Halloween Horror Nights

[heatherwillmom]

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.

This sounds exactly like what I was thinking. We may even try to go around Columbus Day so we don't have to miss too much school. We might try Mickey's not so scary on Sat when we are there since we will only be doing a long weekend.

 

[heatherwillmom]

The funny thing about me thinking about doing HHN is DH & the teenagers will enjoy it much more than I will. I don't think I will even do the haunted houses. I don't like horror movies. When the rest of the family watches one, I go to another room at home. I can stand real life gore. I'm a doctor & suture people & deal with wounds all the time. I just can't stand it in movies. I know, I'm weird. The only thing that will bother DH is the alcohol & the "bad words". I can deal with that part.

 

[macraven]

you need to try hhn at least once.


you might end up getting hooked on it......like i did...


go on the columbus day weekend and meet up with some of the homies that go regularly to the event.

we meet up at finnegans during the holding time period.

 

[heatherwillmom]

I plan on giving it a try for DS & DH. DH isn't that big of a Disney fan, but I drag him there every year. I can do HHN at least once for him. Some of the kids from our high school went last year just for the long week-end & enjoyed it

 

[glocon]

What is the difference between the Frequent Fear Pass and the Express Plus Pass?

 

[macraven]

What is the difference between the Frequent Fear Pass and the Express Plus Pass?

frequent fear pass allows the person admission to HHN on non peak nights.

express pass plus is the express line useage for houses and rides for hhn.
there is an additional charge for this pass.
it can only be used once per house/show.




epp also can be bought for use in the daytime in the parks.

 

[glocon]

And these both cost extra above the price of entrance to HHN, and the costs depend on the night you are going I assume? And you just need a ticket for HHN, not theme park admission, correct? Thanks all!

 

[Metro West]

And these both cost extra above the price of entrance to HHN, and the costs depend on the night you are going I assume? And you just need a ticket for HHN, not theme park admission, correct? Thanks all!

The Express Plus pass is just like the EP during the day that you buy. The Frequent Fear Pass is like a "season" pass to HHN...you can use it every non-peak night and the first weekend so it's your HHN ticket. The EP cost depends on whether you're going on a peak or non-peak night and they can be very expensive on peak nights.

You don't need to purchase a day ticket if you're not going to do Stay & Scream...just a HHN ticket. You would enter through the main gates at 7pm when HHN starts.

 

[glocon]

Does the cost of the FFP make it worth it if you are going to HHN for a long weekend? Or is it more for if you go multiple weekends? Got to start planning a budget!

 

[Metro West]

Does the cost of the FFP make it worth it if you are going to HHN for a long weekend? Or is it more for if you go multiple weekends? Got to start planning a budget!

It kinda depends on when you're going. For example...If you have an AP, the FFP will be about $60.00 for the month which can be used on 13 nights so it would be best to get one for a long weekend. Just remember...FFPs are not valid on Friday or Saturday nights except for the first weekend so that might not work for you. However...last year there were FFPs that included Fridays (not Saturdays) so there's no telling what kind of tickets will be available this year.

If you don't have an AP, I would strongly suggest you purchase a Preferred AP for the discounts on HHN tickets and the hotels.

Also remember...the only discounts available for HHN tickets are for FL residents and passholders.

 

[heatherwillmom]

It kinda depends on when you're going. For example...If you have an AP, the FFP will be about $60.00 for the month which can be used on 13 nights so it would be best to get one for a long weekend. Just remember...FFPs are not valid on Friday or Saturday nights except for the first weekend so that might not work for you. However...last year there were FFPs that included Fridays (not Saturdays) so there's no telling what kind of tickets will be available this year.

If you don't have an AP, I would strongly suggest you purchase a Preferred AP for the discounts on HHN tickets and the hotels.

Also remember...the only discounts available for HHN tickets are for FL residents and passholders.

I don't think I have heard about the Preferred AP. What is it? We always stay at the on-site hotels for the Express Pass line but I heard that it doesn't work during the HHN. We will be there on a week-end probably sometime in early-mid Oct. What would be our best options on passes?

 

[Metro West]

I don't think I have heard about the Preferred AP. What is it? We always stay at the on-site hotels for the Express Pass line but I heard that it doesn't work during the HHN. We will be there on a week-end probably sometime in early-mid Oct. What would be our best options on passes?

The Preferred AP is the "middle" annual pass that gets you free parking and discounts on hard ticket events, hotel rooms and food and merchandise in the park. Your unlimited Express access for staying onsite only works during regular park hours and since HHN is a hard ticket event and after regular park hours, it does not carry over.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic...s.aspx?ComponentId=12956&SourcePageId=13636#8

Your best bet would be to have one person in your party get an AP then you could purchase HHN tickets at the AP discount.

 

[DCTooTall]

I don't think I have heard about the Preferred AP. What is it? We always stay at the on-site hotels for the Express Pass line but I heard that it doesn't work during the HHN. We will be there on a week-end probably sometime in early-mid Oct. What would be our best options on passes?

