Official 2024 Universal Studios HHN 33 Thread

[CAPSLOCK]

I just plan a shorter day. If you intend to do HHN until 2am, you don't want to be in the parks most of the day leading up to that. So we'll either do morning stuff, then go back & nap, or we'll just sleep in and maybe swim or other easygoing activity.

 

[patster734]

Weird - when I was there it was a person in a black clothes with slimer over the head and upper body so it could get in your face - at least when they were there. Many times there was nothing their at all.

Just did a search and see it was replaced around September 21st - just after I left

I saw the YouTube videos with the scare actor Slimer, so it was disappointing that it was a stationary prop when we went through. Probably would have been worse if nothing had been there though.

Apologies if this is not the right place to ask:

From UK and will have 14 day Universal tickets plus HHN tickets. Would you avoid Universal Studios during the day before HHN and visit IOA, or avoid both parks pre HNN?
TIA

That’s what my wife and I do. We’re at Universal for a week, but we only do one night for HHN (with RIP). Because we know that there will be a lot of walking at HHN, we’ve learned that it’s best to have a “lazy” day planned: Sleep in, hang out at the resort, leisure walk around Citywalk. The plan is give our legs a break prior to HHN, and then enter USF shortly before they close the gate to day guests. Our feet and legs still get worn out by the end of the night, but they’d be worse if we had been in the parks all day long.

 

[disneyseniors]

IOA is probably busier since there are people who will have tickets for 1 park per day and don't want to waste it on US when it closes early.

Around 3PM people will start to get into the waiting areas for the houses, but they are there for HHN so does not really affect US IMO. Its possible there may be some folks doing stay and scream that come in at three and want to do rides - but I think for the most part stay and scream folks get into the holding areas.

Regardless its not busy enough for you to avoid one or the other - personally I usually go back and forth between the parks several times a day. On a Saturday (maybe even a Friday) it might be a bit busier - but again nothing crazy.

Thanks for answering this, Tony67. We are arriving on the 3rd of November, the last day of HHN. We don't have tickets to HHN, but want to visit the US side on that day. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to do that or just go to IOA, so this helps. We are early birds, so we will go early and leave before they close it to non HHN guests.

 

[c3h3a3r]

I saw the YouTube videos with the scare actor Slimer, so it was disappointing that it was a stationary prop when we went through. Probably would have been worse if nothing had been there though.


That’s what my wife and I do. We’re at Universal for a week, but we only do one night for HHN (with RIP). Because we know that there will be a lot of walking at HHN, we’ve learned that it’s best to have a “lazy” day planned: Sleep in, hang out at the resort, leisure walk around Citywalk. The plan is give our legs a break prior to HHN, and then enter USF shortly before they close the gate to day guests. Our feet and legs still get worn out by the end of the night, but they’d be worse if we had been in the parks all day long.

Thank you so much for the advice

 

[c3h3a3r]

IOA is probably busier since there are people who will have tickets for 1 park per day and don't want to waste it on US when it closes early.

Around 3PM people will start to get into the waiting areas for the houses, but they are there for HHN so does not really affect US IMO. Its possible there may be some folks doing stay and scream that come in at three and want to do rides - but I think for the most part stay and scream folks get into the holding areas.

Regardless its not busy enough for you to avoid one or the other - personally I usually go back and forth between the parks several times a day. On a Saturday (maybe even a Friday) it might be a bit busier - but again nothing crazy.

Great, thanks for the info

 

[tony67]

Just to mention it - I got an email that HHN tickets are on Groupon - seem to be the same price as the Universal site (well 1 cent cheaper) and they only have 10/30 and 10/31. I think people have used coupon codes or Groupon discounts in the past to save a few $$.

Not sure its worth it but just in case.

 

[macraven]

appreciate you sharing that information with all of us.

thanks again tony 67 !

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Does anyone have a good Stay & Scream strategy for this year?

 

[macraven]

Just pack a lot of patience….

 

[keishashadow]

I see they replaced the Slimer SA in Ghost Busters with a stationary Slimer...anyone been through yet and seen that?

Yep, fan of franchise, still liked it…file it under I didn’t know better…until now lol

Thanks for answering this, Tony67. We are arriving on the 3rd of November, the last day of HHN. We don't have tickets to HHN, but want to visit the US side on that day. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to do that or just go to IOA, so this helps. We are early birds, so we will go early and leave before they close it to non HHN guests.

If you are planning on park hopping from Studios to IOA, suggest doing so between 3 & 3:30 pm, otherwise the line gets long with other doing the same.

Does anyone have a good Stay & Scream strategy for this year?

Insidious
Ghostbusters
Triplets
(Quiet place, was one & done for us, disappointing as I enjoy the franchise & recent movie).

We were able to knock the first 3 out well before 6:30 pm not long ago on a Weds, Thurs & Fri (slowest night, oddly). Didn’t hop into the actual line until 4:30 - 4:45 pm. Released each day before 5:10 pm.

Believe people were looping Insidious, which we did one day too when wait was short

They did an amazing job of clearing the park this year!

 

[disneyseniors]

Yep, fan of franchise, still liked it…file it under I didn’t know better…until now lol

If you are planning on park hopping from Studios to IOA, suggest doing so between 3 & 3:30 pm, otherwise the line gets long with other doing the same.

Insidious
Ghostbusters
Triplets
(Quiet place, was one & done for us, disappointing as I enjoy the franchise & recent movie).

