Official 2024 Universal Studios HHN 33 Thread

[tony67]

Thanks everyone about the Dead Coconut bar. I am looking forward to going.

Yeah - with Blum House involved I think it will be good.

I think it is 4 or 5. We went on a Thursday last year and it was not busy. Was easy to get a drink and wander around looking at all the fun Monster decorations.

The times I have checked it out the place is almost empty and I've walked around and left without even buying a drink. Both at HHN and at Mardi Gras - multiple visits.

Anyone know if they will have the entertainment they had in the past - there were three woman who sang and they were pretty good from what I have seen on YouTube, I never caught them performing.


I have heard some rumblings that the IP houses are fully staffed but the original houses not so much - anyone have input on that?
I'm guessing its hard to find people to commit to HHN, being an SA is a lot of work Id assume and very little pay.
I don't really look at other sites and was wondering what folks have heard.

No doubt last year I felt there were issues with staffing. Since I go multiple nights in a row its much more obvious to me since people are missing that were there the day before - especially when they are key to the story. Change overs were really bad last year as well. Seemed to be more do to people showing up to work late in many cases...but that is just my perception. I guess that goes back to a lot of asked of the SAs.

I have to wonder how they can staff the original houses and the HHN bar for example - houses should be first - but I am guessing the bar will be priority since its new and they want people buying drinks and free publicity on social media.

End of the day I am going regardless. I hope I am wrong, but i have low expectations this year

 

[GhostHost24]

Yeah - with Blum House involved I think it will be good.


The times I have checked it out the place is almost empty and I've walked around and left without even buying a drink. Both at HHN and at Mardi Gras - multiple visits.

Anyone know if they will have the entertainment they had in the past - there were three woman who sang and they were pretty good from what I have seen on YouTube, I never caught them performing.


I have heard some rumblings that the IP houses are fully staffed but the original houses not so much - anyone have input on that?
I'm guessing its hard to find people to commit to HHN, being an SA is a lot of work Id assume and very little pay.
I don't really look at other sites and was wondering what folks have heard.

No doubt last year I felt there were issues with staffing. Since I go multiple nights in a row its much more obvious to me since people are missing that were there the day before - especially when they are key to the story. Change overs were really bad last year as well. Seemed to be more do to people showing up to work late in many cases...but that is just my perception. I guess that goes back to a lot of asked of the SAs.

I have to wonder how they can staff the original houses and the HHN bar for example - houses should be first - but I am guessing the bar will be priority since its new and they want people buying drinks and free publicity on social media.

End of the day I am going regardless. I hope I am wrong, but i have low expectations this year

Some of the stuff I've read has indicated the ops for this year are a mess. They're doing everything last minute. I've seen posts on reddit from people who just got hired like 4 days ago.

 

[Robo56]

Thank you for pulling the info & posting. Will update stickie when back from travel

You’re welcome Janet.

Enjoy your vacation in Cali.

 

[Robo56]

Official Map

 

[shh]

Some of the stuff I've read has indicated the ops for this year are a mess. They're doing everything last minute. I've seen posts on reddit from people who just got hired like 4 days ago.

I genuinely don't understand the lack of leadership. It's hardly their first rodeo. HHN has been hosted for DECADES and is their biggest money making special event - it's a genuine cash cow. They should have ops down to a science by now - and it's in Comcast's best financial interest to make it so.

If those rumors end up true, millions of unhappy guests will have zero problem expressing disappoinment on social media, which, given the size of this event, can definitely impact Universal's bottom line.

You'd think executives would be just a bit more invested in ensuring that all goes well. smh

 

[tony67]

I genuinely don't get the thinking of their leadership. It's hardly their first rodeo. HHN has been hosted for DECADES and is their biggest money making special event - it's a genuine cash cow. They should have ops down to a science by now.

If those rumors end up true, millions of unhappy guests will have zero problem expressing disappoinment on social media, which in can wreak major economic havoc on Universal's bottom line.

You'd think Comcast executives would be just a bit more invested in ensuring that all goes well. smh

Considering the problems they had last year with lines etc...you would think they would fix it this year - we will know Thursday and Friday since there will be loads of live streams and videos over the weekend.

Problem is many wont say anything negative since they don't want to loose access - just like Disney - it has to be really bad for the influencers to say anything - so you need to find the mostly independent ones. Only example I can think of is the even at Hollywood Studios - and even then they tip toed around it somewhat.

Other issue is - just like Disney - there are folks that will reject anything you say that is not positive. The standard comment - well don't go - less people in line - more for me.... I have seen some of that already this year and its not even started.

Anyway - did watch one of the videos from last night and there did not seem to be many SAs in the Hollywood area.
Calling the entry area a scare zone is a joke, it used to be the whole minions area - now its just a dead area.
Considering they don't have SAs in the Simpsons area anymore and the roaming ones they used to have near transformers I'd expect they would have plenty in the other areas and not just cut them out.

End of the day this is a big money maker for them. They SAs have to really work hard - maybe they need to pay them a little more to get more people - IDK.
Pre pandemic you saw many of the same SAs year after year, I don't see those folks anymore - unless they are in costumes that hide their faces. Yeah its been a few years and maybe they are just done with it.

Anyway - I'm going again this year, even though I've been mostly disappointed the last few years compared to pre Stranger Things. That feels like when it changed to me. (BTW - I like Stranger Things - so its not like I don't watch the show)

And yes I've said this many times before.

If you want to see what it once was check out "Expedition Theme Park" on YouTube - they have some great videos on the history of HHN.

 

[GhostHost24]

Considering the problems they had last year with lines etc...you would think they would fix it this year - we will know Thursday and Friday since there will be loads of live streams and videos over the weekend.

