Comcast has introduced the second location for Common Horror Unleashed, the brand new year-round leisure expertise that’s mainly a everlasting Halloween Horror Nights, earlier than the primary has even opened! This put up shares particulars in regards to the new HHN-like attraction–plus our commentary about viability, comparability to DisneyQuest, and extra.
The second location for Common Horror Unleashed can be an indoor venue in Chicago, chosen for its massive inhabitants and fame as one of many nation’s main locations for tourism & leisure. The upcoming venue can be positioned on Chicago Avenue on the former Tribune Distribution Heart, located between the River North and West City districts.
Horror Unleashed will mark Common’s first branded expertise within the Midwest. Increasing the Common Horror Unleashed model, the corporate’s immersive horror leisure expertise, is reportedly a key pillar of Common’s broader progress technique to achieve new audiences, in new markets, by means of new and authentic ideas.
“Common Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create extremely immersive and terrifying horror experiences that join with followers year-round,” stated Web page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Common Locations & Experiences.
“We’re excited to carry this daring idea to life in Chicago, a metropolis identified for its vibrant tradition. We’re grateful for town’s help as we convert this dormant web site into a novel attraction that showcases our storytelling experience and talent to ship thoughts blowing experiences that shatter visitor expectations.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Common Horror Unleashed to the Metropolis of Chicago,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated in an announcement to NBC 5 Chicago. “That is precisely the form of artistic, high-impact funding we’re working to draw—one which brings new life to a vacant web site, creates a whole bunch of jobs, and cements Chicago as a must-visit vacation spot for leisure tourism.”
Based on town, the expertise is anticipated to generate greater than $1 billion in financial impression for town, together with greater than 400 everlasting jobs, together with scareactors, make-up artists, prosthetic artists and extra.
“Common’s determination to make such a big funding in Illinois is a testomony to the state’s unmatched leisure sector, famend workforce and robust infrastructure,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker stated in an announcement.
“Common selecting Illinois didn’t occur accidentally—we had been proud to help this challenge by means of our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a constructive enterprise local weather that pulls world-class corporations to the state. I look ahead to seeing this iconic model come to life alongside the Chicago River because it creates a whole bunch of jobs and generates greater than $1 billion in financial impression.”
Development on Common Horror Unleashed is anticipated to start in early 2026, in response to the Metropolis of Chicago, following design finalization and allowing. The Midwestern outpost of Common Horror Unleashed is slated to open in 2027. Right here’s idea artwork launched by Comcast for Common Horror Unleashed in Chicago:
Horror Unleashed combines Common’s experience within the horror style with next-level storytelling to ship a memorable visitor expertise. The year-round idea will ship immersive, horror-centric leisure that goes past the theme parks, bringing distinctive environments and scares to company. The horror can even prolong to the meals and beverage choices, with themed craft cocktails and bites, in addition to a retail location with distinctive collectible merchandise and extra.
The announcement comes on the heels of different key developments for Common Locations & Experiences, together with the current opening of Epic Universe at Common Orlando Resort, the primary Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas that opens in August 2025, the 2026 launch of Common Youngsters Resort in Frisco, Texas, and plans for a brand new theme park and resort in the UK — Common’s first in Europe, slated to open in 2031.
The primary Common Horror Unleashed location was introduced in January 2023 and is ready to open later this 12 months in Las Vegas on August 14, 2025. Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas are actually on sale now at UniversalHorrorUnleashed.com.
Our Commentary
It’s stunning and reassuring that Common is already greenlighting a sequel to Horror Unleashed even earlier than the Las Vegas location has opened. This implies a excessive diploma of confidence within the challenge, like when a tv present will get picked up for its subsequent season earlier than the earlier one has even debuted. That makes me, as a viewer, extra inclined to observe as I do know it’s more likely to be good (and assured to not finish on an unresolved cliffhanger–however that’s not likely related right here).
Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas went on sale again in mid-February, so the corporate would have a number of months of gross sales knowledge to help this determination. Nonetheless, this stuff don’t occur in a single day, so the Common Horror Unleashed location in Chicago has most likely been within the works since no less than round that point.
One fully lifelike risk is that Common at all times supposed upon opening a number of areas of Horror Unleashed, and that they’re essential (or no less than desired) to dilute growth prices. I’m considerably skeptical of that clarification. This isn’t like Jollywood Nights or another single-site occasion that advantages from that sort of scaling. I’d hazard a guess that the largest prices listed here are the bodily venue and working prices.
Given how nicely the Halloween Horror Nights model travels, I truly wouldn’t be shocked if there’s solely a little bit overlap between the ideas within the Las Vegas location and the Chicago one. Engaging the diehard followers to go to each branches would possibly outweigh the financial savings in cloning the idea. I don’t actually know, although–I don’t purport to be an knowledgeable on this.
I point out all of this as a result of it’s not a foregone conclusion that Common Horror Unleashed goes to be a hit. It’s simple to have a look at ticket costs for the Las Vegas location and conclude that Common goes to make a ton of cash; it’s simply as simple to conclude that they want these costs to cowl prices, and it’s going to be onerous to take care of that momentum.
