Official 2024 Universal Studios HHN 33 Thread

[kbelle8995]

Yeah they did show up later - quite a few of them - and very few people.

I keep trying to go see the Death Eaters but I am foiled every time. One time by getting sick another time by the weather

 

[spewey]

Some of the chatter was that this event was UO “monetizing “ their dress rehearsal. Which if true is kinda genius - free money, and also I’ve heard they were struggling to find enough off-duty TMs willing to come in to be the test crowds.

So even if they didn’t cover all the expenses through the gate if that was the strategy they still came out ahead. Some are already speculating that given the attendance this will be a one and done, but who knows.

From our experience there could have easily been 2-3 times the people there and it still would have been far better than a public RIP tour. Or maybe, if they do it again, they cut back on the rides, or ride staffing, as most of the time we were literally the only people in those buildings.

 

[disneyseniors]

Currently in Diagon Alley. More Deatheaters than people. They just follow you everywhere.

It’s pretty awesome tbh.

We are going to be there the last day which is 11/3. They are advertising wandering death eaters on that day too. I gotta say that I will definitely be scared. I can't stand anyone walking close behind me. It will be so much fun if I don't faint.

 

[Keladry84]

Does anyone know how/when they check for outside food/drink? I'm not trying to sneak anything in, but when going to parks I usually keep a Nalgene bottle with ice water and a small energy bar with me (in case I can not get to food in time if blood sugar drops).

I'm assuming if entering the main gates during the event you are checked there?
- Would they allow an empty Nalgene bottle?

What about during Stay and Scream? Do they check when you enter the holding pen? If so, what happens if you have food with you that you legitimately bought in the park before closure? Do they make you throw it out?

Thanks!

 

[GhostHost24]

Does anyone know how/when they check for outside food/drink? I'm not trying to sneak anything in, but when going to parks I usually keep a Nalgene bottle with ice water and a small energy bar with me (in case I can not get to food in time if blood sugar drops).

I'm assuming if entering the main gates during the event you are checked there?
- Would they allow an empty Nalgene bottle?

What about during Stay and Scream? Do they check when you enter the holding pen? If so, what happens if you have food with you that you legitimately bought in the park before closure? Do they make you throw it out?

Thanks!

When you go through security usually

The only time you have to throw out drinks or food is when you enter a house. Can't have open containers

 

[GhostHost24]

Went todsy for a few hrs. Did Ghostbusters and Museum.

Scarezones are yet again very week.

 

[Keladry84]

When you go through security usually

The only time you have to throw out drinks or food is when you enter a house. Can't have open containers

So it's the security at City Walk that is checking for the food/drink? So does that mean that during the HHN event hours, no one in citywalk or IoA can bring in outside food, even if they aren't attending the event?

 

[Skippyboo]

You can’t take an alcoholic drink from City Walk into the parks and the opposite is true where they won’t let you take alcoholic drink from parks out into City Walk because it’s different liquor licenses.

Here’s the bit from Universal website

Outside Food And Drinks
We offer a variety of food options at all of our restaurants and concession stands. However, we understand that guests may need to bring outside food and drinks. Please note the following guidelines:

Acceptable Items

• Bottled Water (maximum 2 liters per guest)
• Small snacks that do not require heating
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
• Any food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

 

[Keladry84]

You can’t take an alcoholic drink from City Walk into the parks and the opposite is true where they won’t let you take alcoholic drink from parks out into City Walk because it’s different liquor licenses.

Here’s the bit from Universal website

Outside Food And Drinks
We offer a variety of food options at all of our restaurants and concession stands. However, we understand that guests may need to bring outside food and drinks. Please note the following guidelines:

Acceptable Items

• Bottled Water (maximum 2 liters per guest)
• Small snacks that do not require heating
• Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
• Any food required for special dietary needs
• Baby food/baby formula
• Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5" wide x 6" high x 6" deep

I'm just asking about regular food/drink (not alcoholic) - I thought I read somewhere that no outside food is allowed to be taken in during the event. Or am I mixing things up?

