Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, a Candy Factory, Monsters, Goblins, Candy Apples and more. Is there a Quiet Place? My HHN 33 trip.

[Robo56]

Welcome Friends it is that time of the season again for my HHN trip report. This year we are Celebrating HHN 33. Welcome along for the ride.

Now it is time to get on with the show.

A little backstory for folks who have not read my trip reports before. I love pretty much all things Halloween. It is one of my favorite times of the year. The weather depending on where you live in the US is usually getting cooler and everything Pumpkin is out in the stores to try from coffee to muffins and everything in between. The stores are bursting with fun Halloween decorations and I’am always looking for something to add to my collection.

I have been visiting Universal Orlando for years. I have wonderful fond memories of vacationing with our youngest grandchildren over the years at Universal. My grandchildren are grown now. M graduated from College with an MBA and she is married. P is a Junior in College and is working on his Degree in Business. They are both busy with their lives, but they still love coming to Universal when they can. Our son C and daughter in law J (M and P’s dad and mom) love Universal too.

My sweet husband does not like to travel anymore, but he understands my love of all things Universal and Halloween. He is the love of my life. He knows how much I look forward to HHN every year. He listens intently as I dribble on about the various Haunted Houses and Scare Zones once they are released. He is a wonderful hubby.

When I started attending HHN I would travel by myself. Now for the last three years my younger sister K has been coming along for vacation to HHN too. She loves Halloween as much as I do and we have been know to encourage each other on halloween decoration shopping expeditions…LOL

It is wonderful to have K along for vacation. We never tire of things to talk about.

I’am a Retired RN and K is still working as an RN. Our older sister D is also a Retired RN. Many years ago when I had completed my BSN Degree in Nursing in the Fall semester both my sisters were do to complete their ADN in the Spring. I waited to to receive my degree at the same time as they did so we could all graduate together. It was a special celebration. The University had never had three sisters graduate from the Nursing program Together. The local paper came out and took pictures and did a story on us when they found out. It was a special day for all of us. That has been many years ago and is a wonderful memory.

While we are here for vacation our sister D who lives in Harmony will come over for a visit. It will be so fun to have us three sisters together. We are all getting older and we savor our time together.

I usually start decorating the first week of September for Halloween. I really want to enjoy the decorations as long as possible….LOL..I’am sure my neighbors probably shake their heads as they walk by and see my pumpkin’s in the window with red eyes glowing in September when it’s 90 degrees out. I also have a large Pumpkin wreath hanging on my front door.

I pretty much just decorate inside except for the years I decide to put my mini Graveyard out.

I did decorate before I left for my trip.

Here are two trees I put up every year.

The Witch Tree in my Kitchen.




And a Pumpkin Tree in my Dining room.

 

[Robo56]

Now it was time to prepare for HHN. I had been keeping up on all the Haunted Houses and Scare Zone releases and here is the line up.

Haunted Houses









I’am a big Universal Monsters fan. So I’am looking forward to this house.

 

[Robo56]

Scare Zones













Some more fun things that are going on to see and experience during HHN.

The Nightmare Fuel show


The HHN Tribute Store located in Universal Studios. It is open at all times during normal park hours and during HHN.

The Dead Coconut Club located in CityWalk.

The All Hallows Eve Boardwalk Bootique located in the Lost Continent in Island of Adventure.



The show on Hogwarts Castle in Hogsmeade.

Bar Halloween at Cabana Bay

 

[Robo56]

Some of the fun themed food and drinks advertised.















There is a lot more food and drinks and we will me trying some and taking lots of photos.



To be continued

 

[Robo56]

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

TONIGHT WE FLY





When I had initially looked at the possibility of flying for this trip the flight times were leaving at 4:45 pm and getting into Sanford at 8:45 pm. Heading to Florida we lose an hour because Florida is on Eastern time. So times were ok.

I have driven the past few times my sister and I have traveled to my home in Florida, but last year it was a long hard journey. We were caught up for 3 hours last year on the Florida Turnpike after a bad accident and the trip was just long………

My hubby encouraged us to fly so it would be an easier trip so I agreed.

When we decided to buy our plane tickets the times had changed for departure and arrival. Now we were not leaving until 8:45 pm and arriving at 11:45 pm.

Suitcases were packed and plane tickets were in hand and it was time to leave. I had the house decorated for Halloween. I had all my hubby’s favorite meals prepared and it was time to go.