It’ll be fascinating to see whether or not Chicago is kind of viable of a location than Las Vegas. On the one hand, there’s not the identical regular stream of vacationers and conference cliente. Alternatively, there’s lots much less competitors for leisure eyeballs and {dollars}. This isn’t to say Chicago is missing for issues to do. On the contrary, it’s one in every of America’s few “actual” cities, and there are lots of choices.
Frankly, I want this feature existed again after we had been in faculty. As a substitute, we noticed lots of Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls video games (not the Bears–too costly and I hate the Bears). We additionally went to Second Metropolis often, museums sometimes, and ate typically (the 2 main meals teams–Portillo’s and pizza).
If this existed then, we might’ve added Common Horror Unleashed to the common rotation. I’m certain lots of different folks our age would’ve completed likewise, as would vacationers to town. Chicago additionally does lots of conference enterprise, however that is actually removed from McCormick Place.
It’s price mentioning that Disney tried a regional park idea in Chicago…and failed miserably. Along with Walt Disney World, there was a DisneyQuest in Chicago and it was short-lived, closing in 2001 (pre-9/11) after solely being open a pair years. In contrast to the Walt Disney World location, that was not terribly dated at its demise. The timeline can be eerily comparable, with Disney greenlighting the second DisneyQuest earlier than the primary had even opened.
Chicago has additionally seen a ton of amusement parks and themed venues (eating places and experiences) come and shut over time. As a lot as I like Chicago, I’m unsure if it’s the place I’d goal for a tourist-dependent and expensive vacation spot like this. Different main Midwestern cities a bit farther to the south, and even New York, seem to be superior selections. However then once more, I’m only a dude with a weblog who can write no matter.
Presumably, Common has precise professionals who do feasibility research and different evaluation to find out the viability of a location; they most likely dominated out the options and arrived on Chicago for good cause (hopefully not only a tax incentive). It’s additionally most likely honest to say that Disney did the identical with DisneyQuest, as did the numerous corporations which have shuttered their very own themed leisure venues in Chicagoland over time.
It’s not simply DisneyQuest that struggled. Even highly-regarded regional parks and leisure experiences have struggled, and it’s an infamously tough market to crack. It nonetheless pains me that I by no means obtained to do Star Trek: The Expertise. The Void was lots of enjoyable, broadly praised, and had nice areas…till it went belly-up.
Important darling Meow Wolf enjoys a cult following, however it’s reportedly slashing workers. Area15 cancelled its plans for an Orlando outpost. It’s been radio silence from Level99 at Walt Disney World since that announcement, which doesn’t essentially imply something (third social gathering tasks don’t get the identical breathless updates as Disney-owned ones), however it’s barely regarding in mild of the foregoing.
My worry is that there was lots of frothiness in regards to the viability of regional parks and leisure expertise popping out of COVID, and a number of other corporations mistook pent-up demand for the brand new regular. As the US now settles into what precise demand appears to be like like for journey and leisure, there is likely to be additional contraction of the marketplace for such experiences. Right here’s hoping we’re mistaken about that, although.
In the end, it’ll be fascinating to see the long-term demand for Common Horror Unleashed. With the regular stream of vacationers, conventioneers and college students, there’s most likely the marketplace for this kind of factor in Chicago. The demographics most likely aren’t as favorable as in Las Vegas, however the competitors additionally isn’t as fierce.
There’s additionally the truth that Common Horror Unleashed isn’t low-cost by experiential leisure requirements. Certain, it’ll be cheaper than seeing Caleb Williams flop and Ben Johnson show he’s not Mr. Galaxy Mind, however it received’t be inexpensive than Second Metropolis or numerous different choices in Chicago. (Did I point out that I hate the Bears?!)
Regardless, Common Horror Unleashed is yet one more instance of Common doing one thing new and impressive because it appears to be like to develop its footprint within the points of interest business. Whereas loads of ideas like this have failed over time, hopefully this isn’t one in every of them. Each the Common and Halloween Horror Nights manufacturers are extremely highly effective, and the latter ought to journey nicely outdoors of Hollywood and Orlando.
My hope is that Common swings for the fences with this and shakes up its HHN method. However truthfully, I’ll be fairly glad even with a extra everlasting and high-budget model of Halloween Horror Nights. A number of the current homes which have clearly had “Netflix cash” have been phenomenal from a themed design perspective, and I look ahead to seeing what Common Artistic can do when given the sources.
Even for those who couldn’t care much less about Common Horror Unleashed (and I do know that’s lots of you), we should always all be cheering for it to work out. If this or the kiddie park in Texas find yourself being smash successes, that may nearly definitely end in Disney taking a recent have a look at the regional park or leisure idea. It’s unlikely we’ll see DisneyQuest 2.0 or Disney’s America, however we may lastly get one thing within the Midwest or Northeast or Heartland!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Common Horror Unleashed coming to Chicago? Are you excited for this everlasting horror attraction within the Midwest? Suppose this can be a hit–just like Halloween Horror Nights? Would you prefer to see Common Artistic push the envelope with this, or stick with the tried and true method of HHN, however with higher polish? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Comcast has introduced the second location for Common Horror Unleashed, the brand new year-round leisure expertise that’s mainly a everlasting Halloween Horror Nights, earlier than the primary has even opened! This put up shares particulars in regards to the new HHN-like attraction–plus our commentary about viability, comparability to DisneyQuest, and extra.
