Something strange is happening in the theme park world, and this time it didn’t involve a broken ride or a character meet-and-greet meltdown. Over the weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, one guest took the scares a little too literally — leaping off the moving Terror Tram and vanishing into the surrounding hills.
Yes, really.
And before you ask — this was not part of the show.
The moment was first shared by theme park content creator Dean of the Deal Official, who posted a video to TikTok that now has thousands of views. In the clip, you can clearly see the Terror Tram stopped mid-route, cop cars parked nearby, and sheriff lights flashing across the foggy darkness — a far cry from the usual staged mayhem Universal is known for.
@deanofthedeadofficial When universal Halloween Horror Nights lose a guest in the woods #hhn #halloweenhorrornights #universalstudios #dramas
The caption summed it up:
“When Universal Halloween Horror Nights lose a guest in the woods.”
The Terror Tram — And the Terrifying Realization
For those who haven’t attended Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) in Hollywood, the Terror Tram is a staple experience. It repurposes the iconic Universal Studios backlot tour into a haunted journey through movie sets and scare zones. You board the tram, ride through film history, and eventually disembark for a terrifying walk-through filled with scare actors, horror icons, and elaborate sets.
This year, the attraction is called “Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse”, and it features characters from Universal’s horror roster — including M3GAN, The Grabber, and slashers from The Purge, Happy Death Day, Freaky, and more.
But one guest apparently decided they didn’t want to wait for the designated “walk” portion of the tram. According to guests who were on board, the individual jumped off while the tram was moving (or slowing) and ran into the brush near the Hollywood Hills, sending security scrambling and guests into a confused silence.
Several eyewitnesses say they initially thought it was part of the event, which is known for creating realistic “in-world” experiences.
“We thought it was fake,” one guest wrote in a TikTok comment. “Like some kind of immersive surprise twist.”
“I was stuck way back,” another shared. “It took almost 20 minutes just to start moving again.”
Guests, Sheriffs, and Wild Animal Warnings
The situation escalated quickly when multiple sheriff’s deputies were spotted arriving on the scene. Park-goers reported seeing an unusually high police presence near the backlot and tram route that night, adding to the real-world tension.
Some guests even speculated that local wildlife might pose a danger to the individual who ran off the tram and into the woods.
“There’s a mountain lion that lives in those hills,” a user warned in the comments. “And plenty of coyotes, too.”
It’s not an exaggeration — the hills surrounding Universal Studios do border real Southern California wilderness, and it’s not uncommon for wildlife to wander near the park perimeter after dark.
As of now, Universal has not issued a public statement about the incident. There’s no confirmation about whether the guest was located or what exactly prompted them to flee. But one thing is clear: the disruption was real, and it had ripple effects throughout the evening.
HHN’s Crowds and Changing Vibes
While this kind of guest behavior might seem shocking, some longtime HHN fans say it’s just the latest example of a growing issue: crowd control and behavior problems at large-scale theme park events.
“HHN sucks now. People overhyped it, and now everyone is going,” one person commented online. “They’re ruining it for people who’ve been going for years.”
“I miss the first two years I went,” another guest added. “Now it’s packed with teenagers and people who don’t respect the event.”
It’s no secret that Halloween Horror Nights has become a social media sensation — with content from haunted houses, food stands, and scare zones flooding TikTok and Instagram nightly. The exposure has driven up attendance, which means longer lines, more congestion, and — evidently — more unpredictable guest behavior.
And while most visitors come for the thrills and abide by the rules, moments like this raise questions about safety, staffing, and how parks can control these high-energy, late-night environments.
A Recap of This Year’s HHN Lineup
The 2025 edition of Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood is jam-packed, running select nights from September 4 through November 2, and includes:
8 Haunted Houses:
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Five Nights at Freddy’s (Upper Lot)
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Terrifier Funhouse (Backlot)
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Fallout (Upper Lot)
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Jason Universe (Lower Lot)
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The Horrors of the Wyatt Sicks (Lower Lot)
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Poltergeist (Backlot)
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Scarecrow: Music by Slash (Lower Lot)
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Monstruos 3: The Ghosts of Latin America (Upper Lot)
4 Scare Zones:
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Noche de Brujas
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Chainsaw Clownz
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Carnival of Carnage
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Murder of Crowz
2 Shows:
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The Purge: Dangerous Waters
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Chainsaw Man: The Chaos
Plus themed bars and food:
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Chucky’s Dive Bar
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Dia De Los Muertos Universal Plaza Bar
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Slash Bar
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Freddy Fazbear Pizza Pop-Up
With so many offerings, it’s no wonder the event draws thousands of guests every night — but with that size comes the potential for unexpected disruption.
Scary Fun, or Just Scary?
For now, it’s unclear what consequences (if any) the runaway tram guest may face. Trespassing into non-guest areas is a serious safety risk, and Universal has strict security protocols in place to prevent it. But this incident serves as a reminder that theme park events, even the spooky ones, rely on crowd cooperation to run smoothly.
While Halloween Horror Nights is designed to feel chaotic — dark alleys, masked villains, fake blood, and all — it still depends on guests following the path, both literally and figuratively.
If you’re heading to HHN this year, keep your group together, respect the scare actors, and definitely don’t jump off a moving tram. The monsters are fake, but the consequences are very real.
