more HHN questions...

[enchantingodin]

Background info:
- First year we went (2006) on a Saturday mid month. OMG were the lines AWFUL. 2+ hours for certain houses.
- We went again last year (2008) on a Friday, again mid month. Smartened up and got the express pass. It was awesome! Got to do EVERY house (one twice) and EVERY ride - still ended up leaving before close. Although honestly I think we could've done without the EP and still got most everything done...
- THIS year I am going with some co-workers on the 25th (a Sunday). But it is also HHK (Knight) for UCF students. Linked here:
http://www.asf.ucf.edu/services/HHK09/hhk.htm

Express Pass
I've heard that if EP doesn't sell out for that day that they often discount them either at the gate or at guest services. True? I'm also wondering if anyone knows if the EP has actually sold at this year yet?

Basically I don't want to drop the 60 bucks if I can get it for less there, but at the same time I don't want to risk the chance of a sell-out. So I'm trying to get the best info I can about it to help my group (which does include broke college kids) make a decision or weather or not to buy them...

Early admission to IOA
When I went 3 years ago my hubs and I did the early in IOA pass. We thought it was great. Did all the major rides. We tried that day (and succeeded) at getting in at around 2pm instead of 4pm. So I'm wondering - is it like MNSSHP where you can really get in about 3 hours before? Or was my early entrance in just a fluke of dumb luck? It is included in the HHK tickets so I'm trying to figure out what time we can actually get in.

What time are the gates to cross over supposed to open? I've heard several conflicting reports. When we went we crossed over at 6:30, not knowing at the time that they opened the gate at 6... If we don't end up getting the EP I wanna make sure we are there early enough to knock out the 3 studio houses before most of the crowd get in.

Crowds
So any of the locals on here ever gone on UCF night? Is it gonna be crazy full of drunken college kids that I get to point and laugh at? Or is it usually kinda tame being it's on a Sunday?




Thanks for reading by babble and offering any info you can...

 

[Metro West]

I haven't heard anything about the EP selling out this year yet but it's always a good idea to have one so you can do all the houses and shows. Also...the HHN EP is good for the rides that are open as well as the houses and the first show of Bill & Ted. Last year they were selling discounted EP's in the S & S holding area but so far...no such luck. Someone reported EP's were sold outside the Studios and they were only good after 10pm.

As far as early admission goes...the IoA ticket is only good after 4pm and there is a back entrance they usually open early for HHN. But...the main Stay & Scream area opens much earlier so you can do those three houses pretty fast. Your best bet is to be inside the Studios before the park closes at 5pm so you can take advantage of S & S. That would mean having a day ticket to the Studios but you can't get in early like you did at MNSSHP.

Anytime you have Hell Week it's just that...hell! The kids are out of school tomorrow and I would imagine this weekend is going to be packed.

 

[lachica]

EPs were sold out on Oct. 3, and we one of the first in at 4:30pm to walk into the park for the AP party. We were able to purchase the after 11pm EPs from guest services.

 

[macraven]

i'm back from the darkside and asked at guest services about the ep selling out.
i was told the ep's were sold out on saturday, oct 10th.

they did sell the special ep for $35 for 4 ep to be used on houses after 11 pm that night.

they told me horror nights have sold out on 3 nights so far.
meaning, up thru sunday oct 11th.

on the non peak nights the ep sold out, you could buy that special ep for $25 to be used for any 4 houses you chose but could only use the ep after 10 pm.

so, if you can't buy the regular ep, you can buy the special ones at a cheaper price for 4 houses.
depends if it is on a non peak or peak night for the start time to use them.

 

[enchantingodin]

I haven't heard anything about the EP selling out this year yet but it's always a good idea to have one so you can do all the houses and shows. Also...the HHN EP is good for the rides that are open as well as the houses and the first show of Bill & Ted. Last year they were selling discounted EP's in the S & S holding area but so far...no such luck. Someone reported EP's were sold outside the Studios and they were only good after 10pm.

As far as early admission goes...the IoA ticket is only good after 4pm and there is a back entrance they usually open early for HHN. But...the main Stay & Scream area opens much earlier so you can do those three houses pretty fast. Your best bet is to be inside the Studios before the park closes at 5pm so you can take advantage of S & S. That would mean having a day ticket to the Studios but you can't get in early like you did at MNSSHP.

Anytime you have Hell Week it's just that...hell! The kids are out of school tomorrow and I would imagine this weekend is going to be packed.

Yea I would love to be able to get the EP. But I don't think it's in the budget for everyone in my group - there's like 10 of us going. I was just trying to find other options on getting them for less...

What time do they open the cross over from IOA?

I'm not going this weekend, I'm going NEXT weekend... so I'm a little confused by your last statement...

EPs were sold out on Oct. 3, and we one of the first in at 4:30pm to walk into the park for the AP party. We were able to purchase the after 11pm EPs from guest services.

