Official 2024 Universal Studios HHN 33 Thread

[GhostHost24]

Agreed.

I also like that the focus does not seem to be on an IP , over the years many of them got played out.
Purge, Walking Dead and Stranger Things brought in people who were not HHN fans and contributed to what has become a "family friendly" HHN.

That said it would have been nice to see Five Nights or Megan as a house.
Return of Freddy Kruger was also hoped for.

I know there is a lot of negativity around HHN this year, but I think it may surprise folks.
They just need to have some good scare zones, they were really lacking last year,

Ya apparently nightmare on elm street was supposed to be an IP house this year but fell through last minute. Which was why they pivoted and announced all originals last week.

 

[Skippyboo]

They may be doing more originals because of budget especially with the cost of Epic. Monstrous is from California so they can reuse stuff. Sweets revenge will have the stuff from the scare zone. Triplets has a redneck vibe so stuff from Texas Chainsaw.

 

[keishashadow]

Ya apparently nightmare on elm street was supposed to be an IP house this year but fell through last minute. Which was why they pivoted and announced all originals last week.

Rumors of that house trotted out for years. Cruel & unusual punishment for the fans.

Most would even settle for

to roll on over from USH years’ past maze

 

[GhostHost24]

They may be doing more originals because of budget especially with the cost of Epic. Monstrous is from California so they can reuse stuff. Sweets revenge will have the stuff from the scare zone. Triplets has a redneck vibe so stuff from Texas Chainsaw.

I saw some people ask some insiders about this and they said it's seperate budgets so it shouldn't factor in

Personally think it's 6 originals because of some the IP deals that fell through

 

[tony67]

Personally think it's 6 originals because of some the IP deals that fell through

Yeah I'd tend to agree - may even be that they were going to announce it and then it fell through so they went with the originals.

Problem I see with the originals is lack of marketing - no info on the web sites, no videos, no promotion.
Some of that may be budgets, but at least get them on the website.
This is not brining in anyone new without some marketing.

Yeah its on X and maybe Facebook - why are they still on Facebook primarily - I cant be the only one who no longer uses it.

 

[FoxC63]

FYI - October AP rates have started showing up - dockside starts at 96 a night but 156 on weekends....oddly the weekend rate is $10 more than the rate I was paying with stay more save more so Ill need to keep checking back to see if that changes at all, but still a good deal overall.

Does not look like all the hotels have loaded yet, but hopefully in the next few days.
.

I just booked Portofino Bay club level with an AP discount for my menfolk and saved $1,097 vs Royal Pacific. I realize PB is under construction but my guys aren't going there to spend time looking out the window!

I will not be joining them this year. After the real scare we encountered on our recent WDW trip, I'm happy to sit this one out!

Travel dates Oct 23 - Depart Oct 29, my son (21yrs) and DH, are looking to join in on the fun! If your dates align, please PM. Thanks!

 

[keishashadow]

I will not be joining them this year. After the real scare we encountered on our recent WDW trip, I'm happy to sit this one out!

lol good story. likely a critter managed to hole up in crawl space under cabin (or in the walls).

 

[FoxC63]

lol good story. likely a critter managed to hole up in crawl space under cabin (or in the walls).

We dismissed the tapping and shuffling noises but the weird breathing cannot be explained especially the way it moved throughout the cabin the way it did.

 

[shh]

I know there is a lot of negativity around HHN this year, but I think it may surprise folk

I don't understand why...I'm excited about all the original houses and would think any HHN fan would be as well. The IPs are just a matter of mimicking existing sets, characters and scenarios already created and brought to life. To me, the genuine talent and most enjoyment is in the original houses.

And as someone else said, the IPs tend to bring in a much younger crowd/fewer horror fans.

I really hope they offer the podcasts again this year: loved hearing those before the trip - great backstories on the houses.

 

[shh]

Truth. And the two on the spec map are not encouraging.

I really think they "phone in" the scare zones compared to what they used to do. Always love the houses and general atmosphere, but let down by the scare zones. And it would take SO little to jazz them up.

Last good scare zones to me were the '80s Vamp and the CLASSIC Trick R Treat

 

[keishashadow]

It has come to my attention that my above post #227 could be construed as being dismissive and mean spirited

This was absolutely not my intent.

