Available now, Amazon Music and Disney Music Group invite you to experience the magic with a brand-new dedicated destination. This new offering will feature music from fan-favorite movies, television shows, video games, Disney Parks attractions, and beyond.
The Disney Music Destination on Amazon Music will offer a selection of curated playlists, stations, albums, songs, and podcasts, from some of the biggest and most beloved brands in the world, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, National Geographic, FX, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney+, Hulu, Disney Parks, Disney on Broadway and more.
The Disney Music Destination on Amazon Music will be updated regularly and will feature music from recent Box Office toppers such as “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Inside Out 2”, as well as highly anticipated upcoming titles “Moana 2” and “Mufasa: The Lion King”.
Visit the new Disney Music Destination on Amazon Music HERE.
Six Flags Fright Fest conjures up even more scares for the 2024 season. Does it live up to the “extreme” in its refreshed marketing campaign? The final result in its second weekend is a mixed bag. Calling itself “California’s largest haunt” with 11 haunted houses and 9 scare zones. It’s easy to spread yourself too thin and let quality suffer. A lot of returning mainstays for long-time visitors and new horror-based intellectual properties join the line-up.
A significant investment in hopes of significant draws for fans of major franchises like Trick r’ Treat, The Conjuring, SAW, Stranger Things, and Army of the Dead. A majority of the chosen have seen haunted houses built for them in the past in other theme parks and movie studio events. So Six Flags has a lot to live up to that will surely be compared by long-time horror movie fans and haunted house attendees. Time to set off the trap and face possessed objects, we’re entering the demonic world of Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme.
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Based on the 2007 cult film, director Michael Dougherty brought some hype up with his involvement with the development of the haunted house based on his movie for Six Flags. There are several Sam’s decorated throughout the park. So quite a bit of anticipation has been built. The experience itself has a noticeable amount of blank black walls, but many recognizable scenes and moments from the separate stories shine through. There’s the decorated front yard and eerie school teacher.
The school bus sunken in a laser water effect with lurking school children is an impressive scare. The werewolf has a cool set up but lacking reveal. The old man’s bedroom scene is fully fleshed out. A random mirror maze keeps you dizzy. And the end brings you to the unseen lair of Sam. The entrance was perplexing as the entrance is on the unthemed corner and the exit was out of the house facade.
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The Conjuring movie universe has been a popular modern horror movie series stable since 2013 with sequels and spin-offs based on supernatural items and spirits. Many of these are a featured conglomerate starring in the Warren’s private home collection, down dark hallways, deep inside a closet, slipping between the walls, bedroom, and cemetery.
The nun’s painting will surely send a shiver down yourself as guests walk closer and closer. The father splashing holy water helps keep evil at bay. The rotating color wheel casting moving shadows behind Annabelle makes for a creepy bedtime.
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20 years of games and traps are celebrated in the SAW haunted house that initially debuted last season along with The Conjuring. The flat facade is now a meat packing warehouse with guests walking into the workshop of the deadly Jigsaw. In his diabolical wake are trap construction, screaming victims, and pig-masked assistants. Set pieces have been moved forward while victims kept to the second half of the haunted house.
In fact, there seems to be less victims than before and the pig-faced assistants still spring out but quickly return to hiding. At least some have a metal tool prop in hand to look more menacing. The last big room got a new mini-wall to fill the large dead space directing guests to a waiting scare.
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Strangers Things is housed in a metal warehouse painted to look like part of the Hawkins High School Gymnasium here the students are putting on a Halloween event turning into a visit to The Upside Down. Unfortunately aspects of the rest of the haunted house looks like it was still built by a high school.
Rooms are so wide open taking away any claustrophobic sense it started feeling more like a walk-through of Instagram photo backdrops. An unlit demogod, one demogorgon behind a half wall, shadow projections of demobats, and a gently hovering statue of Vecna did not invoke the kind of fear the park would hope for. So little in fact a gihillie suited actor was placed with the Castle Byers set in the forest with the unworldly creature.
The falling particles provided a great effect for the Upside Down, but apparently agitated others. The character Dr. Brenner in his ’60s is played by a person not of the same gender or age. And when that actor pops out, no attempts are made to cover a clearly visible backstage behind them.
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Army of the Dead is the second Netflix property after Stranger Things to get a haunted house. Redressing the old location from the first half of Aftermath, the outdoor location is themed to a devastated Las Vegas. Your group is tasked with infiltration to a Vault full of money. The catch is the area is swarming with zombies.
Sounds really good on paper, but in actuality, any sense of danger is watered down with more of an army of static statues. The first half remains to be visually impressive with apocalyptic destruction and burtsting fireball.
The maze itself is a rundown casino with gambling tables, showgirl stage, salon, and an open door vault. But there are hardly any actors to fill an actual army. Not even the zombie tiger can help this misfire.
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Creative and liberal choices were made bringing these IPs to life by Six Flags. Main characters take a backseat as most do not make any sort of appearance in show scenes. I will to choose to believe that guests respectfully take on the perspective of the main characters encountering the demogorgon, Annabelle, traps, and the undead.
But when you can count the number of actors in each haunted house with only two hands, there’s going to be a particular take away: not enough hired actors to live up to the “extreme” label. And that’s going to leave a lot of rooms unoccupied and uneventful.
The park was also experiencing a lot of downtime with the haunted houses. Particularly the ones located in the back of the park. Army of the Dead and Aftermath: Nocturnal are still connected. So if one side goes closes for emergency shutdown, the other side goes down as well.
Aftermath: Nocturnal Hunt takes what remains of the second half of the previous l experience, reverse the flow, and call this a brand new haunted house. Not sure this was all too necessary or an opportunity to claim the title of most houses to offer compared to other major amusement parks in the state. Even more lackluster is the last actor causally yelling “roar” at guests.
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Willoughby’s Resurrected is the reigning original haunted house in Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme. Highly detailed stroll through a gothic mansion. The attendants encourage you to check in, but checking out is another matter.
The silent walk by portraits, attics, bathrooms, bedrooms, music room, and more builds anticipation around every corner. Residents await your arrival. An oldie but goodie especially with enthusiastic performers.
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Sewer of Souls sets up in a smelly dreary facility only to flush you down into a blacklit underground world of rats of unusual size, pipes, radioactive waste, and, well, human waste. Another quiet exploration of graffiti filled walls and a dip into a slanted air bag. Be sure to take a deep breath. The limited actors do what they can, but the park needs to add more to the lacking scare tactics.
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Vault 666: Unlocked is arguably also another top original maze in the park. A long time stable even after its overlay as “Hellfest” (2018). A plethora of artifacts uncovered and unboxed from numerous crates ready for auction to the highest bidder. Get a closer examination of the items and take your pick. Highly detailed with talkative handlers in the silent setting. Linger long enough and you may become part of the collection.
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Condemned: Forever Damned is a classic decrepit house with solid set design. The levels of decay is consistent throughout and sticks to its main theme. Another disquieting exploration of a rundown home. An overlay of an undead spring break frat party vibe previously occupied this space. That was quite playful whereas the current iteration goes back to creepy and moody. Would love to see more creative overlays to break the mold from the repeating pathway.
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There’s a love and hate when it comes to Truth or Dare. The television game show idea is great fun with contestants meeting their demise in deadly tasks. The concept was bare upon its debut. The next season improved upon what was already there. Now it’s about more or less the same.
The actors get loud, but doesn’t quite push the story forward. Other than signages for each room, the host could be making more appearances, or at least a pre-recorded dialogue playing to introduce the new games. The bee projected air bag is still a favorite gag. New scares are needed before this potential concept gets lost.
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The movie-based houses packaged with a music background and pre-recorded character dialogue to fill the air. The original houses were mostly silent, some sound effects, but largely leave the actors to use their voices and body to make up for the scaring. This can be stressful on the actor’s body working nightly weekends.
This does leave room for playful banter between actor and guest inside the mazes rather than just in scare zones. The crowd levels were low, so it didn’t seem express passes was necessary. Probably more so as Halloween gets closer. This does give groups enough time and space apart from each other rather than sending in conga lines of people in. Creating a more intimate and personalized scare experience.
Six Flags has a combined total of 9 scare zones! Some have better production values than others. These are our top favorites. The aquatic Devil’s Triangle, blacklit storybook tales of Nightmares: A Twisted Fantasy, and new this year is the whimsical Underworlds of Oz. Visually fun with entertaining cast of characters. Many would enjoy people watching in these areas.
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Even more scare zones to cover the large footprint of the park. Some having more thought and set pieces than others. CarnivHELL is the carnival from Hell setting up camp in Bugs Bunny World. Grimmlore Ridge (new) with red hue and pecking crows. Plaza de la Muerte (new) tip of the hat to Day of the Dead. Gravely gruesome Exhile Hill. The Deadzone was more impressive last year with the apocalyptic city street. Mad world of clowns and holiday lighting in City Under Siege.
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Food Photo Gallery
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Merchandise Photo Gallery
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Hopefully the technical issues will be sorted out by the time Halloween approaches. Many haunted houses need more actors and creative scares. The scare positions need to have more consistent coverage throughout the evening. There is a stark difference between seasoned and beginner actors.
