Halloween Horror Nights 34 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors

[Lucky Planet]

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he's so ugly lol. I guess he's inevitable.

Imagine a year with both Freddy & Jason in the park! Oh wait...

Now a pure slasher IP year with both of them AND Ghostface AND Art in their own houses?? Bananas pipedream but let's manifest it against all odds lmao.

For non-IPs, put me in the camp that would love to see Zyborgs return. Out of all the SS2 segments, that's the one I felt had the most room for growth in terms of set & character design. A lot of the others were more fun but more one-note in what their premise could bring to the table. I wouldn't mind the Mardi Gras Murders jester show up in a more general Louisiana house though (Dead Waters/Bayou of Blood 2, anyone??).

However, before any SS2 room is expanded upon, I dream of Amazon Cannibals from Planet Hell to finally get their due.

Also going to advocate for a Vanity Ball house for probably an eternity.

I think it's been 10 years (9 events) since the Body Collectors were last seen. Barring Hellraiser getting it's own house, I would love to see either more Gentlemen or maybe even an expansion of Sinist3r's lore into a full house treatment to scratch that "freaky-but-classy gore house" itch.

I'm eager to see what direction things go in next year! "Strong IP lineup" could mean so many things in today's horror media landscape and that's kind of awesome to think about!

next year has to be a super really strong IP year to make up for this year .
since I didn't attend this year, I'm not sure if I'll return next year. and it would have to have Jason Voorhees for me to return. so I really hope my boy Jason is coming back.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Let's get this show started! For IPs, less predictions for now, more just what I think has a more probable chance of showing up.

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S (1+2)
Ima hold out hope for this. I think now that especially with the second movie on its way next year, and marketing for it will be at its peak during HHN season, I think we could very well see a house that's split between the first movie and a living trailer for the 2nd.

WEDNESDAY
Wednesday beat out Stranger Things 4 for Netflix's biggest original debut when Season 1 was released, and with Season 2 on its way in spring and confirmed to be much darker and more horror-focused, I think there's a decent possibility of this showing up. Nevermore is also a perfect setting for a house, so that helps.

FRIDAY THE 13TH
What more can be said that hasn't already? With the Jason Universe and immersive experiences mentioned, I think this is almost a given already. Plus, while I know anniversaries usually mean nothing, next year is the 45th anniversary of the franchise, so some good synergy there as well.

THE LAST OF US: PART II
Season 2 releasing in spring, and next year marks the 5th anniversary of Part II. The only thing going against this is that it's been confirmed Part II is being split into multiple seasons for the show, although let's not forget the first house only covered one section of the game, so I think there's a very high chance we could still see this.

M3GAN
M3GAN 2.0 is on its way next summer, and I think it'll be more than enough content for our favorite new killer doll to get her own house. Now as others have said, I can definitely still see this becoming another HoB mashup with Black Phone 2 added on (which I would not be complaining about), but for the time being, I think it could be its own house.


Now for some original speculation, which is 50/50 personal spec and what I genuinely think we could end up seeing:

THE MARDI GRAS MURDERS
I've been wanting a Mardi Gras house for years, and I think Sinema 2 in just a few short seconds, showed how much fantastic potential it has. So many great ideas to play around with, and it could make for a very fun, and at the same very intense and close-quarters haunt.

TORTURE FAIRE
With HHN leaning more and more into medieval concepts (FINALLY!), I think this could almost be a given with its popularity amongst the public. They could go either route as well with including SINIST3R and potentially giving the Duality more story, or the Asylum in Wonderland route (same concept, different story).

BUGS 2
Normally I'd say easter eggs are just easter eggs, but the amount of references to Bugs this year has made me ponder if we could be seeing it return. The bug infestation in All Hallow's Eve and the Tribute Store, the mutated ants reference in Sahara Traders, the Extermin-Air bottle in Triplets, to BZZCON being responsible for the events of two movies in Sinema? I could very well be reaching, but I feel like these could be genuine buildups to a return.

??? ORIGINAL
New original.

ICON HOUSE
I do think we'll see yet another new Icon next year, and this time with a house. I'm noticing a bit of a pattern here:
30 - Icon house
31 - Icon with heavy presence but no house
32 - Icon house
33 - Icon(s) with presence but no house
34 - Icon house?

 

[Crypt Keeper]

Good to be back. Let's get this thing started.

General:

10 Haunted Houses
5/5 Split
Event Stays At USF
No Icon(s)
Meet & Greet Bar Returns
Upgraded Front of Park Zone
Lagoon Show Returns

IPs To Take Note Of:

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
M3GAN
The Black Phone II
Until Dawn
Terrifier
Silent Hill
The Last of Us
Five Nights At Freddy's

Original Houses Speculation:

The Mardi Gras Murders OR Heavy Metal Hell 3D (They could do both. One has a house, the other as a zone)
Traditional Halloween Original
Somber Elegance Original
VAMP: Monsters Through History
Folklore Original

Notes:

The event doesn't need 11 or 12 houses.... yet. I'd rather see more entertainment options other than houses. The return of the lagoon show is a step in the right direction. Animal Actors/DreamWorks Land was dead every night I was there. Animal Actors would be a great spot for a second stage show.