My sister K and her hubby J had arrived. J was taking us to the airport. I gave my sweet hubby lots of hugs and it was time to go.

As we were driving to the airport I received a text the flight departure time had been delayed until 9:30 pm.

So we decided to take a detour to my sister K and her hubby’s favorite Chinese restaurant for dinner.

While we were having dinner I received another text that the flight departure time was delayed until 10:40 pm.

So needless to say we took our time at dinner.

We finally were on our way to the airport after dinner. We and arrived about 9:00 pm. We checked our bags in and were told the plane was on its way from Sanford. It had been delayed do to bad thunderstorms and lightening.

The plane arrived on time and the folks departed the plane fairly quickly. We were on the plane a little after of 11 pm and the flight left not long after.



FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH

The flight is only a little under 2 hours, but we lose an hour flying into Florida so our plane arrived at 2 am.

My sister D who lives in Harmony picked us up from the airport. I had her drop me off at a hotel that I had reservations at in Sanford. I could sleep a few hours then use the hotels shuttle service back to the airport to pick up the rental SUV I had reservations for from the airport in a few hours.

My sister K was going to spend a couple nights with our sister D.

I had business to attend to at my home in Florida which is about 2 hours south of Sanford so everything worked out

I checked into the hotel about 3 am and did get a few hours of sleep. Then I went down for coffee and caught the shuttle back to the airport to pick my rental.

The first SUV they gave me had a strong smell of cigarette smoke inside. I went back to the desk and ask for another vehicle. I don’t smoke and I have asthma and I could not handle that smell.

The guy at the counter said if people smoke in the vehicles which is not allowed. They charge them extra to get the vehicles detailed after and it is hard to get the smell out.

The next SUV was nice and had no oder in it of cigarettes. The nice young man at the counter came out to make sure all was well.

Finally I was on my way.

The two hour trip to my house was uneventful.

After getting home I was tired to say the least and did get some needed phone calls and other things done.

Then it was time for a much needed nap.


To be continued

 

[disneyseniors]

Following along patiently, Robo. Thanks for the overview of the scare houses. My son and I are signed up on 11/3 for the daytime tour of houses. That's our first full day at Universal. Always enjoy your trip reports

 

[Robo56]

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH CONTINUED.

After a much needed short nap I went out to pick up something for dinner. Soup sounded good so I stopped by Publix and purchased some Chicken Pot Pie soup from the hot soup bar and a sandwich.

I went home and ate my supper then I made a few more phone calls and by 8 pm I was ready for more sleep.

I was out I think before my head hit the pillow.




SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH

I Woke up early and went to Starbucks for a coffee and bagel to get my day started. I stopped at Home Depot to have a look at the Halloween animatronic display. They do the best display of any store around.

I had the best time stepping on the activation buttons and seeing how the displays work.







This Skeleton animatronic was huge.




I had to chuckle a little when I saw this Frankenstein animatronic. The facial expression was more started then scary.

 

[Robo56]

 

[Robo56]

I had fun looking at all the animatronics. I’am impressed with all the animatronics they come up with every year.

I left the store and it was time to get home and take care of some more things that needed to be done.

It seemed like the day blew by and before I knew it, it was bed time already.




SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH

I Woke up early and loaded by suitcase in the SUV and it was time to get this vacation started.

I took 95 to the 520 to the 528 to I4 and before I knew it I was turning into the entrance to Portofino Bay.

I parked and went into check in. I was greeted by the lovely Bethany. She was so nice and welcoming.

The lobby of the Portofino is very nice and it smells heavenly. The scent is called “Bright Sunshine”. Sapphire Falls also has the same scent in their lobby.













The room was not ready and I had planned to go have a walk around the parks.

We were staying Club level and after you check in you can go to the Club Lounge and enjoy a meal or a beverage.


The club lounge at Portofino is very open and welcoming. It is very spacious and nicely decorated.

 

[Robo56]

It was the end of the breakfast session at the Club lounge when I came in. There were still a few folks that had arrived late for breakfast and the Club staff made sure to keep everything refreshed so everyone could have a nice breakfast meal.

 

[Robo56]

After visiting the Club Lounge I went to have a look at the the display in the lobby for HHN. Each resort is supposed to have a their own display.



Then it was time to catch the Water Taxi.




