Official 2024 Universal Studios HHN 33 Thread

[tony67]

Potentially stupid question re: express pass; would a screenshot work? Like, could I just set the screenshot as my phone's lockscreen for when I need to present it and not have to worry about network issues or trying to have it printed?

They asked a few people in front of me for ID when they had the screen shot of it

 

[keishashadow]

Potentially stupid question re: express pass; would a screenshot work? Like, could I just set the screenshot as my phone's lockscreen for when I need to present it and not have to worry about network issues or trying to have it printed?

It would work to have it handy as to order number so you could get it printed (onsite hotel or GS in or outside of park). You don’t have to wait until the actual event, can request anytime you are in the area.

 

[keishashadow]

Read on FB. Interesting, would be great if U gave this some serious consideration as to issues with youth running wild @ HHN:

"...I work at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and we’re going through the same..

this weekend they started

15and under has to have a chaperone

21 n up with ID..

16 and up must show ID before entering..

any arguing with actors or bad behavior they are escorted out"

IMO the last comment should apply to all ages!

 

[FreckledOne]

Family and I experienced our first HHN on Sunday. We did Stay&Scream and had Express Passes. I wanted to experience it all and we were all underwhelmed. We liked the artistry, but we didn‘t have one scare. The houses were loud (should‘ve brought earplugs), the scare zones were not, and the food was meh. The show was the best part of the evening. It was a one and done for me and the husband. My daughter would go back with friends, especially ones who scare easily.

 

[tony67]

Family and I experienced our first HHN on Sunday. We did Stay&Scream and had Express Passes. I wanted to experience it all and we were all underwhelmed. We liked the artistry, but we didn‘t have one scare. The houses were loud (should‘ve brought earplugs), the scare zones were not, and the food was meh. The show was the best part of the evening. It was a one and done for me and the husband. My daughter would go back with friends, especially ones who scare easily.

Yeah - cant say I disagree with you - I think the reason I go back year after year is the same reason people go back to Disney year after year - lots of great memories and the hope that it will go back to what it was.

I also had no scares at all - but I did really enjoy Insidious. I need to put together my list of this years houses - there were a lot of disappointments and lots of issues.

The food was very disappointing - to the point that I just skipped it after the first few nights.
Other than the Fish and Chips - everything was blah.
For example everyone is buying the marshmallow man treat so they can post the pic of it. How many do we need? The professional influencers are raving about it for the most part. Everyday folks are saying its blah at best. Its a Graham cracker with unmeted cheap chocolate and a marshmallow that is torched - so not really melted at all.
This plastic one probably tastes better:


The scare zones are a joke - a shadow of what they once were. You can thank the parents for that. Don't bring you small children to an event for adults and then complain they were scared.
There was a line of baby carriages outside Ghostbusters several nights
Yeah the fair was OK - but that should have been the secondary one down in Hollywood.
The "Icons" were also disappointing and overly repetitive. Got to the point where I just avoided it and walked on the sidewalk. I know these "shows": can be repetitive - but they were just to the point of annoying.
In past years I would sit and have an overpriced drink and watch the scare zone - not this year - I tried and it got old very quickly.
I've said this 1000 times but the entry scare zone and the lack of roving chainsaws in Simpsons and the docs are greatly missed.
That was another place where I could sit for hours on the bench and watch the scare actors hide in the bushes and jump out and scare people.
Oh and the swamp - that was disappointing as well. Way too dark to see anything and not very aggressive at all.

I was thinking (as I do every year) this will be my last year. Of course next year Epic will be open (I assume) so they will get me again.

 

[Skywalker3]

Less than 2 weeks out for us, and I'm still excited. I sure hope we get some scares. This will be DD's first time back since 2021 (only her 2nd time going.) she missed the last 2 years because her college fall break didn't coincide w the trip. So, I sure hope it'll be fun. She's the perfect type to scare, I think. jumps/responds to everything, so we'll see......I also hope it doesn't rain!! We have our one shot/one night, and rain is always in the back of my mind!
I need to refresh on the food, and where the booths are located.
Still hoping to line up for Insidious to do it regular, then express, but whew, that line always looks crazy! DD has seen the first movie. DS and I might try to watch it before the trip, but not sure we'll have time.
I 100% know food is subjective, but if anyone has any favorites, please share.

 

[tony67]

Less than 2 weeks out for us, and I'm still excited. I sure hope we get some scares. This will be DD's first time back since 2021 (only her 2nd time going.) she missed the last 2 years because her college fall break didn't coincide w the trip. So, I sure hope it'll be fun. She's the perfect type to scare, I think. jumps/responds to everything, so we'll see......I also hope it doesn't rain!! We have our one shot/one night, and rain is always in the back of my mind!
I need to refresh on the food, and where the booths are located.
Still hoping to line up for Insidious to do it regular, then express, but whew, that line always looks crazy! DD has seen the first movie. DS and I might try to watch it before the trip, but not sure we'll have time.
I 100% know food is subjective, but if anyone has any favorites, please share.

