HHN 2024

[Andrew25]

House design continues to be impressive, the scares are the same... really dependent on your timing. It does appear that this year they are using more boo holes (but the same actor) so they can continually scare you multiple times... making the houses a bit scarier.

However, the event really needs a shakeup when it comes to entertainment, scare zones and most importantly operations. They still operate the event like they've always done... which is not great for the "world's greatest halloween event" in my opinion. I echo @MagicHappens1971 thoughts when it comes to operations, Universal will never reach WDW crowds not because of their quality, but because they operationally can't match that level due to poor management.

The event really needs to reconsider how they approach operating the event. There are some cosmetic changes this year that I appreciate (new shirts for TMs, barricade covers, etc.), but there's something fundamentally wrong.

The bulk of HHN's problems can be fixed with 2 additional entertainment offerings, in my opinion.

 

[Rob562]

With the lack of FFP Express this year, I'll let you know when I've gotten through all of them, I estimate about a month from now.

I may or may not be exaggerating.

This stunt has done nothing to relieve the stand-by lines, I can tell you that much with certainty.

I opened up the app late last night (Thursday) around 12:30 and was surprised to find 9/10 houses at 20 minutes or less. Six houses at 5 or 10 minutes. (AQP was at 35)

I know wait times drop in the final 90 minutes, but I don't recall ever seeing that dramatically low numbers across the board. If I'd been in the park i probably could have come close to powering through all of them in those 90 minutes.

-Rob

 

[JT3000]

I opened up the app late last night (Thursday) around 12:30 and was surprised to find 9/10 houses at 20 minutes or less. Six houses at 5 or 10 minutes. (AQP was at 35)

I know wait times drop in the final 90 minutes, but I don't recall ever seeing that dramatically low numbers across the board. If I'd been in the park i probably could have come close to powering through all of them in those 90 minutes.

-Rob

I was there but dipped around midnight. I didn't see waits quite that low, but it was slow nonetheless. It rained last night and was extra humid, which probably scared a number of people away. It's also the slowest part of the event still. Things will gradually pick back up to opening weekend numbers and then get even worse.

 

[Tom Morrow]

House design continues to be impressive, the scares are the same... really dependent on your timing. It does appear that this year they are using more boo holes (but the same actor) so they can continually scare you multiple times... making the houses a bit scarier.

However, the event really needs a shakeup when it comes to entertainment, scare zones and most importantly operations. They still operate the event like they've always done... which is not great for the "world's greatest halloween event" in my opinion. I echo @MagicHappens1971 thoughts when it comes to operations, Universal will never reach WDW crowds not because of their quality, but because they operationally can't match that level due to poor management.

The event really needs to reconsider how they approach operating the event. There are some cosmetic changes this year that I appreciate (new shirts for TMs, barricade covers, etc.), but there's something fundamentally wrong.

The bulk of HHN's problems can be fixed with 2 additional entertainment offerings, in my opinion.

One of the actual biggest issues is how much they oversell Express Passes for HHN nights. Technically the line should never stop moving as it essentially just continues through the house. Express Passes grind the standby lines to a halt.

Without Express Pass, you spent 90% of the event night in ugly barricade lines backstage with usually very little in the way of spooky atmosphere.

 

[My95cobras]

One of the actual biggest issues is how much they oversell Express Passes for HHN nights. Technically the line should never stop moving as it essentially just continues through the house. Express Passes grind the standby lines to a halt.

Without Express Pass, you spent 90% of the event night in ugly barricade lines backstage with usually very little in the way of spooky atmosphere.

yes…. But companies are not there to turn down money. If people are willing to pay it (clearly they are every year) they are going to sell it.

 

[Andrew25]

I was there but dipped around midnight. I didn't see waits quite that low, but it was slow nonetheless. It rained last night and was extra humid, which probably scared a number of people away. It's also the slowest part of the event still. Things will gradually pick back up to opening weekend numbers and then get even worse.

Actually, as odd as it sounds, this was the busiest period last year. September over the last few years has risen in popularity compared to October. Wait-Times according to last year below...

Red line is average. Busiest weekend was the last week Rush of Fear passes were not blocked out, so it'll be interesting to see if this year follows the same trend.

