Sneak Peak at Acid Assault at HHN

Warning signs posted in New York

Now that the houses and scare zones have been officially announced, Universal is making quick work of preparing the park for the event. The most obvious preparations thus far are in the New York area where props for the "Acid Assault" scare zone are already on display. Among the features are rotting vehicles, warning signs and some creepy strange baby buggies filled with bags and garbage.

Horror Night Nightmares also reports towers with projectors pointed at Macy's, the Metropolis Tribune and the New York backdrop for projection effects. These special effects could make the buildings look damaged, worn or even as though they're melting away before your very eyes. Exactly how these projections will play out is yet to be seen, but they have definite potential to produce some very neat effects.

Vehicle destroyed by acid rain in front of Twister

Pile of baby buggies and junk (including a blood-smeared lunch tray) chained to a light pole

School bus destroyed by acid in the streets of New York

Close up of the acid damage on the school bus

Another creepy baby buggy parked next to a news stand in the future Acid Assault area

Picking the Right Ticket for Your HHN 21 Experience

You’ve waited all year for this – Halloween Horror Nights is just around the corner and tickets are already on sale for the scare of a lifetime. With so many ticket options available, wading through it all to find the right choice can get confusing. Find the heading below that describes the fright you’re after for some tips on selecting the best option.

I’m Only Going Once
If you’re planning a single visit to Halloween Horror Nights, you’ve got it easy. A single general admission ticket is $81.99. If you want to attend between September 23 and October 9, however, you’ll actually save by going for the Rush of Fear pass. This gives you access all 10 event nights during that time frame for just $69.99. You’ll save money even with a single visit, plus you have the added benefit of being able to come back if you change your mind about just visiting once.

If you want to make a day out of it and spend some time at Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios earlier in the day, you can get a great deal by adding HHN to your regular park ticket. With a daytime park ticket, HHN access Sunday through Thursday is an addition $36.99; Friday is $51.99; and Saturday is $66.99.

I Planned My Whole Vacation Around This – I Need to Get My Money’s Worth
Guests who want to center their entire vacation around HHN can get the Gory Getaway package. This includes 3-night accommodations, a 2-day base ticket (one park per day), early admission to Islands of Adventure, access to live entertainment at CityWalk, 1-night admission to HHN and a souvenir 5”x7” photo. This package starts at $325 for guests staying at a Universal Partner hotel or $545 for those staying at an on-site hotel.

If the package doesn’t meet your needs, you can still get a good deal on HHN tickets during your stay. If you’re going to be in town early on for the HHN event, the Rush of Fear pass is your best bet. You can attend all 10 of the first HHN events between September 23 and October 9 for just $69.99. This is less than a single general admission ticket. For guests visiting later in the month, the Frequent Fear pass is the way to go if you're hitting up HHN more than once. It costs the same as a single general admission ticket, at $81.99, and will get you in every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of the event – a total of 15 nights between Sept 23 and October 31.

If you want to add the HHN Express Pass to your Frequent Fear ticket, you’ll more than double the price, to $169.99. For access to the event on Fridays as well (a total of 20 nights) the ticket is just $15 more for a total of $96.99 (or $219.99 with HHN Express access).

I’m a Florida Resident and Want a Good Deal
Grab the UPC from a Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, or specially marked Burger King cup. The code will get you major savings on tickets purchased in advance. Tickets for a single HHN event on Sunday through Thursday are $41.99, a single Friday event is $51.99 and a single Saturday night event is $66.99. If you plant to attend more than one night, see the section above for savings on Frequent Fear and Rush of Fear Passes.

I’m a Florida Resident, but I Want to Make a Special Getaway Out of It
Florida residents can enjoy a fun night away from home with the Florida Resident Gory Getaway Package. This includes 1-night accommodations, 1-night admission to HHN, admission to select CityWalk venues and a 5”x7” souvenir photo. With a Coke UPC or specially marked Burger King cup this package starts at $89 for a Universal partner hotel or $145 for an on-site hotel.

