HHN 26 - Review
After 2 nights, pretty solid year so far. I was never expecting it to be better than last year but it’s far above 20-23. It’s too early for me to tell if it’s better than 24 but I will ponder that later. Most of the houses are pretty solid and I enjoy the zones this year. Chances zone is a bust for sure but the rest of them are fine.
Houses
1.
Tomb of the Ancients - 3 Runs
I adore this house. Feels a lot like Catacombs (20) & The Hallow (18). Constant winding, claustrophobic hallways serve each scare perfectly. Every scare actor has variety and is consistent to a fault. There's so much good here I can go on... This is the kind of house that I walk through and say, "This is why I’m here."
Scares A+
Atmosphere A+
Favorite moment: Flashing hieroglyphic room
2.
Halloween 2 - 2 Runs
Perfect transition from the original and follows the sequel to a T. Once again Myers is everywhere. Has a slow burn effect with the scares. First 3 room are getting you back into the story and takes off from there. Happy to see Laurie with a bigger presence. Had several really good scares in this one. Well done again.
Scares A +
Atmosphere A +
Favorite moment: Finale
3.
Krampus - 2 Runs
This house is too much fun and filled with great scares. If you haven't seen the flick, this will make you. Fantastic use of the venue. Scares are loaded with flare. This new puppetry Universal is implementing makes me excited for the future. The long blank, white strobe hallway is the only thing that cripples it from being house of the year. Other than that do not miss.
Scares A+
Atmosphere A+
Favorite moment: Attic scene.
4.
The Exorcist - 2 Runs
Intense and haunting. First night the scares were a tinge off but second night the entire house was on point. The black & white face demon and giant head at the end literally made me drop to the floor. There's was a (live) Regan on a bed going absolutely bug nuts and should receive some kind of scareactor award. Father Karras yelling “The power of Christ compels you!” in my face was pretty classic.
Scares B+
Atmosphere A+
Favorite scene: I have 3.
5.
American Horror Story - 1 Run
Cool house but I still have zero interest in the show. I know it's hyper derivative and you can see it in the house. Anyways… not bad. The length is nice, scares are solid. The transition rooms were a good touch. 80% of the scare actors were spot on during my run besides a few just standing in plain sight starring as we walked by. Could be house of the year material on a weak year but not this year.
Scares B-
Atmosphere B+
Favorite scene: Getting lost in the 2 Finale scenes.
6. Ghost Town: The Curse of Lighting Gulch - 3 Runs
This year's Winter's Night. Stellar set design from top to bottom but the scares are lacking. A little overhyped from employee preview. I did like the references to the original GT (14), “That's my gold!”. This house is oozing with potential in the scare department but after 3 runs, I haven't seen it.
Scares C -
Atmosphere A+
Favorite scene: Shootout
7. Texas Chainsaw Massacre - 1 Run
Exactly what I expected it to be. Not a bad house at all just a little *yawn* factor for me. The guys they got for Leatherface are perfect. Some really cool moments and potential ping pong scares but just needs to find it's flow. Great ending/use of outside the house. Better than the 17's version. Not one I will visit much but works for what it is. Even with the outdoor section, this has to be the shortest house.
Scares B-
Atmosphere B
Favorite scene: Finale
8.
Lunatics Playground 3D - 1 Run
Weak, repetitive. As my girlfriend said walking out of this, “Felt like an afterthought.”
Favorite scene: The one where Chance tortures someone, wait…
Scares F
Atmosphere D
Scarezones
1.
Survive or Die - This year's Fright Yard from 14. Great lively zone with classic interactions. The projection mapping is amazing. There have been some bad post apocalyptic zones. This one is prob the best.
2.
Lair of the Banshee's - Loaded with actors jumping from all corners of the path. Great use of the area. In the pantheon of zones in this area there have been better ones, but this serves it's purpose. They don't have to be the same.
3.
Dead Man's Wharf - This house gets the award for best lighting. Eerie and beautiful. I got my first scare zone scare since 08 in this zone. Zombie Fishermen with his hand open and arm extended coming at me through the fog. My group laughed. Only reason this isn't #1 is how short it is and a big traffic jam.
4.
Vamp 55 - Great comedic zone with interactions galore. Brings a nice variety to the SZ line-up. A lot of scare actors following people. I dig it.
5.
A Chance in Hell - A total bust. Who’s idea was it to put chances stage to the side so it would create a massive traffic jam for the entrance of the park? The zones are getting unnecessary hate but this one is weak.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure
Great show this year. Has a pretty good pace. A few dud moments, especially the Suicide Squad dance section. A solid amount of cameos and references. I'm definitely going to see it again.
Pros
+ Solid houses
+ Good variety in scarezones
+ Bill & Ted
+ Once again level of detail and effects event wide has been upped.
Cons
- Express Passes
- Chance’s Zone & Chance’s House (Weak overall icon execution)
- The exit from American Horror Story back to the park. Makes me want to do the house less.
- No more over arching story. Interactive website. All about that $$$$$$$$$ from top to bottom.
- Express passes
- Expre....
Old school