Universal Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) - 2012

[downunder]

I enjoyed the event this year, it will be interesting what direction it takes next year. Hopefully more of the same with some refinements. Hopefully nothing truly horrifying like a Twilight maze.

[Zeppelinfreak]

I know this is really late, but does anybody know if this year was more successful/popular than last year? Because if it wasn't I would imagine management would just want to do Freddy and Jason again and stop doing original concepts.

[Gnome]

i think every night sold out. I'm sure future events, they will try and push merchandise sales. There were some pretty good deals on hhn swag on halloween night. Guess they had quite the surplus including buy 1 get 1 free souvenir mugs, and 40% off other merch.

[Zeppelinfreak]

^That's great news. I hope this shows Universal that they don't need huge movie properties (Freddy, Jason, SAW) to be successful.

[Jew]

I wouldn't read too far into that. Every park in the country with a Halloween event does the same. Knotts is still trying to sell shirts from haunt from 5 years ago at a discount

[E1ticket5]

La Llorona was beautiful. I think that a good Haunted House is themed around churches and cults and the devil. The psychodelic Black Light Satan Room was cool too. But, La Llorona's church scene was amazing!

[Jew]

I think it is safe to bump this for the 2012 season:

 

So far the following has been announced:

 

-Silent Hill (ROTM queue)

-Walking Dead (Wild West)

-Alice Cooper: Welcome to Hell 3D (T2)

-La Llorona: cazadora de ninos (returning to Shrek with all new scenes)

 

Still TBD:

 

-HoH makeover theme

-JP queue maze

-Terror Tram

-Scare Zones

-Any new shows besides Bill & Teds

 

Dates were also announced today: September 21, 22, 28, 29 & October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31

[ernierocker]

UHH seems to just keep getting better and better.

[jedimaster1227]

Universal Studios Hollywood has sent us a press release announcing the turn of the 'La Llorana' house at this year's Halloween Horror Nights!

 

Universal Studios Hollywood announces the chilling return of ‘La Llorona,’ the fearful story of melancholy and murder that has terrified Mexican and Latin American children for generations, to its Halloween Horror Nights event of authentically disturbing mazes. Beginning September 21, 2012, the 500 year-old legend comes to life anew in the maze, ‘La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños’ or ‘Weeping Woman: The Child Hunter.’

 

‘La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños’ will feature immersive environments depicting scenes and imagery of a rural Mexican village. This year’s maze will tell the haunting story of ‘La Llorona,’ a beautiful girl named Maria from a poor village who desperately sought to win the affection of a rich nobleman. Rejected and grief stricken, she drowns her children in a river. Overcome with anguish, she drowns herself in a bitter end. According to legend, Maria’s tormented and distressed spirit wanders the earth, eternally piercing the night with mournful cries, “My children! Where are my children?” ― giving rise to her name, ‘La Llorona’ or ‘The Weeping Woman.’ La Llorona’s frail, drenched body lurking throughout the dead of night will invariably elicit unwavering dread from the helpless village inhabitants or maze guests, as her presence signifies impending death.

 

The ‘La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños’ maze will lure guests into rotting chambers and crypts flanked by decomposed and tortured souls who have met the cruel fate of death and the mournful cries of ‘La Llorona.’ The maze disturbingly journeys guests through the mind’s eye of a child’s nightmare seeded with all the dread, gore and evil that can be imagined.

 

“At its core, La Llorona is a ghost story so we’re building off the very successful elements of last year’s haunted attraction by adding brand new special effects that speak more to the paranormal side of the story. It’s like tapping into a child’s imagination and creating physical manifestations of those fears. Ultimately, we hope it leads to an even more terrifying experience,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

“Last year we brought the legend of La Llorona to life for the first time as a maze at “Halloween Horror Nights”. It was wildly popular with guests familiar with the story and those introduced to the legend for the very first time,” said Murdy. “At that time, I had the opportunity to speak with many of our guests who shared their personal stories of La Llorona, particularly how she haunted their dreams as children. I found this to be a particularly compelling perspective, and created this year’s maze to tell the story of La Llorona through the eyes of a child.”

