How scarey is HHN....?

[Esmerelda]

OK....now I've established why USF closes at 5pm in October when we are there...for HHN.

I've never done HHN...how scarey is it? Will my 9 and 13 yr old boys wet their plants...? I just don't want to buy tickets if they won't like it....

thanks,
Esmerelda

 

[phamton]

It is not geared toward children. In fact they don't sell children's tickets. All tickets purchased are adult tickets. That said, I did see a number of children there.

It is scary and I don't mean WDW Haunted Mansion scary but Jason or Nightmare on Elm Street scary. If your children have no problem separating fantasy from reality, they would probably be OK. But there is quite a bit of drinking going on and the crowds are very loud. Not to mention, there are scareactors, some wielding chainsaws, all over the park who jump out at you while strolling through the park.

Here is a link that shows pictures from last year. It should give you a good idea of just what I mean by scary:
http://themeparks.universalstudios....dar=uo_park_hours&template=uo_park_hours.html

Scroll down to where it says:

Halloween Horror Nights®
Explore new dimensions of mind-bending terror when Universal’s Islands of Adventure® dares you to experience the biggest, most horrifically fun annual Halloween party of all time. Scream as the streets come alive with the walking dead as hundreds of mutants, maniacs and monsters emerge from the darkness. Squirm as you wander through terrifying haunted houses. And howl at hilarious live stage shows.

And then click on the link that says: "Dig up some fiends from last years Halloween Horror Nights®!"

 

[Motherfletcher]

I went with my 15 year old son but was glad I didn't have my 10 year old daughter. Bill and Ted can get suggestive!

 

[JT3000]

I'd take the 13 yr old as long as he understands what it is and might enjoy that kind of haunted house experience. Not sure about the 9 year old. If neither of them like haunted houses, then there wouldn't be a point. Keep in mind the characters roam the streets and the entire park is themed, so there are no "safe zones". The crowd also tends to get a little unruly towards the end of the night due to the high sales of alcohol during the event. It can be a very enjoyable event for people who like this kind of thing and don't mind those minor annoyances.

Oh yeah, and I'd avoid the Bill & Ted show with little kids, unless you've already seen it and feel it's appropriate. Nothing too bad, but it has it's share of suggestive themes. Usually the scariest haunted houses are the ones in the soundstages, since those can be built from scratch and don't have anything holding them back creatively.

Here's a decent site that just opened on the subject - http://www.hhnhq.com/

 

[ickyviz]

JT3000, thank you so much for posting that website! We were there for HHN last year, and I keep checking the Universal website to see if they're going to update the pictures, or put on the info about this years event (cos we're going back!!!)

I'll definitely be adding this to my favorites, and I'm very excited about my honeymoon now (only 15 weeks and 3 days to go!)

Esmarelda, I would be very cautious about taking your children - I'm 28 and I found it very, very scary, especially the scareactors who hide in the bushes, or round corners, and jump out at you when you least expect it! After a few hours, I thought I was getting used to it, and made the mistake of saying so to my DH while resting my weary bones on a handy bench - surprise, surprise, there was a monster behind me, who found it very amusing to scare me out of my wits again!

 

[4greatboys]

We went last year. Dh stayed in the room with 2 youngest ds' who were 3 years and 18 months. I went with my 2 oldest who were 13 and 15 at the time. We had a great time and neither of them were scared at all. We thought it was fun watching the scareactors walking the park. They only go after the ones not paying any attention. The haunted houses were fun, we all had a great time.

 

[JT3000]

http://hauntfreaks.com/hauntfreaks/hhnxii.html

http://hauntfreaks.com/hauntfreaks/hhnxiii.html

These pages go into detail about the last 2 years. They haven't posted a trip report for last year yet.

 

[SpideyHulk24]

It can be very scary. I would NOT take a child there.

 

[JT3000]

Like thrill rides, I think it depends on what the child can handle and their capacity to differentiate reality from make-believe fun. Anyone younger than a pre-teen I would not take no questions asked, but then it gets sketchy. I've been going since I was 12. I use to hate haunted houses and had to be dragged to my first HHN. But now I couldn't think of not going. I went 4 times last year.

The Travel Channel did a good special on HHN12 called "The Art of the Scare". It was available on DVD last year at the park. Not sure if you can get it anywhere else, but that'd give you a good idea of what to expect.

 

[mtblujeans]

I went last year with my sons, they were 11 & 15 at the time. My youngest says to let you know there was ALOT of blood and gore in the haunted houses. He says there was some "disturbing stuff" also. He says it is fun if you are old enough to handle it. I am a chicken heart and I only went along for the walk. We did see the Bill & Ted show and it is NOT for children.

I had bought tickets for my husband and our oldest son to go. When we got there, they all decided youngest was old enough to go, too. Then, Dad got sick and I had to use his ticket.

I was surprised to find that the tickets were cheaper to buy at the park than what I purchased in advance on-line.

 

[Motherfletcher]

About 10 o'clock the alcohol consumption starts to show as well.

 

[pigby]

I also think I've now decided - my DD(10) would find it way too scary.

Perhaps she'd enjoy the kids club at RPR......?

 

[Robinette]

Originally posted by pigby
I also think I've now decided - my DD(10) would find it way too scary.

Perhaps she'd enjoy the kids club at RPR......?

Pigby, we'll be at the RPR the same time as you, 20th - 23rd. I saw this on the who's going in October thread. Anyway, we plan on going to HHN the 21st or 22nd. My DD(10) will be in the kids club at RPR for that night. So that may help you knowing another girl her age will be there.

 

[Tenacious D Fan]

I don't think they sell tickets to children under eleven. I was eleven when i went, and if your 9 year old son isn't scared of people jumping out at them then that's alright, but when the monsters see children, they go after them. Your 13 year old should be fine though.

 

[phamton]

You can buy tickets for any age child, it's just that you will have to purchase an adult ticket as they don't sell child's tickets. Personally I wouldn't recommened it for young children. It is geared for teens and adults.

 

[DrewAlmighty]

Originally posted by phamton
You can buy tickets for any age child, it's just that you will have to purchase an adult ticket as they don't sell child's tickets. Personally I wouldn't recommened it for young children. It is geared for teens and adults.

Hey It's Bev! I didnt know you post here, lol.

I cant wait for my first trip to HHN this year, and I guarentee im going to have the Poop scared outta me lol. But, thats the point, I think.