 

[GhostHost24]

I'm just asking about regular food/drink (not alcoholic) - I thought I read somewhere that no outside food is allowed to be taken in during the event. Or am I mixing things up?

I think you're confusing it with something else. No tms are really checking for that at the park.

 

[tony67]

I'm just asking about regular food/drink (not alcoholic) - I thought I read somewhere that no outside food is allowed to be taken in during the event. Or am I mixing things up?

That is an official rule - but I've never seen them really enforce it. Maybe if you had a case of water or something over the top.

The big one that gets people is you cant bring a drink (alcohol) form city walk to the parks - and vice versa. They have different liquor licenses as I understand it.

Went todsy for a few hrs. Did Ghostbusters and Museum.

Scarezones are yet again very week.

Does seem that way - especially earlier in the night. I've pretty much decided I may not even show up until 8PM unless I want to take some photos.

I've seen a few folks rave about Torture Fair - but I'm sort of wishing I had not bought ROF tickets and maybe just gone to the Premium night and one other night. Although Premium night was not a success for Universal - its seemed to be very popular with everyone - even people who were expecting to roast it. In the end 350 seems steep - but when you think its 225+ for just for a ticket with express it seems pretty good. I hope they look at all the positive feedback and try it again - but I think if they do it will sell out - so not going to be the same really.

Sounds like there are quite a few misses with the houses as well - I watched several folks who are not the everything is amazing folks - and was very mixed. Insidious and Ghostbusters seem to be the top two, but the even overall is mid at best.

Still its very early - and first night can be iffy - or even a walkthrough. I watched one where the guy went through the house and did not like it - went through again just because he was there and the two tents in the back are next to each other - so you can get off on and do the other - you don't have to walk all the way back - anyway - second walk though and loved it.


Wanted to touch on Dead Coconut Club as well. They are playing 80s New Wave for the most part - and there is a video out of the "Vampire" flash mob or whatever they call it - looked very lame to me - music was OK - seems worth checking out overall - but probably a one and done.

Couple of links for folks that are interested - I don't want to spoil anything for anyone:
All the food - this is Orlando Informer so they are tied very close to Universal - but still seem pretty good:

View from the Cheap Seats - he is pretty straight forward and did not expect to like the premium night:

Kevin - He is pretty hard on Universal and did not expect to like the event -sometimes I think he is overly negative but its a good contradiction to the Happy Happy Joy Joy folks - my only concern is he is now invited media:

The Vampire Dance show at Dead Coconut Club:

 

[tony67]

Some of the chatter was that this event was UO “monetizing “ their dress rehearsal. Which if true is kinda genius - free money, and also I’ve heard they were struggling to find enough off-duty TMs willing to come in to be the test crowds.

So even if they didn’t cover all the expenses through the gate if that was the strategy they still came out ahead. Some are already speculating that given the attendance this will be a one and done, but who knows.

From our experience there could have easily been 2-3 times the people there and it still would have been far better than a public RIP tour. Or maybe, if they do it again, they cut back on the rides, or ride staffing, as most of the time we were literally the only people in those buildings.

Spewy - is that a "Get a Life" reference? https://aliens.fandom.com/wiki/SPEWEY's_species

Anyway - I do hope that Universal looks at all the positive feedback on this - and they don't raise the price too much.
BTW - even with that small crowd they did have a few conga line situations from what I understand.

 

[spewey]

Spewy - is that a "Get a Life" reference? https://aliens.fandom.com/wiki/SPEWEY's_species

Anyway - I do hope that Universal looks at all the positive feedback on this - and they don't raise the price too much.
BTW - even with that small crowd they did have a few conga line situations from what I understand.

Yessir. Kinda dating myself with that reference though.

As to the crowds, given the overwhelmingly positive reviews, if they tried again maybe an increase in ticket sales would negate the need to raise prices? They could absolutely handle many more people without impacting much if any of the wait times, as I mentioned above. I wonder what the actual cap on tickets was.

