Newbie to Universal-HHN question

[bschiffler]

Sorry...I don't know much about HHN. We will be at Universal HRH the 28th-30th of October. I am kind of a wimp, not too bad. Is it worth us to get a babysitter for the kids and attend. Can anyone tell me about it? Thanks so much!

 

[JLTraveling]

HHN seems to be one of those events that you ever love it or hate it. You said you're kind of a wimp but not too bad. How do you feel going to your local haunted house? Could you handle that feeling or worse for 5 or 6 hours straight? The thing with HHN is the intensity. Once you're in the park, there's really no escape. Some people thrive on that, others end up freaking out and getting a security escort to the gate.

If you're up for it though, the experience is awesome! Seven haunted houses, plus wandering street monsters, plus live stage shows--if you go, do NOT miss Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure, it's one of the highlights of the event. Plus some rides will be open, and I hear they're going to run the coasters in the dark like they did last year. The event is one part terror, one part live entertainment, 100% party. A lot of people from around the country come in specifically for HHN.

Since you'll be here on the weekend before Halloween, expect massive crowds. That's just the way it is. And a large portion will be drunk and anywhere from mildly annoying to downright obnoxious. Prep yourself for it to be like going to a rock concert, go in with that mentality, and you'll have fun with the crowd. But a lot of people don't expect it, and they end up having a miserable time.

As long as you're not so scared that you're prone to panic, I say go for it!! I worked it last year, can't this year cause I'm moving back to New Orleans in mid-October, but I'm still going to get a Frequent Fear Pass and go a few times before my move. It's one of the best Halloween events in the country!

 

[bschiffler]

Thanks for the info. Do you think the parks are going to be unbearable during the day as well? Do most people come for the whole day and stay for the HHN?

 

[Amity 3]

Thanks for the info. Do you think the parks are going to be unbearable during the day as well? Do most people come for the whole day and stay for the HHN?

depending on the night, HHN can run until 2am. the parks can be busy, but most people are there for either the parks or the event. a lot of people stay on site and hit the parks early, and then head back to the rooms to rest for HHN that night.

 

[JLTraveling]

depending on the night, HHN can run until 2am. the parks can be busy, but most people are there for either the parks or the event. a lot of people stay on site and hit the parks early, and then head back to the rooms to rest for HHN that night.

It depends on what kind of tickets you get though. Stay and Scream is a popular option which, if you have it, gives the advantage of not being kicked out of the park and forced to wait in line to get back in. And with only being here a couple of days, it may work out to be the cheapest.

Either way, I would NOT try to do a full day of the parks and then a full night of HHN. That'd be a sure way to ruin the rest of your trip. IMHO, arriving in the afternoon and staying through the night with Stay and Scream is the best. But it depends on your body clock and how you want to handle the rest of the trip.

As for the parks being busy during the day, they'll be busy but not unmanageable, particularly with FOTL access. A few attractions may be closed due to haunted houses being built inside them. Nothing you can do about that, they'll be closed the whole season. I don't know a list for this year though.

Since you'll be staying on site with FOTL, my advice for day touring would be to get a show schedule and plan your day around the shows you want to see. When a show dumps, do NOT go a ride right next to it. Even with FOTL, 1000 other people will be going to that next ride, and the line will back up fast. Do some backtracking/crisscrossing to stay ahead of the show dumps, and you'll be fine.

 

[JC Butterfly]

so if you are staying onsite is FOTL available during HHN or must one purchase a seperate express ticket?

 

[Disneyhappy]

Spearate express passes need to be purchased for HHN regardless of whether you are staying onsite or not. Also, they only sell a limited # of express passes and I have read that they usually get sold out.

 

[fccabs]

sorry to hi jack this thread but rather then start yet another new thread on HHN i wondered if someone could help my wife and I with the following questions.

1) Stay and Scream. - is this a ticket option you purchase seperately from the park tickets and HHN tickets. My wife and I have a 7 day park hopper ticket and seperate HHN tickets. Will we have to purchase an additional stay and scream option or will our existing tickets be sufficient.

2) We went to HHN in 2002 and really enjoyed walking through the Port of Entry (HHN was in IOA); all we could see was smoke and all we could hear were people screaming. Is it a big advantage to stay in the park and miss out on the 'opening' of HHN? We've purchased the express pass option for HHN (we're going October 6th) so we're hoping that we will be able to do the extra events/attractions without too much of a wait.

 

[F-L-A]

You only need general admission and HHN admission for Stay & Scream. As long as you're in the park before it closes and have your HHN ticket, you're good. The advantage of using S&S is being able to go through several houses early, with fewer people around you. You may miss the first Arrival show of the night if you're doing something else though.

 

[Melisa1]

I have some questions too! I changed my dates and I will be going Sept 30 to HHN. I am an APH and will be staying onsite. I did buy the HHN ticket plus the Express Pass. This is my first time to HHN so I am not sure what I am doing or what to expect......

If you are in the park at closing, do you get to stay in if you have your passes? Or do you leave and come back in?

What is the arrival show that someone mentioned earlier?

How do you think the crowds will be the first weekend?

Thanks!

 

[LEO_Magic]

I have some questions too! I changed my dates and I will be going Sept 30 to HHN. I am an APH and will be staying onsite. I did buy the HHN ticket plus the Express Pass. This is my first time to HHN so I am not sure what I am doing or what to expect......

If you are in the park at closing, do you get to stay in if you have your passes? Or do you leave and come back in?

What is the arrival show that someone mentioned earlier?

How do you think the crowds will be the first weekend?

Thanks!

If you like scary hunted houses & halloween, you'll fall in love w/ HHN!
Since your an APH you don't have to exit the park & come back in, plus you have your HHN tickets. Usually the 1st weekend is packed, so be ready & follow your event map one direction till you cover everything. The Arrival show you can find all info on the web-site halloweenhorrornights.com
Good Luck & have fun on your trip

 

[macraven]

stay and scream is a holding area to wait until the park has been cleared out from the day guests.

if you are in the park and if you have the hhn ticket, you are eligible to go to the stay n scream area. it will probably be in a resturant in the park.

you can ask any employee or security personnel for the location of that holding area.

i always do the stay and scream area as i get a head start on the houses.
there will be 2 houses open early for the s & s people, sometimes a third one.

i go the second weekend and do 3 nights in a row.
can't hardly wait