HHN #30 begins September 3rd 2021

[jeanericuser001]

me too. First year I'm skipping HHN. I didn't like the games they played with express pass prices. They suddenly jacked them up $20 for my dates with zero notice, after just a week on the site, then another $20 again a few days later - again with no notice, all before they posted any official multi-day, AP or blackout tic info that allowed people to plan which days they wanted to go.

I had tics & EP in the cart and was just waiting on the ok from my boss to take the time off, when 2nd hike hit. At that point, was so fed up, decided I wasn't about to spend $40 more per person on EP vs someone who bought the same thing a week ago, so decided to give SW a shot. I know it's much smaller and they don't have the talent/experience/studio resources HHN does, but I'm sure we'll still have fun.

Im getting the front line fear ticket as its actually a fairly decent bargain price. Im also curious about their second tier pass which supposedly has additional house elements that others do not see. Im uncertain if this means the entrance into the houses are different or different endings. Either way it reminds me of old school howloscream with the houses that split into two different areas. You may want to also consider the bg version as they have quite a few houses as well. That one though there is some shenanigans going on with the front of the line pass but I guess it is to be expected as they probably will have more people than sw. Too bad they don't have the fright feast. That was always the best deal out there for halloween. Oh well.

 

[jeanericuser001]

So I don't support by giving eyes to their bad behavior? Why we can't have nice things.....

I think of it as preservation of the houses for people wanting to revisit houses that are no longer around. Its sort of like the people who took video of the rides that are no longer around. Sure the theme parks frown on this now but if not for some of those videos we would have very few records left of what some of these rides were like. Its just too bad that universal doesn't do their own videos you can buy on dvd for people looking for a keepsake record of what the houses were like that year. I know many of my scare zone videos still bring back good memories even if the quality now is garbage compared to what we have today.

 

[celluloid]

I had tics & EP in the cart and was just waiting on the ok from my boss to take the time off, when 2nd hike hit. At that point, was so fed up, decided I wasn't about to spend $40 more per person on EP vs someone who bought the same thing a week ago, so decided to give SW a shot. I know it's much smaller and they don't have the talent/experience/studio resources HHN does, but I'm sure we'll still have fun.

If it is anything like Howloscream at Busch Gardens Tampa, it will be a blast.

 

[jeanericuser001]

If it is anything like Howloscream at Busch Gardens Tampa, it will be a blast.

Agreed though Im hoping the houses in question are unique and not rehashes of past content. I noticed at least 2 of the houses share the same themes as some houses that are supposedly getting the axe at bg.

 

[celluloid]

Agreed though Im hoping the houses in question are unique and not rehashes of past content. I noticed at least 2 of the houses share the same themes as some houses that are supposedly getting the axe at bg.

Yes. Some are directly ported over, but for a first year and a low price I can forgive this, considering the times and we are in too. I think things will rebound and do better now that they have hired show directors and producers(some even formerly form HHN)

It is an inaugural year so I am going to go easy on them to an extent. I am not going to do BGT because of no Fright Feast and down a house number. Motel Hell seems to be completely ported from what I can tell but again, I hope that some alterations were made and the scenic is what was mostly reused.

 

[JoeCamel]

I think of it as preservation of the houses for people wanting to revisit houses that are no longer around. Its sort of like the people who took video of the rides that are no longer around. Sure the theme parks frown on this now but if not for some of those videos we would have very few records left of what some of these rides were like. Its just too bad that universal doesn't do their own videos you can buy on dvd for people looking for a keepsake record of what the houses were like that year. I know many of my scare zone videos still bring back good memories even if the quality now is garbage compared to what we have today.

I look at it as somebody who has decided to attend an event so that they can monetize it for their own gain but not follow the rules of that event. Why would I support that behavior

 

[jeanericuser001]

I look at it as somebody who has decided to attend an event so that they can monetize it for their own gain but not follow the rules of that event. Why would I support that behavior

Alas the days of just having the videos on a website for download only are sort of gone. Youtube and other streaming media have taken their place but on the plus side its made it a lot easier for people to find content. Before youtube you had to rely on search engines to send you to the right sites and some were not very good at that. Besides if universal wanted to take down these videos it would only take a few clicks and gone is the video. Thankfully they seem to be avoiding that in some cases though its hard to find videos of some things after a few years. Finding videos of the bill and ted shows is pretty tricky in some cases. Im just glad there is at least some videos out there. It would be a real tragedy if there was nothing preserved and all we had was just the aging recollections that slowly fade away over time.

