Even with summer just heating up, the Halloween season is already casting its shadow across the theme park world. Universal is leading the charge with not one, but three Halloween Horror Nights announcements across its parks, while Busch Gardens is bringing a two-day scare to Central Florida. Don’t worry, there’s still magic on the horizon too—Disney’s glowing Starlight Parade returns soon. Let’s get into the week’s biggest stories!
Photo Courtesy of Universal Parks
It’s happening! Universal Studios has confirmed Five Nights at Freddy’s will be part of Halloween Horror Nights 2025 in both Orlando and Hollywood. While we don’t know yet if it’ll be a haunted house or scare zone, the creepy animatronics are a perfect match for HHN’s dark vibes. This franchise has a huge fan base, and it’s great to see the first big HHN announcement drop this early in the season!
Photo Courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa
There’s only one actual Friday the 13th in 2025—and Busch Gardens Tampa is making the most of it. The park will host a two-day scare event on June 13–14, teasing a chilling experience for fans of the macabre. It’s a smart and spooky warm-up as we ease into summer. Can’t wait to see what the “Open House” is hiding…
Photo Courtesy of Universal Parks
Universal Orlando and Hollywood both revealed their first haunted house for 2025 HHN: Fallout. Based on Amazon Prime Video’s popular series, the house promises plenty of post-apocalyptic gore and twisted visuals. Even if you’ve only seen the pilot (free on Roku, by the way), you’ll know why it’s perfect for a horror house. Expect dark vaults, mutants, and mayhem.
While the U.S. parks are just getting started, Universal Studios Japan is already fully locked in for Halloween. Their 2025 HHN and Autumn Events lineup is stacked, and as always, Chucky is back with another appearance. Japan’s HHN is known for bold, creative choices—and their early reveal lets fans start planning now.
A brand-new nighttime parade is lighting up the horizon at Disney! “Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away” is set to debut soon, bringing a dazzling new lineup of floats, characters, and music to enchant guests after dark. With a focus on dreams, wonder, and classic Disney magic, this parade aims to be a must-see experience for fans of all ages. Stay tuned for the official premiere date—you won’t want to miss this one!
YouTuber Cute Cuddly Cris visited Harmonyland—a charming, lesser-known Sanrio theme park just outside of Tokyo. From Hello Kitty to My Melody, it’s a wholesome, pastel-filled escape. We’d never heard of it before, but now it’s on our list!
@lift.hills.and.launches shared an epic rider reaction shot on Dragon Khan at PortAventura World. Nothing beats a close-up look at pure coaster joy—and maybe a little fear. This is what thrill rides are all about!
It’s a thrilling time! We’re diving into Halloween Central this month as spooky season edges closer. Keep checking back for house announcements, event breakdowns, and more. In the meantime—what’s at the top of your ride list this summer?
Thanks for riding along with us—see you next week for more updates from the parks!
– CoasterMedia Team
Get the inside scoop on your favorite attractions and theme parks around the world, from new rides and special events to helpful tips and hidden tricks.
That’s it for this week’s Theme Park Spot Talk. What story are you most excited about? Let us know.
Jeff