One of the actual biggest issues is how much they oversell Express Passes for HHN nights. Technically the line should never stop moving as it essentially just continues through the house. Express Passes grind the standby lines to a halt.

Without Express Pass, you spent 90% of the event night in ugly barricade lines backstage with usually very little in the way of spooky atmosphere.

Oh for sure, but realistically that will unfortunately continue to be a part of the event experience until they find a way to minimize its impact. That's why I've been championing for additional entertainment offerings (like additional stage shows at Horror Makeup or Bourne) to reduce the burden on houses. Biggest thing Universal can do (which they did to a degree this year) is completely eliminate express with multi-night tickets.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Actually, as odd as it sounds, this was the busiest period last year. September over the last few years has risen in popularity compared to October. Wait-Times according to last year below...
View attachment 814169
Red line is average. Busiest weekend was the last week Rush of Fear passes were not blocked out, so it'll be interesting to see if this year follows the same trend.


Oh for sure, but realistically that will unfortunately continue to be a part of the event experience until they find a way to minimize its impact. That's why I've been championing for additional entertainment offerings (like additional stage shows at Horror Makeup or Bourne) to reduce the burden on houses. Biggest thing Universal can do (which they did to a degree this year) is completely eliminate express with multi-night tickets.

Rather than do Express...I wonder if they could upcharge "Pulsing"
Two separate lines, one corrals groups, and then one main standby. They open up standby as a conga line while they group the pulsing line. When 2-3 groups are ready to go, they send them in as smaller groups.

It may be a logistical nightmare from an ops perspective but could give a unique experience that some may feel is worth the upcharge while keeping the standby flowing more regularly without long stoppages while they clear out the express.

 

[Andrew25]

Rather than do Express...I wonder if they could upcharge "Pulsing"
Two separate lines, one corrals groups, and then one main standby. They open up standby as a conga line while they group the pulsing line. When 2-3 groups are ready to go, they send them in as smaller groups.

It may be a logistical nightmare from an ops perspective but could give a unique experience that some may feel is worth the upcharge while keeping the standby flowing more regularly without long stoppages while they clear out the express.

They did that this year by offering a premium night. Wait-times will soar to ridiculous levels if they did pulsing at their current crowd levels.

The issue with the premium night is that you run the risk of reducing the value of an RIP Tour.

A lot of HHN's capacity problems can be solved by relocating a house or two (ideally find space somewhere in the Hollywood section of the park) to redistribute crowds and reduce stress from the New York & Fear Factor areas of the park. I don't think HHN has hit capacity just yet, they just need to work on how they manage crowds.

 

[mergatroid]

One thing I noticed this year was the increase in young ladies desires to dress with less clothing than ever before. I'm not complaining and it's their body but it certainly stood out. Over 3 nights I witnessed 3 ladies wearing no skirt or shorts whatsoever (unless it was the same 1 with a different hair style over 3 nights). Their bottom half consisted of just a pair of fishnet tights pulled over their underwear (with shoes obviously). Perhaps this is a new 'look' that I'm unaware of, it just felt a bit odd though almost as if after putting their tights and panties on they thought "You know what, I just can't be bothered with a skirt or trousers tonight".

As for the event, it was enjoyable but very busy. We did Rush of Fear pass over 3 nights so got everything we wanted to do done but it took much longer than in previous years. This year it felt there were many more people using Stay and Scream than before, judging by the numbers already in when we were let in around 6 - 6:15pm.

 

[mergatroid]

This year I was also very surprised to see the Goblin's Feast cast change not wearing robes. It was still just about daylight and the cast arrived at the very back of the tent to enter it. It was a path in complete view of the front portion of the queue and they were even waving and being cheered by the people waiting. Usually the cast changes have them wearing dark robes so as not to spoil the masks and costumes for the guests but not as this house it would seem?

 

[JT3000]

One thing I noticed this year was the increase in young ladies desires to dress with less clothing than ever before. I'm not complaining and it's their body but it certainly stood out. Over 3 nights I witnessed 3 ladies wearing no skirt or shorts whatsoever (unless it was the same 1 with a different hair style over 3 nights). Their bottom half consisted of just a pair of fishnet tights pulled over their underwear (with shoes obviously). Perhaps this is a new 'look' that I'm unaware of, it just felt a bit odd though almost as if after putting their tights and panties on they thought "You know what, I just can't be bothered with a skirt or trousers tonight".

