Thanks everyone, maybe we will just stick with Mickeys party and save this one for a few more years.
I think the thing with HHN is that there is no "right" time or specific age. I think it's rated PG-13. I was nervous going, I don't like things jumping out at me, especially live actors, but I found the whole thing amusing and not scary at all. And I really was thinking it would be too much for me. (I've never like haunted houses and such with live people in them)
That said, my 10 year old went with Bob as he mentioned, and I didn't know HOW he'd react because he doesn't like Twister or Jaws, etc...but MIB9's and I went first, and we felt it was fine for him. He went and loved it, they went again another night, in fact...
I think if your child WANTS to go, then they will probably be fine. I think there are many adults who this is too intense for, but we saw many, many teenagers enjoying themselves, I think teens are just about the right age for this event. I wouldn't force ANYONE who didn't want to go into it, child or adult, because they know their limitations and if the idea scares them, then it's probably best to avoid it.
We started with the less scary houses and worked our way up, you can go and still enjoy yourself without even going into a house, the atmosphere alone is very cool...and the street scareactors really weren't that big of a problem as far as being scared by them. If you go when it's crowded somewhat, I think it's harder to get scared, there is always some warning ahead of you that someone has jumped out at the crowd...so you can be ready.
If they are saying they want to do it, I would say, have them read the threads that told about this past HHN on here, there were some great descriptions of the houses and such, and talk to them about what to expect.
Karen
