Halloween Horror Nights 2 – Before Dark

House of Dolls clock

In just a few weeks, Halloween Horror Nights 2 will open at Universal Studios Singapore. I received several requests for a day-time photo entry, like last year’s Before Nightfall entry. If you’d like to know more about the event’s ticketing information, please refer to this entry.

I’m glad to present Before Dark, a short series of entries showcasing thematic elements of Halloween Horror Nights during the day.


◂ House of Dolls ▸


HouseOfDolls_Panorama1

The center entrance arch has been completely decorated with the façade to the Puppetmaster’s lair.

House of Dolls - side

I feel that the clock dial looks a little strange. Leave a comment if you think you know why!

House of Dolls entrance
Bit surprised to see this particular typeface here, which Sentosa Spooktacular has been using for a while.

Gates
View from inside, showing the big doors leading into the House of Dolls.

Large drawings 1
A few of these giant-sized drawings hang from the ceiling of Hollywood Boulevard.

Large drawings 2

Street props
On the street, there are two sets for scare actors. Let’s take a closer look.

Sketches
Some seemingly normal sketches, which become more grim as you gaze…

Library
A bookshelf (which yes, looks 2D now, but the trompe l’oeil effect should work well at night) has a lot of useful books for any Puppet master.

For the curious readers, the titles (apart from unnamed or numbered titles) are:

Anatomy, Twisted Toys, Dolls, 101 Hand Puppets, Stitch and Craft, Dolls from the Archipelago, Toys Through the Years, The Rise of The Toy Age, The Toys of China, Technicalities of Puppetry, Cross Stitching Doll Dresses, Ribbons Buttons & Threads, The History of Russian Dolls, The Toys of China, DIY Dolls, Fabrics, Learning the Art of Puppetry, Sewing, The Doll House, The Doll Project, Toy Room Decor, Shadow Puppets, Tapestry and Toyland. The titles don’t really mean anything apart from setting the tone for the House of Dolls scare zone.

Stage
There is a stage at the end of Hollywood Boulevard (right before the fountain).

Stage side view

It does not look complete, but this should be the Meet-and-Greet area for The Puppetmaster.

◂ Total Lockdown ▸

Unlike last year, it’ll be harder to scatter props around New York zone because of the Sesame Street street shows. There is however, a large tent right at New York Library area.

Tent 1

Tent back
Amusingly, there’s a smaller tent for Sesame Street characters to run out from.


In other news, here’s an exclusive scoop: The new Elmo prop at the entrance to the new Sesame Street ride. Luke spotted it just a few days before, but it was covered. He also discovered that the Sesame Street ride exit (which is a shop), will also have another exit that goes into Loui’s NY Pizza Parlor. This means that the shop and restaurant are connected, and the same can be seen at Hollywood’s Celebrity Cafe & Bakery and Dreamworks Character Store.

Elmo (USS Sesame Street ride entrance)

Okay, time to get back to the Before Dark content.


Death Alley exit 1
Water Street has been sealed up. This section is the exit for an enclosed scare zone (also referred as a haunted house by the park) and used last year to stow large props in the day.

Death Alley exit 2

◂ Death Alley/”Chinatown” ▸

View from Sci-Fi City
While this scare zone/maze is located at New York, but guests enter from Sci-Fi City. Can you see it?

Chinatown gate 2

It appears that Death Alley (aka Sting Alley) will have a Chinese theme this year.

Chinatown sign close-up

The large sign at the gate reads “唐人街”, which means Chinatown. The two blocks of text at the side of the gateway reads “黄泉路上不相逢” and “魑魅魍魉来索仇”. Assuming that the right column is meant to be read first, this could translate to something like “Demons and monsters will claim revenge, but will not meet on the road to Death (or the Land of the Dead)”. Well, this just gives them license to appear in the realm of the living, at a theme park… I guess?

Stone lion 2
Stone lion 1

Two stone lions guard the entrance to this deranged Chinatown.

Stone lion close-up
The one on the left (which is the lioness, as it has a cub at its feet) has that Chesire cat grin.

box/basket props
Random props

CT - tables

CT - stalls
Tables… and stalls.

bowls 2
Random dirty bowls scattered around.

bowls

another stall

CT - Street view

Pier area layout 2
Compared to 2011’s The Pestilence, this scare zone appears to be more spacious, or perhaps they have not placed all the bigger props yet. (But there were just too many crates last year)

Martial arts area
After what appears to be a street food bazaar area of Chinatown, there’s then this martial arts set. Of course, the weapons on the rack were all blunted for safety.

