My First Ever Trip Report - Day 10 - More shopping & Halloween Horror Nights

[raph_b]

The story so far

Day 10 – More shopping and Halloween Horror Nights

We had a bit of a lie in today, knowing that it was going to be a late one tonight I think we didn’t get up until about 10 (after a week of early starts catching up on sleep was much needed!)

We headed back to the Florida Mall for a bit of shopping, as last time we had only had time to go to A & F. After a few hours of leisurely browsing we headed back, after a quick detour to the Toys R Us in the car park (I think this was the Toys R Us I spent so all my money in when I was 10 years old!)

We got back to the hotel and changed up ready to head to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. I was just a little bit excited about this I absolutely love horror films and the thought of walking around a haunted house being chased by chainsaw wielding maniacs sounded like my idea of heaven!

Here's me from a few days earlier getting excited about HHN!

The plan was to catch the I Trolley at about 3 (no driving today, I was looking forward to a beer or ten tonight ), so we could have a late lunch/early dinner at City Walk, get into Universal for about 5 so we could have a few rides before the start of HHN.

Here’s a pic of Em studying the I trolley map! (can you tell there is lack of pictures taken today?!)

I managed to convince Em to eat at NBA City (as we had a 20% discount voucher from the internet) and we ordered a big platter with various bits on it, I think there were chicken wings, some kind of prawn skewers, a quesadilla of some kind and something else. It was quite disappointing, this and Yak and Yeti were the only 2 meals all holiday that didn’t hit the spot. NBA City is a cool place to eat or have a beer if you like basketball though. Lucky Em eh

After being dragged out of the NBA shop we went down to the park. We got in about 4.45 and had a few goes on the Mummy, a few on Jaws (Em’s new favourite!) and then had a stroll around the park whilst it was closing. It was virtually empty as everyone was being kicked out ready for HHN.

Okay onto the main event........

HHN

For those who might not be aware of HHN, the event sees the entire park take on the halloween theme. There are 8 haunted houses to walk around (in which there are loads of people dressed up ready to jump out on you!) 6 ‘scare zones’ and there are a few shows on too, as well as a few of the 'normal' rides being open. The event is definitely NOT for children!

Do you like what thy've done with Mel's Drive In ?!

We had stay and scream tickets, which meant as long as we were in the park before closing we could stay in a special holding area whilst they sorted the park out, and then we would be released into the first of the haunted houses. This method meant we got about 30 minutes of the park to ourselves before the ‘general public’ were let in. If anyone is considering going to HHN I would definitely recommend the stay and scream tickets

The queues for some of the houses got to over 100 minutes long during the evening, the 30 minutes were very much needed!

We were in the holding area for about 30 minutes and whilst here we met up with a few fellow DIS Members - Metro West (Universal guru and HHN expert! ) and Schumi Girl and her family. It was great fun meeting a few of the people from these boards and all of them had been to HHN before so it was great to be able to ask all the silly questions we had and listen to a few stories from past HHNs.

After about 45 minutes we were released into our first house. As we walked in I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I was ridiculously scared! Em was even worse, she was standing behind me holding my hand really tight! As we started walking through the house I felt really on edge – properly scared – but I soon realised that it was actually more funny than scary!

By the time we went to the third house we were both actually wanting to be scared and trying to attract the ‘scareactors’ attention as we were walking around the houses!

We managed to get through all 8 houses and did all of them but one for a second time (thanks to our express passes!) We also saw the Bill & Ted show, which was really funny. Apparently they have this show every year and it’s a satire of various events from the year – they take the mick out of the years films, music etc.

 

[raph_b]

There was one point in the night where I was waiting outside the toilet for Em and I was watching a young couple walking past and unbeknown to them there was a guy creeping up behind them and then he jumped out on them and I started laughing – well as I turned around I almost wet myself, a chainsaw man had been watching me watch the others and was waiting behind me and when I turned around he turned the chainsaw on and started chasing me! It was hilarious!

Here’s a lovely pic of a lady who was in a glass coffin and it was filled with rats! No amount of money in the world could convince me to do that!

