in the maze but in the scare zones, or areas within the theme park that guests can walk through without a formal line. From the moment you arrive, flashing lights and action surround you, all carefully designed. The entire maze is filled with the best parts of each “Terrifier” movie. From the bleach scene to cutting a girl in half, every single room you walk into is filled with gore. Distinct smells fill the air throughout the maze, while moments of getting splashed enhance the experience. The maze was extremely entertaining, but the creators prioritized visual impact over jump scares, choosing to highlight gruesome kills. Though the wait time is two to three hours, people can’t stop talking about this maze. If blood and guts aren’t your thing, skip this one. But if you’re brave enough, give it a try.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