The park needs to refocus on less is more, quality over quantity. Especially if they want to compete with the likes of Universal Studios given their acquisition of popular horror movie franchises. Beware of new chaperone and bag check policies. Be sure to assess what you value in your Halloween scare experience.
Six Flags Fright Fest Extreme is open on select evenings now until November 3, 2024. As an added bonus, a Beetlejuice drone show is expected to be displayed over Six Flags Magic Mountain on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 at 8:30 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/events/fright-fest-2024
If you’re looking for a truly unique and immersive Halloween haunt, the Winchester Mystery House’s “Unhinged: Hotel” delivers on every chilling promise. The iconic mansion, already shrouded in a legacy of the strange and unexplained, is transformed into a spine-tingling labyrinth where the line between reality and the supernatural blurs with every step.
The eerie atmosphere is palpable from the moment you step onto the grounds. Wandering through dimly lit corridors and encountering enigmatic characters, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re being watched. The sets and special effects are top-notch, and the talented actors fully commit to their roles, making you question if the spirits of the Winchester House have truly been awakened.
Stranded with car troubles, a group of friends seek help at a nearby hotel. Little do they know the seemingly empty hotel is hiding more than just vacant rooms. As they venture deeper into the halls, an unsettling feeling creeps in, and they realize they are not alone.
Upon arrival, guests will start their evening on the estate, where they can indulge in themed food and drinks, visit a fortune teller, immerse themselves in the spooky ambiance, and capture memories at various photo ops.
From there, guests will enter the home which includes the standard twists and turns of the Winchester Mystery House but mixed with terror and scares around every corner of the house. Following the walkthrough, guests can experience the return of The Mists, an outdoor scare zone that will be haunting all nights of Unhinged: Hotel.
One aspect that sets this haunt apart is the strict no-phone policy. Guests are asked to stow their devices away upon arrival, enhancing the immersive experience. Without the distraction of screens, you’re forced to be fully present in the moment, heightening your senses and leaving you vulnerable to the scares that await around every corner.
While I won’t spoil any of the specific surprises (we included a few pics* below just to tease you), I can assure you that Unhinged: Hotel is a masterclass in suspense and terror.
The combination of the Winchester House’s inherently creepy architecture with clever storytelling and expertly executed scares makes this haunt a must-visit for thrill-seekers.
Unhinged: Hotel is running through Sunday, November 2, with a brand-new origin storyline, complete with new characters and terrifying scares.
Also starting September 13, a Halloween Museum will be featured on the estate that will be free night and day for guests to enjoy. The museum will include a collection of vintage Halloween decor, artifacts, and memorabilia.
Halloween Horror Nights is more than just getting scared in the haunted houses and spectacle thrills from live shows, part of the experience is shopping for exclusive seasonal merchandise and tasting mouth-watering food and drinks. Take a look a some of this year’s lineup of designs for wall art, clothing, drinkware, pins, buttons, keychains, magnets, patches, bags, popcorn buckets, coasters, plush, and more.
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Little Boo Photo Gallery
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Ghostbusters Photo Gallery
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Miscellaneous Merchandise Photo Gallery
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Minions Halloween Photo Gallery
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Dia de Los Muertos Photo Gallery
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Not everything is meant to be for sale. Display cases highlight screen-used props from Universal Studios horror movies. Everything from the Scorpion King bracelet from The Mummy Returns (2001), to blow darts from Van Helsing (2004), and more gets featured for all to admire. Just one of the many advantages unique to Universal Studios Hollywood. Animatronic figures from Peacock’s horror comedy series Chucky gets in on the act.
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Hello Kitty/Chucky Photo Gallery
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Seasonal food and drink menus can be found exclusively during Halloween Horror Night event evenings. A Stay Puft marshmallow s-more is the dessert treat for fans of Ghostbusters. Leatherface’s Texas Family Barbecue serves up killer ribs, brisket sandwiches, over-sized chili cheese hot dogs, and cocktails based on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The Weekend gets his own lounge with The Nightmare Trilogy Bar above the Jurassic Cafe. Speciality items are named after the Grammy award winner’s song titles. Personal pizzas themed as buzzsaws have a meat and vegetarian option. Dia De Los Muertos Bar bring on spicy cocktails and sizzling eats in the Universal Plaza accompanied by bright festive decorations. Chucky’s Die Bar sweet juice drinks all grown up with vodka, rum, and more in an outdoor patio across from the Waterworld stunt show arena.
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Select merchandise items are available in Studio Store and Production Central shop in Universal CityWalk. But all the offerings will be available while supplies last inside Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and during Halloween Horror Nights. For more information on operating times and ticket sales, visit https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com/hhn/en/us
Knott’s Spooky Farm, the annual family-friendly Halloween celebration will be taking place in the daytime, Thursdays through Sundays, September 26 through October 31, plus Columbus Day. Families can join in on the ghoulish fun as the park transforms with themed décor and wicked fun around every corner. Halloween-themed activities, including trick-or-treating, a lineup of original shows, costume contests, and pumpkin decorating await. New this fall season, join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and their friends for Spooktivities, a host of games, music, spooky storytelling, and more for ghouls of all ages.
