OH The Horror! Scary Clowns, Haunted Houses, Scare Zones, Monsters, Pumpkins, Crooked Cats, Creepy Bears, Shopping, Dining and more….My HHN 34 Trip

[Robo56]

Welcome Friends to another one of my HHN Halloween trip reports. I’am so looking forward to this upcoming getaway to celebrate all things Halloween.

A little introduction for anyone who has not read one of my reports.

I used to vacation with my youngest Grandchildren M & P at Universal every year. It was a time where Nana and her sweet babies could enjoy the parks and each others company and have the best time. They are grown now and in their 20’s. I have the fondest memories as do they of our wonderful trips to Universal Orlando.

I’am a RN. I’am in my 60’s and retired. I will let you know I’am enjoying every minute of my retirement. Being a Nurse was one of most challenging jobs both mentally and physically and I loved every minute of it, but I was glad to pass the baton onto the younger generation.

I’am married to the most wonderful fella. He is the love of my life. He knows how much I love Halloween and Haunted Houses. He is such a sweetheart and goes along with my Halloween decorations every year and my love of Halloween in general. He no longer wants to travel anymore. Amusement Parks and crowds of people are not his thing. I understand that. He tells me to go and enjoy my favorite Halloween time at HHN. It is a time of no cooking, cleaning, grocery store runs etc….I don’t mind doing those things, But I like the change on vacation. It’s my time to enjoy the resort, some Haunted Houses, some sister time and just chill as the younger generation says.

This trip will also include hanging out with my sisters. My younger sister K is also a RN and is still working. She will be traveling with me again this year. She loves everything Halloween as much as I do. We have been known to do some serious damage shopping for new Halloween decorations.

My older sister D who is also a Retired RN lives in Harmony Florida about an hour from Orlando depending on traffic. She will usually come for a visit for a day or two. It is wonderful when the three of us get together for a day of visiting, Lunch and Shopping.

Enough of that……..Let’s get on to the Haunting details.

My sister K and Fly out 11 days from today.



So until we fly lets talk about HHN 34.

Dates and times.

Although it says the start time is 6:30 pm they have been know to open the gates at 6:00 pm sometimes.


As you can see HHN is primarily held Wednesday through Sunday during the event, but I noticed they will be having the event on Tuesday, September 16th and not on Thursday, the 18th. I’am guessing there is an event that evening?

 

[Robo56]

THE HOUSES

 

[Robo56]

More to come

 

[DL1WDW2]

Excited for your trip report !
I think Cat Lady on Crooked Lane sounds like my favorite.
I didn’t renew my Pass this Year …but I did get to enjoy EPIC when they allowed us to buy tickets in advance.
Also this year they changed the free entry into HHN perk with the AP .
I wonder if it would have been difficult to find availability since they require a reservation to use that freebie
Anyway When is your trip.? I can hardly wait for another Robo56 trip report!

 

[Robo56]

Excited for your trip report !
I think Cat Lady on Crooked Lane sounds like my favorite.
I didn’t renew my Pass this Year …but I did get to enjoy EPIC when they allowed us to buy tickets in advance.
Also this year they changed the free entry into HHN perk with the AP .
I wonder if it would have been difficult to find availability since they require a reservation to use that freebie
Anyway When is your trip.? I can hardly wait for another Robo56 trip report!

Thank you, DL1WDW2 for your kind words. So glad you are going to be reading along.

I’am so glad you were able to see Epic. I went too during the Passholder time. Epic is a beautiful Park and is going to be the jewel in the Crown of Universal Orlando.

I see that they changed the free HHN Night with the Premier Pass to reservation. I think I might have used that perk once, but I don’t really worry about it as I have bought ROF for years now. I’am there multiple nights so getting multi-night pass is a better option for me.

I have had a peek already at the set up for Cat Lady of Crooked Lane Scare Zone and it is going to be the most beautiful of the Scare Zones. Just look up in the trees when walking through and enjoy.

I fly out next Sunday morning.

 

[Robo56]

Good morning everyone


First thing I will address is the merchandise. I have seen a number of folks ask if there is merch in CityWalk for sell even if you are not attending the event. YES.

The big Universal Store in CityWalk has lots of HHN merchandise as well as the Kiosks in CityWalk. So if you walk through CityWalk on your way to parks in the am or leaving in the evening stop and have a look. There is enough merch to pick from.

In the past they have included the big store in IOA Islands of Adventure Trading Company with HHN merch too. I will see if thats the case when I get there or some else can share if they want.

