HHN crowds on Sept. 28 & 29?

[tbird89]

This question is for those of you who have historically gone during the last September weekend? Do these two days usually have lighter crowds than say a typical Thursday or Sunday in October? Also, do things usually run smoothly, or are there just too many kinks to be worked out which would ruin my experience? I know that last year they didn't have Robosaurus until the second or third week, right? Any input would be greatly appreciated. in advance!!!

 

[yaytezIOA]

Its like this, you're going to have to make a sacrifice. If you go early on in the event, you are most likely going to miss somethings. If you go opening weekend a lot of the houses will not be 100%, and they may be missing some of the scareactors. The crowds will be less, but they are less because of this reason. Then there are additional events that you miss out as the event becomes more crowded such as Robosaurus, last year they had comedians, and the last night the Bill and Ted show was insane on closing night.
You want to survive the night? Dont do the rides. Go during the day, ride the rides then. Save your express for later in the night. Get drunk before you go into the park, or have an after party in your hotel room. Dont drink and drive.

 

[macraven]

i've attended 3 years of opening night/weekends for hhn and 3 years of attending the second weekend of hhn.

yaytez has it right.

opening night is a zoo. publicity, cameras, tv stations block the entrance area and are all over. it holds up the crowds and lines in some parts of the park.

once the media clears out, it is ok but crowded the first weekend.
universal gives great discounts for the opening night and first saturday of the hhn event. many many attend due to the discounts.

to me it is not worth it.
second weekend is smoother but houses are stilll being tweaked and robosaurus comes the week after when i prefer going.

it's a toss up for some, lighter crowds compared to pack houses and longer lines.

bill and ted's usually changes some, houses are in full form when you go in the later part of the month.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Last year was my first time so I have previous experience to compare it to. DS 14 and I attended Saturday night of the opening weekend in September. I think there was a special for AP holders whicc gave us a discount on tickets and special access to the first show of the evening to Bill & Ted's. I also think there was a special waiting area for AP holders for the time between parking closing to guests and HHN opening. We thought HHN was a great experience. It was a special time to build memories of my son and I hope the memories will last a lifetime for him also. I don't know if the houses, shows etc were better as the weeks went on. As practice makes perfect, I would say imagine so. However, we had nothing to compare it to and thought everything was great. The houses became extremely crowded so I was glad I invested in the express passes. For one house, the wait was only 30 minutes with the express pass versus 2 hours without it. Most waits with the express pass were less than 30 minutes. If this is your first visit, like mine was last year, it should not make a difference as you have nothing to compare it to. We are going the same weekend this year and bringing dad/hubby along as DS and I kept calling DH after each event, telling him how much we wish he was there! After reading Mac's post, I think we will attend Saturday night instead of Friday's opeing night. Hopefully, there will be less media and some of the kinks will be worked out after opening night.

 

[tbird89]

If this is your first visit, like mine was last year, it should not make a difference as you have nothing to compare it to.

That's my dilema. I've been going for the past four years and definatly have something to compare it to. Being from Texas, my wife and I make it a point to attend Star Wars Weekends at MGM Studios in June and Halloween Horror Nights in October. Kinda like a Disney trip in summer and Universal trip in fall. Well, we will be unable to go to Disney this summer and wanted to go in September when the crowds are supposidly non-existant. I figured why not kill two birds with one stone. Our plan is to take off Friday the 21st of Sept. and fly back on the 30th. We will be doing the Disnaey part of our trip the first 5-6 days and then Universal the last 2 days, which are the 2 days with the Horror Nights. Anymore input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

[macraven]

That's my dilema. I've been going for the past four years and definatly have something to compare it to. Being from Texas, my wife and I make it a point to attend Star Wars Weekends at MGM Studios in June and Halloween Horror Nights in October. Kinda like a Disney trip in summer and Universal trip in fall. Well, we will be unable to go to Disney this summer and wanted to go in September when the crowds are supposidly non-existant. I figured why not kill two birds with one stone. Our plan is to take off Friday the 21st of Sept. and fly back on the 30th. We will be doing the Disnaey part of our trip the first 5-6 days and then Universal the last 2 days, which are the 2 days with the Horror Nights. Anymore input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!

you'll be able to get in to the free dining at disney if you have a package. cut off date is sept 22 check in to get that deal.
why not do the last three days at universal. you can get one day without hhn and the parks won't be crowded.
the last two nights for hhn will have crowds. the media hoopla and the big discounts uo is giving for the opening weekend.

buy the express pass so your wait time is cut back in doing the houses.
the express pass is only valid for the first showing of bill and teds.

i would think that you should be able to do every thing in the two nights you will be at hhn. i am assuming when you said you are leaving the last 2 days for uo that you would be attending friday, and saturday for hhn.