To be continued

 

[disneyseniors]

Robo:
The Home Depot displays are great, they really go all out with them. Our HD puts out only a few, mostly blow ups for the yard. Yours is really special, and you are right, I did think the Frankenstein one looked startled about it all
The lobby at Portofino Bay is very beautiful. I think I will pop over there to see it in November. I think we will finally have enough time to explore with 5 1/2 days. I will also check out the individual displays at the other resorts too. Thanks for that as I never knew they did that.

 

[Robo56]

Robo:
The Home Depot displays are great, they really go all out with them. Our HD puts out only a few, mostly blow ups for the yard. Yours is really special, and you are right, I did think the Frankenstein one looked startled about it all

Ruth this particular HD has always done a wonderful job of setting up a lot of scary and fun animatronics for Halloween.

Frankenstein expression was pretty funny.

The lobby at Portofino Bay is very beautiful. I think I will pop over there to see it in November. I think we will finally have enough time to explore with 5 1/2 days. I will also check out the individual displays at the other resorts too. Thanks for that as I never knew they did that.

The Portofino Bay has a wonderful lobby. You will enjoy your visit when you stop by.

Your welcome. I’am not even sure I will make it to all the resorts to see the displays.

 

[keishashadow]

Your welcome. I’am not even sure I will make it to all the resorts to see the displays.

Lovely start to your new TR!

I'm rather disgruntled they've nixed the photo op @ CB. It was a lot of fun and think it helped create exposure for the resort from those who had never visited it

 

[Robo56]

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8TH CONTINUED


The Water Taxi was not busy. I had overheard that the resort had 400 rooms that were being checked out of today.

It was nice to be back on the boat heading to CityWalk.

After arriving at CityWalk I noticed the nice Halloween display. I have never seen such a nice display at CityWalk before.

I recall seeing these pumpkins displayed in a past Scare Zone that was in the area of the Major Sweets parade.


Little Boo is still a big factor in the displays and merchandise again this year.








The artistic displays in the windows of the large Universal Store in CityWalk are always so nice.

 

[Robo56]

I always have a look in the Store for any new merchandise in the HP section I have not seen before.

These dresses for the various houses of Hogwarts were new.








I have had my eye on this sword to add to my HP collection.


There were a couple of new bags.




The little Boo light up popcorn bucket was really cute. The eyes light up and when you turn it on the side it projects little Boo on the wall.


The Little Boo that you put on your shoulder was a very hot item and it is out of stock right now.

I saw a Little Tim Backpack for a my sweet little Great-nephew J’s birthday.


My sister K who is with me on vacation is little J’s grandma. She and I are always on the look out for his favorite minion Bob and his Bear TIm.

He has this Frankenstein Minion, but the Mummy Minion looks new.

I bought him the Zombie Tim that is on the bottom shelf last year.

 

[keishashadow]

These dresses for the various houses of Hogwarts were new.

lol they remind me of old school waitress uniforms.

Do like the frank minion. Think there is a popcorn bucket too if not already sold out ? repurposed displays in citi walk

 

[Robo56]

I wanted to mention and I think it still holds true that when you buy your popcorn buckets your first fill is free. It does not have to be in the decorative bucket they will give it to you in a bag. Also the free fill has to be done on the day you purchase your bucket.

My sister K pointed out the Hello Kitty Chucky merch.


There are more Chucky popcorn buckets for sale this year.


These Bob the minion Frankenstein bucket with little Tim on top are cute and it lites up and talks


These shirts were cute.




They have some nice Ghostbuster Merch.


I always marvel at the fun designs the design team come up with. This vintage looking sign was cute.


The Major Sweets shirt is creepy.


I was told on the UMH Tour that if you purchase this Major Sweets candy container at the candy store near Richter Burgers in Universal they will fill it with the candy of your choice for free. I will try and confirm that while I’am here.

 

[Robo56]

Here is some of the Merch that is a the prevalent theme of HHN this year. Its kind of punk meets graffiti meets underground subway vibe.





Another fun design presentation in the store. I love the vintage feel of colored fluorescent tube lighting.




The Insidioius shirts are really creepy.






More Ghostbuster Frozen Empire merch.

 

[Robo56]

There was a nice selection of Little Boo merchandise.







I really like these Little Boo pillows


They have the little boo sipper cups










I did not see any Artist Signature Series Merchandise this year yet. Will keep a look out. They usually have been pretty visible in the big Universal Store and Tribute Store.



To be continued