Halloween Horror Nights 35 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors

[Blysthon]

I agree honestly. 35 doesn't feel as grand as 20, 25, 30. That's why I was unsure if that was the direction they were going to take next years' event.

However, given the Oddfellow symbol in El Artista, and Jack's cameo in Dolls (both houses which were featured prominently as photo-ops at the HHN Bar as a little aside), it seems like we could be in for some returning Icon characters in the spotlight. Oddfellow VS Jack has been an idea thrown around since 2023 in the very early lead-up to Sinister and Surreal. That alone seems to point in the direction of your usual anniversary year offerings.

I believe 35 will act as a pseudo-anniversary year. Not as elaborate or grand as HHN25 or 30, and not drawing attention to the year specifically, but still featuring certain returning concepts in the spotlight. Jack VS Oddfellow event theme, with a house and roaming characters, another Slaughter 2 house/zone, a Sinister / Surreal house, etc., but mostly just like another other year. Maybe not exactly "35 Years of Fear" again, instead having a few major concepts from the last 5 years in "Hero"-roles for the event. Prominent houses and zones, themes, and experiences. That's my take on it.

I don’t think it will be a Pseudo year, universal wants to go big for next year. At their advantage, And Plus the 30th year didn’t do so well because of Covid.

They’re going big next year, with Jack and the icons. Because they sell Money.

As Mr Krabs would say

Hello I like money

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I think there's a lot they could do with an Ozzy house AND there's broad general interest in it. I think if it's real and happens then it'll be a smash hit. Also who wouldn't want to rock out in the queue like we did for The Weeknd while waiting for the house?

 

[Andromeda]

Were there any any Easter eggs /clues in any of the houses this year?

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I don't think of 35 as any less of an "anniversary" than 30 lol

Universal itself had 35th anniversary merch all this year, so they at least think it's somewhat of a big deal!

 

[Blysthon]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I don't think of 35 as any less of an "anniversary" than 30 lol

Universal itself had 35th anniversary merch all this year, so they at least think it's somewhat of a big deal!

Ahem the wiki

Halloween Horror Nights 35

Halloween Horror Nights 35 is the 35th Halloween Horror Nights event at Universal Studios Florida. According to Lora Sauls, they began building the 35th anniversary of the event in April of 2025 and all of the five of the original haunted houses for the event had been approved.

halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com

They are serious about the anniversary

 

[Legacy]

I love Lora, but she also said the 2025 Tribute Store would be bigger than ever.

The event starts in August now. Starting to plan in April means they’re operating on a 16-month production schedule. They’ve been operating on that sort of schedule for HHN for over a decade. It just “feels” earlier because the event starts earlier.

In other words, statements of normal things are not indicative of anything positive or negative about next year.

 

[ThemeParks4Life]

This isn't a serious guess but I'd love to see Guillermo Del Toro's name get attached to an HHN project. Not specifically based on a movie but just, "Presents," similar to Rob Zombie, The Weeknd, etc.

Part of me wonders if he’d allow a Frankenstein house a la Crimson Peak. I’m suspecting no since he explicitly hasn’t been labeling it as horror (which I agree with), but damn, those sets would look incredible in a house.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Let's do this, wasting no time!

Right off the bat, I wanna make mention of Legacy commenting in the 365 Discord server that the IPs he's been hearing haven't been featured at the event before. Of course, it's way too early to cement that in, but it's something I'll take into account here.

Oddfellow vs Jack - I was starting to think this might be saved for HHN 40, but with the explicit Oddfellow and Jack teases placed in Artista on the final night, I suppose it's almost time for this epic battle to commence!

IP SPEC
Hellraiser - Obviously the first rumor we've already had for a few weeks now, exciting if true!

Stranger Things 5 - This feels like a no-brainer to me. The final season is upon us (with the series finale even getting a theatrical release), and of course it's been the big headliner for each year it's appeared at the event. To piggyback off GA-MBIT, I feel it's either next year or never, I don't see ST being as popular in 2027.

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 - Even if it weren't for the insane popularity of the house, merch sales alone would justify this decision. And I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but I feel this could be a perfect trilogy of marketing: FNaF this year ahead of the 2nd film, FNaF 2 next year (when FNaF 3 marketing should be ramping up as it's currently set to begin filming January, likely meaning an early 2027 release), and FNaF 3 that year to cap it off. This is HHN's new Stranger Things.

or, if not FNaF 2...

The Horrors of Blumhouse 4/Enter the Blumhouse 2 (Black Phone 2 + Insidious) - With Black Phone 2 being a smash hit both critically and financially, plus Blumhouse clearly trying to push the Grabber as a next big horror icon, we'll definitely be seeing him at least appear next year in some form, especially as the 2nd movie lends itself much better to a house than the first one did (which already made an amazing mini-house!). Combine that with Insidious 6 releasing next year, this I feel is definitely probable.

