Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios

It may seem a bit early in the year, but Halloween season is officially here! And what better way to welcome in the spooky season than with one of the most brilliant haunted attractions in Southern California? Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights opened its gates this past weekend and once again they have delivered an event full of terrifying mazes, unique scare zones and a terror tram that puts you right in the middle of a zombie attack. Prepare yourself for horrifyingly fun night that promises to be "more dead than ever."

With seven all new professional quality mazes, most inspired by past and present iconic horror film and television and awesome scare zones, this haunted adventure is not for the faint of heart. Halloween Horror Nights is extreme to say the least, and for true horror buffs and thrill seekers alike there will be plenty to admire and scream about at the same time.

Must see mazes are "An American Werewolf in London," which left me wowed with the realistic gory movie recreations and special effects. Fans of the 1981 Oscar winning film will want to go through this twice to appreciate everything it has to offer, if not just to get a second look at that legendary werewolf transformation.

"AVP: Alien vs. Predator" is a gruesome adventure that puts you in the middle of an epic battle between two of horror's most frightening monsters that is both brilliantly executed and horribly realistic. Another standout was "Clowns 3D Music by Slash" which couples our legitimate fear of clowns with the added special effects of the 3D realm. Expect to be transported to a colorful world of circus fear where everything literally jumps out at you.

Other mazes included "From Dusk Till Dawn," created by director Robert Rodriguez, "Dracula Untold: Reign of Blood," and "Face Off: In the Flesh," inspired by the creative contestants of the SyFy series.

Fans of the popular AMC's "The Walking Dead" will be thrilled that once again the theme park has incorporated the show into its attraction. An excellent mini scare zone will lead you through a zombie infested gate straight into Terminus, with a barbecue cooking plenty of meat (human?), to "The Walking Dead: The End of the Line" maze. Here you will find yourself fleeing the prison to seek sanctuary at Terminus, which, as anyone familiar with the show will understand, is the most frightening of all.

If you're anything like me, the various scrawling on the wall encouraging you to go to Terminus will be enough to send shivers up your spine before you even reach the maze. The "Terror Tram: Invaded by the Walking Dead" is back this year and once again will drive you by the hordes to dark back lots only to abandon you to fend for yourself along a zombie infested hike across numerous Universal iconic props and stages to reach safety.

As you walk through the park you will come across several scare zones, locations that are equally as creepy as the mazes. You'll encounter "The Purge: Anarchy," inspired by the film, as soon as you enter, then come by "Dark Christmas," a truly terrifying play on the holiday where Santa Claus has been replaced by a child stealing creature called the Krampus.

Also, beware of the "Mask-a-Raid," where you will face grotesque Victorian aristocrats thirsting for your blood, and "Skullz," where actors on stilts will terrorize you into screams. Beware in these zones, aside from the horrifying props, the cast members will show no mercy.

I am a self-proclaimed horror buff, I love being scared. And while my friends and family have always found me a bit odd (what's wrong with choosing Dracula over dolls as a child?!), I can see and admire the beauty in the horror genre. This is why I always enjoy this event above most, because there is so much to take in aside from crew members in masks trying to illicit cheap scares from you.

Of course, Halloween Horror Nights has the advantage of using the Universal back lot, with professional movie props and experts designing the scares, and this is why it is so important to take in everything around you. So much effort goes into these excellent mazes and it shows, from the sets and props throughout the park, to the beautiful make-up on the thousands of actors, I implore you -- DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES!

"Halloween Horror Nights" runs through Nov. 2 at Universal Studios Hollywood 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. For information or tickets, visit www.halloweenhorrornights.com.