 

Beginning September 21, 2012, Halloween Horror Nightswill bring 19 fear-filled nights with numerous terror-filled “Scare Zones” and unrivaled film production quality mazes uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties to deliver the most compelling, spine-chilling, haunted attractions. This year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” dates are: September 21, 22, 28, 29 and October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31.

 

This year’s featured “Halloween Horror Nights” haunted attractions include: “The Walking Dead: Apocalypse,” based on AMC’s Golden Globe-nominated, Emmy Award-winning, series; “Welcome to Silent Hill,” based on the popular video games and film franchise; an encore performance from legendary shock rocker, Alice Cooper in a new 3D maze, “Alice Cooper Goes to Hell 3D” and a reimagined “La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños” maze based on the terrifying Mexican and Latin American legend that terrified children for centuries. Watch the announcement videos on Universal Studios Hollywood’s YouTube Channel. Additional mazes to be announced shortly.

 

Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” are 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”

 

Universal Studios Hollywood SM, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena. World-class rides and attractions include the intense, award-winning ride, “King Kong 360 3-D” on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, “The Simpsons RideTM,” “Revenge of the MummySM —The Ride” indoor roller coaster and “Jurassic Park® —The Ride,” as well as the critically-acclaimed mega-attraction, “Transformers™: The Ride—3D.”

[DallasAlvey]

Awesome! It was one of, if not the best maze from last year's event. Can't wait to see the new version!

[cfc]

^But did you find it "authentically disturbing"?

[jedimaster1227]

Universal Studios Hollywood has sent us a press release about this year's Terror Tram at Halloween Horror Nights, featuring The Walking Dead.

 

Hordes of flesh-eating, blood-drooling and groaning “walkers” will infest Universal Studios’ world-famous backlot when “Terror Tram: Invaded by The Walking Dead” comes to life at this year’s Halloween Horror Nights® event at Universal Studios HollywoodSM.

 

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” has a significant presence at this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” in addition to the “Terror Tram.” An immersive new maze, “The Walking Dead: Dead Inside,” based on the compelling series” will also debut at the event.

 

Mirroring AMC’s critically-acclaimed, Golden Globe-nominated, Emmy Award-winning TV series, “Terror Tram: Invaded by The Walking Dead” will expose guests to a legion of plagued zombies in the aftermath of the disease’s cataclysmic spread to the West Coast.

 

The world of television fantasy will collide with grim reality when “Terror Tram: Invaded by The Walking Dead” pits guests face-to-face with a swarm of living corpses doomed to stalk Universal Studio’s famed backlot—-the heart of the world’s most famous horror moviemaking studio.

 

John Murdy, Creative Director, Halloween Horror Nights, said: “The ‘Terror Tram’ is one of the most popular ’Halloween Horror Nights’ attractions since it’s the only time people can walk on the historic Universal backlot where the horror film genre was born. The juxtaposition of the backlot’s rural setting amid a small town devastated by a horrific plane wreckage complements the TV series’ sets almost to a tee and provides the ideal backdrop to showcase the ‘walkers’ from AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ on a grand scale.”

 

This year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in the living, breathing, three-dimensional world of the most notorious and terrifying creatures. Featuring a slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, terror-filled 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 incomparable spellbinding and spine-chilling haunted attractions.

 

Other mazes will include: “Welcome to Silent Hill,” based on the popular video games and film franchise; a new maze by legendary shock rocker, “Alice Cooper Goes to Hell 3D,” and a reimagined “La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños” maze, based on the terrifying Mexican and Latin American legend that has terrified children for centuries. Additional haunted attractions to be announced shortly.

 

Updates on “Halloween Horror Nights” are available at Halloween Horror Nights 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”. “Halloween Horror Nights’ maze announcement videos can be seen at Universal Studios Hollywood’s YouTube Channel.

 

“Halloween Horror Nights” kicks off on Friday, September 21, 2012 and continues on select nights through Wednesday, October 31. Event dates are: September 21, 22, 28, 29 and October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31.

