HHN Survival Guide For Chickens?

[nicolebridget22]

As a big fan of Halloween, I figured HHN would be right up my alley. My entire year revolves around Halloween, my house is decorated to be "that house" every year for the kids, I LIVE for every thing and every activity in fall, and I love horror movies (though sometimes from the safety of a blanket fort on my own couch). I dream about Halloween all year long. So I went to HHN in 2006 but I only lasted about...an hour, maybe? I didn't even go in any houses, we were just walking around and I still couldn't hack it! I ran into Finnegans to get away from the zombies outside, had a drink, took a breath, and then made a bee line out of the park, trying my best to navigate the crowd without looking up. I retreated then to the safety of a Denny's where I calmed down over some hot chocolate and comfort food. I guess something I've learned about myself since then is that I'm highly sensitive. Loud noises, jump scares, I guess it's just too much for me. And it's heartbreaking, because I WANT to go to HHN!

This year there's Ghostbusters, Universal Monsters, Stranger Things, how can I miss these?! And as someone always looking for ways to "plus" my own home haunt, I'm desperate to go into haunted houses to look around and find inspiration in the movie set-quality details. I mean it's Universal, it's the best costume and makeup and houses/scare zones out there!

OK so obviously if I attempt it again this year, I need to take a Xanax or something, but what other suggestions would you make for one such chicken? Are there any tours that are less intense? Are there any safe/less intense areas that I can escape to for a breather? Or should I just stay away and watch walk throughs on You Tube instead?

 

[Flyg1rl]

You could wear earplugs. That is a tip that the Motherland gives for sensitive kids riding some of their rides. I tried it with a kid once, and it really did help.

 

[RAPstar]

You could always just do the Unmasking the Horror tour. They have a 6 house tour where you get to walk through the houses with the lights on (no effects/music or scareactors). You don't even need an HHN ticket or even a Universal park ticket.

https://orlando.halloweenhorrornights.com/site/hhn/products/extras scroll to the bottom

 

[skylock]

From what you describe, I say stay home and watch youtube videos. It has only gotten more intense over the years.

 

[macraven]

Gotta agree with skylock....
Besides being more intense than it was back in 2006, it will have more crowds.

Scare zones are something you have to walk through and it coulld be too upsetting for you.

 

[skylock]

Gotta agree with skylock....
Besides being more intense than it was back in 2006, it will have more crowds.

Scare zones are something you have to walk through and it coulld be too upsetting for you.

I forgot about the bigger crowds.

 

[Disxuni]

Another tip (other than not going, or taking "the day tour") is that if you do plan on going despite your fears I've always found that being aware of your surroundings and moving with a purpose definitely helps a lot in the scare zones. Traditionally when I look around, have a plan, and move with a purpose to my route I am never bothered.

They rather catch people who are distracted, or appear to be easy targets. I hate to stereotype, but I'm sure they do which is why I'm saying this, you might be more a target since you're a woman, however, so am I. That being said, they do prefer that prey (of course they go after anyone, but at least from my perspective that seems to be the favorite), but like I said, typically for the most part I'm avoided, which could be, because of my method, but also because I typically wear a lot of black and don't dress preppy. Once again, don't mean to stereotype, but only bring it up, because I'm sure it's a factor.

Unfortunately, you can't really avoid scare zones anymore (back in the day they either stayed put, or there was a couple, but moved in a pattern), they seem everywhere now. However, the most you'll probably get with this method is perhaps a scare actor that is moving past you do a little boo, or gesture towards you.

For me, I can't handle crowds very well (for some reason it seems more crowded at HHN events compared to the day) and the smells is what gets to me. I often focus on the attractions since they have low wait times typically since most people are waiting for the houses, grab a bite to eat, or chill somewhere.

The only place I can think of that might be the safest place to chill without potentially being bothered (and this is going to be a weird description) is the hallway you walk out into after the Horror Make Up Show and sit on the floor against the wall. Another way you find it is going into the "T2" gift shop and walk to the left once you walk into the shop and on the left there is an opening where there is a hallway with posters. I believe Horror Make Up Show only runs up to a certain time (at least it used to) and it's such an obscure place to be, I would imagine scare actors wouldn't open the door to the hallway to get to you, or even notice anyone there.

 

[skylock]

Another tip (other than not going, or taking "the day tour") is that if you do plan on going despite your fears I've always found that being aware of your surroundings and moving with a purpose definitely helps a lot in the scare zones. Traditionally when I look around, have a plan, and move with a purpose to my route I am never bothered.