Yeah the line for Insidious can be crazy. I did Stay and scream a few times showing up at around 10 minutes of 5 and waited an hour for Insidious. Considering there were people there are around 3PM waiting an hour is not so bad. That first 200 waited at least 2 hours for Insidious. I read on another thread you can upgrade to Unlimited express on the night for like $35. I've never heard of that but it might be worth checking out. Even if the houses are not scary they are a lot of fun for the most part.
I would recommend doing the houses in the back early without express and coming back later in the night and doing them again with express. The wait times are pretty much walk on early - the issue is they are understaffed. Well worth doing just to see them and then coming back when things are really busy. Just try to avoid going to them after the show is over as they are extra busy at that point.

One other thing - try to read up on the backstory for the houses before you go - specifically Triplets of terror - its a lot better when you know the story.

 

[Jessem1133]

Yeah - cant say I disagree with you - I think the reason I go back year after year is the same reason people go back to Disney year after year - lots of great memories and the hope that it will go back to what it was.

I also had no scares at all - but I did really enjoy Insidious. I need to put together my list of this years houses - there were a lot of disappointments and lots of issues.

The food was very disappointing - to the point that I just skipped it after the first few nights.
Other than the Fish and Chips - everything was blah.
For example everyone is buying the marshmallow man treat so they can post the pic of it. How many do we need? The professional influencers are raving about it for the most part. Everyday folks are saying its blah at best. Its a Graham cracker with unmeted cheap chocolate and a marshmallow that is torched - so not really melted at all.
This plastic one probably tastes better:
View attachment 897932

The scare zones are a joke - a shadow of what they once were. You can thank the parents for that. Don't bring you small children to an event for adults and then complain they were scared.
There was a line of baby carriages outside Ghostbusters several nights
Yeah the fair was OK - but that should have been the secondary one down in Hollywood.
The "Icons" were also disappointing and overly repetitive. Got to the point where I just avoided it and walked on the sidewalk. I know these "shows": can be repetitive - but they were just to the point of annoying.
In past years I would sit and have an overpriced drink and watch the scare zone - not this year - I tried and it got old very quickly.
I've said this 1000 times but the entry scare zone and the lack of roving chainsaws in Simpsons and the docs are greatly missed.
That was another place where I could sit for hours on the bench and watch the scare actors hide in the bushes and jump out and scare people.
Oh and the swamp - that was disappointing as well. Way too dark to see anything and not very aggressive at all.

I was thinking (as I do every year) this will be my last year. Of course next year Epic will be open (I assume) so they will get me again.

Pretty much agree across the board here. Next year will be the first HHN we skip in about 20 years, and won't be renewing our AP for the first time in about a decade. The experience at HHN is no longer what we had become accustomed to. Maybe we'll go back in a few years, maybe not.

 

[tony67]

Pretty much agree across the board here. Next year will be the first HHN we skip in about 20 years, and won't be renewing our AP for the first time in about a decade. The experience at HHN is no longer what we had become accustomed to. Maybe we'll go back in a few years, maybe not.

Yeah - for me its going to come down to the cost of AP and how it works with Epic.

Its also very reasonable for me between the hotel and flight.
I can usually get a jet blue flight for $50-$70 and the room is under $100 a night at Dockside.
So although HHN is a bit of a disappointment - its a nice break.
The main expense is the tickets.

 

[shh]

Read on FB. Interesting, would be great if U gave this some serious consideration as to issues with youth running wild @ HHN:

"...I work at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and we’re going through the same..

this weekend they started

15and under has to have a chaperone

21 n up with ID..

16 and up must show ID before entering..

any arguing with actors or bad behavior they are escorted out"

IMO the last comment should apply to all ages!

Seems like many guests are reporting more problems this year with groups of teens getting up in SA's faces screaming at them or threatening to punch; screaming at other guests; pushing/cutting lines, fighting in lines.

(Of course, most teens are fine - we're only talking about an obnoxious few - but those few have created some havoc.) Parents are dropping off carloads of kids and UO is basically their glorified baby sitter.

I don't understand why leadership doesn't implement a parent/guardian requirement for anyone under 18. If they're afraid of losing business, adults with the money won't return if this escalates. I hope no one gets hurt, but I definitely foresee a lawsuit or worker's comp suit eventually. Maybe once it hits Comast's wallet, they'll rethink it.

UO "warns", "yells" but lets many stay in the park. There should be ZERO tolerance: 1 violation and you're out.

