Do I want to do HHN ??

[Maistre Gracey]

We are older... 50 ish.
We don't want some kid jumping out and saying boo, or some zombie coming after my ankles with a chainsaw. I don't want any of that corny, silly stuff. I don't want to see someone with a chainsaw coming out if his head.

We DO enjoy well done ghostly type experiences (understanding it's theatrical, but that's the style we're looking for). Non corny, but truly well done paranormal type stuff.
Chills, not blood & guts.

Are we candidates for HHN??

I know it's an expensive night out. We live about three miles from USO.

MG

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

No, you don't want to do it. It is full of people jumping out at you and chasing you with chainsaws. We enjoyed HHN, but it is definitely what I call "Boo, scary" rather than "Scary, scary."

 

[Maistre Gracey]

No, you don't want to do it. It is full of people jumping out at you and chasing you with chainsaws. We enjoyed HHN, but it is definitely what I call "Boo, scary" rather than "Scary, scary."

Thanks.... That's the info I was looking for.

MG

 

[GaryDis]

We did it about 20 years ago, which would have made us younger than you are now by the same amount we're older than you now.

It was awful. Mobbed, impossible to move through the park, full of obnoxious teens cutting through lines, and haunted mansions that were just plain dumb. Even my DH, who jumps if I so much as walk up behind him while he's on the computer, wasn't scared or impressed. I don't get how anyone can be scared when you know the whole point was to have people in ridiculous makeup jumping out at you from behind corners.

 

[macraven]

Google Hhn and watch some of the videos to get an idea of what you will experience there

Hhn is not a low grade thrown together event

It is a production of bringing to life old fashion horror based on novels, movies, and your imagination.

 

[imprint]

It's really both. Elaborate sets and amazing costume/makeup. Each zone and house has a unique "feel." However, there is a lot, lot, lot of "startling" when scare actors jump out at you. Revving chainsaws galore. I think it is both: what you want and what you hate. If your hate of the jump scare tactics trumps your desire for creepy atmosphere and scenes, then I'd say skip it. Otherwise, I say give it a try. My wife and I love it all.

macraven is right: google HHN videos. You will get a clear picture of what it is. Lots of video of the outdoor scare zones. To get a good idea of the houses, google HHN and Ellen (as in Degeneres). She's had staff members go through houses, and you'll get an idea of what they are like (although you wouldn't be going through solo - you'd be going throughout the house conga-line style with everybody else).

 

[muushupork]

You will most likely be standing in line for hours.

 

[schumigirl]

Sounds like it's maybe not something you would enjoy........

We love it!

Always been very impressed with the standard of Scareactor. And the make up, I would never describe as ridiculous.......more intricate, and some very talented people are involved in the whole production.

You can buy Express Pass so you don't have to be standing in line for hours......we wouldn't do HHN without it......we can do 10 nights this year with our Rush of Fear tickets........we won't do 10 full nights but with having EP we can pop in for a few hours at a time and do as little or as much as we like........excellent value ticket even with EP added. If you were only going to do one night would definitely recommend having EP.

The houses are exceptionally well done........I would disagree strongly with the poster above who says they are "dumb". Some are almost genius with a level of detail that is second to none. We have only been going since 2007 and each year they impress us more with the attention to detail they achieve........

Never had to deal with marauding teens cutting in line either..........TM do a very good job of dealing with anyone of any age who think they can do what they like........last year we had a guy in his late 50's think he could smoke in line......he argued and was told put it out or you're out of the line. He put it out. It does get busy, but even on a busy Saturday night it's not truly awful.........just busy.

Personally we have so much fun at the event........and it is about having "fun" not a paranormal experience. I like getting scares and jumps.......but if that's not your thing, give it a miss........each to their own........not a huge fan of the chainsaw guys and gals, but they don't bother me.......

But if you haven't experienced it, don't listen to negative reviews only.......

For the record I'm 48 and my husband is 54.......we love it all!!

 

[GaryDis]

Maybe things have gotten better in the last 20 years. I don't believe Express Pass was available back then. And the one haunted house we went in was so dimly lit as to make any details in either decoration or makeup moot, and so crowded that you'd see or hear any scare actors jump at the people ten or twenty ahead of you before you'd get to them.

 

[shh]

Contemplating going again this year - haven't decided. It would be our 4th time in the past 15 years. I have a love/hate thing with HHN. Love it for all the reasons mentioned above. But it is crowded and often quite muggy/hot during the late Sept/early Oct HHNs. Some of the bigger teen groups can get really obnoxious...nothing dangerous. Just kids being kids. Tends to get to me more as the night goes on after I've maybe waited in a few too many lines and been through most of the houses.

But I love how the park is transformed, get a kick out of the scare zones...makes for great people watching! And some of the other regular rides they keep open have relatively short wait times, since many people are in the haunted houses and outside. All in all, I do like the event a lot.

May not be right for OP, but my suggestions to other lurkers who are on the fence: go on a thurs or sun - if going on a fri/sat, the express pass is a must-have to me. Cut back somewhere else - maybe offsite hotel or cheaper meals. The pass seems very pricey for a few hours, but lets you do so much more.