 

AMC’s “The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. The series tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home. “The Walking Dead” is the most watched drama series in basic cable history for adults 18-34, adults 18-49 and adults 25-54. The series premieres on AMC on Sunday, October 14, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Edited August 9, 2012 by jedimaster1227

[DBJ]

That is fantastic. I have been going every year since they brought it back. Always hoped to see them keep expanding the terror tram into using more of the city backdrops and the daytime tour. Very happy to see them start to use more of it!

[Wes]

^ Where did they say they were using the city streets? Seems like the same location as all the previous years.

[Jew]

The juxtaposition of the backlot’s rural setting amid a small town devastated by a horrific plane wreckage complements the TV series’ sets almost to a tee and provides the ideal backdrop to showcase the ‘walkers’ from AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’ on a grand scale.”

 

I think that quote makes it pretty clear they are keeping the same route. Unless there is somewhere else besides War of the Worlds that features a town destroyed by a plane crash!

[jedimaster1227]

Universal Studios Hollywood has sent us a press release regarding their latest maze announcement, this time for the "Universal Monsters Remix" maze coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2012.

 

Universal’s infamous legacy of horror will come to an afterlife in “Universal Monsters Remix,” an all-new terrifying experience that re-imagines the classic horror icons of yesteryear for the 21st century and immerses them in the twisted confines of electronica-inspired music during “Halloween Horror Nights®” at Universal Studios HollywoodSM.

 

Set within the antechambers of an eerily gothic castle, the new “Universal Monsters Remix” maze will unleash a cast of movies most legendary creatures, including Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride, Dracula and his Brides, Phantom of the Opera and The Wolf Man. From deep within the stone fortress, accompanied by ominous strobe lighting effects, guests will traverse dark and dank arteries of rotting catacombs, hallowed underground crypts and pagan sacrificial burial chambers. Laced with the murmur of dialog from Universal’s catalogue of horror films, guests will be besieged by the relentless sounds of high-energy, horror-inspired dance, dub-step and industrial music.

 

This year’s “Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in the living, breathing, three-dimensional world of the most notorious and terrifying creatures. Featuring a slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, terror-filled 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 incomparable spellbinding and spine-chilling haunted attractions.

 

“Halloween Horror Nights” experiences will include an immersive new maze, “The Walking Dead: Dead Inside,” based on AMC’s critically-acclaimed, Golden Globe®-nominated and Emmy® Award-winning TV series; “Welcome to Silent Hill,” based on the popular video games and film franchise; a new maze by legendary shock rocker, “Alice Cooper Goes to Hell 3D,” and a reimagined “La Llorona: Cazadora de Niños” maze, based on the terrifying Mexican and Latin American legend that has terrified children for centuries. An all new “Terror Tram: Invaded by The Walking Dead” attraction, also inspired by the TV series, will invite guests to navigate the haunted environs of the world-famous movie and television studio backlot and come face to face with hordes of flesh-eating, blood-drooling and groaning “walkers.” Additional haunted attractions to be announced shortly.

 

The theme park’s favorite thrill-ride attractions will also remain open during “Halloween Horror Nights,” including the popular “Transformers™: The Ride—3D,” “The Simpsons Ride®,” “Revenge of the MummySM – The Ride” and “Jurassic Park® In the Dark.”

 

Details on “Halloween Horror Nights” are available at Halloween Horror Nights, on Facebook at: “Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood” and on Instagram @HorrorNightsHollywood or #UniversalHHN. Updates from Creative Director John Murdy can be found on Twitter at: Twitter.com/HorrorNights, as he reveals a running chronicle of exclusive information. “Halloween Horror Nights’ maze announcement videos can be seen at Universal Studios Hollywood’s YouTube Channel.

 

“Halloween Horror Nights” kicks off on Friday, September 21, 2012 and continues on select nights through Wednesday, October 31. Event dates are: September 21, 22, 28, 29 and October 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 31.

 

Universal Studios Hollywood SM, The Entertainment Capital of L.A.SM, includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas, the “5 Towers” state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena. World-class rides and attractions include the intense, award-winning ride, “King Kong 360 3-D” on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, “The Simpsons RideTM,” “Revenge of the MummySM —The Ride” indoor roller coaster and “Jurassic Park® —The Ride,” as well as the critically-acclaimed mega-attraction, “Transformers™: The Ride—3D.”

