Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights offers up plenty to scare the bejesus out of you, but there's one thing at the park that's the scariest.

It's not the chainsaw-wielding, high-pitched-giggling clowns. It's not the lumpy-brained alien with the extra-long pinky finger. It's not the four-foot tall, pumpkin-headed trick-or-treater who happens to carry a knife.


No, all of those are good and terrifying, for certain, especially in the foggy darkness as you wander through the streets at Universal Studios for the 27th version of the park's annual celebration of Allhallows Eve.

But there's one "scarachter" you should really give a wide berth if you can. The stilt-walkers. I assume they're on stilts, but with the magic of costuming, they just look extremely tall.

Tall people are fine — even pro NBA player height tall. It's when you start getting to the 10-foot-tall level, you should be wary.

This year's Horror Nights has plenty of scary, tall stilt-walkers to choose from. Some look nicer than others, like the flowing-dress-wearing woman who happens to have antlers, but you should beware all of them.

Images from Halloween Horror Nights 2017 at Universal Orlando on opening night, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017.
Images from Halloween Horror Nights 2017 at Universal Orlando on opening night, Friday, Sept. 15, 2017. (Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel)

Here's why.

Let's say you were to try and get away from said tall person. You get to running, and they decide to give chase.

With their giant gait, two, maybe three strides and they've got you. So you best be using your best serpentine skills to get out of harm's way, lest you become their next victim.

It's a reasonable fear.

Again, not saying chainsaw-wielding clowns aren't a reasonable fear. Perhaps Universal should put one of them on stilts.


And of course, there's plenty to scare you inside the nine haunted houses, although not so many stilt walkers fit inside. All of the things that can kill you (or maim you, or steal your soul) inside are under 10 feet tall, although there are couple of ceiling pushers to be sure, and they aren't that mobile.

So in some ways, you might feel safer.


WHAT: Universal's Halloween Horror Nights. The 27th edition of the fall event with houses based on "The Shining," "Saw" FX's "American Horror Story," and the Starz series "Ash vs. Evil Dead" as well as five more haunted houses, five scare zones and two live shows.


WHERE: Universal Studios theme park, Intersection of Interstate 4 and Kirkman Road, Orlando

WHEN: Thirty-four select dates between Sept. 15 and Nov. 4.

COST: A one-night ticket is $109.99-$123.99. An advance-ticket promotion with a Coca-Cola product UPC or Burger King promo code can get visitors up to a $50 discount. There are also discounts available for Universal Orlando annual passholders, plus multi-night tickets and front-of-line options are available.

PHONE: 407-363-8000