I've not heard of the after 11pm EPs - can you tell me more about it. Is it just houses or rides too?

i'm back from the darkside and asked at guest services about the ep selling out.
i was told the ep's were sold out on saturday, oct 10th.

they did sell the special ep for $35 for 4 ep to be used on houses after 11 pm that night.

they told me horror nights have sold out on 3 nights so far.
meaning, up thru sunday oct 11th.

on the non peak nights the ep sold out, you could buy that special ep for $25 to be used for any 4 houses you chose but could only use the ep after 10 pm.

so, if you can't buy the regular ep, you can buy the special ones at a cheaper price for 4 houses.
depends if it is on a non peak or peak night for the start time to use them.

Thanks for the info! So wait the after 11pm EP is good for 4 houses? Am I understanding that right?

We're going on a Sunday, I don't think it's considered a peak night... Do you know any "official" site where this EP info is listed? One of the people in by party is a very - erm - "rules" and "show me proof" kinda person.

 

[Metro West]

What time do they open the cross over from IOA?

I'm not going this weekend, I'm going NEXT weekend... so I'm a little confused by your last statement...

I'm not sure what time the IoA entrance is open since I haven't done it this year. In the past, it's been open around 6pm so that doesn't cut a lot of time off your wait.

I thought you were going this weekend...no reason to be confused.

 

[lachica]

The discounts EPs Mac, Metro, and I are taking about are available in guest services if the normal ones are sold out - or around the park later in the eveing. Sun-Thur EPs are after 10PM; Peak nights after 11PM. I am not sure about the '4 house only EPs'. Mine were the normal ones that you can use on any house/attraction, 1 time - but only after 11PM.

 

[macraven]

Yea I would love to be able to get the EP. But I don't think it's in the budget for everyone in my group - there's like 10 of us going. I was just trying to find other options on getting them for less...

What time do they open the cross over from IOA?

I'm not going this weekend, I'm going NEXT weekend... so I'm a little confused by your last statement...



I've not heard of the after 11pm EPs - can you tell me more about it. Is it just houses or rides too?



Thanks for the info! So wait the after 11pm EP is good for 4 houses? Am I understanding that right?

We're going on a Sunday, I don't think it's considered a peak night... Do you know any "official" site where this EP info is listed? One of the people in by party is a very - erm - "rules" and "show me proof" kinda person.

sunday is a non peak night as the park closes at midnight.
if the regular ep's are sold out, you can buy the special eps at guest services.
this special ep is not something that is well advertised.
you will hear about it from homies that are aware of it.
i first became aware of it in 07.

if you ask at guest services, you will receive correct information.
some of the tm's working the park only work special events and might not be aware of this special ep that can be sold.

last year, this special ep was sold on nights that were not sold out for the ep's.


lachica explained it well in the post.


if the temps drop, i would not be surprised to see more crowds in the park that night.
the heat in some of the houses a week ago, was a tad over powering to those in the congo line.

The discounts EPs Mac, Metro, and I are taking about are available in guest services if the normal ones are sold out - or around the park later in the eveing. Sun-Thur EPs are after 10PM; Peak nights after 11PM. I am not sure about the '4 house only EPs'. Mine were the normal ones that you can use on any house/attraction, 1 time - but only after 11PM.

lachica is so on the mark with this one.

i talked to the tm's at guest services this trip.
they said when ep's are sold out, they will sell the special ep's for that night.
it is just like you said.
non peak nights, $25, to be used after 10 pm.
peak nights, $35, to be used after 11 pm.

for both nights of the events, you receive the ep that is valid for only 4 houses of your choice.
you decide which house you want to use the express line.

if you want to do the same house twice, then you can.
if you do that, then you only have 2 ep's left to use.

it is quite possible that when the special ep's are sold, it depends on the night's crowd to determine how many house usage ep's are on that pass.

if the ep has not sold out but lines are long later in the night, it is very possible for those special ep's be the same number as the one's bought prior to the event.
for the night's the ep did sell out and not to have the express lines have lengthy waits, maybe that is why it is restricted to 4 houses of chose for the special ep.
i can only speculate on that.

last sunday, the lines for wolfman was at 25 minutes at 11:45 pm.
i was walking out at that time and it was the only line sign i looked at.
the park did not thin out earlier like it has in the past.

 

[RACEFAN9]

I was there last Sunday and it was crowded!!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

Yesterday was the most crowded I have seen HHN this year, and that includes the peak nights of the second weekend. 120 min. waits for houses, and at Saw the Express line was a good 30 mins. at least (we skipped it because we had used our Express on it earlier, when it was only a couple mins.).

Last year, Guest Services didn't know about the special individual EPs. We got 'em in the building that is on the left as you're looking at the interior Guest Services office. Maybe that has changed this year; haven't asked about those EPs, but have definitely seen them selling the after 10s outside the gates earlier this year.

 

[enchantingodin]

Thanks so much for the info everyone - it's been very helpful.

We've decided to see if EPs sell out for this weekend and make our decision on Monday. If they do sell out we will buy them before we leave, if they don't we will buy them once we arrive...