I’m an Annual Passholder
Annual Passholders are eligible for the biggest savings on all types of HHN tickets. A ticket for a single Sunday through Thursday event (or one of the first 3 Friday events) is just $36.99. After the first three weeks, Friday nights are $51.99. The first three Saturdays are $41.99. The last three Saturdays are $66.99.

If you plan to go more than once, the Rush of Fear Pass for access to all events up to (and including) October 9 is just $54.99 for annual passholders – less than the cost of two of even the cheapest single night tickets. Rush of Fear with HHN Express is $154.99. Frequent Fear passes for annual passholders are $66.99 for Sunday through Thursday access or $81.99 if you add Fridays. HHN Express bumps a standard Frequent Fear pass up to $154.99, while the Frequent Fear Plus with Fridays becomes $204.99

I’m Looking for Something Extra Available to Premier and Preferred Passholders
You’re in luck – if you RSVP now you may be able to get exclusive access to three of the HHN houses before the event opens to other guests. The In-Between and The Forsaken will be open from 5-6:30 and Nevermore: The Madness of Poe will open at 5:45. You will also get early access to the first showing of Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure. This access is only available September 23, 24, 30 and October 1 so make your reservations now. You must purchase a separate HHN ticket to attend, but early access is free with your printed RSVP confirmation.

I’m Attending with a Group
If you’re attending HHN with a youth, college, civic or corporate group of 20 people or more, you can pool your money for a group rate. A single ticket for any one Sunday through Thursday event is just $33.99 per person; Friday nights are $46.99 each; Saturday nights are $66.99 per person for a single night. If your group wants to visit more than once, the Frequent Fear Pass for access every Sunday through Thursday night is just $81.99 per person for groups of more than 20. To get these deals, you’ll need to submit a special form available here.

Halloween Horror Nights tickets are available online for advanced purchase at HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando. Prices quoted above do not include taxes.

Halloween Horror Nights Houses Released - 2012

© 2011 Universal Orlando Resort.
All Rights Reserved.

Universal Studios has officially released the list of houses, shows and scare zones for Halloween Horror Nights 21. The houses include:

• Nevermore: The Madness of Poe, where the insanity of Poe's most terrifying works will come to life and trap you in the story.
• The Forsaken, featuring the forgotten fourth of Columbus's fleet, risen from the depths
• H.R. Bloodengutz Presents: Holidays of Horror, a "Scare-athon" sure to draw you into the action
• The Thing, based on the upcoming film where Antarctic researchers find more than they bargained for in the isolated tundra when they uncover an alien spacecraft
• Saws N' Steam: Into the Machine, which traps you in the terrifying mechanical underbelly of a moving machine
• The In-Between, a 3-D house where you'll find yourself disoriented as you try to navigate the world of nightmares
• Winter's Night: The Haunting of Hawthorne Cemetery, home to many departed souls who have decided to linger in their final resting place
• Nightingales: Blood Prey, a series of WWI trenches prowled by the bloodthirsty Nightingales (the Orlando Sentinel likens them to Banshees)

The six scare zones include:

• Acid Assault - a city plagued by acid rain
• Canyon of Dark Souls - um, a canyon filled with dark souls...kind of self-explanatory
• Grown Evil - where nature takes its revenge on any part of humanity that dares to enter its realm
• NightMaze - an ever-changing maze, all in black, to ensure you're completely lost in your terror no matter how many times you've navigated it
• 7 - where beautiful sirens of temptation (can you guess how many?) transform into their "Fatal Evil forms"
• Your Luck Has Run Out - where Lady Luck seeks out her next victim

Shows feature the ever-popular Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure and Death Drums.

For a look at the official release, check out Universal Orlando's Official Halloween Horror Nights 21 Site.

Rosie's Irish Imports

Location: Universal Studios Florida – New York

The two Irish flags flanking the sign for this store give a clear indicator of what you’ll find inside. Though it’s located up the street a bit, Rosie’s Irish Imports shop is a perfect accompaniment for Finnegan’s with it’s flair for all things from Ireland.