Water street construction
Access to Water Street is blocked off due to construction work and props lying around.

Water street construction 2

From here however, you could see some red curtains.

WS construction close-up
Hmm. Appears to be some decorative divider.

WS construction floor
I’ve no idea what are these plastic cans are for. And this “brick” wall is easily movable.

Pier area layout
So it could be possibly shifted over here to seal the opening on the right, to create a single path.

Crate storage
Crates are also used to store plastic cans and metal drums.

netting
Lots of netting all over.

For those who have been to The Pestilence last year, the general path for this scare zone/maze is about the same.

CT side entrance
The queue should also be similar to last year, starting from a side door – which leads to the queue area of Lights, Camera, Action! and comes out of the “No Parking” doors here – before leading into the gates of Death Alley itself.

◂ Bizarre Bazaar ▸

Bizarre Bazaar
It looks like Ancient Egypt is ready to get serious for Halloween Horror Nights.

Bizarre Bazaar close-up
So much better than last year’s “banner”!

Poles 2

There isn’t much to see at the moment, but there are several of these big slabs of “stone”, each with a pole attached. These are lined along both sides of the main path at Ancient Egypt.

Poles

The poles have some sort of pulley/wheel system. Since it’s a bazaar, maybe it’ll be used to hold up a roof for the bazaar, or have some oddities dangle in the air. If the park intends to use heavy fog effects here, a roof will be necessary to keep the fog in.

Costume and Make-up
There’s also something else being constructed at Ancient Egypt, but this should be a backstage area for scare actors.

◂ The Insanitarium ▸

Insanitarium frame
A metal frame has been set up for the “Insanitarium” gateway decor.

INS - construction
Nothing much to report here, except that the construction walls at this section has been shifted inwards.

INS - construction 2
There’s just a bit more details at the structure here.

TO BE CONTINUED… in part two.
hhn2_beforedark_B2
Read it now!


That’s all I have to offer for this issue of Halloween Horror Nights 2 – Before Dark. It’s obvious – the production values this year has been brought to a new level. If you only have the time and budget for one event to attend, I think it’s clear which one is the best. Refer here for more HHN2 event information or click here to have an overview of the events available in Singapore.

Halloween Horror Nights 11 (2023)
HHN11 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Sneak Preview: DIYU: Descent Into Hell, Rebirth of the Matriarch, Icons and more
Halloween Horror Nights 11 MEGA Review: Photos of all Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
HHN11 RIP TOUR (VIP Tour) Review

Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
Grimm Encounters | The Weeknd: After Hours Til Dawn Nightmare
Judgement Day (Opening Scaremony) | Netflix's All of Us Are Dead
DIYU: Descent Into Hell | Rebirth of the Matriarch
Dead Man's Wharf | The Cursed Kiramam
The Hacker + The Hacker: GAME OVER

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2023
Halloween Horror Nights 2023/ HAHAHA! Halloween Party! Event Guide


Halloween Horror Nights – The Archives
Click to Expand and see all posts from past Halloween Horror Nights

Halloween Horror Nights 10 (2022)
HHN10 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide
Halloween Horror Nights 10 MEGA Review: Photos of all Haunted Houses and Scare Zones
SPECIAL FEATURE: Behind the Scenes at HHN10 Haunted Houses
HHN10 RIP Tour (VIP Tour) Review

Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
The Silenced Auction (Opening Scaremony) | DIE-ning with The Dead | Monsters & Manifestations
Escape The Breakout | Killustrator: The Final Chapter | Hospitality of Horror
Operation: Dead Force | The Hunt for Pontianak | Dark Zodiac

Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2022
USJ Halloween Horror Nights 2022 Review and Photo Tour

Trick or Thrills (2021)
Halloween Horror Nights Exhibition
2021 Day and Night Halloween: DIE-ning with the Dead, Universal Monsters Scream Alley | Zany Zombies and IT'S SHOWTIME! Premium Experience

Halloween Horror Nights 9 (2019)
HHN9 REVEALED: Ticket and Event Guide

Halloween Horror Nights 9 MEGA REVIEW
SURVIVAL GUIDE for Halloween Horror Nights 9
HHN9 RIP Experience (VIP Tour)