For those that are into collecting popcorn buckets they will have the Megan buckets that have the removable face and Art The Clown bucket from Terrifer this year.

If you are in CityWalk there is another thing that folks who are not attending the HHN Event in the park can do. You can enjoy the Koven.

The Coconut Club turns turns into the Dead Coconut Club during HHN. The theme for this years event is Koven. As you can see it opens at 5 pm on HHN EVENT NIGHTS ONLY and there is no age limit and Admission is free. There are cocktails for sale to those 21 and over.

The creators do a wonderful job with the decorations in the Club. I’am looking forward to seeing the interior this year.

Here are a few photos from Last years Club.


Couldn't help myself this is funny.





Some Frequently asked questions clarified.

HHN is a separately ticketed event. Meaning that you have to purchase a ticket to this event to attend. Your regular day park ticket or AP will not allow you entrance to the event. You have to buy a HHN ticket or a Multi-night event ticket to attend.

Express Passes- If you purchased a day time Express Pass or you have Unlimited Express which is included with your stay at RPR, HRH or PBR these do not work for HHN. If you want Express for HHN you need to buy a HHN Express pass for the night you attend or have a Multi-night ticket with Express included to enjoy Express during the event.

The Express passes for the event are optional you do not have to purchase them, but they do make your experience much better on the nights when the event is slammed, which is most of time now.

HHN has grown over the years and the last couple of years there has been a massive turn out. The Express passes can cut your wait time in the Haunted House lines exponentially. The HHN Express Passes do sell out on some nights


FUN FREE THINGS TO DO DURING THE HHN EVENT NIGHTS that are included in the price of your ticket.

Visit the TRIBUTE STORE. It has moved this year from the typical location do to the de-construction of RRR roller-coaster. It’s new location this year is the Palace Arcade in the New York area of the Park. The HHN Creators and designers always do such a nice job with the Tribute Store. Some years it is better than others.

The DEATH EATERS will be roaming in DIAGON ALLEY again this year. If you have not had the chance to see them and you enjoy the WWOHP go and have a look.

They roam through the whole of Diagon Alley.

My sister and I enjoyed popping into Diagon Alley on a number of occasions last year during the event to see the DEATH EATERS.

Visiting Diagon Alley was a hidden secret a number of years ago as no one attending the event would usually spend time there. It was a time to see it almost deserted compared to during the day. NOT ANYMORE.

ESCAPE FROM GRINGOTTS ride is one of the rides that is open during the event.

The shops, Escape from Gringotts and leaky Cauldron are open, but they do close Diagon Alley about 10 or 11 pm usually. Will see on the times this year.





I’am not one to sit still long enough for the Nightmare Fuel show. It is not for me, but I know a lot of folks who really enjoy it. I hear the performers give their all and are wonderful. The performers do wear some clothing that may a bit risqué for some, but overall if you love it you love it.

The times for the show on event nights are 8 pm, 9:30 pm, 11:00 pm and 12:30 pm.





The show over the Lagoon is nice to see. The show times for this year are 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm, 11:00 pm and Midnight on the nights of the event.



I have heard there is a FEEL THE FEAR MEDALLION QUEST INTERACTIVE GAME included in the event this year. The game appears to be a scavenger hunt to collect medallions on the app to win. The locations to collect your medallions are supposed to be on the app. It will be interesting to get the feed back on this game.





Those who usually attend HHN know that during the event they black out the r and v on the regular sign to say Mel’s Die-In. This year they will have ZOMBIE CARHOPS. I’am looking forward to seeing this.





CLUB HORROR is going to be located over by Fast and Furious and it is located in an area that is usually where a scare Zone is. It will include according to what I have seen characters from Blume House dancing.



There are FOUR RIDES that are open during the event

 

[Robo56]

I went digging for an event map and found this last night.


I always like to have a map to look at. This map is accurate with the exception of the house entrances at the front of the park which differ some with what a what Influencer posted on youtube. He said the front of the park house entrances could change during the event as de-construction progresses on RRR.

The Universal App will have map and house information too.

As of Tuesday the entrances to Grave of Flesh, Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Horror of Wyatt Sicks and Terrifier (this house has a dry and wet option to expericence). Word is that the wet experience option is going to be one of the wettest houses Universal has ever done.

The entrance to these houses is going to be in the walkway by Minions of Mayhem.

The sign is in place for this entrance now. I thought it odd and it was guessed that the exit for the houses will be by Jimmy Fallon. Will see if this pans out. Or if it is actually the way the map says it is above.

The rest of the houses seem to be in the appropriate location according to the map.