[Stitch_101]

While I expected a maze based on Universal's classic movie monsters to celebrate their 100 Year Anniversary, this is not at all how I thought it would be... The only thing that comes to mind is odd, very very odd.

 

Another small update about HHN Hollywood this year. As we probably already assumed as its mid-August and there have been no entry details released, John Murdy said on twitter that the HHN film contest would not be happening this year.

[the ghost]

Fear not fellow HHN nerds. According to John Murdy's twitter there will be special costumes and props designed to go with the feel of the house for the dubstep theme. I HATE Dubstep, but from what I hear it means strobes and lasers... which are always cool and work well in mazes. I also hear from a friend that has been a scareactor at hhn since 2007 that this is so far expected to be the best HoH overlay... I am not entirely sure what he was talking about, but he said that this maze should be pretty awesome and he has never showed any optimism for a HoH overlay the entire time he has been working there. I am excited!

[Stitch_101]

^ Well, a Universal Classic Monster maze would work best in HoH, seeing as for the most part that's already what HoH is. This overlay would work with minimal change to the maze at all... But I'm with you, I HATE dubstep.

[King_K.]

Here's the last house announcement they made today. It's being based off the original movie and not the remakes, so I actually think it'll be a fantastic maze.

 

 

[the ghost]

The first TCM maze was the scariest maze ever done at HHN and from some people I know who have visited both events almost every year this is in their top 5 houses for both this and Orlando's event. VERY excited for this year and this house!

[jedimaster1227]

Universal Studios Hollywood has sent us a press release regarding their latest maze announcement, this time for the 'The Texas Chainsaw Masscre: The Saw is The Law' maze coming to Halloween Horror Nights 2012.

 

The tragic and demented account of Leatherface™ and his deranged family of cannibals set the stage for this year’s new maze, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Saw is The Law,” based on filmmaker Tobe Hooper’s notoriously unsettling 1974 horror film classic at “Halloween Horror Nights®” at Universal Studios Hollywood, Southern California’s premier Halloween event.

 

This original American horror film tells the story of five young friends who unsuspectingly fall victim to the ghastly terrors and torment of a depraved and cannibalistic Texas clan. The film, hailed among the most influential horror movies in cinematic history, will now be meticulously recreated into a disturbingly gruesome “Halloween Horror Nights” maze.

 

“‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is one of those films that helped define the horror film genre,” said John Murdy, Creative Director at Universal Studios Hollywood. “The story of Leatherface™ and his demented family is as shocking today as when the film was first released. As designers of ‘Halloween Horror Nights,’ the film exemplifies what we need to create a truly terrifying experience. From the iconic characters to the disturbing sets, props and audio design, we’re excited to bring Tobe Hooper’s horrific vision to life for ‘Halloween Horror Nights fans.’”

 

Those who dare to step into the inner workings of a slaughterhouse maze will be gripped with vivid telltale signs of imminent doom. Gruesome and blood-soaked scenes from the controversial classic will terrorize guests as they experience a labyrinth that will captivate all senses and render them defenseless when met with nightmarish images of mutilated bodies on bloody meat hooks; become paralyzed by putrid odors of decomposed corpses; navigate their way through human bones and animal pelts suspended from the ceiling; and run from the unmistakable roaring sound of a chainsaw revving to life when Leatherface™ lunges from the darkness in search of victims.

[Kyle Coleman]

Sounds like a good line up so far. Now if they would only put tickets up for sale then I will be all set.

[Stitch_101]

Interesting that they are going with Texas Chainsaw this year instead of holding out for next year when the new film, which is suppose to be a sequel to the original an have no ties to the remakes, come out. But hey, all the past TCSM mazes have been pretty good.

[Someotherguyuser]

I'm liking this year's line-up. Very glad that for the theme they're returning (La Llorona), they're changing it up a bit so it won't be the exact same maze as last year. Getting really excited for this year now.