For the past 20 plus years, Michael Aiello has been helping to create incredible entertainment at Universal Orlando Resort. Yesterday, the Senior Director of Creative Development took to his Twitter account to announce that he will be moving to a new position involving Universal’s Epic Universe.
- Aiello has served in Universal Orlando’s creative department for more than 20 years and, according to his LinkedIn page, has played a major creative role in Halloween Horror Nights since 2003, helping it to become the premiere Halloween event in the country.
- While working on Halloween Horror Nights, Aiello has collaborated with brands like New Line Cinema, Netflix and Warner Bros. as well as producers like Greg Nicotero and the Duffer brothers to bring popular properties like The Walking Dead, Stranger Things, and The Shining to the event.
- Some of Aiello’s other accomplishments include the creation of shows like “The Tales of Beedle the Bard”, “The Singing Sorceress: Celestina Warbeck,” “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle,” and “Universal’s Cinematic Celebration.”
- Aiello shared that his new title will be “Senior Director of Creative, Live Entertainment” at Universal Orlando’s recently-announced new park, Epic Universe.
- While we’re not sure at the moment exactly what Aiello will be working on in the future, it appears his days of bringing nightmares to life for Halloween Horror Nights are finished.
On a personal note:
- “I would like to congratulate Mr. Aiello on his new position and thank him for everything he has done over the past 20 plus years. Having only experience Halloween Horror Nights for the first time in 2017, I was unfortunately very late to the party. But in the past few years, HHN quickly became one of my absolute favorite experiences and that opening night became my new Christmas morning. Having the pleasure of bumping into him a few times at the event, I got to see just how truly passionate he was about his work and that made it all the more enjoyable. I’ll miss being able to experience the nightmares he could bring to life, but I look forward to seeing what he can bring to Universal’s Epic Universe. Good luck Mr. Aiello.” – Mike Mack