This year’s 2010 Halloween Horror Nights®, at Universal Studios Hollywood will feature five terrifying mazes and six “Scare Zones,” including “La Llorona,” based on the timeless Mexican urban legend. The event will also feature a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” backlot studio experience, offering guests a chance to walk through Universal Studios historic movie sets.
Universal’s most popular rides and attractions will also be open to guests, including, an unprecedented “express” ride to “King Kong 360 3-D,” the world’s largest, most intense 3D experience. “King Kong 360 3D: The Shull Island Express” at “Halloween Horror Nights” will be the only time guests will be able to experience the “King Kong 360 3-D” attraction separately from the theme park’s world-famous Studio Tour.
“Halloween Horror Nights” will extend to 17 nights, beginning on Friday, September 24 and continuing through Halloween, Sunday, October 31. Event dates are: September, 24, 25; October 1-2, 8-9, 15-17, 21-24, 28-31. The event will begin nightly at 7:00 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event.
Tickets are on sale including a new “Killer Deal Nights” option, offering discounts of up to $25 on selected dates. Advance purchase is recommended, as event nights will sell out. More information and tickets for purchase are available at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood or www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com/HHN
FIVE TERRIFYING MAZES:
“A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: NEVER SLEEP AGAIN™”
Freddy Krueger, the iconic undead dream stalker whose burned, disfigured face, tattered green and red sweater and four-bladed glove has been the searing central figure of nine movies, a television series, video games and comics, will provide cutting edge horror in the “Halloween Horror Nights” maze, “A Nightmare on Elm Street: Never Sleep Again.”
Based on the New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. 2010 film, “A Nightmare on Elm Street: Never Sleep Again,” will return guests to the abandoned Badham Day Care Center and the haunted hallways of Springwood High located in the traumatized town of Springwood. Set in current day, 2010, the town is once again plagued with the terror of a demented Freddy Krueger, whose unwelcomed homecoming seeks to victimize a new generation of children, whom he hunts and kills one by one in their dreams as they sleep.
“FRIDAY THE 13TH: KILL, JASON, KILL™”
For over half a century, the residents of Camp Crystal Lake have remained haunted by the eternal evil of Jason Voorhees. It was in the mid-1950s after a young Jason Voorhees “accidental” drowning that Mrs. Voorhees vowed retaliation on the inattentive camp counselors she accused of causing his untimely death. A demented and very disturbed Mrs. Voorhees kept her promise, and the following year on Friday the 13th, two counselors were mysteriously and brutally murdered.
Based on New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. 2009 motion picture, “Friday the 13th: Kill, Jason, Kill,” maze pays homage to the horrors of Camp Crystal Lake, reuniting its residents with an undead Jason Voorhees. In this new maze experience, guests will journey back to the scene of the crime to encounter the infamous killer, who hides his horribly disfigured face behind an iconic hockey mask. They’ll careen through a dank, bleak labyrinth of haunted underground passageways where they’ll be confronted by the maniacally undead Jason Voorhees ready to continue his killing spree.
The “Friday the 13th” franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2010. Through 12 highly successful, spine-tingling movies, the franchise has spawned numerous iconic images. Jason’s hockey mask has even become one of the most recognizable images in popular culture and his trademark sound evokes a feeling of impending terror among audiences everywhere.
“ROB ZOMBIE’S HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES: IN 3D ZOMBIEVISION”
Captain Spaulding’s Museum of Monsters and Madmen, the world’s deadliest tourist trap, will be the setting for a nightmarish 3D world of carnage and chaos created by the preeminent master of contemporary horror in “Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses: In 3D ZombieVision.”
“Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses: In 3D ZombieVision,” an original concept based on the cult smash film “House Of 1000 Corpses” will offer guests an opportunity to don 3D glasses for an up-close-and-personal three-dimensional encounter with the world’s most infamous serial killers. Guests will travel through the world of Captain Spaulding, Baby, Otis and Dr. Satan experiencing Zombie’s iconic creations – “live” and in 3D. Fans of “House of 1000 Corpses” will feel at home walking through the Firefly family residence, the “Museum of Monsters and Madmen” and Dr. Satan’s lair.
Special: “Combo Ticket” to the Rob Zombie-Alice Cooper Thursday, September 30th “Halloween Hootenanny”Concert at the Gibson Amphitheatre:
For a double dose of the diabolical, Universal Studios Hollywood and Live Nation are teaming up to offer a special “Combo Ticket” for two top Southern California Horror events: The Thursday, September 30 Rob Zombie-Alice Cooper “Halloween Hootenanny” concert at the Gibson Amphitheater and selected nights of Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, where horror legends come to life.