We were able to knock the first 3 out well before 6:30 pm not long ago on a Weds, Thurs & Fri (slowest night, oddly). Didn’t hop into the actual line until 4:30 - 4:45 pm. Released each day before 5:10 pm.

Believe people were looping Insidious, which we did one day too when wait was short

They did an amazing job of clearing the park this year!

Thanks Janet, that's good advice and we will do that. We leave for Orlando Saturday the 2nd!!! Yea it is almost here, finally

 

[keishashadow]

Thanks Janet, that's good advice and we will do that. We leave for Orlando Saturday the 2nd!!! Yea it is almost here, finally

Seems like you've been waiting a long time!

Look forward to hearing how you enjoy the lights on tour

 

[GhostHost24]

Going to my final HHN night of the season tomorrow. It's a sad day

 

[disneyseniors]

Seems like you've been waiting a long time!

Look forward to hearing how you enjoy the lights on tour

Janet, I had to cancel it due to some back problems. I was down on my back for 7 weeks before I could walk right again, but still with a touchy back. It's okay now but I cancelled because I thought the long periods of standing still, and the walking, might start it up again. I hated to do that but dont' want to aggravate the situation. 7 weeks was a Long time to be out of commission. I am going to take things slow and only do the attractions that I feel I can do without jarring my back. It will be fun anyway, but have to be cautious. My son, Randy, has a bad back so he has to take it easier too.

 

[Naomeri]

Going to my final HHN night of the season tomorrow. It's a sad day

going to my first ever HHN tomorrow night--my joy will balance out your sadness

 

[GhostHost24]

Insidious jsut opened up! Going in it now

 

[shh]

My opinion this year? HHN was good, but HOS was WAAAY better for the money spent.

This smaller 5-house event really shows how it should be done. It was how HHN used to be years ago- but even better. They knocked it out of the park (no pun intended).

Much better scares. HHN SAs are wonderful and do the best with what they're allowed to do, but HOS SAs (both in houses and scare zones) are clearly encouraged to step it up much more aggressively.

They get right in your face and literally chase and follow you way past their "station" lol. HOS doesn't force them to pose on pedestals or spend their time on guest selfies.

The live entertainment was stepped up this year - monster stomp was awesome!

Wonderful creepy atmosphere everywhere, including the entrance. They do NOT skimp on the fog, for sure and use all the senses - music, heavy fog and lots of lighting effects, scents to good effect. They really make a big effort right from the moment you enter. The entrance blew HHN's away. Just excellent ambiance throughout.

Their food/drink booth laynards were very reasonably priced and included a nice souvenir refillable skull mug: $45 for 6 samples, $60 for 8 samples, I think. (The mug included 1 full drink sample, including cockails, if desired.) Many good food choices.

They stepped up houses big time: some really creative effects - I was impressed.

All at a much better value overall. And no pricey express-style pass needed - longest wait was 30 min.

Decided I'm skipping HHN from now on. After 2 loyal decades, I'm done with that event. I did have a very nice time, but it's no longer worth what they charge.

 

[tony67]

My opinion this year? HHN was good, but HOS was WAAAY better for the money spent.

This smaller 5-house event really shows how it should be done. It was how HHN used to be years ago- but even better. They knocked it out of the park (no pun intended).

Much better scares - their SAs are nothing short of amazing and are allowed MUCH more latitude than HHN SAs. They get right in your face and will literally chase and follow you way past their scare zones lol. They don't pose on pedestals or just wander around to accommodate people's selfies.

The live entertainment was stepped up this year - monster stomp was awesome!

Wonderful creepy atmosphere everywhere, including the entrance. They do NOT skimp on the fog, for sure and use all the senses - music, heavy fog and lots of lighting effects, scents to good effect. They really make a big effort right from the moment you enter. The entrance blew HHN's away. Just excellent ambiance throughout.

Their food/drink booth laynards were very reasonably priced and included a free souvenier skull mug: $45 for 6 samples, $60 for 8 samples, I think. (The mug included 1 full drink sample, including cockails, if desired.) Many good food choices.

They stepped up houses big time: some really creative effects - I was impressed.

All at a much better value overall. Next year, I'm skipping HHN entirely for 1st time ever and just sticking with HOS.

After many years loyal to HHN, I think I'm done with that event. I had a good time - don't get me wrong, but it's nowhere near worth the money I paid.

Yeah - I (and others) have been saying this about HOS for a a couple of years. I regret not going this year as overall HHN was a disappointment. Its seems to be worse and worse every year IMO.

I have to wonder if some of the better SAs are also doing HOS as its probably a bit more fun for them.
Universal had a shortage of SAs this year. Most of the houses were forgettable.

I've already said this - but the only reason Ill be back for HHN34 is to do Epic - but with all the ticket issues I am having with Epic and the poor response from Universal maybe I just wait for HHN35.

 

[GhostHost24]

Right now if you were to make me decide, I'd be skipping next year.

Thinking only reason I'll go is if we get a nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13th

 

[Suger Mag]

I went for the first time to Sea World's Howl O Scream last year and to Uni's Horror Nights this year (11/1) so I do not have a lot of past to compare them too. But overall I preferred Howl. Although smaller, I thought the show, actors, theme etc at Howl were on par to Horror if not better. Especially when you compared the cost. I had fun at both, but I always prefer when the fun costs less,