IT - With Welcome to Derry already being quite popular (and not to mention Universal looking mighty interested in acquiring Warner Bros.), I could definitely see (*one of!) our favorite psychopathic killer clown finally making his HHN debut. Although, if next year truly is Jack vs Oddfellow, it'd be weird to have two killer clowns headlining.

Scream - I do not look forward to Scream 7 at all due to the events surrounding it, but with next year being an anniversary year for both HHN and Scream, plus Spyglass probably looking for any way to get good spotlight time, I could see this happening. It'd be a shame for it to have to happen this way though.

Silent Hill - With a new movie on the way, Silent Hill f having just released, and Aiello having commented that he'd like to give the IP another shot, I'd love to see this happen. Although, I could also see it working as a New York zone.

Resident Evil - Another big anniversary, RE's 30th anniversary is next year, alongside RE9 and a new movie! This I feel definitely leans a bit more towards pretty probable over Silent Hill, and I believe Aiello has commented he'd like to give this IP another shot as well, although I might be misremembering.

Ozzy Ozbourne - With this being revealed as the clue answer today, combined with the universal praise of Wyatt Sicks as a tribute house, I can definitely see this happening, but I ponder whether it'd be a house or zone.


ORIGINAL SPEC
Jack vs Oddfellow - A grand battle between arguably HHN's two biggest Icons, one representing the past and one representing the future, this could be potential for a GOAT. Of course, you could have multiple endings with differing winners, and appearances from Chance and Eddie.

Poseidon's Fury - While before I would've said this shouldn't happen while the attraction is still rotting away, with the demolition permits now filed and TLC looking more likely to be on its way out here very soon, now color me on board for this! I hope it'd go with a darker and more cold/otherworldly vibe like the Tribute Store this year rather than Dueling Dragons' more campy, adventurous tone. Give me a scary Darkennon!

The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane - Especially with it winning Zone of the Year, this feels primed to get the zone-->house treatment. This would be perfect in either of the original sprungs.

Bugs 2 - I'm a broken record (I know I said it last year too), but with BZZCON being directly involved in the plot of both a house (Dolls) and zone (Mutations) this year, it really does at least feel like we're getting closer and closer to a proper Bugs sequel. And if not, I'm more than happy to see BZZCON be a part of more stories, they're starting to feel like the Umbrella Corp of HHN's universe, and I like it.

??? (full original, not a sequel) - I got nothin'.


GENERAL SPEC
-Club Horror will return, rearranged to have DJ + dance floor towards Custom Gear, with the bar where the current stage is.
-Mel's Die-In Zombies will return, no changes needed. Perfect.
-New lagoon show.
-Nightmare Fuel returns.
-11 houses..?

 

[Blysthon]

Didn't mean to hit post, whoops! Standby.

Let's do this, wasting no time!

Right off the bat, I wanna make mention of Legacy commenting in the 365 Discord server that the IPs he's been hearing haven't been featured at the event before. Of course, it's way too early to cement that in, but it's something I'll take into account here.

Oddfellow vs Jack - I was starting to think this might be saved for HHN 40, but with the explicit Oddfellow and Jack teases placed in Artista on the final night, I suppose it's almost time for this epic battle to commence!

IP SPEC
Stranger Things 5 - This feels like a no-brainer to me. The final season is upon us (with the series finale even getting a theatrical release), and of course it's been the big headliner for each year it's appeared at the event. To piggyback off GA-MBIT, I feel it's either next year or never, I don't see ST being as popular in 2027.

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 - Even if it weren't for the insane popularity of the house, merch sales alone would justify this decision. And I know I'm getting ahead of myself here, but I feel this could be a perfect trilogy of marketing: FNaF this year ahead of the 2nd film, FNaF 2 next year (when FNaF 3 marketing should be ramping up as it's currently set to begin filming January, likely meaning an early 2027 release), and FNaF 3 that year to cap it off. This is HHN's new Stranger Things.

or, if not FNaF 2...

The Horrors of Blumhouse 4/Enter the Blumhouse 2 (Black Phone 2 + Insidious) - With Black Phone 2 being a smash hit both critically and financially, plus Blumhouse clearly trying to push the Grabber as a next big horror icon, we'll definitely be seeing him at least appear next year in some form, especially as the 2nd movie lends itself much better to a house than the first one did (which already made an amazing mini-house!). Combine that with Insidious 6 releasing next year, this I feel is definitely probable.

