Category Archives: Universal Studios Hollywood Theme Park Review

Universal Studios Hollywood Resurrects Cinematic Icons in All-New “Halloween Horror Nights” Maze Inspired by the Original Universal Monsters

Universal Studios Hollywood Resurrects Cinematic Icons in All-New “Halloween Horror Nights” Maze. The fun begins Sept. 14, 2018.

New “Universal Monsters” Maze Features Original Score by GRAMMY Award Winner and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame Guitarist, SLASH

 Click Here for a Sneak Peek of the Undead and Click Here to Purchase Tickets


Universal City, CA, 
 – It’s alive! Inspired by Universal’s original cinematic Monsters and the studio that invented the horror film, Universal Studios Hollywoodunearths an all-new “Halloween Horror Nights” maze based on the original “Universal Monsters”…with a terrifying contemporary twist on these classic horror icons.

The new maze will also feature an original score produced and composed by celebrated GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, SLASH, long hailed as one of the 10 best electric guitar-players of all time.

Halloween Horror Nights” begins on Friday, September 14, 2018.

At its core, “Halloween Horror Nights” is an extension of the horror film legacy originated by Universal Pictures and introduced to audiences in the 1920s…with a staple of classic Universal Monsters that dominated the silver screen, including Dracula, The Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein’s Monster and The Wolf Man.

“Halloween Horror Nights” continues to pay homage to these creatures of the night in this new maze by reawakening more than a dozen of these iconic classic Monsters. The essence of the maze will underscore each of their unique attributes and reimagine them into terrifying modern day characters.  At a glance, resurrected monsters will include The Wolf Man, The Invisible Man, The Phantom of the Opera, Dracula, Dracula’s Bride, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Bride of Frankenstein and The Mummy, to name a few.

By giving each character a unique, complex composition, SLASH’s original score will add a haunting dimension to the experience and help define each of the characters.

“As a fan of horror movies and of ‘Halloween Horror Nights,’ I jumped at the chance to once again collaborate with Universal Studios Hollywood to produce what might be interpreted as a soundtrack for the maze,” said SLASH.  “Similar to the way music affects a film, I wanted to compose a score for the legions of infamous characters featured in the maze to elicit a greater sense of terror for the guests.  In the end, the goal is to ultimately make the guests feel as if they are playing an integral role in a classic Monster movie.”

“This maze is the ultimate melding of two of history’s greatest icons – classic monsters and the top guitar player of all time,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood and Executive Producer of “Halloween Horror Nights.” “SLASH’s intuitive understanding of the characters’ struggles brings enormous depth to the maze to epitomize a living-movie experience for our guests.

“This is the second time we’ve had the great fortune to collaborate with SLASH on a ‘Halloween Horror Nights’ maze,” Murdy continued, “and it is a distinct honor to bring his expertise to the event where guests can enjoy a truly exclusive opportunity.”

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror. Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions as part of Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience.

For exciting updates and exclusive “Halloween Horror Nights” content, visit Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com, like Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood on Facebook; follow @HorrorNights #UniversalHHN on InstagramTwitter and Snapchat; and watch the terror come to life on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube.

Universal Studios Hollywood is The Entertainment Capital of L.A. and includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour. As a leading global entertainment destination, Universal Studios Hollywood delivers highly themed immersive lands that translate to real-life interpretations of iconic movie and television shows. Recent additions include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and such critically-acclaimed rides as “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”.  Other immersive lands include “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “Super Silly Fun Land” as well as “Springfield,” hometown of America’s favorite TV family, located adjacent to the award-winning “The Simpsons Ride™” and the “The Walking Dead” daytime attraction and the all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor’s Quest.”  The world-renowned Studio Tour is Universal Studios Hollywood’s signature attraction, inviting guests behind-the-scenes of the world’s biggest and busiest movie and television production studio where they can also experience such authentic thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged.”  The adjacent Universal CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex also includes the all-new multi-million dollar, redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema, featuring deluxe recliner seating in screening room quality theatres, and the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage.

 

The final maze in this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” line-up at Universal Studios Hollywood has officially been announced!

Inspired by Universal’s original cinematic Monsters and the studio that invented the horror film, the “Universal Monsters” maze will bring some of the most iconic horror legacies to life with a contemporary twist…

PLUS! The maze will also feature an original score by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician, SLASH!

