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Halloween Horror Nights 3 – Before Dark

By on September 24, 2013 in Attractions, Halloween Horror Nights, Theme Parks, USS Park Updates

Halloween Horror Nights 3 Singapore - Entrance daytime

With just mere weeks away from the first Halloween Horror Nights 3 event night, the park has already started putting props and sets everywhere. This is going to be one interesting year, especially with the Jurassic Park zone being reconfigured into a scare zone.

I’m glad to once again present Halloween Horror Nights Before Dark, a series of day-time photographs showcasing the props and thematic elements for Universal Studios Singapore’s hallmark event of the year. Check out all past year’s Before Dark features here.

NEW: HHN3 REVIEW! Read the full Halloween Horror Nights 3 review now!

◂ Sisters’ Welcome ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sisters of Evil Welcome

While less dramatic as last year’s House of Dolls, the rocky archway tries to make a bold statement with giant claw-like fingers representing the three Sisters of Evil.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sisters of Evil Welcome

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Hollywood

What’s going to happen at Hollywood zone remains a mystery, really. Is it going to be just lights and fog machines before it leads to the Sisters of Evil?

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sisters' Stage

The basic structure of their stage has gone up, at least.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sisters' Stage 2

◂ Adrift ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Adrift

Adrift takes place within Stage 28, which has been home to the most elaborate Haunted Houses for the past two years. This is the path that leads to the queue area backstage. The story revolves around a “storm-battered ship is found mysteriously adrift after being lost at sea…”

So guess what, the entrance is the ship itself!

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Adrift 3

This is looking to be quite impressive. Can’t wait to experience the actual Haunted House. Notice the black sign at the bottom-right?

◂ Attack of the Vampires ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires 1

New York zone transforms into the town of Whittemore, bringing the Attack of the Vampires.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Whittemore

A dramatic shot of the gates of Whittemore.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires alley

Such a shame that there won’t be a “Haunted House” (more accurately, Haunted Street) at the alley this year. However, given that the past two haunted houses here were cramped (and had to close whenever it rains), setting up elsewhere might’ve been the best decision.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires alley 2

But there are some lights installed here, so maybe the alley will still be used somehow.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires 2

Close-up on the gate.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires 3

Some nets have also gone up.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires crypts

A few of these… crypt-like structures were found along the street.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Attack of the Vampires crypts 2

There’s one with a cross.

◂ Sci-Fi City ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sci-Fi lights

Sci-Fi City has not been a scare zone since 2011. It’s apparently a “chill-out zone” this year.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sci-Fi lights closeup

Some lights installed here (which were used for the Doctor’s table back in 2011).

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sci-Fi Luma

But interestingly, the yellow Camaro is gone. Would there be a live band here?

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Sci-Fi Stage

◂ Convention of Curses ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Convention of Curses 1

I really liked last year’s Bizarre Bazaar scare zone at Ancient Egypt. I hope the park intends to keep the new Convention of Curses as interesting.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Convention of Curses 2

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Convention of Curses 3

There’s nothing much actually, but three of these pushcarts. I’m not sure if those nice stalls will be returning – they caused a lot of bottlenecks last year.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Convention of Curses 4

For now, we only have the nicely-decorated marquees to admire.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Convention of Curses 5

There’s even one marquee towards Jurassic Park. Looks like this Convention will take up the entire stretch of Ancient Egypt.

◂ Songs of Death ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Songs of Death

The entrance to the Chinese Opera Academy is up, which will be the gateway to Songs of Death. This actually has confused a lot of guests. Many thought there’s an attraction here.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Songs of Death sign closeup

Seems rather plain for now, but I’m sure the team is just getting started…

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Songs of Death 2

But here’s a sneaky shot of the Haunted House. And the actual Opera House, or Opera Academy. Songs of Death takes place under a tent (somewhat like the one at Waterworld) which I’m sure all of us will be very thankful for. The Death Alley Haunted “House” (which was at New York Harbor last year) was not sheltered and had to close whenever it rained.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Songs of Death 3

See the blue barrier there? A portion of the rock has been cut away, just to create a path to the Haunted House. My assumption is still that either the entrance or exit is here, but the queue will lead into Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure’s queue building and make use of the super long switchbacks there.

