Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood is back again to terrify the masses with a rejuvenated lineup of scares. The theme park’s annual event, kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 7, is a holiday tradition for Southern Californians and those traveling from afar for the special occasion. But, this year the Writers Guild Association (WGA) is using the draw of the event to bring more awareness to the upending union strikes disrupting Hollywood at the moment.
More than 50 union writers stood in front of the Universal Studios entryway to pass out about 5,000 flyers to patrons visiting the park, according to a report from Deadline. The flyer, created by WGA West, informed patrons that “Major studios have kept [writers] from working for over 125 days” and have been “unwilling to make a deal that fairly compensates writers.”
Although the informative flyer did not directly discourage attendees from enjoying Halloween Horror Nights, it went on to say “the rides and attractions you’ll be enjoying tonight are based on movies and television series that were created by writers” and “Universal would have no theme park without us.”
WGA’s Message To HHN Patrons:
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights consists of eight haunted house attractions and three interactive experiences, including Universal Monsters: Unmasked, Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count, The Last of Us, The Exorcist: Believer, Evil Dead Rise, Stranger Things 4, Monsters: Monsters of Latin America, Holidayz in Hell, Blumhouse: Behind the Screams, The Purge: Dangerous Waters, and Terror Tram…The Exterminatorz.
Universal Studios Hollywood HHN Lineup:
General admission tickets start at $74 and extend to event passes providing exclusive benefits, such as unlimited visits, express access, and VIP tours, with prices as much as $409. The two-month event ends after Halloween, Oct. 31.
Indeed, the theme parks have been a saving grace for the major studio. Comcast Corporation, the parent company of Universal Pictures, Universal Studios, and Peacock, reported in its 2023 2nd Quarter results that theme parks, Universal Beijing, Universal Japan, and Universal Hollywood, recorded their highest adjusted EBITDA on record at $833M, increasing by 32% in comparison to the previous year.
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The report stated, “Revenue for Theme Parks increased driven by higher revenue at our international theme parks, which had COVID-19 related restrictions in the prior year period. Domestic theme parks revenue remained consistent primarily due to higher revenue at our theme park in Hollywood driven by the opening of Super Nintendo World, offset by lower revenue at our theme park in Orlando which continues to be above pre-pandemic levels.”
The WGA has no plans of stopping at the rotating globe that sits in front of Universal Studios. Next on the agenda…Disneyland.
Photo Courtesy of WGA West 2023
