The zombie apocalypse has started. The dead have taken over and are roaming freely. Well not really… but they do have their own attraction! Universal Studios Hollywood has a new The Walking Dead experience that is now open 365 days a year. No more waiting for Universal’s Horror Nights to get your The Walking Dead fix on. This is not your typical sit in a cart and and enjoy the ride attraction. This is a full on maze. Just like the ones you crave for in haunted houses built for scares around Halloween.
Universal Studios Hollywood unlocked the iconic “Don’t Open, Dead Inside” doors to usher in its all-new The Walking Dead permanent daytime attraction, based on AMC’s top-rated television series and the most watched show in cable television history, which officially opens to the public on Monday, July 4.
Universal Studios Hollywood has worked collaboratively with AMC’s The Walking Dead as a signature “Halloween Horror Nights” maze for the years. This newly enhanced venture takes the highly sought-after experience from a seasonal, limited time offering to an exciting 365-day opportunity, raising the bar for themed walk-through attractions.
“The Walking Dead is a phenomenon that has successfully and consistently affected the psyche of viewers on a global basis since its debut,” said Larry Kurzweil, President of Universal Studios Hollywood. “We’re taking its authenticity to the next level by collaborating with the show’s award-winning production team to create a thrilling, living representation of the series that can only be experienced at Universal Studios Hollywood.”
To ensure authenticity of the attraction, Universal Studios Hollywood partnered with The Walking Dead’s creative team, including Greg Nicotero and KNB Efx to develop prosthetics, utilize original molds and painstakingly apply paint and detailing to attraction walkers. The integral involvement of the creative team not only inspires the emotional connection fans experience, it will be among the attraction’s key distinguishing characteristics that define it as a living representation of the show.
“After six years of working on ‘The Walking Dead,’ we have this great opportunity to take ‘The Walking Dead’ out of the studio, off the sound stage and into this amazing and truly one-of-a-kind attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood,” said Greg Nicotero. “Guests can now come face-to-face with live and animatronic Walkers that are indiscernible from the Walkers from the show. It’s very exciting, and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
Coupled with authentic walker make-up effects, sophisticated animatronic walkers, substantially more detailed set design and costuming, and highly recognizable props replicated from the series, The Walking Dead attraction delivers an uncompromising realistic environment that brings guests even further into the most watched show in cable television history.
The Walking Dead attraction is located within an entirely new, custom-built structure, situated within an expansive building complex just inside the theme park’s main entry. Due to the intense nature of this experience, the attraction is not recommended for guests under the age of 13.
To check out a video preview of Universal Studios’ The Walking Dead attraction, click below: