HHN: Okay, Guys -- Walk Me Through This, Please!

[JulieWent]

DS has been begging to go to HHN since he was old enough to know there was such a thing. Now he's old enough to actually go and not be scared silly, and we're giving one another tickets for his upcoming birthday. I'm trying to get a feel for what we need. We'll be staying at RPH, arriving 10/20 -- a Friday -- in the afternoon -- and not leaving until Monday 10/23. So, we could go Friday, Saturday, or Sunday nights to HHN. I have let our APs expire, and I don't think I'll buy new ones just now, so I'll probably get the 2/2 - 3 free deal.

Now, what's all this about Stay N Scream? It sounds like a good idea. Will we qualify if I get the 2/2 - 3 free park tickets?

Which night is best to go? DS is turning 12, a VERY BRAVE 12 who has been dying to watch horror movies since he discovered movies, but that might change your recommendations, so I thought I'd add it.

If we end up going on Sunday night, is it still a good idea to buy express passes? I have no idea about the crowd sizes except that the crowds on Fridays and Saturdays will be huge.

Any other tips? DS is going to be so happy. I worry about that boy sometimes.

Thanks in advance!

Julie

 

[JulieWent]

Anyone?

 

[kenban]

The restriction on the stay and scream tickets is that your buying regular tickets at the same time. Which since your buying the 2/2 + 3 free days ticket you have no problems. You can also add on the stay and scream at the park if you don't buy it online (but I would purchase it all online). Go sunday the tickets and express pass is much cheaper. Together I believe it will $54.95 per a person for the HHN ticket and express pass.

For me I would get the express passes. Without them the lines for some of the houses can be an hour long even on slower days. Last year I had to wait until the last minute to purchase my HHN ticket since I was going with a friend who was not sure what day he would be able to visit. We also went on a sunday and were unable to get express passes since we waited so long. By the end of the night (we got there when it opened) we had done all but one of the houses, were unable to see Bill and Teds show , and rode spiderman once. With the express passes you can hit a few rides/houses early by using the standby line then as the lines build you can shorten your wait using the express passes and will be able to do several houses/rides twice.

 

[disneyfreakk]

first off, how many people are in your party? You might actually save more money in the long run if you buy one Annual Pass. ( depending on if you go either Friday and/or Sunday night. )

Also, this is a very mature event. It sounds as if you dont let your son even watch horror movies. Is this correct?

 

[JulieWent]

Oh, no! He LOVES horror movies. The scarier the better. I meant he wanted to watch them when he was really little (back when it would have been inappropriate for me to let him watch).

Thanks for the warning. I appreciate how the people on this board make sure others understand this event. DS has watched every POV he could find about HHN (and, made US watch). He has read as many descriptions of the various houses over the years as he could find and has described them (in detail) to us. So we've got a pretty good idea of what to expect.

There are three of us. I've kind of played around with the math and been unable to see that there would be any benefit to going ahead and buying a new AP. Are there big AP discounts for HHN events that aren't published?

Julie

 

[macraven]

last year a family was at hhn with 13 and 14 year olds.

the kids thought they could handle hhn but once there, the scareactors were too much for them.

they left early due to that. i was in the park when i heard them tell an employee about it and they wanted refunds.

be sure your son at age 11 going on ge 12 can handle the event.

there are no refunds on this hard ticket.


if the son insists, you might want to go on a non peak night instead.
shorter hours maybe less crowds. you don't have to do any of the houses.
you could just enjoy the rides and do the scarezones.

 

[JulieWent]

Thanks for the warning. I've been around Universal / Disney / other theme parks enough to know that there are NEVER any refunds. We go in with our eyes wide open, trust me. (Perhaps we'll want to shut them later, but we certainly won't expect anyone else to pay.)

Good idea regarding going on Sunday night. I think that's what we'll go for.

Once again, thanks for looking out for us.

Julie

 

[disneyfreakk]

Oh, no! He LOVES horror movies. The scarier the better. I meant he wanted to watch them when he was really little (back when it would have been inappropriate for me to let him watch).

Thanks for the warning. I appreciate how the people on this board make sure others understand this event. DS has watched every POV he could find about HHN (and, made US watch). He has read as many descriptions of the various houses over the years as he could find and has described them (in detail) to us. So we've got a pretty good idea of what to expect.

There are three of us. I've kind of played around with the math and been unable to see that there would be any benefit to going ahead and buying a new AP. Are there big AP discounts for HHN events that aren't published?

Julie

LOL, thats important to know! I kept thinking: why is this woman taking her son to HHN but wont let him watch horror movies?? This kid is going to have nightmares forever! I think he will have a GREAT time at HHN! I really do think you should reconsider buying/upgrading 1 adult APH if you are planning on going sunday. The sunday HHN APH ticket price is $26.57 per person ( including tax ) , and the reg price is $59.95 + tax per person!! Not to mention, look at all the other great discounts!



