Halloween at Universal

[dansyr1]

We did the event last year...a first for me....and it was absolutely awesome. Planning on going 9/29 this year. Anyone have any idea on when the tickets go on sale??

 

[tinkersmama]

Here is some info on what nights and the theme "Sweet Sixteen"

Halloween Horror Nights®
September 29 & 30
October 6-8, 11-15, 19-22, 26-29 & 31

Dare to face the most frightening Halloween Horror Nights® ever, when Universal Orlando® Resort transforms into a darkened world where ghastly creatures emerge from the darkness. Chilling haunted houses with uniquely bizarre themes appear out of nowhere. And screams of pure panic pierce the night.

This year, Halloween Horror Nights celebrates its petrifying “Sweet Sixteen”. For nineteen nights in 2006—September 29 and 30, October 6-8, 11-15, 19-22, 26-29 and 31.


I LOVE HHN!!!!!!

 

[JLTraveling]

Hey all... just wanted to chime in on this thread. I'm a mild-mannered spieler at Universal by day, and a Scareactor for HHN. HHN is definitely worth checking out, as others have said, the park is completely re-made for the event. I can't give you advance info on this year's event, I'd lose my job in a second, but from what I hear HHN is returning to its roots this year. I'll leave it at that.
I disagree with the "go on a non-peak night" advice though. Yes, the park is much more crowded on peak nights. However, it also closes later to accomodate the increased crowds. But most importantly, a lot of key entertainment happens only on peak nights. The houses are significantly better staffed, and a LOT of street performers are there only for peak nights. You really lose a lot of the intensity on non-peak nights. And for the actors, we feed off the energy of the crowd. Yes, we're professionals, and yes, we'll scare the pants off you no matter when you go. But just like at a concert, when an arena crowd juices up the band into a frenzy, the same thing happens at HHN on peak nights. The energy exchange between performers and guests is just phenomenal.
Just my two cents though. Feel free to ask if you have any questions that are non-specific to this year's event.

 

[Slacking]

Yeah, one of my greatest pet peeves about HHN is how understaffed it feels some nights (specifically non-peak). I've walked through some houses and could probably count the scareactors I see on no more than two hands, which leads to very disappointing walk-throughs. Unfortunately, due to a job I had last year (scareactor at a competing event) I could only go on non-peaks and never saw the houses at their full potential. IMO, this upsets me a bit. I'm paying as much as everyone else, but because I'm not going on a Friday or Saturday, I receive a weaker product? I hate that.

 

[JLTraveling]

I'm paying as much as everyone else, but because I'm not going on a Friday or Saturday, I receive a weaker product? I hate that.

Well, technically no you're not, last year ticket prices were tiered according to peak and non-peak. But I definitely agree with the sentiment behind what you're saying. Last year we did have one night, a Thursday I believe, that was sort of a bonus, a "peak" night at non-peak prices (and the Frequent Fear pass was valid that night). But it wasn't really advertised as such, and there was a lot of confusion even among the actors, many of whom were surprised to arrive at work and be told we would be open till 2 am. Personally, I'd rather go back to one ticket price, the same show for everyone, every night. Unfortunately they don't ask for my opinion

 

[Slacking]

Well, technically no you're not, last year ticket prices were tiered according to peak and non-peak. But I definitely agree with the sentiment behind what you're saying. Last year we did have one night, a Thursday I believe, that was sort of a bonus, a "peak" night at non-peak prices (and the Frequent Fear pass was valid that night). But it wasn't really advertised as such, and there was a lot of confusion even among the actors, many of whom were surprised to arrive at work and be told we would be open till 2 am. Personally, I'd rather go back to one ticket price, the same show for everyone, every night. Unfortunately they don't ask for my opinion

Thats true, but it wasn't like it was that much more, was it? But, its still not fair to those who come just for HHN and may not have a choice but to visit on a non-peak night, still spend good money, and still get a weaker show (not to mention less attractions as was the case last year and a few nights in 2004). I'm not a fan of that policy.

 

[Metallicat]

Kinda off topic a bit, but if anyone is ever around Birmingham Alabama at Halloween time, The Atrox factory puts on an EXCELLENT haunted house. it is a very long house to walk through and things actually TOUCH you in pitch black darkness. they have a few celebrities come out and sign autographs. last year we got to meet Leatherface from the Texas chainsaw massacre. of course it doesn't compare to HHN, but it was probably the most scariest haunted house that I have ever been to in my life.

I am so glad that HHN may be 'returning to its roots.' I wanna see them bring back the classic monsters that made Universal famous to begin with and for goodness sakes do away with the chicks dancing in the cages!!

 

[F-L-A]

I'm pretty sure that's not what they meant by HHN "returning to it's roots."

And you just made me glad that Universal doesn't take advice from outsiders.

 

[Slacking]

Here is a quote that I found on a well-known HHN fansite. If this doesn't give it away, I don't know what will, lol.

But what's this I hear about 'horror returning home?' Perhaps, ghoulies... sixteen will be the year horror, does in fact, return to its true home.

...Homecoming party anyone?

 

[Metallicat]

I'm pretty sure that's not what they meant by HHN "returning to it's roots."

And you just made me glad that Universal doesn't take advice from outsiders.