The second location for Common Horror Unleashed can be an indoor venue in Chicago, chosen for its massive inhabitants and fame as one of many nation’s main locations for tourism & leisure. The upcoming venue can be positioned on Chicago Avenue on the former Tribune Distribution Heart, located between the River North and West City districts.
Horror Unleashed will mark Common’s first branded expertise within the Midwest. Increasing the Common Horror Unleashed model, the corporate’s immersive horror leisure expertise, is reportedly a key pillar of Common’s broader progress technique to achieve new audiences, in new markets, by means of new and authentic ideas.
“Common Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create extremely immersive and terrifying horror experiences that join with followers year-round,” stated Web page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Common Locations & Experiences.
“We’re excited to carry this daring idea to life in Chicago, a metropolis identified for its vibrant tradition. We’re grateful for town’s help as we convert this dormant web site into a novel attraction that showcases our storytelling experience and talent to ship thoughts blowing experiences that shatter visitor expectations.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Common Horror Unleashed to the Metropolis of Chicago,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated in an announcement to NBC 5 Chicago. “That is precisely the form of artistic, high-impact funding we’re working to draw—one which brings new life to a vacant web site, creates a whole bunch of jobs, and cements Chicago as a must-visit vacation spot for leisure tourism.”
Based on town, the expertise is anticipated to generate greater than $1 billion in financial impression for town, together with greater than 400 everlasting jobs, together with scareactors, make-up artists, prosthetic artists and extra.
“Common’s determination to make such a big funding in Illinois is a testomony to the state’s unmatched leisure sector, famend workforce and robust infrastructure,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker stated in an announcement.
“Common selecting Illinois didn’t occur accidentally—we had been proud to help this challenge by means of our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a constructive enterprise local weather that pulls world-class corporations to the state. I look ahead to seeing this iconic model come to life alongside the Chicago River because it creates a whole bunch of jobs and generates greater than $1 billion in financial impression.”
Development on Common Horror Unleashed is anticipated to start in early 2026, in response to the Metropolis of Chicago, following design finalization and allowing. The Midwestern outpost of Common Horror Unleashed is slated to open in 2027. Right here’s idea artwork launched by Comcast for Common Horror Unleashed in Chicago:
Horror Unleashed combines Common’s experience within the horror style with next-level storytelling to ship a memorable visitor expertise. The year-round idea will ship immersive, horror-centric leisure that goes past the theme parks, bringing distinctive environments and scares to company. The horror can even prolong to the meals and beverage choices, with themed craft cocktails and bites, in addition to a retail location with distinctive collectible merchandise and extra.
The announcement comes on the heels of different key developments for Common Locations & Experiences, together with the current opening of Epic Universe at Common Orlando Resort, the primary Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas that opens in August 2025, the 2026 launch of Common Youngsters Resort in Frisco, Texas, and plans for a brand new theme park and resort in the UK — Common’s first in Europe, slated to open in 2031.
The primary Common Horror Unleashed location was introduced in January 2023 and is ready to open later this 12 months in Las Vegas on August 14, 2025. Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas are actually on sale now at UniversalHorrorUnleashed.com.
Our Commentary
It’s stunning and reassuring that Common is already greenlighting a sequel to Horror Unleashed even earlier than the Las Vegas location has opened. This implies a excessive diploma of confidence within the challenge, like when a tv present will get picked up for its subsequent season earlier than the earlier one has even debuted. That makes me, as a viewer, extra inclined to observe as I do know it’s more likely to be good (and assured to not finish on an unresolved cliffhanger–however that’s not likely related right here).
Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas went on sale again in mid-February, so the corporate would have a number of months of gross sales knowledge to help this determination. Nonetheless, this stuff don’t occur in a single day, so the Common Horror Unleashed location in Chicago has most likely been within the works since no less than round that point.
One fully lifelike risk is that Common at all times supposed upon opening a number of areas of Horror Unleashed, and that they’re essential (or no less than desired) to dilute growth prices. I’m considerably skeptical of that clarification. This isn’t like Jollywood Nights or another single-site occasion that advantages from that sort of scaling. I’d hazard a guess that the largest prices listed here are the bodily venue and working prices.
Given how nicely the Halloween Horror Nights model travels, I truly wouldn’t be shocked if there’s solely a little bit overlap between the ideas within the Las Vegas location and the Chicago one. Engaging the diehard followers to go to each branches would possibly outweigh the financial savings in cloning the idea. I don’t actually know, although–I don’t purport to be an knowledgeable on this.
I point out all of this as a result of it’s not a foregone conclusion that Common Horror Unleashed goes to be a hit. It’s simple to have a look at ticket costs for the Las Vegas location and conclude that Common goes to make a ton of cash; it’s simply as simple to conclude that they want these costs to cowl prices, and it’s going to be onerous to take care of that momentum.