They rather catch people who are distracted, or appear to be easy targets. I hate to stereotype, but I'm sure they do which is why I'm saying this, you might be more a target since you're a woman, however, so am I. That being said, they do prefer that prey (of course they go after anyone, but at least from my perspective that seems to be the favorite), but like I said, typically for the most part I'm avoided, which could be, because of my method, but also because I typically wear a lot of black and don't dress preppy. Once again, don't mean to stereotype, but only bring it up, because I'm sure it's a factor.

Unfortunately, you can't really avoid scare zones anymore (back in the day they either stayed put, or there was a couple, but moved in a pattern), they seem everywhere now. However, the most you'll probably get with this method is perhaps a scare actor that is moving past you do a little boo, or gesture towards you.

For me, I can't handle crowds very well (for some reason it seems more crowded at HHN events compared to the day) and the smells is what gets to me. I often focus on the attractions since they have low wait times typically since most people are waiting for the houses, grab a bite to eat, or chill somewhere.

The only place I can think of that might be the safest place to chill without potentially being bothered (and this is going to be a weird description) is the hallway you walk out into after the Horror Make Up Show and sit on the floor against the wall. Another way you find it is going into the "T2" gift shop and walk to the left once you walk into the shop and on the left there is an opening where there is a hallway with posters. I believe Horror Make Up Show only runs up to a certain time (at least it used to) and it's such an obscure place to be, I would imagine scare actors wouldn't open the door to the hallway to get to you, or even notice anyone there.

They also go after the people who look skiddish. Reread what she wrote. " So I went to HHN in 2006 but I only lasted about...an hour, maybe? I didn't even go in any houses, we were just walking around and I still couldn't hack it! I ran into Finnegans to get away from the zombies outside, had a drink, took a breath, and then made a bee line out of the park, trying my best to navigate the crowd without looking up. I retreated then to the safety of a Denny's where I calmed down over some hot chocolate and comfort food. "?

I think she needs to skip it.

OP, maybe think about doing disney's halloween party instead. Should be more your speed.

 

[Disxuni]

To be honest, I think she needs to skip it entirely, or as @RAPstar suggested do The Day Tour, as she would definitely be able to have a taste of the experience without the madness and terror she is worried about. Honestly, I never knew that existed until now and after a few years of not going to HHN I might have to do that tour. My suggestion was just in case she decided to rough it and go for the whole experience again regardless, but if the OP wants those certain house experiences she mentioned in her post, I'm sure the Day Tour would be best if she really, really wants to go to some capacity.

 

[georgina]

I would love to be in Universal Studios at night during my October trip but have no interest in HHN. Unfortunately it is on every day I will be at US. C'est la vie, IOA for me.

 

[skylock]

I wasn't aware of the daytime tour, but if she is bound and determined to do it, I think that will be her best bet too.

 

[nicolebridget22]

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and honest replies. I think I will probably have to skip it but maybe do the daytime tour, and check out some You Tube videos later. I think I know this is what's right for me even though...*sigh* Halloween. But yes, MNSSHP is something I love too, although it's gotten very crowded and I don't find it as enjoyable as I once did.

I realized another thing that has changed since 2006....I'm even OLDER now LOL. And I find the older I get, the weirder my mental hangups can get. For example, we went to Discovery Cove in 2016 and signed up for that underwater walk thing (can't remember the name) where you wear an air helmet. Now, I wore that exact same helmet at Sea World in 2006 for the shark tank experience we did, so I'm thinking no problem. Well, they go to lower that tiny, tight helmet on me at Discovery Cove and I freaked out, opted out, and went back to my cabana to cry about it. Evidently my average, everyday claustrophobia (as in, no I'd rather not ever get trapped in a trunk or be buried alive) had intensified in 10 years. My reaction was shocking to me, I didn't see it coming. How strange to want to do something so badly and all of a sudden your brain is just like...NOPE, sorry, we don't do this.

I wish I could toughen up a bit and go enjoy HHN. I do alright with Haunted Hayrides and SOME haunted house attractions, but I remember the unrelenting intensity of HHN and it's probably just too much for me. I think I knew this but was hoping there were "safe zones" I could pop into when I became overwrought.

 

[RAPstar]

TimTracker on YouTube has a lot of HHN videos including some really good walk throughs. And he also has a couple of the day time tour (you can't video the tour so they inserted the pics they took into the vid).

 

[Disxuni]

I wish I could toughen up a bit and go enjoy HHN. I do alright with Haunted Hayrides and SOME haunted house attractions, but I remember the unrelenting intensity of HHN and it's probably just too much for me. I think I knew this but was hoping there were "safe zones" I could pop into when I became overwrought.

Unfortunately, there are no safe zones, other than what I mentioned in my post, perhaps the restrooms. Technically even restaurants and gift shops are not safe anymore.

