Halloween Horror Nights 31 (UOR) - News & Info

[MI1287]

I've been going in early/mid-September since 2010 and this was the first year where the crowds felt unmanageable. I went 3 nights this year (no Express) and was just barely able to do everything (was supposed to be 4 nights but had to miss a night unexpectedly). What was weird was that the streets seemed pretty quiet, but the house lines were out of control. Going forward I think I will have to bite the bullet and include Express as it's become borderline unenjoyable without it.

 

[HHNObsession]

I just hope they are able to get Ghoulish back and running before the event is over. I missed not getting to see a lagoon show on my first trip.

The Twitter account responded to a question about Ghoulish. I know it’s just a canned Twitter response, but at least it’s acknowledged. It’s definitely promising…

 

[Darko]

In terms of crowds it was super weird this year for me. Like it was mostly doable (plus I went on the night it rained like crazy) until I got near the Simpsons area. Then oh deary me where did all these people come from.

As for express lines, I didn’t have a problem. The Weeknd had a 120 min wait and we didn’t wait more than like a few mins in express.

Honestly definitely depends on the night with crowds. Honestly felt like 28 was significantly worse in the crowd department but maybe the rain scattered them or I went on an OK day.

 

[shiekra38]

In terms of crowds it was super weird this year for me. Like it was mostly doable (plus I went on the night it rained like crazy) until I got near the Simpsons area. Then oh deary me where did all these people come from.

As for express lines, I didn’t have a problem. The Weeknd had a 120 min wait and we didn’t wait more than like a few mins in express.

Honestly definitely depends on the night with crowds. Honestly felt like 28 was significantly worse in the crowd department but maybe the rain scattered them or I went on an OK day.

I think you may have hit a show dump a few times

That happened to me

I would much rather them just open Central Park and not have a water show there

Then they could move the San Fran zone to where Killer Clownz was

 

[Darko]

I believe you would be correct, I believe right before we entered Bugs, the show was starting or was just into it a bit. After we got out of Bugs, bam, huge crowd.

Honestly as big of crowds as 28 had I definitely feel they were better spread out thanks to the location of KKFOS. I also just thought that was a great location for a zone. I never remember running into any huge bottlenecks there. And I went back frequently that year. That being said, Central Park was still awful for bottlenecks. I don’t know what to do with that zone other than axe it.

 

[grlhowl]

Can Scream Early tickets be bought at the gate or are they only available online? I don't have an AP or daytime ticket, I'm just using Scream Early.

 

[Lucky Planet]

I’m glad it’s not just me. Thought maybe I was just getting use to the whole event and format. I only started going since 27and been wowed ever since. It’s still HHN , the detail and care that goes into the event is amazing . Another thing is at this point I don’t jump for any of the scares which sucks.

Had a great time and I always fly down twice but after this year, I think one trip is enough. I still love the event it just didn’t feel as memorable/special this year. I’m not sure, it could be me. Maybe the event has hit its peak the past 5 years. Could be the lack of another major IP or I’m just getting older.

It isn't just getting older or getting tired or used to the event,
Because hhn 30 was just 12 months ago and I couldn't wait to visit it every week. Houses felt fresh and unique. ( Even with the hole covers)
Last year I really liked everything and it was exciting and everything felt great. ( For the most part)

I don't know if the crowds this year are making it feel off, or if losing the Shrek house area and losing the monsters cafe is making that much of an impact, ( that area feels terrible now, with the walls up)
The park is really big obviously, but I don't know if the construction on Shrek is making the crowds feel so bad,

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I'm just not someone who thinks this year is any worse than some prior years. Maybe despite the belly-aching about streets people just want houses.

 

[Frank Drackman]

I recall a few years ago (semi) joking that they kept growing capacity by doubling the length of the house exits. I think they had 8 houses back then.

They've grown the event to 10 houses and the capacity spent walking queues must be impressive.