It’ll be fascinating to see whether or not Chicago is kind of viable of a location than Las Vegas. On the one hand, there’s not the identical regular stream of vacationers and conference cliente. Alternatively, there’s lots much less competitors for leisure eyeballs and {dollars}. This isn’t to say Chicago is missing for issues to do. On the contrary, it’s one in every of America’s few “actual” cities, and there are lots of choices.
Frankly, I want this feature existed again after we had been in faculty. As a substitute, we noticed lots of Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls video games (not the Bears–too costly and I hate the Bears). We additionally went to Second Metropolis often, museums sometimes, and ate typically (the 2 main meals teams–Portillo’s and pizza).
If this existed then, we might’ve added Common Horror Unleashed to the common rotation. I’m certain lots of different folks our age would’ve completed likewise, as would vacationers to town. Chicago additionally does lots of conference enterprise, however that is actually removed from McCormick Place.
It’s price mentioning that Disney tried a regional park idea in Chicago…and failed miserably. Along with Walt Disney World, there was a DisneyQuest in Chicago and it was short-lived, closing in 2001 (pre-9/11) after solely being open a pair years. In contrast to the Walt Disney World location, that was not terribly dated at its demise. The timeline can be eerily comparable, with Disney greenlighting the second DisneyQuest earlier than the primary had even opened.
Chicago has additionally seen a ton of amusement parks and themed venues (eating places and experiences) come and shut over time. As a lot as I like Chicago, I’m unsure if it’s the place I’d goal for a tourist-dependent and expensive vacation spot like this. Different main Midwestern cities a bit farther to the south, and even New York, seem to be superior selections. However then once more, I’m only a dude with a weblog who can write no matter.
Presumably, Common has precise professionals who do feasibility research and different evaluation to find out the viability of a location; they most likely dominated out the options and arrived on Chicago for good cause (hopefully not only a tax incentive). It’s additionally most likely honest to say that Disney did the identical with DisneyQuest, as did the numerous corporations which have shuttered their very own themed leisure venues in Chicagoland over time.
It’s not simply DisneyQuest that struggled. Even highly-regarded regional parks and leisure experiences have struggled, and it’s an infamously tough market to crack. It nonetheless pains me that I by no means obtained to do Star Trek: The Expertise. The Void was lots of enjoyable, broadly praised, and had nice areas…till it went belly-up.
Important darling Meow Wolf enjoys a cult following, however it’s reportedly slashing workers. Area15 cancelled its plans for an Orlando outpost. It’s been radio silence from Level99 at Walt Disney World since that announcement, which doesn’t essentially imply something (third social gathering tasks don’t get the identical breathless updates as Disney-owned ones), however it’s barely regarding in mild of the foregoing.
My worry is that there was lots of frothiness in regards to the viability of regional parks and leisure expertise popping out of COVID, and a number of other corporations mistook pent-up demand for the brand new regular. As the US now settles into what precise demand appears to be like like for journey and leisure, there is likely to be additional contraction of the marketplace for such experiences. Right here’s hoping we’re mistaken about that, although.
In the end, it’ll be fascinating to see the long-term demand for Common Horror Unleashed. With the regular stream of vacationers, conventioneers and college students, there’s most likely the marketplace for this kind of factor in Chicago. The demographics most likely aren’t as favorable as in Las Vegas, however the competitors additionally isn’t as fierce.
There’s additionally the truth that Common Horror Unleashed isn’t low-cost by experiential leisure requirements. Certain, it’ll be cheaper than seeing Caleb Williams flop and Ben Johnson show he’s not Mr. Galaxy Mind, however it received’t be inexpensive than Second Metropolis or numerous different choices in Chicago. (Did I point out that I hate the Bears?!)
Regardless, Common Horror Unleashed is yet one more instance of Common doing one thing new and impressive because it appears to be like to develop its footprint within the points of interest business. Whereas loads of ideas like this have failed over time, hopefully this isn’t one in every of them. Each the Common and Halloween Horror Nights manufacturers are extremely highly effective, and the latter ought to journey nicely outdoors of Hollywood and Orlando.
My hope is that Common swings for the fences with this and shakes up its HHN method. However truthfully, I’ll be fairly glad even with a extra everlasting and high-budget model of Halloween Horror Nights. A number of the current homes which have clearly had “Netflix cash” have been phenomenal from a themed design perspective, and I look ahead to seeing what Common Artistic can do when given the sources.
Even for those who couldn’t care much less about Common Horror Unleashed (and I do know that’s lots of you), we should always all be cheering for it to work out. If this or the kiddie park in Texas find yourself being smash successes, that may nearly definitely end in Disney taking a recent have a look at the regional park or leisure idea. It’s unlikely we’ll see DisneyQuest 2.0 or Disney’s America, however we may lastly get one thing within the Midwest or Northeast or Heartland!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Common Horror Unleashed coming to Chicago? Are you excited for this everlasting horror attraction within the Midwest? Suppose this can be a hit–just like Halloween Horror Nights? Would you prefer to see Common Artistic push the envelope with this, or stick with the tried and true method of HHN, however with higher polish? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Comcast has introduced the second location for Common Horror Unleashed, the brand new year-round leisure expertise that’s mainly a everlasting Halloween Horror Nights, earlier than the primary has even opened! This put up shares particulars in regards to the new HHN-like attraction–plus our commentary about viability, comparability to DisneyQuest, and extra.