“Combo Tickets” are priced at $59 and include admission to the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and to Universal Studios Hollywood’s “Halloween Horror Nights” on any one of the following nights: October 1, 2, 8, 17, 21, 24 and 28. “Combo Tickets” may be purchased via the Live Nation ticket store, accessible through www.LiveNation.com.
“SAW: GAME ON”
“Saw: Game On” will incorporate some of the most terrifying scenes that made last year’s “Halloween Horror Nights “Saw” maze among the most popular attractions. This year’s maze will ratchet up the terror with many new elements, meticulously crafted to immerse fans into the horrifying world of “Saw.”
“Saw: Game On” will introduce a series of new “traps” and new “games” from the franchise, including “Pig Vat” and “Rack/Twisted Crucifix” from “Saw III,” and “Flesh Scale” from “Saw VI” designed to take guests even deeper inside the twisted machinations of the Jigsaw Killer’s maniacal plots.
On October 29, Lionsgate’s “SAW 3D” arrives in theaters in vivid, chilling 3D. The latest installment of one of the biggest, most successful horror franchises, “SAW 3D” will be the first theatrical feature to be shot exclusively on the cutting-edge SI-3D digital camera system. “SAW 3D” brings the horrifying games of Jigsaw to life like never before. The film stars Tobin Bell, Cary Elwes, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russell and Sean Patrick Flanery. “SAW 3D” is directed by Kevin Greutert, written by Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan and produced by Oren Koules, Mark Burg and Gregg Hoffman. “SAW 3D” is a Lionsgate Release. Twisted Pictures Presents a Burg/Koules/Hoffman Production.
“VAMPYRE: CASTLE OF THE UNDEAD”
“Vampyre: Castle of the Undead,” based on an original concept created by Universal Studios Hollywood, will add bite to this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights.”
“Vampyre: Castle of the Undead” brings to life a tale of the vampires of Wallachia, Romania, the medieval realm of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired the 19th century Dracula legend.
In this all-new maze experience, “Vampyre: Castle of the Undead,” will invite guests to wander the halls of a crumbling 18th century manor, inhabited by an ancient cabal of vampires whose bloodline seeps back to the Dark Ages. The maze will usher guests through the dank castle corridors and an underworld lair, devoid of light and every color but blood red. Unwitting guests will provide a blood feat for these ferocious creatures.
“Vampyre: Castle of the Undead” has been developed into a 32-page graphic novella, “Vampyre: Castle of the Undead (Blood Secrets of the Iron Guard),” and will be released in conjunction with “Halloween Horror Nights.” The new graphic novella created by artist Patrick Ian Moore and will be published by Universal Studios Hollywood in conjunction with the 2010 Halloween Horror Nights event, where horror legends come to life.
The new graphic novella will be serialized on the official Halloween Horror Nights website and a limited number of collectors’ edition books will be published and available to guests attending the event on selected nights.
NEW BACKLOT EXPERIENCE:
“TERROR TRAM: CHUCKY’S REVENGE”
Angered by his increasingly diminishing media profile, pint-sized serial killer doll, “Chucky” has elected to hijack the “Terror Tram” in a desperate attempt at seeking revenge on the Hollywood entertainment community and his one-time fans. The resulting, “Terror Tram: Chucky’s Revenge” casts a posse of Hollywood’s minion killers who’ve invaded the twisted landscape of the infamous “War of the Worlds” set—with its authentic airline jumbo jet wreckage, devastated houses and apocalyptic vistas.
The newly transformed “Terror Tram: Chucky’s Revenge,” an elaborately themed outdoor maze, will be strewn with an eclectic array of demented Chucky killer dolls who will come to life on Universal’s historic backlot sets.
Other taunting inhabitants of this year’s “Terror Tram” experience will include a wailing “La Llorona” and severely disfigured mutant zombies.
A marquee attraction unique to Universal Studios Hollywood and “Halloween Horror Nights,” the “Terror Tram” combines a ride aboard Universal’s signature trams with a terrifying walk-through experience through world-famous movie sets. As this year also marks the 50th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic award-winnnig film, “Psycho,” guests navigating the popular “Terror Tram” attraction will have yet another reason to celebrate the ominous presence of the iconic Psycho House and Bates Motel.
SIX HORROR-FILLED “SCARE ZONES”:
Lurking in dark corners and prowling for prey throughout “Halloween Horror Nights” are countless “scare-actors” and numerous horror-filled “Scare Zones” designed to torment and torture guests at every instance. This year, six “Scare Zones” will provoke a new sense of terror in guests.