 

[71jason]

If they sellout it will be a zoo and I have been a RoF guy for years. Not this year even though the lineup looks epic

I expect opening weekend to be a zoo--that's The Orlando Effect.

But after that? No Brits, lately a well-represented demo. A hard-to-measure but not insignificant number of traditional regulars seem to be skipping this year out of fear of Delta. I don't think the Disney College Program at full strength (many repeat visitors there). The event starts earlier than ever, with more nights, yet has real in-town competition for the first time ever. And unless Hill House is more of a smash than I realize, I don't know that the line-up has a killer IP.

I could be wrong but I expect fairly reasonable crowds after the first night until Columbus Day. I think RoF will be a nice investment.

 

[some other guy]

Alas the days of just having the videos on a website for download only are sort of gone. Youtube and other streaming media have taken their place but on the plus side its made it a lot easier for people to find content. Before youtube you had to rely on search engines to send you to the right sites and some were not very good at that. Besides if universal wanted to take down these videos it would only take a few clicks and gone is the video. Thankfully they seem to be avoiding that in some cases though its hard to find videos of some things after a few years. Finding videos of the bill and ted shows is pretty tricky in some cases. Im just glad there is at least some videos out there. It would be a real tragedy if there was nothing preserved and all we had was just the aging recollections that slowly fade away over time.

just imagine the dozens of nickles you might get for posting a blurry cam of an old spook house on youtube!
early retirement, here I come!

 

[jeanericuser001]

just imagine the dozens of nickles you might get for posting a blurry cam of an old spook house on youtube!
early retirement, here I come!

A decent quality video of all the rides at epcot would certainly get a lot of views. Its not a question of monetary value. Its preservation of the past. Without that its sort of hard to keep all of it in memory and even harder to explain to others why certain things were so great. Take journey into imagination. Without some of the good videos and pics we would have little way to explain to people just how friggin insanely amazing that ride was. I still have a hard time explaining to my nephews that no dark ride on record has been as surreal for me as that ride was. All I can show them is pics and some low quality video. Alas that is the same boat for some of the houses at hhn and hos. Some of these houses in all honesty are legendary. I still get the creeps just thinking back to my first time at the mortuary house at hos. To this day few houses give me the creeps that much. I still marvel at the amazing puppetry used in the original thing house which still amazes me that universal managed to recreate some of the special effects that well. That is why I suggest to some people checking out some of the videos on youtube from hhn or hos. If you can't see it in person then at least you have some idea of what that house was like.

 

[some other guy]

A decent quality video of all the rides at epcot would certainly get a lot of views. Its not a question of monetary value. Its preservation of the past. Without that its sort of hard to keep all of it in memory and even harder to explain to others why certain things were so great. Take journey into imagination. Without some of the good videos and pics we would have little way to explain to people just how friggin insanely amazing that ride was. I still have a hard time explaining to my nephews that no dark ride on record has been as surreal for me as that ride was. All I can show them is pics and some low quality video. Alas that is the same boat for some of the houses at hhn and hos. Some of these houses in all honesty are legendary. I still get the creeps just thinking back to my first time at the mortuary house at hos. To this day few houses give me the creeps that much. I still marvel at the amazing puppetry used in the original thing house which still amazes me that universal managed to recreate some of the special effects that well. That is why I suggest to some people checking out some of the videos on youtube from hhn or hos. If you can't see it in person then at least you have some idea of what that house was like.

oh yeah, they're good stuff, I was just mocking the idea that this was some major moneymaking scheme in the works

 

[Rob562]

Yet there are still people that get cameras into there regardless and record video. You would be amazed what people can get away with if security is not smart enough to catch them. Look it up on youtube if you dont believe me. They are up there.

Some bloggers video the houses with Universal's blessing, usually as part of media previews or a media event opening weekend. Attractions Magazine is the first channel that springs to mind, but there's others.

You'll know it's a sanctioned video because they have a security escort leading them through the house, and you'll often see others in front/behind them also with cameras out in the open filming.

Edit: Here is one such video from 2019. Note the person with the Staff shirt walking ahead.




-Rob

 

[JT3000]

oh yeah, they're good stuff, I was just mocking the idea that this was some major moneymaking scheme in the works

It can be, if your videos are popular enough. YouTube has become all about how many views you can get, and more importantly, how much money you can generate from those views. But if you're looking for more than chump change, you'd probably need to have more going on than just HHN walkthroughs.