Features on Haunted Houses, Scare Zones and Experiences
The Chalet Hauntings Revisited | Spirit Dolls | Hell Block 9
Curse of The Naga Revisited | Twisted Clown University
Dead End | Death Fest + Death Fest LIVE
2019 Opening Scaremony (The Undertaker)

SNEAK PREVIEW: Curse of The Naga | The Chalet Hauntings | Behind The Scenes of HHN9
HHN9 Construction Updates (BEFORE DARK)
Part 1 | Part 2 (with Daytime Halloween event) | Part 3 (Horror Truck) | Part 4


Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2019
Universal Surprise Halloween/ Halloween Horror Nights 2019 Event Guide

Halloween Horror Nights 8 (2018)


Universal Studios Japan (USJ) 2018
Universal Surprise Halloween/ Halloween Horror Nights 2018 Event Guide | 2018 HHN Japan Review

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan (2017)


Halloween Horror Nights 7 (2017)

Halloween Horror Nights 6 (2016)


Halloween Horror Nights 5 (2015)

Halloween Horror Nights 4

Halloween Horror Nights 3

Halloween Horror Nights 2

Halloween Horror Nights

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14 Responses to Halloween Horror Nights 2 – Before Dark

  1. Luke October 2, 2012 at 11:41 pm #

    Hi Dejiki!

    It is amazing that the parks has been adding props and sets everyday!
    Can’t wait for the event.

    And I guessed it right! It is Elmo!

    • Dejiki October 3, 2012 at 9:43 am #

      Hi Luke,

      It’s barely two weeks away. You sure you’re ready for it? Haha.

      Yep, you got it right! I’ve also seen the Sesame Street ride vehicle. Seems like our early guesses were all correct too. 🙂

      • Luke October 3, 2012 at 12:39 pm #

        Well, if the ride features a soundtrack from the Sesame Street Show, I will be content! I am in love with those songs!!!!

        • Dejiki October 3, 2012 at 5:59 pm #

          I’m sure they will use memorable songs from Sesame Street Show. Have you watched all the street shows yet?

          • Luke October 3, 2012 at 9:02 pm #

            No I haven’t. I just randomly watch the YouTube clips of the songs…

  2. Kelly October 3, 2012 at 8:19 pm #

    Wow! chanced upon your blog! great and in depth update! Do you work in USS or own an annual pass?

    • Dejiki October 3, 2012 at 10:54 pm #

      Hi Kelly,

      I am an annual passholder. I do not work for the park or RWS, but perhaps one day…

  3. Poofy and Boofer October 3, 2012 at 9:57 pm #

    Hi Dejiki!

    Thanks for the awesome update! Can’t wait til I get there on Oct 27! As for the clock, it was the first thing that caught my attention when I was scanning the photos. I’m not sure we’re bothered by the same reason though. I just thought it looked a bit… cheap. I dunno. I just wished they made it look more…well.. like a real clock. And not just some giant sticker.

    But other than that, everything looks GREAT!!

    I was able to attend the first Horror Nights event and we stayed at one of the restaurants (I forgot the name! But the theme is Asian I think.) while the park was being set up for the event! That way we didn’t have to go out and line up again. Do you reckon we could do the same in this HHN?

    • Dejiki October 3, 2012 at 11:01 pm #

      Hi again!

      Glad to hear your comments on this entry 🙂

      On the clock – I wasn’t referring to the construction quality. There is something about the design of the dial – most clocks (and watches) with roman numerals will have a certain number represented in a different way.

      The restaurant you were referring to is the Hollywood China Bistro. As for staying in the restaurant during the “HHN conversion hours”, I’m not 100% sure about that. It’s up to the park operations team, and they may, or may not, change the rules this year. Best to check with the park crew on the 27th!

  4. bagz October 12, 2012 at 11:52 am #

    Hii Dejiki, I wanna ask, if I buy the tickets on the spot,,,is there any possible the ticket for HHN2 and theme park sold out?

    • Dejiki October 13, 2012 at 7:15 pm #

      Yes, it is possible for tickets to get sold out as this event is quite popular. Best to buy your tickets early if you can.

  5. SL October 13, 2012 at 2:20 am #

    Will there be any rides available?

    • Dejiki October 13, 2012 at 7:17 pm #

      Yes there will be. Blockbuster rides such as Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN, Battlestar Galactica: CYLON, Transformers: The Ride, Revenge of the Mummy, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure and a few other attractions will be available throughout the night.

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