What is your idea of Universal returning to its roots?
mine is bringing it back to the studios, parade, more scarey monsters etc.. the way it was back in 1999 or 2000. I didn't mean JUST bringing back the classic monsters. (duh) although I want to see them featured in a house and maybe a few of the characters walking around too.

I guess Universal figures that if they put a few girls dancing in cages that it will keep the teen guys/boys happy. they are too young to go to strip clubs and see the real thing so it will make them feel big watching some sort of soft porn. now that I think about it, it's kinda funny seeing these boys hanging around drooling. to me laughing at them is an attraction in itself. but hey, if they put Johnny Depp or Keanu Reeves in a cage half naked, I would stand there all night and stare too.

 

[JLTraveling]

Heehee...very good Slacking. I knew you would get it. And now you can pass the word, and my job shall stay safe. Makes me really happy, though, that is of course where HHN belongs, IMHO.

 

[Slacking]

I've only attended HHN 2004 and 2005, so I'm excited for this year's event!

 

[Metallicat]

If they could ever get it as scarey as it was in the year 2000, I would love it. it was by far the scariest year that I've ever attended.

 

[PoohnPglet]

We LOVE HHN. In fact, last year we went as many nights as we could on the frequent fear pass. I had thought about auditioning for a role this year, but then thought about how if I was working the event, I couldn't party at the event! I would definitely recommend putting it into your schedule. Be sure to check out the Bill & Ted show as well!

 

[Slacking]

We LOVE HHN. In fact, last year we went as many nights as we could on the frequent fear pass. I had thought about auditioning for a role this year, but then thought about how if I was working the event, I couldn't party at the event! I would definitely recommend putting it into your schedule. Be sure to check out the Bill & Ted show as well!

Yeah, if you work HHN, you can't party, but being a scareactor (like I said, I haven't worked HHN but I worked HOS last year) is a blast itself. Its so much fun!

 

[PoohnPglet]

Yeah, if you work HHN, you can't party, but being a scareactor (like I said, I haven't worked HHN but I worked HOS last year) is a blast itself. Its so much fun!

Yeah, I had a lot of friends working it last year. They probably will again this year. But as much fun as it looked to go around scaring the crud out of people, is how much fun I have getting the crud scared out of me!

Didn't make it over to HoS, how did it compare to HHN?

 

[Slacking]

Yeah, I had a lot of friends working it last year. They probably will again this year. But as much fun as it looked to go around scaring the crud out of people, is how much fun I have getting the crud scared out of me!

Didn't make it over to HoS, how did it compare to HHN?

I'm trying not to be biased, but honestly, I thought HOS was a better event than HHN last year. I found HHN 2005 to be somewhat of a disappointment with only 1-2 great houses, while most of HOS houses delivered the few times I walked through them.

I definitely recommend checking it out though.

 

[JLTraveling]

Yeah, I had a lot of friends working it last year. They probably will again this year. But as much fun as it looked to go around scaring the crud out of people, is how much fun I have getting the crud scared out of me!

Didn't make it over to HoS, how did it compare to HHN?

I didn't make it to HoS either, so I can't answer that part. But actually, you can have the best of both worlds at HHN. I worked every night and still managed to see all of the other houses and most of the streets. It's possible because there are two casts that alternate shows and breaks. While you're not allowed to go out on your break, your alternate will do the last show of the night on half the nights. By the time you get out of makeup and costume, you generally have between 30-45 minutes before park closing. My castmates and I went out as a group almost every night, and we were able to get FotL access and see one or two houses a night. Some even managed to catch the last Bill and Ted show one night (I didn't go cause I had an appointment for last call at the local bar). I had my dad take pics of a few things that I didn't manage to catch, like the Terra Throne show, and I feel I had a full HHN experience as both an actor and a guest.
Also, you don't have to work every night. Several of my castmates took a night off specifically to go in as a guest -- when they came through our house, let's just say they got a bit of an extra show. If you set it up in advance, you're perfectly allowed (and then you don't have to pay to get in).
Just my thoughts, if you want to audition it is definitely worth it!!

 

[AdioSkater]

oops - sorry! Wrong thread!

 

[PoohnPglet]

I didn't make it to HoS either, so I can't answer that part. But actually, you can have the best of both worlds at HHN. I worked every night and still managed to see all of the other houses and most of the streets. It's possible because there are two casts that alternate shows and breaks. While you're not allowed to go out on your break, your alternate will do the last show of the night on half the nights. By the time you get out of makeup and costume, you generally have between 30-45 minutes before park closing. My castmates and I went out as a group almost every night, and we were able to get FotL access and see one or two houses a night. Some even managed to catch the last Bill and Ted show one night (I didn't go cause I had an appointment for last call at the local bar). I had my dad take pics of a few things that I didn't manage to catch, like the Terra Throne show, and I feel I had a full HHN experience as both an actor and a guest.
Also, you don't have to work every night. Several of my castmates took a night off specifically to go in as a guest -- when they came through our house, let's just say they got a bit of an extra show. If you set it up in advance, you're perfectly allowed (and then you don't have to pay to get in).
Just my thoughts, if you want to audition it is definitely worth it!!

Hmmm... definitely food for thought. Thanks for the info!