Halloween Horror Nights IX

Halloween Horror Nights Orlando event
Halloween Horror Nights IX
Slogan	Last Gasp/ Sayonara
Year	1999
Icon	Imhotep
Icon attraction	The Mummy
Number of haunted houses	5
Number of scarezones	1
Number of shows	4
Preceded by	Halloween Horror Nights VIII
Followed by	Halloween Horror Nights X

Halloween Horror Nights IX: Last Gasp was the ninth annual Halloween Horror Nights event in Orlando. Located in Universal Studios Florida, the event was advertised with a depiction of The Mummy calling it the "Last Gasp". The event featured five haunted houses, including the first 3-D house in Halloween Horror Nights history, one scarezone, two shows, and a parade. It was held for 19 days in October 1999.

It had the second Icon in the form of Imhotep who was present in advertising and had appearances in the house and parade.

Storyline

In the ancient times of a land of sand and wonder- if caused under the backs of slaves- it all began as some stories begin; with a tale of love. The high priest of Egypt, Imhotep, was very much infatuated with a woman named Anck su Namun. There was just one problem- no other man than the Pharoah could touch her; as she was the Pharoah’s chosen wife. Imhotep chose a solution to this problem- they would kill the Pharoah. Unfortunately, Anck su Namun had to sacrifice her own life so that Imhotep could resurrect her; as soon someone called the Medjai on them.

Imhotep and his priests went to the City of the Dead, Hamunaptra, where they recited the ancient spells that would bring Anck Su Namun’s soul back to her body and mind- and they would have succeeded if were not for those meddling Medjai. The Medjai ordered that Imhotep’s priests would be mummified alive and saved for Imhotep a most terrible curse- Imhotep would be sentenced to the Hom-Dai, which would give him everlasting life and powers beyond reason, but he would not get to feel any of it as he would be cursed into an eternal sleep. That and being eaten by scarabs for a very long time.

The Medjai had the sarcophagus buried deep within Hamunaptra, so that Imhotep would never be released again.

Characters

Imhotep: Imhotep was the icon of Halloween Horror Nights IX. He had his own house set in Hamunsptra and was featured in the parade.

Norman Bates: A man who is a gracious if socially awkward host, The burden of a domineering “Mother” sent him to Fairvayle Sanitarium.

Universal Classic Monsters: The monsters who have terrorized Cinema in the 30s.

Dates & Times

Event Nights

October 1-2, 8-9, 14-17, & 21-31 1999

Event Times

Sunday through Thursday ran from 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Except October 1 & 8)

Friday and Saturday ran from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM

Ticket Prices

Single Admission: $42.00 + tax

Attractions

Haunted Houses

• Insanity (Soundstage 22): Only the insane dare enter the grim and dank wards of the Fairvayle Sanitarium, where some of world's most disturbed madmen reside.
• Psycho: Through the Mind of Norman Bates (Soundstage 22): Experience the chillingly violent images that torment Norman's soul. For heavens sake, DON'T GO IN THE SHOWER!
• Universal's Creature Features in 3-D (Nazarman's): Put on your 3-D glasses, as some of Hollywood's worst nightmares literally jump off the screen of a neighborhood movie theater at Florida's first ever 3-D haunted maze.
• Doomsday (Earthquake Queue): Go on a journey through the warped underground of New York City as the impending arrival of the Millennium brings out the worst in the city that never sleeps.
• The Mummy (Earthquake Queue): Navigate the depths of a mysterious Egyptian tomb and face ancient priests who want to make you a permanent resident.

  

Scarezones

• Midway of the Bizarre (Amity): Step right up and try your luck on the most sinister sideshow games of skill ever created. Win a prize or lose your life! Hurry, Hurry, Hurry!

Shows

• Festival of the Dead Parade (Parade Route): Bigger and better than ever! Grab your broomstick and witness "The Season of the Witch".
• Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure VIII(Wild West Stage): Party on as those two most excellent time traveling dudes, Bill & Ted, are back in an ALL NEW adventure.
• Deadly D'Illusions (Animal Actors Stage): You won't believe your eyes as you witness this spellbinding display of effects, magic and shocking illusions.
• Tricks or Treats: Dead Man's Party (Mel's Drive-In Stage): You're front row center as a heavy metal band of hideous creatures takes to the stage in a "live" show of monster rock, grunge and madness.

