Stranger Things has become a hugely popular part of Halloween Horror Nights over the years, and this house brings the story of the Netflix series to its final chapter. Our guide explained that this was one of the last houses constructed for the event, and getting to explore it with the lights on revealed some fascinating details about how the production recreates the world of Hawkins.

One of the biggest highlights was seeing the Demogorgon effects up close. The house features two animatronic Demogorgons, including one positioned above guests in the Abyss and another appearing from a dryer during the Hawkins Memorial Hospital scene. We were able to see how the mechanical head operates, along with the safety features built into the effect. There is even an emergency-stop button that can be activated if somebody touches the mechanism, demonstrating how seriously Universal takes safety around moving props and animatronics.

Another particularly interesting discovery was the use of 3D printing in the Mind Flayer scene. Our guide explained that the walls were created using 3D-printed components, producing detailed scenery that is also extremely strong and structurally reliable. It's a fascinating example of how modern manufacturing techniques are being used to bring increasingly ambitious haunted house designs to life.

We also learnt that Universal sometimes takes small creative liberties when recreating familiar locations from television and film. For example, a military building in the house features the number 35 rather than the number used in the series, providing a subtle reference to this year's Halloween Horror Nights anniversary. It's a detail that most guests would probably never notice, but one that makes the attraction feel even more special when you know where to look.

With this house celebrating the final chapter of Stranger Things, it felt particularly special to explore the sets in such detail. Seeing the creatures, scenery and hidden references without the darkness and scare actors allowed us to appreciate just how much work goes into translating a television series into a physical haunted house.