Halloween Horror Nights 2013

[jasonpope2003]

HHN is only in the Studios park so IOA is unaffected. During the event, there are six attractions open this year: Mummy, MIB, The Simpsons, Transformers, Despicable Me and the Rockit coaster...in addition to the HHN houses and shows. The Studios will close at 5PM on nights when HHN is staged and unless you have a valid HHN ticket for that night, you will be asked to leave the park at that time. IOA is open until 7PM so you could there once the Studios closes.

Yeh I knew about tickets was wondering if both parks were part of HHN and both stayed open on the HHN pass.

Ok so it is highly doubtful we can see all of IoA from 4-7pm bummer guess that first night is going to be very impractical to do anything park related.
unless I can find a killer deal on a 2 day hopper with HHN access for cheap.
then we could start that night and finish another day during our 5 days there.

 

[Metro West]

Ok so it is highly doubtful we can see all of IoA from 4-7pm bummer guess that first night is going to be very impractical to do anything park related. unless I can find a killer deal on a 2 day hopper with HHN access for cheap. then we could start that night and finish another day during our 5 days there.

Yeah...sounds like you should skip the parks that first night. I doubt you'll find any cheap deals on tickets that include HHN. HHN is not a cheap event any longer but good luck in your search.

 

[stonedv8]

Ok, ive read through about 30 pages here and could not find my answer directly, so thought I would go ahead and post it for some more info as the dates to HHN get closer.

My wife and I (early 30's) both have annual passes, I have the 2nd grade annual pass for discounts and such.

Anyways. We will be getting the frequent fear passes and be visiting HHN on Oct 3,4,5 definitely and possibly Oct 6th as well. We are Halloween junkies and this being our first time we want to experience everything if possible.

We will also be doing the parks during the daytime as well.

I have noticed others post that annual passholders get some kind of benefit to being allowed to stay in the park so we can skip having to leave and then come back in with the rest of the crowd. Can I get some clarification on that?

I have also seen some posting about a staging area where we can wait for a bit inside for the official opening for that particular night as well. Calarification would be great for that as well.

Also, Is there any benefit for staying on site during this time since they express passes would not work on the HHN events and it being those Oct dates, would express passes for US and IOA even be worth it since it doesnt seem like a busy time.

Any tips or tricks for these first timer HHN newbs, as stated above we will have at least 3 full nights and possibly a 4th to experience everything.

We are from N Alabama, so this trip is being made especially for HHN, we arrive the Sunday prior and will relax and probably hit up some waterparks, Seaworld and Discovery Cove the dates prior to HHN. As far as the waterparks go would the temp still be alright that last week of Spet and first week of Oct?


Sorry for the long post, excited and typing ecstatically.

 

[Metro West]

Passholders and anyone else who has a day ticket can stay in the park after the 5PM closing at the Studios. Anyone not having a valid HHN ticket for that night will be asked to leave. There are holding areas set up around the park where you will be directed to wait until the areas are released. You'll wait about an hour...until 6PM and then are released into the park. You will be able to do several houses before the general public is allowed to enter at 6:30PM. The main holding area is on Delancey Street which is near Revenge of the Mummy. I wouldn't wait until 5PM to head over though...last year the area was as crowded as I've ever seen it and expect more of the same this year.

Since you will be going multiple nights, I wouldn't worry about trying to see everything the first night. Do what you can and then do the rest when you return. Lines...later in the evening...will be long...two hour waits are not unusual...so keep that in mind. There are also six attractions open during HHN so you can do those w/o too much of a wait.

Other than being close to the action, there is really no advantage to stay onsite. Your unlimited Express does not convey to HHN so you'd have to purchase Express access just like anyone else. If you were going once then I would recommend purchasing an EP but again since you're going several nights, you will be able to see everything w/o it.

September and October are still warm enough for the waterparks. Just try not to go on the weekends when lots of locals make it crowded.

 

[patster734]

Answers below in red.

Ok, ive read through about 30 pages here and could not find my answer directly, so thought I would go ahead and post it for some more info as the dates to HHN get closer.

My wife and I (early 30's) both have annual passes, I have the 2nd grade annual pass for discounts and such.

Anyways. We will be getting the frequent fear passes and be visiting HHN on Oct 3,4,5 definitely and possibly Oct 6th as well. We are Halloween junkies and this being our first time we want to experience everything if possible.

We will also be doing the parks during the daytime as well.

I have noticed others post that annual passholders get some kind of benefit to being allowed to stay in the park so we can skip having to leave and then come back in with the rest of the crowd. Can I get some clarification on that?

