Welcome back to the second issue of Halloween Horror Nights 3 – Before Dark. The park is looking drastically different now, abundant with gloomy props all over. In order to showcase as many new thematic elements as possible, Before Dark 2 is an extended feature with over 100 images.
Halloween Horror Nights Before Dark is a photo series of day-time photographs. These features showcase the props and thematic elements for Universal Studios Singapore’s hallmark event of the year. Read the first issue or check out all Before Dark features here.
NEW: HHN3 REVIEW! Read the full Halloween Horror Nights 3 review now!
(Cover Photo: Stone Gargoyle at the gates of House No. 13 / Possessions Haunted House)
◂ Sisters’ Welcome ▸
The stone archway is now ridden with vines and plants.
The base has slightly extended out (with more plants of course). Show lighting for the archway is placed inside the extension.
A few haunting banners have appeared at Hollywood Boulevard. Really nicely designed – they’ll remind guests of the three sisters upon entering the park.
There’s also a curious cage hanging in the air…
The stage for the Sisters of Evil received drapes and chains.
Spotted some skulls and bones when the black cloth was lifted by the winds.
Patterns of spell circles – reiterating the sisters’ original profession, as witches.
Chains of different colours and sizes.
Anyway, the hanging banners show something different when you face the park exit.
◂ Monster Rock: Halloween Special Edition ▸
The park is showing the Special Halloween Edition of Monster Rock (now till 3 November 2013) even during the day.
But first: check out the special display that has been installed at the foyer!
Really nice, isn’t it?
Now, back to the show…
Monster Rock – Special Halloween Edition
Essentially, the biggest change is in visual appearance (tombstones added on stage) and the replacement of Jekyll with Beetlejuice.
I’ve no time to watch the updated show, so I went to ask crew members about the setlist. One said that the same songs from the Late 2012 update are performed in the Halloween Edition and that the show is mostly the same, apart from a new look of the stage, minor costume changes and of course, Beetlejuice. Another crew member said that the song list is completely different (as the new park map suggests).
If anyone knows what the updated set list is, please comment or send me a message! I have watched Monster Rock Halloween Edition during a HHN preview night. The set list is the same with one minor difference: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” being the grand finale. The cast has updated outfits; the stage LED displays were also updated. I actually felt that this show is an improvement and that the park should keep it as a permanent update.
◂ Adrift ▸
Nothing much to report, except the queue entrance is up.
And well, some sacks have appeared at the Haunted House entrance.
◂ Attack of the Vampires ▸
An incredible amount of props turned up at the New York zone.
The foreboding gates lead to a place, now with a name: Whittemore Cemetery – where vampires and werewolves come out to play.
Vines now creeping up the gates.
A lone white rose.
Beware of crows!
A large fountain, chucked into Water Street. This will definitely be pushed to main street during event nights.
It’s very nicely detailed – signs of age and abandonment.
Let’s walk around Water Street (aka Sting Alley).
Lots of show lights along the street – all nicely hidden.
I’m quite confused with all these planters.
I’d assume they will be placed in the middle of the walkway (and not pushed to the side). The “trees” look too plain. One of them has a rag of a net left hanging.
If the park is going to fill the ground with dead leaves and straws, then it’ll look very dramatic.
Let’s head back to the main street (It’s 5th Avenue, by the way) at New York zone.
A cluster of graves and an overturned hearse. Everything is placed close to each other now to save space. They will be spread out during event nights. However, the graves are not separate props – they are grouped in rows.
Behind the hearse and coffins: A fog machine.
White roses keep re-appearing.
The graves would be interesting obstacles at night.
There are a lot of wall props. Possibly an area of this scare zone is configured like a maze, or it’ll be used to divert traffic or divide the street onto clusters.
Possibly a fix to the previous iterations of scare zones at New York [Post Apocalyptic Rage (2011), Total Lockdown (2012)] – they are always too open and “direct”.
Interestingly, the hanging nets seen in the previous Before Dark have been removed.
A large cage/dome-like object near New York library. Very curious.
