Universal Studios Florida Halloween Horror Nights

With the success of Fright Nights (1991), it was inevitable that the event would return bigger and better. But first, a new name was needed… one that Universal could call their own. Trademarked in 1986 for Universal Studios Hollywood’s event, it was the perfect fit: Halloween Horror Nights™.

Along with the name, Universal Orlando used an image that was originally made for Hollywood’s merchandise: a Halloween pumpkin being torn to bits by a chainsaw. With the new name and image, Universal brought back the Dungeon of Terror (1992) in the queue of the JAWS Attraction (still under renovation at the time) along with a brand-new Haunted House The People Under the Stairs (1992). The Haunted House was based on Wes Craven’s horror film of the same name, released by Universal Pictures in November of 1991. Robosaurus, a gigantic robotic dinosaur as the name encapsulates, was at the event and would breathe fire and devour cars to the entertainment of guests. This marked the first year of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure, a show that riffed on pop culture and featured dance numbers with the titular characters William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. and Theodore “Ted” Logan from Orion Pictures’ BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE (1989, 1991, 2020) films. The show was a staple of Horror Nights™ until its final “tour” during Halloween Horror Nights™ 27 (2017). The Thunder Dome street show and The Pendragons magic show also returned.