No one has to leave the park who has both a day pass and a HHN ticket. Instead of being ushered out of the park, you'll be ushered to a holding area.
On Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28, there's a special AP holding area that might get released to explore the houses earlier than the regular holding area, but that AP holding area won't be available the weekend that you are there.

I have also seen some posting about a staging area where we can wait for a bit inside for the official opening for that particular night as well. Calarification would be great for that as well.

There will probably be two holding area: one outside and including Finnegan's restaurant; and the other over by ET I believe. The few times that I've done HHN, I've stayed at the Finnegan's holding area. As long as you're in the park for the day and also have a HHN ticket, you'll be able to use the holding area, and you will want to do this. The holding area will be released to explore the houses usually a 1/2 hour before the outside gates open.

Also, Is there any benefit for staying on site during this time since they express passes would not work on the HHN events and it being those Oct dates, would express passes for US and IOA even be worth it since it doesnt seem like a busy time.

I always suggest staying onsite if financially possible. Although you won't be able to use your onsite express for HHNs, you'll still have access to the transfer boats between Citywalk and your onsite hotel when leaving HHNs, and won't have to deal with the drive back to your offsite hotel or catching a taxi.

Any tips or tricks for these first timer HHN newbs, as stated above we will have at least 3 full nights and possibly a 4th to experience everything.

I've only done 1 night during my HHNs visits, so I'll defer to someone else who can giver better advice for multiple nights. Only advice would be to consider using both holding areas over your 3 or 4 night visit as I believe they get released to different houses.

We are from N Alabama, so this trip is being made especially for HHN, we arrive the Sunday prior and will relax and probably hit up some waterparks, Seaworld and Discovery Cove the dates prior to HHN. As far as the waterparks go would the temp still be alright that last week of Spet and first week of Oct?

I'll be there the same week, arriving on Monday, Sept. 30, and leaving Saturday, Oct. 5. But I'll be staying offsite this trip to save money.

Sorry for the long post, excited and typing ecstatically.

 

[fizbobunny]

Undercovertourist has a 2 day park hopper Plus HHN ticket combo for $187 including tax.

 

[stonedv8]

Thanks Patster and Metro, y'all's info was exactly what I was looking for.


One last question for now: I know this isn't directly HHN related but as previously stated, the wife and I are both Halloween/Horror junkies. We will be down here in Orlando for a full week. Does anyone have any other idea of Halloween related activities that would be cool to catch while in town? Any other must see haunted houses or attractions?

 

[Marquibiri]

Thanks Patster and Metro, y'all's info was exactly what I was looking for.


One last question for now: Does anyone have any other idea of Halloween related activities that would be cool to catch while in town? Any other must see haunted houses or attractions?

HOWL-O-SCREAM over at Busch Gardens in Tampa! I am heading to FL from the 2nd to the 7th of October. I added Howl-o-Scream to my HHN trip last year and loved it just as much (maybe even more) than HHN.. Last year there were 7 houses during HHN and 6 houses for HoS. Why see 7 when I could see 13!!!!

This year there will be 8 houses during HHN and 7 houses for HoS. That's a total of 15 different houses I will see!!!!!

Heading to Tampa on the 2nd Oct. for HoS on the 3rd, then driving back to Orlando for HHN on the 4th, 5th, and 6th..

Halloween junkie? Book the UTH (Unmasking The Horror) Tour! You get to see 3 houses (or 6) as a "Lights on Tour" during the day. I got my ressie for the 5th for that!

Staying on site is a must for me, especially due to the convenient location of the Hotels. I drink, and a lot, so I don't have to worry about driving, security, cabs, getting to my distant hotel, etc.
Staying on site allows you to charge stuff to your room, get things delivered there, and no need for car.

Cheers!

Marquibiri

 

[Metro West]

One last question for now: I know this isn't directly HHN related but as previously stated, the wife and I are both Halloween/Horror junkies. We will be down here in Orlando for a full week. Does anyone have any other idea of Halloween related activities that would be cool to catch while in town? Any other must see haunted houses or attractions?

This website should help you out:

http://www.orlandohauntedhouses.com

 

[keishashadow]

Wow! I can't find any times available for a party of 6 on Thursday, Oct. 3. I'm glad I have my reservation too.

, now to decide what to eat. Fish wasn't done 'right' last time I ate it, so skipped it last visit and went with wings, need to look for recent reviews.

 

[patster734]

, now to decide what to eat. Fish wasn't done 'right' last time I ate it, so skipped it last visit and went with wings, need to look for recent reviews.