The entrance to Galkins Monsters of the North and Fallout are located to the right of Nightmare Fuel show. Those of you from last year remember this will be the hike back to the those two backlot tent houses that Goblins and Monsters Eternal Bloodlines was in last year.

I will admit that it was a hike to get back to these houses and on tired legs it was a challenge. I would say, do these two houses early on as it will be a march.

If you ever see the lines to these two houses backed up to the entrance “Run Forest Run” is all I can say. I could not imagine what the wait time would be.

There were toilet facility trailers set up last year for the hike back to these houses.

I saw many a young one sitting down for a rest on the way back from those houses last year.


I think you get my drift.


More to come

 

[Robo56]

HHN officially opens tomorrow Friday, September the 29th, but………….There is a separately special ticketed event tonight called PREMIUM SCREAM NIGHT.





AS YOU CAN SEE THE EVENT IS SOLD OUT THIS EVENING.



This was the last price I had seen, but I thought I saw the prices in the 350.00 range when they were first posted. So it does pay to buy early.

If I remember correctly there was a $25.00 discount for this event ticket for AP holders.

Premium Scream night was started last year and went over well according to those who attended.

If you are wondering if this is a good price or not. It is, considering that Public RIP Tours now are going for well over $400.00 dollars.

The event does cap attendance. So it will be interesting to see how things go with the houses and food this year since the event is sold out.

I believe if the reviews are good this will become a great opportunity for those who have limited time and are wanting to attend the event just once.

There are a lot of perks noted above for this event that makes it very attractive.

This event will possibly be on my radar for next year if they still have it.

To all those who are attending the event this evening have a wonderful time.



TICKETS….TICKETS WHAT DO I CHOOSE…THAT WORKS FOR ME…

I think for alot of newcomers to the event and even for some of the old timers like me that is the question.

Finding a ticket option that works for you without spending money on options you don’t need is a worthy cause to figure out.

Remember any money saved is money that can be spent somewhere else…nice dinner, fun HHN merch, cocktail….etc…..


LET’S LOOK AT THE OPTIONS

A single night ticket during the course of the event can range from $85.00 to $135.00 per event night. This is before tax. Looking at the calendar which is available on the Universal Website it looks like September has the cheapest overall options.

There were four levels of Multi-night ticket options. Universal has done a great job on the website of allowing you to compare these side by side to pick the one that is the best for you.

All the Multi-night tickets have a specific date range that they cover so make sure to look at that.

There is the

Rush of Fear

Frequent Fear






Frequent Fear Plus

Ultimate Fear




As you can see all the Multi-night pass options no longer have the Express available with these passes as they are sold out now.

You can still buy the multi-night pass for each of these options without Express.

You can see the above prices for all four passes in the above info.

The ROF with Express would have been $689.00 plus tax…all prices showing will be without taxes.

Frequent Fear with Express would have been $829.00.

Frequent Fear Plus with Express would have been $949.00

Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass with Express would have been $1,199.00.



HHN ADD ON EXTRAS FOR THE EVENT.


EXPRESS PASS FOR HHN EVENT


The prices for the EXPRESS PASS for the event ranges in price from $180.00 to $300.00. The dates with the prices for those dates are available on Universal website.

 

[Robo56]

PUBLIC RIP TOUR

The Public Rip Tour is ranging in price now from $440.00 to $520.00.

A few of the differences between the Public RIP Tour and the Private RIP Tour are as follows.

In the Public Tour you are in a group of up to 12 people and your asigned Tour Guide takes you to the front door of all the houses once during your tour. The Tour Guide gives a backstory to all the houses. Your Tour Guide sets the pace for the evening.

You are given a Tour credential for the evening.

You have access to the Snacks, desserts, soda, water, lemonade, tea and a for pay bar at Cafe La Bamba before the Tour and during the tour.

You will be taken to two air conditioned lounges during your Tour so you can take a break and purchase a cocktail if you choose to.

You will be taken to your assigned seats during the Tour to see the Nightmare Fuel show.

You can use your lanyard credential after the Tour for Express Pass on the Four rides that are open at the end of the tour.



PRIVATE RIP TOUR


The Private Tour is purchased by someone and that person can then invite others to join their Tour. The person who typically purchases the Tour can divide up the cost of Tour among the number of guests invited. So if the Tour cost them $3000.00 and they have 10 people in their tour then it would be $300.00 person for the Tour.

The person who purchases the Private Tour is the one who decides how they would like the evening to progress of course with the input of their fellow guests.

