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Winner: Hollywood<\/h2>\n
The Stellar Bar at Halloween Horror Nights is what puts Hollywood ahead of Orlando in the drink category. The \u201880s-themed Stranger Things <\/em>bar has some delicious and picture-perfect premium cocktails, like the Mind Flayer. This is the drink I ordered, which had gin, blue curacao, strawberry, citrus, and sprite with red licorice on top that looked like the a Mind Flayer. It was bubbly and delicious. They also have two other drinks, The Upside Down and Surfer Boy, which are just as tasty. Hollywood also has the D\u00eda De Los Muertos Plaza on the Upper Lot, known for its margarita bar, in addition to a new Peacock bar with drinks themed to The Purge <\/em>and Chucky. <\/em><\/p>\nI also tried some drinks at Universal Orlando, which were tasty. The Peanut Butter Smuggler with New Amsterdam vodka, hot honey, lime juice, and raspberry and peanut butter syrups really did taste like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The only issue was it was just served in a cup. There were no garnishes to make it worthy of a pic. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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Winner: Hollywood<\/h2>\n
You may be too busy running for your life to stop and take a pic, but there are several photo moments worthy of a selfie at Universal Studios Hollywood. Of course, there\u2019s the Psycho <\/em>photo moment with Norman Bates, and you can also snap some pics in Jupiter\u2019s Claim from Nope <\/em>all during the Terror Tram. The Peacock bar also has a place to take a selfie with David S. Pumpkins from the Tom Hanks Saturday Night Live <\/em>sketch. But the best spot for a photo op is at Blumhouse: Behind the Screams. This is where you can see the animatronics from the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy’s <\/em>film as well as Megan from M3GAN, <\/em>and get some selfies for the \u2018Gram with them. Orlando has its moments, but nothing can compare to Hollywood. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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<\/picture><\/noscript><\/div>Rachel Chapman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Winner: Hollywood<\/h2>\n
The wait times at Halloween Horror Nights can seriously make or break your night. Even if Orlando has more houses, you won\u2019t be able to see them all if the wait times are all over an hour. This was the case with my time at Universal Orlando. I was unable to see all 10 houses just because I didn\u2019t have the time. Also, standing around in some of the queues can be boring and tiring if you\u2019re not prepared. I had to prioritize the houses I really wanted to see like Stranger Things <\/em>and The Last of Us, <\/em>while sacrificing a few of the ones I heard were just meh. <\/p>\nHollywood still has some long wait times, but there are also other houses that have shorter times, like 25 minutes, so you can manage it all in one night. You just have to map out where to go first. Also, get there extra early this year, because the most annoying queue of the night is the one to get through security. Make sure you don\u2019t miss the last Terror Tram of the night as well, which ends a little earlier than the event itself. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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Winner: Orlando<\/h2>\n
The merch is pretty much the same at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood, but it\u2019s the Tribute Store in Florida that makes the shopping experience more frightfully fun. The themed store feels like a house minus the scareactors and has some pretty good photo opportunities. (Still not as good at Hollywood, though.) The Stranger Things <\/em>merch this year is next level, and fans can get a denim jacket that looks just like Eddie\u2019s. There\u2019s also a bakery section of the Tribute Store for anyone looking to bring home some edible souvenirs like a Hellfire Club cake that has an Eddie cookie on top. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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<\/picture><\/noscript><\/div>Rachel Chapman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Hollywood<\/h2>\n
Orlando may have slightly beat Hollywood out on houses and scare zones, but overall, it\u2019s Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood that takes the crown this year. The entire event is solid with all its new additions and fave returns. Some highlights that really set this event apart is its The<\/em> Last of Us <\/em>house, the M3GAN <\/em>show at Blumhouse: Behind the Scenes, the Stellar Bar, and those manageable wait times. I guess Hollywood took its loss last year, and really rose to the occasion. This makes me even more excited to see what\u2019s in store for 2024\u2019s Halloween Horror Nights, and how each Universal Studios theme park steps up their game once again. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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