Local News: HHN at IOA a go.

Quentin Disney

New Member
Original Poster
Well, according to my local trusty 24-hour news channel "New Channel 13", they made an official announcment about Islands of Adventure getting Halloween Horror Nights this year. Mentioned as a rumor in Screamscape a month or so ago, it will utilize the entire park unlike USF and will have more hiding places for the scareactors to haunt unsuspecting guests.

If this is still in rumorville, I bow my head in dishonor. Anyway, Discuss.
 

MrPromey

Well-Known Member
Well, I’m a little concerned since it’s always been sort of a grownup event in the past and they talk about super-villains on Marvel Island – sounds sort of cheesy to me. The other thing that sort of bugs me is that IOA is mostly outdoors. How are they going to do the haunted houses? I can see one or two places that they could do them but unless they plan to house them in tents or something, I don’t know where they would stick most of them… Of course, if there were a way to get to the soundstages from that park, they’d have room for at least two there, I guess. :)
 

pheneix

Well-Known Member
>>>The other thing that sort of bugs me is that IOA is mostly outdoors. How are they going to do the haunted houses?<<<

Some of the blue sky stuff I have heard off talk about using Dueling Dragons, Triceritops Encounter, Selvester's Driving Machines, and the Jurassic Park Visitor's Center as haunted houses. Also considered are the Studio's soundstages as Mr P said.

One thing is for certain, this year's HHN is set to be the biggest ever. IOA will be THE PLACE to be come this October.
 

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
and people dared to question me when I confirmed this over a month ago...


HA! I WIN!!!

ok.. enough of that.
 

MrPromey

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by pheneix
>>>The other thing that sort of bugs me is that IOA is mostly outdoors. How are they going to do the haunted houses?<<<

Some of the blue sky stuff I have heard off talk about using Dueling Dragons, Triceritops Encounter, Selvester's Driving Machines, and the Jurassic Park Visitor's Center as haunted houses. Also considered are the Studio's soundstages as Mr P said.

One thing is for certain, this year's HHN is set to be the biggest ever. IOA will be THE PLACE to be come this October.

… Wouldn’t dragons be sort of a mess? I mean, I’m sure they could work it so that the lines for the rides went through another way but redoing the areas mentioned would put a major damper on day visitors. I mean, the line area for DD is just about the only thing that’s well themed about the attraction and if it’s closed off, that means people are standing in the sun in line by where it exits unless they put up tents or something, doesn’t it?.. I’d think the same with Triceratops Encounter and the Jurassic Park Visitor’s center… I guess they could use that area of the driving Machines like they’ve done for the Grinch but that seems like it would be a rather small HH unless they extended it somehow… I bet they could do something good with Poseidon’s Fury but again, it seems like it could put a cramp in the daytime attraction… What I think would be cool (from a customer point of view) would be to have both open and linked somehow, either in the middle (like where the soundstages are at US) or at the front. They could extend the entrance to two areas before the bridges that take you over to the park side of the waterway area. They would then also have that large walkway between the front of the two parks to play with as well… This probably wouldn’t go over too well with Hard Rock and that Sports place, though… From my thinking, this would be the ideal situation for the parks, though. I mean, I can just see it now – two hour waits for Spider Man and the Coasters on a night when there are also 2 hour waits for the Haunted Houses… If they had both parks open, they could spill into both and compaired to what business tends to be like during the days that time of year for Universal, they’d still probably do better in total attendance than the two parks would be doing while the sun is up… Oh well, I’m sure there are lots of good reasons it wouldn’t work that I just haven’t thought of…
 

pheneix

Well-Known Member
>>>if it’s closed off, that means people are standing in the sun in line by where it exits unless they put up tents or something, doesn’t it?<<<

Yep. Then again, they could close the attraction early and put in all of the props, actors, etc. before HHN starts. The same goes with the other things you brought up. I agree, it would be the pits for the day visitor, and if Universal does do this, I would hope they warned/offered a discount ticket to the guests because a large chunk of the park would be brought to a grinding halt. There are a lot of issues that are going to have to be worked out, but I do believe that the entertainment dep. knows what they are doing.
 

