Official 2024 Universal Studios HHN 33 Thread

[keishashadow]

I don’t think it was run out of the house crying scary but it definitely had some great scares and was just really themed well.

In line with movies, assume it's heavy on jump scares?

 

[soniam]

In line with movies, assume it's heavy on jump scares?

It had a ton of scare actors and the double-sided boo holes. It’s pretty long. One of the guys in our group last night said he just couldn’t do it again. The bride was freaking him out. I don’t get scared, so I didn’t understand why people thought it was so scary the first time I went through. I did a repeat and focused on it from that point of view and understood it more.

I am a terrible judge of scariness. Last night one of the chain saw guys came right up to me from the side when our group was standing around. I didn’t even flinch. To be fair, I had caught a glimpse of movement in my peripheral vision; I have very good peripheral vision. My friend just laughed and said “There’s proof that you’re dead inside”. She actually jumped a little.

 

[Greg36]

In line with movies, assume it's heavy on jump scares?

Definitely some good jump scares but some of the theming too is definitely scary on its own, depending on what someone would find scary. The lighting and sounds are done really well too. It’s dark in the right places. I like when houses get you to walk through a room with a number of ‘mannequins’ and you don’t really know which ones might be scare actors. This house does that well in places.

 

[keishashadow]

I like when houses get you to walk through a room with a number of ‘mannequins’ and you don’t really know which ones might be scare actors. This house does that well in places.

The best!

 

[keishashadow]

Has anyone done cedar point's Halloweekends?

If so, could you compare it to HHN or howl o scream as to quality of the houses and scare zones?

We've done the park tons of times in the summer. trying to decide if worth spending a weekend, as it's 3.5 hrs plus drive for us

 

[MickeyMinnieMouse]

1st HHN (RIP Tour 6:30) in Oct staying at PB and have APs. Hoping someone can provide some guidance:
1) Can we get our lanyards ahead of time at hotel to avoid line?
2) Can we watch opening scaremony from balcony near entrance? (seen on YouTube videos) and if not...
3) Is it possible to be in park with APs prior to event with our lanyards and go to Cafe La Bamba without going to stay and scream area?

Putting a game plan together to avoid crowd at entrance and appreciate any response/advice.

 

[spewey]

Has anyone done cedar point's Halloweekends?

If so, could you compare it to HHN or howl o scream as to quality of the houses and scare zones?

We've done the park tons of times in the summer. trying to decide if worth spending a weekend, as it's 3.5 hrs plus drive for us

We have, but unfortunately a looong time ago - like 20 years. My wife and I (pre-DD) went every year since it’s inception until about 2005.

It was an absolute blast. Perhaps our fondest memory ever in a park was the weekend we went one year, late October, when it was near freezing all weekend, keeping the place nearly empty.

They had “monsters” handing out free hot chocolate on the midway. The main scare zone in Frontier Trail was so dead one of the SAs, a zombie bride who laughed creepily the whole time, basically followed us around the entire area. And then late Saturday night it started snowing; we ended the evening with three rerides on Magnum (our all time favourite coaster), which is basically never allowed at CP.

They did it up pretty good. Houses were clever and scary, with lots of cool touches throughout the park - like handing out candy to kids on the Antique Cars as they drove the course. Or old silent horror movies playing upstairs in the balcony of the Red Garter Saloon. And of course night rides on the world’s best collection of roller coasters.

But now keep in mind it has become insanely popular. People are shocked at how busy it is on the Saturdays, to the point CP has come under a fair amount of criticism for allowing to to get nearly out of control. If you’re interested in going there’s a lot of pretty good YT videos from this and the past few years you can check out - but I would still advise avoiding Saturdays no matter what you do.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

1) Can we get our lanyards ahead of time at hotel to avoid line?

There is no line to speak of for the RIP tours - it is a separate entrance over to the side for only RIP tour guests. I sincerely doubt you can pick up the RIP lanyard anywhere other than the designated checkin location on your designated checkin night.

2) Can we watch opening scaremony from balcony near entrance?

I understand this is only an option for private RIP tours, at least that is what we were told in 2021.

Either way, you will be separate from the crowds at the entrance. You can skirt way around the masses to the RIP tour entrance, it will be to the right of the gates. That is a wonderful benefit of an RIP tour.

 

[spewey]

There is no line to speak of for the RIP tours - it is a separate entrance over to the side for only RIP tour guests. I sincerely doubt you can pick up the RIP lanyard anywhere other than the designated checkin location on your designated checkin night.


I understand this is only an option for private RIP tours, at least that is what we were told in 2021.

Either way, you will be separate from the crowds at the entrance. You can skirt way around the masses to the RIP tour entrance, it will be to the right of the gates. That is a wonderful benefit of an RIP tour.

