ChrisFL
Disney/Universal Fan and MALE
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2000
- Messages
- 9,235
Just a quick report on my trip with 2 of my friends. First, let me say that Im not a big fan of the houses themselves, its really not my thing, but Im the one that has the AP pass and can get discounted tickets. Plus its the only time my friends ever seem to get to Universal.
So I did go through a few houses, like All-Nite Die in and Run. Die-in was ok, but I much preferred the original back in 13(?), Run was good with some interesting scenery (the lawn mowers on the bodies were cool, got sprayed like heck from those things!)
I hadn't been to a Studios-only HHN since the first year (and it wasn't even HHN back then, it was Fright Nights) and I must say that the scarezones weren't that great compared to the last few years at IOA. I figured out a few reasons for that.
The main reason why I think IOA has had better success with scare zones is because there really is one main pathway around the park, so its much easier to set up scares, whereas the Studios is filled with different ways of getting around, streets going different directions and shortcuts everywhere. Plus IOA overall seems smaller, making it easier to theme everything.
Having said that, it still didnt seem like as much effort was put into the scare zones they did have this year.
The big thrill of the night for me was the Bill & Ted show. The past few years I hadn't been able to see it in person, only caught them on the internet afterwords and its definitely not the same. I thought this years was very funny and a brilliant show. Best part of the night for me and my friends.
Also, watched the 360 show in the lagoon, but realized that if you're at the wrong viewing area, you'll not see it right. It was cool but if the summer one was similar it may have been a bit overhyped.
My favorite houses haven't been changed by the ones this year...
1.) All-Nite Die-In (original)
2.) Castle Vampyr (Vampires and sexy women, what could be better?)
3.) Ship of Screams (Titanic themed, still one of the best)
Edit: FYI this was on a Sunday and we had express passes, good thing too as it was PACKED! Waits were 75+ mins for most houses
So I did go through a few houses, like All-Nite Die in and Run. Die-in was ok, but I much preferred the original back in 13(?), Run was good with some interesting scenery (the lawn mowers on the bodies were cool, got sprayed like heck from those things!)
I hadn't been to a Studios-only HHN since the first year (and it wasn't even HHN back then, it was Fright Nights) and I must say that the scarezones weren't that great compared to the last few years at IOA. I figured out a few reasons for that.
The main reason why I think IOA has had better success with scare zones is because there really is one main pathway around the park, so its much easier to set up scares, whereas the Studios is filled with different ways of getting around, streets going different directions and shortcuts everywhere. Plus IOA overall seems smaller, making it easier to theme everything.
Having said that, it still didnt seem like as much effort was put into the scare zones they did have this year.
The big thrill of the night for me was the Bill & Ted show. The past few years I hadn't been able to see it in person, only caught them on the internet afterwords and its definitely not the same. I thought this years was very funny and a brilliant show. Best part of the night for me and my friends.
Also, watched the 360 show in the lagoon, but realized that if you're at the wrong viewing area, you'll not see it right. It was cool but if the summer one was similar it may have been a bit overhyped.
My favorite houses haven't been changed by the ones this year...
1.) All-Nite Die-In (original)
2.) Castle Vampyr (Vampires and sexy women, what could be better?)
3.) Ship of Screams (Titanic themed, still one of the best)
Edit: FYI this was on a Sunday and we had express passes, good thing too as it was PACKED! Waits were 75+ mins for most houses