In this Tour your guide will take you to the front of all the houses
AS MANY TIMES AS THE GROUP WANTS.


Your Guide can also take you to Express Access the rides during the Tour and you can use your credentials to Express the rides after your tour if time permits.

There is also free parking for the one who purchased the Tour.

There is free photo pass for the purchaser of the Tour. This is nice as they can share the photos taken with their fellow guests for the evening.

Everything else is the same as noted above on the Public RIP Tour.

The cost of this Tour can be given to you when you call the VIP line.

You can purchase all your event extras by calling this line.

I have done both the RIP Public Tour and have been invited to be a guest on a Private VIP Tour and both tours were wonderful.

It is nice to tip your Tour Guide if you feel the have done a great jog. I can tell you they usually are fantastic.

Universal has done a great job on the website of helping you comparing the Tours.

You do get an AP discounts on the Tours.


UNMASKING THE HORROR (LIGHTS ON TOUR OF THE HOUSES





You can compare the Tours and choose the one you want to attend. There is a 3 house Tour and a 6 house Tour.

In the past you did not know the houses that were going to be on either of the Tours, but last year they posted them ahead of time.

This year unless there has been any changes the Tours are as follows.

Here are the Tours Houses for the daylight Tour


The big change this year is that there is a buffet style lunch provided for the 6 house Tour.

I have done the 6 house Tour for years and I really enjoy the Tour. It gives you a chance to enjoy the design of the houses and appreciate the details that are missed in the dark.

The Tour Guide are wonderful and full of background information on the houses.

You are given a headset to wear with disposable ear plugs so you can hear the guide clearly on the Tour.

As with the other Tours if your guide has been really good bless them with a tip.

I know for sure the cost of these Tours has gone up since I bought mine in July. So it does pay to buy early if you can.

The 3 House Tour ranges in price from
$120 and $170.00

The 6 house Tour ranges in price form
$200.00 and $270.00


LAST IS THE SCREAM EARLY TICKET.


This is a variation of what used to be called a Stay and Scream Ticket. What is it and how is it different from the old Stay and Scream ticket.

This ticket allows you to enter the park by 3 pm. It costs
$60.00 during the entire HHN event season.

You still need to have a HHN event ticket for the evening you purshcase your Scream Early ticket.

In the past with the old Stay and Scream tickets you were able to get into the park before it closed to regular Park guests who were not attending HHN. They are supposed to leave the park at 5:00 pm. So you would have to be in the park before 5:00 pm.

You could then choose between holding areas in the parks that were located near the various house entrances. Your HHN ticket and you Stay and Scream ticket were scanned and you waited in the holding areas to be released to the houses closest to the holding areas you chose to be in.

Why was this advantages. Well…..while everyone else was waiting at the gates to be scanned into the event you would be already hitting a couple of houses before the regular guest at the gates got in.

How quickly you were loosed to the houses was predicated on how quickly they could herd the day guest out of the park by 5:00 pm and all the houses being ready quickly for the start of the evening.

I only did this once over the years and I was slightly amused at the slow march the day guests would do when leaving the park.

The difference with this years option. Is there is no standing in holding areas.

You can enter the park early by at least 3 pm. Walk around and enjoy some rides, dining and shopping. You need to get a wrist band put on at one the locations listed below.

Then you can get in line for your chosen house as early at 4 pm if you want, but remember you will be in that line until that house opens??? 6pm.

We will see how this pans out. I can see this working if you are able to do a few houses before the gates open to the guests on the outside waiting to get in at 6:30 pm and you don’t collapse waiting in line.

That being said it does give you the option of busting a couple houses early if they open early before the crowds arrive.

I could see this being a benefit for the two houses that are on the long march back lot houses. Galkin and Fallout. They are very close by each other.

It is nice that you are not stuck in the holding areas with this option and you can enjoy the park early before the event starts.

To be clear you do need a HHN Event ticket for the same evening you purchase this Scream Early ticket.

Also noted below there will be a special entrance for onsite Resort guests until 7:30 pm. You will need your room key as proof to enter here.

I’am waiting to see where that entrance will be as it has been over the years by the old Blue Man Group walkway. Since they are doing the deconstruction of RRR which is overhead of this walkway I’am wondering if they will have the entrance to the far right of guest services open again for this. We will see.







You can purchase all your tickets, Passes and Extra Add ons on the website or by calling the VIP line 1-407-817-7738.

You do have to call the VIP line for the cost of the Private Tour.




Looking at some HHN food.

Comparing apples to apples on the tickets and extras and How to survive HHN 101 coming up.