Halloween Horror Nights 2020 - Sept 10th through Oct 31st

[Disney Maddux]

And to add along to this...

Monsters: The Bride won't just be Bride of Frankenstein, but rather a Bride of Frankenstein VS Bride of Dracula house.

It's looking like Texas Chainsaw may be the replacement for Sabrina.

And while this part is mostly speculation, the top three contenders for Gremlins' replacement is Silence of the Lambs, Hellraiser, or Scream.

 

[champdisney]

Just the sheer thought of walking into a Billie Eilish haunted maze makes me feel somewhat constipated. Not a fan of her music, I’d be okay with a scare zone that features her music but an entire house? Ehh.

And to add along to this...
It's looking like Texas Chainsaw may be the replacement for Sabrina.

And while this part is mostly speculation, the top three contenders for Gremlins' replacement is Silence of the Lambs, Hellraiser, or Scream.

TCM is always a fun house. I’m not sure if Scream will make the cut as it was once planned either last year or the one before that but due to a falling out between Universal and the IP owner, it was replaced by a rushed Blumhouse maze. (you probably already knew that) I’m okay with either Hellraiser and Silence of the Lambs, I prefer the latter most.

 

[Disney Maddux]

We have a new speculation map.
Beetlejuice - Soundstage 23A
Monsters: The Bride - Soundstage 23B
Bedtime Stories - Soundstage 24B
Terra Cruentes - Soundstage 24A
Dungeon of Terror - MIB Tent
(Secret IP) - Sprung Tent 2
Pumpkin Patch - Sprung Tent 1
The Haunting of Hill House - New Parade Building
Legendary Truth - Parade Building
(Unknown Original) - Cafe La Bamba

 

[jensenrick]

We have our first speculation map from HHNightmares (who almost always get it spot-on):
Beetlejuice - Soundstage 23A
Monsters: The Bride - Soundstage 23B
Bedtime Stories - Soundstage 24B
Terra Cruentes - Soundstage 24A
Billie Eilish - MIB Tent
Dungeon of Terror - Sprung Tent 2
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - Sprung Tent 1
The Haunting of Hill House - New Parade Building
Legendary Truth: Carey - Parade Building
Gremlins - Cafe La Bamba

However, in the short time since this map was made, there have already been changes according to the main insider, Legacy. He has said that Gremlins and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina are no longer coming, and will both be replaced by new IP's.

aw man, I was excited for a Sabrina house

 

[jensenrick]

We have a new speculation map.
Beetlejuice - Soundstage 23A
Monsters: The Bride - Soundstage 23B
Bedtime Stories - Soundstage 24B
Terra Cruentes - Soundstage 24A
Dungeon of Terror - MIB Tent
(Secret IP) - Sprung Tent 2
Pumpkin Patch - Sprung Tent 1
The Haunting of Hill House - New Parade Building
Legendary Truth - Parade Building
(Unknown Original) - Cafe La Bamba

These all look great, although I'm not sure what to think of "legendary truth"

 

[JT3000]

These all look great, although I'm not sure what to think of "legendary truth"

Probably another house themed to ghosts, just like the last one. Although considering it's an "anniversary" year, it would be nice to see them incorporate Bloody Mary into it somehow, since LT debuted during her year and originally revolved around her.

 

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

USO has long-since jumped the IP shark.

I have a feeling the event will be fully cancelled with the second-wave hitting. People won't/can't gather.

 

[Disney Maddux]

Probably another house themed to ghosts, just like the last one. Although considering it's an "anniversary" year, it would be nice to see them incorporate Bloody Mary into it somehow, since LT debuted during her year and originally revolved around her.

It could be the anniversary house. Rumor has it that the story is LT is sending a field team (you) to all the locations of murder and paranormal activity to gather info and try and put a stop to it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

We're about 90 days away from the supposed start of HHN, and not one house has been announced yet, though some interesting rumours have been circulating.

One is that there would be capped attendance and all virtual queues for houses. Plus fewer scareactors/zones to maintain social distancing. App would have games/activities as an alternative to some of the regular stuff.

 

[Thelazer]

So this MIGHT BE the year you finally no longer have conga lines thru the houses.
Now they could,

A: Use that to ratchet up the scare factor in the house to 11, since you go thru them ALONE or with your own party ONLY.
Or
B: Wimp out and call it "Universals Fall Festival" and not do any houses at all and reduce scare zones.
Or
C: No one really knows, at the moment. Staffing is a nightmare to figure out.

 

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

I find their silence on this to be a little... Typical.

They're selling tickets to an event during a pandemic without letting guests know what they're buying into.

Like most HHN marketing, this one is undercooked and will probably make people angry if they don't get on the ball.

 

[lebeau]

I find their silence on this to be a little... Typical.

They're selling tickets to an event during a pandemic without letting guests know what they're buying into.

Like most HHN marketing, this one is undercooked and will probably make people angry if they don't get on the ball.

It's a tough situation. They don't want to cancel if they don't have to. But they may have to.

I agree there is potential for a lot of people to be upset. The AP community is 100% convinced HHN is happening and some have unrealistic expectations.

