Universal Studios has paired Hollywood’s top entertainment scenic and special effects artists, along with a cast of thousands, for 2008’s “Halloween Horror Nights.”

The intense Halloween experience begins on Friday, October 3, 2008 at Universal Studios and will run for an expanded 13-night run which concludes on Saturday, November 1, 2008.

A “Terror Tram: The Nightmare Tour” will be one new, exciting and terrifying experience, featuring an excursion that includes a stop inside the Bates Motel. The “Terror Tram” will expand to double the length of previous Halloween tram experiences, while for the first time incorporating spine-chilling mazes, treks though the “Psycho” set and a walk through the “War of the Worlds” set.

The Rogue/Universal Pictures film, “The Strangers” is the inspiration for another scare zone, “The Strangers,” which will feature new characters that will hauntingly roam the zone to add to a truly terrifying Halloween experience.

“Nightmare on Elm Street” was the influence behind the new bloodcurdling maze, “Nightmare on Elm Street: Home Sweet Hell.” Taking a walk through the maze, you will see live re-enactments of nightmare sequences from the film series which have never before been presented, while following a storyline that will surely be recognizable to fans of the popular film series.

“Friday the 13th’s” Jason Voorhees and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s” Leatherface will also be making their return to the scary Halloween experience, each being featured in their own maze of shock corridors.

The thrill-ride attractions which have made Universal Studios so popular will remain open for “Halloween Horror Nights,” though many will now include some menacing twists to keep things exciting. “The Simpons Ride,” “Revenge of the Mummy” “Jurassic Park – In the Dark” and “WaterWorld” are among those transformed into “Slaughter World,” all seeming like tranquil respites from the mayhem of the horror features.

“Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” show will make an encore performance, along with “Chucky’s Insult Emporium,” the distasteful show that will bring guests face-to-face with some scathing sarcasm of the sociopath doll from the “Child’s Play” movies.

Standing sets and themed streets that are in the theme park will also be transformed into a bloodbath, giving the impression that horror scenes from these films were cut out and exploded to real life.

Dates for Halloween Horror Nights are: October 3-4, 10-11, 17-19, 24-26, 30-31 and November 1. The event will begin nightly at 7:00 p.m. though closing hours will vary by night. To purchase tickets online for $54, visit www.universalstuidoshollywood.com.

Tickets will also be available at Ralphs®, Food 4 Less® and Hot Topic®, where you can save up to $20 off your ticket price with the purchase of any Coca-Cola product. You can also save up to $20 with any Coke can or special coupon from Jack in the Box® restaurants.