VIP by day, HHN at night

[purple hippo]

We are going to USH in September and will be booking VIP tour. The same night we want to attend HHN. Does anyone know if we can stay in the park in a holding area (like USO) or are there wristbands that allow you to stay in the park? Do we need to purchase the HHN early access ticket or is that only if you are attending just HHN? It looks like the park traditionally stayed open until 7 before HHN starts, unlike at USO where they close early, clear the park and then re-open for HHN. Any advice?

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

I went to USH during the day and HHN in the evening last year on the same day. In the afternoon they had wristband distribution near the main entrance (inside the park) where you could pick yours up if you were attending HHN. Unlike Orlando where they have the holding areas, it seems HHN overlaps a little as day guests leave. As long as you have your wristband you can start hopping in HHN lines once they start opening (which seems to be staggered starting on the lower lot).

Side note, anecdotally I found the standby lines at HHN Hollywood to move more slowly than they do at HHN Orlando (again, purely anecdotal). I would guess investing in Express at HHN USH is well worth it. I’m going in October and splurged for the R.I.P. tour after the unbearable lines last year.

 

[purple hippo]

I went to USH during the day and HHN in the evening last year on the same day. In the afternoon they had wristband distribution near the main entrance (inside the park) where you could pick yours up if you were attending HHN. Unlike Orlando where they have the holding areas, it seems HHN overlaps a little as day guests leave. As long as you have your wristband you can start hopping in HHN lines once they start opening (which seems to be staggered starting on the lower lot).

Side note, anecdotally I found the standby lines at HHN Hollywood to move more slowly than they do at HHN Orlando (again, purely anecdotal). I would guess investing in Express at HHN USH is well worth it. I’m going in October and splurged for the R.I.P. tour after the unbearable lines last year.

This is great advice! Thank you! We have been to USO and HHN at USO many times and always plan for more than one night. This time we are trying USH and HHN at USH and really aren't sure what to expect. I keep reading that USH can be done in a day easily (not including Nintendo area), yet HHN is crazy busy. I was hoping by going in September we would avoid the rushes, but will keep your suggestion in mind for the EP or RIP. Thanks!

 

[Lisa24jks]

I keep reading that USH can be done in a day easily (not including Nintendo area), yet HHN is crazy busy. I was hoping by going in September we would avoid the rushes, but will keep your suggestion in mind for the EP or RIP

That is correct. The regular park stuff can be done all in one day generally. But HHN is... another story. I'm not saying it CAN'T be done without an express pass, but you have to plan very well and be very expedient about it. Even in September, it is still CRAZY busy. (tbh, I think USH overfills the parks for HHN, but I'm guessing all they see is dollar signs)

I refuse to do HHN without an express pass anymore, personally.

 

[purple hippo]

That is correct. The regular park stuff can be done all in one day generally. But HHN is... another story. I'm not saying it CAN'T be done without an express pass, but you have to plan very well and be very expedient about it. Even in September, it is still CRAZY busy. (tbh, I think USH overfills the parks for HHN, but I'm guessing all they see is dollar signs)

I refuse to do HHN without an express pass anymore,

So RIP includes a dinner, parking and the it is a tour where you are lead to the houses, shows,etc. EP wpuld just be on our own and using the EP lanes for the houses and rides. Is RIP worth the extra or should EP be enough? If RIP, what time is dinner at? Are there any other bonus' that I missed?

 

[Lisa24jks]

So RIP includes a dinner, parking and the it is a tour where you are lead to the houses, shows,etc. EP wpuld just be on our own and using the EP lanes for the houses and rides. Is RIP worth the extra or should EP be enough? If RIP, what time is dinner at? Are there any other bonus' that I missed?

I've never done the RIP tour, so someone else around here will have to chime in. (I think there are some good threads on it from last year if you search the forum.)

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

I've never done the RIP tour, so someone else around here will have to chime in. (I think there are some good threads on it from last year if you search the forum.)

I also was able to find a few reviews on YouTube of the RIP tour. There aren’t as many videos for Hollywood as there are for Orlando RIP, but you can find them.

For me, the decision to do RIP over Express Pass was based on observing last year’s standby and Express lines. When the standby line gets extremely long, people in the Express line wait longer. Their wait is still much shorter but it’s proportional to the standby line. Last year I saw standby lines over two hours and the corresponding Express lines looked quite long. Personally I would be frustrated paying Express prices and waiting in what felt like long-ish lines. The RIP tours get escorted right into each house entrance. With the addition of the other perks that come with RIP, the value seems worth it to me despite the price tag.

 

[purple hippo]

I also was able to find a few reviews on YouTube of the RIP tour. There aren’t as many videos for Hollywood as there are for Orlando RIP, but you can find them.

For me, the decision to do RIP over Express Pass was based on observing last year’s standby and Express lines. When the standby line gets extremely long, people in the Express line wait longer. Their wait is still much shorter but it’s proportional to the standby line. Last year I saw standby lines over two hours and the corresponding Express lines looked quite long. Personally I would be frustrated paying Express prices and waiting in what felt like long-ish lines. The RIP tours get escorted right into each house entrance. With the addition of the other perks that come with RIP, the value seems worth it to me despite the price tag.