I guess the event has just grown in popularity?? I mean, to me, it seems they have done an ok job of growing capacity (by having 10 houses) and I heard the queue for Bugz is a mile long --

I still do not get the hate on ROF, I know when we stayed on site, it was a great way to get 2 to 4 nights in while visiting, it would seem it is a way to get folks to visit in SEPT and it seems to have done a good job this year if RoF growth is to blame -- now that OCT is here, they are out of the way -- I guess we all need someone (some group) to blame.

 

[shiekra38]

I recall a few years ago (semi) joking that they kept growing capacity by doubling the length of the house exits. I think they had 8 houses back then.

They've grown the event to 10 houses and the capacity spent walking queues must be impressive.

I guess the event has just grown in popularity?? I mean, to me, it seems they have done an ok job of growing capacity (by having 10 houses) and I heard the queue for Bugz is a mile long --

I still do not get the hate on ROF, I know when we stayed on site, it was a great way to get 2 to 4 nights in while visiting, it would seem it is a way to get folks to visit in SEPT and it seems to have done a good job this year if RoF growth is to blame -- now that OCT is here, they are out of the way -- I guess we all need someone (some group) to blame.

We utilize RoF as well...I'm just saying idk if they are adding to the crowd levels overall

It's not blaming a particular group of people for anything...it's having a discussion about options they can pursue in the future

The next challenge the event will face is dealing with its growth in creative ways. They are utilizing every inch of USF already and it *still* feels way too crowded

It will be interesting to see what they do

 

[SeventyOne]

It isn't just getting older or getting tired or used to the event,
Because hhn 30 was just 12 months ago and I couldn't wait to visit it every week. Houses felt fresh and unique. ( Even with the hole covers)
Last year I really liked everything and it was exciting and everything felt great. ( For the most part)

Probably older than at least 90% of regulars, still count HHN 29 in my top 3 events, and thought HHN 30 had two all-time great houses. And it's not just super-fans on here, scuttlebutt around local bars is that the event is lacking something this year.

I don't know if the crowds this year are making it feel off, or if losing the Shrek house area and losing the monsters cafe is making that much of an impact, ( that area feels terrible now, with the walls up)
The park is really big obviously, but I don't know if the construction on Shrek is making the crowds feel so bad,

The seeming bump in crowds and increased length of queues have to play a role, even if it's subconsciously.

I also have a theory that the new regime excels at iconography -- which is why the zones are so good -- but are not as good as previous regimes at telling a story through the haunted house medium. But I need to hash that out further to explain what I mean.

Maybe despite the belly-aching about streets people just want houses.

I think this has always been true. Also, we're to a point in the season where even when the zones are much improved -- and these are the best in years -- outside Rodeo Drive they are so consistently packed the increase in quality is barely noticeable.

 

[ghostsarejerks]

Finally booked by flight, going for one night only with Express next Wednesday. Super excited cause I didn't think I'd be able to attend this year.

 

[LikeMike]

From being on these boards over the past few years I feel like we always see the same cycle.

Run-up to the event we get people thinking it could be one of the best events ‘in years’ the opening weekend hits and the potential is there. A few weeks down the line as fatigue sets in (ie people having done the houses multiple times) and crowds increase it becomes a ‘this year isn’t that great’ before we get to the following year and then it’s a case of ‘last year was a lot better’ when we reach the same stage.

It appears this year is now at that stage.

 

[Lucky Planet]

From being on these boards over the past few years I feel like we always see the same cycle.

Run-up to the event we get people thinking it could be one of the best events ‘in years’ the opening weekend hits and the potential is there. A few weeks down the line as fatigue sets in (ie people having done the houses multiple times) and crowds increase it becomes a ‘this year isn’t that great’ before we get to the following year and then it’s a case of ‘last year was a lot better’ when we reach the same stage.

It appears this year is now at that stage.

I don't remember people hating 9n 2019. That was super solid during the event. Not nostalgia afterwards.

 

[Brian G.]

From being on these boards over the past few years I feel like we always see the same cycle.

Run-up to the event we get people thinking it could be one of the best events ‘in years’ the opening weekend hits and the potential is there. A few weeks down the line as fatigue sets in (ie people having done the houses multiple times) and crowds increase it becomes a ‘this year isn’t that great’ before we get to the following year and then it’s a case of ‘last year was a lot better’ when we reach the same stage.