The second location for Common Horror Unleashed can be an indoor venue in Chicago, chosen for its massive inhabitants and fame as one of many nation’s main locations for tourism & leisure. The upcoming venue can be positioned on Chicago Avenue on the former Tribune Distribution Heart, located between the River North and West City districts.
Horror Unleashed will mark Common’s first branded expertise within the Midwest. Increasing the Common Horror Unleashed model, the corporate’s immersive horror leisure expertise, is reportedly a key pillar of Common’s broader progress technique to achieve new audiences, in new markets, by means of new and authentic ideas.
“Common Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create extremely immersive and terrifying horror experiences that join with followers year-round,” stated Web page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Common Locations & Experiences.
“We’re excited to carry this daring idea to life in Chicago, a metropolis identified for its vibrant tradition. We’re grateful for town’s help as we convert this dormant web site into a novel attraction that showcases our storytelling experience and talent to ship thoughts blowing experiences that shatter visitor expectations.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Common Horror Unleashed to the Metropolis of Chicago,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated in an announcement to NBC 5 Chicago. “That is precisely the form of artistic, high-impact funding we’re working to draw—one which brings new life to a vacant web site, creates a whole bunch of jobs, and cements Chicago as a must-visit vacation spot for leisure tourism.”
Based on town, the expertise is anticipated to generate greater than $1 billion in financial impression for town, together with greater than 400 everlasting jobs, together with scareactors, make-up artists, prosthetic artists and extra.
“Common’s determination to make such a big funding in Illinois is a testomony to the state’s unmatched leisure sector, famend workforce and robust infrastructure,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker stated in an announcement.
“Common selecting Illinois didn’t occur accidentally—we had been proud to help this challenge by means of our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a constructive enterprise local weather that pulls world-class corporations to the state. I look ahead to seeing this iconic model come to life alongside the Chicago River because it creates a whole bunch of jobs and generates greater than $1 billion in financial impression.”
Development on Common Horror Unleashed is anticipated to start in early 2026, in response to the Metropolis of Chicago, following design finalization and allowing. The Midwestern outpost of Common Horror Unleashed is slated to open in 2027. Right here’s idea artwork launched by Comcast for Common Horror Unleashed in Chicago:
Horror Unleashed combines Common’s experience within the horror style with next-level storytelling to ship a memorable visitor expertise. The year-round idea will ship immersive, horror-centric leisure that goes past the theme parks, bringing distinctive environments and scares to company. The horror can even prolong to the meals and beverage choices, with themed craft cocktails and bites, in addition to a retail location with distinctive collectible merchandise and extra.
The announcement comes on the heels of different key developments for Common Locations & Experiences, together with the current opening of Epic Universe at Common Orlando Resort, the primary Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas that opens in August 2025, the 2026 launch of Common Youngsters Resort in Frisco, Texas, and plans for a brand new theme park and resort in the UK — Common’s first in Europe, slated to open in 2031.
The primary Common Horror Unleashed location was introduced in January 2023 and is ready to open later this 12 months in Las Vegas on August 14, 2025. Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas are actually on sale now at UniversalHorrorUnleashed.com.
Our Commentary
It’s stunning and reassuring that Common is already greenlighting a sequel to Horror Unleashed even earlier than the Las Vegas location has opened. This implies a excessive diploma of confidence within the challenge, like when a tv present will get picked up for its subsequent season earlier than the earlier one has even debuted. That makes me, as a viewer, extra inclined to observe as I do know it’s more likely to be good (and assured to not finish on an unresolved cliffhanger–however that’s not likely related right here).
Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas went on sale again in mid-February, so the corporate would have a number of months of gross sales knowledge to help this determination. Nonetheless, this stuff don’t occur in a single day, so the Common Horror Unleashed location in Chicago has most likely been within the works since no less than round that point.
One fully lifelike risk is that Common at all times supposed upon opening a number of areas of Horror Unleashed, and that they’re essential (or no less than desired) to dilute growth prices. I’m considerably skeptical of that clarification. This isn’t like Jollywood Nights or another single-site occasion that advantages from that sort of scaling. I’d hazard a guess that the largest prices listed here are the bodily venue and working prices.
Given how nicely the Halloween Horror Nights model travels, I truly wouldn’t be shocked if there’s solely a little bit overlap between the ideas within the Las Vegas location and the Chicago one. Engaging the diehard followers to go to each branches would possibly outweigh the financial savings in cloning the idea. I don’t actually know, although–I don’t purport to be an knowledgeable on this.
I point out all of this as a result of it’s not a foregone conclusion that Common Horror Unleashed goes to be a hit. It’s simple to have a look at ticket costs for the Las Vegas location and conclude that Common goes to make a ton of cash; it’s simply as simple to conclude that they want these costs to cowl prices, and it’s going to be onerous to take care of that momentum.
