The food and merchandise at Halloween Horror Nights are as much a part of the storytelling as the haunted houses themselves.
Hello, subscribers. It’s Haley. Voice of In the Loop: Theme Park Scoops.
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During a media preview of Universal Orlando’s premier Halloween event this week, Chef Jens Dahlmann walked me through a spread of this year’s featured food items, each one tied to a house, franchise, or icon from the event’s lineup.
I had my eye on the Ozzy Osbourne-inspired carrot cake disguised under a dark chocolate shell. I can confirm there is, in fact, only one right way to eat that cake topper — and yes, I bit its head off.
Turns out the late rock icon and I had something in common — we were both carrot cake people.
Merchandise is earning its spot on the must-do list, too. Senior Director of Visual Merchandising and Retail Creative Rob Cametti says the Halloween Horror Nights Tribute Store is designed to be an experience, not just a shop.
You can watch my interviews with Rob and Chef Jens by clicking here and scrolling through my guide.
Walt Disney World
Wine, dine and dining tables 🍽️
We’re keeping this food train rolling with the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, now underway.
Disney World’s beloved foodie event is celebrating its 30th running, and the menu items aren’t the only things turning heads.
For years, guests have balanced plates and drinks on the flat tops of EPCOT’s trash cans — an unofficial, makeshift solution for those looking to enjoy a quick bite without a traditional seat. But with the park’s newer solar-powered trash cans featuring a curved, uneven top, those days of can-top dining are over.
Enter the railing tables.
Disney appears to be nudging guests toward a more intentional dining option, and the new railing tables scattered throughout the festival could be the answer to a problem guests didn’t know the park was solving.
SeaWorld Orlando
It’s Spooktacular! 🎃
SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween season is evolving in a big way, with Spooktacular set to open its doors this weekend.
For this year’s family event, Sony Pictures Animation’s “Hotel Transylvania” will make its debut.
Check out the full guide by clicking here.
I plan to have a better wrap-up of Halloween Horror Nights next week.
As always, keep me in the loop through my email or reach out to me on X or Instagram.
See you next week!
- Haley
