The Walking Dead Attraction is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood
If you were like millions of other Walking Dead fans tonight, you settled into a big comfy chair or couch to watch the latest episode of our favorite Living Dead TV show, The Walking Dead. (Don’t worry, there are no spoilers here) After the new episode, fans tuned into the Talking Dead for a recap explaining what happened and more importantly, for a glimpse of what is to come next week!
After many rumors, the Walking Dead attraction is officially a reality! About half way through the show tonight, host Chris Hardwick spilled the beans on a year-round Walking Dead attraction coming to Universal Studios Hollywood!
The addition of a year-round Walking Dead attraction should be no surprise as both Universal Studios parks have had a long running relationship with the Walking Dead creators. For the past four years, The Walking Dead has been a temporary attraction at Universal’s seasonal Halloween Horror Nights event, featuring elaborate mazes based on the hugely popular TV show, and its inclusion has been frequently credited for greatly increasing attendance to the already successful Horror Nights events.
A Walking Dead attraction has been rumored ever since Universal Hollywood closed down the House of Horrors haunted walkthrough after the 2014 summer season. While construction has not yet started, the new walking dead attraction is going in near the park entrance on the new Universal Blvd. To get this thing up and running for summer 2016, they will have to move FAST!
For several years, The Walking Dead served as the main marketing tool for Halloween Horror Nights. With houses themed to famous show locations such as Terminus, and the famous prison, park visitors could also find walkers roaming throughout various scare zones. In the case of USH, walkers could even be found on the famous “Terror Tram” which took guests through a danger filled Hollywood Backlot.
This summer, fans can venture into the post-apocalyptic world of The Walking Dead at Universal Studios Hollywood in an all-new, year-round attraction!
Follow in the survivors’ footsteps for a fully immersive journey, using both animatronics and live performers — the next best thing to actually being on The Walking Dead.
The attraction’s landscapes, special effects, props, staging, costumes and makeup were all created in collaboration with the show’s award-winning production team, including executive producer and director Greg Nicotero.
Universal Studios Hollywood says the permanent addition, which gets its own structure, will raise the bar on previous efforts, with “authentic walker makeup effects, sophisticated animatronic walkers, substantially more detailed set design and costuming, and highly recognizable props replicated from the series.”
Here’s the new teaser video that was released this evening!
From the announcements, it doesn’t appear the new attraction has any connection with the Sally Corp dark ride previewed at the IAAPA Expo in 2015. The new year-round / walk-through haunt experience at Universal Hollywood is scheduled to open Summer of 2016.
Also opening at Universal Hollywood for 2016 is the brand new Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There, fans of the movies and books will find all kinds of eateries and shopping in Hogsmead, including that delicious Butter Beer! Fans can even step inside the Hogwarts Express! Guests can get their thrills from two new rides in the area.
First, being the Flight of the Hippogriff, where muggles (Wizard talk) can join Hagrid in learning how to properly approach a Hippogriff and ultimately take flight.
Just like the Orlando version, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the major new attraction in the area. Here, guests will be given a tour of Hogwarts visiting all the famous classrooms from the movies and even getting to see some familiar faces. Guests then board some “Magical” benches where they are whisked away on a truly unforgettable journey with our good friend Harry.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter is currently in soft opening mode, which means the area may open and close at any time throughout the day with or with out warning. If you’re at the park and lucky enough to be pulled aside for a test run, let us know! We would love to hear your report!
Opening Day for Wizarding World of Harry Potter is April 7th, 2016. If you have never visited Universal Studios Hollywood, now is the perfect time!
Which scenes are you most excited to see from the Walking Dead? If you have any comments about Universal Studios Hollywood, let us know in the comments below or on our socials!
Visit AMC for more Walking Dead
Stay connected with Coaster-Nation!
facebook: facebook.com/coasternation
twitter: @Coaster_Nation
YouTube: Subscribe!