Check out the teaser video here: https://youtu.be/BZvARkIl0p8

  • ”Stranger Things,” based on Netflix’s critically-acclaimed television series
  • “Poltergeist,” inspired by the classic 1982 horror film
  • “The First Purge,” based on Universal Picture’s blockbuster thriller
  • “Trick ‘r Treat,” based on the Halloween cult classic directed by Michael Dougherty
  • “The Horrors of Blumhouse: Chapter Two,” inspired by Jason Blum’s horrifying films, Truth or Dare and Unfriended
  • “Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers,” based on the iconic slasher film
  •  “Universal Monsters,” inspired by Universal’s iconic classic Monsters with music by Slash
  •  “The Walking Dead,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s permanent attraction inspired by AMC’s record-breaking television series
  • The Jabbawockeez award-winning hip hop dance crew returns by popular demand with an all-new, high-energy performance created exclusively for “Halloween Horror Nights”
  • “Terror Tram: Hollywood Harry’s Dreadtime Storiez,” featuring the return of serial killer clown, Hollywood Harry

Universal Studios Hollywood Immerses You into the Magic of the Movies! Still time to get in on Summer-Time fun with Harry Potter Light show, DreamWorks Characters, and More!

Universal-Studios-28-
The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts™ Castle,” featuring a dazzling light projection experience against the backdrop of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Photo by Margie Anne Clark

Story and photos by Margie Anne Clark

“Every time I go to a movie, it’s magic, no matter what the movie’s about.” – Steven Spielberg

Universal Studios – Hollywood –  There’s no business like show business and Universal Studios Hollywood puts you into the magic of movies in such an incredible way! You’ll feel like you’re really flying with Harry Potter and his friends, or taking a ride with the Fast and the Furious team  all in one day! You can shake hands with some of your favorite DreamWorks, Minions and other fun Characters walking around the park. There’s still time to get in on the Summer-time fun with so many things to see and do at a park where guests walk the red carpet and get in on the act on gravity defying rides that take you to worlds beyond the imagination!

DreamWorks Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood
Shrek’s final show was Aug. 13. He’ll make way for the new DreamWorks Theatre starting with Kung Fu Panda. Photo/Universal Studios Hollywood

Words cannot begin to describe the fun of jumping on a ride with Harry Potter and his friends or seeing your favorite DreamWorks characters and other fun and often furry friends up close and personal! Anything’s possible at Universal Studios Hollywood, just bring your sense of adventure and you’ll be immersed into the lights, cameras and action of each and every show! So get ready for excitement and fun that you’ll never forget!!  We said good-bye this weekend to the Shrek ride, but he’ll make way for even more fun to come so stay tuned! What a fun, action packed and truly magical day on Saturday August 12, 2017 at Universal Studios Hollywood!! Universal-Studios-28-Universal-Studios-27-Universal-Studios-26-Universal-Studios-24-Universal-Studios-9-Universal-Studios-20-Universal-Studios-21-Universal-Studios-22-Universal-Studios-1- Universal-Studios-2- Universal-Studios-3- Universal-Studios-4- Universal-Studios-5- Universal-Studios-6- Universal-Studios-16- Universal-Studios-17- Universal-Studios-18- Universal-Studios-19- Universal-Studios   Universal Studios Hollywood News  It’s an exciting time at Universal Studios Hollywood as the #1 tourist destination in Los Angeles introduces compelling new theme park attractions and noteworthy new Universal CityWalk establishments. Click here to see what’s new. Below highlights what’s on the horizon in 2018 at Universal Studios Hollywood even as the Entertainment Capital of L.A. continues to unveil dynamic new opportunities for the remainder of 2017:

  • With DreamWorks Animation’s recent acquisition, Universal Studios Hollywood will soon roll out the red carpet for a unique, never before seen DreamWorks Theatre attraction. Opening in 2018, this newly designed venue will play host to a variety of action-packed DreamWorks Animation themed attractions beginning with the multi-sensory adventure inspired by the global blockbuster franchise Kung Fu Panda, and created in partnership with Universal Creative and DreamWorks’ Artists. This new technologically advanced attraction will take guests on a legendary journey that fuses captivating storytelling with state-of-the art projection mapping and LED lighting effects for a highly engaging and immersive, unstoppable-awesome experience.

