Halloween Horror Nights 34 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors

[SeanPhilly]

Other than clearing the park of non-HHN guests, don’t the OPs folks also need to move set pieces, stock food kiosks, and do normal pre-open setup? Seems like that would be complicated unnecessarily if folks were allowed to wander around until the houses open. It would defeat the ops benefits from keeping guests in the S&S areas in the first place.

This was my exact thought. I always assumed the main point of corralling was to give space to OPs to do the setup / restocking / opening of kiosks / etc. I’m not sure I’m following the benefit of doing away with S&S as it has been done the last few years (unless they completely do away with it, and make everyone leave). You would still need the same number of OPs regardless of where they are checking people in / checking for wristbands. Altho I guess you wouldn’t need as many for working the barriers that filter non-attendees out.

One thought my group had last year is them using the entire new tent area (where Goblins and Monsters were) as a main holding area. It had bathrooms. Throw in some food kiosks, and it’s good to go and can hold a ton of people. We wouldn’t be able to see any scarezone setup happening.

I also wonder if just doing away with Scream Early would drop the numbers enough to make it less chaotic. Because if they do away with FFP with Express a heck of a lot more people may try for the quick early access to as many houses as possible, bringing S&S numbers up a lot.

I’m guessing there will be a lot more “presence” scares and less pop outs. Trying to conceal “boo holes” sounds like a major liability and safety concern... like you need enough space for the actor to make the scare safely. And giant costumes need a lot of space.

I think this house is going to have a similar issue to Killer Klowns and Depths of Fear. Dueling Dragons too. You’ll see the scare before it happens. They’ll try to divert our attention away from the boo holes, but at the end of the day, they’re probably going to be large and noticeable. It’s one of the reasons why I’m not super excited for this house. I’ve never liked the houses with giant costumes.

This photo is from the Philly FanExpo a few weeks back. I’d guess they were like 14 years old, and their friends said it was all home made. If a 14-year old can do this, I am confident that HHN can work wonders. I also thought KKFOS was amazing. So I’m super hopeful.

 

[SeventyOne]

they could always use wristbands and do a mix in like they do at the disney after hour events (and like they do in hollywood!)

They could, but the rumor specifically said hard sweep at 5, then re-open park. My first thought was the line will stretch all the way back to the parking garage, and my friend concurred. But that was what's allegedly on the table.

Stay and scream was pretty miserable last year, from a guest perspective. I can't speak for employees, but it seems like it sucked for them, too.

That opening day cluster and what I presume is my friend's source are the only reasons I didn't dismiss this out of hand. That line was ridiculous, and having that crowd standing in the middle of an inevitable August lightning storm probably gives Legal nightmares.

Over the years, SnS grew from 50 hard core fans hanging out in Finns to 2-hour lines at opening for multiple houses. Much like multinight Express, I can see both sides to the argument, but ultimately I can understand management thinking they need a change.

 

[hunnylvr]

I'm with some other people here on the possible elimination of express with FFP. I am hoping this isn't true. It's not even confirmed and I'm already in a rage over it. I've mentioned many times that I have a group as well that has to travel to Orlando for the event - we do it four weekends. However, we only go 2 nights per weekend - with the final weekend usually 3 times. So, you're only talking maybe 9-10 nights we attend. I do not want to spend that time standing in a line. Further, I'm too damn old to stand in line for hours. It completely wrecks me. I don't care what the cost is - jack it up again if you need to, but DO NOT eliminate it. If they eliminate express from FFP, this may be the first year in 20 years that we cut our travel by half. I'm not going to spend all that cash to travel for the event only to be pillaged out of every last dollar to do individual night express. Screw that. I love HHN more than life itself most days, but this decision would severely change my perspective on the entire thing.

I understand that all of you who live in Orlando are like - what? No big deal! Eliminate it! We have 30+ nights to attend, why do we need express? Well, goodie for you, but for more of us than you think, this would be a huge problem. It's not all about the locals. If they choose to eliminate that off the FFP, then they definitely need a work around for those of us who travel. This is bs. Happy 20th to me.. NOT.

 

[Jake S]

I dunno, 10 nights with express sounds like a ton of nights. This wouldn’t benefit locals who go a ton so much as it would benefit locals who go one time or tourists who go for two or three nights.

 

[cdogsumo]

I think a smart move would be Universal having a lights-on "happy" daytime opening for Five Nights at Freddys on certain days. I'm sure there's designs/props that wouldn't allow for it unless they specifically designed the house with this intent, but it wouldn't be hard to do.

It would be extra incentive to visit Universal Studios while Epic is Open, would require minimal supervision and could serve as a cool little photo-op/walkthrough promotion for the event.

Plus, attending the daytime version would be a cool contrast to the actual house you would normally see at night.

FWIW they did this in Hollywood for ST in 2018, so I doubt it’s something they never even considered doing.

