Ozzy Osbourne: Prince of Darkness was one of the most unusual haunted houses at Halloween Horror Nights 35, taking guests on a nightmarish journey through the legendary musician's career, imagery and music. During our tour, we learnt that Universal worked directly with Ozzy's family throughout the creative process, holding meetings approximately every two weeks to help develop the experience. Both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood created houses based on Ozzy, although each took a different approach. Hollywood focused more on his earlier career, while Orlando explored his later years and darker imagery.

One of the most fascinating details involved the way Universal changes guests' perspectives throughout the attraction. Rather than relying entirely on oversized scenery or complicated mechanical effects, certain sections use carefully positioned ramps to alter your eye level. This creates the illusion that Ozzy is changing size and shape, while also positioning guests at the perfect height for particular scares. It's such a clever technique, and something we'd never have realised without having it explained during the tour.

The Crazy Train sequence was another highlight, featuring several effects designed to make guests feel as though they're actually travelling aboard the train. Before boarding, guests encounter Conductor Ozzy, portrayed by a performer on stilts. Once inside, the attraction uses powerful vibration devices known as ButtKickers to create a rumbling sensation through the floor, making the environment feel much more alive. Seeing the equipment and understanding how it contributes to the illusion gave us a completely different appreciation for the scene.

Throughout the house, there are also memory portals featuring footage of Ozzy, helping to connect the different scenes and celebrate his career. We loved discovering how the creative team had incorporated references to his music and imagery into the attraction. It's a house that relies heavily on atmosphere, music and perspective, so seeing how those individual elements are put together was particularly interesting.