Scarezones, specifically the front one, need to be upgraded. The other zones were an upgrade compared to 2023, but more needs to be done. I really do miss the chainsaw hordes.

Universal should utilize the Blue Man Group Courtyard. I've brought this up multiple times, as have others, and I won't drop it cause it's a great idea lol. It would be a nice area for more food booths/bars and meet & greet encounters.

Regarding Icons, I have a feeling Sinister & Surreal killed off the idea of new Icons going forward. Which would hopefully mean we see the return of Icons like Caretaker or Eddie or Usher. But, I do really hope I'm wrong cause I could go for a Curator year lol.

Didn't put Monstruos 2 because the Orlando house didn't get anywhere near the praise the original Hollywood house received. Would also feel kinda lazy to do another Latin American house so soon. But that's just a nitpick on my end.

 

[FaceBagman]

next year has to be a super really strong IP year to make up for this year .
since I didn't attend this year, I'm not sure if I'll return next year. and it would have to have Jason Voorhees for me to return. so I really hope my boy Jason is coming back.

I respect it!

For me, the adventure alone is always worth it. I find such fulfillment in the little moments where I see other people around me having a good time and I will always be coming back for that "let's all geek out about the same thing!" vibe.

I've met people who've had lifelong positive impacts on my worldview & mindset and, even though I'm in the middle of losing my residence & battling that hardship, I'm committed to making it back for the next fog no matter what.

So anyways...speculation thread...um...Anybody think the Rocks from Hell make a comeback in some form next year? They seemed like the most popular food item that wasn't tied to an IP, and could be easy to theme for other houses.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I know a lot are against it, but if Gaga's latest music video for her new album is any indication of the overall feel I think it could fit.

 

[Lucky Planet]

I respect it!

For me, the adventure alone is always worth it. I find such fulfillment in the little moments where I see other people around me having a good time and I will always be coming back for that "let's all geek out about the same thing!" vibe.

I've met people who've had lifelong positive impacts on my worldview & mindset and, even though I'm in the middle of losing my residence & battling that hardship, I'm committed to making it back for the next fog no matter what.

So anyways...speculation thread...um...Anybody think the Rocks from Hell make a comeback in some form next year? They seemed like the most popular food item that wasn't tied to an IP, and could be easy to theme for other houses.

yeah I've been going since 2006, always with frequent fear pass lol. I love ip houses from good movies. I love 80s houses, I love Jason, my favorite year of all time was 2007 with the ips.
this year was just brutal.for ips. I tried to be positive before the event started, but it might be the weakest IP year ( for my own personal tastes) I hope that next year they can get something really awesome. even if it's a repeat like Freddy vs Jason. even if they bring back Michael Myers or Leatherface again lol. at least 1 ip needs to be a big slasher.

and the streets to me are equally important as the houses, because I spend a lot of time in the streets, more than the houses actually. the streets this year seem to really be lacking. I didn't like the vids from them at all. kinda terrible.
I strongly hope the lagoon show comes back. it NEEDS To return. we need the lagoon show so badly.
but then we had the hurricane so who knows. lagoon show might never come back.

 

[DannyPowers]

I think despite what many of us are saying (and what a lot of the feedback was), there will be minimal operational changes.

As for IPs, I do think that Smile and Terrifier need to be watched.

I also noticed that The Conjuring has been mentioned a couple times. Just a reminder, that is owned by Warner and likely has a better chance of being used at Six Flags.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

The event doesn't need 11 or 12 houses.... yet. I'd rather see more entertainment options other than houses. The return of the lagoon show is a step in the right direction. Animal Actors/DreamWorks Land was dead every night I was there. Animal Actors would be a great spot for a second stage show.

I would love to see them do a second show in Animal Actors, but it would likely lead to them losing the food booth that's in front of it.

Dreamworks Land was closed off for the event, which I thought was interesting. I'm curious if they could place a few food booths throughout Dreamworks and almost treat it as the "courtyard" area we all want.

 

[Legacy]

I would love to see them do a second show in Animal Actors, but it would likely lead to them losing the food booth that's in front of it.

Dreamworks Land was closed off for the event, which I thought was interesting. I'm curious if they could place a few food booths throughout Dreamworks and almost treat it as the "courtyard" area we all want.

Then it basically shuts down the free-play kids area during the day…

 

[v0latilebear]

It shouldn’t be. Six Flags is the frontrunner for it.