MrPromey

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by pheneix
>>>if it’s closed off, that means people are standing in the sun in line by where it exits unless they put up tents or something, doesn’t it?<<<

Yep. Then again, they could close the attraction early and put in all of the props, actors, etc. before HHN starts. The same goes with the other things you brought up. I agree, it would be the pits for the day visitor, and if Universal does do this, I would hope they warned/offered a discount ticket to the guests because a large chunk of the park would be brought to a grinding halt. There are a lot of issues that are going to have to be worked out, but I do believe that the entertainment dep. knows what they are doing.

One would hope so. I remember when the Orlando Sentinel first mentioned something about it a while back… The phrase “if it’s not broke…” came up in the article. Would be a real shame if they messed up one of the best things they have going for them…
 

RogueHabit

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by MrPromey
Well, I’m a little concerned since it’s always been sort of a grownup event in the past and they talk about super-villains on Marvel Island – sounds sort of cheesy to me.
I think movies like Spider-man and X Men have shown that there is a massive adult fanbase for this type of thing.

I'm gutted that we're going to earl for this even this year. :(
 

MrPromey

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by Ratcat
I think movies like Spider-man and X Men have shown that there is a massive adult fanbase for this type of thing.

I'm gutted that we're going to earl for this even this year. :(

Have you ever actually been to a Horror Night event at Universal? If so, you'd understand how that really has no bearing on any of this.
 

RogueHabit

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by MrPromey


Have you ever actually been to a Horror Night event at Universal? If so, you'd understand how that really has no bearing on any of this.
Yes, I have been to FOUR. What IS your point???

Every year they come up with new ways to fright us, and this one be a great one. Plus that is only one part of the park, I'd love to see what they will come up with in the JP and Lost continent areas. I'm not sure that Suess will fit in though.

Those that say that this will ruin HHN really need to calm down a bit. Using the IOA area will allow for many new and scary things to be tried out.

It's easy to critisise now, why not give it a chance and if it sucks then you'll be able to give an informed gripe then, rather than an uninformed one now. :)
 

woofboy111

New Member
The thing I'm mad about is there not being a Festival of the dead parade if it's at Islands. Otherwise, i can't see it being that bad. I just hope they will do something like switch the event between parks each year or something so you could get a chance to ride new stuff without buying a day ticket (can you tell my annual pass expired?)
 

woofboy111

New Member
Originally posted by Ratcat
Why not???

I could be wrong, but from what I've heard, they won't have it. One of the rumors for them not haveing it is that on the second weekend of the mardi gras parade, a float scraped against a wooden post on the outside of jaws, causeing minor damage. When dodge heard about this, they pulled their sponsership for for future parades, and without dodge trucks to pull the floats, they won't have it. I was there both nights of the second weekend (rideing on a float one night), and if this did happen, the parade didn't stop at all.

The other reason that I heard, which sounds more beleveable is that there are many overhead objects in IoA (bridges, signs, etc.) which aren't that tall. Because of this, the floats, espically with people in them, woundn't be able to fit below them, and that's why they won't have it. It's a shame, because it's a really great parade :)sohappy: THEY GIVE YOU STUFF :sohappy: ), and it gives you something to do when you're not in a haunted house or ride. If by some chance they do have it, I hope I could get on one of the floats like I did during mardi gras a few times...
 

pheneix

Well-Known Member
>>>The other reason that I heard, which sounds more beleveable is that there are many overhead objects in IoA (bridges, signs, etc.) which aren't that tall. Because of this, the floats, espically with people in them, woundn't be able to fit below them, and that's why they won't have it.<<<

Islands of Adventure was designed for a parade. Think about how World Showcase/Tapestry of Dreams works. That would not have any bearing on the decision to cancel it or not.

>>>When dodge heard about this, they pulled their sponsership for for future parades, and without dodge trucks to pull the floats, they won't have it.<<<

They can make the floats self powered. It would actually be much better than watching a truck haul a float around.

It is all going to come down to money. And, as much as I like the parade, if Universal were to cancel the parade and re-allocate the money to other things at HHN, I won't shed any tears.
 

pheneix

Well-Known Member
Here is the official press release:

For First Time Ever, Entire 101-Acre Theme Park Will Transform Into A Never-Before-Imagined Haunted Experience and Major Thrill Rides Will Operate in Complete Darkness