As for the event, it was enjoyable but very busy. We did Rush of Fear pass over 3 nights so got everything we wanted to do done but it took much longer than in previous years. This year it felt there were many more people using Stay and Scream than before, judging by the numbers already in when we were let in around 6 - 6:15pm.

Without getting too political, I just want to say that as I observe the demographics attending HHN, with each passing year, I find myself thinking more and more, "This place would be a conservative's worst nightmare, and not because of the scareactors." I'm able to just shrug it off, but it's gotten very noticeable, and what you've described is only a small part of it.

This year I was also very surprised to see the Goblin's Feast cast change not wearing robes. It was still just about daylight and the cast arrived at the very back of the tent to enter it. It was a path in complete view of the front portion of the queue and they were even waving and being cheered by the people waiting. Usually the cast changes have them wearing dark robes so as not to spoil the masks and costumes for the guests but not as this house it would seem?

I'm not sure what their actual policy is with regards to the robes, but I believe it was originally just for hiding IP characters, and then they maybe started doing it with others, but it's never been uncommon to see cast changes for the original houses done robeless.

 

[mergatroid]

Without getting too political, I just want so say that as I observe the demographics attending HHN, with each passing year, I find myself thinking more and more, "This place would be a conservative's worst nightmare, and not because of the scareactors." I'm able to just shrug it off, but it's gotten very noticeable, and what you've described is only a small part of it.


I'm not sure what their actual policy is with regards to the robes, but I believe it was originally just for hiding IP characters, and then they maybe started doing it with others, but it's never been uncommon to see cast changes for the original houses done robeless.

With regards to the attire of several guests, it's certainly changing from year to year. Like yourself I'd say it doesn't 'bother me' but it is noticeable.

Perhaps the robe thing is as you say and mainly or only for IP houses? Thinking back I've seen about 5 cast changes over multiple visits, over numerous years. Perhaps the others I witnessed were IP houses, with you being 100% right. However I can't recall all the actual houses I saw it at before. I know for certain one was 'Alien vs Predator' and another one was for 'Dusk Till Dawn' which were both IP's, beyond that I can't remember the other houses. You may well be correct.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this. I'm no prude, but it was prevalent enough to be jarring to me. This year in particular the number of scantly clad young women seems to have exploded, for whatever reason.

This is my 14th year seeing HHN and the demographics have changed significantly over this time. I feel like the event used to be mainly a thing for like, everyone, but especially nerdy adults, but has now morphed into this ultra trendy thing for teens and young adults. I would advise against going on Friday or Saturday nights honestly unless you want to endure an endless sea of horrible teenagers.

And quite frankly this is really bringing the event down even further. Yes, the houses still have top notch set, effects, and costume design. Unfortunately every minute that you're not in a house or scarezone means dealing with the most obnoxious, huge crowds possible.

 

[mergatroid]

This is my 14th year seeing HHN and the demographics have changed significantly over this time. I feel like the event used to be mainly a thing for like, everyone, but especially nerdy adults, but has now morphed into this ultra trendy thing for teens and young adults. I would advise against going on Friday or Saturday nights honestly unless you want to endure an endless sea of horrible teenagers.

Like yourself we've been going a while now and the demographic change you describe is spot on. It stated with the 'nerdy adults' (not an insult, just a good description). This consisted of various men and women in various Horror T-shirts (I did this a few times too). There were quite a few with the 'Goth look' going on, the odd lady in fishnets and boots and a lot of very different hair cuts and hair colours. Over the years this has morphed into something else. Again this isn't a criticism but rather a thing that was noticeable to a larger degree than Uni or Disney in the day or an average day shopping.

In recent years the age range of 'groups of friends' going together seems to have dropped to a younger element at a much higher level. I've no problem with this and to be fair we saw no real bad behaviour by these groups and hearing swearing from guests at HHN has always been there to a degree anyway.

