Newbie to HHN: Please help!

[teacher5]

My husband just surprised me with a weekend to US/IOA for the weekend before Halloween (October 28th-29th). We are arriving early Friday morning and leaving late Saturday evening. We bought two tickets to Halloween Horror Nights already because I was worried they would sell out. Was this a mistake (would it have been cheaper to buy these passes combined with the day passes?) Will the 28th be an especially busy night?

Can anyone give me suggestions on things not to miss or what to do first, etc? Also, I have not purchased the daytime passes yet. Are there any specials for two day passes? We are staying at HRH.

Lastly, any recommendations for clothes to wear? In Michigan it is starting to get chilly at night but that's probably not going to be true for Orlando at the end of October, right? Are the water rides still going to be enjoyable at that time of the year at night?
Thanks for any help!

 

[2BigKIdz]

I don't have any ticket suggestions but we were there the last week of October last year and the weather was very nice. It was around 90 during the day and probably in the 70's at night. It got very warm during HHN because of the crowds. I'm not sure about the water rides though, we did not want to walk around wet all night so we didn't attempt to ride any water rides (even if any were open, I don't think they were). It was plenty warm to ride during the day, which we did.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Its warm. Wear shorts and comfortable shoes. If this is your first HHN I'd consider the VIP ..er.. RIP Tour where you won't miss any of the houses, scare zones, get reserved seating for Bill and Ted and front of the line to the major rides. Its about $125 per person but worth it for that busy weekend.

 

[teacher5]

We are on a wait list for the RIP tour. Should I hold my breath???

 

[Motherfletcher]

I think I'd hold it for a while... (not until blue). We might get a response from Notatourist who is pretty familiar with such matters.
I'd better get busy arranging my own tour for the 27th. That shouldn't be as busy since its a "school" night.
During the day you will be in good shape since you are staying at the HRH. The not to be missed at Universal:
Shrek
Mummy
MIB
Horror MakeUp
T2
Fear Factor

At IOA:
Hulk
Dueling Dragons
Spiderman
JPRA
Mythos (restaurant)

BTW- Welcome to the Dis!

 

[Motherfletcher]

I just got an email from RIP Tours that said there aren't any available for the 28th and 29th.

 

[AceAdventureBecca]

Just went last night, had a great time! Here's my advice: Event opened at 6:30, we got there right after 6 and they were letting people in. When we went in we headed left and went PAST the first haunted house. (everyone stops there) Then we hit them all in order and came back around to the first one which was no longer crowded. We did not wait more than 5 minutes for a house and we road the Mummy ride twice in a row with no wait. Around 9 o'clock we noticed it got packed, most houses had over an hour wait but we already done them. Body Collectors was the best house. Blood Ruins was the worst.
Also just to mention, they had drinks called Bloody Berry...fruity & sweet and tasted like regular fruit punch with no alcohol. Universal scams people with these drink. $9 with cup then $6 refills. I got one, tipped the guy well...took one drink and asked him if I coud get something else. I offered to pay more money also. He puts his hands on his hips and gets sarcastic with me, and let's me know (as if he's my father) what a waste it is to pour it out and how it costs them money. Poor Universal! A whole 50 cents in juice. As expensive as the event is and then paying so much for drinks, food...etc. Give me a break...jerk!!!

 

[Metro West]

I went the weekend before Halloween last year and it was MOBBED! Get there early and do the houses in the back of IOA first. You'll have to stand in lines regardless so make sure you have comfortable shoes and shorts. With all the people standing so close together in the queues, it'll get really warm. It wasn't a mistake to buy the HHN tix early but try to get an Express Pass if at all possible...they will definate sell out that weekend.

As far as the water rides go, I think it'll be a little chilly walking around soaking wet unless you do JPRA and Ripsaw Falls on your way out of the park. After the sun goes down, it'll get in the lower 70's I would imagine. It was nice opening night but it did get cool later in the evening.

 

[teacher5]

We are on a waiting list for the RIP tour. Do you think if we buy the Express Pass, they will reimburse us if an opening for the RIP tour becomes available? I would really be bummed if we don't get the RIP AND no Express Pass either.

AceAdventureBecca, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I will definately get there before the crowds and go past the first haunted house. And I won't get the juice!

 

[teacher5]

Since it is just my dh and me going to the parks for two days, there doesn't appear to be any ticket specials that fit that criteria. Would you suggest just purchasing our tickets for the daytime when we arrive? I already purchased the HHN tickets.

 

[Motherfletcher]

We have done both the RIP Tour and the Express Pass strategies. Express Pass worked Ok but I did quite a bit of pre-planning to find out with houses were the most popular and where they were located. We also had early entry with the Annual Passes. RIP is by far the easiest. I'd call RIP Tour and ask about the Express refund if a slot were to open. I'm doing the RIP this year on the 27th and am being very careful not to read any spoilers.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Since it is just my dh and me going to the parks for two days, there doesn't appear to be any ticket specials that fit that criteria. Would you suggest just purchasing our tickets for the daytime when we arrive? I already purchased the HHN tickets.

Since you are staying at HRH you can purchase length of stay passes from their concierge desk.

 

[AceAdventureBecca]

We are on a waiting list for the RIP tour. Do you think if we buy the Express Pass, they will reimburse us if an opening for the RIP tour becomes available? I would really be bummed if we don't get the RIP AND no Express Pass either.

AceAdventureBecca, Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I will definately get there before the crowds and go past the first haunted house. And I won't get the juice!

Good question but I have no idea, I would give them a call for any info.
Keep in mind this is what worked for me but as it gets closer to Halloween the crowds get much bigger. Last night I noticed it wasn't sold out when we got there and I'm not sure if it did. As far as the drink goes, a few people said that it was a little better at some stations but I heard there were alot of complaints. So you never know...I just didn't like it!!!

 

[tbird89]

Did any of you go last year on Halloween night? It was on a Sunday. How were the crowds that day? I went the day before, on Saturday, and I overheard one of the employees tell a guest that they oversold the event for that day. Don't know if that's true, but I do remember them opening all, if not most of IOA to accomodate the crowds. Thank goodness I bought the Express Pass!!!!!

 

[MouseJunkie]

Yes, I went last year on Halloween. It was NUTS! We actually left early; we couldn't stand the crowds and long waits for the mazes. We go every year and this was by far the worst ever. I would definately recommend express passes. Those lines were even long though. We usually have park admissions and just stay in the park until they let us past the barricades. It was still a madhouse.

 

[hardrockinclub7]

hmm... well first off... as a Wisconsiner I would suggest bring a pair of jeans a sweatshirt, two three tshirts... and a pair of shorts. Itll be a great getaway from all of this cold weather..

thats funny... we just got an email back from the RIP tour that said that the 28th was open... and that was today... I would try and call them to see whats going on.

I hope that you have a great time... and have many memories yet to come!

 

[teacher5]

Really? I will definitely call them today!

 

[Motherfletcher]

How did you do?

 

[teacher5]

I have tried calling over and over again! All I get is a recording. My dh emailed them and they said that we would get our money back for the express passes if we ended up being able to join the RIP group. I just want an honest answer (from a live person) if there are any openings for RIP tour.

 

[teacher5]

We just got a call last night from the RIP tours (we were on the waiting list) and we are in!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't wait! Our plan is to tour IOA Friday morning and afternoon, change wet clothes early evening(from the water rides, of course), and then do the RIP tour at night. Saturday will be our day to do UO. Since we are staying on-site (Hard Rock), the daytime activities should be done easily enough without long waits.
Only 5 days to go!!!