The Preferred AP is the "middle" annual pass that gets you free parking and discounts on hard ticket events, hotel rooms and food and merchandise in the park. Your unlimited Express access for staying onsite only works during regular park hours and since HHN is a hard ticket event and after regular park hours, it does not carry over.

http://www.universalorlando.com/Tic...s.aspx?ComponentId=12956&SourcePageId=13636#8

Your best bet would be to have one person in your party get an AP then you could purchase HHN tickets at the AP discount.

It's also the lower of the 2 AP's available to non Florida Residents. They also have there Premium AP which includes a few extra perks over the regular AP... but the value is very debatable when you factor the price difference.

 

[Marquibiri]

Well hello everyone. It’s been a long time… Horror Nights thread!....well here I am! Work has kept me away from the forum and I will be a dad for the first time soon, so

HHN, yes, September opening weekend 2011, yes, again, yes, 4th consecutive year, YEEESSS…!

I don’t remember if I asked this before, but can a foreigner apply (get) an AP?

Cheers!

Marquibiri

 

[Metro West]

I don’t remember if I asked this before, but can a foreigner apply (get) an AP?

Sure...just purchase the non-resident AP and you will be all set.

 

[LOLA2]

heatherwillmom

My husband and I have been going for years and we would hire kids nite out to come babysit. When my daughter turned 13 she really wanted to go and try but she was very unsure weel my husband and I did not want to go and get all mad her if she decided she did not want to do the houses so my hubby and I went twcie once just us and then once with the expectations she would not do houses. She loved walking around seeing the scareactors
and atmosphere and Bill and Teds show but wanted to wait for houses another year. The next year when she was 14 she did do everything and loved it. and now last year when she was 15. We are planning on going next year and she wants to bring a friend. I can also say i brought my mom who is 55 and cousin 14 and brother who is in a wheelchair. I thought my mom would not do it, she said she would try one house and she had so much fun she did them all. I think she was also happy that my brother could get through all the haunted houses with his power chair.

We did not notice drinkers too much of course the sexy nurses giving out the drinks and such but pretty well behaved people yes we did hear a couple swears but what do you expect it is not MNSSHP. I am fine unless it were to get really obnoxious.

Love HHN would never skip this it is what we look forwards to all year. By the way my son 10 still has kids nite out come watch him terrific he is always sleeping by time we get back at midnight

 

[macraven]

I don't think I have heard about the Preferred AP. What is it? We always stay at the on-site hotels for the Express Pass line but I heard that it doesn't work during the HHN. We will be there on a week-end probably sometime in early-mid Oct. What would be our best options on passes?

one bit of advise if you haven't decided on a date yet for your HHN adventure.
stay away from hell week.
if you have the chance of going on that wednesday, don't.

many teens/high schoolers will be in the park during that time period for hhn.

i used to go the opening weekend as it is much cheaper and less crowded than the rest of the event nights.

then i stopped that as i wanted to do at least 4 nights per trip.

opening weekend only covers that friday and saturday night.
no sunday.

i have gone the 2nd weekend many times but the kinks are not all worked out yet in the houses and shows. i would get 3 nights on those trips.

back in 2005 or 6, i started going the 3rd week for hhn which was the columbus day weekend.
i can hit 2 peak and 2 non peak nights then.
price structures from the last 2 years make it more affordable than in the past for me on the tickets.

i do leave the tuesday or wednesday after columbus day to fly back home.
hell week has been during that time period on some of the years.

if you are not sure about the kids doing hhn, try the daytime tour of the houses.
you need to sign up for it in advance once it is advertised.
there will be two tours on specific days for the tour.
one before noon and one after.
the cost will be over $40 per person.

you do a walk thru of 3 houses with the lights on with a tour guide.
the house and details are presented to you so you know the particularies about it.

when you go at night thru a house, you will not have time to see the details in it. during the daytime tour you will.........and, take pictures.

 

[heatherwillmom]

When is Hell Week usually? I just got our school schedule for next year & the kids will be out of school Ocotober 10 & 11. I don't worry about my kids since they will be 15 & 17 by then. I probably won't go into the houses since I would be the one more scared than them.

 

[Planogirl]

I have never been able to figure out a way to do this when I have to work and DS has to go to school and it costs quite a bit for a quick weekend. We do all of the local haunted houses here plus we traveled to see Bates Farm and Eastern State Penitentiary (amazing) a few years ago. I know that we would love HHN.

I will work on it and try to find a solution. heatherwillmom, your kids sound like the perfect age. You get used to the effects and monsters after a while plus I believe that you have the conga line way of touring at Universal which makes this stuff a lot easier IMO.

 

[Metro West]

When is Hell Week usually? I just got our school schedule for next year & the kids will be out of school Ocotober 10 & 11. I don't worry about my kids since they will be 15 & 17 by then. I probably won't go into the houses since I would be the one more scared than them.

It looks like Hell Week could be the week of 10/17...stay away if at all possible.