Official 2016 HHN-26 Thread

[junie18]

Hotel EP is not valid for HHN at any time.

HHN is a seperate hard ticket event. You can buy EP on the night you go or buy off the HHN website.

If you go to the parks during the day you can buy the add on that is known as Stay and Scream. You stay in the holding area and are released earlier than folks queuing outside. They are let in around 6.30pm.

We have had 2 houses done usually with Stay and Scream.

Ok thank you! This is very helpful. We are staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort so that is good to know that they are separate.

 

[macraven]

Go to

Www.halloweenhorrornights.com
For info on tickets, tours, hours, ep, houses , etc

 

[Laura12]

Anyone have an idea (ballpark idea) how busy Wednesday Oct 12 will be? I'm assuming not as busy as a FRI, SAT, or SUN but this is my first time doing HHN and just want to get an idea. Thank you all for your help!

From what I've read (mostly on these boards) Wednesday appears to be one of the least busy nights of the week. We're attending Oct 12th too. Enjoy!!

 

[ElenaJane]

I remember the security screening being really thorough when I went to HHN last year (my first time). I had a mini-snickers in my purse and that was found and removed (I had no idea that was "illegal"!). This year I plan on going to a holding area first. Do they do another security screen on you while you are there? Or is just the initial security bag check you get before entering the park normally all they do? Just curious! I don't plan on trying to sneak in any snickers or anything!

 

[macraven]

Agree
I'll be at Hhn in that Wednesday also

Not expecting huge crowds at all....

Out of all the nights for hhn, Wednesday has less attending compared to the other days Hhn is held

 

[macraven]

I remember the security screening being really thorough when I went to HHN last year (my first time). I had a mini-snickers in my purse and that was found and removed (I had no idea that was "illegal"!). This year I plan on going to a holding area first. Do they do another security screen on you while you are there? Or is just the initial security bag check you get before entering the park normally all they do? Just curious! I don't plan on trying to sneak in any snickers or anything!

No screening once you are in the park

You have screening prior to entering and nothing after that

One big reason I use the holding area is to avoid the long lines and metal detectors that are used outside the parks

 

[Gillbob316]

No screening once you are in the park

You have screening prior to entering and nothing after that

One big reason I use the holding area is to avoid the long lines and metal detectors that are used outside the parks

You can definitely get away with more if you enter the park prior to HHN and stay in a holding area than you can if you enter after HHN has begun.

My understanding as to why security is ramped up for HHN is essentially: Drunk Adults + People Jumping out and Scaring Them = Potential for Volatile and Violent situations to break out, endangering both guests and park employees. Are fights rampant or anything? No. But I'm sure they see their fair share in a season, so they crack down extra hard on anything that could potentially be a weapon.

As an example, I attended 2 nights at HHN 15 in 2005 (and I'm going to preface this by saying: in 2005, park screening standards were way more lax in general). As a teen who couldn't even legally drink at the time, I wore a chain attached from my belt to my wallet. The first night I stayed in a holding area, the wallet chain was no problem. I wore it into the park during the day, in and our of the holding area, and no one cared or said anything when things rolled over into HHN.

The second night, I didn't stay in a holding area, and entered HHN later, and they refused me entry w/ the chain. I had to check it in at the front of the park and pick it up at the end of the night before they'd let me enter, despite no one having a problem with it the night before.

By TODAY'S Screening standards, they might not even let you in during the day with a wallet chain, frankly. Florida parks have gotten way more crotchety about "potential weapons" (I don't personally know however, as I stopped wearing it around my late teens, so it's no longer an issue for me). But regardless... if you're trying to get away with anything, you're better off doing it during the day and staying in a pen. Because once HHN starts they're extra picky.

True Story: My HHN Trip is in Sept and my Vegan friend wants to smuggle in cooked Potatoes in a Fanny Pack for herself to snack on. I plan to warn her of all this, because I honestly feel they might view Potatoes as a snack during the day, and as a potential projectiles after HHN starts.

 

[junie18]

You can definitely get away with more if you enter the park prior to HHN and stay in a holding area than you can if you enter after HHN has begun.

My understanding as to why security is ramped up for HHN is essentially: Drunk Adults + People Jumping out and Scaring Them = Potential for Volatile and Violent situations to break out, endangering both guests and park employees. Are fights rampant or anything? No. But I'm sure they see their fair share in a season, so they crack down extra hard on anything that could potentially be a weapon.

As an example, I attended 2 nights at HHN 15 in 2005 (and I'm going to preface this by saying: in 2005, park screening standards were way more lax in general). As a teen who couldn't even legally drink at the time, I wore a chain attached from my belt to my wallet. The first night I stayed in a holding area, the wallet chain was no problem. I wore it into the park during the day, in and our of the holding area, and no one cared or said anything when things rolled over into HHN.

The second night, I didn't stay in a holding area, and entered HHN later, and they refused me entry w/ the chain. I had to check it in at the front of the park and pick it up at the end of the night before they'd let me enter, despite no one having a problem with it the night before.

By TODAY'S Screening standards, they might not even let you in during the day with a wallet chain, frankly. Florida parks have gotten way more crotchety about "potential weapons" (I don't personally know however, as I stopped wearing it around my late teens, so it's no longer an issue for me). But regardless... if you're trying to get away with anything, you're better off doing it during the day and staying in a pen. Because once HHN starts they're extra picky.

True Story: My HHN Trip is in Sept and my Vegan friend wants to smuggle in cooked Potatoes in a Fanny Pack for herself to snack on. I plan to warn her of all this, because I honestly feel they might view Potatoes as a snack during the day, and as a potential projectiles after HHN starts.

