HHN - first timer impressions

[Flyin2MCO]

Just returned from a UO/WDW visit, including my first time at HHN on Sunday, 10/14. I won't do a full review of HHN since some of the homies have a done a great job with previous detailed posts. I'll just stick to the highlights and my general impressions:

* Overall - Had a fun time and was impressed with the set designs and artistic elements. Very creative thought process and execution. I didn't find the whole experience frightening or intimidating, as I'll explain in more detail below.
* Crowd level - It was PACKED. We got to the holding area around 530 (with express passes in hand), had a beer and watched a couple of clowns (not in costume, if you know what I mean) toss around a football amongst a growing crowd. Gates opened up near Nightmare on Elm Street...we were near the front but decided to use our express passes since a bunch of people immediately jammed into the regular line. Psychoscarepy was the only house that we didn't use express passes....every other house had a huge line, so we went through each one time with the EP.
* Houses - Favorites were Jack's Funhouse and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Least favorite was Psychoscareapy.
* Shows - Only caught the Freak Show, featuring Stevie Starr, and it was absolutely disgusting and vulgar...I guess that was the point, so maybe it just wasn't my speed.
* Scare factor - Seemed like the experience was the same in each house: follow a long line of people through the house and run into actors who jump out from behind the wall and say or scream something at you...it just got a bit repetitive, even though each house had a different theme. I probably liked Jack's the best due to the added visual effects. I guess it's unreasonable to expect anything more psychologically intense or creepy given the need to shuttle so many people through the event in a short amount of time....there are limitations to what can be done.

Glad we were able to catch HHN and will likely give it another shot in the future, but it didn't really live up to my expectations and I'm just not a fan of dealing with big crowds.

 

[Metro West]

Glad you had a great time. I'm glad the crowds on opening weekend didn't show up like the night you were there. Express Passes are a must!

 

[jennifer6800]

Also, how does Stay and Scream work, we have never been to Universal, would this ticket allow us into IOA to get a taste of it? Are any of the rides open during HHN, like at Disney?

Thanks for the info,
Jenn and Dave
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[Minniespal]

Glad you had a great time.

 

[Metro West]

Also, how does Stay and Scream work, we have never been to Universal, would this ticket allow us into IOA to get a taste of it? Are any of the rides open during HHN, like at Disney?

The IOA ticket is good from 4-7pm and lets you in the back door into HHN. Since HHN is at the Studios, you'll use a crossover that leads to the holding area. Then...you can get a jump on the crowds into the various houses. Most of the rides are open during HHN but I wouldn't take time away from the houses and shows to do the rides. HHN is only here a month and the rides are available all year.