◂ Forbidden Forest ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 1

Finally, we’ve arrived at the Forbidden Forest – the Kingdom of the Crone.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 2 signage

Impressive signage, though I’m not sure about the acrylic figure of a creepy woman. You might see why later.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 3 chains

Chains, plants and nets added to complement the sign.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 14 from FFA

From Far Far Away, there is another sign to draw people to the Forbidden Forest.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 4 Main Entrance

The true gateway to Forbidden Forest. And we see the creepy woman again.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 5 Main sign

I just felt that by repeating that image so many times, the impact is more or less gone. However, I wish to applaud the park for building these elaborate signs. Last year, simple printed banners were apparently good enough.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest entrance props

Near the gates are four crates. Each of them has a pole with chains attached to it. Given the design of the crates, I don’t think there will be scare actors chained up here. They might be instead be used to hold up lines (to hang things – severed heads/hands or whatsnots). Or perhaps everything here (including those walls) would be shifted around and used as obstacles.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest entrance props 2

Within Jurassic Park: A LOT of props. You can’t turn a corner and not see something new that’s placed for Halloween this year.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 6 props

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 7 props

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 9 props

There are a lot of cute dinosaur things at Jurassic Park, so I hope the park has found ways to work around them (and not just throw a black covers and camo-nets over).

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 10 props

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 11 props

Something interesting here (which is near the final turn into unloading at Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure): There’s a platform for, presumably, a scare actor. Could the Crone be perched here?

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 12 platform

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Forbidden Forest 13 backstage

The empty space below Canopy Flyer’s tracks has been completely sealed off. Possibly a breakroom for scare actors. Jurassic Park’s location creates certain problems because it’s entirely walled in by attractions, though I assume they could also use some parts of Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure’s queue building for that.

◂ Possessions ▸

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Possessions 1

At last, we’re at the final Haunted House. The entrance to the queue for the Possessions house will be at the Forbidden Forest / Jurassic Park. It’s a simple and small sign for now. The park can’t do anything too large because of Canopy Flyer (which will be running during event nights – quite puzzling, in my opinion).

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Possessions 2

I think it makes use of the rockwork at Jurassic Park rather nicely, though.

HHN3 Before Dark 1 - Posessions house

Nothing much to report about the actual Haunted House, except that the white walls have been painted. Some lights were also installed along the black wall.

I’m sure that Universal Studios Singapore is just getting started with converting the park for Halloween Horror Nights 3. There’ll be more to see in the next Before Dark entry. Are you excited about HHN3? What do you think about this year’s thematic elements and props?

Stay tuned for more Halloween Horror Nights 3 updates on Dejiki.com!
Update: Before Dark 2 now available!

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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4 Responses to Halloween Horror Nights 3 – Before Dark

  1. Aidan September 30, 2013 at 2:39 am #

    I getting more excited. I still havent get my tickets.
    I heard if buy at cineleasure from 15 oct is $60?

    Reply
  2. Makoy October 1, 2013 at 8:53 am #

    I have already purchased my Frequent Fear pass. My only question is will there be an Express Pass (EP) available that is also bundled with the Frequent Fear pass (similar to the Annual Pass + EP) or at least have an unlimited Express Pass available every HHN nights.

    I have asked these questions to the staff at USS cust svc area but they themselves are clueless.

    Anyway, I will be there on the opening night! I can’t wait! 🙂

    Reply
  3. weekiat October 1, 2013 at 7:12 pm #

    wonderful update nicholas. reading your entries are a great way to hype myself up for HHN!
    When will your next update be? can’t wait.

    Reply
    • Dejiki October 3, 2013 at 9:55 pm #

      Hi Weekiat!

      Check back this weekend – the new entry should be up then!

      Reply

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