It appears this year is now at that stage.

I agree to a point that some of it gets overblown.

Hyperbole is strong during opening weekend, where a lot of people get caught up with the hype and become a prisoner of the moment; but then the issues become a little bit clearer as the event goes on. Icons was a good example last year.

 

[Alsands]

It isn't just getting older or getting tired or used to the event,
Because hhn 30 was just 12 months ago and I couldn't wait to visit it every week. Houses felt fresh and unique. ( Even with the hole covers)
Last year I really liked everything and it was exciting and everything felt great. ( For the most part)

I don't know if the crowds this year are making it feel off, or if losing the Shrek house area and losing the monsters cafe is making that much of an impact, ( that area feels terrible now, with the walls up)
The park is really big obviously, but I don't know if the construction on Shrek is making the crowds feel so bad,

True , felt the same way about last year. Personally cant put my finger on why , it just didn’t feel as memorable this year. . Could be we waited 2 years for 30 and only 12 months for this one. I don’t want to ne negative. it’s HHN, I love the event and had a great time.

 

[Darko]

I agree to a point that some of it gets overblown.

Hyperbole is strong during opening weekend, where a lot of people get caught up with the hype and become a prisoner of the moment; but then the issues become a little bit clearer as the event goes on. Icons was a good example last year.

I… liked… Icons :bolt:

 

[Victoria]

From being on these boards over the past few years I feel like we always see the same cycle.

Run-up to the event we get people thinking it could be one of the best events ‘in years’ the opening weekend hits and the potential is there. A few weeks down the line as fatigue sets in (ie people having done the houses multiple times) and crowds increase it becomes a ‘this year isn’t that great’ before we get to the following year and then it’s a case of ‘last year was a lot better’ when we reach the same stage.

It appears this year is now at that stage.

It’s not fatigue. I’ve felt this way since the beginning.

 

[shiekra38]

From being on these boards over the past few years I feel like we always see the same cycle.

Run-up to the event we get people thinking it could be one of the best events ‘in years’ the opening weekend hits and the potential is there. A few weeks down the line as fatigue sets in (ie people having done the houses multiple times) and crowds increase it becomes a ‘this year isn’t that great’ before we get to the following year and then it’s a case of ‘last year was a lot better’ when we reach the same stage.

It appears this year is now at that stage.

Last year was an anomaly and really hard to judge, specifically with the showercurtains

This year has some fun moments but nothing that stands out like Seeds or Scarecrow or other year highlights that seemed to rise far above the rest

I will say this year was better than last year though for a variety of reasons

I think the food offerings are a good metaphor for this year...They sound great, look great on the menu board, and then you get it and bite into it and it's like...oh yeah...Fruity Pebbles aren't supposed to be on a Cheeseburger with no top bun

 

[Frank Drackman]

We utilize RoF as well...I'm just saying idk if they are adding to the crowd levels overall

It's not blaming a particular group of people for anything...it's having a discussion about options they can pursue in the future

The next challenge the event will face is dealing with its growth in creative ways. They are utilizing every inch of USF already and it *still* feels way too crowded

It will be interesting to see what they do

that's fare. my comments were not directed at you -- just feel like every year we hear 'they need to stop selling RoF. I feel that FF and FF+ folks would attend more nights than anyone w/ RoF. I feel RoF helps bring in Hotel guest for HHN in those first few weeks -- I think it works well by giving folks an option to attend multiple nights (I feel one needs to go at least two nights to get it all in).

This year, I thought I saw a lot of 'it's crowded because of RoF of because of FF. I believe this year had a lot of rain in those first few weeks, so I assume any local RoF folks may have gone on those nights when the weather looked good which would add to those nights' crowds.

Anyway, good for UoR for bringing in the crowds, that is what they should be doing -- but I am one that enjoys a multi night ticket because I do not need express -- I got the 10 houses in over 4 visits as we do not need to make sure we get everything in in one night.