While some students spent their fall break catching up on sleep or schoolwork, senior Caleb Brown (12) spent his vacation screaming—mostly from excitement. Over the weeklong break, Brown and his girlfriend, Maydin, took a thrilling trip to Universal Studios Orlando to experience the park’s world-famous attractions and its spine-chilling Halloween Horror Nights event.
“I went to Halloween Horror Nights, and I chose it because I’ve wanted to go for years now,” Brown said.
His long-standing curiosity about the event, known for its elaborate haunted houses and scare zones, finally became reality this fall break.
The couple spent a full week in Orlando, giving them plenty of time to explore both Universal’s daytime attractions and the nighttime terrors that took over once the sun went down.
“I was there for a week, and my favorite part was probably the Five Nights at Freddy’s haunted house,” Brown said, referencing one of the event’s most popular and talked-about experiences this year.
For Brown, the trip was full of firsts.
“This was my first time at both Universal and Halloween Horror Nights,” Brown said, “It definitely lived up to the hype.”
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights is famous for its detailed sets, realistic props, and actors who dedicate themselves to the art of the jump scare. Brown dove headfirst into the experience, exploring multiple haunted houses and scare zones. “My favorite house was either Five Nights at Freddy’s or Fallout,” Brown said, showing his appreciation for both the video game-inspired and post-apocalyptic themes.
Despite the screams filling the park, Brown insists he wasn’t easily shaken.
“No, there wasn’t really any moments that freaked me out,” Brown said.
But he admits his girlfriend had a slightly different reaction.
“Maydin definitely screamed more,” Brown said.
Although the monsters and ghouls came close, the couple couldn’t snap any photos with them.
“We couldn’t take pictures with the characters,” Brown said.
The rule didn’t bother him much though—there were plenty of other memorable moments to capture.
Outside of the horror-filled nights, Brown made sure to enjoy the rides and attractions Universal is known for.
“We rode almost every ride, but my favorite was probably the VelociCoaster,” Brown said, referring to the park’s high-speed roller coaster inspired by Jurassic World.
For thrill seekers, the VelociCoaster is a must-ride, known for its intense loops, drops, and breathtaking speeds.
While most theme park visitors dread long waits, Brown lucked out.
“None of the rides had bad lines, but the Terrifier house had a long wait—though it was still good,” Brown said.
Even with a bit of a delay, he found the experience well worth the time.
The trip wasn’t without its lighter, unexpected moments either.
“We saw a really short guy at Applebee’s,” Brown said, laughing as he described the random but memorable encounter.
It’s moments like these that make trips unique—and give friends plenty to joke about back home.
One of his favorite—and funniest—memories came in the form of a sweet treat.
“Eating the Five Nights at Freddy’s cupcake,” Brown said.
The themed dessert quickly became part of the story he’ll always remember from the trip. However, when asked what he would do differently next time, he was quick to respond:
“Not eat the Five Nights at Freddy’s cupcake.”
Despite the scares, screams, and spooky surprises, Brown said the trip was everything he hoped for and more. When asked if he’d recommend Halloween Horror Nights to other students, his answer was enthusiastic.
“Definitely, especially if they like horror,” Brown said.
After a week of roller coasters, haunted houses, and horror-themed cupcakes, Brown summed up his fall break in one simple phrase:
“It was litty for sure.”
As senior year moves full speed ahead, his trip serves as a reminder that sometimes the best memories are made outside the classroom—especially when they involve a little adventure, a lot of laughter, and maybe just a few screams.
