Halloween Horror Nights

[heatherwillmom]

We are thinking about going to Halloween Horror Nights & Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party this October.DH & DS have wanted to do this for a while. We have been to WDW, Universal & IOA many times but have never made it for the October events. The kids have a couple of days off from school in October & I'm not against taking them out for longer. How much time would anyone who has been to the October events, recommend taking to experience them? Although we would spend our days in the parks too, it would just be like a "favorite rides" event since we wouldn't be there as long. We would probably stay on-site at Universal for the front of the line access

 

[Metro West]

We are thinking about going to Halloween Horror Nights & Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party this October.DH & DS have wanted to do this for a while. We have been to WDW, Universal & IOA many times but have never made it for the October events. The kids have a couple of days off from school in October & I'm not against taking them out for longer. How much time would anyone who has been to the October events, recommend taking to experience them? Although we would spend our days in the parks too, it would just be like a "favorite rides" event since we wouldn't be there as long. We would probably stay on-site at Universal for the front of the line access

You should experience HHN at least one night...two if possible just to make sure you can do everything. The park gets very crowded on most nights and the wait times can top 2 hours for the houses. You mention your kids...HHN is not for children under the age of about 13 since everything is in your face and can be very gory. It's not the same experience as MNSSHP at Disney. If your kids are younger and you think they can handle it, go for it but otherwise...skip HHN until they are older.

 

[GingerJay]

Question regarding the front of the line access- does that count for HHN as well? If you stay onsite, are you able to buypass the lines for the houses, too?

 

[Lou Holtz]

No, it does not count for HHN.

 

[appleseed1]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[WWEDUDE]

HHN is not for children under the age of about 13 since everything is in your face and can be very gory. It's not the same experience as MNSSHP at Disney. If your kids are younger and you think they can handle it, go for it but otherwise...skip HHN until they are older.

Don't underestimate this advice - the amount of adults I've seen running and screaming is astonishing, let alone children. Some children can handle it (and love it) and some cannot.

 

[RMulieri]

Don't underestimate this advice - the amount of adults I've seen running and screaming is astonishing, let alone children. Some children can handle it (and love it) and some cannot.

I agree with you.My 36 yr old SIL ,loves all things Horror and Halloween, and this was too MUCH FOR HER.I can't imagine small children there

 

[Metro West]

I agree with you.My 36 yr old SIL ,loves all things Horror and Halloween, and this was too MUCH FOR HER.I can't imagine small children there

Unfortunately...you see small children all the time at HHN.

 

[RMulieri]

Unfortunately...you see small children all the time at HHN.

Somehow I am not surprised

 

[tarrbear]

Unfortunately...you see small children all the time at HHN.

And when I do, they are always drowing in a puddle of tears. There have been a so many times where I've just wanted to ask thier parents, What were you thinking!?!?!?!

 

[glocon]

Would you call it rated PG-13 or more rated R for gore/violence?

 

[WWEDUDE]

Would you call it rated PG-13 or more rated R for gore/violence?

While the event recommends 13+, parts of it are very R-rated, including the shows, the other attendees (tons of drunkness), and how scary it is (which includes gore/violence).

 

[heatherwillmom]

You should experience HHN at least one night...two if possible just to make sure you can do everything. The park gets very crowded on most nights and the wait times can top 2 hours for the houses. You mention your kids...HHN is not for children under the age of about 13 since everything is in your face and can be very gory. It's not the same experience as MNSSHP at Disney. If your kids are younger and you think they can handle it, go for it but otherwise...skip HHN until they are older.

I still call them "kids" but they are teenagers, 15 &17. They are less likely to get scared than I am!!

 

[heatherwillmom]

I had already heard that the express pass for staying on-site didn't work for HHN but I think I heard something about being able to buy one for HHN. Am I right? We were thinking about maybe 2 days for HHN & 1 day for Disney for MNSHHP. That's more for me

 

[momof3girls6712]

2 years ago my 13 year old begged my hubby to let her go to HHN. I mean begged and begged and whined the only way a teenage girl knows how to do. So he went with her, her friend and their family. She was crying before they even made it in the gates. He had to carry her through the park and they ended up leaving. She watched horror movies with her dad and had been to several haunted houses, but it was completely overwhelming for her.