10% savings on 1-day and 15% savings on multi-day theme park tickets (up to 6 people)
Free admission to select special events such as Mardi Gras and Grinchmas
Special discounts on separately ticketed events, such as Halloween Horror Nights and Rock the Universe
10% savings on select VIP Tours. Call 407-363-8295 to book your VIP Tour. Dates subject to availability.
20% savings at merchandise stores (excluding merchandise carts and The Master Coin Monster and Mystics of the Seven Veils.) Restrictions apply on select merchandise, some Islands of Adventure locations excluded. Special discounts subject to change without notice.
15% savings at all restaurants (excluding carts and alcohol)


20% savings on the CityWalk Party PassSM (up to 4 people)
10% Savings – Air Brush Wizard, Get Wired, Hair Wraps, Horse Drawn Carriages, Quiet Flight® Surf Shop, Rant N Rave Jewelry, The Endangered Species Store®
15% Savings – Starbucks
20% Savings - Cinnabon ®, DAPY®, Glow! ®, Magnet Hut and the Universal Studios Store®
Bob Marley, A Tribute to FreedomSM - 15% savings on food and beverages (excluding alcohol)
Hard Rock Café®- 10% savings on merchandise , food and beverage (excluding alcohol)
Hard Rock LIVE® - 2 free admissions to "Livewire" and “Jam Bando” local nights (18 and up.) Call 407-351-LIVE for schedule of event.
Jimmy Buffett’s ® Margaritaville® - 10% savings on merchandise, food & beverage (excluding alcohol)
Latin QuarterTM – 15% Savings on food and beverage (excluding alcohol). Priority seating for your entire party (Sun-Thurs only)
NASCAR CaféTM - 10% savings on food & beverage (excluding alcohol)
NBA City - 10% savings on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) one free interactive game card per passholder, one $3.00 off merchandise voucher (per party.) Priority seating is included (excluding holidays & special events)
PastamoréSM - 15% savings on food & beverage (excluding alcohol), plus kids (ages 3-9) eat free for dinner ( with the purchase of an adult entrée limit 1 for up to $4.95)
Pat O'Briens® - 15% savings on food & beverage (excluding alcohol), plus kids (ages 3-9) eat free from 4pm-9pm (with the purchase of an adult entrée-limit 1)
the groove - 2 for 1 domestic drafts
Universal Cineplex - $6.00 admission after 6pm (Sun-Thurs) and $2.25 off admission (Friday and Saturday)
Above discounts cannot be combined with other discounts, offers, or promotions.

Universal Orlando Resort

$100 off Birthday Parties! Call 407-224-BDay for more details.
Free self-parking each time you visit or pay for 2 hours of Valet and get the rest of the day for free (NOTE: Free parking is not valid on your first visit to the parks).
$10.00 discount off full-price Preferred Parking
10% discount at Samsonite Company Stores (call 1-800-547-BAGS for the store near you)
Free use of kennels for one pet on the day of your visit, (subject to availability.) Additional pets stay at the regular price.

Wet ' n Wild - Orlando

Save $20.00 on a Wet ‘N Wild Annual Pass (Not valid with the purchase of a Weekday Annual Pass)
Save 25% on a regular priced all day admission to Wet 'n Wild - Orlando (Valid for Passholder only, Blackout dates apply)
Save 10% in the Breakers Beach Shop (excluding sundries)
Please present your Annual Pass to the Wet ‘N Wild Guest Services Window at the park entrance for listed benefits. Above benefits cannot be combined with other discounts. Discounts valid through pass expiration date.

Universal Orlando® On-Site Hotels
Portofino Bay Hotel, A Loews Hotel
Hard Rock Hotel®, A Loews Hotel
Royal Pacific Resort, A Loews Hotel


Save up to 30% off room rates at each hotel. For reservations/availability call 866-PASS-4-FUN or check online
10% discount at Mandara Spa® at Portofino Bay Hotel (products not included), call 407-503-1244 for appointments
Save 10% at the following restaurants:
Trattoria del Porto® at the Portofino Bay Hotel
The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel®
Wantilan Luau at Royal Pacific Resort (price includes food and beverages), call 407-503-DINE to receive discount
Special events and holidays excluded on all hotel offers above. Food and non-alcoholic beverages only, alcohol excluded.

 

[mtblujeans]

I just want to clarify: If you are staying at one of the Loew's hotels, do you still need to purchase an express pass for HHN? TIA

 

[JulieWent]

Yep. It's a separate thing. You get the express pass for regular entry with your resort key, but to get an express pass for HHN, you have to buy it. Bummer.

Julie