Here's my review from Friday September 23, 2011
Rank them in order from best to worst 1-10
Haunted Houses
1. Nevermore-The Madness Of Poe
Detail- 9/10
Scares- 9/10
Atmosphere- 10/10
Pros: Loved the entrance theme, each room representing a poem, and the nonstop scares.
Cons: Got so scared in this house I actually lost my cell phone, thankfully got back from security within in hour. Thanks Orlando Police Department!
2. Saws N' Steam- Into The Machine
Detail- 8/10
Scares- 8.5/10
Atmosphere- 9.10
Pros: A HUGE step up for Universal for finally breaking the jaws curse house, this house is loud and has some really good scares. Loved some of the neat effects in here
Cons: More chainsaw scareactors.
3. The Forsaken
Detail- 10/10
Scares- 7/10
Atmosphere- 10/10
Pros: Very detailed theming, loved the hurricane and rain effect throughout the house, and cool costumes.
Cons: Not many, just hide the scareactors a little better, could see them "glowing" in the corners.
4. The IN Between
Detail- 8/10
Scares- 8/10
Atmosphere- 6/10
Pros: Great usuage of 3D, Very colorful rooms, some good scares in here, and some cool effects.
Cons: Felt it was a little short, a bit too dark, and some rooms either didnt have scareactors in there or had only one or 2 if that.
5. H.R. Bloodengutz Presents Holidays of Horror
Detail- 8/10
Scares- 2/10
Atmosphere- 8/10
Pros: Very fun house to walkthrough, loved the different themes in every room, and great sound effects.
Cons: Only got scared once (wasnt paying attention in one room) and not enough scareactors.
6. Nightingales- Blood Prey
Detail- 9/10
Scares- 6/10
Atmosphere- 8/10
Pros: Great level of detail, some cool sound effects, and creative concept of being enclosed trenches.
Cons: Im sorry but the scares didnt hit me in here, only got scared 2x and idk didnt see many scareactors. Cast change im assuming.
7. The Thing
Detail- 9/10
Scares- 5/10
Atmosphere- 7/10
Pros: Another typical Si-Fi themed house put in on incredible detail, gave me some vibes of intersteller terror for HHN 08', and really startling sound effects.
Cons: A house with such great potential yet not too scary and thats sad considering how energized the scareactors were. Gonna give it another shot next week.
8. Winter's Night- The Haunting Of Hawthorn Cemetery
Detail- 10/10
Scares- 1/10
Atmosphere- 6/10
Pros: Very themed house, loved the cold effect and snow idea, and very cool concept of the cemetery theme.
Cons: I know alot of you might be asking why I ranked this last, well truth is, I didnt get one scare at all, maybe a little startle, but nothing. Idk im very mixed on this house, but will give it another go next weekend. For now it ranks last because I just didnt find anything scary.
Scarezones-
1. 7
Pros: Very cool scarezone, was expecting it to suck, but wow just a very cool high energy scarezone.
Cons: Add more chainsaws and you have a winner scarezone Universal!
10/10
2. Grown Evil
Pros: Very creepy and foggy to walk through, it really catches you off guard.
Cons: No scares, but great atmosphere and attempts.
9/10
3. Acid Assault
Pros: Amazing projection concept on the buildings and pretty interesting theme.
Cons: Needs more lighting and foam effect.
7/10
4. NightMaze
Pros: Loved the changing wall concept of them moving, got scared 2x in here and really dark scarezone!
Cons: Wish it was longer and little more creative, but looking at this zone, it could be a really good scarezone in the future. Protentially maybe house worthy next year?
7/10
5. Canyon Of Dark Souls
Pros: Not really any except sound effects were good.
Cons: Didnt like the short enclosed concept, felt like this was a cheap budget scarezone.
4/10
6. Your Luck Has Run Out
Pros: Neat music effect and very foggy
Cons: The lady luck facemask looked so fake, looks like Universal went to walmart and bought out their masks there.
2/10
Shows
Bill N' Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure
Pros: Storyline honestly isnt that bad.
Cons: Now I agree with what I heard someone in front of me leaving said, the pop culture reference was right on the ball, but the jokes were really awful and the audience didnt make one peep, not even the finale!!! Universal just needs to change the jokes, leave the storyline there, but seriously change the jokes up and it could be a good show.
1/10
Death Drums
Sorry didnt see it, but heard the noise of it.
Overall: I feel like this year will be a personal favorite being my 6th year in a row, I mean the houses are different, creative, and have potential to be persue into some future sequels. Now im not gonna base my final thoughts on the event just yet since it was opening night, but the soundstage houses seem to lack in scares compared to the houses in tents and ride lines which I find disappointing considering the theme and detail blew my mind. Im hoping that will change over the next week or two. Im so glad Universal finallly made a house in the jaws line where it was themed right, good length, and actually pretty scary. I felt it actually went really great in this location, so Universal must be hearing us. So overall good year, Bill and Ted needs desperate improvement FAST!!! and hoping to see more better use of scares in some houses.
Overall: 8/10-so far.