Universal Horror Unleashed Review: Inside Universal’s Year-Round Vegas Horror Experiment

·1 hr·5 clips

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey are in Vegas to finally experience Universal Horror Unleashed, a year-round horror experiment that opened in 2025.

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey record from the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas to review Universal Horror Unleashed, which they visited on Friday the 13th. The attraction is located in Area 15, a themed entertainment complex that opened in September 2020. They arrived at opening and spent about two hours experiencing the attraction. The hosts discuss the challenges of navigating Area 15 and using its tram system. They provide background on Universal's horror events, starting with Halloween-themed tram tours in Hollywood in 1986 and the launch of Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando and Hollywood in the early 1990s. The episode details their experience with four mazes: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow: The Reaping, Universal Classic Monsters, and The Exorcist (Blumhouse version). Eric, a first-time horror event attendee, shares his nervousness and how the design balanced fear with enjoyment. Jim explains behind-the-scenes elements like 'boo-holes' and audio triggers used by performers. They describe interactive elements like a tarot reader and the Jack the Clown 'Stay or Slay' show. The hosts note the attraction's staffing, theming quality, and use of misdirection tactics like 'SIF' (stuff in face). They discuss ticket options, including discounts for Nevada residents, and merchandise policies that prevent bringing items back into the experience. The episode concludes with thoughts on the attraction's two-hour experience window, its place in the Vegas tourism market, and Universal's planned Chicago location set to open in 2027.

As heard by us

A practical, detail-rich look at how a Las Vegas horror attraction builds its scares.

Jim Hill and Eric give Universal Horror Unleashed a practical first look after visiting the Las Vegas attraction around opening time. They place it within the off-Strip Area 15 setting, then spend most of the conversation on how the scares actually work.

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Why you'd press play

You get a Vegas horror walk-through where the scares can wait for the right victim.

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