A few HHN questions

[hamilkm]

So, I am going to Universal for the very first time in just 3 weeks! My cousin and I will be upgrading to power passes while there and would both like to come back for HHN this fall. I have a job where I work every other weekend, and she will be starting a new job where 1 day will probably be the max she can get off work. Our plan would be to fly in late Thursday evening and fly home on Sunday, leaving us Friday and Saturday for the parks and HHN (possibly a little park time on Sunday depending on flights).
Our two weekend choices would be Thurs Sept 29- Sun Oct 2 or Thurs Oct 13- Sun Oct 16. We would only be able to go to HHN on Friday and Saturday nights (I know, the most crowded). Assuming my cousin can get off either of the weekends, which would be best? I know we would need EP for the later weekend but would we need it for the earlier weekend? Also, if we went the later weekend would we be better off doing one of the RIP tours I read about and only going to one night rather than doing 2 nights with EP? I know, a ton of questions.

I am also looking at hotels for these weekends. Are these times when EP may be needed during the day? Trying to decided between RPR or paying less and getting the food credit for Saphire Falls. Thanks so much!

 

[schumigirl]

First weekend would be the quietest of the two, but there really is no such thing as quiet times for horror nights now. We go same time every year and it's just getting busier.

Opening weekend last year had big queues.......we were so glad we had EP every night we were there.........

If you plan to go later weekend RIP tour would be a good idea.

You'll be in the parks during the weekends so during the day Spetember weekends are busy. Hulk was 90 minutes a few times last year in September. We wouldn't go without EP.....ever. Certainly if you don't mind queueing it won't be a problem, but we just refuse to queue when we don't have to........

 

[hamilkm]

Thanks so much! I would really rather go the first weekend but it will probably depend on when my cousin can get off work (she is just graduating from college, so will be a brand new job). Would rather go on a Thursday or Sunday night, but that would require her to ask off of work more days. I will probably just wait til all the prices come out and either do one night with RIP or 2 nights with express passes (whichever is cheaper). I am also holding out for AP rates for the hotels. Would much rather have express pass! I just today lucked out on a HRH AP rate for a standard room for our Memorial day weekend trip and saved money on what I had booked RPR on Orbitz.

 

[macraven]

If you plan to be staying onsite at one of the three deluxe hotels, book soon before policy changes on weekends for Hhn.
At some point the only way to get a Friday stay is book the Saturday also
And reverse that for Saturday stays will include Friday bookings

Since I don't stay value I don't know what booking policies will be in place for Cbay and sf
Could be none that has restrictions for Hhn weekends

Less crowds for sept 29 period you listed than October 13-16 dates


Weekend days at the hotels cost more than weekdays
I have two weekends already booked at rpr for hnn

 

[hamilkm]

First weekend would be the quietest of the two, but there really is no such thing as quiet times for horror nights now. We go same time every year and it's just getting busier.

Opening weekend last year had big queues.......we were so glad we had EP every night we were there.........

If you plan to go later weekend RIP tour would be a good idea.

You'll be in the parks during the weekends so during the day Spetember weekends are busy. Hulk was 90 minutes a few times last year in September. We wouldn't go without EP.....ever. Certainly if you don't mind queueing it won't be a problem, but we just refuse to queue when we don't have to........

So I have a second question. The Friday and Saturday night of my first weekend fall during the first 3 weeks of HHN. Would a Rush of Fear pass with express pass possibly be a better option? Since the park is open til 2am, we could possibly even make a couple of hours of a Thursday night party and use EP for a couple of houses...... Man, so many questions! I am so excited just looking at it all. Just gotta get my cousin a day off of work!

 

[hamilkm]

If you plan to be staying onsite at one of the three deluxe hotels, book soon before policy changes on weekends for Hhn.
At some point the only way to get a Friday stay is book the Saturday also
And reverse that for Saturday stays will include Friday bookings

Since I don't stay value I don't know what booking policies will be in place for Cbay and sf
Could be none that has restrictions for Hhn weekends

Less crowds for sept 29 period you listed than October 13-16 dates


Weekend days at the hotels cost more than weekdays
I have two weekends already booked at rpr for hnn

We will definitely be there a Friday and Saturday night, and I am hoping the earlier weekend!

 

[schumigirl]

Of course that would work.

That's the ticket we buy, Rush of Fear with EP. We like to go many nights and spend a few hours each night. Spending one long night doesn't appeal to us. That ticket would be worth it for you to go 3 nights even if the Thursday was limited.

 

[hamilkm]

Of course that would work.

That's the ticket we buy, Rush of Fear with EP. We like to go many nights and spend a few hours each night. Spending one long night doesn't appeal to us. That ticket would be worth it for you to go 3 nights even if the Thursday was limited.

Thanks so much! This is probably the route we will go. It seems to be the most economical. Our potential flight will land at 9pm, so we could easily be there by 11 pm to spend a couple of hours on a slightly less crowded Thursday night. I also went ahead and made reservations at RPR for the first weekend, so here is to hoping I can get my cousin a day off of work!

 

[macraven]

many do buy the rush of fear pass.
it is good for a specific number of days from the start of the hhn season.

i always go with frequent fear for the entire session.
i quit going on saturdays so that pass works fine for me.
friday i do tours so i don't need the peak nights on my hhn pass

 

[schumigirl]

You're very welcome. Rush of fear suits us as it covers every night for the first 3 weeks of horror nights.

Glad you have your hotel secured. And hope your cousin gets time off