It’ll be fascinating to see whether or not Chicago is kind of viable of a location than Las Vegas. On the one hand, there’s not the identical regular stream of vacationers and conference cliente. Alternatively, there’s lots much less competitors for leisure eyeballs and {dollars}. This isn’t to say Chicago is missing for issues to do. On the contrary, it’s one in every of America’s few “actual” cities, and there are lots of choices.
Frankly, I want this feature existed again after we had been in faculty. As a substitute, we noticed lots of Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls video games (not the Bears–too costly and I hate the Bears). We additionally went to Second Metropolis often, museums sometimes, and ate typically (the 2 main meals teams–Portillo’s and pizza).
If this existed then, we might’ve added Common Horror Unleashed to the common rotation. I’m certain lots of different folks our age would’ve completed likewise, as would vacationers to town. Chicago additionally does lots of conference enterprise, however that is actually removed from McCormick Place.
It’s price mentioning that Disney tried a regional park idea in Chicago…and failed miserably. Along with Walt Disney World, there was a DisneyQuest in Chicago and it was short-lived, closing in 2001 (pre-9/11) after solely being open a pair years. In contrast to the Walt Disney World location, that was not terribly dated at its demise. The timeline can be eerily comparable, with Disney greenlighting the second DisneyQuest earlier than the primary had even opened.
Chicago has additionally seen a ton of amusement parks and themed venues (eating places and experiences) come and shut over time. As a lot as I like Chicago, I’m unsure if it’s the place I’d goal for a tourist-dependent and expensive vacation spot like this. Different main Midwestern cities a bit farther to the south, and even New York, seem to be superior selections. However then once more, I’m only a dude with a weblog who can write no matter.
Presumably, Common has precise professionals who do feasibility research and different evaluation to find out the viability of a location; they most likely dominated out the options and arrived on Chicago for good cause (hopefully not only a tax incentive). It’s additionally most likely honest to say that Disney did the identical with DisneyQuest, as did the numerous corporations which have shuttered their very own themed leisure venues in Chicagoland over time.
It’s not simply DisneyQuest that struggled. Even highly-regarded regional parks and leisure experiences have struggled, and it’s an infamously tough market to crack. It nonetheless pains me that I by no means obtained to do Star Trek: The Expertise. The Void was lots of enjoyable, broadly praised, and had nice areas…till it went belly-up.
Important darling Meow Wolf enjoys a cult following, however it’s reportedly slashing workers. Area15 cancelled its plans for an Orlando outpost. It’s been radio silence from Level99 at Walt Disney World since that announcement, which doesn’t essentially imply something (third social gathering tasks don’t get the identical breathless updates as Disney-owned ones), however it’s barely regarding in mild of the foregoing.
My worry is that there was lots of frothiness in regards to the viability of regional parks and leisure expertise popping out of COVID, and a number of other corporations mistook pent-up demand for the brand new regular. As the US now settles into what precise demand appears to be like like for journey and leisure, there is likely to be additional contraction of the marketplace for such experiences. Right here’s hoping we’re mistaken about that, although.
In the end, it’ll be fascinating to see the long-term demand for Common Horror Unleashed. With the regular stream of vacationers, conventioneers and college students, there’s most likely the marketplace for this kind of factor in Chicago. The demographics most likely aren’t as favorable as in Las Vegas, however the competitors additionally isn’t as fierce.
There’s additionally the truth that Common Horror Unleashed isn’t low-cost by experiential leisure requirements. Certain, it’ll be cheaper than seeing Caleb Williams flop and Ben Johnson show he’s not Mr. Galaxy Mind, however it received’t be inexpensive than Second Metropolis or numerous different choices in Chicago. (Did I point out that I hate the Bears?!)
Regardless, Common Horror Unleashed is yet one more instance of Common doing one thing new and impressive because it appears to be like to develop its footprint within the points of interest business. Whereas loads of ideas like this have failed over time, hopefully this isn’t one in every of them. Each the Common and Halloween Horror Nights manufacturers are extremely highly effective, and the latter ought to journey nicely outdoors of Hollywood and Orlando.
My hope is that Common swings for the fences with this and shakes up its HHN method. However truthfully, I’ll be fairly glad even with a extra everlasting and high-budget model of Halloween Horror Nights. A number of the current homes which have clearly had “Netflix cash” have been phenomenal from a themed design perspective, and I look ahead to seeing what Common Artistic can do when given the sources.
Even for those who couldn’t care much less about Common Horror Unleashed (and I do know that’s lots of you), we should always all be cheering for it to work out. If this or the kiddie park in Texas find yourself being smash successes, that may nearly definitely end in Disney taking a recent have a look at the regional park or leisure idea. It’s unlikely we’ll see DisneyQuest 2.0 or Disney’s America, however we may lastly get one thing within the Midwest or Northeast or Heartland!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Common Horror Unleashed coming to Chicago? Are you excited for this everlasting horror attraction within the Midwest? Suppose this can be a hit–just like Halloween Horror Nights? Would you prefer to see Common Artistic push the envelope with this, or stick with the tried and true method of HHN, however with higher polish? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Comcast has introduced the second location for Common Horror Unleashed, the brand new year-round leisure expertise that’s mainly a everlasting Halloween Horror Nights, earlier than the primary has even opened! This put up shares particulars in regards to the new HHN-like attraction–plus our commentary about viability, comparability to DisneyQuest, and extra.