Unfortunately our experience last year checking in for our non private tour involved a pretty annoying line. Took more than a half hour, and then more time hanging around the waiting area until all of our group had assembled.

But perhaps that was an anomaly.

 

[MickeyMinnieMouse]

There is no line to speak of for the RIP tours - it is a separate entrance over to the side for only RIP tour guests. I sincerely doubt you can pick up the RIP lanyard anywhere other than the designated checkin location on your designated checkin night.


I understand this is only an option for private RIP tours, at least that is what we were told in 2021.

Either way, you will be separate from the crowds at the entrance. You can skirt way around the masses to the RIP tour entrance, it will be to the right of the gates. That is a wonderful benefit of an RIP tour.

Thank you for the response. Sounds like we will be forced to exit the park to get our lanyards and re-enter through the tour entrance which is what we were hoping to avoid.

 

[tony67]

Was crazy busy last night...too many people IMO.

Express was not bad at all. Still did the 5 houses that were worthwhile (IMO) in about 2 hours.

Scarezones were jam packed, but lots of SAs so that was good.

Still some key ones missing from the houses so that is a bit frustrating - If I waited 70 minutes I'd be very annoyed.

One other minor annoyance is the express line entrances being blocked by people getting return times..I'm not sure what is up with that but seems unusual.

 

[mamapenguin]

There seems to be a lot more people in the park today than yesterday. I’ve been through all of the houses at least once, and many twice. The scare zones were very good last night. I think we are starting in NY tonight, starting in the other pen last night was relaxing, no need to get in a line and still a short wait when they opened. I like watching them clear the park on the NY side, people are funny with their excuses and the stuff they try. Thursday I almost took a video of a gentleman who went full Karen because he wasn’t allowed past the rope.

 

[soniam]

Last night was busier than Wednesday and Thursday, and obviously, there were more teens. It was Friday the 13th after all. It definitely wasn’t opening or Columbus Day weekend bad though, probably a 7-8.

 

[soniam]

Okay... really dumb question here.

There are plenty of restrooms open during HHN right? I have a medical condition that is flaring up so bathroom access is always on my mind. One of the reasons we have express passes because super long lines are difficult.

They have nice portable toilets, the trailer kind, on the way to the Universal Monsters and Goblin’s Feast houses too. That’s probably the area that’s furthest from the permanent restrooms in the park. I like the NY restrooms near Louie’s and the ones at the exit. They are rarely busy and usually clean.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm not sure what is up with that but seems unusual.

Likely disability return times

It definitely wasn’t opening or Columbus Day weekend bad

Shockingly, didn’t think Columbus Day weekend was that bad @ HHN last year. The actual parks were very crowded though during the day and IoA was packed to point it seemed @ capacity in the evening when studios closed on the Saturday.

 

[GhostHost24]

One other minor annoyance is the express line entrances being blocked by people getting return times..I'm not sure what is up with that but seems unusual.

I've noticed this last few years. It is quite annoying when there's a group and it blocks the entrance so a line starts to form because people think it's jsut backed up as the tm is checking.

 

[Skippyboo]

Finally made it to HHN last night, I drove down from Atlanta got to Sapphire Falls a little bit before 2pm. Room was ready so I unloaded loaded and went to Citywalk to eat at Cowfish at 3 pm . Hit the park around 4 did villain Con and got in NY stay and scream by minions cafe. Waited in line at Transformer bar for a blinkie cup beer and got into the insidious/ghostbuster line. It was one big line.

When it opened up you could choose which of the 2 houses you wanted, I did insidious which was super scary. After a Fallon restroom pit stop did a Quiet Place with my express pass and then Triplets with standby since it was only 10 minutes since it just opened at 6pm. Then walked down to Sweets also 10 minutes standby.

Monsters and Goblins were just 5 minutes so I knocked those 2 out. Liked how you can just do them back to back. I went over to the Animal Actor and got the rock from hell from Carey Drive in. I ate the in Simpsons Food court for some A/C .

Then walked through the 2 scare zones to Monstrous, then Ghostbusters, Museum and Slaughter using my express. Checked out Tribute store and did insidious again using express. 11 houses 11.3 miles took the boat back to hotel a little bit after 9:30 pm

 

[purple hippo]

I believe last year several of the onsite hotels had HHN photo op areas. So far it seems on Aventura has a alien type one. Do any of the other hotels have HHN Photo Ops?

 

[Skippyboo]

I believe last year several of the onsite hotels had HHN photo op areas. So far it seems on Aventura has a alien type one. Do any of the other hotels have HHN Photo Ops?

Sapphire Falls

 

[keishashadow]

11 houses 11.3 miles took the boat back to hotel a little bit after 9:30 pm

You made pretty good time for an arrival day & a Saturday night.