Meet the lovable DreamWorks characters that will join Universal Studios Hollywood beginning in summer 2017 to entertain guests and pose for memorable photos. Newly introduced characters will include:  Kung Fu Panda’s Po and Tigress; Madagascar’s Alex the Lion, The Penguins—Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private, and King Julian; Trolls’ Poppy and Branch; Shrek’s Puss ‘n Boots will join existing characters Shrek and Fiona. These many new entertaining characters will join the vast array of Universal Studios Hollywood’s many other diverse walk-about characters. Then night-time fun begins as guests are invited to see “The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM” in  “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts™ Castle,” featuring a dazzling light projection experience against the backdrop of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will shine brightly with an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin that culminates with awesome beams of lights that fan into the night sky. The colorful state-of-the-art light display and special effects projection, designed to dance across the stunning Hogwarts castle, will be accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by Academy Award-winning composer John Williams based on his original scores composed for the film series. The musical arrangement that will emanate in a surround sound environment was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London. Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood is a masterful recreation, faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including as its iconic focal point, Hogwarts castle. From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” transports guests of all ages to the very places they watched on the silver screen. The architecturally stunning land also includes the incredibly captivating and highly acclaimed “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” thrill ride, now enhanced with 4K-HD and ride film projecting at an astounding rate of 120 frames-per-second for an even more immersive glimpse into Harry Potter’s world, as well as Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor family coaster. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” resonates with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverages at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts. A foray through the shops adds to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges™, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood onFacebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter. Meet the lovable DreamWorks characters that will join Universal Studios Hollywood beginning in summer 2017 to entertain guests and pose for memorable photos. Newly introduced characters will include:  Kung Fu Panda’s Po and Tigress; Madagascar’s Alex the Lion, The Penguins—Skipper, Rico, Kowalski and Private, and King Julian; Trolls’ Poppy and Branch; Shrek’s Puss ‘n Boots will join existing characters Shrek and Fiona. These many new entertaining characters will join the vast array of Universal Studios Hollywood’s many other diverse walk-about characters. Then night-time fun begins as guests are invited to see “The Wizarding World of Harry PotterTM” in  “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts™ Castle,” featuring a dazzling light projection experience against the backdrop of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As night falls on Hogsmeade village, “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” will shine brightly with an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin that culminates with awesome beams of lights that fan into the night sky. The colorful state-of-the-art light display and special effects projection, designed to dance across the stunning Hogwarts castle, will be accompanied by a special musical arrangement created by Academy Award-winning composer John Williams based on his original scores composed for the film series. The musical arrangement that will emanate in a surround sound environment was conducted by prolific arranger William Ross and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra in London. Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” at Universal Studios Hollywood is a masterful recreation, faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including as its iconic focal point, Hogwarts castle. From its snow-capped roofs and cobblestone streets to the historic British sensibilities that characterize the whimsical look and feel of the land, “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” transports guests of all ages to the very places they watched on the silver screen. The architecturally stunning land also includes the incredibly captivating and highly acclaimed “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” thrill ride, now enhanced with 4K-HD and ride film projecting at an astounding rate of 120 frames-per-second for an even more immersive glimpse into Harry Potter’s world, as well as Flight of the Hippogriff™,” Universal Studios Hollywood’s first outdoor family coaster. “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” resonates with immense detail, inviting guests to revel in J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World with the opportunity to enjoy authentic food and beverages at multiple locations, including Three Broomsticks™ and Hog’s Head pub, as well as the Magic Neep and Butterbeer™ carts. A foray through the shops adds to the authenticity of the land with eight retail venues and locations, including Honeydukes™, Ollivanders™, Owl Post™, Zonko’s™ Joke Shop, Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, Dervish and Banges™, Gladrags Wizardwear and Filch’s Emporium™ of Confiscated Goods. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Join the conversation online using #WizardingWorldHollywood. Like Universal Studios Hollywood onFacebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter. Universal-Studios-11 Universal-Studios-12- Universal-Studios-13- Universal-Studios-14- Universal-Studios-8-