The scariest time of the year is officially upon us — and Universal Orlando Resort is making sure guests know it before they even reach the turnstiles. The original 1990 Universal Studios Florida entrance has gone through a dramatic transformation, with scrims revealing a new logo and paint job in progress, and the park's iconic spinning globe now glowing a deep, ominous red.
The Globe Goes Red for HHN 35
That familiar Universal globe outside Universal Studios Florida — normally defined by its blue oceans, green landmasses, and bright UNIVERSAL lettering — has taken on a far more sinister look just as Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 35 kicks off. Theme-park photographer bioreconstruct documented the transformation on August 28, opening day for the regular HHN 35 season:
"Red lighting of the Universal globe for #HHN season." — @bioreconstruct on X, August 28, 2026
Before guests even step through the gates, Universal's gateway now looks as though Halloween Horror Nights has completely consumed it. The horror doesn't wait inside — it starts outside.
A More Complete Entrance Transformation
The red globe is just one piece of a broader makeover happening at the front of Universal Studios Florida. The park's entrance archway has been undergoing visible construction work in the final days leading up to HHN 35, with scrims hinting at a new logo and fresh paint job on the way. Together, the entrance work and the new crimson lighting make the approach to the park noticeably different from a typical Universal Studios Florida arrival.
Rather than limiting the event's atmosphere to haunted houses and scare zones inside the park, the visual takeover now begins the moment guests approach the resort. The warning, as it were, is waiting outside.
Welcome to the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares
The blood-red globe fits perfectly with the creative direction Universal has officially established for this 35th anniversary event. Universal Orlando describes HHN 35 as the "Infernal Carnival of Nightmares," with Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow serving as rival ringmasters. The two returning icons anchor Jack & Oddfellow: Chaos & Control, an original haunted house built around their history, rivalry, and competing forces of chaos and control.
Universal announced Jack and Oddfellow's return back in March and has since released additional details about their shared house. The full HHN 35 lineup includes 10 all-new haunted houses, along with scare zones, live entertainment, themed food and beverages, and other surprises. The event mixes Universal-created stories with recognizable horror properties.
Halloween Horror Nights 35 runs on select nights from August 28 through November 1, 2026, at Universal Studios Florida. Universal also held its first Premium Scream Night on August 27 — one night before the regular season opened. The event is separately ticketed and, per Universal's own event page, may be too intense for young children; it is not recommended for guests under 13.
Could the Globe Change Colors Again?
One intriguing part of the globe story remains unconfirmed. According to information accompanying the reported red transformation, additional color schemes are rumored for the globe during HHN 35 — potentially corresponding with Jack the Clown and Dr. Oddfellow individually. However, Universal Orlando has not publicly confirmed a schedule of globe colors or announced that the landmark will alternate between designs tied to the two characters.
Until Universal confirms those changes or they appear at the resort, they should be treated as rumor rather than part of the official HHN 35 program. That said, the idea would align thematically with the event Universal has announced — Jack and Oddfellow are positioned as opposing forces throughout the Infernal Carnival of Nightmares, with their conflict framed as chaos versus control.
HHN 35 Is Now Underway
For guests heading to Universal Orlando, the red globe is only the first visible sign of what's waiting inside. Universal's Stay & Scream system returns for HHN 35 as well, offering earlier access opportunities for eligible guests before the event's scheduled evening opening.
What happens to the globe next remains to be seen. The red lighting is confirmed as HHN 35 begins, but any character-specific color changes are still unconfirmed. If Universal does continue altering the landmark as Jack and Oddfellow battle for control of the event, one of Orlando's most recognizable theme-park entrances could become a changing part of the story — rather than simply the place guests pass on their way inside.