Travel back to Halloween in the '80s at this theme park

October 16, 2018 // By A.D. Thompson

By A.D. Thompson
Orlando Local Expert October 16, 2018

Tubular ... and terrifying! Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort 2018

Tubular ... and terrifying!

Stranger Things, arguably HHN28's hottest horror house, may be a new series, but as it takes place in the early '80s, it appeals to both the millennials, who so love the decade's film, fashion and music, and the gen-X'ers, who actually remember what it was like to grow up like the boys of the Hawkins AV club – so mercifully free of helicopter parents! Last year, HHN bid farewell to longstanding '80s icons Bill & Ted, but more than makes up for it on its menu, its mazes, its merch and more.

Byers beware Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Byers beware

Joyce Byers' brilliant holiday-lights Ouija board to the Upside Down is honored in as sweet a way possible, via enormous special-event cupcakes. At $4.99 a pop, they come in chocolate or red velvet and are the stuff social-media food porn dreams are made of, but they aren't the only beauty of the bunch.

Eggomaniacs Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Eggomaniacs

Honor Eleven's love of Eggos with one of the waffle-based selections from HHN's new snack menu. Options include this, the Triple Decker Extravaganza, with layers of whipped cream, chocolate, peanut butter morsels, and jelly beans ($9.99 at the San Francisco Bakery). Others include bananas foster and strawberry shortcake varieties, fudge-dipped waffles on a stick and even a Syrup & Waffles frozen beverage.

Doughnut be afraid of the dark Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Doughnut be afraid of the dark

The calories, however, may haunt you well past Halloween. Behold, 11 Mini Donuts ($7.99). Options here are powdered sugar or cinnamon – and if you want a treat reminiscent of El's nosebleeds, you can go for the drizzle of sauce on top.

Wicked rad punch Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Wicked rad punch

It's one of HHN's two signature cocktails this year, another salute to the 1980s featuring blueberry and raspberry vodkas, triple sec, lemonade, and grenadine, which glows an alluring blood red in its 20-ounce, light-up souvenir cup. $12.99 for your first, $8.99 for refills thereafter.

Totally "L.I.T." Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Totally "L.I.T."

It's a totally tubular take on Long Island Iced Tea (LIT) comprised of vodka, tequila, gin, rum, triple sec, lime, sour mix and Coca-Cola. Same price as the punch, of course, and since the glass has a divider and a two-prong straw, you can try both signature cocktails at once with the "Gnarly Twist" version. Note: USE THE STRAW. The cup's design makes it a serious party-foul hazard if you get absent-minded and try to sip directly therefrom. At $9-13 a pop, you'll want to drink it, not suck it, vamp-style from your Evil Dead t-shirt.

Suck it Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Suck it

Speaking of which, you can hear the solidly mid-'80s playlist of the Vamp '85 Scare Zone, where Wang Chung, Lisa Lisa and AC/DC help set the scene for your time travel back to New Year's Eve. Wandering party-goers, metalheads, punk rockers and surfer dudes among them (was that Bill from Bill & Ted?) inspire a sense of revelry as a news crew captures the action.

LL Ghoul J Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

LL Ghoul J

With a gold grill, a track suit and a Kangol cap, your MC and host for the evening helps set the stage and interacts with park guests before introducing a menacing troupe of dancers in the Solid Gold tradition.

Shoot to thrill Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Shoot to thrill

Is it me, or is this party getting kind of Lost Boys? The dance routine heats up and the ball starts to drop. The dancers are looking a little suspicious to the camera man, but his unwitting partner, a chirpy '80s reporter on the go, ignores his warnings as the countdown starts.

Love at first bite Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Love at first bite

There aren't any George Hamilton vamps in this scare zone, though you will find other '80s doppelgangers, including Michael Jackson- and Prince-inspired vamps amid the melee of the New Year's Eve blood feast.

It's not Child's Play Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

It's not Child's Play

In case you were wondering, there's no age minimum, though Universal's site states the following: "Event may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for children under the age of 13." The Revenge of Chucky scare zone lovingly recreates the hokey horror this evil doll of the '80s made famous. Toys turn creepy here, but none are more disturbing than the man-sized "baby" doll who looms menacingly in nothing, save a diaper and bib.

They're heeere Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

They're heeere

Vignettes for each of the houses make for great photo-ops, none better than the static-screened TV and horrific clown of 1982's Poltergeist, one of HHN28's top mazes in this fan's opinion.

Post-millennial monstrosities Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Post-millennial monstrosities

It's not ALL '80s, of course. Not to be confused with the 1986 metal-themed horror film, Trick or Treat, Sam returns from last year's Scare Zone fun to host his own maze themed on 2007's Trick 'r Treat, a newer classic where the impish if murderous rag doll exacts revenge on those who fail to respect the code of Halloween. In this Tribute Store display, he is a guardian of holiday commerce.

Final-girl fashion Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Final-girl fashion

There may be more Michaels in the Halloween 4 house than demogorgons in the maze for Stranger Things. I couldn't get a solid count between gleeful heart attacks, but my 14-year-old daughter believes you can't have too many of either, so we hereby suggest an Alien vs. Predator-style mash-up maze featuring both for HHN29. In the meantime, though, this awesome tee could be the tag line for the whole 2018 event.

Masking your age Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Masking your age

Costumes in 2018 are a billion-dollar industry; back in the day it was as easy as one box from the local five-and-dime. For just a few bucks, you could be Alf or Pac-Man, Jem or Strawberry Shortcake. You'd want to get your candy gathering done in reasonable time, though, because that mask elastic wasn't going to make it through the night. Now you can relive those days with wall hangings reminiscent thereof.

Game out your night Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Game out your night

More '80s immersion ensues at the Universal Studios Store (near the park entrance) where a slew of era-appropriate video games awaits play. Quarters won't work here – because seriously, who carries change in 2018 anyway? – but token dispensers are on-hand to convert your cash or credit into HHN tokens the games will take. Keep one as a collector's item, for sure.

Close encounters... Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

Close encounters...

In space, no one can eat ice cream. Or so said the tag line of the 1988 classic, Killer Klowns from Outer Space. These Klowns not only have their own scare zone here on Earth, they've got an ice cream truck, too. They make for vivid and memorable selfies – super popular with fans! – but be careful while you're going over your pics...

...can be a KILLER! Photo courtesy of A.D. Thompson

...can be a KILLER!

...because when they get the drop on you in a dark corner, they are utterly terrifying!

Next Up

How to homeschool: 10 best strategies for teaching to different grades

About A.D. Thompson

Amy Drew has spent nearly three decades as a professional writer and roughly half her life as a Floridian. The words, she has found, come easier with bare feet and rum. A roller coaster enthusiast, A.D. readily admits there is fun amid the madness of the theme parks, but has found there is magic, as well, in the outer-lying reaches of Mickey’s long shadow. She is delighted to share with you the spoils of her adopted city. Visit her colorful compendium at www.amydrewthompson.com.