Melo Villareal
Halloween Horror Night 2018 at Universal Studios Japan™
It is October and while Christmas is nearing, so is Halloween, and sooner, too! That means more horror, more surprises, and more fun at Universal Studios Japan™ in Osaka, which have been one of my most favorite theme parks in the world.
Recently, I was invited along with other Southeast Asian bloggers and influencers to experience Universal Studios Japan’s (USJ) Halloween tricks and treats this year. The 54-hectare park is celebrating “Universal Surprise Halloween” from September 7 to November 4, 2018, with more terrifyingly, horror-filled, and fun twists. And as someone who has directly experienced these perks, I am sharing you these ten ways to enjoy the Halloween air this year:
Party with zombies at Halloween Horror Nights
You read that right. Universal Studios Japan™ takes the trendy zombie parade to a whole new level—by introducing horrifying mobs of zombies who will gather the streets and even host parties. Of course, to make things more goosebumps and thrill-inducing, the zombie mobs will appear at nighttime throughout Halloween season.
Fair warning: the costumes and makeup of the zombies look so convincing… this street party is not for the faint of heart!
Traverse a Ghost Ship without a sound… or else
If you have seen the recently released film A Quiet Place, you will freak out—literally—to see it in real life. The concept behind the Silence in the Ghost Ship (Horror Level 4) and Blood Legend (Horror Level 3) attractions is that if you make any considerable amount of scream, yelp, or grunts while aboard, you will disturb the ghosts in Ghost Ship or the vampires in Blood Legend that lurk there, and well, maybe, cause them to show up and scare you and then make you scream again so that more ghosts and vamps find you. Crazy, right?
Find your way out of a maze full of zombies
If a zombie street party isn’t enough to creep your out, then The Survival: Deadman’s Forest will surely test your limits. This attraction is filled with mazes, trapped-rooms scenarios, and well, zombies. If you think unlocking doors and finding your way out of a labyrinth is easy, you will have to think again.
Chill out with Festa de Parade
Do you want to have a fun-filled, lighthearted moment instead of adrenaline-pumping, scream-inducing horror attractions this Halloween? Universal Studios Japan™ also has the Festa de Parade, an afternoon parade of street performers, cartoon and movie characters, and people dressed in their respective country’s native costumes.
Get ready to get wet as water and bubbles will be used during the parade.
Eat like a wizard at Three Broomsticks Restaurants
Potterheads will love to dine at the Three Broomsticks Restaurants, a diner taken directly from the pub that appeared in the Harry Potter series. Even if you are not a fan of the books and movies, you would definitely still be a fan of their smoked chicken, squash soup, pork ribs, and Butterbeer. This pub is located in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the park. What better way is there than to spend the Halloween eating these meals?
Enjoy fast-track entry with KKday.com Universal Express Pass
If any of the sights above thrilled you, you will be more thrilled to know that KKday offers a Universal Express Pass that is really handy for Universal Surprise Halloween 2018. Holders of this pass will get an expressway access to the abovementioned attractions and activities, including other horror attractions like Cult of Chucky and Insidious: The Last Key. That title is more than enough to give you the chills, isn’t it?
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Go Bananas at the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
This 25-minute ride, designed especially by the super-villain slash antihero Gru of Despicable Me, will totally make you shout at the top of your lungs with its hyper-realistic and dome screen technology that simulates an extreme rollercoaster ride designed by a movie villain.
With all the unexpected ups, downs, sharp curves, and bounces in this ride, the name “mayhem” in this attraction might be an understatement.
Go Bananas again at the Minion Park
Besides the infamous Mayhem ride that Gru designed, the entire Minion Park is an attraction in itself. The yellow in blue jumpsuit characters that we have “gru” to love (did you get that pun?) are the focus of this park. They are in the parlor games, they are the prizes, there are actual minions standing around doorways, and they are also souvenirs.
Experience the upgraded Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
One of my most favorite rides at USJ just got an upgrade in time for the spooky season. Now, this ride does not even require 3D glasses—all you have to do is sit back, hold on to dear life, and be amazed by the hyper-realistic sceneries. They even added special effects so we can feel the heat of the dragon’s flame and that chilling cold of the infamous Dementors.
End the day with the Universal Spectacle Night Parade
After all the zombies, the vampires, the minions, and the Dementors, there is nothing better than ending your day at USJ with the Universal Spectacle Night Parade, which runs until the last day of this year. This outdoor light show features Dementors (but less spooky) and other Harry Potter scenes, Transformers’ Autobots, Jurassic Park dinosaurs, and other familiar characters.
This night parade is truly a spectacle and great way to end the day, sort of like the perfect dessert after a filling meal.
Universal Studios Japan™ Tour Packages
Universal Surprise Halloween 2018 Express Pass
Skip the lines with a Universal Express Pass and join in the thrilling Universal Surprise Halloween 2018. Watch the vibrant Festa de Parade, or get lost in horror mazes such as Cult of Chucky and Insidious: The Last Key.
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Universal Studios Japan Pass & JR Kansai Area Pass
Grab this convenient two-in-one pass. Explore the Kansai region with your JR Pass and discover the magical world of Universal Studios Japan with a one-day pass.
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How to Get to Universal Studios Japan
Cebu Pacific offers direct and affordable flights to Osaka, Japan (KIX) for as low as Php 13,222. The flight from Manila lasts for at least four hours and arrives and departs daily.
From Kansai Airport, you can get to Universal Studios Japan™ by taking the JR Airport Rapid to Nishikujo Station. From there, transfer to JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station. The travel time should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
If you are coming from your hotel, you can reach Universal Studios Japan™ by going to Osaka Station, where there are direct lines that connect to USJ for just 15 minutes.
Also Read:
- The Ultimate Osaka Travel Guide
- Osaka Bucket List
- 10 Ways (Plus One) to Enjoy Universal Studios in Osaka, Japan