Agreed and great points. I wouldn't want to save the money for the difference between EP and RIP and then still possibly miss houses or wait in really long lines. There is so much more about the USO HHN than USH.

I was originally thinking we would do VIP during the day and HHN Gen Admission, the first night and and After 2 pm Ticket for park/HHN.

Given that it is a much smaller park and we are doing VIP on day one during the day, I am now thinking to do VIP on day one with HHN General Admission on day one, and just RIP on day 2. This will most likely be our only trip to CA/USH so I don't want any unfinished business! I'm thinking we can use the day portion of day 2 to relax by the pool at the hotel and then get an early tour time and make the most of the night. I considered VIP/RIP in one day but I think that is a bit much. This way we can scope out HHN on the first night without the panic of missing anything because we have RIP the next night. It will be a great ending to our trip I think.

The RIP tour will cover all the houses, right? Thanks for all your help!

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

Agreed and great points. I wouldn't want to save the money for the difference between EP and RIP and then still possibly miss houses or wait in really long lines. There is so much more about the USO HHN than USH.

I was originally thinking we would do VIP during the day and HHN Gen Admission, the first night and and After 2 pm Ticket for park/HHN.

Given that it is a much smaller park and we are doing VIP on day one during the day, I am now thinking to do VIP on day one with HHN General Admission on day one, and just RIP on day 2. This will most likely be our only trip to CA/USH so I don't want any unfinished business! I'm thinking we can use the day portion of day 2 to relax by the pool at the hotel and then get an early tour time and make the most of the night. I considered VIP/RIP in one day but I think that is a bit much. This way we can scope out HHN on the first night without the panic of missing anything because we have RIP the next night. It will be a great ending to our trip I think.

The RIP tour will cover all the houses, right? Thanks for all your help!

The RIP tour covers all the houses, the Terror Tram, some rides depending on your itinerary and guide, and VIP seating at a show. It’s not clear to me what the show is since the theater where it used to us being demolished. But it seems Universal likes to change up some of the added perks on these tours from year to year, so I imagine it will still be something interesting.

In addition to seeing all houses on the tour, your RIP credentials work as an Express Pass once the tour concludes (presumably if you pick an earlier time slot for the tour there is some extra time left before HHN ends for the night). In reviews I’ve seen, people have revisited houses after the tour with their pass.

We’re doing VIP/RIP in one day. I agree with you that it might be a lot, but worked for us timing wise. Your plan sounds solid. I also like giving myself more than enough time to be a completist. Even if you get a lot done the first night on your own at HHN, the RIP tour offers enough unique exclusive experiences that it will still feel worth it.

 

[Flyg1rl]

There is a Facebook page that help people fill their private tours.
The name of the Facebook page is "Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando"
I think, from there, you can look in their chat section for a chat called "Private RIP Tour Group Finder"

I am a member of that chat. My husband and I are looking for ppl who want to join a Private RIP tour on Saturday September the 23rd. The price for Private RIP varies dependent on day. Saturdays are expensive. Price would be $460 per person. If you would like to join, please private message me there in the chat for details. See you in the fog!

 

[BGparadise]

There is a Facebook page that help people fill their private tours.
The name of the Facebook page is "Halloween Horror Nights - Orlando"
I think, from there, you can look in their chat section for a chat called "Private RIP Tour Group Finder"

I am a member of that chat. My husband and I are looking for ppl who want to join a Private RIP tour on Saturday September the 23rd. The price for Private RIP varies dependent on day. Saturdays are expensive. Price would be $460 per person. If you would like to join, please private message me there in the chat for details. See you in the fog!

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

I will piggy back on this....I am also a member of the chat mentioned. Looking for 3 more tour members for September 14 at 5:30/ Cost for this date is $365

This thread is in the “California & the West” section and was discussing HHN at Universal Hollywood. There are separate Universal Orlando sections with threads started about HHN where you may find more takers.

 

[purple hippo]

Did it! I booked at 6:40 which will get us started before the gates officially open, but should be late enough that our terrror tram etc will be later in the evening (per the gent I spoke to one the VIP line). Still finishes early enough that we can redo any last favourites before the park closes and we head home. Considered the early access but really since that would be at 5:30 and we check in at 6:10 it didn't really seem worth it, especially since we will be there the night before.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

 

[MinnesotaDisneyFan]

Did it! I booked at 6:40 which will get us started before the gates officially open, but should be late enough that our terrror tram etc will be later in the evening (per the gent I spoke to one the VIP line). Still finishes early enough that we can redo any last favourites before the park closes and we head home. Considered the early access but really since that would be at 5:30 and we check in at 6:10 it didn't really seem worth it, especially since we will be there the night before.

Thanks for your help and suggestions!

Hope you post your experience in September. Will be excited to hear about it prior to doing the RIP in October.