The second location for Common Horror Unleashed can be an indoor venue in Chicago, chosen for its massive inhabitants and fame as one of many nation’s main locations for tourism & leisure. The upcoming venue can be positioned on Chicago Avenue on the former Tribune Distribution Heart, located between the River North and West City districts.
Horror Unleashed will mark Common’s first branded expertise within the Midwest. Increasing the Common Horror Unleashed model, the corporate’s immersive horror leisure expertise, is reportedly a key pillar of Common’s broader progress technique to achieve new audiences, in new markets, by means of new and authentic ideas.
“Common Horror Unleashed delivers on our promise to create extremely immersive and terrifying horror experiences that join with followers year-round,” stated Web page Thompson, President, New Ventures, Common Locations & Experiences.
“We’re excited to carry this daring idea to life in Chicago, a metropolis identified for its vibrant tradition. We’re grateful for town’s help as we convert this dormant web site into a novel attraction that showcases our storytelling experience and talent to ship thoughts blowing experiences that shatter visitor expectations.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Common Horror Unleashed to the Metropolis of Chicago,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson stated in an announcement to NBC 5 Chicago. “That is precisely the form of artistic, high-impact funding we’re working to draw—one which brings new life to a vacant web site, creates a whole bunch of jobs, and cements Chicago as a must-visit vacation spot for leisure tourism.”
Based on town, the expertise is anticipated to generate greater than $1 billion in financial impression for town, together with greater than 400 everlasting jobs, together with scareactors, make-up artists, prosthetic artists and extra.
“Common’s determination to make such a big funding in Illinois is a testomony to the state’s unmatched leisure sector, famend workforce and robust infrastructure,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker stated in an announcement.
“Common selecting Illinois didn’t occur accidentally—we had been proud to help this challenge by means of our EDGE incentive program, which has helped fortify a constructive enterprise local weather that pulls world-class corporations to the state. I look ahead to seeing this iconic model come to life alongside the Chicago River because it creates a whole bunch of jobs and generates greater than $1 billion in financial impression.”
Development on Common Horror Unleashed is anticipated to start in early 2026, in response to the Metropolis of Chicago, following design finalization and allowing. The Midwestern outpost of Common Horror Unleashed is slated to open in 2027. Right here’s idea artwork launched by Comcast for Common Horror Unleashed in Chicago:
Horror Unleashed combines Common’s experience within the horror style with next-level storytelling to ship a memorable visitor expertise. The year-round idea will ship immersive, horror-centric leisure that goes past the theme parks, bringing distinctive environments and scares to company. The horror can even prolong to the meals and beverage choices, with themed craft cocktails and bites, in addition to a retail location with distinctive collectible merchandise and extra.
The announcement comes on the heels of different key developments for Common Locations & Experiences, together with the current opening of Epic Universe at Common Orlando Resort, the primary Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas that opens in August 2025, the 2026 launch of Common Youngsters Resort in Frisco, Texas, and plans for a brand new theme park and resort in the UK — Common’s first in Europe, slated to open in 2031.
The primary Common Horror Unleashed location was introduced in January 2023 and is ready to open later this 12 months in Las Vegas on August 14, 2025. Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed Las Vegas are actually on sale now at UniversalHorrorUnleashed.com.
Our Commentary
It’s stunning and reassuring that Common is already greenlighting a sequel to Horror Unleashed even earlier than the Las Vegas location has opened. This implies a excessive diploma of confidence within the challenge, like when a tv present will get picked up for its subsequent season earlier than the earlier one has even debuted. That makes me, as a viewer, extra inclined to observe as I do know it’s more likely to be good (and assured to not finish on an unresolved cliffhanger–however that’s not likely related right here).
Tickets for Common Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas went on sale again in mid-February, so the corporate would have a number of months of gross sales knowledge to help this determination. Nonetheless, this stuff don’t occur in a single day, so the Common Horror Unleashed location in Chicago has most likely been within the works since no less than round that point.
One fully lifelike risk is that Common at all times supposed upon opening a number of areas of Horror Unleashed, and that they’re essential (or no less than desired) to dilute growth prices. I’m considerably skeptical of that clarification. This isn’t like Jollywood Nights or another single-site occasion that advantages from that sort of scaling. I’d hazard a guess that the largest prices listed here are the bodily venue and working prices.
Given how nicely the Halloween Horror Nights model travels, I truly wouldn’t be shocked if there’s solely a little bit overlap between the ideas within the Las Vegas location and the Chicago one. Engaging the diehard followers to go to each branches would possibly outweigh the financial savings in cloning the idea. I don’t actually know, although–I don’t purport to be an knowledgeable on this.
I point out all of this as a result of it’s not a foregone conclusion that Common Horror Unleashed goes to be a hit. It’s simple to have a look at ticket costs for the Las Vegas location and conclude that Common goes to make a ton of cash; it’s simply as simple to conclude that they want these costs to cowl prices, and it’s going to be onerous to take care of that momentum.