You can't bring in outside food or drink into any Universal park? I only ask because I know WDW does allow outside food and drink.

 

[macraven]

Wdw and UO have different set ups

On the UO website there are sections that state what can be brought into the parks

Specifically if you have dietary needs, you are encouraged to bring that with you
Can not be in a glass container or need to be heated up

No issue to bring in what is medically needed
My son had no issues at all for having fruit juices and insulin/needles to use when in the parks(pre set)

If you want to bring in water bottles and snacks, do so

If you stay onsite, your screening will be on the walking paths near the exit by margaritavile and at the boat docks

For those off site, the metal detectors are when you first meet up with city walk

What gillbob was taking about is a special event/Hhn

This event has high security for it
Restrictions of no food or drink is enforced

Anything that is on the list of restricted items are not allowed in the park on those nights

You would be surprised how many forget to leave certain items in their car before going thru the detectors

UO hires Orlando police to handle over seeing the searches
And has many plain clothes peeps in the park during the event

UO puts a lot of money out for full security for Hhn each year

 

[ElenaJane]

So was my mini-snickers taken away because it could be used as a projectile then? I always wondered why the super strict no-snack rule was in place for HHN! I thought it was because they wanted you to buy food there!

 

[macraven]

Any wrapped food is part of the no food allowed during that event when you come from the outside

It may make peeps mad if they can't have any food product but UO enforces the no food or drink policy for all guests at that time

It laxes off for day time as many do bring items in

This is one reason I stay in the park in the holding area before Hhn begins

And it is better for me to avoid the long wait outside the gate to enter the park

Some nights peeps start the wait in line around 4:30 or closer to 5

I would rather be in the park catch a ride before they close down at 5, then go to a holding area around 5:30

Shorter time to wait for Hhn

Also if I have snacks I still have them as I avoided the outside gate screening

 

[NaughtyDog]

You can't bring in outside food or drink into any Universal park? I only ask because I know WDW does allow outside food and drink.

You can bring food and drinks during regular park hours but you cannot bring any food or drinks during HHN.

 

[ellie05]

We will be going October 6. My question is would it be cheaper for me to buy the tickets online ? We will have the 3 day military ticket would that be consider the add on HHN ticket ? Is there military discount for the event ?

Do you have to pay extra to stay in the park in the holding area and if so how much ? I couldn't find that information on their website.

 

[NaughtyDog]

Do you have to pay extra to stay in the park in the holding area and if so how much ? I couldn't find that information on their website.

There is no extra charge to stay in the park in the holding area but of course you do need an admission ticket for the daytime and one for HHN.

 

[RAPstar]

We will be going October 6. My question is would it be cheaper for me to buy the tickets online ? We will have the 3 day military ticket would that be consider the add on HHN ticket ? Is there military discount for the event ?

Do you have to pay extra to stay in the park in the holding area and if so how much ? I couldn't find that information on their website.

As long as you have valid admission to the park, you can buy the add on ticket. It will be the same price if you buy it online or in person, I believe. The only discounts for HHN are AP and FL resident.

 

[ellie05]

There is no extra charge to stay in the park in the holding area but of course you do need an admission ticket for the daytime and one for HHN.

Yeah we will have valid admission and be in the park earlier that day. Thanks!

As long as you have valid admission to the park, you can buy the add on ticket. It will be the same price if you buy it online or in person, I believe. The only discounts for HHN are AP and FL resident.

Ok thanks I am going to call shades of green see if they are selling the tickets there we could save at least the tax.

 

[georgemoe]

Rumor is they're not doing any reservations for Finnegan's for the Stay and Scream time periods any more. Apparently there were too many hassles. IDK.

Yep, it was a nightmare for them previous years.........haven't heard they are taking reservations this year. We were told it was a thing of the past from last year.

I've done Stay & Scream primarily at Finnegan's the 2nd week of the event the past two years. No ressies have been allowed on HHN nights after 2 or 2:30. Also ops was modifying entrance into Finnegan's daily. Show up too late they would not let you inside. You'd have to stay outside the doors on the curb or in the corral. That won't work for the wife especially if it's a hot day. We generally go about 4ish and have gotten in fine and found seats at the bar or around the bar area. Since we are generally in the park all day, this is a nice rest break and allows us to get a bite to eat. Hanging around for two hours may seem like a waste to some but it works for us. The only issue I have this year is the house will be TWD. Just hoping that Ghost Town opens before 6:30 so we can get both done quickly.

 

[RAPstar]

I've done the same with Finnegan's. I try not to though, cause then I'm throwing my food money at Finnegan's. I think I've had almost every entree and all the appetizers now lol.

 

[schumigirl]

I've done the same with Finnegan's. I try not to though, cause then I'm throwing my food money at Finnegan's. I think I've had almost every entree and all the appetizers now lol.

Yep.......last time they made such a mess of folks reservations.......of course it's their choice they stopped taking reservations.......but it was the way they did it that sucked.......not informing people who had reservations.......there was a whole thread about it on here.......didn't bother me as I don't eat in Finnegans at all.

I think Vicki had a reservation and hadn't been informed it had been cancelled, but think she got it sorted. They did honour the reservations during those hours after all.

 

[macraven]

We will be going October 6. My question is would it be cheaper for me to buy the tickets online ? We will have the 3 day military ticket would that be consider the add on HHN ticket ? Is there military discount for the event.

Do not know if the mil ticket include the big discount for Hhn if you have a day ticket

Call and see why they sell it for

If it is cheaper than the add on ticket/ Hhn tix, go for it

If not, go to guest services show you have a day ticket and you can buy the discounted Hhn ticket at a discount

Add on ticket means just that
You have the park ticket and buying the special event tix for a discount