Kids can participate in a memorable trick-or-treating experience in the spooky streets of Ghost Town, where they will show off their festive Halloween costumes as they collect their tasty treats. Guests can also visit the Livery Stable to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico. Spiders, bugs, and more await at our Creepy Critters Corral. Whimsical jack-o-lanterns surround Calico Park as it changes into an enchanting Pumpkin Patch location for families to enjoy the season’s atmosphere with photo ops.
Guests can get in the spirit by decorating their very own themed cookie or pumpkin right in the heart of Ghost Town. Miniature pumpkins or Halloween cookies will be available for a nominal fee. Also in Calico Park, Snoopy and the Gang host Spooktivities. A full day of Halloween fun awaits all ages with games, music, spooky stories, and more.
Join Snoopy and his friends at the Calico Mine Stage for a celebration that is not to be missed! Ghouls of all ages are encouraged to strut their stuff and show off their Halloween costumes as we celebrate the spookiest season at Snoopy’s Spooktacular Costume Party. Also, at the Calico Mine Stage, Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies are back for a high-energy country music concert and comedy for all to enjoy!
The Bob Baker Marionette Theatre Show returns with their Halloween-themed show at Birdcage Theatre. These peculiar puppeteers will amaze all with a spooky puppet show that will have little ones and adults entertained all day.
The residents of The Timber Mountain Log Ride will celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a family-friendly seasonal twist to a park favorite. The ride’s interior features surprise after surprise as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper Band, the town’s Green Witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns.
Knott’s Spooky Farm runs daytime Thursdays through Sundays, September 26 through October 31 plus Columbus Day, and is included with regular park admission. The best way to enjoy Knott’s Spooky Farm and all of Knott’s Seasons of Fun for the remainder of 2024 plus all of 2025 is with a 2025 Season Pass. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blockout dates, and a Gold Season Pass includes unlimited admission to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blockout dates.
Knott’s Spooky Farm Kicks Off on September 26 with all new Spooktivities with Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang
For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, visit knotts.com.
The week of September 9, 2024, marked a magical milestone for 19 wish children who joined the first-ever, multi-day Star Wars-themed wish event at Disneyland Resort – Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure.
Wish kids and their families from Make-A-Wish® and other wish organizations visited Disneyland Resort for this first-of-its-kind event, which brought the wonder of Batuu to kids who asked to have a Star Wars-themed wish. After an immersive breakfast at which children chose to follow the light or dark path, the unique experience featured droid building, a scavenger hunt to assemble a lightsaber, surprise character visits, and an immersive private dinner and dessert party in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland park.
“We’re humbled that so many children choose Disney to make their dreams come true,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences and Make-A-Wish America board member. “We’re constantly finding innovative and uniquely Disney ways to grant wishes at our parks and experiences around the world.”
Wishes have the power to renew hope and uplift spirits for children facing critical illnesses, and experiences like Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure can be transformative for the entire family. Each child attending wished for something related to Star Wars and had their wishes come true, including:
14-year-old Dylan from California wished to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland Resort.
13-year-old Kenobi from North Dakota wished to make his own lightsaber and droid at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
10-year-old Shepherd from Texas wished to visit Disneyland Resort and meet some of his favorite Star Wars characters.
Ahead of the adventure, Disney Consumer Products delivered an extra dose of magic and surprised families with a Star Wars backpack containing themed accessories, LEGO® toys and sets, Funko Pop! figures, pins, and more. Disney Publishing also sprinkled in some extra fun by providing an array of Star Wars books.
“It’s a testament to the passion and commitment to the Make-A-Wish mission that Disney continues to find new and creative ways to deliver truly life-changing experiences for wish kids and their families,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO, of Make-A-Wish America. “This event gives wish kids and their families a chance to feel like a normal family again – perhaps for the first time since the start of their medical journey. The stress, fear and anxiety that come with their illness are the furthest things from their minds.”
To complete their Disney wish trips, families are now spending the remainder of their visits at Disneyland Resort, enjoying the theme parks and a stay at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Wish granting is an integral part of the magic at Disneyland Resort. Blaze Your Path: A Star Wars Adventure is one of the many ways Disney helps grant wishes across Disney Experiences. For nearly 45 years, Disney has worked together with Make-A-Wish to make wishes come true for children fighting critical illnesses. Since the very first official wish was granted at Disneyland Resort, Disney has helped fulfill more than 155,000 wishes globally with Make-A-Wish and is honored to be the largest wish granter in the world for Make-A-Wish.