 

[macraven]

I have gone every year since hhn began.
The first 4 years was dull for me but at year 5, it all changed to be an exciting event.

Never missed hhn at that point.

Last year had some nights that made me realize I was done with the event.


Taking a pass from hhn

 

[tony67]

Seems like many guests are reporting more problems this year with groups of teens getting up in SA's faces screaming at them or threatening to punch; screaming at other guests; pushing/cutting lines, fighting in lines.

(Of course, most teens are fine - we're only talking about an obnoxious few - but those few have created some havoc.) Parents are dropping off carloads of kids and UO is basically their glorified baby sitter.

I don't understand why leadership doesn't implement a parent/guardian requirement for anyone under 18. If they're afraid of losing business, adults with the money won't return if this escalates. I hope no one gets hurt, but I definitely foresee a lawsuit or worker's comp suit eventually. Maybe once it hits Comast's wallet, they'll rethink it.

UO "warns", "yells" but lets many stay in the park. There should be ZERO tolerance: 1 violation and you're out.

I did not see many issues on the 10 nights I was there - but I could see it becoming an issue no doubt - especially as we get into October.

 

[LilyWDW]

Well, I went and had a good time. We did NOT get everything done but we DID get stormed on lol. It was fun, but I think for me it was a one and done sort of event. Maybe some day I will want to go again, but it won't be for the next 4 or so years.

That said, I do want to go back to Universal after Epic opens and we are already planning for early 2028. So they succeeding in that!

We ended up doing 5 of the houses, all the scare zones, the tribute store, death eaters, and 2 rides (Mummy and MIB). We were stuck in Simpsons for awhile due to the rain, but then decided to brave it. We just got tired and sore so decided we had had enough. My friend also isn't very much in to haunted houses so the fact she did 5 was amazing. We loved Slaughter Sinema, Goblins, and Ghostbusters.

 

[keishashadow]

and the lack of roving chainsaws in Simpsons

/ this!

Less than 2 weeks out for us, and I'm still excited. I sure hope we get some scares.

Same. Like most things, do think it’s subject to one’s expectations. I’m hoping for production value, some jump scares, nice weather & low crowds. Then, i plan on hitting the lottery.

it’s always fun to act as a defacto tour guide to the fresh meat along for the ride. Akin to seeing Xmas morning thru a kid’s eyes. Was going to skip it this year, prior to having arms twisted.

Despite the plethora of negative reviews, plan on having a great time.

Considering there were people there are around 3PM waiting an hour is not so bad. That first 200 waited at least 2 hours for Insidious.

Seriously, taking FOMO to new levels. Almost as tho U is encouraging that for some press

I would recommend doing the houses in the back early without express and coming back later in the night and doing them again with express. The wait times are pretty much walk on early - the issue is they are understaffed.

As in missing normal amount of scareactors?

Those tent houses tend to suffer the daylight the most IMO

specifically Triplets of terror

Aw, now I gotta go google it.

Lost the link I believe was posted as to the audio podcasts they do of the houses

 

[mamapenguin]

Pretty much agree across the board here. Next year will be the first HHN we skip in about 20 years, and won't be renewing our AP for the first time in about a decade. The experience at HHN is no longer what we had become accustomed to. Maybe we'll go back in a few years, maybe not.

Skipping next year too, Universal kind of phoned it in this year. Different plans next year, I will wait until my family is ready to go again in a few years. I will still visit Universal, my pass is good though August and I will still likely renew.

 

[mamapenguin]

Yeah - cant say I disagree with you - I think the reason I go back year after year is the same reason people go back to Disney year after year - lots of great memories and the hope that it will go back to what it was.

I also had no scares at all - but I did really enjoy Insidious. I need to put together my list of this years houses - there were a lot of disappointments and lots of issues.

The food was very disappointing - to the point that I just skipped it after the first few nights.
Other than the Fish and Chips - everything was blah.
For example everyone is buying the marshmallow man treat so they can post the pic of it. How many do we need? The professional influencers are raving about it for the most part. Everyday folks are saying its blah at best. Its a Graham cracker with unmeted cheap chocolate and a marshmallow that is torched - so not really melted at all.
This plastic one probably tastes better:
View attachment 897932

The scare zones are a joke - a shadow of what they once were. You can thank the parents for that. Don't bring you small children to an event for adults and then complain they were scared.
There was a line of baby carriages outside Ghostbusters several nights
Yeah the fair was OK - but that should have been the secondary one down in Hollywood.
The "Icons" were also disappointing and overly repetitive. Got to the point where I just avoided it and walked on the sidewalk. I know these "shows": can be repetitive - but they were just to the point of annoying.
In past years I would sit and have an overpriced drink and watch the scare zone - not this year - I tried and it got old very quickly.
I've said this 1000 times but the entry scare zone and the lack of roving chainsaws in Simpsons and the docs are greatly missed.
That was another place where I could sit for hours on the bench and watch the scare actors hide in the bushes and jump out and scare people.
Oh and the swamp - that was disappointing as well. Way too dark to see anything and not very aggressive at all.