 

[disneygeek90]

Who has checked out the event already? I've been 3/6 nights and it's been awesome. I think I've spoiled myself with the Express, it may be impossible to ever go back.

 

[jmv5010]

Who has checked out the event already? I've been 3/6 nights and it's been awesome. I think I've spoiled myself with the Express, it may be impossible to ever go back.

I went on September 10. This was my first time attending HHN. I was able to get through all 10 houses without express, but I did not get to watch any shows.

I have an AP but live up north, so I could only get this one night in for my trip.

Plans will definitely be made to attend next year.

 

[jonnyc]

I went on September 10. This was my first time attending HHN. I was able to get through all 10 houses without express, but I did not get to watch any shows.

I have an AP but live up north, so I could only get this one night in for my trip.

Plans will definitely be made to attend next year.

How did timings work out for you when doing this? Did you Stay and Scream/around what time did you finish?

 

[jmv5010]

How did timings work out for you when doing this? Did you Stay and Scream/around what time did you finish?

My buddy (also his first HHN) and I entered the park around 6:30 p.m. and the last house we walked out at 11:56 p.m. It was a night that the event was open until 2 a.m. But he left after the last house and I went to Diagon for pics without crowds. I called it a night around 12:45 a.m.

He only had the ticket for the night's event, so we didn't do Stay and Scream.

 

[JT3000]

I managed to just barely get in all 10 houses and a showing of Nightmare Fuel last night without Express (or S&S.) It's possible, but it's going to become increasingly difficult as the event progresses.

 

[disneygeek90]

I managed to just barely get in all 10 houses and a showing of Nightmare Fuel last night without Express (or S&S.) It's possible, but it's going to become increasingly difficult as the event progresses.

I did 7 on Wednesday with express and barely even tried. It was a really nice night. I'll probably be back this evening for more spooks.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Managed to do all 10 houses last night without Express!

1. Wicked Growth - Just fantastic set design, character design, and concept. I love when the original non IP houses have one cohesive concept and setting throughout, as opposed to some which are a mixup of themes or ideas. Every year my favorite is an original house. I feel its pretty obvious that they do better work when they are not under obligation to do specific things, like with many IP houses.
2. Puppet Theater - Likewise.
3. Beetlejuice - Although this was the comedy house, it was the only one that had a moment that startled me. Great tribute to the film.
4. Bride of Frankenstein - Was open last year but still really good.
5. Texas Chainsaw Massacre - This IP is overused by HHN but the house was very well done.
6. Icons: Captured - just lots of fun reliving past events.
7. Case Files - This was a really interesting and fresh concept that makes it worth seeing, but it basically wants you to stop and read all the details to appreciate and understand it. Unfortunately, this is not possible, so it makes no sense.

All of the above I felt were worth it and if you don't have time to see them all, I would recommend these.

8. Scarey, Ohio - Look, I've been to this event so many times. It's hard to remember every single house and many of those featured in this were forgettable. So to me, it felt like a disjointed series of "b-roll" houses. Side note, this house location, in my opinion, has never had a good house since it's introduction in 2016.
9. Haunting of Hill House - I don't feel that it captured the feel and tone of the show well at all. In my opinion this should have tried to be more similar to the Stranger Things houses where it's more about setting foot in the show than the scares. I don't recall seeing any of the Crane family characters either, only the ghosts. Maybe I just missed them? I also felt that the sets in this house were sub par for HHN. Lots of bland hallways.
10. Tooth Fairy - didn't like this house last year and same for this year. The little tooth fairy creatures are lame and are the only real scare.

Other thoughts:

- Scare zones - terrible! They're just photo ops/meet & greets now. Not a single one had a good or interesting theme. I used to describe the atmosphere of HHN as feeling like "a theme park in hell", but with these toned-down scare zones, that no longer applies. I'm sure there are several factors behind this change, but I do miss how it used to be.
- Lack of fog - am I remembering it wrong or did there used to be a LOT more fog throughout the park?
- This year's BGM. Not a fan of thrash metal (or whatever that would be classified as) at all. It's obnoxious and overkill hearing it endlessly. Thankfully it wasn't blasting everywhere in the park.
- Lagoon show - also terrible. Heavy metal + colorful water = scary!
- I could not care less about Nightmare Fuel so I didn't bother.

I think I say this every year, but after so many years of attending this event, there are absolutely no surprises left in it for me unless they find some way to do a new approach. I know the house design. I know where the scares will be. I know the signs of a misdirect and can anticipate that too. They won't change anything, of course, because they have a winning formula that makes them a ton of money.