Universal Orlando Resort has confirmed that Haunt‑O‑Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey will be the new lagoon show for Halloween Horror Nights 34, marking the first lagoon show since the 2022 production Ghoulish! A Halloween Tale.
Universal describes Haunt‑O‑Phonic as “a ghost story rising from its watery grave to haunt the Universal Studios lagoon, featuring towering water screens and eerie music.” The show uses coordinated water screens, lighting effects, synchronized fountains, and a haunting soundtrack to deliver ghostly storytelling at the lagoon.
Show Announcement: Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey
A ghost story is rising from its watery grave to haunt the Universal Studios lagoon, featuring towering water screens and eerie music.
All tickets are now on sale: https://t.co/2RmpYqmAC6 pic.twitter.com/WRYQidrCbo
— Halloween Horror Nights (@HorrorNightsORL) July 24, 2025
It will run nightly during the event, which takes place August 29th through November 2, 2025, at Universal Studios Florida. The lagoon show pairs with the live production Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay, a twisted circus experience featuring fire effects, aerial stunts, illusions, and choreography.
Haunt‑O‑Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey
This production returns after a two‑year absence. There were no lagoon shows at HHN in 2023 or 2024, as lagoon infrastructure was damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Ghoulish! A Halloween Tale ran in 2022 but did not return the next year.
Jack the Clown and Chance from Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas – YouTube, Universal Horror Unleashed
Universal highlights that Haunt‑O‑Phonic offers immersive storytelling and visual spectacle. It transforms the lagoon into a haunting stage of water‑screen projections and fountains, offering guests theatrical respite amid a lineup of scare zones and haunted mazes.
Nighttime Entertainment Programming
Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay continues Universal’s Nightmare Fuel tradition as a high‑energy stage show. A cursed circus theme, flame displays, aerial artistry, and illusions create a sinister spectacle that enhances after‑dark programming.
Mel’s “Die” In at Halloween Horror Nights in Universal Orlando – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
Together, the lagoon show and Nightmare Fuel strengthen nighttime entertainment. They help distribute crowds throughout the park later in the evening while offering guests theatrical options between houses and scare zones.
Event Flow and Operational Benefits
Reintroducing the lagoon show brings operational advantages. By drawing guests to the waterfront during peak times, it reduces crowding in haunted house queues. Fans and commentators have noted that including a lagoon show or an additional live show generally improves event flow.
The Halloween Horror Nights Sign in Universal Orlando – Photo Credit: M. Montanaro
Creatively, Haunt‑O‑Phonic offers emotional pacing and narrative contrast. Its water‑based storytelling provides an atmospheric break from horror‑driven attractions, signaling Universal’s renewed emphasis on immersive storytelling.
Other Event Features
HHN 2025 includes multiple scare zones—The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane, Masquerade: Dance with Death, Mutations: Toxic Twenties, The Origins of Horror. Haunted houses include original identities such as Dolls: Let’s Play Dead and El Artista: A Spanish Haunting, plus IP‑based houses like Fallout, Terrifier, WWE, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Jason Universe.
A scare zone at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights – Photo Credit: Marvin Montanaro
The event runs on select nights from August 29th to November 2nd, with a Premium Scream Night opener on August 28th. Ticketing includes general admission, multi‑night passes, Express Pass options, RIP Tours, and behind‑the‑scenes packages.
Do you plan to visit the Haunt-O-Phonic at Halloween Horror Nights? Let us know in the comments!