Another group of props can be found towards Sci-Fi city.
So many graves (well, you might’ve noticed that some have repeated a few times). Were they used in the 2010 Netherworld event? Does anyone know?
The tallest gravestone in the park marks the resting place of Claudia Dunst.
Placed nearby (or not, during event nights) is a statue of a cloaked woman – shadowed with heavy patina and signs of wear.
This is at the bottom of the statue, but still: details, details.
A dramatic shot.
And another white rose.
◂ Sci-Fi City: Chill-out zone ▸
Impressive. A full-sized stage has been installed at the Sci-Fi City Corner.
Bubble machines are (not so discreetly) placed around the area, above stalls and shops.
There’s something else to report here but I’ll leave it for the USS monthly park update.
◂ Convention of Curses ▸
The exhibitors at the Convention of Curses have finally arrived and set up their stalls.
Good Riddance. I probably need to buy the whole store and use it on people who stole my photographs, (entire) blog entries, ideas and more. You know who you are..
Spiders for sale!
The trio of stalls have shifted slightly. Let’s go closer and look at the posters.
Cosette is missing? Someone was keeping Cerberus as a pet?
Missing Goblin? From the Forbidden Forest?
Which way…?
The Art of Alchemy
Lucid Dreaming – In constant rewind
Some of those pillars have interesting props beneath them. This one has a ball and chain.
I suppose these other pillars have to be covered as they are holding something disturbing beneath.
One stone lion – imported, or stolen from Death Alley (2012).
Well, this stall looks quite close to home. Maybe the butcher from Death Alley will be back.
All these and not even a Portkey or Floo Network fireplace to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter?
Mr. Skull from last year’s Bizarre Bazaar (2012) couldn’t wait to be back.
Mysterious covered prop.
A stage was built near the Obelisk of Ancient Egypt.. I’m glad the park is doing something here.
The tree on the stage is adorned with hanging skulls and lamps.
Then behind the stage? Something even more exciting.
I guess we can look out for some fiery surprises at the Convention.
◂ Songs of Death ▸
The Opera House looks ready to receive guests. Just look at this arch (entrance to the massive queue). It has the makings of a completed attraction entrance, complete with an embedded wait time display. The red boards mark the two different entrances: Normal Attraction Entrance and Universal Express.
Guests are still very much confused about this area and often wandered in.
The amazing network of switchbacks is now up. Its no longer possible to use this path as a shortcut to Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure.
◂ Forbidden Forest ▸
I’m sure everyone is going to run into the Forbidden Forest right away – missing this remarkably detailed display at Discovery Food Court.
So much texture and trinkets attached.
The gateway to Forbidden Forest has a strange (perhaps unintended effect). The ghastly face of the spooky woman…
Glows brightly as you walk closer.
I can’t pin point what has changed at the Forbidden Forest because almost everything is covered. But then there’s this hut (which came up last week).
And a cage – room for one sacrificial lamb (literally or otherwise) for the Crone of the Forest, perhaps.
Ornate masks.
Very intricate details and exotic textures on them. Where and how did the park’s prop designers find all these items?
Looks like one giant insect is hiding behind the covers.
In case anyone gets lost in the Forbidden Forest – an extra sign leading to Possessions has been placed (near Dino-Soarin’). Not that it’s the right way out…
◂ Possessions ▸
The entrance to the queue for Possessions also looks complete-ish. I’m sure the usual “Attraction Safety/Warning” and “No Photography and Video Recording” signs are right behind these two HHN3 posters.
But we all know that Possessions is beyond that wall, and across the road.
Let’s get closer.
And even closer.
Adorable gargoyle statues at House No. 13.
Also, is this a house of possessions, or a house of hoarding?
Perhaps these props are meant to be placed outside the gated area. And notice the corpse lying there?
Wooden fence and gates at this house. Hmm.
I think that this Haunted House will start with a walk around the porch (right to left) and into…
… the hole in the wall, on the left of the house.