This is one of the few stores that has very little Universal merchandise and instead focuses largely on its own distinct theme. If you’re after a t-shirt sporting the flag of Ireland, shamrock-shaped Christmas ornaments or home décor bedecked with Irish sayings you’re most certainly in the right place. Whether you’re Irish yourself or just have a deep appreciation for the country, the goodies in this shop will give you a way to show off your sentiments.

Port Provisions

Location: Islands of Adventure - Port of Entry

As you exit Islands of Adventures, you'll see Port Provisions on your right just by the turnstiles. This is a small outdoor shop that basically stocks all the out-of-season or out-of-style overflow. The good news is that these items are available at a steep discount. Perfect for when you just need to grab something - anything - as a last minute gift. The bad news is that the selection is a random jumble of souvenirs so you aren't likely to find any specific item that you're looking for. If you shop for holidays way ahead of time, however, you may be in luck. At a recent visit in August, for example, we found Easter tees on the racks.

Spider-Man Shop

Location: Islands of Adventure - Super Hero Island

Like all of Super Hero Island, this shop doesn't have a specific name out front. It is, simply, "Shop". Once you peek in, however, it's impossible to miss who this store is dedicated to. The walls sport sleek images of Spidey swinging through town, and all of the pieces in the shop are adorned with his image or logo.

You'll exit through the Spider-Man Shop after you ride The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man but even visitors too small for the attraction will find this location worth a look.

If you want Spider-Man merchandise, don't bother with the limited selection at the general Universal stores - head here. The walls are covered with character tees, toys, plush dolls, dog tags, hats and keychains. The attire selection doesn't leave anyone out. You'll even find Spider-Man onesies, bibs and one-piece outfits for the smallest of guests.

If you want to meet Spider-Man in the flesh, head across the street to the Marvel Alterniverse Store where he stops for meet and greets.

Toon Extra

Location: Islands of Adventure - Toon Lagoon

Toon Extra has several entrances, but none with an actual name on them. Just look for the really big cartoon shop in Toon Lagoon and you'll know you're in the right place. This shop carries a variety of marchandise centered around cartoon characters, with a particular emphasis on Betty Boop, Scooby Doo and Popeye. If you're a fan of Popeye in particular, you should make sure you don't miss this store. He doesn't show up too often anywhere else.

Though a Betty Boop display greets you by the door with plenty to browse through, hardcore fans of this character should add the Betty Boop stores in both IOA and Universal Studios to their must-see list.

Be sure to keep an eye out for amusing thought and speech bubbles throughout the store. Like all of Toon Lagoon, this location offers an amusing backdrop for some photo ops or just a good chuckle as your browse.

Filch's Emporium of Confiscated Goods

Location: Islands of Adventure – Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods is the gift shop you’ll exit through after riding Forbidden Journey. If you want to browse the gift shop without going on the ride, head past Flight of the Hippogriff and look for it set back into the castle on your left.

This gift shop carries lots of Potter-themed goodies including shirts, hats, scarves, hoodies, mugs, and - of course - all the books and movies. It’s incredibly crowded because the constantly moving ride feeds an endless stream of people into the shop from the back, so your best bet is to browse on your way off of Forbidden Journey and not linger too long.

One of the best features of this shop is the Marauder’s Map on display in a glass case. If you look closely you’ll see shadowy names moving about the map indicating the whereabouts of various characters in the castle.

The walls of this shop are lined with cages containing Filch’s collection of confiscated goodies. Take some time to sneak a peak and see if you can identify any of the magical objects.

Dervish and Banges/The Owl Post

Location: Islands of Adventure – Wizarding World of Harry Potter

If you’re not familiar with the Harry Potter books and films, Dervish and Banges is a magical repair shop. In the Wizarding World, this is something of a catch-all gift shop which carries an assortment of products including brooms, cauldrons and Quidditch supplies.

A Monster Book of Monsters is on display in a heavily armored cage, but it takes some maneuvering to push close enough to get a really good look at it.