One of the interesting things about HHN is that the haunted houses are all 'behind the scenes', a few are in sound stages and it makes you realise just how large the park is - its absolutely massive!

Here is my take on the haunted houses:

I'll put the houses in my order of favourites:

Top 3:

1. Dead Exposure – The premise of this house was based upon a photographer who had been killed. The house was pitch black and every couple of seconds a ‘camera flash’ would go off illuminating the whole place. The house was full of zombies! I thought this house was absolutely brilliant both the first time and second time. Easily my favourite house there. I loved the strobe effect lighting and felt quite scared the whole time I was walking through, this is the only house that did that to me second time around. The 2 parts of this house that really stood out for me were the section where there appeared to be nothing around you, then you hear a banging from above, you look up and there’s a zombie on the glass ceiling above you! Also there was a room that was full of them, about 20 zombies just stood there in a room and suddenly a few would move closer to you - that room creeped me out so much and when I think about it sends a shiver down my spine! Interestingly, Emilie ranked this as her least favourite house.

2. Scary Tales – This was based on classic fairy tales that had gone wrong. Absolutely brilliant house, loved the theming for all the different sections, esp the Alice in Wonderland bit, although I didn't get what fairy tale the opening room was supposed to be. Some really cool scenes throughout this house. I got scared so bad by a giant bear in this house! This was Em's joint favourite house.

3. The Hallow - Again, absolutely brilliant house. I'm not 100% sure exactly what the theme is for this one, something to do with the origins of Halloween, but the house looked great and provided some great scares - I would laugh about the fact that Metro got lost in this one and started walking off behind the set but seeing as I got the worst scare of the night in this house right in front of him my mouth is shut!

A pic of the outside of the Hallow

The top 3 definitely stood out for me.

4. Doomsday - Very different from the others but I really liked this one, and this was Em's joint favourite (with Scary Tales). This is based on the Neil Marshall film and is set in a post apocalyptic England. The cast were great and really in character and there were a few good scares in this one too. The set was cool and definitely made better by having seen the film! We only got to do this house once as the lines were so long.

5. Body Collectors – I was really excited to try this one, it was based on the ‘Gentlemen’ from Buffy and was set in Victorian times (think Jack the Ripper) First time round I was so scared but second time I didn't find as good - I loved the sets and the theming but found the house too dark, I was feeling blindly in front of me a few times to see where the wall was! One observation I made was first time the round the girl at the front of the house was really good, had some good banter with me and the rest of the crowd and was generally a really good touch, second time round the girl was staring into space and didn't interact with any of the line.

6. Interstellar Terror – This was set on a spaceship that had been overrun by aliens. I liked this but not as much as the others - I didn't find it very scary, but the set was brilliant and very detailed. Only got to do this one once which was a shame.

7. Creatures – The theme of this was a 50’s era small town in the south of America being overrun by giant octopus type creatures. This was the first one we did (my first ever house!) and first time I was so scared, mainly because I didn't know what to expect, but second time it wasn't as good - I don't really see how this house is supposed to be scary - it was mainly hicks shooting guns and popping up asking for help, there was a definite lack of 'creatures' in the house. It was fun to walk through but I definitely preferred the other houses. I think with this one, if I had liked the theme more I would have enjoyed the houses a lot more.

8. Reflections of Fear – This was the ‘flagship’ house based on the event’s icon, Bloody Mary. I think it’s an American urban legend which goes something like if you say Bloody Mary 3 times in front of a mirror she will come out and get you! A much better theme than Interstellar Terror and Creatures but I thought this was the worst house of the evening (that being said, I still enjoyed it, but for me it was definitely the 8th best house - that's a better way of describing it than saying it’s the worst). The weird curtains in the house were good, but I was expecting some kind of scare at the end of them and both times through the house it didn't happen. The rooms all looked cool but I didn't get one scare either time through the house - the best we got was being 'told off' by Bloody Mary for heading in the wrong direction!

