I first arrived at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights 26 thinking that maybe I would encounter a few scares here and there, but that overall I would leave the park with my sanity intact. After making my way through my eighth haunted house, or "maze," of the night at the amusement park — which includes houses with Krampus, The Walking Dead, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre themes — I realized I was dead wrong (emphasis on dead). The American Horror Story-themed house, which show creator Ryan Murphy personally ensured was up to terrifying stuff, packs in high-quality scares from seasons one ("Murder House"), four ("Freak Show"), and five ("Hotel"). Once I'd calmly walked through it myself (read: stumbled blindly in a state of agonizing fear, screaming for my parents), I can confirm that it will leave you just as mentally scarred as the show. Take a look at the most blood-curdling moments below!
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
One of the first things you see after stepping over the Murder House threshold and into season one, is mad surgeon Dr. Charles Montgomery. In between cutting away at something gruesome on the table, he lashes out at you with his surgical tools. If pressed, I'd give his bedside manner a solid 3/10.
(note: his terrifying son Thaddeus, a.k.a. Infantata, also jumps out at one point, and it shaved approximately 63 years off my young life)
1 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
Another angle, in case you weren't properly terrified by the first one.
2 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
As you walk further into the depths of the maze, you come to a red-tinted room with a bunch of mannequins dressed as the Gimp standing around. Just when you think you've made it to the end of the room without any near-death experiences, one of the "mannequins" turns out to be an actual human, who lunges at you full force.
3 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
Next, you bid Murder House adieu by stepping through the gaping mouth of a demented-looking ring master, signaling the start of Freak Show.
4 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
The worst one? The dramatization of Elsa getting her leg chainsawed off for a German snuff film.
5 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
For any fans of the 10 Commandments Killer, his trophy room is displayed in all its bloody glory.
6 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
Although not necessarily scary, there's a room filled with the coffins of The Countess's sleeping vampire children, and it's beyond creepy.
7 / 8
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Quinn Keaney
The maze ends with a person exploding out of a hole in the mattress, a moment which ironically made me realize that I'll never be able to sleep again.