In a couple houses we walked right in, all alone, but eventually caught up to people, forming a tiny conga line (like six persons). They watch the cameras to stagger entry but I guess if you get some very slow folk, or ones that stop dead halfway in, it can gum things up. Didn’t really affect us though.

 

[tony67]

Yessir. Kinda dating myself with that reference though.

As to the crowds, given the overwhelmingly positive reviews, if they tried again maybe an increase in ticket sales would negate the need to raise prices? They could absolutely handle many more people without impacting much if any of the wait times, as I mentioned above. I wonder what the actual cap on tickets was.

In a couple houses we walked right in, all alone, but eventually caught up to people, forming a tiny conga line (like six persons). They watch the cameras to stagger entry but I guess if you get some very slow folk, or ones that stop dead halfway in, it can gum things up. Didn’t really affect us though.

So one other question - it seemed like they were not selling all that much alcohol - which means the bartenders did not make a lot of money and of course that cuts into profits for Universal. Since you were there what do you think? I guess it they have 3 times as many folks that may change.

I also have to think they wont open as many places in the future - for example Mels did not make sense to me and looked dead - In future they may need to stick to the booths and maybe Pizza fries locations.

Also heard the booths ran out of many of the food items around 11 or 12 PM - I'm guessing there was a lot of waste - maybe they need to offer half portions and full portions during the event. Lots of folks taking one or two bits so they can comment for their stream and then dumping it. Maybe just offer half portions - you can always get more - I do hate to see the waste. They knew how many people were coming so I am sure that is what they planned for and why they ran out.

 

[purple hippo]

This should help


View attachment 890054

Wow, I didn't realize the houses opened so early now during S&S. When were there a few years ago I think the earliest they released us from the pen was 6 pm. Will definitely reconsider hanging out in the NY area if you will only be penned until 5:15 or 5:30. I would rather stand in a line then be penned in.

 

[GhostHost24]

Wow, I didn't realize the houses opened so early now during S&S. When were there a few years ago I think the earliest they released us from the pen was 6 pm. Will definitely reconsider hanging out in the NY area if you will only be penned until 5:15 or 5:30. I would rather stand in a line then be penned in.

Ya even though offical opening for hhn is 630..they try to open the front gates as close to 6 as possible now.

 

[soniam]

I'm just asking about regular food/drink (not alcoholic) - I thought I read somewhere that no outside food is allowed to be taken in during the event. Or am I mixing things up?

I have been required to dump the water in my stainless steel bottle before HHN at the Citywalk security from Hard Rock. It was around USF closing before HHN started or after HHN started. They worry about people sneaking alcohol in their bottles. I refilled at the first Freestyle machine. Never had problems with snacks. I have only ever heard of this during HHN, Mardi Gras, or grad nights.

 

[mamapenguin]

I have been required to dump the water in my stainless steel bottle before HHN at the Citywalk security from Hard Rock. It was around USF closing before HHN started or after HHN started. They worry about people sneaking alcohol in their bottles. I refilled at the first Freestyle machine. Never had problems with snacks. I have only ever heard of this during HHN, Mardi Gras, or grad nights.

I have encountered the same policy at the other checkpoint by Maragaritaville. They said it’s an after 5:00 policy for the exact reason you said. I had to dump my water from my freestyle cup. I usually go through earlier though so I hadn’t experienced it until last year.

 

[Keladry84]

I have been required to dump the water in my stainless steel bottle before HHN at the Citywalk security from Hard Rock. It was around USF closing before HHN started or after HHN started. They worry about people sneaking alcohol in their bottles. I refilled at the first Freestyle machine. Never had problems with snacks. I have only ever heard of this during HHN, Mardi Gras, or grad nights.

Thank you! So I should expect to possibly have to dump my water somewhere in Citywalk if entering after 5 on an hon night, but should be ok with a small snack. This helps a lot!

 

[Keladry84]

Another question…is there any special foods one can order around the parks during the daytime that’s not during the event? For example the tribute store, but are there other places that have themed foods (other than the passholder specialties)