HHN + Express Pass Questions

[TresGriffin]

So, I’m contemplating going to HHN on Friday, October 4th. I plan on going regardless of if I get an Express pass.

Just wondering how much of a difference getting an Express pass makes the HHN experience. This’ll be my only trip down to Orlando while the event is going on and I’d like to make it count.

Also, is the Express upgrade something I can purchase the day of, even if I got the base HHN ticket in advance?

 

[macraven]

For that night, I’d get the express pass in advance
It is a separate ticket and not linked to the hhn tix

Or

Since you only have one night, book a public rip hhn tour or hook up with a private tour that has availablity
You will see every house and scare zone in a tour

Friday’s and Saturday’s get crowds

 

[heidijanesmith]

Agree with Mac, we do not do HHN with out an EP or a tour.

I would buy the EP in advance. For us it's worth it, especially if you only have one night.

 

[TresGriffin]

Well, I just priced a ticket and it came to $209+tax with the Express pass.

With that in mind, I think I'll pass on HHN. It's something I'd like to check out some day, but it's not so important to me that I'm willing to pay upwards of $200 for it, especially for something I'm only going to be at for a few hours.

Thanks, for the tips though. I'll still leave this up, though, as it may benefit others who have the same questions.

 

[macraven]

TresGriffin,
HHN is 6:00 pm Friday to 2:00 am Saturday morning 10/4
But since you only planned on going for 2 hours, I can see why you changed your mind.
Fridays and Saturdays have higher prices than Sun-Thur
The EP some buy and some don't due to costs.

 

[TresGriffin]

TresGriffin,
HHN is 6:00 pm Friday to 2:00 am Saturday morning 10/4
But since you only planned on going for 2 hours, I can see why you changed your mind.
Fridays and Saturdays have higher prices than Sun-Thur
The EP some buy and some don't due to costs.

Yeah and that’s the other thing. My friend and I will most likely be rope dropping at Disney the next morning so I’d have to call it a night much earlier than 2AM. Combine that with having driven down from Atlanta earlier that day and HHN until 2AM just doesn’t sound like a swell idea anymore. Perhaps I’ll just do a base ticket and take what I can get and concentrate more on riding rides and maybe just stick my head in a house or two if I can.

FOMO is a beast...

 

[TresGriffin]

Now here’s what might swing me...does HHN Express include rides like Gringotts, etc?

 

[macraven]

Now here’s what might swing me...does HHN Express include rides like Gringotts, etc?

Yes.
The hhn ep allows you to use the express line one time for each ride.
There should be 6 rides opened during hhn.

This is from OI

During Halloween Horror Nights, there are quite a few of the regular attractions running – and since they take a backseat to the horror thrills and chills, they are often walk-ons:

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Transformers: The Ride – 3D (closes early)
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged (closes early)
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (closes early)
• Men in Black Alien Attack
• The Simpsons Ride (only open select nights)

Please note: if you purchase an HHN Express Pass, it works on the rides in addition to the haunted houses.

 

[macraven]

Yeah and that’s the other thing. My friend and I will most likely be rope dropping at Disney the next morning so I’d have to call it a night much earlier than 2AM. Combine that with having driven down from Atlanta earlier that day and HHN until 2AM just doesn’t sound like a swell idea anymore. Perhaps I’ll just do a base ticket and take what I can get and concentrate more on riding rides and maybe just stick my head in a house or two if I can.

FOMO is a beast...

When I moved to Northern GA, I drove to Orlando.
Did that 3 times and it was enough for me.

I switched to flying down

 

[TresGriffin]

When I moved to Northern GA, I drove to Orlando.
Did that 3 times and it was enough for me.

I switched to flying down

I usually fly myself, but the plane ticket prices were ridiculous last time I checked--I just looked and they're like $350 and up on Delta. Southwest isn't much better. And really, between getting to the airport in enough time before the flight to the flight itself and then getting transported from the airport to my hotel, it really only winds up saving me like a couple of hours each way.

 

[TresGriffin]

Yes.
The hhn ep allows you to use the express line one time for each ride.
There should be 6 rides opened during hhn.