Now every time we go to HHN we arrive around 4:15pm which allows us to grab a spot at the front of the turnstiles in the shade to wait for the 6-6:15pm opening to the non Stay & Scream people. At this time we usually join the few others there and sit on the floor drinking, chatting with people if they want to and passing the time. As we sat on the floor this year I was greeted by the not unpleasant sight of fishnet stockings and a garter belt on a girl a few feet away sat to my right, a bit awkward to chat to her (my wife said nothing to me but I could read her mind). To my left sat down was another girl cross legged wearing fishnet tights with her panties clearly showing, again I'm thinking "Make a note not to look left or right for too long so as not to get in trouble". A few minutes later a girl and boy plonk themselves behind me and to say she was practically falling out of her top was no exaggeration. My wife is in reality a very liberal person and smiled as she was watching and waiting for me to notice as she knew once I had that I'd immediately look away at first and then kind of discretely double take to check that I wasn't imagining how much was on display.

The reality is that you see more skin at Typhoon Lagoon, however there you know that you'll see plenty there as that's the attire for swimming and isn't done to 'show off' in most cases. None of it offends me but it was noticeable that there were a load of young, provocatively dressed ladies on a scale that I've never witnessed before. My wife jokingly asked me "Enjoying the view are we" on several occasions as the number of 'risqué' outfits was off the scale and didn't believe my "What's that you mean dear" reply whilst I was answering her and smirking.

Just to be fair there's probably some young lady on the internet elsewhere posting about me. "There was a guy in his 50's wearing a Ghostbusters T-shirt and cargo shorts thinking he looked good, OMG what a sight he was" so fair's fair

 

[My95cobras]

let’s get these girls in hijabs asap! If how others are dressing is affecting you that much, maybe don’t go.

 

[JT3000]

let’s get these girls in hijabs asap! If how others are dressing is affecting you that much, maybe don’t go.

I don't think anyone here is actually complaining about the scantily-clad women, just making an observation of the obvious. The complaints are mostly aimed at the often obnoxious younger end of the event's demographic. It is meant to be an adult-oriented event, and it would even be somewhat hypocritical of us (or Universal for that matter) to make a big fuss over such a thing when the most risque display you're going to see at the event is still Nightmare Fuel. But it's certainly interesting to see these two trends intersecting like this. The event is currently the most risque it's ever been, while also attracting the youngest audience it ever has. It makes for an odd vibe, even with the rowdiness (usually) having been toned down considerably (the adults were admittedly more problematic in the past than these kids, at least from what I've seen.)

 

[some other guy]

Without getting too political, I just want to say some political stereotypes

Without getting too many pancakes and fruit topping I just want to go to IHOP

 

[Andrew25]

Okay I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this. I'm no prude, but it was prevalent enough to be jarring to me. This year in particular the number of scantly clad young women seems to have exploded, for whatever reason.

This is my 14th year seeing HHN and the demographics have changed significantly over this time. I feel like the event used to be mainly a thing for like, everyone, but especially nerdy adults, but has now morphed into this ultra trendy thing for teens and young adults. I would advise against going on Friday or Saturday nights honestly unless you want to endure an endless sea of horrible teenagers.

And quite frankly this is really bringing the event down even further. Yes, the houses still have top notch set, effects, and costume design. Unfortunately every minute that you're not in a house or scarezone means dealing with the most obnoxious, huge crowds possible.

I agree - my experience this year at the event is towards the bottom, possibly least favorite. (attended every year since 2013). Outside the houses, the event feels "off" in tone & design, and the crowd issues don't help.

I would have originally blamed the use of "friendlier" IPs like Stranger Things as the result of poor guest behavior, but other haunts around the country have encountered issues with younger audiences without these IPs. Universal has a "soft" approach to age restrictions, but I think it's time to utilize a chaperone policy.

Like JT3000 said, the event is in this weird position where it continues to push on what is acceptable (Nightmare Fuel, etc.) but still offer "friendlier" options.

 

[JT3000]

Without getting too many pancakes and fruit topping I just want to go to IHOP

I easily could've ordered the waffles, sausage & eggs and even a crappy steak, but I chose not to.

Although I genuinely don't know who I stereotyped. Did I "stereotype" conservatives as typically being... conservative?

 

[mergatroid]

let’s get these girls in hijabs asap! If how others are dressing is affecting you that much, maybe don’t go.

I'm not complaining, just commenting on the changes over the previous years.