The opening week of Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando is here, and new features have appeared. Today, August 26, is a Team Member Preview for the event. Following this, Halloween Horror Nights Premium Scream Night will take place on Thursday, August 28, and the event will officially kick off on Friday, August 29. In addition, Universal is rapidly advancing with the dismantling of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit following its permanent closure on August 18, 2025. This photo report from Universal Orlando features these major updates and more.
Dead Coconut Club
New theming has arrived at the Dead Coconut Club at Universal CityWalk. This venue is a reimagining of the Red Coconut Club for Halloween Horror Nights, complete with horror-themed decorations, drinks, and more. The club opens to Universal Orlando Annual Passholders today, August 26, from 7 PM to 10 PM, and again on Friday, August 29, from 4 PM to 5 PM. It will open to the general public on Friday, August 29 at 5 PM.
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Demolition
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit has been removed from the height check at the entrance to Universal Studios Florida.
The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit sign has been removed from the entrance of the ride.
The central section of the ride, encompassing the station, vertical lift, and non-inverted loop, remains intact. These components will likely be the last to be demolished due to the complex work involved and their location over vital pathways needed for guests to reach certain Halloween Horror Nights haunted houses.
Most of the treble clef portion of the ride, which curves through the New York area of Universal Studios Florida, has been removed.
The segment of track that runs through the firehouse facade remains in place. Here’s a closer view of where crews made the track cuts. Note that the rails are packed with sand to help minimize sound and vibration as the ride vehicles speed along the track.
Here’s a view of the section of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit near the entrance of Universal Studios Florida. Track pieces and support pillars have been taken down. Site work is still ongoing for the ride that will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. You can see equipment staged at the site, and drainage systems being installed. Universal Orlando has not yet announced what will replace Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.
Track pieces are piled up near the ride’s station.
The Universal Orlando skyline hasn’t been impacted by the ride’s demolition yet, as its tallest sections are still standing.
You can check out our previous photo report from last week to compare photos of the demolition.
Universal Studios Florida Bridge Reopens
Crews have completed the renovations on the bridge over the Universal Studios Florida lagoon, a project that began in early July 2025 and included a full replacement of the decking. The bridge is now open to guests.
Store Closures in Diagon Alley
The Wands by Gregorovitch and Globus Mundi shops have closed in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Universal Orlando has taken Globus Mundi off its app and website, with the website link redirecting to an error page. While Wands by Gregorovitch remains a functional link on the website and is still listed in the app, neither source offers any information regarding the store’s operations. It’s unclear what Universal’s intentions are with these stores.
Dufftoberfest Returns
Dufftoberfest has returned to Springfield at Universal Studios Florida for the Halloween season, featuring the seasonal Märzen crafted by the Florida Beer Company. This limited-time beer can be enjoyed on draft at Moe’s Tavern and Duff Brewery.
New Halloween Horror Nights Merchandise Displays
New merchandise displays for Halloween Horror Nights have been introduced at the Universal Studios Store in CityWalk.
There’s also a new Halloween Horror Nights merchandise display at the Universal Studios Store in Universal Studios Florida.
Halloween Horror Nights Merchandise Kiosks
Kiosks featuring Halloween Horror Nights merchandise have been set up throughout Universal Studios Florida, including near Mel’s Drive-In and MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack.
Halloween Horror Nights Sweet Treats
We saw sweet treats at the San Francisco Candy Factory in Universal Studios Florida, inspired by Five Nights at Freddy’s, Fallout, Terrifier, Mel’s Die-In, and more.
Menus for Halloween Horror Nights Have Been Posted
The food and beverage menus for Halloween Horror Nights were officially released yesterday, August 25. Since then, they have been put up at the booths around the park. These menus display the offerings at each location along with images. We’ve included photos of the menus we came across. To view all the available menus and their prices, click here to check out our earlier post.
Twisted Tater Chips Booth:
Cursed Carnival Booth:
Terrifier Booth:
New York Fanta Bar:
The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks Booth:
Fallout Booth:
Black Cat Lounge:
Club Horror Bar:
Jason Universe Booth:
Bridge Fanta Bar:
Dolls: Let’s Play Dead Booth:
The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane Booth:
El Artista: A Spanish Haunting Booth:
HHN Bar:
Additional Halloween Horror Nights Updates
Posters for each of the IP haunted houses—Jason Universe, Fallout, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Terrifier, and The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks—have been placed on the Universal Studios Florida arch. The Halloween Horror Nights medallion has yet to be added.
A new advertisement has been placed to the left of the Universal Studios Florida arch promoting Halloween Horror Nights.
New directional signage has been installed. The sign below is located near Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.
The image below shows a directional sign, still covered with tarp, located near the park’s lagoon and Louie’s Italian Restaurant.
Barricades have been set up in the Music Plaza to create a queue for a haunted house.
Fences and vines have been placed at the main entrance of the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store, which is in a new location this year. The store this year encompasses Sahara Traders, Revenge of the Mummy’s exit gift shop, and the adjacent Palace Arcade.
In early August, the corporate website for Universal Destinations & Experiences announced that the Tribute Store was set to open to guests on August 26. However, the store was closed to the general public today, August 26.
Rats have been placed throughout the “Mutations: Toxic Twenties” scare zone, located in the New York area.
We spotted new BzzzCon signs at the back of Louie’s Italian Restaurant for the “Mutations: Toxic Twenties” scare zone.
A photo opportunity featuring Foxy, Freddy Fazbear, Bonnie, Chica, and Mr. Cupcake has been set up at Louie’s Italian Restaurant. This dining venue is being utilized for Five Nights at Freddy’s Dining during Halloween Horror Nights.
Chief Brody’s truck from Jaws has been removed from its spot in front of the San Francisco Candy Factory. The truck had only recently been placed there this month. Now, pumpkin and Halloween pennant flags have been set up in front of the store instead.
Signage is up for “Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay,” which is situated at the former Fear Factor Live auditorium, and fencing has been set up in the show’s courtyard.
Signage has been added at the entrance to the Central Park viewing area for the event’s nighttime lagoon show, “Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey.”
A sign was also put up for the HHN Bar, located at Battery Park near Mel’s Drive-In.
Halloween Horror Nights is now featured in animated advertisements displayed above the moving walkways that lead into CityWalk from the parking garages.
This concludes our photo report for Universal Orlando.
If you’re visiting Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights, take advantage of our FREE planning guide. It offers extensive information about the event, expected crowd levels, a touring plan, and much more, ensuring you make the most of your experience.
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