Dervish and Banges runs right into the Owl Post. If you have some mail to send to folks back home, be sure to take it here, where you can get an exclusive Hogsmeade postmark. The Owl Post is also the only place in the park where you can get your own special wand. Though character wands are available in many locations, the wands here are selected just for you according to your birthday month.

Though both sides of this gift shop are immensely cramped and crowded, try to take a moment to look upwards. Owls, piles of packages and broom displays take the intricately detailed theming all the way to the ceiling.

Kingpin's Arcade

Location: Islands of Adventure – Super Hero Island

Kingpin’s Arcade is exactly what you would expect from an arcade, but doesn’t offer much in the way of theme park flair. This arcade is conveniently connected to Café 4 and the tantalizing smell of pizza fills the entire play area. If you have some time to kill and money to burn, tokens are $1.00 for 2, $5.00 for 12, $10.00 for 26 or $20.00 for 60.

Honeydukes

Location: Islands of Adventure – Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Honeydukes is just what you would expect of the famous wizard confectionary. The shelves are loaded down with every type of tooth-rotting wizardry imaginable and even the pink and green decor seems overwhelmingly sweet.

Potter fans will be delighted to find all their favorite legendary treats from the films and books including fizzing whizbees, every flavored beans, peppermint toads, and chocolate frogs with collectible cards.

If you care to know just where your candy comes from, be sure to check out the barber elves on display near the center of the store and compare the greasy hair in their hands to the “Clippy’s Clip Joint Clippings” licorice.

For a souvenir that will outlast the life of the candy, go for one of the glass jars of more generic candies such as peppermints. The sweets may disappear like magic but the “Honeydukes” candy container makes a lasting memento.

In addition to all the prepackaged sweets, you’ll find a glass counter stocked with fresh baked caldron cakes, rock cakes, fudge, candy apples and rice crispy treats emblazoned with the Honeydukes logo.

Honeydukes is connected to Zonko’s joke shop; you can’t miss the obvious transition just past the cash register.

Zonko's

Location: Islands of Adventure – Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Zonko’s joke shop, like the rest of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is plucked straight from the film and delivered to you in perfect detail. Like all the shops in Hogsmeade, proper scale is taken to the extreme, and the store is very small with narrow isles that can barely squeeze two people at a time.

Though avid Potter fans were no doubt hoping for the much-improved joke shop the Weasley brothers open up in later films, the theme park version of Hogsmeade still clings to the original Zonko’s; though it does carry many of the Weasley Brother’s inventions.

Zonko’s sells toy versions of several prank pieces from the movies and books including the Fanged Flyer, “Authentic Sneakoscope Reproduction” and U-No-Poo pills. If you’re looking for a fuzzy addition to your family, you can also purchase pink or purple Pygmy Puffs. If you decide to adopt a Pygmy Puff into your party, you’ll get to celebrate with a special bell-ringing and announcement at the cash register when you make your purchase.

Zonko’s leads right into Honeydukes, but you should make sure you pass through the Zonko’s door at least once as you’re browsing these shops. You’re sure to get a scream of a surprise.

Some of the Zonko’s merchandise is available in Universal’s online store, but the selection in the actual shop is much more extensive.

Islands of Adventure Trading Company

Location: Islands of Adventure – Port of Entry

The Islands of Adventure Trading Company is home to a wide assortment of souvenirs themed to characters and attractions from throughout the park. To fit with the area’s story, the shop décor has a fun explorer theme. The merchandise displays are topped with mannequins decked out in full expedition attire, surrounded by maps, well worn books and souvenirs from their travels. An authentic prehistoric fossil (replica) is impressively suspended over the front registers. A colorful hot air balloon parked in the center of the store marks the photo pick up spot.

Unfortunately, all of these carefully themed touches are almost lost amid shelf after shelf of merchandise with the full assortment of characters including Shrek, Things, Cat, Betty Boop, Scooby Doo, Simpsons, etc. etc. And of course, lots and lots of Harry Potter. If you weren’t able to push through the crowds in the Wizarding World to get your Potter gear, this is next best place to do it. The IOA Trading company is also a good place to find an extensive variety of attire with the Universal logo on it.

