Universal has announced the debut of its new year-round horror attraction, Universal Horror Unleashed, set to open at Area 15 this August. The attraction will feature four terrifying haunted houses that include Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow The Reaping, and The Exorcist: Believer. Tickets start at around $70
News of the Universal Horror Unleashed year round attraction was first leaked back in 2022. The project was confirmed shortly afterward, as the immersive movement seems to be running the table in Vegas. The attraction most likely took a page from the successful Universal Horror Unleashed is likely drawing inspiration from the success of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which take place at many of their parks each fall.
So what can you expect from this new, year round fight fest? There are haunted houses (of course) which are uniquely themed. Inside, these immersive experiences offer live entertainment, with some areas where guests can enjoy horror-themed dining options. There will be ongoing seasonal events with exclusive merchandise. And since this attraction isn’t limited to the Halloween. season, there is some financial risk involved.
In the past, year-round horror attractions don’t really seem to do that well. Just ask the former owners of the Fear the Walking Dead attraction, which closed in 2019 despite an ideal foot traffic location in the Fremont Street area. Could Universal Horror Unleashed buck the trend? Maybe. But if not, it won’t be the first scare attraction to close… and it probably won’t be the last.