HHN Fans Accused of Gatekeeping The Event After Mocking No Scare Laynard Necklace

A controversy is brewing on social media over Halloween Horror Nights and their upcharged “Deathly Afraid” badge. Those questioning the “no scare” laynard at a horror nights event are being accused of “gatekeeping”.

This year, more kids are expected to attend the Universal Halloween offering due to the inclusion of “Five Nights at Freddy’s”.  FNAF, as it’s known, is huge with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and many are coming to the event for that house alone.

In anticipation, Universal is offering a $20 “Deathly Afraid” laynard that people can wear if they don’t want to be scared.

The laynard indicates to scare actors that you do not want to be scared at the event in the scare zones. However, they do not work inside the houses.

In response, some people have commented that the event overall can be scary, and even if you don’t want a jump scare, being frightened is unavoidable. Perhaps people who are frightened should avoid attending an event specifically designed to frighten them.

It’s also true that if someone wants to pay for the no-scare necklace to feel more comfortable, it isn’t changing the experience for others. I’m sure Universal will make a lot of money on these laynards and the extra tickets they will sell.

All this discussion has led to accusations of “gatekeeping” Halloween Horror Nights.

The accusations of gatekeeping started on social media after someone argued that it helps people feel safe.

I have ZERO issues with boo necklaces being introduced at not only HHN but ANY haunt event.

EVERYONE should be able to experience these events while feeling comfortable and safe but that’s my opinion.

— MelaninOnTheMove (@hecallsmePP) August 26, 2025

If you don’t feel comfortable going to an event that is advertised as a horror experience, then don’t go. Isn’t that just basic common sense?

If I don’t like scary movies I don’t go.

See how dumb it is

— 🦭 (@mcal321) August 26, 2025

I’m sorry but if you want to feel comfortable a haunt event is NOT for you. The point of these immersive experiences is to make you feel uneasy, on edge, uncomfortable. The fact is that these events are not for everyone and that’s okay. Want an event for everyone, go to Disney. https://t.co/3duIT2TAhb

— JinxEverywhere (@JinxEverywhere) August 26, 2025

Everyone is entitled to their opinions but the entire point of the event is to make you feel uncomfortable and scared.
If you don’t like horror movies you’re not going to buy a ticket to see one, then pay again to wear AMC branded blinders just so you can enjoy the soundtrack. https://t.co/pg1EkAEtj4

— Theme Park Obsession (@ParkObsession) August 26, 2025

FIRSTLY : HHN IS FOR EVERYONE

SECONDLY: FNAF is about to bring in a whole new audience, a bigger audience than Stranger Things so you want them to have some form of intro into the event. You were a kid once, right?

I dont understand why every year we play “gatekeep HHN” https://t.co/4dBhE6eVgz

— HIMOTHY CHALAMET (@ShawnNOrlando) August 26, 2025

To those saying “if you have to wear the deathly afraid necklace, then don’t go to HHN.”

Someone else wearing the deathly afraid necklace doesn’t affect you. Like. At all. Get over it. The gatekeeping is nonsense.

— Clint Gamache (@iamcg83) August 26, 2025

I say this all the time the HHN community is the worst of the theme park communities the gatekeeping starts before the event even starts

— Inspector Spacetime (@stuart17474) August 27, 2025

Then it got a bit over the top.

The HHN fanbase has some that are misogynist, racist, and homophobes which is frankly disappointing when the horror genre specifically exists in part due to that; yet so many just like the violence and don’t engage with the actual themes explored in those franchises

— RJ Kingdom • for the plot era (@RandomBookBoi) August 23, 2025

There have always been ways to get around the scare zones without having to go through them. And staying on the sidewalk is usually safe too. This necklace is going to lower scares for folks around people wearing them too…

— Manda ♥️🎶 (@ChaChaMandaM) August 26, 2025

I don’t understand why someone would pay for tickets to an event they can’t participate in. It’s only the scare zone areas where you will be left alone, but you are still surrounded by the same costumed characters.

At the same time, if someone wants to go and pay for no scares (and not go into the houses), that is their choice.

What I fear is the day when Universal just completely neuters HHN to appeal to a more general audience instead of the audience that kept it going for 34 years. Those who want to be scared have to go to their Las Vegas facility.  If it means more money and higher attendance, I can see it happening.

What do you think? Comment and let us know!