It’ll be fascinating to see whether or not Chicago is kind of viable of a location than Las Vegas. On the one hand, there’s not the identical regular stream of vacationers and conference cliente. Alternatively, there’s lots much less competitors for leisure eyeballs and {dollars}. This isn’t to say Chicago is missing for issues to do. On the contrary, it’s one in every of America’s few “actual” cities, and there are lots of choices.
Frankly, I want this feature existed again after we had been in faculty. As a substitute, we noticed lots of Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks and Bulls video games (not the Bears–too costly and I hate the Bears). We additionally went to Second Metropolis often, museums sometimes, and ate typically (the 2 main meals teams–Portillo’s and pizza).
If this existed then, we might’ve added Common Horror Unleashed to the common rotation. I’m certain lots of different folks our age would’ve completed likewise, as would vacationers to town. Chicago additionally does lots of conference enterprise, however that is actually removed from McCormick Place.
It’s price mentioning that Disney tried a regional park idea in Chicago…and failed miserably. Along with Walt Disney World, there was a DisneyQuest in Chicago and it was short-lived, closing in 2001 (pre-9/11) after solely being open a pair years. In contrast to the Walt Disney World location, that was not terribly dated at its demise. The timeline can be eerily comparable, with Disney greenlighting the second DisneyQuest earlier than the primary had even opened.
Chicago has additionally seen a ton of amusement parks and themed venues (eating places and experiences) come and shut over time. As a lot as I like Chicago, I’m unsure if it’s the place I’d goal for a tourist-dependent and expensive vacation spot like this. Different main Midwestern cities a bit farther to the south, and even New York, seem to be superior selections. However then once more, I’m only a dude with a weblog who can write no matter.
Presumably, Common has precise professionals who do feasibility research and different evaluation to find out the viability of a location; they most likely dominated out the options and arrived on Chicago for good cause (hopefully not only a tax incentive). It’s additionally most likely honest to say that Disney did the identical with DisneyQuest, as did the numerous corporations which have shuttered their very own themed leisure venues in Chicagoland over time.
It’s not simply DisneyQuest that struggled. Even highly-regarded regional parks and leisure experiences have struggled, and it’s an infamously tough market to crack. It nonetheless pains me that I by no means obtained to do Star Trek: The Expertise. The Void was lots of enjoyable, broadly praised, and had nice areas…till it went belly-up.
Important darling Meow Wolf enjoys a cult following, however it’s reportedly slashing workers. Area15 cancelled its plans for an Orlando outpost. It’s been radio silence from Level99 at Walt Disney World since that announcement, which doesn’t essentially imply something (third social gathering tasks don’t get the identical breathless updates as Disney-owned ones), however it’s barely regarding in mild of the foregoing.
My worry is that there was lots of frothiness in regards to the viability of regional parks and leisure expertise popping out of COVID, and a number of other corporations mistook pent-up demand for the brand new regular. As the US now settles into what precise demand appears to be like like for journey and leisure, there is likely to be additional contraction of the marketplace for such experiences. Right here’s hoping we’re mistaken about that, although.
In the end, it’ll be fascinating to see the long-term demand for Common Horror Unleashed. With the regular stream of vacationers, conventioneers and college students, there’s most likely the marketplace for this kind of factor in Chicago. The demographics most likely aren’t as favorable as in Las Vegas, however the competitors additionally isn’t as fierce.
There’s additionally the truth that Common Horror Unleashed isn’t low-cost by experiential leisure requirements. Certain, it’ll be cheaper than seeing Caleb Williams flop and Ben Johnson show he’s not Mr. Galaxy Mind, however it received’t be inexpensive than Second Metropolis or numerous different choices in Chicago. (Did I point out that I hate the Bears?!)
Regardless, Common Horror Unleashed is yet one more instance of Common doing one thing new and impressive because it appears to be like to develop its footprint within the points of interest business. Whereas loads of ideas like this have failed over time, hopefully this isn’t one in every of them. Each the Common and Halloween Horror Nights manufacturers are extremely highly effective, and the latter ought to journey nicely outdoors of Hollywood and Orlando.
My hope is that Common swings for the fences with this and shakes up its HHN method. However truthfully, I’ll be fairly glad even with a extra everlasting and high-budget model of Halloween Horror Nights. A number of the current homes which have clearly had “Netflix cash” have been phenomenal from a themed design perspective, and I look ahead to seeing what Common Artistic can do when given the sources.
Even for those who couldn’t care much less about Common Horror Unleashed (and I do know that’s lots of you), we should always all be cheering for it to work out. If this or the kiddie park in Texas find yourself being smash successes, that may nearly definitely end in Disney taking a recent have a look at the regional park or leisure idea. It’s unlikely we’ll see DisneyQuest 2.0 or Disney’s America, however we may lastly get one thing within the Midwest or Northeast or Heartland!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider Common Horror Unleashed coming to Chicago? Are you excited for this everlasting horror attraction within the Midwest? Suppose this can be a hit–just like Halloween Horror Nights? Would you prefer to see Common Artistic push the envelope with this, or stick with the tried and true method of HHN, however with higher polish? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