 

[Disney Maddux]

Well, I'm a regular on Inside Universal and HNNightmares, and today I bring info:

-Beetlejuice is NOT in one of the soundstages at the front, it seems his house will be in the parade building (Graveyard Games, Trick 'r Treat, Roanoke).

-The rumored "Earthquake" house and Terra Cruentes house are actually one in the same.

-Texas Chainsaw house, but not based on one film, rather a best-of mashup for the series.

-It seems Billie Eilish will be getting her own home, but it won't be in the MIB tent. Looks like it'll be in Sprung Tent 1 or the Shrek theater.

 

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

Bottom line, Uni needs to go hard to this and stop with the silent treatment. It's not going to work in their favor.

Explain protocol. Explain changes. Get people accustomed to the new normal for this year's event.

What they're doing is painting themselves into a corner. It's an ugly look.

 

[lebeau]

Bottom line, Uni needs to go hard to this and stop with the silent treatment. It's not going to work in their favor.

Explain protocol. Explain changes. Get people accustomed to the new normal for this year's event.

What they're doing is painting themselves into a corner. It's an ugly look.

I get that but I think they are trying not to paint themselves into a corner. Like everyone else, they are still figuring out how to navigate the new normal. If there's a second wave, plans or no plans, HHN is going to end up like Mardis Gras. I think we can safely assume that if HHN happens this year, it will involve masks and social distancing.

I am sure they would love nothing more than to make announcements. But they look worse if they announce things prematurely. I actually do think being cautious is the way to go. Given the level of uncertainty surrounding everything this year, I am more than willing to cut Universal some slack on this one.

 

[Benjamin_Nicholas]

I get that but I think they are trying not to paint themselves into a corner. Like everyone else, they are still figuring out how to navigate the new normal. If there's a second wave, plans or no plans, HHN is going to end up like Mardis Gras. I think we can safely assume that if HHN happens this year, it will involve masks and social distancing.

I am sure they would love nothing more than to make announcements. But they look worse if they announce things prematurely. I actually do think being cautious is the way to go. Given the level of uncertainty surrounding everything this year, I am more than willing to cut Universal some slack on this one.

I agree with all of this.

90 days out is cutting it close to still be totally tight-lipped about protocol for the event. Right now, the general public cares less about what houses there are and more about how parks are handling this new normal.

If I thought a viable vaccine was three months out, I'd say Uni is doing the right thing by putting their eggs in one basket, but that's not realistic. Trials, even speedy ones, will take many more months.

My issue remains: If Uni is going to sell tickets to this year's event, they need to now state the protocols being put in place so that guests have an option as to go or refund. It's disingenuous to take someone's money and then put the small print in.

 

[lebeau]

I agree with all of this.

90 days out is cutting it close to still be totally tight-lipped about protocol for the event. Right now, the general public cares less about what houses there are and more about how parks are handling this new normal.

If I thought a viable vaccine was three months out, I'd say Uni is doing the right thing by putting their eggs in one basket, but that's not realistic. Trials, even speedy ones, will take many more months.

My issue remains: If Uni is going to sell tickets to this year's event, they need to now state the protocols being put in place so that guests have an option as to go or refund. It's disingenuous to take someone's money and then put the small print in.

I agree with you, but I don't think Universal is acting in bad faith. It's just bad circumstances. They have shown (I think) with the pass extensions that they won't leave their customers high and dry if the event has to be canceled. A lot of my opinion on the matter will be shaped by how it all shakes out. If they are reluctant in anyway to offer refunds, that's shady. I expect better than that.

Alternatively, I think people are crazy to buy the tickets this far out. I hope that anyone who is traveling in from out of town buys trip insurance. There's just so much uncertainty and I can't think of anything less essential than a theme park event. Especially when you know that despite best efforts, the product is going to be compromised.

Fingers crossed this all works out.

 

[JoeCamel]

I agree with you, but I don't think Universal is acting in bad faith. It's just bad circumstances. They have shown (I think) with the pass extensions that they won't leave their customers high and dry if the event has to be canceled. A lot of my opinion on the matter will be shaped by how it all shakes out. If they are reluctant in anyway to offer refunds, that's shady. I expect better than that.

Alternatively, I think people are crazy to buy the tickets this far out. I hope that anyone who is traveling in from out of town buys trip insurance. There's just so much uncertainty and I can't think of anything less essential than a theme park event. Especially when you know that despite best efforts, the product is going to be compromised.

Fingers crossed this all works out.

In past years if you haven't booked a room onsite by this time you had very slim to no pickings to choose from.

 

[lebeau]

In past years if you haven't booked a room onsite by this time you had very slim to no pickings to choose from.

I can definitely see why people who are planning to go to HHN would feel some anxiety over the lack of clear information. But I can also see why Universal would be reluctant to commit to much of anything publicly when there is so much uncertainty. To me, it seems prudent to sit this year out but not everyone thinks like me.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I can definitely see why people who are planning to go to HHN would feel some anxiety over the lack of clear information. But I can also see why Universal would be reluctant to commit to much of anything publicly when there is so much uncertainty. To me, it seems prudent to sit this year out but not everyone thinks like me.

This being a milestone year (HHN30) is not helping. People want to go to say they were there for 30, and expectations were set high in 2019.