IT - With Welcome to Derry already being quite popular (and not to mention Universal looking mighty interested in acquiring Warner Bros.), I could definitely see (*one of!) our favorite psychopathic killer clown finally making his HHN debut. Although, if next year truly is Jack vs Oddfellow, it'd be weird to have two killer clowns headlining.

Scream - I do not look forward to Scream 7 at all due to the events surrounding it, but with next year being an anniversary year for both HHN and Scream, plus Spyglass probably looking for any way to get good spotlight time, I could see this happening. It'd be a shame for it to have to happen this way though.

Silent Hill - With a new movie on the way, Silent Hill f having just released, and Aiello having commented that he'd like to give the IP another shot, I'd love to see this happen. Although, I could also see it working as a New York zone.

Resident Evil - Another big anniversary, RE's 30th anniversary is next year, alongside RE9 and a new movie! This I feel definitely leans a bit more towards pretty probable over Silent Hill, and I believe Aiello has commented he'd like to give this IP another shot as well, although I might be misremembering.

Ozzy Ozbourne - With this being revealed as the clue answer today, combined with the universal praise of Wyatt Sicks as a tribute house, I can definitely see this happening, but I ponder whether it'd be a house or zone.


ORIGINAL SPEC

There’s an obvious choice that hasn’t been at the event before


Edit: Also including Hellraiser too

 

[GA-MBIT]

In a similar vein to some of my comments towards the end of the last speculation period, it is both remarkable and a bit sad that it's barely been a day and this thread already has more pages than a number of the HHN34 houses and zone discussions got across their entire run. For all the energy this site spends predicting what comes next, actually speaking on each offering once they arrive seems to be far lower on the priority list. A shame for an event so rich in its' design and attention to detail.

 

[Legacy]

In a similar vein to some of my comments towards the end of the last speculation period, it is both remarkable and a bit sad that it's barely been a day and this thread already has more pages than a number of the HHN34 houses and zone discussions got across their entire run. For all the energy this site spends predicting what comes next, actually speaking on each offering once they arrive seems to be far lower on the priority list. A shame for an event so rich in its' design and attention to detail.

Yeah… I’ve noticed it last year too. I honestly think the event is too long for the community where, after four weeks, the focus shifts to “what’s next” while there’s still five weeks left. Add the frequency at which so many fans go to the event creates a familiarity where we start asking for me.

It happens with new rides too.

I’m just going to sit and ponder Universal having success with an experimental IP like WWE, establishing a relationship with Amazon for Fallout, and needing something to drive a show.

Oh, look… Hazbin Hotel is available now.

 

[Jake S]

Speaking only for myself, I really find it tough to get into the nitty gritty of house reviews for a bunch of houses I've only done one time. That's enough for me to have broad impressions (is it good, is it bad, what worked, what didn't) but not really much more granular than that. But definitely agree with the sentiment. I used to take notes after the houses [when I was paid to write about them] and it's great to ... not have to do that anymore. But I'd like to participate more in those discussions than I typically do.

 

[GA-MBIT]

Yeah… I’ve noticed it last year too. I honestly think the event is too long for the community where, after four weeks, the focus shifts to “what’s next” while there’s still five weeks left. Add the frequency at which so many fans go to the event creates a familiarity where we start asking for me.

It happens with new rides too.

I understand the impulse. The unknown is infinitely more interesting than the known, and with 15+ brand new attractions each year, that's a pretty consistent hype cycle-induced dopamine rush.

I just wish we showed these attractions an inch of the attention we give them when they're just whispers between TM's and Discord users. There's just so much there, and frankly, I believe it's all way more interesting to talk about once it's actually open and built and running than as a hypothetical potential for 10 months straight.

I said it last year, and I stand by it. I posted my initial thoughts and expectations for 35 today, but I don't actually want to know anything about the event until midway through August of next year. If I could feasibly make that happen, I would. It'd be so much more interesting and exciting for me to have an actual surprise reveal for Ozzy or Hazbin than for it to be an open secret for 2/3rd's of a year beforehand.

But that's just me, and clearly, I am not representative of the thread at large. People love it and that's totally fine. I can still think it's a shame when the Hazbin thread gets like 5 pages total though.

 

[HHN Maddux]

Yeah… I’ve noticed it last year too. I honestly think the event is too long for the community where, after four weeks, the focus shifts to “what’s next” while there’s still five weeks left. Add the frequency at which so many fans go to the event creates a familiarity where we start asking for me.

It happens with new rides too.

I’m just going to sit and ponder Universal having success with an experimental IP like WWE, establishing a relationship with Amazon for Fallout, and needing something to drive a show.

Oh, look… Hazbin Hotel is available now.

Actually just reminded me but as insane as it is, I could see *something* Hazbin possibly happening with Amazon now buddy-buddy. Whether it be a photo op or an insane puppet house, I could see it.