 

[Legacy]

I dunno, 10 nights with express sounds like a ton of nights. This wouldn’t benefit locals who go a ton so much as it would benefit locals who go one time or tourists who go for two or three nights.

Which is the bulk of the attendees.

 

[Allison]

Reading through this thread is wild lol I’m just grateful to even go one night and I’ve never used Express!

In the grand scheme of things, it’s not the end of the world to adjust your visits accordingly. It may even mean shorter wait times now that the Express line won’t be overloaded with multinight ticket holders?

We’ll see soon enough, but, it’s not a bad thing to remember visiting at all is a luxury to be grateful for and at the end of the day you’ll still be able to attend, even if your navigation will be different this time.

 

[HHNSK]

I feel like in order to “sell” the house, they’ll need to compensate for the predictable scares for some cool effects and animatronics. Hollywood’s Chucky house is a great example. While it was t strong on scares, the AAs did a great job carrying the house for the “cool” factor and basically making it a good dark comedy house. Orlando. Oils really benefit from Hollywoods AA team in this regard.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

They need at least a 2 werk option with express. I dont just come for the houses, I love just being there until 2 am every night. I can see myself just stop going if they start making in too difficult to attend multiple nights. Plus I bring, and pay for, 4 family members and ROF with express is the only only way it works.

 

[HHNSK]

They could, but the rumor specifically said hard sweep at 5, then re-open park. My first thought was the line will stretch all the way back to the parking garage, and my friend concurred. But that was what's allegedly on the table.

It this happens staying on site will certainly become a bigger perk than what it currently is. This is assuming they continue to offer a dedicated line for hotel guests for entry.

Regardless I can see Universal wanting to go this route for a variety of reasons. I’ve always wondered how many complaints they get from their daytime guests as these holding pens have become larger and larger and at some point they must interfere with people who are finishing up their day visit.

On the other hand it’s hard to see it improving the HHN guest experience as there will simply be more people entering later and later which will ultimately mean less time to experience the event. For this reason I am somewhat skeptical but maybe it’s become too much to manage so many people inside the park.

 

[SeanPhilly]

It this happens staying on site will certainly become a bigger perk than what it currently is. This is assuming they continue to offer a dedicated line for hotel guests for entry.

Regardless I can see Universal wanting to go this route for a variety of reasons. I’ve always wondered how many complaints they get from their daytime guests as these holding pens have become larger and larger and at some point they must interfere with people who are finishing up their day visit.

On the other hand it’s hard to see it improving the HHN guest experience as there will simply be more people entering later and later which will ultimately mean less time to experience the event. For this reason I am somewhat skeptical but maybe it’s become too much to manage so many people inside the park.

All good points. I am quite curious how many that have been doing S&S used the Scream Early pass. I do wonder if maybe just doing away with that will bring the numbers down to a more manageable level. I’ve been going for ten years now, and S&S was always available to me. It has indeed gotten bigger and more popular every year, so I do get that something needs to be done.

 

[Wesker69]

In other news...

16 years ago today (June 2009), tickets went on sale for HHN 19 with the Universal Palace Theatre exterior teaser page. (with 115 days until the event started)

 

[Kichkinet85]

If the get rid of multi nights with express it will also benefit the stand by lines, as less ppl in express means less times ops need to stop the stand by line to let express go.



And it also might even make express a little cheaper (doubt it but one can dream) bc if there is less ppl with express they not need to discourage ppl for getting it.

 

[Tobias]

If the get rid of multi nights with express it will also benefit the stand by lines, as less ppl in express means less times ops need to stop the stand by line to let express go.



And it also might even make express a little cheaper (doubt it but one can dream) bc if there is less ppl with express they not need to discourage ppl for getting it.

While I don't think it'll make express cheaper, on the flip side I won't have to pay nearly as much for RoF which I'm fine with!

I'm also glad to be hearing these rumors now, so I know to jump on getting Express for Opening Night once it's available.

 

[Drummanmatt]

As an international guest who comes for HHN it’s always been something I’ve mentioned. I can only do HHN 2 weeks max, but I need to pay for a pass to go two months with express. I’d rather a deal to pay for access for a week or two with express, which suits me perfectly but appreciate doesn’t work for all. Frequent fear pass with selected express nights (with a minimum guaranteed nights for free) feels the way to go. However does cause issues when people can’t attend for whatever reason. No easy answer to this unfortunately

 

[Kichkinet85]

While I don't think it'll make express cheaper, on the flip side I won't have to pay nearly as much for RoF which I'm fine with!

I'm also glad to be hearing these rumors now, so I know to jump on getting Express for Opening Night once it's available.

 

[Kichkinet85]

What could it mean?

 

[saint.piss]

WHAT LMAO

 

[Kichkinet85]

WHAT LMAO

8:37 on Sunday night. Know it’s not an announcement but still. Wouldn’t have thought this tonight.

 

[Grabnar]

What could it mean?

Lmao what a bizarre announcement