Halloween Horror Nights 24 Discussion

[Cole]

Oops!

:inquisitive: :blank: :doh: REALLY?!?! Ugh oh my god lets hope the creatures are atleast somewhat scary. That Johnny depp looking Motha F***er ain't gonna cut it. I pray this won't become a club vampire kinda deal back in 2007

 

[Clive]

Let us not get carried away. They know they must put out a world class product or the people will not come. If the people don't come, then they would make no money. So, of course they care about "the people". They also want to wring as much money out of them as possible. That's good business.

It seems that lately they care more about meeting the bare minimum of expectations for their "world class product" while rising prices without any real justification for doing so... kind of like a certain mouse's resort down the street.

 

[shiekra38]

It seems that lately they care more about meeting the bare minimum of expectations for their "world class product" while rising prices without any real justification for doing so... kind of like a certain mouse's resort down the street.

Popularity will do that to you...people will keep coming right? Take a look at Apple, they've been releasing the same product over and over again yet people still keep upgrading and buying it...it is how business works in our culture

I believe HHN will see a renaissance very sooner than Disney however

 

[Cole]

I'm almost positive this year will be 1000 times better than the last two years. The walking dead will only be a blemish. We have scare zones back, 4-5 original houses and a monster IP.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!?!

 

[shiekra38]

I'm almost positive this year will be 1000 times better than the last two years. The walking dead will only be a blemish. We have scare zones back, 4-5 original houses and a monster IP.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!?!

See HHN 22 for what could go wrong

 

[Cole]

See HHN 22 for what could go wrong

That's a giant overreaction. Remember it's just a blemish and who knows? The house might surprise you. All the reasons I said above should make you atleast a bit hopeful

 

[Teebin]

I am a bit surprised that a few of their original houses from years past weren't developed into movies.

 

[Cole]

I am a bit surprised that a few of their original houses from years past weren't developed into movies.

I know right? Jack alone could carry a franchise

 

[EddieB]

I know right? Jack alone could carry a franchise

This, big time!

 

[TylerDurden]

I'm almost positive this year will be 1000 times better than the last two years. The walking dead will only be a blemish. We have scare zones back, 4-5 original houses and a monster IP.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?!?!

4-5 original houses, a killer IP, and scarezones a good year do not make. The key to a GREAT HHN (not a good one, but a great one) is atmosphere, cohesiveness, and storytelling. Im doubtful we'll ever get that back again, however.

 

[shiekra38]

4-5 original houses, a killer IP, and scarezones a good year do not make. The key to a GREAT HHN (not a good one, but a great one) is atmosphere, cohesiveness, and storytelling. Im doubtful we'll ever get that back again, however.

My point exactly...The last few years I haven't felt as if I was stepping into another world, rather I feel like I'm stepping into a showcase of horror films..Perhaps that is the new vision?

 

[Teebin]

BTW: 5/3 at this point in time.

 

[Lucky Planet]

Let us not get carried away. They know they must put out a world class product or the people will not come. If the people don't come, then they would make no money. So, of course they care about "the people". They also want to wring as much money out of them as possible. That's good business.

I was being sarcastic because that's what Shucker kind of implies about it on the WD thread.

It seems that lately they care more about meeting the bare minimum of expectations for their "world class product" while rising prices without any real justification for doing so... kind of like a certain mouse's resort down the street.

Makes me kind of sad and mad as well that, While universal is doing so well,(creating innovative experiences with Potter) and they seemed to really really care about their daytime visitors, As far as HHN seems like that level of work is gone.
And it might be gone forever. Yes I am sure the sets will be definitely be amazing once more, But Like TylerDurden said about the cohesiveness and storytelling in regards to HHN, That might never come back.

 

[Cole]

4-5 original houses, a killer IP, and scarezones a good year do not make. The key to a GREAT HHN (not a good one, but a great one) is atmosphere, cohesiveness, and storytelling. Im doubtful we'll ever get that back again, however.

