HHN - teens without parents?

[ElizaT]

Our family goes to Universal often but has never been to HHN. My 15-year-old is lobbying to go to HHN with a friend - but his dad and I have no interest in going with him. He's an incredibly responsible kid, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of them going while we stay behind at City Walk. Am I being too protective?

I'd love to know at what age everyone thinks it's OK for teens to go without parents...and does Universal have an official policy about this?

 

[BigTiggerGuy]

Just my two cents.....
From a scariness factor I think 15 is old enough to attend. You would know your teen better than anyone.
However, from an overall environment standpoint, I'm not sure two teenagers should be at HHN alone. It is a very adult evening with alcohol around every corner. I know, I know, I know there is ALWAYS alcohol available at the parks but on HHN they seem to really push it. Everywhere I turn there is someone trying to sell me a jello shot and a beer! Hmm, I guess that's why I go each year In the past, I have seen some guests REALLY enjoying themselves and letting their hair down. Again, just my two cents.

 

[Metro West]

As Tigger stated...I think 15 is perfectly fine for HHN but that may be a little young to hang out because of the crowds that typically show up. It's a completely different crowd than during the day and things are definately more adult oriented.

 

[Subi WRX]

Would you let him go to a midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in a large city? If you would let him go there, you could let him go to HHN. The alcohol comment is not exaggerated: there is an alcohol cart about every 15'.

 

[inkkognito]

I agree with the others. From a haunted house standpoint, it would be fine. From an environment standpoint, it would be questionable. HHN is very much an adult party atmosphere and sobriety seems to be missing in action for most of the night. There are lots of police/security guards so they would most likely be safe, but they might be exposed to some interesting things.

 

[Foladar]

Universal themselves definitely welcome it, we went in high school three times, including once on Halloween night (what a terrible choice) .. about 50 kids, 5 teachers. I don't think they had the same set of teachers every year though, for some .. reason. The kids ranged from about 14 to 18.

 

[macraven]

Would you let him go to a midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show in a large city? If you would let him go there, you could let him go to HHN. The alcohol comment is not exaggerated: there is an alcohol cart about every 15'.

this is good.
i agree.

keep in mind, where there is alcohol, some adults act differently.
if your son and friend can handle themselves in a situation that becomes confrontational, you have no worries.

at any time an intoxicated park guests is causing son a problem, let him know in advance he should contact one of the cops or security in the park for help.


tell them not to hold any liquor glasses for anyone in the park. he could get busted on that.

last year, an elderly man had his 18 year old gson hold his beer cup for him while he went to the restroom. 18 year old busted as soon as gramps stepped out of site.
cops did not accept gramps statement to get 18 year old off the hook.
they replied, minors are not allowed alcohol at any times.
think gramps got nailed too for giving a minor the cup of booze.

i didn't stick around after that. i was in line and it started to move to bill and teds then.

universal is extremely strict about alcohol and minors during hhn.
no excuses allowed.
you are taken to the police station to explain there.

 

[MrMittman]

Wow, I can't believe how uptight some of the people on this board are. If the kids were 12 or something, I could understand the argument. But we're talking about a couple of 15 year olds. In a year they'll be able to drive a car, but we're worried about them going to a theme park?

As far as the alcohol is concerned . . . Are you worried about them drinking? Because with Universal's security inside the park, they'd have a better chace of getting served at a restaurant in Citywalk. As far as confrontation goes -- I have never seen a drunk pick a fight with a 15 year old out of the blue. And as far as the "alcohol stands every 15 feet" thing is concerned -- it really isn't that bad. I actually had to search for a beer cart that sold Miller Lite several times last year. The reality is that there are more beer vendors, by far, at your average professional baseball or football game.

Let them go. They'll be safe. They'll have a blast.

For the record. I used to go to HHN every year back when I was in middle/high school. I was probably 13 when I went for the first time with a friend by ourselves.

 

[Subi WRX]

Hey, if the boys aren't picky, then they will have no problem finding alcohol. Just because you had to go searching for Miller Lite (not all beer carts carry Miller Lite), doesn't mean alcohol isn't available at every turn.

 

[RVGal]

Uptight?

Saying "here is what I have experienced and based on that you decide what your kid can handle" is uptight?

They aren't going to a theme park. They are going to HHN at a theme park.

You went when you were a kid and had a blast, cool. You don't think there is anything wrong with sending a 15 y/o, again, fine. It is possible to state that without slapping the "uptight" label on everyone else that has posted.

Carry on.

 

[keishashadow]

Wow, I can't believe how uptight some of the people on this board are. If the kids were 12 or something, I could understand the argument. But we're talking about a couple of 15 year olds. In a year they'll be able to drive a car, but we're worried about them going to a theme park?

As far as the alcohol is concerned . . . Are you worried about them drinking? Because with Universal's security inside the park, they'd have a better chace of getting served at a restaurant in Citywalk. As far as confrontation goes -- I have never seen a drunk pick a fight with a 15 year old out of the blue. And as far as the "alcohol stands every 15 feet" thing is concerned -- it really isn't that bad. I actually had to search for a beer cart that sold Miller Lite several times last year. The reality is that there are more beer vendors, by far, at your average professional baseball or football game.

Let them go. They'll be safe. They'll have a blast.

For the record. I used to go to HHN every year back when I was in middle/high school. I was probably 13 when I went for the first time with a friend by ourselves.

compelled to put my 2 cents in here:

*I'd like to think every parent has a handle on their child's maturity level, know i've seen 15 yo's with less street smarts than a child of 10, especially when they hang with their friends...easy to get carried away.

*Most parents worry when their kids leave the house for anything...it's our job

*Can't say i've seen an "adult" drunk pick a fight with a 15 yo out of the blue (it would be considered assault , possible felony charge); yet I've seen many "seemingly" unprovoked attacks by drunks many times over the years while moonlighting as a bartender. It's not the booze, it's the peep.

However, unless Universal starts carding @ the door; you'll have this mix...ultimately it's up the the parental unit to make the decision.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I go with my teens but I have let them "roam" without me. They go off on their own with cell phone in hand. I have no problem with that, but I am in the park. My sister on the other hand has let her kids go since they were 16 alone. They have never gotten into trouble nor have the gotten any alcohol. Only thing that my sister did get upset about was (last year) when her DD bought the meal deal at 4:30pm and the CM who sold her the wrist band neglected to tell her that it would not be good for HHN. They ate once, then the moved to the stay and scream area.. and no longer was able to use her wrist band.. she wasted her money. That was a teen move/mistake, she didn't ask & the CM didn't tell. Now if that is the worst that can happen.. it isn't that bad.
I guess what I am saying is, it depends on you and your children. I do not let mine go alone. I do not live with in driving distance for the night. I figure if I have to drive them, I am staying anyway (not to mention I love it and would not miss it.. ) My sister on the other hand, she lives driving distance to Universal, her kids go with a group of friends and she doesn't need to drive or pick up.. ... her only fear are the drunks on the road when they head home.. but that isn't just from Universal, that is from any bar on a Fri/Sat night.
At 12 I would say No Way.. right off the bat.. but at 15+... you have to judge from the way your child is.. each child is different.. they mature differently. While your 15 year old may be very mature, someone else's may not.

 

[MrMittman]

Hey, if the boys aren't picky, then they will have no problem finding alcohol. Just because you had to go searching for Miller Lite (not all beer carts carry Miller Lite), doesn't mean alcohol isn't available at every turn.

You say that like they could just walk up and buy it as if they were 21. They aren't. They would be carded. And they would be stopped by every officer in there if they truly look 15.

Just the fact that alcohol is available doesn't mean they are able to purchase it. Would you not let the kids go to a baseball game and walk the concourse to get a hot dog by themselves because there will be a beer vendor next to the hot dog cart? Would you not allow them to have dinner at a TGI Fridays because they serve alcohol?