While before I'd say never gonna happen, nwith Terrifier having been at the event, anything is possible.

 

[TheAlaskanBullworm]

Does HHN bring in more/enough scareactors and TMs these days that they could add an 11th house? I would think that, outside of the logistics of location and such, staffing would be the biggest hurdle

 

[HHN Maddux]

Does HHN bring in more/enough scareactors and TMs these days that they could add an 11th house? I would think that, outside of the logistics of location and such, staffing would be the biggest hurdle

This year, at least as far as I could tell, had nowhere near as much staffing issues as the past two years house-wise. I think an 11th house could be feasible now.

 

[Andromeda]

This year, at least as far as I could tell, had nowhere near as much staffing issues as the past two years house-wise. I think an 11th house could be feasible now.

My feet say a 11th house isn’t feasible!
We walked over 9 miles Saturday night.

 

[Tobias]

Yeah… I’ve noticed it last year too. I honestly think the event is too long for the community where, after four weeks, the focus shifts to “what’s next” while there’s still five weeks left. Add the frequency at which so many fans go to the event creates a familiarity where we start asking for me.

It happens with new rides too.

I’m just going to sit and ponder Universal having success with an experimental IP like WWE, establishing a relationship with Amazon for Fallout, and needing something to drive a show.

Oh, look… Hazbin Hotel is available now.

Won't lie, a lagoon show would be a very good fit for Hazbin.

As for main spec for 35, I'm sticking with the most obvious things right now. As mentioned before it's gonna' be an Anniversary year, and with Dr. Oddfellow's symbols showing up in El Artista, it's not out of the question our charming Dr. could return.

I think it's also safe to say that we'll have a similar setup for the soundstage queues/access next year, as the new coaster will still be under construction and the queue space from years past just isn't available. This is fine by me since I found it so much easier hitting up the houses compared to years past, not to mention the abundance of indoor queues was a godsend.

And while this is purely wishful thinking, I do hope this year's Stay and Scream process returns. I know it's not the best when it comes to gameplans (especially with heavy hitter houses), but I just found this process far more relaxing and convenient than the cattle pen method. I really enjoyed being able to get the wristband without fuss, then going on E.T. and MIB easy peasy while I wait.

 

[Mad Dog]

I understand the impulse. The unknown is infinitely more interesting than the known, and with 15+ brand new attractions each year, that's a pretty consistent hype cycle-induced dopamine rush.

I just wish we showed these attractions an inch of the attention we give them when they're just whispers between TM's and Discord users. There's just so much there, and frankly, I believe it's all way more interesting to talk about once it's actually open and built and running than as a hypothetical potential for 10 months straight.

I said it last year, and I stand by it. I posted my initial thoughts and expectations for 35 today, but I don't actually want to know anything about the event until midway through August of next year. If I could feasibly make that happen, I would. It'd be so much more interesting and exciting for me to have an actual surprise reveal for Ozzy or Hazbin than for it to be an open secret for 2/3rd's of a year beforehand.

But that's just me, and clearly, I am not representative of the thread at large. People love it and that's totally fine. I can still think it's a shame when the Hazbin thread gets like 5 pages total though.

Good points. I'm not really a HHN fan or that targeted demographic. I've been there 6 nights over the years, but that's more than enough for me.
But, I do like to peruse the HHN threads just for info's sake, plus the rest of IU threads kind of slows to a crawl during the HHN season. Everything I've
read indicates this has been a very successful year and guests seem to both embrace it and enjoy HHN 34.
But, I've really been surprised how little forum input on the houses, scare zones, entertainment there's been. Not a ghost town, but pretty damn quiet.
Why, I don't know.....unless, if stuff was disappointing like last year, the naysayers are more active than the like sayers. Perhaps then the threads would have been more active. Maybe haters write more. But, with few haters this year, the silence indicates satisfaction, and thus no need to write comments.

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

Good points. I'm not really a HHN fan or that targeted demographic. I've been there 6 nights over the years, but that's more than enough for me.
But, I do like to peruse the HHN threads just for info's sake, plus the rest of IU threads kind of slows to a crawl during the HHN season. Everything I've
read indicates this has been a very successful year and guests seem to both embrace it and enjoy HHN 34.
But, I've really been surprised how little forum input on the houses, scare zones, entertainment there's been. Not a ghost town, but pretty damn quiet.
Why, I don't know.....unless, if stuff was disappointing like last year, the naysayers are more active than the like sayers. Perhaps then the threads would have been more active. Maybe haters write more. But, with few haters this year, the silence indicates satisfaction, and thus no need to write comments.

The event was so good people were out there enjoying it instead of talking about it.
Unlike last year…