All in all it was one of the best nights of my life and I cannot wait to go back to HHN again in 2010

HHN really is a fun event and whilst it sounds scary, once you are there and walking around the houses it is really good fun and its more about being jumpy than being scared. Em was really worried about it but ended up absolutely loving it and I would definitely recommend HHN as a great night out – but definitely not for kids!

Tomorrow – Typhoon Lagoon and MK

PS I realise this TR is ridiculously slow to be updated but there is a good reason - we're in full on Wedding plan mode at the moment - the big day in 4 weeks tomorrow!

 

[Nix]

This has almost convinced me to do HHN. Almost

 

[natalielongstaff]

Wow can't believe you only have 4 weeks left till the wedding !! please post some of the pics then 4 us

Any way back to the trippie HNN sounds like great fun, im glad you enjoyed it

 

[Pinky166]

Oh my days!!! I would have pooped myself!

Never in a million years could I go to that. It reminds me of a few years ago they had the same kind of thing in Universal Los Angeles to promote the release of Van Helsing. Me not knowing what the film was even about got dragged in by Lee thinking it was just a walk through display kind of thing - well lets just say Lee regretted it as I almost broke his wrist when I ran him into the wall whilst I was trying to escape this creature that chased me. Never again.

Wow - I didn't realise your wedding was so close! Did you change the date? I am looking forward to reading all about it & seeing lots of pics.

 

[mandymouse]

What a great day, and fab pics too

 

[irongirlof12]

sounds a bit too scary for me I can't beleive it's only 4 weeks to your wedding -

 

[Lizzybear]

Thanks for the fab HHN report, do you have any more pictures posted elsewhere? Would love to see if you do I'm a little apprehensive but I know i'd regret it if I didn't go and Steve is soo excited

 

[arieljasmine]

Thank you for the detailed description of the houses at HHN. I don't think I would ever be brave enough to go, but I loved reading about it.

Hope all is going well with the wedding preparations.

Laur's xx

 

[gemmybear83]

Great day but it looks far too scary for me! I think I would running out of the park! congratulations on the wedding

 

[SusanEllen]

What a wonderfully detailed description of the haunted houses of HHN. I do love Halloween--and scary movies, however having been pushed out front to be the "bait" (by my dear friends Tammy and Kevin) at the Van Helsing scary walk-through at Universal Hollywood a few years back, I'm not sure I'd enjoy being jumped at all night long. Just wondering, did you go to Halloween parties and trick or treat when you were a kid? Halloween sounds like your kind of holiday. While I'm asking personal questions, might as well ask one more--are you planning to do a wedding report for us? You've brought us along this far on your adventure, can't leave us behind now. We understand how busy you must be right now, so take all the time you need to finish this report and to write the next one. We'll be waiting. Right here. Just waiting.

 

[raph_b]

This has almost convinced me to do HHN. Almost

You should go for it!!

Wow can't believe you only have 4 weeks left till the wedding !! please post some of the pics then 4 us

Any way back to the trippie HNN sounds like great fun, im glad you enjoyed it

I know - 4 weeks has come around so quickly - it's getting scary now!! I'll be sure to post a few pics after for you

HHN really was one of the best nights of my life

Oh my days!!! I would have pooped myself!

Never in a million years could I go to that. It reminds me of a few years ago they had the same kind of thing in Universal Los Angeles to promote the release of Van Helsing. Me not knowing what the film was even about got dragged in by Lee thinking it was just a walk through display kind of thing - well lets just say Lee regretted it as I almost broke his wrist when I ran him into the wall whilst I was trying to escape this creature that chased me. Never again.

Wow - I didn't realise your wedding was so close! Did you change the date? I am looking forward to reading all about it & seeing lots of pics.

It was very scary at first! But after a while it was just fun, not really scary at all!

I'd love to have seen you running through the Van Helsing house!!!

The wedding has always been 18th July - it's just creeped up on us so fast! I need to make a start on my speech........

What a great day, and fab pics too

It really was such a great evening Thanks!!

sounds a bit too scary for me I can't beleive it's only 4 weeks to your wedding -

I can't believe it either!!