Legacy (@vaden-black.bsky.social)

If the two HHN rumors I’m already hearing for 2025 are accurate, it will already be a stronger IP lineup than this year. If what I’m speculating comes true, it will be a very strong IP lineup.

bsky.app

Legacy (@vaden-black.bsky.social)

No Classic Monsters at HHN 2025 actually makes a lot of sense…

bsky.app

Seeing how the the ST houses looked at SF, could the rights holders pull it and go with universal?

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Then it basically shuts down the free-play kids area during the day…

I mean - I was just trying to think of any slightly open space in the area where they could place a booth or 2. I'm not advocating to shut down the land during the day lol

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

I know everyone wants Creature and so do I, but since the UM houses are usually shared between coasts and the marketing materials towards the house are also usually shared it makes it hard. But if Murdy doesn’t want Creature since he stated he wants a good budget for it, it’s chances in Orlando are slim to none.

I know that sounds like a poor excuse for not having it in Orl, but I know that would be a significant question raised behind the scenes.

 

[qwerty]

Not real speculation but my friends and I were thinking about possible dead coconut club themes for next year and our concensus was...Vanity Ball anyone?

 

[Viator]

Throwing out a thought but I wonder if Jack is back.

It’d be a looooong while since he’s headlined an event as a icon that isn’t a anniversary year, but I wonder if in the prospect of Epic opening and of Horror Unleashed in Vegas being at bay, if they might bring Jack over to HHN for a Non-anniversary event.

Also helps that you have two other clown-related IPs that could meld itself in with a return to a proper carnival theme.

 

[rageofthegods]

Maybe not Monstruos 2, but has there been any speculation on El Cucuy or Holidayz for a Hollywood port?

 

[Casper Gutman]

2025 needs to feature enough fundamental changes that it feels “new.” Operational changes can, in reality, be minor, but they have to be credibly promoted as substantive. I really want a festival center - it seems like an obvious development given the resort’s reliance on seasonal events and strength with seasonal theming, but that may be too much for 25 - but then, it is a pseudo-anniversary.

Streets NEED to be a major focus in 2025. At least one zone, likely SF, needs to move.

Beetlejuice should have been the 2024 headliner, but hindsight is 20/20. He won’t be as hot in 2025, but he’s proven to be viable with modern audiences and to move merch. He seems like a safe choice.

Black Phone 2 comes out during the event. It seems inevitable that the IP will show up, either in its own house or in another Blumhouse compilation.

If we’re not getting a classic monsters house, WB’s The Bride seems like a logical choice to slot into that spot.

Terrifier has certainly crossed into the horror mainstream, but I still think it’s too off-putting to a significant portion of the GP to feature in a house. We’ll see.

I’d love to see some of the old HHN franchises pop back up, things like Ghost Town, Psychoscareapy, or Hellgate. I’d also like to see more continuing storylines - with Monsters off the slate, that means more Sweets, which works for me.

Finally, 2023 vs 2024 has really demonstrated the value of a strong, heavily featured icon to focus the event. Hopefully we get a worthy successor to Oddfellow.

 

[HHN Maddux]

2025 needs to feature enough fundamental changes that it feels “new.” Operational changes can, in reality, be minor, but they have to be credibly promoted as substantive. I really want a festival center - it seems like an obvious development given the resort’s reliance on seasonal events and strength with seasonal theming, but that may be too much for 25 - but then, it is a pseudo-anniversary.

Streets NEED to be a major focus in 2025. At least one zone, likely SF, needs to move.

Beetlejuice should have been the 2024 headliner, but hindsight is 20/20. He won’t be as hot in 2025, but he’s proven to be viable with modern audiences and to move merch. He seems like a safe choice.

Black Phone 2 comes out during the event. It seems inevitable that the IP will show up, either in its own house or in another Blumhouse compilation.

If we’re not getting a classic monsters house, WB’s The Bride seems like a logical choice to slot into that spot.

Terrifier has certainly crossed into the horror mainstream, but I still think it’s too off-putting to a significant portion of the GP to feature in a house. We’ll see.

I’d love to see some of the old HHN franchises pop back up, things like Ghost Town, Psychoscareapy, or Hellgate. I’d also like to see more continuing storylines - with Monsters off the slate, that means more Sweets, which works for me.

Finally, 2023 vs 2024 has really demonstrated the value of a strong, heavily featured icon to focus the event. Hopefully we get a worthy successor to Oddfellow.

As much as I love Psychoscareapy, I doubt we'll see it or Hellgate return anytime soon to avoid the more problematic nature of them (depicting asylum patients as serial killers).

Ghost Town, however, I can definitely see returning with a more hellish twist (Hatchet & Chains?).