I was thinking (as I do every year) this will be my last year. Of course next year Epic will be open (I assume) so they will get me again.

That Ghostbuster s’more was lame. My chocolate wasn’t melted and the marshmallow wasn’t warm. They made a few up ahead of time and didn’t do a good job. Did not live up to the hype.

 

[tony67]

Lost the link I believe was posted as to the audio podcasts they do of the houses

So I guess they did not actually post it because Spotify said it was too gruesome

That Ghostbuster s’more was lame.

Yup - same with the Korean Corn Dog. I'm sure if you got it fresh it might be OK, but at those prices I was not getting anything else

This goes back to my statement that I tend to repeat over and over - people only care how it looks on camera for the photo so they can post it. How many pix of the smore do people need? The taste is secondary.

Well, I went and had a good time. We did NOT get everything done but we DID get stormed on lol.

Yeah - the seemed to be the theme this year - even the Sunday night when no rain was expected we had a downpour for about an hour. Almost no one was prepared for it - even the locals.
It was very different this year - I always expect a short rainstorm in the afternoon - but this was long downpours with lightning etc..
One night it even seemed that there may have been a strike near velocicoaster and it was closed much of the next day - but cant be 100% sure.

 

[LilyWDW]

Yeah - the seemed to be the theme this year - even the Sunday night when no rain was expected we had a downpour for about an hour. Almost no one was prepared for it - even the locals.
It was very different this year - I always expect a short rainstorm in the afternoon - but this was long downpours with lightning etc..
One night it even seemed that there may have been a strike near velocicoaster and it was closed much of the next day - but cant be 100% sure.

That may have been the Sunday we were there (the 15th). We were taking a break at Simpson's to sit and get some water when the skies opened up. We headed back out when it slowed down but then got stuck in another downpour while in line for Universal Monsters. Got soaked and there was a lot of flooding back that way.

Yet there had been no rain forecasted (or at least super low chance of "showers"). Luckily it was early in the trip so we just went along with it and still had fun.

 

[FreckledOne]

There was a line of baby carriages outside Ghostbusters several nights

I saw people with infants in their arms. I could not believe it. MNSSHP is one thing, but HHN?

I also had no scares at all - but I did really enjoy Insidious.

That was the best house. They really tried to scare us, but no dice. The actors got close to me, too. My family and I thought having a conga line of people detracts from the scare factor and wished they would stagger the groups. Maybe give ten second delays between them, but that'll never happen. And it's too loud, too.

The scare zones are a joke - a shadow of what they once were.

While in line, I struck up a conversation with a scare zone actor with the evening off and they told us Universal went cheap this year due to Epic.

he food was very disappointing - to the point that I just skipped it after the first few nights.
Other than the Fish and Chips - everything was blah.
For example everyone is buying the marshmallow man treat so they can post the pic of it. How many do we need? The professional influencers are raving about it for the most part. Everyday folks are saying its blah at best. Its a Graham cracker with unmeted cheap chocolate and a marshmallow that is torched - so not really melted at all.

So true. I asked the same scare actor about the food and they said they haven't tried any of the offerings because of the skewed quality:expense ratio. By the end of the night, family and I wished we just stuck to the free water.

I was thinking (as I do every year) this will be my last year. Of course next year Epic will be open (I assume) so they will get me again.

Family and I definitely want to give HHN Epic, and Epic in general, a try, but will wait a few years for the bugs to be worked out.

 

[FoxC63]

Halloween Horror Nights Canceled for Thurs. Due to Hurricane Helene - Direct Link

Due to Hurricane Helene, Universal Orlando Resort is making the following operational changes for Thursday, September 26:

• Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Florida is canceled.
• Universal Volcano Bay is closed.
• Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure will close at their regularly scheduled times – with Universal Studios closing at 5 p.m. and Islands of Adventure closing at 8 p.m.
• Universal CityWalk will close early at 8 p.m.
• Our hotels remain operational as they focus on taking care of our guests.

Universal anticipates a full reopening of its resort, including Halloween Horror Nights on Friday, September 27.

Guests who have a Halloween Horror Nights single-night-dated ticket for Thursday, Sept. 26, will automatically be honored for a single-night use through Sunday, Sept. 29. All other HHN ticket questions can be directed to Universal’s Guest Contact Center team by calling 800-711-0080.