Halloween Horror Nights 13 was just another step in the evolution of the event. Creating its third original icon (excluding the scrapped icon "Eddie" from 2001), The Director, Universal had created a strong and original set of properties. It's second year at Islands of Adventure, Universal upped the haunted houses to a record number of six.

According to early speculation and news reports, Universal originally planned to have a so-called "extreme house" at this years event. The house was to be located in the Carnage Warehouse and required visitors to be over the age of 18 to walk through - rumors speculate that the actors inside the house were to be allowed to touch guests, and that sections had certain physical requirements. Looking closely at the final event map for 2003, the location for the house was drawn onto the guide, but left blank.

Scream House Revisited, the sequel to the ever-popular "Scream House" from Halloween Horror Nights: Islands of Fear, had 12 show scenes and was 495 feet in length. The house was staffed with a total of 82 actors and saw up to 2,100 visitors per hour.

The Director's house, All Nite Die-In, had 9 show scenes and was 340 feet in length. The house was staffed with a total of 62 actors and saw up to 2,100 visitors per hour.