Universal Studios, the studio behind some of the most iconic horror film classics, surprised fans in 2023 when it revealed plans to open a year-round horror-themed attraction, Horror Unleashed. Shortly after, news emerged that the attraction could be replicated at the planned Universal Studios United Kingdom site. In this guide, we’ve examined the news and speculation surrounding the world’s most hotly-anticipated horror parks.
The Las Vegas Vision
The Universal Horror Unleashed has been modelled to be a continuation of the wildly popular Halloween Horror Nights, a seasonal attraction held at Universal Studios locations for more than 30 years. The events included spooky highlights such as shows, mazes, escape rooms, and haunted houses themed after horror films such as Psycho, Saw, and Insidious.
In January 2023, the company announced that it was set to open a 110,000-square-foot year-round horror-themed attraction in Las Vegas at the Area15 entertainment complex. In October, Universal provided more details, announcing that the attraction would offer immersive and innovative experiential entertainment. This includes themed eateries and bar areas, seasonal events, and unique merchandise.
Las Vegas, with its reputation for cutting-edge entertainment and adult-oriented fun, is clearly the ideal place for the Horror Unleashed attraction. With the park set to launch in 2025, visitors should keep an eye out for cross-promotions with nearby Vegas casino resorts such as hotel and attraction packages. Many of these resorts offer luxurious amenities and on-site entertainment as well as a range of high-quality table games such as poker, roulette, and blackjack. International visitors will benefit from prior research about how local casinos operate, such as unique blackjack dealer rules like the dealer’s check.
Horror-themed slots can also be played at land-based or online casinos. If players register online at a site such as Rhino Bet, they can even claim sign-up free spins. Some are adaptations of films that Universal has highlighted in their Horror Nights such as The Mummy, Ghostbusters, and John Carpenter’s Halloween.
The UK Attraction
Just as fans were getting used to the idea of a year-round state-of-the-art horror attraction, keen-eyed observers found evidence that Universal had trademarked the names Halloween Horror Nights and Universal Horror Unleashed. It seems entirely likely, then, that a similar attraction could open at Universal Studios in the United Kingdom.
That is, of course, if the park goes ahead. The studio has recently acquired a 500-acre parcel of land in Bedford, 45 minutes north of London, with plans to open a 700-acre resort and theme park. If it is approved, construction could begin in early 2025 and open by 2030.
While we won’t know whether the park will be built or not until the end of 2024, this hasn’t stopped fans speculating about what the park could offer. While some think it could be a replica of the Las Vegas attraction, others are hoping that it could have a more British flair, with attractions centred around classics such as 28 Days Later, The Wicker Man, or Hellraiser.
Conclusion
While the Universal Horror Unleashed attraction is set to arrive in Las Vegas in 2025, it remains to be seen whether it will be replicated in the United Kingdom. If it is, we expect some of the most immersive, advanced, and terrifying attractions on the planet just a short drive out of London. Fingers crossed!
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