Well with the rumored more originals than IPs (witch I'm almost positive that was A&D's biggest priority mindset wise) I can't help but think they will go out on all of them like back in the old days. Also with actual scare zones back the only real way they could possibly mess them up if they were all purge themed. I'm sure everything will be cohesive and easy to follow even for newcomers. Overall I'm not going to judge fully until everything is revealed. I predict the walking dead will be like a shot, it sucks but then you get a lolipop afterwards that makes the entire thing worthwhile. We got the shot out of the way and now it's time for the good stuff. If I'm wrong I promise to buy you all lollipops if we ever meet in real life :thumbs:

 

[Octobers Fade]

BTW: 5/3 at this point in time.

Same as last year.

 

[Shucker]

yeah, Universal doesn't care about the people they only care about profit, they will do whatever it takes to squeeze the most money out of everyone. We should expect a raise in price for everything.
and we should be okay with it. They see us as nothing more than walking money bags, right?
Case in point, the walking dead.

Universal (Comcast) is a business and their objective is to provide the content and experiences that will ultimately squeeze every bit of money out of its customers. And they have to because their competitor is a gigantic rodent that is the king of doing exactly this (the best in the world). So anything, including HHN, that they can do to get more revenue is overall a great thing for them and ultimately us, who love seeing expansion in the Orlando theme park industry. I know many may not like the watered down version that you see HHN is today, but lets put it in perspective, HHN is still an absolute world class experience that may not be what it was in its heyday, but is still pretty incredible. Of course its going to have it good and bad years, but I think 2013 was a great improvement over 2012 and expect the same for 2014.

 

[Clive]

4-5 original houses, a killer IP, and scarezones a good year do not make. The key to a GREAT HHN (not a good one, but a great one) is atmosphere, cohesiveness, and storytelling. Im doubtful we'll ever get that back again, however.

Universal (Comcast) is a business and their objective is to provide the content and experiences that will ultimately squeeze every bit of money out of its customers. And they have to because their competitor is a gigantic rodent that is the king of doing exactly this (the best in the world). So anything, including HHN, that they can do to get more revenue is overall a great thing for them and ultimately us, who love seeing expansion in the Orlando theme park industry. I know many may not like the watered down version that you see HHN is today, but lets put it in perspective, HHN is still an absolute world class experience that may not be what it was in its heyday, but is still pretty incredible. Of course its going to have it good and bad years, but I think 2013 was a great improvement over 2012 and expect the same for 2014.

Not at the price they're currently charging. When I have to essentially use express pass on any non-Wednesday night if I expect to get all the houses done, that's a problem - it's supposed to be a convenience, not a necessity.

If HHN had price reductions (or at least a freeze) to accomodate its drop in quality, then yes, I might agree with you. However, prices are higher than ever, and while I feel Universal's daytime park price increases are justified (as they see continued investment that dramatically improve my experience), their HHN increases are not.

And ignoring ticket prices entirely... it's supremely depressing to watch one of your favorite events devolve into a corporate collection of set walk-throughs.

BTW, to those thinking A&D focuses on the originals... well, no. Budget and time goes to the IPs with collaborators to please, first. The money (or lack thereof) that's left off goes to the originals (see "Afterlife.")

 

[shiekra38]

Universal (Comcast) is a business and their objective is to provide the content and experiences that will ultimately squeeze every bit of money out of its customers. And they have to because their competitor is a gigantic rodent that is the king of doing exactly this (the best in the world). So anything, including HHN, that they can do to get more revenue is overall a great thing for them and ultimately us, who love seeing expansion in the Orlando theme park industry. I know many may not like the watered down version that you see HHN is today, but lets put it in perspective, HHN is still an absolute world class experience that may not be what it was in its heyday, but is still pretty incredible. Of course its going to have it good and bad years, but I think 2013 was a great improvement over 2012 and expect the same for 2014.

