Halloween Horror Nights - Solo

[glamdring269]

HHN is still a long ways off but I can't quite contain my excitement...

Our group will be 2 adults 1 is ok with Mickey's Halloween party level "terror", which we will experience as well, but no way in the world is she is going into HHN. It will end up being like one of those Ellen videos for an entire night. Last time we were there during an October I made the mistake of not going in solo. I won't make that mistake this October!

We'll be there the nights of Thursday Oct 10th and Friday the 11th. I believe looking at previous years that we will definitely have HHN on one of those nights, if not both.

So with that said:

1) Anyone been solo? How was it?
2) Is it worth doing both nights if HHN is offered on both?
3) I don't mind paying to join a RIP tour. Might make going solo feel a little less solo. Would any of you experts agree?
4) I'm assuming if I do a RIP tour then I can knock out a good amount of the attractions in a single night making #2 above a bit of a moot point.
5) I'm also assuming that if I do a single night, and both are available choices, I should definitely focus on doing Thursday over Friday.

 

[imprint]

HHN is still a long ways off but I can't quite contain my excitement...

Our group will be 2 adults 1 is ok with Mickey's Halloween party level "terror", which we will experience as well, but no way in the world is she is going into HHN. It will end up being like one of those Ellen videos for an entire night. Last time we were there during an October I made the mistake of not going in solo. I won't make that mistake this October!

We'll be there the nights of Thursday Oct 10th and Friday the 11th. I believe looking at previous years that we will definitely have HHN on one of those nights, if not both.

So with that said:

1) Anyone been solo? How was it?
2) Is it worth doing both nights if HHN is offered on both?
3) I don't mind paying to join a RIP tour. Might make going solo feel a little less solo. Would any of you experts agree?
4) I'm assuming if I do a RIP tour then I can knock out a good amount of the attractions in a single night making #2 above a bit of a moot point.
5) I'm also assuming that if I do a single night, and both are available choices, I should definitely focus on doing Thursday over Friday.

1) I have not, but I would.
2) If money and time allow it, I would (I would also encourage adding express).
3) Yes, being in an RIP group gives you a chance to talk to other people throughout the night. If you decide to only go one night, I strongly recommend a public RIP or private RIP (there are usually a few people here looking to fill empty spots in their private tour).
4) If you book a public RIP tour, you will go on a ride or two during the tour. After the tour, you will have time to use your RIP credentials as an express pass for the rides (once per ride per night). If you join a private tour, the group will plan the entire night (this includes possibly going through houses/rides more than once).
6) If you get an RIP tour, then either night will be fine since you skip all lines during the tour. If you go with a standard ticket, I strongly recommend getting an express pass, so you can be sure to go through all houses and rides (note that the express is only valid once per house/ride each night).

 

[CAPSLOCK]

5. Yes, both for crowds and prices. Even if you do express or a tour, they are cheaper on Thursdays than Fridays (which reflects the lines...).

 

[glamdring269]

Appreciate the feedback. One point I should clarify is that I'm mainly focused on knocking out the HHN specific attractions and don't care as much about the regular rides. We will be staying on site and will have 3 days with Express for that.

Sounds like a RIP tour is something I'll definitely want to do. Thanks again! Now if someone can make Oct get here a little quicker...

 

[macraven]

Going solo to hhn is not a bad thing

I have been doing it for years

Most of my time for hhn is solo

I do book a private rip tour each year and will have others join in
Some years I also book a public rip tour if it appears to be a packed park night

You’ll end up chatting with those next to you in house lines a lot

If you chose not to, you could check the internet and read what others are posting about hhn

 

[imprint]

Appreciate the feedback. One point I should clarify is that I'm mainly focused on knocking out the HHN specific attractions and don't care as much about the regular rides. We will be staying on site and will have 3 days with Express for that.

Sounds like a RIP tour is something I'll definitely want to do. Thanks again! Now if someone can make Oct get here a little quicker...

Sorry, I misunderstood the meaning of "attractions" to include rides. Glad you have daytime in the parks to focus on that though. So, I need to clarify a bit more about the RIP tours:

With the Public RIP Tour you will go in every house. The tour guide chooses the order and path to take, but you are guaranteed to go in them all. The guide will take you through shortcuts and you'll get a quick backstory before entering each house. Last year was the first year without the Bill and Ted's show. When it was going, the Public RIP guaranteed a show as well. I do not know if the public tour included a viewing of the Academy of Villains show last year (hopefully someone can clarify this point). After the Public RIP ends, you can use the regular standby line for repeat houses, or you can use your RIP ticket as a once-per-ride express pass.

With the Private RIP Tour, the person that booked the tour will coordinate with the tour guide about how specifically the group wants to spend the night. For example, the group might want to see all houses twice, and throw in a few rides. This tour will most likely last a lot longer, since you have the ability to repeat houses. I have not personally taken a Private RIP tour, but there are many fine folks here that can answer questions (using the forum search will probably answer your questions though).

I want to point out something that many people do not consider, and that is physical steps. HHN can be a long night, so you might want to consider how much you will walk around during the day before HHN. Also, the regular, standby lines take the longest route possible for each house. That means lots of steps and lots of standing still waiting. The Express pass reduces the steps and standing still dramatically. This is important for those of us in less-than-peak physical shape. Even better, the RIP tours require a fraction of steps and the absolute minimum standing time. Obviously, you're still traversing the park one or more times, though.

So to make it simple, if you have one night, I very strongly recommend Express pass or one of the RIP tours. If you have two nights, you could try to do everything in one night (many people are able to do this with excellent pre-planning) or split the attractions and do half one night and half the next night. Or do everything the first night and repeat your favorites the second night. Personally, when we go two nights, we get the best ticket option with express for both nights (we go through all houses once each night). We are completely spoiled by using the express (or RIP) lines. The thought of waiting an hour or two (or sometimes three) for a house is not realistic for us.

We were there early-mid October last year, and the crowds were heavy. Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday were even heavy. I will reiterate that Express or RIP would be a great add-on.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned, but RIP tickets still require an admission ticket. Express Pass does, too.

After re-reading your initial post, and seeing that you said you don't mind the extra cost of RIP, I would suggest booking a Public RIP tour for whichever night works best for you (Thursday will probably be a little cheaper though). If someone posts that they are looking for more to join their Private RIP tour on one of your nights, then that would be an even better choice, if you want to see the houses multiple times in one night.

Relax though, there's time to figure out what will be best for you, and you will have an awesome time at HHN!

 

[EvilVillainess]

My family and I joined a private RIP tour last year and absolutely loved the entire experience. I am already saving for another RIP tour this year. Public or private it is a great way to see the houses.