Visit Wish.org/Disney to learn more about other ways Disney is supporting Make-A-Wish.
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood regains its highly coveted reputation as one of the best Halloween scare events in Southern California. The park has really upped the game in addressing issues from past visits. Popular franchises and original storytelling offers something for everyone at different levels of theme, creativity, legacy, and of course scares.
John Murdy and his creative teams have really outdone themselves for 2024. Eight haunted houses, one terror tram walk through, two shows, four scare zones, specality food, and exclusive merchandise bring together a memorable season. It’s time to brave the darkness and discover what lurks around the corners of Halloween Horror Nights 2024 at Universal Studios Hollywood!
Ghostbusters Frozen Empire is based on the latest entry of the classic film franchise released earlier this year. Guests walk in through the storefront of Ray’s Occult Book store answering the call about something spooky occurring in New York City. The Manhattan Adventurers Society reveals Hell is literally freezing over.
Wandering through the sewers lead to the Ghostbusters Paranormal Research Facility where growing danger ensues with a sinister painting coming to life and mini Stay Puft marshmallow men mess around with sensitive equipment. More encounters with familiar poltergeists lead you back to Ghostbusters Headquarters. Garraka builds up his powers, the Ghostbusters vehicle goes berserk, Slimer roams in his own trashy mess, and a final showdown with the main baddie.
A winning start to the evening with less scares and more gleeful recreation of sets, characters, and special effects of proton pack streams that fill the air. Faithful Ghostbusters fans will surely enjoy this outstanding creative trip.
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You don’t have to be too familiar with this movie franchise to enjoy Insidious: The Further. Simply navigating through the dark and puzzling corridors between bedrooms and closets can be enough to cause distress. Fans of the movie series will get a dose of ecstasy identifying the various demons hiding in the dark. A surreal walk through endless blackness anchored by childhood innocence.
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Being skeptical on horror movie studio Blumhouse taking over the one and only Terror Tram, we found ourselves satisfied enough with the end result. The experience begins with all the recognizable characters welcoming guests with wielding chainsaws in hand. Each world transition of a movie title cleverly begins with guests walking through a border lit facade of the Blumhouse logo. Taking advantage of the cleared out open space from the park’s 60th anniversary, M3GAN holds stages for mini-recreations of the evil robot doll’s movie kills.
The Bates Motel is the backdrop of Freaky with the Blissfield Butcher picking a fight with their counterpart. Across the way is a college rally for Happy Death Day full of baby-face masked killers. Next is a switchback of The Black Phone with The Grabber ready to show off his close-up magic trick. Very thankful of this new path through the Bates Hotel reversing the direction borrowed from the 60th anniversary. The Psycho House photo opportunity along with the uphill trek of a bloody Hollywood sign would have benefitted with a MaXXXine (2024) connection given how much that movie shot on location in the Universal backlot.
The War of the World set is no stranger to The Purge. Some slightly different lighting package keeps the oldie but goodie theme in formidable shape. I do miss the vertical joggers sprawled in this scene from a past season. The Terror Tram ends without a walk through the Jupiter’s Claim set from NOPE this season. Not sure if it’s budget related or logistics of pedestrian and tram traffic crossing over each other.
For those hoping for Five Nights at Freddy’s, there is a flat photo opportunity at the exit of the Terror Tram. Overall an enjoyable expanded scare zone riding on the novelty of walking through a portion of the Universal Backlot. Not as convoluted as expected and a fair flaire best of for Blumhouse fans.
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Dead Exposure: Death Valley was a delightful surprise to the original lineup at Universal not previous based on a movie franchise. A government experiment to create super soldiers goes horribly wrong and guests must find a way to survive and find a way out. Sounds simple enough. The chaos with foreboding mayhem, mystery toxin, mad primates, and zombie staff makes this both a fun, bright, colorful, and scary thrill. The theme consistently builds up with little breathing room and a cold refresh from the evening’s heat. Every corner a new turn into what lay ahead. A solid and repeatable haunted house.
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Legend of Leatherface utilizes all nine films in the long running 50 year old horror movie franchise. Guests will follow the progressive stages of Leatherface’s transformation within the confines of the Sawyer family’s slaughterhouse. Quite a family reunion with gore-filled storage and hanging body parts. This is the most graphic haunted house of the evening not for the faint of heart.
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The Weekend: Nightmare Trilogy awakens once again from 2022 to bring more dazzling and surreal music fantasy to life. Bigger and better, the eye-popping visuals will have you buzzing. Recreation of music videos and live performances will draw guests out of the darkness and into the light. Even the entrance facade brings the party to the queue before entry accompanied by a live performer. Music fans will rejoice at the imagination blending dance and horror into a radical realm of haunted funhouse.
