Horror night pricing

[Mrs.viv07]

I'm trying to get my budget in order for our upcoming trip.
Last time we did hhn, we got the express pass I think for an additional $75 or so each person.
This trip it will be 3 of us and Unfourtanetly the only dates we can do are oct 30 or 31
With that said what is my best bet?
Get the add on express pass making the tickets about $200 each
Or get the rip tour for about $110?
My son is underage so I'm not sure if I can even get the tour option for him.
I don't mind waiting some time in lines but I also don't want us to be able to only see 1 house because of 3+ hr wait times.
Any suggestions?

 

[johde]

I am trying to plan my first HHN vacation (probably a long weekend). So, I am by no means an expert. A couple of questions that may help everyone else. Are you planning on doing to the parks in the day or just go to HHN at night? Unlike Disney's Hard Ticket events MNSSHP and MVMCP people with just HHN tickets can not get in early. From my research, people in the park are corralled into holding area while they clear the park. Then, they are given a "head start" on a couple of the houses (depending on where you were corralled). If you're going during the day, it may be cheaper to go both nights, alternating corral areas between the 2 nights so you get a head start on different houses. I'm looking at going early in the month and I think that's my plan. I need to check out the pass options for pricing on visiting multiple nights.

 

[Mrs.viv07]

I am trying to plan my first HHN vacation (probably a long weekend). So, I am by no means an expert. A couple of questions that may help everyone else. Are you planning on doing to the parks in the day or just go to HHN at night? Unlike Disney's Hard Ticket events MNSSHP and MVMCP people with just HHN tickets can not get in early. From my research, people in the park are corralled into holding area while they clear the park. Then, they are given a "head start" on a couple of the houses (depending on where you were corralled). If you're going during the day, it may be cheaper to go both nights, alternating corral areas between the 2 nights so you get a head start on different houses. I'm looking at going early in the month and I think that's my plan. I need to check out the pass options for pricing on visiting multiple nights.

Not really planning to do the parks either day honestly, the 30 th would be our arrival day so we were thinking of doing hhn the. Sleep late the 31st, then we were doing mnsshp
I don't think the parks would be. Good idea either as my mom, my 5 and 1 year old are with us so they would have to take a cab to the resort.
Last time we went was in 2012, we were able to do all the houses with the express pass and we're back at the hotel by 12:30. Granted it was the first opening weekend, not the last weekend, so I'm not sure what to expect

 

[GeorgiaPeach74]

I'm trying to get my budget in order for our upcoming trip.
Last time we did hhn, we got the express pass I think for an additional $75 or so each person.
This trip it will be 3 of us and Unfourtanetly the only dates we can do are oct 30 or 31
With that said what is my best bet?
Get the add on express pass making the tickets about $200 each
Or get the rip tour for about $110?
My son is underage so I'm not sure if I can even get the tour option for him.
I don't mind waiting some time in lines but I also don't want us to be able to only see 1 house because of 3+ hr wait times.
Any suggestions?

The Tour can be purchased by all ages. However, if there's a minor in the group, they must be present with an adult over the age of 18. You both would have access to the RIP Lounge; however, the cash bar is for those 21+.

With the Halloween Horror Nights Express Passes, you get into a much shorter and separate queue line at all haunted houses (once per use).

Here are the benefits of the Non-Private RIP Tour:
*Complimentary standard valet parking (subject to availability)
*Access to the RIP Lounge with cash bar upon check-in
*Immediate VIP Entry to all haunted houses (one time each) as well as 2 regular park attractions while with your RIP Guide
*Reserved seating at Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure
*Express Access to participating regular park attractions with your RIP Tour credential following the tour (park hours permitting)

 

[glocon]

We've done HHN twice now, the first time with ep's and the second with the RIP tour. If we can swing it, we would definitely do the RIP tour again. With the ep's, you wait in the ep line which is awesome, with the RIP tour, you go straight to the front of the line, no waiting. And you get to go to the cool alien bar in the MIB ride, where no one else is allowed. Verrrrry cool! And you get inside information on the houses as you visit them. And a RIP lanyard.

I'm so jealous of everyone who gets to go this year.

 

[keishashadow]

OP - HHN is an amazing but intense & sometimes raw, adult-oriented event. Is the 'underage' child the same person as the 5 year-old referenced above?

Naturally, you know your child best, but I've seen more than a few sobbing kids and unhappy looking parents over the years @ HHN.

IMO If I had a potential babysitter along& knowing MNSSHP would be included during the trip, I'd designate HHN night as date night and treat yourself to tour tix.

 

[Mrs.viv07]

OP - HHN is an amazing but intense & sometimes raw, adult-oriented event. Is the 'underage' child the same person as the 5 year-old referenced above?

Oh goodness no... It's my 14 year old.
He did when he was 12 and was unfazed, so he'll be fine this year.
My 5 yo wouldn't make it past the gate, nor would I ever subject him to it. That's why we're doing the disney version as well.
Thanks for looking out though. I saw adults crying at one point with the girl in the glass coffin and the rats/mice

Ok so it seems the rip tour is the way to go, BUT if naturally only 21+ are allowed in the bar, what the heck do we do? Take turns downing a drink?
I'm not familiar with the bar, is there seating outside? If so can we have the drinks outside?