 

[Subi WRX]

I just meant that the alcohol carts being roughly every 15' makes for a different atmosphere. I never told her not to send the kids. Just gave her a picture of what its like. HHN is a whole different ballgame than the theme park during the day. Good for you that you went young and enjoyed it. Maybe her kids will too. Or maybe we've all managed to scare her off because she hasn't come back.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

this is good.
i agree.

keep in mind, where there is alcohol, some adults act differently.
if your son and friend can handle themselves in a situation that becomes confrontational, you have no worries.

at any time an intoxicated park guests is causing son a problem, let him know in advance he should contact one of the cops or security in the park for help.


tell them not to hold any liquor glasses for anyone in the park. he could get busted on that.

last year, an elderly man had his 18 year old gson hold his beer cup for him while he went to the restroom. 18 year old busted as soon as gramps stepped out of site.
cops did not accept gramps statement to get 18 year old off the hook.
they replied, minors are not allowed alcohol at any times.
think gramps got nailed too for giving a minor the cup of booze.

i didn't stick around after that. i was in line and it started to move to bill and teds then.

universal is extremely strict about alcohol and minors during hhn.
no excuses allowed.
you are taken to the police station to explain there.

After re-reading your post, it only shows how strict they really are. The OP would not have that much to worry about then sending her son with his friend if he were a responsible kid While there might be carts every so many feet and there are drunks, there is also a lot of security around. I can remember back when you use to have to go thru the metal detectors to get it..
do you remember that.... that would freak me out!!!!

 

[Metro West]

I can remember back when you use to have to go thru the metal detectors to get it..
do you remember that.... that would freak me out!!!!

I believe you still have to go through the metal detectors outside.

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We'll put in our 2 cents as well.

It's definitely not an event for kids, however, ultimately you know your child. There are some 15 year olds that would be perfectly fine with it, some wouldn't. As others have said, it's not the houses that are too intense, but the atmosphere. Yes there is alcohol readily available and there are many people who over indulge. Would you let your 15 year old go to a bar? That's basically what HHN is.

Universal is strict about not selling alcohol to minors but what would stop them from bribing someone old enough to buy alcohol for them. And there are many people attending HHN who would gladly do that. The vast majority of HHN attendees are college age.

If you do decide to allow your 15 year olds to go ... a couple of suggestions. Don't let them go on a weekend as it is much busier and much rowdier. And second, buy an express pass for them which will allow them to bypass the lines where the majority of the partying is taking place and will let them do everything in one night.

Bonny

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I believe you still have to go through the metal detectors outside.

There were no metal detectors last year I am talking the portable metal ones way back before they even had a normal bag check set up.... They were set up at the gates when you walked in. I know last year I did not go thru any. I went thru the regular bag check at the very front before you hit City Walk. I got there about 3ish.. I went over the the hold area about 4:45ish...

 

[Metro West]

There were no metal detectors last year I am talking the portable metal ones way back before they even had a normal bag check set up.... They were set up at the gates when you walked in. I know last year I did not go thru any. I went thru the regular bag check at the very front before you hit City Walk. I got there about 3ish.. I went over the the hold area about 4:45ish...

There are no detectors if you're doing S & S but I'm pretty sure if you wait outside and come in with the mob at 6:30pm you have to go through them. I can't imagine they would take them down for the mass entrance to HHN through the front gates.

Maybe we're talking about two different things. I was talking about HHN.

 

[macraven]

last year, i did 4 nights in a row for hhn.

metro and i did the thursday and were in the park, way before the park was to close at 5. you won't see the metal detectors in the afternoon like he said.
they are put up around 5ish on the hhn nights. they are located at the entrance of the studios entrance.

on the saturday, i was coming from my hotel room and got to the entrance at 4:50. the metal detectors were being put in place around that time period. i did not have to go thru them at that time.
when the park closes and reopens, all have to be scanned thru them.

people that came thru on a sunday last year from the ioa holding side, did not have detectors as they were already in the park.

hhn always has the metal detectors set up for those entering the park for the 6:30 opening of hhn.

if you would leave the park during hhn, you would have to reenter thru the metal detectors. universal is very strict during these hard ticket events.
besides detectors at the entrance, police are very visible throughout the park in the evening.

they have had them in place for quite a few years for some hard ticket events.


this is why i always recommend people use the stay and sceam area.
you are in the park, no hinderance in starting your fun once the all clear has been given from security.

people that go to the park around 6:20 in the evening thinking they will be in a short line and into the park when it opens to the general public at 6:30, find they have a much longer wait.

the detectors take up more time to go thru then you can imagine.
if you are at the front of the wait line, no problem.
if you are in the back of that block or two long line, you wait .......