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Universal Monsters: Eternal Bloodline once again continues the fan favorite take of bringing classic Universal Monster characters to new life. An epic battle ensues as Saskia Van Helsing and the Bride of Frankenstein go up against Dracula’s daughter and her monstrous mavens.
The She-Wolf and The Mummy’s Anck-su-namun are not too far behind. A Universal Monsters experience is not complete without featuring original music by Slash. This year’s location is extra special being housed in the historic Soundstage 12 where many favorite horror movies have been shot such as Dracula (1931), Frankenstein (1931), The Bride of Frankenstein (1935), The Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954), and more. An all-female cast roaming the detailed catacombs and passageway will wet the appetite of classic horror fans.
Impressive to say the least to have the studio lend this soundstage to Horror Nights over production services even after major renovations. The construction of other soundstages on the lot may have helped. Not sure how long this beautiful relationship will last. But this haunted house doesn’t seem as lavish or take advantage of its wide open space as much as Universal Orlando does. Time will tell.
A Quiet Place was one of the biggest shockers of the evening considering the space this highly anticipated haunted house was taking over. Any previous remnants of building that occupied The Walking Dead or Rise of The Evil Dead was completely gutted out and virtually unrecognizable. This is truly an incredible transformation to be gladly placed in this season’s lineup.
All-new pathways, scares, talented actors, detailed puppetry, and faithful recreations of scenes from the first two entries in the franchise. Not only do the characters pop off the screen, they even incorporate sign language. We are curious if they are merely rehearsed or if the actors could actually communicate with guests to give that cherry on top extra detail. Fans of the films will be highly impressed and in awe what was able to be accomplished. If you were a fan of Universal’s past effort for Alien vs Predator haunted house, this will be right up your alley.
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Monstruos 2: The Nightmares of Latin America brings back new terrors to fuel your nightmares. There’s no safe place to hide, not even in your home or under the bed. Dare to walk alone and do not be tempted by sacks of gold coins otherwise the infernal rider El Charro will take your soul. Don’t turn your back on the devil dog El Cadejo or you’ll be lost forever in its glowing red eyes. Behave yourself or the boogeyman El Cucuy will snatch you away. There’s good reason why these Latin American myths and legends have grown in popularity over the years at Halloween Horror Nights.
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All four scare zones remain in the Upper Lot. Chainsaw Punkz buzzes by your feet and gut with, you guessed it, wielding chainsaws. Skull Lordz blows flames overhead to light up the night. Murder of Crowz welcomes an adorably frightening newborn to the world of oversized stilt-walking birds. Muscular fusion of Mexican wrestlers and classic monsters bring to the ring Luchadores Monstruosos. An actual live wrestling match in the Universal Plaza would have added extra entertainment value to the robust mash-up.
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The Purge: Dangerous Waters returns to the Waterworld stunt show arena with spectacular high-flying fireball of thrills. This year feels like it has more edge, more blood splatter, and a tighter pace packed with the kind of ruthless violence you’d expect from the world of The Purge. The stunt performers engulfed with more flame effects than the day time show takes advantage of the dark showtimes. The queue sets up the story well for the show and for those unfamiliar with the movie franchise. The one thing that seems to be missing are poster warnings of The Purge. This is a not to be missed show!
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Late Night with Chucky brings back the insults of everyone’s favorite dark humored killer doll come to life. This time he’s hosting his very own late night talk show inside the Dreamworks Theater. Unfortunately, the show’s guest star seems to be unavailable, so the audience gets to submit questions for Chucky to be answered via QR code. Albeit more controlled and less improv for this 7 minute show, it’s brief enough to get the idea behind the premise. It’s all over soon so guests can be on their way to enjoy the rest of the park and more shows can be played.
Late Night with Chucky Photo Gallery
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Halloween Horror Nights 2024 truly is the best season the event has been in years. There are more meaningful live actors over static mannequins, masked and face characters cast very well as their on-screen counterparts and performed to the highest levels despite grueling temperatures, special effects such as smells and water is used sparingly, scare tactics feel refreshed and not overly repetitive, and each entertainment offering has an equal amount of give and take.
For anyone hesitant before about attending scare events, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is the place to be. Despite the huge crowds, ticket options range from Frequent Fear Passes to enjoy multiple nights, early entry will start access to select mazes, or Express passes will bypass the standby queue. Halloween Horror Nights is open on select evenings from now until November 3, 2024. For more information including ticket purchases, visit https://www.universalstudioshollywood.com
This October, Universal Destinations & Experiences theme parks—Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Resort—invite guests to defy gravity with a variety of all-new immersive experiences and exclusive merchandise inspired by Wicked, Universal Pictures’ highly-anticipated film, in theaters on November 22.