After 11 years at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Orlando’s famed Halloween Horror Nights will make a new haunted home at Islands of Adventure -- allowing the theme park’s five elaborately themed islands to transform into five separate, disturbing islands of fear.
Universal’s “scream team” of designers and entertainers will use the special content, atmosphere and physical layout of the park to create an entirely new Halloween event that immerses guests in the fright fest from the moment they enter the park until they leave, with no pause or escape in-between.
“Over the years, Halloween Horror Nights has become one of the largest events of its kind in the country. We see an opportunity to expand upon its popularity by creating an even more intense and unnerving Halloween experience," said Bob Gault, president and chief operating officer for Universal Orlando. "The design and layout of Islands of Adventure is a scare-maker’s dream come true. By utilizing the park's unique themed areas and thrill rides, we will be able to create scares and experiences that have been entirely unimaginable until now.”
Universal’s designers will create a one-of-a-kind netherworld where things that are known and loved by day within each of the islands will become distorted, twisted, nightmarish versions of themselves at night.
Mutant half-dinosaur/half-humans will stalk guests amidst the lush foliage of Jurassic Park Island. Lost souls and demons will inhabit a horrible world of fire and fear throughout the darkened corridors of the Lost Continent. Evil super-villains will reign supreme amidst the foreboding cityscape of Marvel Super Hero Island. The curved streets of Seuss Landing will become twisted pathways to unexpected places _and the comic environment of Toon Lagoon will become the stage for fiendish confrontations with childhood nightmares brought to life.
Within the islands, the thrills associated with the park’s most popular rides will also be intensified as riders navigate the eerie waters of Jurassic Park River Adventure under the cloak of darkness and attempt to dodge the creatures inhabiting the winding, twisting, dimly lit corridors of the Dueling Dragons queue line.
This year’s Halloween Horror Nights will also include five all-new haunted mazes, new live shows, including a new version of the popular “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure” stage show, and hundreds of stalking creatures and spooks created for their particular island and especially for this year’s event.
Tickets go on sale June 15 for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs for 21 select nights, beginning at 7 p.m., on Oct. 4 & 5, Oct. 10-13, Oct. 16-20, Oct. 23-27 and Oct. 29-Nov. 2. Tickets for weekend nights often sell out in advance and guests are advised to purchase their tickets as soon as possible.
Tickets may be purchased now at both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks, via Universal’s website at www.halloweenhorrornights.com, or by calling 1-877-2FRIGHT (1-877-237-4448).
Regular admission to Halloween Horror Nights is $49.95 plus tax for out-of-state visitors. Tickets for Florida residents are $39.95 plus tax (advance) and $49.95 plus tax (day of event). Parking in the Universal Orlando parking structure is free of charge after 6 p.m.
Gory Getaway travel packages which include hotel accommodations and admission to Halloween Horror Nights, beginning at $109 per adult, are also available through Universal Studios Vacations at www.halloweenhorrornights.com, or by calling (877) 237-4448.
The Universal Orlando resort destination (www.universalorlando.com) includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, the Universal Studios motion picture and television theme park and Islands of Adventure, Orlando's next generation theme park. Universal Orlando also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue as well as premier on-site Loews hotels and world-class film and television production facilities.
Universal Orlando is a unit of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (www.universalstudios.com), the film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
 

JLW11Hi

Well-Known Member
WOw that is buck wild crazy! This sounds pretty cool! I never go to Orlando in October, darn it. I'm guessing this is even more popular with the locals?
 

woofboy111

New Member
IT is popular with the locals, although I've been living in the area for about 12 years and last year was the firest year that I actually went to the event. I expected it to be a lot scarier, but it's still a lot of fun.
 

MonkeyHead

Well-Known Member
Originally posted by woofboy111


I could be wrong, but from what I've heard, they won't have it. One of the rumors for them not haveing it is that on the second weekend of the mardi gras parade, a float scraped against a wooden post on the outside of jaws, causeing minor damage. When dodge heard about this, they pulled their sponsership for for future parades, and without dodge trucks to pull the floats, they won't have it. I was there both nights of the second weekend (rideing on a float one night), and if this did happen, the parade didn't stop at all.

First of all, Toyota is currently the official car of Universal Orlando. Dodge pulled out some time ago. Secondly- no company in their right mind would pull out of a major event which gets that many people viewing a single product over minor vehicle damage.

The reason there will most likely be no large parade this year is because of the lack of room at IOA to have one.
 

mkt

When a paradise is lost go straight to Disney™
Premium Member
Originally posted by Ratcat
Why not???

IOA isn't wide enough to accomodate a parade. If anything, they'll just have a walking parade w/ a few of the ATV's tugging smaller floats, while performers toss the red and silver beads
 

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