If you’re after other character items, however, you’re typically better off shopping at a specialized shop for that attraction, movie or show. You’ll always find the best variety at the specifically themed gift shops, whereas this one covers so much it can only offer the tip of the iceberg for each subject.

If you’re dragging your feet on your way out on a hot day, pop into this shop at the far end, beside the “Island Expressions” outdoor shopping area. From here you can browse the entire length of the shop, picking up any forgotten gifts, as you make your way toward the exit. This gives you a cool, dry path up the street that’s far better than the blistering walkways outside.

Gasoline Alley

Location: Islands of Adventure – Toon Lagoon

In all honesty, aside from a few retro cartoonish gas station touches to the decor of this gift shop, there’s just nothing special here. You can pick up towels and flip flops if you’re completely unprepared for the water rides in Toon Lagoon, and of course you’ll find the regular keychains and kitsch, but not much more. The shop is tiny so a quick peek in will tell you all you need to know.

WossaMotta U

Location: Islands of Adventure – Toon Lagoon

WossaMotta U is an ingenious development for Universal Studios. Its part gift shop, part internet café with everything you could possibly need to survive technology withdrawal on vacation. Need to charge your phone or batteries? Check your email? Empty your camera’s memory card onto a CD to make room for more photos? Check, check and check.

Internet access is just $10 for 30 minutes, $7 for 15 minutes or $5 for 10 minutes. You can also purchase cell phone covers and cases, new batteries and other essentials for all your techie toys.

Treasures of Poseidon

Location: Islands of Adventure – The Lost Continent

If you’re looking for something colorful or shiny to brighten up your look, Treasures of Poseidon is the best shop to go to. Nearly every wall is covered with jewelry. You can get simple silver chains and charms, necklaces and bracelets made from seashells, bright beaded pieces and more. For jewelry that really stands for something, look for the basic stretchy bracelets with a single charm in the middle. The charms vary from piece to piece and represent various causes such as rainforests or ocean life.

For a bigger blast of color, check out the purses on display. From straw bags with a screaming 80s color palette to ruffled fabric totes in pretty prints, there are lots of cute ways to carry your things.

If you love to accessorize, this is a shop you just can’t miss. Plan for plenty of time to browse and make sure you find that perfect piece amid all the racks of glittering goods.

The Pearl Factory

Location: Islands of Adventure – The Lost Continent

The Pearly Factory is a small gift shop counter in the Lost Continent. Predictably, it carries pearl merchandise in every possible incarnation. You can browse plenty of pre-made jewelry for a sure bet on something beautiful; or, if you’re up for a gamble, crack open your own oyster to see what you’ll find inside (you’re guaranteed at least one pearl in each oyster). Oysters are $15.99.

Historic Families Heraldry/Coat of Arms

Location: Islands of Adventure – The Lost Continent

Historic Families Heraldry is a small outdoor gift shop with an assortment of oddly mismatched pieces with a slightly medieval flair. A set of knight's armor stands guard near the entrance. Fans of weaponry will find an extensive collection of daggers, swords and other intimidating pieces lining the walls.

Sculptures featuring knights and other mythological creatures are on display in a glass case in the center. For something with an even darker twist, voo doo dolls line the back wall.

If you have an interest in learning about your family’s coat of arms or otherwise tracing your history, the rest of the pieces in this gift shop will make for some very interesting browsing. Posters with extensive coats of arms from several different countries are on display. Many of these coats of arms are available on shirts and mugs if you really want to show off your heritage.

For a souvenir that’s even more tailored to your family, purchase a family tree parchment and fill it with your own family’s names.

The Coin Mint

Location: Islands of Adventure – The Lost Continent

At the Coin Mint you can select any two designs for your own custom coin medallion and watch as its forged right before your eyes. This gives you a unique chance to create your very own souvenir unlike any other. You can choose from dozens of different designs, each with its own symbolic meaning.

Medallions are available in bronze ($21.95), pure silver ($94.95) and 24kt. gold layered ($145.95). You can also purchase an Italian silver chain in 20 inches ($40) or 24 inches ($45).