Thanks for the fab HHN report, do you have any more pictures posted elsewhere? Would love to see if you do I'm a little apprehensive but I know i'd regret it if I didn't go and Steve is soo excited

No more pics I'm afraid We were too caught up in the evening to remember to take many pictures! It really was such an amazing night, I'm sure you would absolutely love it - I know Steve will!

Em thought she would hate it and be too scared but afterwards she agreed it was one of the highlights of our holiday

Thank you for the detailed description of the houses at HHN. I don't think I would ever be brave enough to go, but I loved reading about it.

Hope all is going well with the wedding preparations.

Laur's xx

Thanks Laurs You should definitely give HHN a try one day though.....

Wedding plans are all ok thanks - we're making a start on the table plans today!

Great day but it looks far too scary for me! I think I would running out of the park! congratulations on the wedding

It was very scary at first but also so much fun! I must admit I was very scared when the chainsaw guy was chasing me though!!!

What a wonderfully detailed description of the haunted houses of HHN. I do love Halloween--and scary movies, however having been pushed out front to be the "bait" (by my dear friends Tammy and Kevin) at the Van Helsing scary walk-through at Universal Hollywood a few years back, I'm not sure I'd enjoy being jumped at all night long. Just wondering, did you go to Halloween parties and trick or treat when you were a kid? Halloween sounds like your kind of holiday. While I'm asking personal questions, might as well ask one more--are you planning to do a wedding report for us? You've brought us along this far on your adventure, can't leave us behind now. We understand how busy you must be right now, so take all the time you need to finish this report and to write the next one. We'll be waiting. Right here. Just waiting.

Thanks Susan

Being the bait was the best part! at the start of the night we were both trying to blend in with the crowd and avoid being targetted, but after a few houses (and a few beers!) we were both walking out front hoping to get picked on

Sounds like the Van Helsing walk had a few DIS victims!!

Halloween wasn't very popular when I was younger, it's only really the last few years it has come more mainstream over this side of the pond. Having said that, I did go trick or treating a few times when I was younger

I used to have a lot of older friends when I was younger, and by hanging around with them I was exposed to the kind of stuff they were into, and apparently when I was about 9 my favourite film was Nightmare on Elm Street!

Of course I'll give you a wedding report Susan - although you know it won't be done until sometime in 2010!!

 

[Snowy-girls]

What a fantastic,but scary day .This is something that Tony would LOVE to do,although not me .I would love to have been in the tank with the rats .I adore rats-pet ones mind you,i used to have 3 myself-and although not everyone will agree with me-they are the most gentle,sweet,clever+friendly little things.
We had dinner in NBA and throughly enjoyed it,shame your meal was'nt great.

How quick has your wedding come around,do you feel pretty nervous?.Tony did'nt leading up to it until he was waiting for me to show up,and i did'nt feel nervous until it was time for me to walk into the room with my Grandad and Chloe(who was only 4months at the time ).Hope it's all cming along nicely+would also love to see some pics .x.

 

[cap'njack.]

The Halloween Night sounds awesome...probably best left for when the boys have grown up though!

 

[darthtatty]

Wow it sounds really fab, i didnt even know those nights existed.
Would love to do something like that.
good luck for ur wedding.xx

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Wow that HHN sounds friggin awesome. I love the thought of being scared.

Being chased by a man with a chainsaw would freak me out though

 

[sandshal]

Just caught up with your trippie ..... enjoy your wedding and honeymoon and then start working on Day 11 pleeeeease! Sharon xx

 

[Pegasus928]

We have plans to do HHN this year and your report has made me look forward to it even more.
Good luck with the wedding. Looking forward to seeing some pics from that.

 

[schumigirl]

Hi Craig, enjoyed reading that a LOT!! Nice pics too

Oh and good luck with the wedding plans, hope you have a magical day

I`m gutted we are not going to be over for HHN this year I really feel I`m missing out badly........maybe next year??? Need to persuade Tom who thinks we need to give America a miss for a year and do boring things like new bathrooms, get new fitted bedrooms and dining tables
(I`d rather be in Orlando)

Say hi to Emilie and big hugs to you both

 

[Pinky166]

Why are we waiting! Why are we waiting!