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

I agree with Blumhouse (M3GAN/Black Phone), Last of Us 2, and Terrifier being likely bets, but here are some new IP dark horses that haven't been brought up yet (not that I necessarily think all, if any, would happen):

28 YEARS LATER - I'm not sure how the first two films being under Searchlight/Disney would complicate this, but now that the new trilogy is under Sony, they could pull another Frozen Empire and feature the first film at next year's event given its summer release.

NOSFERATU - Universal included the trailer in this year's queue ad reel and initial reactions are through the roof. I had it on my spec last year in case it was out in time, but this feels like the type of synergy A&D would go for. That being said, it's not starting a franchise, so it can really be used whenever the company sees fit.

THE SUBSTANCE - This could absolutely work as a dark comedy house, and the film's popularity continues to climb now that it's on streaming and has awards buzz. Universal already has a copyright on the film even though they sold it to MUBI, so it more than likely wouldn't be hard to acquire for the event unless actors' likenesses weren't approved.

Original speculation:

• One loosely inspired original from a Slaughter Sinema 2 theme (it's been a while since we've had a Christmas/holiday house...)
• One sequel house from the last decade (Scarecrow?)
• A sci-fi house
• No Monsters

 

[EmperorSephirothII]

Maybe not Monstruos 2, but has there been any speculation on El Cucuy or Holidayz for a Hollywood port?

Don't get my hopes up... It's too early for that xD

 

[Living Dead Dude]

HAPPY SPEC SEASON EVERYBODY!!!!!!

After this year being lackluster I really think they will try and go big for HHN 34. I think the most likely scenario we see is them going back to the old pattern of a Big IP house, A classic horror, a cult classic/niche property, a slasher, and of course our synergy house for the year.

1. Big IP- The Last of Us 2- While I personally don't want to see this one again, the original house was extremely popular and I'm sure season 2 of the show will be just as popular. The fact they can just get the rights from Naughty Dog again instead of having to work with MAX makes this one seem like a no-brainer especially since we seem to have a great relationship with Sony/PlayStation.
2. Classic Horror- Jason/Friday the 13th- It sounds like the rights have been sorted out and it's just the right time to bring Jason back, especially with the Crystal Lake show coming to Peacock sometime next year as well! It also has the added bonus of not being repeated at the event over and over, The last time Jason was at the event was 9 years ago with Freddy vs Jason and the last time he had an entire house was 2007. Plus an added bonus can you just imagine campground kills level set design but for a Jason house!?!?!?!
3. Cult classic/Niche- Silent Hill 2- This one might just me being wishful thinking but I cant help but feel like now is the perfect time to bring it back! Not only did we just have the remake come out last month, but it seems to be selling extremely well. Konami is desperately trying to revive the franchise right now, plus the added bonus of the movie Return to Silent Hill, releasing sometime next year is following the same story as Silent Hill 2. Also worth mentioning while it is a PlayStation exclusive right now, the exclusivity is rumored to only be for a year and the game could be releasing to Xbox around the time of HHN next year.
4. Slasher- Terrifier- I always go back and forth on if this one will happen one day or not but after the public reception of Terrifier 3 I think this has to happen eventually. Art the clown is quickly becoming a horror icon with the likes of Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Chucky etc. While the films are controversial and oftentimes to over the top, I think a house could be done that isnt as graphic and still just as fun. Plus this is just a merchandise gold mine, everywhere you looked this year atleast one person was wearing an Art shirt!
5. Synergy- Horrors of Blumhouse- This one just speaks for itself, but Megan 2 and Black Phone 2 are just way to popular franchises to not capitalize off of. It has the bonus of being the first time we see a Megan house and the Black phone was incredible a few years ago, and I think its return would be welcomed by most. And while not as likely but I guess there's always a possibility of a Fazbear potentially showing up.

As for my guesses for Originals
6. Mardi Gras Murders- It was by far one of the best rooms in slaughter sinema 2 and just would make a great house, plus im sure Universal has a ton of extra mardi gras props just lying around somewhere that could be thrown in a house!
7. Sci fi/space house- This needs to happen with properties like Dead Space and Alien Romulus There has never been a better time to make a new house set in space!!
8. Scary Tales Sequel- I have a feeling Wicked is about to blow up this season and people will be crazy for Oz. While we got a little bit of Oz in the last Scary Tales House, I think now is the time to bring back Scary Tales and just go all out with Oz! Imagine bringing back the Lion puppet, having a scarecrow scene (ABSOLUTELY NO CORN), The wicked witch castle, and flying monkeys, there's almost a endless amount of potential. Plus people will be excited for Wicked part 2 just a few weeks after the event ends!
9. Mothman- We've had Yetis and chupacabras, so why not go and do another popular cryptid!!
10. Hollywood original- While I dont necessarily want Monstruos 2 next year, I think it is quite possible! or maybe a spin off house of El Cucuy, or redo la llorona, or maybe Holidayz in hell, or a good version of Pandoras box!!