Beginning tonight, Universal Studios will be transformed into a zombie-infested, alternate dimension where the twisted mind of Alice Cooper will make you shiver and Las Vegas magicians Penn & Teller will make you want to disappear for good during Halloween Horror Nights 2012.

For 25 nights the nation’s best Halloween event will strike fear in the hearts of guests with terrifying haunted houses based on some of the most popular television series and films including AMC’s The Walking Dead and Silent Hill amongst others. But perhaps the biggest news coming from this year’s event is the “scare zones” … or lack thereof!

That’s right, for the first time since scare zones were introduced to Halloween Horror Nights, guests won’t have any idea when they are walking into a horrifying street experience. That’s because the horror will be everywhere, all night long! No longer will you be able to walk into one of these outdoor haunted houses, get your fill of scary beings and images and then walk out to the safe streets of the park. The “scareactors” will be lurking and watching you in the shadows no matter where you are and when you think you’re safe, they’ll come for you!

Half of the fun of the new “scare zones” is that you don’t know what exactly will be jumping out after you. But Best of Orlando has decided to give you a heads up to what’s lurking in the streets. Guests can expect five different street scare characters including vampires, beasts, dragon warriors, prisoners who were unable to escape a scorching fire and the traditionals – ghosts and goblins.

To keep the street experiences just as gory and real as what you’ll experience in the seven haunted houses at this year’s event, Universal Studios has included many special effects to get guests screaming and running for cover.

And speaking of the haunted houses, in addition to the “walkers” from The Walking Dead, Penn & Teller’s magic trick gone terribly wrong, Alice Cooper’s crazed mind and the creepy beings from Silent Hill, will be a haunted house based around a renovated cathedral where gargoyles and other spirits of the church are none to happy about the changes being made and will do anything to get you out of it! This haunted house is called “Gothic.”

Guests can also enjoy live stage shows including the return of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure and a new show, 20 Penny Circus: Fully Exposed.

BestofOrlando.com went behind the scenes to find out what it’s like to be a scareactor. Also, find out all you need to know about the Nation’s Premier Halloween Event with our Ultimate Guide. So just remember to read up and watch your back when you go to Halloween Horror Nights 22!