“La Llorona,” a compelling new “Scare Zone,” recounts the 500-year-old Mexican legend of a woman who drowned her children to gain the hand of a wealthy man. Her reprehensible sacrifice backfires when the man, horrified by her actions, rejects her. In desperation, the woman drowns herself, and that’s where the horror commences. The women, referred to as “La Llorona” – the Crying Woman – is destined to a life of eternal weeping, doomed to wander the Earth in search of her dead children. Preying on women, men and children she finds after dark, “La Llorona’s” anguishing wail translates to a mantra of death. Her incessant chanting of “¿Dónde está mi hijos?” (where are my children?) serves as a warning that death is imminent as she drags her victims to the water’s edge to drown them.
Further immersing guests in Jigsaw’s vengeful games, the “Pigz” “Scare Zone” will serve up a fatty slab of chainsaw-wielding “Pigz,” reminiscent of “Saw’s” infamous Pigman character. Situated adjacent to the “Saw: Game On” maze, a snorting gauntlet of pig-faced disciples will play diabolical games with roving guests.
Inspired by “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” the “Nightmarz” is a warning to all guests brave enough to wake-up in this “Scare Zone.” Disfigured dream stalker Freddy Krueger roams the area, stalking and preying upon guests foolish enough to sleep walk though his “Nightmarz.”
In true carnival style, the “Freakz” “Scare Zone” will set the stage for a plethora of deranged human oddities who’ve lost their only gig during hard economic times and have redirected their maniacal attentions on hapless guests.
The circus may have come to town, but it’s the “Klownz” that are running the show in this gang-filled “Scare Zone” of violent killer clowns whose three ring circus entertains to the applause of murder and mayhem.
A group of dangerously disturbed “Lunaticz” have slaughtered their caretakers and have overrun the asylum in this “Scare Zone” filled with demented murderous loonies.
NEW PRODUCTION:
“BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE”
With astonishing topics torn from the pages of today’s most salacious tabloids and acid-tongue bloggers, the kings of comedic satire spin pop culture and celebrity public blunders into riotous laughter. Bill and Ted, never without their most excellent time-traveling phone booth, add hilarity to the already ridiculous for sublime parody performances in the return of the very popular “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure.”
POPULAR RIDES JOIN “HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS”:
“KING KONG 360 3-D: SKULL ISLAND EXPRESS”
During “Halloween Horror Nights” 17-night run, guests will have the rare opportunity to experience “King Kong 360 3-D” as the only ride on the world-famous Studio Tour. Via the “King Kong 360 3-D: Skull Island Express,” guests at this year’s event will have unprecedented opportunity to ride the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience by way of a dedicated, non-stop tram. It will be the only time guests will be able to experience “King Kong 360 3-D” separately from the theme park’s Studio Tour.
“JURASSIC PARK®—IN THE DARK”
Havoc erupts when Universal’s oldest monsters turn their ravenous appetites on unsuspecting guests thrust unwittingly into the cold, still night of the Jurassic era. Only inches from gigantic carnivorous dinosaurs, guests in fear for their lives will navigate uncharted waters before they plunge headfirst down an 84-foot drop into the frigid waters of “Jurassic Park®—The Ride.”
“REVENGE OF THE MUMMY®— THE RIDE”
Fear of the dark, fear of insects, fear of speed, fear of heights and fear of death are served up to deliver the world’s first psychological thrill ride roller coaster. Utilizing animatronics, sophisticated motion picture technology, state-of-the-art ride, audio and robotics engineering, “Revenge of the Mummy®—The Ride” preys on every human phobia, immersing guests in a total multi-sensory environment in utter darkness.
“THE SIMPSONS RIDE®”
What could possibly be scarier than a wild virtual roller coaster ride through “Krustyland” with The Simpsons wreaking havoc and mayhem on “Krustyland, “ the theme park within a theme park. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson will lead guests on an adventure when they board “The Simpsons Ride,” a mega-attraction based on the blockbuster movie and TV series and the centerpiece of Krusty The Clown’s fictitious “Krustyland” theme park. Voted “Best New Theme Park Ride” by Theme Park Insider.com, “The Simpsons Ride®” is as motion simulation comedy thrill ride that hurls guests on a wild adventure through Krustyland, immersing them in a “Simpsons” satire of one creative amusement park experience. Guests will be clinging to each other for dear life and laugh till it hurts.
“HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS”
DATES, TIME & MORE INFORMATION:
“Halloween Horror Nights” will extend to 17 nights, beginning on Friday, September 24 and continuing through Halloween, Sunday, October 31. Event dates are: September, 24, 25; October 1-2, 8-9, 15-17, 21-24, 28-31. The event will begin nightly at 7:00 p.m.; closing hours vary by night throughout the event.
More information and tickets are available at www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/hollywood. Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” will be available at HalloweenHorrorNights.com and also on Twitter and Facebook, as Creative Director John Murdy reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. Fans are invited to follow John Murdy on Twitter at: Twitter.com/HorrorNights or via Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood (Official).”