This is from OI

During Halloween Horror Nights, there are quite a few of the regular attractions running – and since they take a backseat to the horror thrills and chills, they are often walk-ons:

• Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
• Transformers: The Ride – 3D (closes early)
• Revenge of the Mummy
• Fast & Furious – Supercharged (closes early)
• Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (closes early)
• Men in Black Alien Attack
• The Simpsons Ride (only open select nights)

Please note: if you purchase an HHN Express Pass, it works on the rides in addition to the haunted houses.

That's good to know that rides will be up and running. Truth be told, I don't have to see all the houses. I really just want to see Stranger Things and Ghostbusters. If I can see these two, even if I have to wait in line for a while, I'll be satisfied from the "house" standpoint. But I also know these are probably the most popular ones with the longest waits and my only hesitation is that I would potentially waste the entire night waiting on these two alone. But if this is sort of offset by the regular attractions being near walk-ons, I might just save my money and do the base ticket and take my chances on these houses. At least if the lines are ridiculous, it won't be a total waste if I just stuck to rides and being in the atmosphere of it all.

 

[nkereina]

That's good to know that rides will be up and running. Truth be told, I don't have to see all the houses. I really just want to see Stranger Things and Ghostbusters. If I can see these two, even if I have to wait in line for a while, I'll be satisfied from the "house" standpoint. But I also know these are probably the most popular ones with the longest waits and my only hesitation is that I would potentially waste the entire night waiting on these two alone. But if this is sort of offset by the regular attractions being near walk-ons, I might just save my money and do the base ticket and take my chances on these houses. At least if the lines are ridiculous, it won't be a total waste if I just stuck to rides and being in the atmosphere of it all.

I'd recommend watching the posts here as well as bloggers' YouTube videos to get a sense of how popular the houses are throughout the season and what the wait times are looking like at different points during the night. I know on opening night, Ghostbusters was reporting a two hour wait shortly after opening, so that will definitely be the most popular alongside Stranger Things.

DH and I do HHN every year and also get EP every time. Its the only way we are able to accomplish all the houses in one evening. Last year, we rode about 75% of the open attractions, visited all the scare zones, and all of the houses between about 6pm and 1am. Took a 30 minute break for a snack too. But this gives you a sense of how long it takes to get through things. Last year, we made the mistake of doing the Poltergeist house (popular one) around 8:30-9pm, which is the height of the evening, and had a 30 minute wait even in the express line. So without EP, I would definitely advise doing Ghostbusters first thing when the gates open, and then immediately over to Stranger Things. Use the rest of the night to do the rides, scare zones, shows, etc. You should also be able to do the less popular houses with manageable waits as well.

 

[macraven]

That's good to know that rides will be up and running. Truth be told, I don't have to see all the houses. I really just want to see Stranger Things and Ghostbusters. If I can see these two, even if I have to wait in line for a while, I'll be satisfied from the "house" standpoint. But I also know these are probably the most popular ones with the longest waits and my only hesitation is that I would potentially waste the entire night waiting on these two alone. But if this is sort of offset by the regular attractions being near walk-ons, I might just save my money and do the base ticket and take my chances on these houses. At least if the lines are ridiculous, it won't be a total waste if I just stuck to rides and being in the atmosphere of it all.

For those two houses, wait in the Finnegans holding area as when you are released to do the park, you will be closer to those two houses

 

[TresGriffin]

You'll all be glad to know that thanks to the advice from this board and just plain FOMO, I went ahead and got the ticket with the Express pass for that night.

 

[macraven]

Buying the Ep is like having car insurance

Never know if you need it

But if you do.......you will be happy that you do have it

 

[macraven]

You'll all be glad to know that thanks to the advice from this board and just plain FOMO, I went ahead and got the ticket with the Express pass for that night.

If you are going on a weekend, you will be very happy to have the ep
Regular lines can be long, but your ep line will be much shorter of a wait

It’s your first hhn
So do it up right and it will be great time for you

Friday- Saturday- Sunday have crowds by late September

Which night do you have planned ?

 

[TresGriffin]

Which night do you have planned ?

October 4th

 

[nkereina]

You'll all be glad to know that thanks to the advice from this board and just plain FOMO, I went ahead and got the ticket with the Express pass for that night.

Good call! And especially since you're going on a Friday, it makes it even more valuable. I think you'll be glad you did it. Have a great time!