Universal Halloween Horror Nights

We had once planned an amazing round of travel for Halloween that was just not practical. We did get to do a lot of it this year.

I am jumping around in order to try and get some things as close to the Halloween date as possible, but also, this is one you could actually still go to, if you hurry.

Of course we started in the day. There were things that you could tell would come to something, like this nest of eggs that was titled "Murder of Crows" on the map. Probably at some point it was going to hatch.

That doesn't mean it will look like you think.

Actually, this one made me sad. The details made me think of love and grief, but it's titled "Monstruos". 

But then sometimes you are visiting your father's grave when the zombie attack breaks out. Suddenly you are in the purge.

That was part of the theme. I should have gotten more pictures, but it's hard when the area is full of clowns with chainsaws.

Well, it wasn't only clowns, but of all the scary statues there was a higher percentage of clowns, and that was foreshadowing.

While many of the rides were still open, the chainsaw wielding clowns would be a distraction. For the Halloween Horror itself, there were three main features.

 There were eight haunted houses with various themes, including Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America. (There are three monstruos; it is not the title of a video game.)

Then there was the Terror Tram. There were ways in which that was an additional haunted house (or four).

On our last trip to Universal, we had concentrated on the tram tour. It was completely different this time. You do still see some sets. 

After a very short ride, you are let off in front of a gauntlet of Blumhouse characters with chainsaws.

Although Five Nights at Freddy's is theirs, that had its own house, so the themes here were Black Phone, M3gan, The Purge, and probably Insidious and Paranormal Activity, but I am not sure. Oh, and they had the Happy Death Day one too.

I am not a horror buff, so my identifications may be questionable, but there were posters all over town for the Black Phone sequel, so I definitely recognized that guy.

There were trailers for the sequel to Happy Death Day in the line, and I have seen many ads for M3gan and its sequel; that's why I could recognize them. For others, you probably need to have seen the movie.

 Some things would probably seem more scary with movie context.

That being said, there was always a figure coming up with an axe or club or chainsaw swinging at you, so there's that.

That initial line off the tram led into a series of tunnels, guiding you through displays and horrors. Those "houses" are not included in the advertised eight.

After making it through that, there was a photo op with a scary Hollywood sign and M3gan, who would swing a cutting board blade at you during the pose.

Then you walk up by the Psycho house with a chance for a photo op with Norman Bates. I assume he had a knife. 

After that you could get back on the tram and return to the park, where you could ride or go through the haunted houses or just try and get to the exit through a crowd that was full of scary characters, but mainly clowns with chainsaws. 

COVID: There were a lot of people, so you could argue for masking even outside, but definitely in the houses.

Accessibility: Okay, I cannot imagine trying to do that with a mobility device. As it is, their page says that their entrances and queues are accessible and if there are other accommodations that can be worked out, though that does require at least 48 hours notice.

Actually, their web site is pretty good for this, which is amazing because their general site leaves a lot to be desired.

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/web/en/us/accessibility-information 

https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us

Bridgeport Village Mike Bennett Studios Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt

I didn't think we'd have any other Mike Bennett material until Christmas! It turns out there is something for Halloween too! 

There is a spooktacular scavenger hunt in Bridgeport Village with Mike Bennett designs.

Join the search for four each of pumpkins, ghosts, and gravestones.

The designs are really at foot level, which could make them easy to miss, but more accessible for children.

One thing that makes it nice is that a lot of the shop displays have started getting Christmas-y already. We did find some other Halloween, but the scavenger hunt helps keep the mall in October.

We found eleven pretty easily while making one reasonable circuit.

As we were finishing up, we encountered another group who was also missing one, but a different one.

My takeaway is that most of them are not hard to spot, but perhaps it is easy to lose focus and then overlook.

As it was, for the one that we missed, I know we walked right by it, and it was not particularly late in our hunt.

If you do find them all, there are goodie bags in the security office.

There are some nice coupons and favors, but really it is the thrill of the hunt.

COVID: You do not have to enter any of the stores; this can be done all outside.

Accessibility: The mall is pretty accessible in general. There are some areas where there are steps, but there was also always access without steps.

I will also add that while not everything is in the center, you would not need to change parking spots.

You can get some fresh air and exercise while having some holiday fun.  

https://www.bridgeport-village.com/event/32145-mike-bennett-studios-spooktacular-scavenger-hunt

Oregon City: Hopkins Demonstration Forest

Hopkins Demonstration Forest is a privately-owned forest where you can take self-guided tours.

There are some restrictions. For example, you can climb the fire tower when it is open, but it is not always open. These are largely safety precautions. 

This is the 65-foot tall Clatskanie Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, which was relocated to Hopkins and restored in 2008. That along with the Molalla Log House is part of the history that is preserved at Hopkins.

There are many activities and classes, including geocashing .

So, yes, there is a lot of hiking available, but that is not all that is available.

You can even have your dogs with you, though they must be leashed and cleaned up after.

There is also working (not demonstration) forest nearby, and you can have some hiking access to that as well.

There is also event space.

That provides a lot of unique options that are very Oregon. 

COVID: This is mostly outdoors, though that may not be true with in one of the event halls or going up with a group to the tower. Keep your situation in mind when deciding about masking.

Accessibility: Many of the trails are smooth enough that they would be fine for mobility devices. There are areas where the trails are steeper and areas where there are steps.

It could be much worse, but expect some limitations.

 Mainly I think of it as a place to enjoy trees, but where you can also learn more about them.

 

https://demonstrationforest.org/