The engaging Wicked experiences will differ at each of the destinations but are both designed to capture the imagination and spirit of the breathtaking world of Wicked, allowing guests to express their fandom through fashion and accessories while stepping into the story for the first time ever.
Starting in late October, Universal Orlando Resort will welcome guests to Wicked: The Experience – housed in the former location of the UNIVRS store and adjacent retail locations steps away from the front gate – where they will have the unique opportunity to step into the fantastical Land of Oz. This exclusive, one-of-a-kind experience will whisk guests along the yellow brick road and into a variety of iconic Wicked locations from Shiz University to the Emerald City. Fanciful costumes and props created by the designers from the film will also be on display as guests become immersed in spectacular scenic and theming that will recreate some of the most memorable moments of the film.
Also beginning in late October, Universal Studios Hollywood will transform its popular Feature Presentation store within the theme park, and UNIVRS store at Universal CityWalk Hollywood into memorable Wicked experiences. Feature Presentation will showcase props from the film, an exciting photo op will debut within the theme park and, later in tandem with the film opening, costumes will be displayed within the Universal Cinema, an AMC Theatre, at Universal CityWalk.
Fantabulous-themed dining will complement these exciting Wicked experiences at both theme park locations, as well as Voodoo Doughnuts and The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen at both Universal CityWalk locations will share the joy with the debut of a limited time treats inspired by the world of Wicked.
At the core of these experiences will be redefining new retail opportunities and exclusive products, inviting guests to rejoice as they peek behind the Emerald City gates. An exciting variety of merchandise including elevated apparel, home goods, accessories, toys and more along with exclusive products will be available at Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood and at both Universal Citywalk locations including:
The Shiz University collection is inspired by the iconic school where Glinda and Elphaba first cross paths featuring back-to-school must-haves featuring a Spirit Jersey, duffle bag, tumbler, hat, journal and more.
The legendary Studio MinaLima developed exclusive, Wicked-inspired graphics and prints for a cross-category collection including an intricate all-over-print on apparel, accessories, home goods and confections, as well as stationery.
The Wicked logo will don many items from hats and totes to notebooks and mugs, perfect for fans to show their Wicked pride as they dance through life. Those looking for even more products can find a variety of offerings, including beautiful fashion dolls from Mattel, Funko Pops! of fan-favorite characters, LEGO sets featuring the Land of Oz, Loungefly bags as well as cosplay and prop replicas from The Noble Collection.
Even more Wicked celebrations are coming to Universal Studios Singapore and Universal Studios Japan later this year and early next.
In celebration of the release of the highly anticipated album A Whole New Sound (available on Apple Music HERE, Amazon Music HERE, and Spotify HERE), Mickey Mouse and his friends are taking a magic carpet ride with the debut of the video for Yellowcard’s powerful reimagining of “A Whole New World” from Disney’s beloved classic Aladdin (1992).
The band, along with featured vocalist Chrissy Costanza, injects a fresh dose of their signature sound into Jasmine and Aladdin’s timeless tale of adventure and romance.
“There is nothing in my life that keeps me in tune with my inner kid more than my love of Disney. So, it is my pleasure to tell that kid that he and his best buds are in a band that has a song on an official Disney release!” said Yellowcard vocalist Ryan Key. “From the moment this opportunity came up we had ‘A Whole New World’ in mind with the idea to feature our friend Chrissy Costanza. Her voice is so amazing and she definitely made Jasmine proud!”
Yellowcard will also be performing their new song along with some of their classics at Epcot on September 8 and 9 as part of this year’s Eat to the Beat concert series.
“A Whole New Sound is a love letter to the pop-punk fans which blends the energetic spirit of the genre with the timeless nostalgia of Disney classics,” said Tim Pennoyer, director, Brand Marketing, The Walt Disney Company.
A Whole New SoundTracklist
“Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid by New Found Glory
“Remember Me” from Coco by Mayday Parade
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King by Simple Plan
“I2I” from A Goofy Movie by Magnolia Park
“A Whole New World” from Aladdin by Yellowcard
“Go the Distance” from Hercules by We The Kings
“Surface Pressure” from Encanto by Plain White T’s
“You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story by Meet Me @ The Altar
“You’ll Be in My Heart” from Tarzan by Boys Like Girls
“Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas by Tokio Hotel
On September 21st, 2024, and for one night only, the Bat-Signal will light up the sky to call upon all Batman fans to Warner Brothers Studios for Batman Day!
