Universal's Scariest New HHN House—Plus 3 Disney Stories

The week of July 17–23 belonged to Universal Orlando, which pulled the wraps off one of its most anticipated Halloween Horror Nights houses of the year. But Disney wasn’t quiet either: Disneyland turned 71, quietly dropped a rock-bottom ticket price for its neighbors, and kicked off a members-only summer of freebies. Here’s everything that actually mattered this week—verified against the parks’ own announcements.

Universal Unleashes “Evil Dead Burn” for Halloween Horror Nights 2026

The biggest single story of the week: Universal confirmed a brand-new haunted house based on the Evil Dead franchise’s sixth and latest film, Evil Dead Burn, coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2026. According to Universal’s official press release dated July 21, the house takes guests on a firsthand journey through the film’s most terrifying moments, beginning at the Price family’s secluded cabin in the woods before the demonic Deadites take over.

The concrete details you need: Halloween Horror Nights runs August 28 through November 1, 2026 at Universal Orlando Resort, and September 3 through November 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal also confirmed a limited-release Evil Dead Burn merchandise line—a T-shirt, a hat, and a collectible acrylic figure for the event’s “infernal carnival” display—available in both parks starting July 21, with online sales opening July 22 at 9 a.m. PT on shopUniversal.com.

The Evil Dead franchise dates back to its 1981 cult-classic origins, and dropping a fresh-off-the-screen film into a maze is exactly the strategy Universal has leaned on to keep HHN feeling current. We noticed on our last HHN visit that the film-based houses draw the longest lines by a wide margin—if this one follows the pattern, expect Express Pass to be worth every dollar on peak nights.

Disneyland Quietly Dropped $71 Tickets for Anaheim Residents

Right in Disneyland’s backyard, the resort launched an exclusive Anaheim Resident Ticket Offer that went on sale July 16 and is valid for visits July 20 through October 8, 2026. Per the details published on the Disney Parks Blog’s 2026 Disneyland calendar and offers page, a 1-day, 1-park ticket runs just $71 for guests ages 10 and up, while kids ages 3–9 pay $50. Want both parks in one day? A 1-day Park Hopper is $104 for ages 10+.

The catch: it’s genuinely local. Eligibility is restricted to specific Anaheim ZIP codes (the 92801–92809 block, plus a handful of others), buyers must use an Anaheim ZIP on payment, and tickets are nonrefundable and capped at eight per day. For a park where a standard single-day ticket routinely tops $150 in peak season, a $71 admission is one of the deepest resident deals we’ve seen all year—and a clear signal Disneyland is working to fill mid-week capacity through early fall.

Disneyland Turned 71—And Sent the Matterhorn in for a Refresh

July 17 marked Disneyland’s 71st anniversary, a quieter milestone than last year’s 70th but a reminder that the original Magic Kingdom keeps evolving. The week’s most visible change for ride fans: Matterhorn Bobsleds closed for refurbishment on July 20, with July 19 being the last day to ride before the work began and a reopening targeted for July 24.

A four-day closure is short as refurbishments go—the Matterhorn typically gets pulled offline for track and bobsled maintenance rather than a full overhaul. Still, if you’re visiting Disneyland this exact week, it’s worth checking the official app before you sprint to Fantasyland. We’ve learned the hard way that a “reopening date” is a target, not a promise; build in a backup plan.

Disney Vacation Club Kicked Off “Welcome Home Weeks” for Its 35th Year

Finally, Disney Vacation Club members got their summer perk window: Welcome Home Weeks began July 22 and run through August 26, 2026, this year doubling as a celebration of DVC’s 35th anniversary. According to Disney’s official Disney Vacation Club news, eligible members with active Membership Extras unlock up to 40% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at select table-service restaurants on select dates, complimentary ice cream at locations spanning Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Aulani, Vero Beach, and Hilton Head, plus new 35th-anniversary digital wallpapers.

It’s a members-only benefit, so it won’t help the average guest—but if you’re a DVC owner sitting on a summer trip, stacking a 40% dining discount against otherwise-full menu prices is real money back. Thirty-five years in, DVC clearly still sees these seasonal perks as one of its stickiest retention tools.

The Bottom Line

Universal owned the headlines this week, and its Halloween season is shaping up to be a big one—if you’re already mapping out your HHN 2026 strategy, start with our full guide to the Infernal Carnival theme and 2026 lineup.