Yes, but, there is a point where things get so watered down that it does not become worth it to go...and someone down the street is providing the flavor full and complete...eventually people will notice things have changed..eventually it will hit the tipping point..Disney will realize this...Universal (HHN-wise) will have to learn this as well..Cohesion and intentionality with regards to the event as a whole is what makes HHN what it is...not shoe-horning properties into a random grouping of horror movie soup..it is just lazy, sorry.

But back to speculation...I heard Alien is a strong possibility, thoughts?

 

[Cole]

Fallow yes but this is 4 compared to 2 original houses last year, the budget for them probably went up. Sure the main focus is IPs but it seems all the A&D members want to make something original more than the IPs so their actual love and dedication are probably going to be devoted to them this year.

With rumors of a gothic scale original house coming this year I really don't see them messing this up especially with what's on the line. If fans gravitate the original houses and say they liked them more than the walking dead, we might see some changes next year. The only way for A&D make more original stuff is to excel in them (learned the hard way last year with afterlife and havoc) bring in quality original houses and the people will flock

 

[TylerDurden]

Universal (Comcast) is a business and their objective is to provide the content and experiences that will ultimately squeeze every bit of money out of its customers. And they have to because their competitor is a gigantic rodent that is the king of doing exactly this (the best in the world). So anything, including HHN, that they can do to get more revenue is overall a great thing for them and ultimately us, who love seeing expansion in the Orlando theme park industry. I know many may not like the watered down version that you see HHN is today, but lets put it in perspective, HHN is still an absolute world class experience that may not be what it was in its heyday, but is still pretty incredible. Of course its going to have it good and bad years, but I think 2013 was a great improvement over 2012 and expect the same for 2014.

Youre right, but I dont think many people are disagreeing with you. As a matter of fact, I am behind the use of Walking Dead 100% because I understand the reasoning behind it from a business perspectve. But being a business and caring about revenue has little to do with the quality of the event.

Lets look at 2008...quite possibly the best year for HHN in terms of storyline, atmosphere, cohesiveness, and immersion (2005 was solid too, but 2008 was attended by more members here and had arguably better houses). Yet nothing about 2008 required sacrificing revenue. The icon was, well, iconic, and had an elaborate backstory that was interwoven into all the zones and houses; there was an overarching theme and atmosphere. What about that cost more and earned less?

So now we have Walking Dead...great for marketing and bringing in money. That has nothing to do with any of the variables I listed above that made 2008 so great. The problem, in my eyes, isnt the event growing more accessible to the general public through use of popular IP's...its the death of creativity that has come with it. Last year, a lot of the IPs they absolutely had to use for marketing purposes had to do with the woods...2013 could have been themed to a scary forest in the way 2007 was themed to a messed-up carnival. Theres absolutely no reason it couldnt have...an overarching theme like that would have taken nothing away from the marketing and commercialization of the event. And yet, nothing like that happened, whereas pre-2011 it would have been a neccessity.

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Fallow yes but this is 4 compared to 2 original houses last year, the budget for them probably went up. Sure the main focus is IPs but it seems all the A&D members want to make something original more than the IPs so their actual love and dedication are probably going to be devoted to them this year.

With rumors of a gothic scale original house coming this year I really don't see them messing this up especially with what's on the line. If fans gravitate the original houses and say they liked them more than the walking dead, we might see some changes next year. The only way for A&D make more original stuff is to excel in them (learned the hard way last year with afterlife and havoc) bring in quality original houses and the people will flock

Original houses arent the only thing that make for a great HHN. 2011 had a fantastic lineup of houses, the only year I know of that didnt have 1 mediocre house and the only one where all of them were my favorites for different reasons...yet I still left the event that year thinking something was missing. I went several times that year but it was missing the spark from the years past. It wasnt Halloween Horror Nights, it was a collection of awesome haunted houses in Universal Studios after dark.