Hey kids! In case you missed it, the boss has released the first official Spec. Map of the year! So, let’s talk about it a bit and see what we can decipher.
HOLD ON THERE SPANKY!
Before we talk about anything, there needs to be a disclaimer. Actually, there needs to be a lot of disclaimers. And before you go booking your tickets, thinking that this is gospel truth, you seriously need to read and understand these disclaimers.
- This is not an official map!
This should go without saying, but it needs to be said again…and again. Just because it’s on this map, it does not mean that it’s going to happen! It’s purely and totally speculation. Nightmares just happens to have a record of getting it right more than most. - We don’t get anything official from Universal.
Universal doesn’t use the spec maps as popularity contests to see what they’re going to use this year. In fact, the company has most of these ideas locked in by the time the event ends the previous year…hence why we got Chucky for 32, right after 31 ended. - Things will change!
Again, this map is not solid gospel. As the information comes out, and things change, so does the map. Nothing is solid until it’s announced. We only put out what we hear, what we see, and what seems to be. There’s a good chance this thing will change up until the very last house is announced, probably in August. - No, we won’t tell you other things we’ve heard.
If we put out everything we hear, there would be about 45 houses. We whittle it down to the most likely and hope for the best. We do hear other things, but again, it could be crap, or it could be really, really, REALLY, secretive stuff that isn’t locked down yet. - THIS IS NOT AN OFFICAL MAP AND THINGS WILL CHANGE!!!
Got it? Goooooood.
The Map
Okay, so the map above has a bunch of stuff listed. We’re going to run down the list and talk about it, one by one. I’ll give my thoughts and opinions and do what we do best this time of year…SPECULATE!
- A. Chucky:
Confirmed. It’s going to be based on the show, likely at least the first season, possibly two. This is only the second time that Chucky has gotten a house at HHN in Orlando. We’re hoping for actual Chucky Dolls, and lots of blood! - B. Monsters-Dracula vs. Phantom:
This makes sense. The Phantom is one of the most underutilized, but wildly popular Universal Monsters. Dracula is probably the first, and we’re seeing a slow resurgence of vamps this year. We are hoping to see more Phantom, and less Drac, but last year’s Monsters vs. House was a huge success, and likely we’ll see more like it. Again, it might as well be confirmed, because Universal Monsters are relevant again…especially with an all-new land being constructed in the new park. - C. Last of US:
Another no-brainer. This was allegedly going to be used last year, but the show was pushed back. Now the show is a massive hit, and if WB is willing to play, then why not cash in on that popularity for merchandise and hopefully some amazing new scenic and monsters. - D. Krampus:
Alright, so this is marked as an original house. If you were hoping for a sequel to the house based on the film, then I think you might be disappointed. From what I can guess, this is not going to be “Krampus” as much as it would be the “dark side of Christmas”. So, you’ll see the different nightmares of Christmas, from Krampus to Lussi (a female demon that rides through the sky on a broom), The Kallikantzaroi (demons that saw through the tree of life in the center of the earth but come out at Christmas to cause mischief). There’s lots of possibilities here. - E. The Anchor:
I’m using the word, because posting that pic will screw up my flow here. So, the first thing that comes to mind is that this could be a sequel to Dead Mans Pier: Winter’s Wake. It COULD be. But it’s not very likely. I wouldn’t be mad if it was, that house was stunning and just amazing to behold. However, doing a quick google search, the symbol is an ACTUAL maritime symbol, which indicates a person is a former member of the NAVY. We could see a haunted Naval fleet, or a WW2 house that takes place in a naval battle. Still too early to tell. - F. Blumhouse-M3GAN/Insidious:
After last year’s surprise Blumhouse, it’s not a horrible thing (or a surprise) that we could be seeing the production company return with another Blumhouse of Horrors. It’s even less of a surprise that the hit M3GAN is part of it. What is surprising is that the killer doll movie isn’t getting a house all her own. That movie is MASSIVE, and the sequel has already been greenlit. I would not be surprised to see this shift from a double billing to a single house. But then again, Insidious is always a huge pull as well. - G. Lair of the Banshees:
Another original house, and this is another delve into Folklore for HHN. Banshees are a wailing spirit in Ireland, and if you hear their cry, you’re pretty much done for. Given the Celtic Folklore, expect this house to be beautiful, and loud. There’s also another possibility. Banshees are known for their wails, and for preying on the dying, sick or wounded. While in folklore they only predict an oncoming death…there has been something else in HHN history that meets these same requirements. Could we be seeing another Nightingales house? The Nightingales were known for their screams as they preyed on the sick, dying and wounded. They were shapeshifters that could take on any look. While a banshees house would be amazing, could this only be a Nightingales house in disguise? - H. Devil Dogs:
Another original. Little is known about this one, but what can we figure out? After a quick google search, we know they are a chocolatey cream filled pastry. Sounds like a deliciously evil house. But also, the Devil Dogs are the nickname given to the 6th Marine Regiment, as they would foam at the mouth through the gas masks to protect them from mustard gas attacks. Most importantly, this was a segment from the insanely amazing Slaughter Sinema in HHN 28. We are talking motorcyle riding werewolves. It was one of the better segments of the house, even though that entire house was nuts. Honestly, I wouldn’t be mad with Slaughter Sinema 2! - I. Music House?:
So, all we get is a lightning bolt and a guitar. The boss says he’s messing with everyone, and it’s not what you think…but what could it be? Lightning bolt and guitar and I’m guessing AC/DC…but that’s me. It’s pretty clear that this is likely a music house, but it’s not an original. Not a lot is known, and any and all details about this one is being very tight. So, we’re thinking if this is a music house, we may see a return of The Weeknd, with Dawn FM. The house last year was a huge surprise hit, and it was ACTUALLY good. Not the best, but Dawn FM is a different album, so we could get a different spin on The Weeknd’s hits. Of course, there’s other huge names that are making big albums this year, from Metallica to Slipknot, U2 and Sam Smith…hey we all thought The Weeknd was a bad idea too, why not an “Unholy” house? - J. Japanese Name:
Yes, that is a Japanese phrase. No, I’m not writing it. The Japanese name translates into “Japanese Creatures”. Oh man, that is a loaded phrase. Likely this could be a take on a HHN Japan house, there have been many amazing HHN Japan houses over the years. Then it could be a literal house about some of the folklore in Japan…and there’s so many crazy Japanese Monsters. Bake-Danuki are Tanuki raccoon monsters that shape shift and cause mischief. Tengu are protectors of the forest but have been known to herald war and famine. There’s so many, and I haven’t gotten into the weird ones yet. Then of course, when I think Japanese Creatures, I think Kaiju. YES. GIANT MONSTERS! Pacific Rim, Godzilla. Kaiju wreak havoc and cause chaos. They’re amazing! Could you imagine walking through a Kaiju attack at HHN? It could be amazing.
Again, this is likely to change with the next version of the map, and we may see even more crazy speculation before it’s all over. We also have no idea when we’re going to get our next house announcement, which traditionally comes mid-March to late April. Of course, the thing to expect about HHN is to never to expect anything.
We’d also like to thank some of the Podcasts and Vlogs that covered the release! If you have tome, take a listen, follow and support them!
It IS that time of the year already! We've all been waiting for true speculation season and now have the "official" Speculation Map from @HNNightmares. Join us in a first look of sorts and give our initial thoughts on each item! #HHN #HHN31 #HHNForever #HorrorCommunity pic.twitter.com/CDAxYgAe5j
— Fear and Beer: A Halloween Horror Nights Podcast (@fearandbeerpod) February 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/RipTourPodcast/status/1626990174398996481?s=20
https://twitter.com/HallowedThrills/status/1626990060846436352?s=20
Here is this years first @HorrorNightsORL spec map from @HNNightmares
— Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast (@UUOPodcast) February 18, 2023
Thoughts?
#HHN #HHN32 #HHNForever #HorrorCommunity pic.twitter.com/ADKIrt3JTt
Happy #HHN32 Rumors season, everyone! @HNNightmares released their first speculation map for Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, so… Let's chat about it! #HHN #HHNForever #HorrorCommunityhttps://t.co/TqIJG03lm5 pic.twitter.com/FygbmZIWyJ
— HHNRumors.com (@HHNRumors) February 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/HHN365/status/1626990753413996545?s=20
https://twitter.com/epichaunts/status/1626992093942976515?s=20
Now that we know the map, join us over on YouTube as we discuss @HNNightmares HHN Orlando Speculation map for this yearhttps://t.co/Sdhehtv6sX#HHN #HHN32 #HHNForever #HorrorCommunity pic.twitter.com/ofWP6opcyb
— Adrian (@theloshtv) February 18, 2023
https://twitter.com/loveourlifevlog/status/1627024622729285632?s=20
Halloween Horror Nights 2023 Speculation Map | M3GAN , THE LAST OF US & MORE https://t.co/btQtRWh2a2#universalstudios #halloweenhorrornights #HHN32 pic.twitter.com/Ck4AjZ7er9
— Ilikescary (@Ilikescaryy) February 18, 2023
We’ve got our latest episode up talking about the latest @HNNightmares Spec Map!! Enjoy! https://t.co/YuHmcqO3YX#HHN #HHN32 #hhnforever #HorrorCommunity pic.twitter.com/2nR50Yz5YD
— Rush of Fear Podcast (@RushofFearPod) February 19, 2023