Newbie to UO/IOA and HHN....pointers?

[pixiefairy]

Hello everyone! I've been reading along here the last few months trying to glean some pointers for our upcoming trip to UO/IOA and HHN. My dh and I are going on an adults only trip, from 10/13 - 10/17. We are doing two one day tickets for UO and IOA as well as Stay n scream for thursday's HHN (the 13th). We've been to Orlando multiple times, always to Disney, so this is our first time expanding our experience. What are some good pointers for touring the parks, as well as for HHN? I'm considering adding the express pass for HHN because I'd like to see all that I can, being that this is our first time. I cannot wait...and I'm going in kind of blind, since I have never been to Universal. Dh has, but a long time ago. A friend just returned and she liked it, but I haven't gotten any great details, so a little help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Metro West]

Hello everyone! I've been reading along here the last few months trying to glean some pointers for our upcoming trip to UO/IOA and HHN. My dh and I are going on an adults only trip, from 10/13 - 10/17. We are doing two one day tickets for UO and IOA as well as Stay n scream for thursday's HHN (the 13th). We've been to Orlando multiple times, always to Disney, so this is our first time expanding our experience. What are some good pointers for touring the parks, as well as for HHN? I'm considering adding the express pass for HHN because I'd like to see all that I can, being that this is our first time. I cannot wait...and I'm going in kind of blind, since I have never been to Universal. Dh has, but a long time ago. A friend just returned and she liked it, but I haven't gotten any great details, so a little help would be appreciated! Thanks!

During October, the parks are pretty slow so other than WWoHP you won't have any problems doing what you want to do. Just go with the flow and you should have a great time.

For HHN...you are doing S & S which will definitely help but make sure you purchase the EPs early on so you aren't waiting in the lines at Guest Services. I would eat dinner before the park closes at 5pm so you aren't wasting time during HHN to eat...maybe just a snack later but nothing big. If you purchase the EP for HHN...don't use it if the line is under 15 minutes. Save it and come back later in the evening when the lines are long.

Any specific you want to do about HHN this year?

 

[accumax]

If you have been here and reading the post, then you already know there is alot to see and do in US/IOA. But IMHO, unlike Disney, US/IOA is about going with the flow, and a detailed touring plan is not needed. No need here to feel like I have to be there, then there at certain times. Me and DW plan our trip to save money on things, but once inside the gates, we take it all in at our own pace like explorers, even if its only for 2 days. We eat at the darkside buffet almost exclusively now because we all love the peaceful and relaxing pace of US/IOA, and we just have more fun here.

 

[jackieinJuneau]

A tip about any Halloween event is if you want a lot of attention from the actors to wear light colors, it also makes the people around you nervous. We are trained through movies to think bad things are going to happen to people in pale colors or white because of this built in bias and because those colors stand out more people wearing them tend to get targeted for scares more often. It also makes people around you more tense because they feel like they are walking around with a big target. If you want less attention wear muted colors and avoid eye contact

 

[pixiefairy]

During October, the parks are pretty slow so other than WWoHP you won't have any problems doing what you want to do. Just go with the flow and you should have a great time.

For HHN...you are doing S & S which will definitely help but make sure you purchase the EPs early on so you aren't waiting in the lines at Guest Services. I would eat dinner before the park closes at 5pm so you aren't wasting time during HHN to eat...maybe just a snack later but nothing big. If you purchase the EP for HHN...don't use it if the line is under 15 minutes. Save it and come back later in the evening when the lines are long.

Any specific you want to do about HHN this year?

Thanks for the response. I haven't been through or to anything that is designed to really scare you in a really long time. I just want to take as much in as we can and see as much of HHN as we are able. In your opinion, are the shows worth it, or should we focus more on the houses and scarezones as newbies?

 

[pixiefairy]

If you have been here and reading the post, then you already know there is alot to see and do in US/IOA. But IMHO, unlike Disney, US/IOA is about going with the flow, and a detailed touring plan is not needed. No need here to feel like I have to be there, then there at certain times. Me and DW plan our trip to save money on things, but once inside the gates, we take it all in at our own pace like explorers, even if its only for 2 days. We eat at the darkside buffet almost exclusively now because we all love the peaceful and relaxing pace of US/IOA, and we just have more fun here.

Thanks! We are definitely trying to do a bit more relaxing on this trip. I don't tour Disney with too much of a strict regiment, either, but I do get the idea that US/IOA are more "go with the flow". And we definitely will be exploring...in talking to DH he informed me he's never been to US either, so this will be the first time either of us set foot on property. Thanks for the input!

 

[pixiefairy]

A tip about any Halloween event is if you want a lot of attention from the actors to wear light colors, it also makes the people around you nervous. We are trained through movies to think bad things are going to happen to people in pale colors or white because of this built in bias and because those colors stand out more people wearing them tend to get targeted for scares more often. It also makes people around you more tense because they feel like they are walking around with a big target. If you want less attention wear muted colors and avoid eye contact

Ooh...good point! I will make sure DH wears light colors, lol. I don't mind getting scared a bit....it's part of the fun. I can be a wuss, but knowing what I'm getting into is helping a bit.

 

[Metro West]

Thanks for the response. I haven't been through or to anything that is designed to really scare you in a really long time. I just want to take as much in as we can and see as much of HHN as we are able. In your opinion, are the shows worth it, or should we focus more on the houses and scarezones as newbies?

I would stick with doing the houses and scare zones first and then do the shows as time permits. Don't fool with the rides since you can do those during the day unless you've done everything and have time left over.

 

[pixiefairy]

I would stick with doing the houses and scare zones first and then do the shows as time permits. Don't fool with the rides since you can do those during the day unless you've done everything and have time left over.

Great! Thanks a bunch. I've been reading the reviews up in the stickies area and all the houses sound like a blast. I'm really looking forward to this!