‘Stranger Things’ house set for Horror Nights
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights is getting even stranger. Its 2018 edition will feature a haunted-house maze based on “Stranger Things,” the hit supernatural drama seen on Netflix.
Visitors will encounter the big, bad Demogorgon character; the parallel universe known as the Upside Down; the living room with flashing holiday lights; and top-secret government lab, Universal Orlando confirmed in its official announcement Tuesday.
“You’ll faithfully follow the storyline, starting off on Mirkwood and then quickly moving to inside Hawkins National Laboratory where things have gone terribly, terribly wrong,” Patrick Braillard, show director, wrote on the official Universal Orlando blog.
The series – set in 1983 and around a small Indiana town, its adolescent residents (including a missing boy) and a mysterious girl called Eleven – is prepping for a third season. Its debut season is the basis for the Universal Studios house.
Of course, it’s way too early for Universal to be specific with its plans. Not to be too spoilery, but upon hearing the news I immediately thought: “Will we get to see poor dead Barb again?”
And then I started craving Eggos, Eleven’s preferred taste treat.
Although the first season of “Stranger Things” only had eight episodes, there are many touchstone moments Universal could (or could not) draw upon, such as the middle-school gym/ sensory-deprivation tank, the morgue with Will’s body (or is it?) and Steve’s hair, which approaches Flock of Seagulls altitudes.
At first, the thought of the Byers family room sounded festive with the lights and all, but, yikes, serious stuff went down in there between those oozing walls. Still, my HHN wish list includes a photo op beneath the lights … and an area at the end where we can take turns shaking that Nancy girl for her bad decisions.
If Netflix and Universal have a multiyear deal (CoughWalkingDeadCough), then the park can roll out its trademark abandoned bus for a future HHN. And we can wear “Ghostbusters” jumpsuits.
A promotional video for the event shows an abandoned bicycle outside a darkened entrance to Universal Studios. A rotating lens shot turns the scene into an Upside Down version of the attraction, with a glowing red sky and lightning in the background.
The “Stranger Things” house is the first of nine that will be announced for the 2018 HHN, which runs for 34 select nights between Sept. 14 and Nov. 3. Universal is collaborating with Netflix along with Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy, the creators and executive producer of the sci-fi series. “Stranger Things” houses also will be constructed for the Halloween Horror Nights events at Universal Studios Hollywood in California and at Universal Studios Singapore.
Universal Orlando has begun HHN ticket sales but only for select deals, including one that throws in a second night for free. There’s also a hotel package with theme-park tickets and HHN benefits available.
Go to HalloweenHorrorNights.com/orlando for more information.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5477; Twitter: @ThemeParks