I know the feeling.... I LOVE HHN and have been 3 times so far. I am sad that I will not make it out there this year (although I don't like the "Sweet 16" story line)...
A tip to the once going for the first time; If you go to HHN buy the booklet that gives you the right to go in the houses via a fast line (sorry, I can't get the name in my head)... But like that you can do the houses once early on and a second time using the ticket to bypass the long lines. On some nights, using this strategy, I did houses 3 times....
Enjoy