Last time I went we ate at Finnegan's and prior to me walking in they had a scare actor in the restaurant that was just leaving. Where I sat in the restaurant there was a glass door in front of me, which of course encouraged plenty of actors to use to their advantage. They never walked in, but definitely tried to "scare" me by doing all kind of things behind the glass. One person quickly gave up, because I ended up laughing at them due to them licking the glass (it was a vampire). It was so ridiculous I couldn't help myself. Also, I have to say that is dedication, as I would never want to lick any public surface, especially at a theme park.

 

[mikeyg1479]

Its all just your attitude going in. They are performers having fun. Not real monsters/killers out to harm you. Sometimes they "get" you and that's ok. Don't take it all serious or walk around all tensed up. Just be open to the sights and have a good time. When they "get" you, you give a little scream and then laugh with your companions that it happened. Then they "get" your friend/family member the next time and you laugh at them. I can be pretty chicken too, but was able to have a ton of fun this October, by just finding the humor in it all. (call it my "coping mechanism" if you will.)

But everyone is different, if it seems too daunting, and hate being scared "in the real", then the place definitely isn't for you.

 

[Disxuni]

Its all just your attitude going in. They are performers having fun. Not real monsters/killers out to harm you. Sometimes they "get" you and that's ok. Don't take it all serious or walk around all tensed up. Just be open to the sights and have a good time. When they "get" you, you give a little scream and then laugh with your companions that it happened. Then they "get" your friend/family member the next time and you laugh at them. I can be pretty chicken too, but was able to have a ton of fun this October, by just finding the humor in it all. (call it my "coping mechanism" if you will.)

But everyone is different, if it seems too daunting, and hate being scared "in the real", then the place definitely isn't for you.

I do not want to make assumptions about the OP, if anything she can correct me, however, it's just not an attitude, but potentially feeling anxiety and/or claustrophobia. Which having anxiety is an assumption I am making, but the OP has explained to us that she has claustrophobia with her story about Discovery Cove. You cannot control when you're triggered. It's not just your heart pounding for a second, or two, it's minutes of your heart pounding and a lot more.

 

[mikeyg1479]

I do not want to make assumptions about the OP, if anything she can correct me, however, it's just not an attitude, but potentially feeling anxiety and/or claustrophobia. Which having anxiety is an assumption I am making, but the OP has explained to us that she has claustrophobia with her story about Discovery Cove. You cannot control when you're triggered. It's not just your heart pounding for a second, or two, it's minutes of your heart pounding and a lot more.

All certainly possible. Like I said, it may be the place just may not be for her and nothing could really help. HHN certainly isn't for everyone. I could only suggest maybe earplugs, since they use loud & sudden sound in a big way to kind of drive some of those jump scares, and they could maybe help dampen some of the "shocks" but then again, at the same time, I might argue that by dampening your senses, you could allow them better opportunity to truly sneak up on you, so I don't know if that's a good thing or not.

As I was saying, I'm pretty chicken myself, and was a little worried going in for the first time this past October but I found just having a beer or two and finding your inner "silly" and just laughing it all off with my family is what got me through, and fun was definitely had. But that's just me, and the experience can definitely be completely different for others, especially if real anxiety issues or something like claustrophobia is in play- obviously HHN should be a hard pass for anyone who suffers from that stuff.

 

[skylock]

Just by reading the OP first post, HHN is not for her.

She would be like a chicken with a wound with the scare actors. ( anyone that has had chickens know the other chickens would peck it to death)

As someone else pointed out, there are really no places to hide.

It is a shame she can not accept it is all in fun and just enjoy it, but clearly from what she writes, that is not in her make up.

I wish there was a way to help her because she really seems to want to do it, but I don't think there is except maybe the daytime tour.

OP, come back and tell us how it goes.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Go to a few of your local haunted houses. See where you're at now with that sort of thing in a smaller (cheaper, easier, less intense, shorter, etc) venue than HHN. What helped me conquer my fear in them was looking ahead for where people might be, and spotting them before they move. I can't do scary movies (I do not enjoy the jump scares on the screen, where I can't predict them), but I have trained myself to really enjoy haunted houses and am rarely scared in them anymore. Also helps if you are calm, as you aren't a "fun" target.

Otherwise, enjoy the daytime tour!

 

[macraven]

I've done the day house hhn tours yearly since it started.
Always enjoy seeing the house sets and getting the background info.

When you do the houses at night, you miss a lot of the little details that are in the house.

House tours have the lights on and the guide will point out what to look for for those doing the hhn event.
But, if the line is moving fast at night, you don't have much time to take it all in.