◂ Halloween Horror Nights 3 Souvenir Merchandise ▸
The park has started selling HHN3 souvenir merchandise. Grab them at the Universal Studios Store (Hollywood)! Here’s a peek at what’s available:
T-Shirts: $29.90 each. Designs from HHN (2011) and HHN2 (2012) are also available.
Lanyards: $9.90 each.
Also available on sale: Shot glasses (HHN2, HHN3 and a transparent skull). HHN3 (and HHN2) mugs are also available for $12.90 each.
Are you ready for Halloween Horror Nights 3?
I heard that rehearsals have been going on for a while now, so what we’ve seen in this entry could be close to completion. The park is almost ready, but are you?
Be sure to check back Dejiki.com for more HHN3 coverage and also as a place for you to discuss about all things Halloween Horror Nights! Remember to Like Dejiki.com on Facebook and Subscribe for updates! I’d love to hear about your experiences and opinions on Halloween Horror Nights 3, so do come back and post them!
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Halloween Horror Nights 10 (2022)
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Thanks for the update once again!
The scare zone looks really really good this year, even the chill out zone looks good too! Was expecting minimal theming and entertainment for the chill out zone but am pleasantly surprised by the stage and lighting effects.
Hopefully the crowd will be better managed this year. I really hope they will strictly enforce the no blinking light sticks/wands/headband/horns in the haunted houses rule.
I suppose you will be there for opening night this coming friday?
Really looking forward to it.
Hi Weekiat!
I totally agree about the blinking accessories. I think they should only be allowed outside of Haunted Houses and scare zones. It totally ruins the atmosphere!
Yes, I will be there during the opening night. Will you?
I’ll be there the day after and on the last day. Hopefully can get some tips from you after your visit on opening night.
I didn’t get the mutiple night pass because The may bank deal was quite attractive (2 for 2 offer). Maybe I’ll see u on the last night.
Would you be doing anymore before dark series before Friday?
I’ll be there on the final night. Hope to see you then!
As for a third feature, it depends – if there’s anything else interesting to show, then there’ll be a third entry.
Hi! I really enjoyed ur updates of Halloween Horror Nights 3 “Before Dark” series… It really amaze me with the detailed props & spectacular Halloween sets… & I hope this year’s Halloween Horror Nights is better than the previous Halloween Horror Nights…. Looking again, well… This year’s going to be a blast!
But will there be werewolves in the “Attack of the Vampires”? Cause you wrote, “Whittemore Cemetry- where vampires and werewolves come out to play” & if there is…. Woohoo! Its gonna be exciting…! 😀
Hi Izzuddin,
Thanks for reading my HHN3 photo series! According to some RWS marketing materials, there will be werewolves at Attack of the Vampires. Let’s hope there will be lots of them! 🙂
Yeah! Looking forward for Halloween Horror Nights 3! I hope you will update on the Opening Night….. Woohoo! So excited! 😀
Hey, once again a fantastic report! What Do you think of this year’s props compared to last years, and perhaps the hhn in the US? although it seems that in recent years the us ones have had weak scare zones….
Hi Nigel, nice seeing you back again!
I think it would be unfair to compare with HHN in the US without actually “being there”, but this year Singapore has more elaborate props than before, and it feels like they are finally attempting to build stories around the attractions.
It might be true that HHN in the US has weaker scare zones – they focus all their effort on Haunted Houses, most of which I felt (from watching nightvision walkthrough videos) have the best creative execution in the world.
I was at USS earlier to check the stuff for HHN3.
Just to add, the dome-cage at New York have a Tesla Coil inside. Im guessing there will be ‘lightnings’ at that area.
🙂
Just came back from USS watched the Monster Rock Halloween version. The Beetlejuice certainly did a great job with his funny acts on the stage. There are some minor changes on the costumes and the visual effect on the LED panels are very nice.
As for the song lists, all are the same except the last song “You give love a bad name” is replaced by Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. I cannot say it is better but a changes after some time is always good. : )
How about a mini meet-up session with your readers on the first night? 🙂
I wish I could have attended HHN to see Monster Rock! Did the script change entirely?