Warner Bros. invited us to check out the 1-day only tour ahead of the Sept 21 event, and we were thrilled to see Batman props and locations used throughout the years. Also, specialty merchandise will be available for purchase to bring home Batman memorabilia. Check out the photo galleries below.
An evening of fun and memorable moments, as you go behind the scenes of your favorite Batman films. Beginning at 5 pm, a one-hour guided studio tour will patrol through the streets and alleys of Gotham City on the iconic WB backlot.
Drive up to Gotham City Hall from 1960’s Adam West “Batman” television series, to where Penguin’s Red Triangle Circus Gang terrorizes citizens in “Batman Returns” (1992), and down the outskirts where Jim Carrey’s Riddler leaves an encrypted message at the gates of Wayne Manor in “Batman Forever” (1995). Knowledgeable guides will also point out which soundstages were used for different Batman film productions throughout the decades.
Tour guides will also share more Batman-related content from screen-test auditions, Batmobile appearances in television episodes and movies like “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” (2003), and influences from Tim Burton’s Batman with “The Flash” (1990) television series. Get up close and personal with original costumes, cowls, and Batmobiles from Michael Keaton’s turn as the caped crusader to the dark vengeance of Robert Pattinson.
Bat Cave Photo Gallery
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6:30 pm will be a special movie screening of the 1989 classic “Batman” starring Michael Keaton as Batman, Jack Nicholson as Joker, and Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale. Rated PG-13 with a running time just over 2 hours.
Studio Backlot Tour Photo Gallery
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Be sure to back your gear with Batman merchandise and exclusives from the Warner Brothers Studio Store.
Batman Merchandise Photo Gallery
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Located at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505. Ticket prices are $89 each for age 5+. Children under 5 years of age are not permitted on the tour. For more information on Batman Day, studio tours, and special events, visit www.wbstudiotour.com.
For a limited time, Warner Brothers Studios Hollywood invites you to the Studio Tour Lobby to see up close and personal original props and authentic costumes from Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice and the long-awaited sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, now playing exclusively in movie theaters. Be sure to pick up exclusive Beetlejuice merchandise only available in the Warner Bros. Studio Store.
Costumes and Sets Photo Gallery
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Guests can also quench their thirst with a special Beetlejuice menu item from Starbucks also located in the Studio Tour lobby.
The best part is you won’t need an Afterlife Passport to enjoy the Store and Lobby! A Studio Tour ticket is not required to see this limited time display.
Merchandise Photo Gallery
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For more information about Warner Brothers Studio Tour and other exclusive events on the backlot, visit their website at www.wbstudiotour.com
Junto Entertainment and TEG Life Like Touring announce the West Coast premiere of Pixar Putt, the whimsical pop-up, mini golf course experience featuring favorite Pixar characters. The limited engagement begins September 21, 2024, and runs through January 15, 2025, at 2ND & PCH in Long Beach (6440 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 140, Long Beach, CA 90803). Tickets are now available at www.PixarPutt.com.
Pixar Putt is made up of 18 fun and interactive holes inspired by the stories, characters, and icons from some of Disney and Pixar’s most beloved films including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Coco, A Bug’s Life, Wall-E, and Inside Out. Pixar Putt is set to take players of all ages to infinity… and beyond!
The pop-up golf course also features Pixar Putt After Dark for players that are 18 and older, which makes for a fun-filled date night or hangout with friends. Tee times for Pixar Putt After Dark begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
“We are thrilled to bring the magic of Pixar Putt to Southern California for the first time,” said Junto Entertainment CEO Sydney Steele. “Fresh off this year’s D23 Expo and our sold-out summer engagement in Washington DC, we are certain that patrons of all ages will be wowed by the vibrant mini-golf course experience. Each of the 18 holes is uniquely inspired by the stories and characters of beloved Pixar and Disney films including the new ones like Inside Out 2 and Elemental.” Steele added, “We can’t wait to open at Long Beach’s upbeat and open-air lifestyle center, 2ND & PCH, and to watch players kick some serious putt!”
Pixar Putt, the pop-up, 18-hole mini golf course, will be at 2ND & PCH, 6440 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803. The West Coast engagement begins September 21, 2024, through January 15, 2025. The playing times are:
Tee times beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are reserved for Pixar Putt After Dark players who are 18 and older. Prices start at $25, with Family Four packs starting at $100. Tickets are now available at www.PixarPutt.com. Advanced booking is highly encouraged. Tickets at the venue’s box office are for purchase by credit card only and subject to availability. For group events, visit www.PixarPutt.com. Parking is available at 2ND & PCH with the first 90 minutes free, and standard rates apply after the first 90 minutes.
Disney+ has announced that an all-new episode of “The Simpsons” is now streaming exclusively on the streaming service. The full-length episode, titled “Yellow Planet,”...