 

[macraven]

Oh goodness no... It's my 14 year old.
He did when he was 12 and was unfazed, so he'll be fine this year.
My 5 yo wouldn't make it past the gate, nor would I ever subject him to it. That's why we're doing the disney version as well.
Thanks for looking out though. I saw adults crying at one point with the girl in the glass coffin and the rats/mice

Ok so it seems the rip tour is the way to go, BUT if naturally only 21+ are allowed in the bar, what the heck do we do? Take turns downing a drink?
I'm not familiar with the bar, is there seating outside? If so can we have the drinks outside?

there are tables and chairs in the rip lounge.
the bar is located on one side of the room.
it is a counter bar only, no seats set up at the bar.
it is an added feature that adults can use if they want.

not an issue for a minor to be in the lounge while waiting for the tour group to start the evening.

 

[Deanie1]

We did the RIP tour in 2013 as it was "hell week" and we were sure glad we did. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[glocon]

My son was 17 when we did the RIP tour last October and he was fine in the bar areas. You are there for such a short time that no one had the opportunity to over indulge to the point it made us uncomfortable.

And being in the Alien Bar in the MIB ride was just cool, because it was exclusive to those on the tour, and you would not be able to be in that area otherwise.

You can get water or soft drinks at the bars also.

 

[Bluer101]

Oh goodness no... It's my 14 year old. He did when he was 12 and was unfazed, so he'll be fine this year. My 5 yo wouldn't make it past the gate, nor would I ever subject him to it. That's why we're doing the disney version as well. Thanks for looking out though. I saw adults crying at one point with the girl in the glass coffin and the rats/mice Ok so it seems the rip tour is the way to go, BUT if naturally only 21+ are allowed in the bar, what the heck do we do? Take turns downing a drink? I'm not familiar with the bar, is there seating outside? If so can we have the drinks outside?

My son was there and no issues at all. We don't drink either so that's a plus. He enjoyed sitting outside above the crowd getting in watching everything.

 

[keishashadow]

Oh goodness no... It's my 14 year old.
He did when he was 12 and was unfazed, so he'll be fine this year.
My 5 yo wouldn't make it past the gate, nor would I ever subject him to it. That's why we're doing the disney version as well.
Thanks for looking out though. I saw adults crying at one point with the girl in the glass coffin and the rats/mice

Ok so it seems the rip tour is the way to go, BUT if naturally only 21+ are allowed in the bar, what the heck do we do? Take turns downing a drink?
I'm not familiar with the bar, is there seating outside? If so can we have the drinks outside?

phew, . more than few do bring young kids to HHN, not aware it's nothing at all like MNSSHP.

definitely family friendly, the room in question could easily serve as a small reception hall, has several large round tables and a tiny stand-up bar area. Don't think we've ever sat there for more than a half hour before our tour has started.

as for over-indulgingeven at finnegans pre HHN, have never seen anybody swinging from the chandelier. I had no issue taking my minor child there pre-HHN. Arguably, many adults are 'at capacity'but would venture the majority hold their liquor well. Only issue of note I've ever experienced was a drunk girl (likely underage) falling on me one year while waiting in line. So drunk she couldn't stand and her friends ditched her in hurry.

 

[Mrs.viv07]

this makes me feel much better about splurging for the tour especially since we are going the night before halloween.
on that note, would you thikn its better to do HHN that friday(as we plan) the 30th?
or
switch it to Saturday night (31)?
im assuming they'll both just as crowded?

 

[macraven]

difficult to say which night would be best.

saturday nights cost more in hhn tickets and ep.
locals might do halloween parties or take the kids out for trick n treating which could lessen crowds for hhn.

but, if you are planning to book a hhn tour, crowds in the park won't be an issue for you.

might as well go for the cheaper night, Friday.

 

[heidijanesmith]

We really like the non-private VIP tour. Our 16 year old was totally fine at the all the locations, she loves haunted houses and Halloween. I was the one who was uncomfortable at Bill and Teds with her. She could care less and says that she hears worse at school everyday.

We spent very little time at the bar and spent almost all of our time in the houses. Our tour mates were fantastic. We really enjoy not waiting in line for the houses and the crowds were no problem for us.

 

[Mrs.viv07]

Silly question but what's the difference between private and non private tours?
Other than maybe how much you pay.

 

[macraven]

Silly question but what's the difference between private and non private tours?
Other than maybe how much you pay.

the last time i did the non private hhn tour was 2004.
it was fine but you have no control on who will be in your group and how the evening would be set up.
your evening schedule is based on the tour guide's plans for the group.
you do get to see each house once and one show of Bill and Teds.
rides can be included depending on time you have available that evening.
there is a time limit to the non private tours.
you can choose the length of time from what is offered on the booking site.
it varies based on a peak night/non peak night and day of the week.


started to do the private HHN tours yearly since 2005.
i book a private rip hhn tour and invite friends join the group.
no one can join a private tour unless the person that booked it, adds them.

with a private tour, you can create it to be whatever you want it to be.
you inform your tour guide what you want to cover in the evening and they make it happen.
the tour starts at 7:00 pm and ends when the park closes.
there is a set 30 minute period during the tour for a dinner hour of your choice.

private tours can decide on the hhn agenda
non private tours follow the lead of the tour guide.

neither tours includes the tip to the tour guide.
it's an additional cost that you would cover

either way you go, it's fun and worth it.