I've had their fish and chips before and liked it. Fried up and served with a side of tartar sauce. Have they changed the way they cook them or are you talking about one of their other fish meals? How are the wings? I skip the wings to focus on Irish-type food at Finnegan's, but I do love wings. And I love their Bangers and Mash, which is what I usually get there.

 

[housemouse]

dates I checked are filling fast, not much left after 3:30 pm. Glad I decided to book what seemed really early end of June. Assume it's a combination of word getting out and influx of Disney people who are used to booking ADRs

Me too. I booked at what I considered a foolishly early advanced time months ago just being cautious. Now I'm so glad I didn't wait because there's nothing left the nights we're going.

 

[RAPstar]

I've had their fish and chips before and liked it. Fried up and served with a side of tartar sauce. Have they changed the way they cook them or are you talking about one of their other fish meals? How are the wings? I skip the wings to focus on Irish-type food at Finnegan's, but I do love wings. And I love their Bangers and Mash, which is what I usually get there.

The bangers and mash are excellent. The Shepard's Pie is excellent. I can't remember what else I've had there besides apps (Scotch Egg, pasties, and wings are all good). I've had the corned beef sammich too, but it needed more mayo or something.

 

[keishashadow]

I've always ordered the fish/chips, picky but liked finnegan's offering. My meal looked the same, just texture of fish was odd to me, rather mushy vs firm texture I expect. It was so busy I didn't want to take the time to send it back, just requested another loaf of bread & grabbed a slice of pizza later @ Louies. Corned beef sandwich is huge wound up sharing it, tasted ok to me after I put catsup on it lol

 

[mischief32]

Where do you buy the HHN 2013 lanyards? I saw the ones in the Universal store last year but I do not like the ones that have velcro at the bottom. I just want a regulat HHN 2013 lanyard. I already have our tickets.

 

[Metro West]

Where do you buy the HHN 2013 lanyards? I saw the ones in the Universal store last year but I do not like the ones that have velcro at the bottom. I just want a regulat HHN 2013 lanyard. I already have our tickets.

You can buy them at Guest Services or during the event. I don't believe they are sold until HHN starts.

 

[jimpossible87]

You can buy them at Guest Services or during the event. I don't believe they are sold until HHN starts.

they are selling them now I saw them at the Universal store and in the store at twister already during the regular park hours

 

[joshdunford]

I've read on forums and HHN Facebook posts; A LOT of people complain about the lines at HHN.

We're celebrating our Honeymoon and the first time ever at HHN on October the 6th.

We only have ONE night to be in the park for the event, and considering all the negativity I've been reading about the lines, it's got me really worried that we're not going to be able to see all the houses.

Can anyone shed some light on this situation?

 

[atricks]

I've read on forums and HHN Facebook posts; A LOT of people complain about the lines at HHN.

We're celebrating our Honeymoon and the first time ever at HHN on October the 6th.

We only have ONE night to be in the park for the event, and considering all the negativity I've been reading about the lines, it's got me really worried that we're not going to be able to see all the houses.

Can anyone shed some light on this situation?

If you only have one night, and aren't getting there early (at least 30 minutes before it opens) you may want to get express, or if you are willing to splurge a bit for the honeymoon (highly recommended to do so), do the VIP tour (aka RIP Tour), that alone will get rid of all the worry, and for the honeymoon, this is really important (I know from experience). http://halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/rip-tours.html

On a Sunday the tour should be on the lower end of the cost scale, it also doubles as a regular express pass when you are done with the tour. The tour gets you "backdoored" to all the houses and any rides the group wants to do. (Skipping even the express waits)

That Sunday won't be as super packed as the two nights before, but it will still be very packed, and with the shorter hours, you run the risk of not doing everything unless you get there very early or do the express/tour.

 

[joshdunford]

If you only have one night, and aren't getting there early (at least 30 minutes before it opens) you may want to get express, or if you are willing to splurge a bit for the honeymoon, do the VIP tour (aka RIP Tour), that alone will get rid of all the worry.

We actually have IOA and USO tickets for that day, (the main vacation is WDW) so when we get settled in our resort we're heading out to start the day.

Last time we went, we arrived around 2 and had enough time to see all of IOA, so we added a IOA/USO Express Pass tickets this time around.

So essentially, we'll be there AT re-opening for HHN.

My personal touring plan would be to start the day in USO and hit the major attractions with our Express pass, then move on to IOA while we wait for HHN. Is that doable?

How does that work? Do they kick people out of USO & corral them if they have tickets to HHN? What time does USO shut down to get ready for HHN? Can you go back to IOA and wait for USO to re-open?

I know it's a pretty immense amount of stuff, but we're just trying to get the most out of whatever we can for 1 day's worth.