Every October, Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights transforms the theme park into a nightmare come to life. The event, now one of the biggest Halloween attractions in the world, brings together elaborate haunted houses, immersive sets, and actors so convincing that guests can’t tell what’s real. Although many students have yet to experience this year’s chills, some Lourdes Academy seniors still remember their own haunting adventures from a few years ago.
Senior Aya Bardawil still laughs when she talks about her first visit when she was a freshman.
“It’s been years, but I can still picture the monsters chasing us through the fog,” she said. “It felt like walking into a horror movie where you didn’t know the ending. I swore I wouldn’t go back, but every October I want to.”
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights lineup is being called one of the most ambitious yet. Universal introduced new haunted houses inspired by A Quiet Place, Stranger Things 4, and The Exorcist: Believer. Guests can also explore original mazes filled with zombies, ghosts, and cursed dolls, each with its own terrifying backstory. Beyond the houses, eerie “scare zones” fill the walkways, where performers leap from shadows with chainsaws and blood-curdling screams.
Lourdes senior Chloe Sastoque, who attended in 2022, says the memories never fade.
“The scariest part isn’t what’s in front of you, it’s what’s behind you,” she said. “You never know when someone will jump out.”
For senior Zara Halabu, the fear was half the fun.
“We screamed, we ran, we laughed until we cried,” Zara Halabu said. “It’s terrifying, but it’s something you want to relive because it brings everyone together. You can’t go through that and not feel like a team.”
While Aya, Chloe, and Zara haven’t gone back since their first visit, this year’s edition tempts them with its new attractions and over-the-top design. The combination of fear, fun, and friendship has made Halloween Horror Nights more than just a spooky event, it’s a rite of passage for Florida teens. Whether it’s your first trip or a haunting return, one thing is certain, the screams never get old.