 

[Jason71]

Would you call it rated PG-13 or more rated R for gore/violence?

Easily rated R for gore/violence, and at least PG-13 for sexual situations. The language in the Bill & Ted would probably pull an R as well, if it were a movie. Also, alcohol is pushed heavily everywhere you turn. This is an adult event in many ways, not just because it's "scary."

 

[macraven]

We are thinking about going to Halloween Horror Nights & Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party this October.DH & DS have wanted to do this for a while. We have been to WDW, Universal & IOA many times but have never made it for the October events. The kids have a couple of days off from school in October & I'm not against taking them out for longer. How much time would anyone who has been to the October events, recommend taking to experience them? Although we would spend our days in the parks too, it would just be like a "favorite rides" event since we wouldn't be there as long. We would probably stay on-site at Universal for the front of the line access

i always do the thursday, friday and sunday on the columbus day weekend period.
i stay onsite for 8 days and do the rides and shows in the parks during the day hours.
i spend the entire hhn event doing the houses, zones and shows.

i can suggest that you be in the park before 5:00 and go to the stay and scream holding area.

you will stay there while the park is being cleared of guests.
once that is done, all in the holding area are let out to start on the houses.

you will be ahead of the crowds that will be let in at 6:30 then.

i buy the express pass plus. it can be used one time only for houses, and first showing of Bill and Ted.
i can do a lot before lines are long but i enjoy doing repeats on all the houses and zones each night.

some basic info for you:

non peak nights, hhn closes at midnight.
this includes wed, thur, sun nights.
price for hhn tix cheaper these nights.

peak nights, hhn closes at 2am.
tickets are priced at a higher rate.

i used to do saturday nights also.
i stopped doing them 2 years ago as the crowds are too heavy for my liking.

i have been to HHN since 1999.
each year the crowds tend to grow.
even though i go each year, i never tire of it.
i am completely and totally addicted to HHN.

i would suggest your group would enjoy doing 2 nights of HHN.
i would avoid the saturday dates due to the crowds and long waits.
long waits meaning even the restrooms have waits.....


if you have the AP, you can buy discounted HHN tickets.
the express pass plus does not have discounts.

hope this helps.
ask away if you have more questions.

take a look at some of the past threads regarding HHN.
also, other boards have much information about universal and their special events.

 

[jarrdisney]

Would you call it rated PG-13 or more rated R for gore/violence?

I think it depends on the night you go, how busy it is, and how late it is. The shows/houses/scarezones will always at least be a PG-13 for me. However, I think you'll find the alcohol consumption and people attending will make it more of an R rated experience. I'm not knocking cause I'm one of those people, just making people aware that if you think naughty words are offensive, you'll find me dropping the F bomb quite a bit.

 

[Disney 4 2]

I have vacation scheduled for October 17-21.

1. When are the HHN usually announced? I was hoping got 19 & 20.
2. Plans are to fly to WDW May 15-19 and switch to Universal on the 19th.
3. Tickets (best to buy Express Plus for HHN)?
4. Holding area in park. Be inside Studio before 5pm. Is there something to
do while waiting. For example early dinner and drinks at Finnegan.

This will be our first HHN. My husband is excited and I am not so. I do not like the Scare tactics. I do well with guts and gore (Nurse LOL!).

I am a planner and would like all help.

 

[Metro West]

I have vacation scheduled for October 17-21.

1. When are the HHN usually announced? I was hoping got 19 & 20.
2. Plans are to fly to WDW May 15-19 and switch to Universal on the 19th.
3. Tickets (best to buy Express Plus for HHN)?
4. Holding area in park. Be inside Studio before 5pm. Is there something to
do while waiting. For example early dinner and drinks at Finnegan.

This will be our first HHN. My husband is excited and I am not so. I do not like the Scare tactics. I do well with guts and gore (Nurse LOL!).

I am a planner and would like all help.

1. HHN dates are announced sometime in early summer. Stay tuned.

2. Sounds like a plan.

3. Last year I had the Frequent Fear Pass with Express and I loved it! Express is invaluable later in the month. Your dates look like they could be during Hell Week but we'll know more later.

4. The holding area is fun to hang out in as well as drinking or eating in Finnegan's. Most people just chat with others until they are released. It's really not a long time to wait.