Fans of “Stranger Things" can actually visit the Upside Down – if they dare – this Halloween. And they won't even need to break into the Hawkins National Laboratory to find the gate.
Universal Studios teamed up with Netflix to create an elaborate "Stranger Things" maze for its 2018 Halloween Horror Nights this fall, USA Today reported in April. Based on season one of the popular series, the attraction features elements from the Upside Down (an alternate dimension), the Hawkins National Laboratory and the Byers' home.
Some of the show's main characters also make an appearance, but beware — the terrifying Demogorgon might be lurking just around the corner, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The predatory supernatural creature will stalk visitors as they tour the attraction. If you've seen the show, you'll understand just how truly blood-curdling that could be!
Where's Eleven when you need her? Hopefully she's one of the characters guests will encounter in the maze.
The special Halloween attraction launched on Sep. 14 at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal's Singapore theme park also opened the maze a few days later, on Sep. 18. Matt and Ross Duffer, the brains behind the series, and Shawn Levy, the executive producer, all collaborated to bring the scary experience to life.
Want to get a behind-the-scenes look? Aloysius Low of CNET.com shared his experience this week.
Needless to say, a lot of series fans are more than a little excited to get in on the action themselves.
Some plan to brave Universal's annual Halloween Horror Nights for the first time.
People are already looking for rides.
Because they just "gotta go" ...
Previously, AMC's series "The Walking Dead" was used as the theme of Halloween Horror Nights for four seasons, from 2012 through 2015. Due to the attraction's immense popularity, Universal decided to turn it into a permanent feature in 2016. Considering "Stranger Things" similar cult-like following, it wouldn't be surprising if the same happened with the new theme.
Notably, "Stranger Things" and "The Walking Dead" have both filmed extensively in Georgia.
Emory University's Continuing Education Department is the backdrop for Hawkins Laboratory in "Stranger Things." The old Douglasville City Hall, downtown Jackson, Bellwood Quarry and the former Patrick Henry Academy all have starring roles in the series as well. A Cobb County farm was also used as a shooting location for season two of the show.
As for "The Walking Dead," some of the most iconic Georgia locations from the series include the main character Rick's House, the Atlanta skyline, the "hospital" where Rick wakes up, the survivor's campsite, the "Centers for Disease Control" (CDC), Morgan's home, the prison and many more.
So, in-state fans who can't manage to get down to Florida or out to California this Halloween, can still do their own horror tour without leaving the state.
Georgia offers lucrative tax incentives for television and movies to film in the state. Total film and television spending in Georgia hit a record of $2.7 billion in the fiscal year that ended in July 2017, up about one-third over the previous year, and about a tenfold increase from 2008, according to figures from the state Department of Economic Development.
The state government estimates that the $2.7 billion in film spending equates to a $9.5 billion boost to Georgia's economy.
About the Author