TBH I didn’t even catch it was FoxC63, as I dont always look At avatars before posting replies

My family has tent camped for decades & live next to the woods. We’ve had raccoons, squirrels & snakes get into our house. At one point had a raccoon give birth to 4 babies in a chimney. The babies were cute



FYI The first two species make crazy noises when they feel trapped, as in a home. Totally different from their normal utterances

Not unusual to encounter in or outside in our neck of the woods. We have various traps and rehome them at least 10 miles away at a refuge

But, yes, I did think the original post was a good I.e. ‘captivating’ story. My choice of phrasing could’ve been decidedly better

Fox is a special person here, has an amazing thread in budget board and ran the when are you going to HHN with diligence here.

I would never deliberately post anything to upset her

Sorry!

 

[keishashadow]

Got deep pockets?

 

[Skippyboo]

That could be a good deal if you were planning on just one night and wanted to see it all. $ 350 would be cheaper than 1 night ticket and Rip tour.

 

[soniam]

That could be a good deal if you were planning on just one night and wanted to see it all. $ 350 would be cheaper than 1 night ticket and Rip tour.

Probably more/better food and free self-parking

 

[keishashadow]

That could be a good deal if you were planning on just one night and wanted to see it all. $ 350 would be cheaper than 1 night ticket and Rip tour.

I’m thinking not only will it sell out quickly but, if well received, might be expanded in the early weeknights of haunt season

 

[Skippyboo]

I’m thinking not only will it sell out quickly but, if well received, might be expanded in the early weeknights of haunt season

It’s the day before the event starts which is normally media preview. Don’t really see it being offered during regular nights where you would have standby, express lines plus Rip tours happening

 

[tony67]

It’s the day before the event starts which is normally media preview. Don’t really see it being offered during regular nights where you would have standby, express lines plus Rip tours happening

I think @keishashadow meant Mondays or Tuesdays - not sure but that is what I was thinking - which I also don't see happening since the SAs need the time off and they just don't have enough SAs - I could see them doing it on a few Wednesdays - they have closed on a few days for private events in the past so I could see them doing it for this if its more profitable on a slower night.

Personally I would not do it the day before the event starts - the first few weeks are iffy at best IMO and if its also media night that is another reason for me not to do it. I used to go in early September and they are still setting up for the first week or so. Also the SAs have not really figured it out yet - especially in the scare zones.
I know some folks are interested in this event as they are not invited to the media events but are hoping they will be able to record if they book this. So all those streamers that are not on the list will be there if its an option.

I don't understand why...I'm excited about all the original houses and would think any HHN fan would be as well.

I agree - it may also just be the disappointment of the last few years on top of the lack of a big IP this year. Then there are the views on budget cuts for epic along with the overcrowding and cost increases the last few years that is turning a lot of folks off.
IF they could fix the scare zones I think it would go a long way. With the minions area and Simpsons area gone they would be able to do a better job with the zones, but that does not seem to be the case.

Last good scare zones to me were the '80s Vamp and the CLASSIC Trick R Treat

I agree, but I also think the '80s vamp really started the selfie focus of the scare zones which has gotten out of hand IMO.

 

[GhostHost24]

This sounds like a good event in theory. But I'm not paying that much to go before opening night.. Usually opening weekend is the worst for scares and operations. It's not anyone's fault, it's just they need some time to get in a groove and also figure out line ops etc.

 

[tony67]

This sounds like a good event in theory. But I'm not paying that much to go before opening night.. Usually opening weekend is the worst for scares and operations. It's not anyone's fault, it's just they need some time to get in a groove and also figure out line ops etc.

Yup - especially after the mess it was last year - forgot about all those issues with lines etc..

That said at least they are trying new things - like they tried the food preview last year which failed

 

[keishashadow]

Don’t really see it being offered during regular nights where you would have standby, express lines plus Rip tours happening

Would defeat the advantage of it I’d think.

I could see them doing it on a few Wednesdays - they have closed on a few days for private events in the past so I could see them doing it for this if its more profitable on a slower night.

That was my thought. However, hit most dates mid September last year and again over Columbus Day weekend.

I’d have to pull up the crowd data for specific dates but, several weekdays in September had epic waits and as heavy crowds as later in season

I agree, but I also think the '80s vamp really started the selfie focus of the scare zones which has gotten out of hand IMO.

yep, focus definitely on selfies over scares.

But I'm not paying that much to go before opening night..

The wannabe influencers, who didn’t make the cut of invited guests last year on media night, will likely line up in droves