HHN - just found out

[sunshine1010]

Soooo.....Made reservations today for our trip to stay at the Hard Rock Hotel. We'll be there from Oct. 9 (Tues) - Oct. 14 (Sun).

JUST realized that HHN will probably be happening during this time frame (...probably the Thurs/Fri/Sat that we are there).

I had a few questions:
1. Is this a separate event that costs extra...or will the ticket we get for that day cover it?
2. If not, do they close the park early for this event?
3. I saw a video once on YouTube of this event and there was a lot of people drinking excessively and a lot of crude language. Is that normal for this event?
4. How crowded does this event get?
5. Is it appropriate for a 11 and 13 year old?
6. Is it at one park or both?

I'd appreciate any advice also...

 

[DorianDonP]

1. Yes it is a separate event. You would have to purchase tickets if you wanted to attend.

2. The park that hosts HHH does close a little early so that they can set up for HHH. The actual HHH doesn't usually start until the evening, though. Maybe someone else can give exact times.

3. I've been twice and neither time did I encounter any unruly or excessively drunk people. My experiences have always been pleasant.

4. About as crowded as a normal day at Universal would be from my experiences. I've heard that the crowds are lighter in early October though (we've always went closer to Halloween.)

5. It depends on the kid, IMO. My first trip was around 14. I handled it fine. But there are some very intense scares, images, and sounds.

6. It's only at one of the parks.

 

[Metro West]

1. HHN is a hard ticket event meaning you would need to purchase tickets. Your theme park tickets do not get you into HHN. Nor does your unlimited Express access carry over to HHN either. HHN Express passes are sold for the event and just to let you know...they are pretty expensive...but worth it if it's really busy. Wait times for houses can reach two hours or more on peak nights.

2. The Studios will close at 5pm on the nights HHN is staged and then it will reopen around 6:30pm for HHN. Unlike Disney, the park is cleared at 5pm to make sure all day guests have left. However...if you already have your HHN ticket and are in the park prior to closing, you can take advantage of Stay & Scream which is a holding area where you wait until just before HHN opens to the public. S & S will allow you to get into several houses before the gates open which can really come in handy.

3. You might see this behavior since alcohol is served throughout the park but that's just people. Some will drink more than others just don't let it spoil the evening.

4. HHN has gotten very popular and crowd levels have increased over the past few years. There is no more "slow" night but if you go at the beginning of the month, crowds tend to be a little lighter.

5. Usually 13 is about the youngest age Universal recommends but it depends on your child. If you think they can take people jumping out at them and getting in their face, then it's something to consider.

6. Since 2006, HHN has been exclusively at the Studios and I don't see that trend ending anytime soon.

 

[sunshine1010]

Ya'll are great. You guys answered all my questions in details. Ya'll are the best!

A few more questions about the HHN (the time frame in which it's being held).....

- I've been told that this time frame (October) is one of the most popular for both parks. During the day (before the HHN)...are the crowds extremely bigger than normal?

- I ask because THE WHOLE REASON we decided to go there instead of Disney this year is because Universal and IOA seem slow and have much smaller crowds vs. Disney. Then, we find out our trip is during this big event. So...could anyone let me know what the crowds are like during the day while those events are happening at night?

- Also --- CityWalk ----during the evenings of HHN, how much crowded does it get?

- If they are having HHN the Thursday, Friday AND Saturday night we're there...will they actually close early EVERY night?

 

[RMulieri]

I haven't been during HHN yet, but I have done some research since I am looking to specifically go for HHN..In general,Universal/IOA are lower crowds but sometimes can be just as crowded as Disney.The week you are going is Columbus day week, Canadian Thanksgiving and Fall break for alot of schools, so crowds may be busier anyway.As for crowds and HHN,The crowds won't be crazy, but you may see a blip in the crowds level on the weekends when HHN is being held, especially at the Studios as you get closer to the start of HHN.HHN is ONLY held in the Studios park.So if it is happening Th,Fr and Sat night , then YES that park closes to day guests early each of those nights. IOA will still be open.Citywalk is pretty busy during HHN, but honestly we were there in Jan and found citywalk pretty busy even then at night.HHN is a very popular event, and the closer you get to Halloween itself the more people come to attend it.

 

[Metro West]

1) October is generally slow during the day in the parks. WWoHP is still steady but it's considered off season. The Studios crowds will grow as the day progresses with those attending HHN that night.

2) CityWalk is always busy but anytime there's an evening event, the crowd will increase. It should no affect if you're going to HHN but will if you're planning on having dinner at one of the restaurants.

3) Every night HHN is staged, the Studios will close at 5pm for set up.

 

[sunshine1010]

Sounds like there WILL be an increase in crowds. But I'm hoping since we are staying onsite...that the perks of the Express Pass and Priority Seating will help.

 

[Metro West]

Sounds like there WILL be an increase in crowds. But I'm hoping since we are staying onsite...that the perks of the Express Pass and Priority Seating will help.

Just remember your onsite benefits do NOT carry over to HHN. Your room key will not work for Express access...you would have to purchase an Express Plus pass for HHN.

 

[macraven]

Ya'll are great. You guys answered all my questions in details. Ya'll are the best!

A few more questions about the HHN (the time frame in which it's being held).....