Problem is many wont say anything negative since they don't want to loose access - just like Disney - it has to be really bad for the influencers to say anything - so you need to find the mostly independent ones. Only example I can think of is the even at Hollywood Studios - and even then they tip toed around it somewhat.

Other issue is - just like Disney - there are folks that will reject anything you say that is not positive. The standard comment - well don't go - less people in line - more for me.... I have seen some of that already this year and its not even started.

Anyway - did watch one of the videos from last night and there did not seem to be many SAs in the Hollywood area.
Calling the entry area a scare zone is a joke, it used to be the whole minions area - now its just a dead area.
Considering they don't have SAs in the Simpsons area anymore and the roaming ones they used to have near transformers I'd expect they would have plenty in the other areas and not just cut them out.

End of the day this is a big money maker for them. They SAs have to really work hard - maybe they need to pay them a little more to get more people - IDK.
Pre pandemic you saw many of the same SAs year after year, I don't see those folks anymore - unless they are in costumes that hide their faces. Yeah its been a few years and maybe they are just done with it.

Anyway - I'm going again this year, even though I've been mostly disappointed the last few years compared to pre Stranger Things. That feels like when it changed to me. (BTW - I like Stranger Things - so its not like I don't watch the show)

And yes I've said this many times before.

If you want to see what it once was check out "Expedition Theme Park" on YouTube - they have some great videos on the history of HHN.

Im hoping maybe since it was a TM preview they didn't have everyone out in scarezones. But we'll find out soon

 

[tony67]

Im hoping maybe since it was a TM preview they didn't have everyone out in scarezones. But we'll find out soon

yeah - my thoughts as well

 

[GhostHost24]

I have found the scarezones to be lacking more and more the last 2-3 years. There's usually one good one, but rest have been meh.

 

[tony67]

I have found the scarezones to be lacking more and more the last 2-3 years. There's usually one good one, but rest have been meh.

Yeah - that has been a topic of conversation the last few years....they have become selfie zones with SAs breaking character etc..

In addition the SAs are not allowed to be as "aggressive" as they may have been in the past, so its just not as much fun to watch.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I have found the scarezones to be lacking more and more the last 2-3 years. There's usually one good one, but rest have been meh.

Have you tried SeaWorld? Those scare zones are much more fun/"scary" with the scare actors more in your face, more jump scare efforts, and actual banter!

 

[tony67]

Have you tried SeaWorld? Those scare zones are much more fun/"scary" with the scare actors more in your face, more jump scare efforts, and actual banter!

SeaWorld is a lot like HHN used to be, but on a much smaller scale. No doubt its a lot of fun.

 

[LilyWDW]

Any good hints of places to sit and take a rest during the night? I just know I will get tired of the walking (have a few physical health issues that can cause pain and fatigue). A place for a short sit and a cold drink (mostly water lol) is enough to get my battery recharged.

 

[Skippyboo]

Any good hints of places to sit and take a rest during the night? I just know I will get tired of the walking (have a few physical health issues that can cause pain and fatigue). A place for a short sit and a cold drink (mostly water lol) is enough to get my battery recharged.

I would suggest Fast Food Blvd in the Simpsons for a break area. It’s inside. Large seating area.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

I would suggest Fast Food Blvd in the Simpsons for a break area. It’s inside. Large seating area.

Air conditioned...

 

[Skywalker3]

Any good hints of places to sit and take a rest during the night? I just know I will get tired of the walking (have a few physical health issues that can cause pain and fatigue). A place for a short sit and a cold drink (mostly water lol) is enough to get my battery recharged.

Last year, my son and I took a nice long rest in Diagon Alley. We'd gotten Florian's, and sat behind the Menagerie, there's an alcove area w benches. Knockturn Alley is usually very quiet too, with some seating.
A

 

[GhostHost24]

I would suggest Fast Food Blvd in the Simpsons for a break area. It’s inside. Large seating area.

This is the answer right here

 

[LilyWDW]

Last year, my son and I took a nice long rest in Diagon Alley. We'd gotten Florian's, and sat behind the Menagerie, there's an alcove area w benches. Knockturn Alley is usually very quiet too, with some seating.
A

We are planning a rest after the first few hours there (heading back to Museum, Universal Monsters, and the rest to start). I have never had Butterbeer so we are going to get a cold cup of that and take a break. So I appreciate the tip on where those benches are!

 

[purple hippo]

It's been a couple years since we have been at HHN, where are the holding areas located? We have only ever been in the one in the NY area by Jimmy Fallon. What restaurants are open so that we can wait there instead? DH gets very anxious in the penned areas, thinking waiting it out at a restaurant might be a better experience.

I know Finnegan's was an option in the past, but no reservations are available so not sure if that's no longer an option or if they just don't take reservations after 2pm on HHN days.

Leaky Cauldron doesn't take reservations - is it open during the transition time?

Is Lombards an option? It appears they take reservations but wondering if there is a reason why there are still some available.

In previous years they had a character meal at Mel's and though we could try that this time, but looks like that is no longer offered?

Normally when we have been to USO or HHN we do a quick meal - looking to appreciate a restaurant if it is worth it this time.

Looking forward to your suggestions!

 

[mamapenguin]

Finnegan’s was open last year during stay and scream just as I expect them to be this year. I have a reservation, just as I have the past few years. Every year they text me to change my reservation that it’s outside their operating hours…I don’t change it and I get the text to confirm or cancel. That being said, they were a bit more adamant this year, I have a 4:30 reservation. This may be the year they cancel my reservation, but I just checked and it is still in my account. Worst case we just do a walk in.