Other Attractions

• Dracula's Tavern/Blood Bars (Various Locations): Quench your thirst at our BLOOD BARS and DRACULA'S TAVERNS, where you'll enjoy a wide variety of specialty drinks, beer, wine, soda, mixed drinks, and other "spirits".
• The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera (Production Central)
• Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe (Production Central): At 10PM the Cafe transforms into Club Cadaver with a "live" DJ and dancing. (Fri. & Sat. except October 1 & 8). Grab a "bite" where all the biggest stars hang out (classic horror stars, that is). Amid classic sci-fi and horror movie memorabilia you'll enjoy monster salads; frightfully good pizza, pasta and rotisserie chicken; devilishly rich desserts and more. Trust us... the food is to die for! Stop by our inside bar for a refreshing beverage.
• Stage 54: The Mummy (Soundstage 54)
• Twister: Ride it Out (New York)
• Kongfrontation (New York)
• Beetlejuice's Graveyard Revue (Beetlejuice Stage)
• Earthquake: The Big One (San Francisco)
• JAWS (Amity)
• Back to the Future: The Ride (World Expo)
• Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time (Hollywood)

Pictures

Image from Darrell (Wylder on Flickr)

Image from Darrell (Wylder on Flickr)

Advertising Billboard Art Concept Image from https://www.dismukes.com

Advertising Billboard Art Concept Image from https://www.dismukes.com

Imohtep Advertising Art Concept Image from https://www.dismukes.com

Imohtep Advertising Art Concept Image from https://www.dismukes.com

Image from P Stutts on Youtube

Image from P Stutts on Youtube

Image from P Stutts on Youtube

Image from P Stutts on Youtube

Image from Darrell (Wylder on Flickr)

Website Pictures

The Halloween Horror Nights IX archive drawer. All images from the Halloween Horror Nights: Sweet 16 website page.

The Halloween Horror Nights IX archive registry.

A picture of the Halloween Horror Nights IX map.

A picture of some of the scareactors that appeared at the event.

The 1999 drawer after the icons added their notes.

Website Videos

Halloween Horror Nights 9 in 1999 at Universal Studios Florida-2

From the Halloween Horror Nights: Sweet 16 website and the Halloween Horror Nights: Twenty Years of Fear website.

Halloween Horror Nights IX Merchandise and Collectibles

The front of one of the coins that they threw out of the parade floats.

The back of one of the coins that they threw out of the parade floats.

The front of another one of the coins that they threw out of the parade floats.

The back of another one of the coins that they threw out of the parade floats.

The front of the main event shirt.

The back of the main event shirt.

Some of the media gifts that they gave out during Halloween Horror Nights IX.

Some of the media gifts that they gave out during Halloween Horror Nights IX.

Some of the media gifts that they gave out during Halloween Horror Nights IX.

Some of the media gifts that they gave out during Halloween Horror Nights IX.

Spider Shirt Front.

Spider Shirt Front.

Spider Shirt Front.

HHN IX Hologram Pass [From HorrorUnearthed]

Ask Me About Halloween Horror Nights IX Pin [Image from HorrorUnearthed]

Halloween Horror Nights IX Last Gasp Event Guide [Image from HorrorUnearthed]

Halloween Horror Nights IX Entertainment Staff T-Shirt [Front]

Halloween Horror Nights IX Entertainment Staff T-Shirt [Back]

Videos

Universals HHN - 1999

Halloween Horror Nights - The Last Gasp

Soundtrack

Solemn Reflections

Scream - Soundtrack - Trouble In Woodsboro - Sidney's Lament - By Marco Beltrami

Midnight Syndicate - Gargoyles-2

New York - James Newton Howard

Trivia

• T.J. Mannarino was very proud of the work he and the other scenic designers put into the haunted houses this year. He had said that in the five houses this year, there were over 80 rooms, each with their own unique themes. He explained that conceiving the scares in the mazes was based psychology.
• The first ever 3D house made its debut at the event with the Universal's Creature Features in 3-D haunted house.

References

• https://web.archive.org/web/20170825021222/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/halloween-horror-nights-ix-last-gasp-returns-for-9th-year-of-terror-at-universal-studios-florida-76372437.html