- I've been told that this time frame (October) is one of the most popular for both parks. During the day (before the HHN)...are the crowds extremely bigger than normal?

- I ask because THE WHOLE REASON we decided to go there instead of Disney this year is because Universal and IOA seem slow and have much smaller crowds vs. Disney. Then, we find out our trip is during this big event. So...could anyone let me know what the crowds are like during the day while those events are happening at night?

- Also --- CityWalk ----during the evenings of HHN, how much crowded does it get?

- If they are having HHN the Thursday, Friday AND Saturday night we're there...will they actually close early EVERY night?

you forgot Sunday.
hhn on Sunday also.

not sure when the wednesday night/hhn will begin.
usually in the mid of the month or when hell week begins.

studios closes at 5:00 like Metro stated on hhn nights.
other nights, it will be at 6:00

ioa should close at 7:00.


i'll be leaving the darkside 2 days after you arrive.
have been doing the columbus day time period there the past 6 years.
columbus day is a busy day in the parks the past 2 years..

the wednesday after CD should not be bad in the parks crowd-wise.


city walk closes up late on the weekends.
it won't be bad with crowds hopefully while hhn is happening.

i wouldn't think the average 11 and 13 would enjoy hhn.
if they are into horror flicks and not scared easily, they might, but it is pg rated and not recommended for under 14 y/o.

all hhn tickets are sold as adult tickets.

yea, you can see drunks and different behavior at hhn depending on the dates you attend.
you can also see that at disney at F & W time period.

the studio side will probably have more in the park around 3ish on the weekend as many attending want to do rides before hhn begins.

since you are staying onsite, you won't have to worry about long line waits for rides.
you are allowed to use the express lines all you want.
you will get a lot done in the park that way.

 

[Senator Tressel]

There isn't an increase in crowds. Only a few hundred people in the park during the day stay to attend HHN.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

Just remember your onsite benefits do NOT carry over to HHN. Your room key will not work for Express access...you would have to purchase an Express Plus pass for HHN.

This, immensely. HHN Express is known to sell out--usually not in the first two weeks, but you never know. I can't count how many times people get confused about their room key NOT being valid for HHN.

 

[sunshine1010]

We don't plan on going to HHN. My son will only be 11. I watched more videos on YouTube of HHN, and there was one clip where two girls were in something like huge bird cages...barely dressed, dancing. They were supposed to be like zombie go go dancers (or something like that). Just not for my son at this point.

Wow - HHN will be going on EVERY day I'm there. That's crazy.

Oh....so, if there wasn't HHN, Universal/IOA still closes somewhat early (7pm?).

What are the crowds like at IOA on the nights of HHN? Do patrons migrate to that park from Universal to the point of being really crowded?

Columbus Day - gosh, forgot all about that too. Wow...I just picked a horrible week to go! lol

Hell week?

 

[Metro West]

Oh....so, if there wasn't HHN, Universal/IOA still closes somewhat early (7pm?).

What are the crowds like at IOA on the nights of HHN? Do patrons migrate to that park from Universal to the point of being really crowded?

Columbus Day - gosh, forgot all about that too. Wow...I just picked a horrible week to go! lol

Hell week?

October belongs to HHN at the Studios and it's an adult oriented event. On non-HHN nights, the Studios will close at 6pm and IOA at 7pm.

IOA crowds are not usually affected by HHN goers since we're talking about two different parks.

Hell week refers to the two weeks in October when local schools are closed and those students head to HHN with all their friends. Think of it as teen week...which makes HHN super crowded.

 

[RMulieri]

IOA/US generally close at 7pm at quieter times of year.It closed at 6pm the entire time we were there onsite a few weeks ago.We still found plenty of things to do, and by the time you go Citywalk Mini golf will be up and running.

 

[sunshine1010]

When is 'Hell Week' this year?

 

[Metro West]

When is 'Hell Week' this year?

It should be October 15-21 and the 22-28. When you see the HHN schedule for this year and there's a Wednesday night listed, that's Hell Week. It all depends on the school schedules.

 

[sunshine1010]

I may be in luck then....I'll be there 10-9 to 10-14

 

[disneymcgraw]

What is the ticket price approx for HHN?

 

[DCTooTall]

6. Since 2006, HHN has been exclusively at the Studios and I don't see that trend ending anytime soon.

You know.... I have to wonder if they may relocate back to IOA this year due to the Amity construction. Besides losing the Jaws house location, I wonder if the construction area and it's cattle-shoot walled area would cause enough congestion that they'd decide against holding it in the studios this year.

Then again.... That cattle-shoot could make for a great scare zone.

 

[Metro West]

What is the ticket price approx for HHN?

Last year...general admission tickets were $69.95 plus tax for any night...if I remember correctly. FL residents and passholders get great discounts on HHN tickets but there are no other discounts available.

You know.... I have to wonder if they may relocate back to IOA this year due to the Amity construction. Besides losing the Jaws house location, I wonder if the construction area and it's cattle-shoot walled area would cause enough congestion that they'd decide against holding it in the studios this year.

Then again.... That cattle-shoot could make for a great scare zone.

I seriously doubt HHN will be moved to IOA. I'm sure there's a plan in place to avoid the construction area but the chances of HHN moving to IOA is slim to none.