Jimmy Fallon's Tonightmares

[Wigglepebbles]

So that’s how a pulsed HHN house would look like. This feels something out of the Conan era, I love it. Bummer I’m not able to experience this, but seems like a 10/10 PG horror experience

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Lucky Planet]

Conan's Tonightmares would be filled with NBC executives, a very special HHN bear, and being chased down by Jay Leno.

...I'd pay to go through that to be honest.

With the “IP well drying up” it’s time to get creative. Concepts like this is the answer, I’ll root for it until it seems improbable.

that sounds so depressing.....the IP well drying up.... sad.( and blumhouse making things kind of worse) and Netflix. it cooperating.... sad times.
but maybe this truly is the way. maybe this is the best way.
maybe we can even have sitcom houses the same way sitcoms used to have Halloween episodes. I don't know whats the latest sitcom from universal around, but you could always just have a Halloween version of the most popular show. I don't see why not.

like if we had a Halloween haunt version of Big bang theory or how I met your mother or something, obviously horror, Halloween scary, but the IP being the show. ( just look at Ghostbusters with the human characters in the house)

 

[krazyhorrorkid]

that sounds so depressing.....the IP well drying up.... sad.( and blumhouse making things kind of worse) and Netflix. it cooperating.... sad times.
but maybe this truly is the way. maybe this is the best way.
maybe we can even have sitcom houses the same way sitcoms used to have Halloween episodes. I don't know whats the latest sitcom from universal around, but you could always just have a Halloween version of the most popular show. I don't see why not.

like if we had a Halloween haunt version of Big bang theory or how I met your mother or something, obviously horror, Halloween scary, but the IP being the show. ( just look at Ghostbusters with the human characters in the house)

Tbh the well is full.
I was worried about them reusing ip’s but Insidious gives me hope that reimagining old haunts like that from past years and using the IP again can still be effective.

 

[MrBlonde]

So to bump this event up, I actually went through it this Wednesday after work. This is a HHN-quality production through and through, and I think this could be the "franchise model" version of HHN mazes vs. the event at the park. That being said, they don't lean on HHN as a brand or touchpoint at all in its marketing, most likely due to the limited time and I feel like this is more a test with an available space than anything else.

I had bought tickets for 6:15 PM and they suggest getting there 10 minutes early. However, the house was running and there was no crowd, so I got to go in nearly immediately after a quick metal detector. They pulse groups, but it was just 1 other person along with my wife and me.

Pulsing seems like it could be great and I loved it! With the lack of crowd and the pulsing baked into the design of the house, all of the actors in each room get to focus on you, ensuring a more thorough scare.

Production quality was definitely HHN grade, along with the style of maze and where the scares are designed to come from. I feel like I've seen some of the sets before from HHNs past, but no complaints here. The house I'd say was a similar to a Slaughter Sinema, where you have a set up voiceover of concept in a transition room then the story, rinse and repeat. Definitely not on the gory side, so I can see this being more accessible to a less intesive crowd.

Jimmy Fallon as an IP makes perfect sense given its location at Rock Center, and he's the IP to get people to sign up. If it was sold as a single HHN maze, I don't think it would be comparable because this is purely in the maze, with an included photo op at the end, and out. There's no food, no drink, outside entertainment or decor, but there's QR code to NBC Store's website for a $36 logo t-shirt and regular merch. This all feels very test-like for what they can do, and unless this event sells out in October, given the staff inside and outside the house, I'm not sure this could be a separate profitable venture.

Since it's the start of the run, tickets were only slightly over $40 each to go through the house, but it was a pretty much isolated run in a pulsed in a decently lengthed house. For people in the city already while it's in operation, I think it's a good time and activity to do while giving you an excuse to hang out at Rock Center (go get Ace's Pizza underground!). For me, this is quite literally part of my commute so I got to get a taste of HHN house without hopping on a plane, so if they do a new house next yea,r I'd most likely go for it again. However, I wouldn't pay for multiple runs and given the pulsed nature, I don't think it'll get much better than that.

I'd give the house a solid 4/5 and optimistic for the future.

If this does well, I'd hope to see Comcast use more of the under Rock Center space as there's a large temp art exhibit area that could contain 2 houses of this size, but is doing an art thing. If they did a house and used the rest of the space for drinks and some spooky decore, I'd make a point of going to hang out there.

 

[Lucky Planet]

So to bump this event up, I actually went through it this Wednesday after work. This is a HHN-quality production through and through, and I think this could be the "franchise model" version of HHN mazes vs. the event at the park. That being said, they don't lean on HHN as a brand or touchpoint at all in its marketing, most likely due to the limited time and I feel like this is more a test with an available space than anything else.

I had bought tickets for 6:15 PM and they suggest getting there 10 minutes early. However, the house was running and there was no crowd, so I got to go in nearly immediately after a quick metal detector. They pulse groups, but it was just 1 other person along with my wife and me.

Pulsing seems like it could be great and I loved it! With the lack of crowd and the pulsing baked into the design of the house, all of the actors in each room get to focus on you, ensuring a more thorough scare.

Production quality was definitely HHN grade, along with the style of maze and where the scares are designed to come from. I feel like I've seen some of the sets before from HHNs past, but no complaints here. The house I'd say was a similar to a Slaughter Sinema, where you have a set up voiceover of concept in a transition room then the story, rinse and repeat. Definitely not on the gory side, so I can see this being more accessible to a less intesive crowd.

Jimmy Fallon as an IP makes perfect sense given its location at Rock Center, and he's the IP to get people to sign up. If it was sold as a single HHN maze, I don't think it would be comparable because this is purely in the maze, with an included photo op at the end, and out. There's no food, no drink, outside entertainment or decor, but there's QR code to NBC Store's website for a $36 logo t-shirt and regular merch. This all feels very test-like for what they can do, and unless this event sells out in October, given the staff inside and outside the house, I'm not sure this could be a separate profitable venture.

Since it's the start of the run, tickets were only slightly over $40 each to go through the house, but it was a pretty much isolated run in a pulsed in a decently lengthed house. For people in the city already while it's in operation, I think it's a good time and activity to do while giving you an excuse to hang out at Rock Center (go get Ace's Pizza underground!). For me, this is quite literally part of my commute so I got to get a taste of HHN house without hopping on a plane, so if they do a new house next yea,r I'd most likely go for it again. However, I wouldn't pay for multiple runs and given the pulsed nature, I don't think it'll get much better than that.

I'd give the house a solid 4/5 and optimistic for the future.

If this does well, I'd hope to see Comcast use more of the under Rock Center space as there's a large temp art exhibit area that could contain 2 houses of this size, but is doing an art thing. If they did a house and used the rest of the space for drinks and some spooky decore, I'd make a point of going to hang out there.

does it feel short? the vids seem kinda short

 

[MrBlonde]

does it feel short? the vids seem kinda short

Given the runs are guided by an evil NBC page, there's more stopping and taking the scenes in in each room vs the normal konga line consistently moving of a normal HHN house. If you were always walking through, I could see it being very quick. By the end of it, I was satisfied at the duration.

Also-they maximized the house in the space they could. They only have 1 door in and out for the maze so once you go in, it's a hard commit. For the actors during shift switches, they actually have to go out the house entrance/exit and walk through 1/4 of the concourse level to get to their break area. They have the robes similar to HHN but with the Tonightmares logo on it, so it could also be a bit of marketing when you see about 2 dozen people in robes walking through the public spaces.

 

[MikePat]

So, Jimmy Fallon's Tonightmares was enjoyable. The experience is a fantastic package and likely the best-quality haunted attraction in New York City this year.

The location is excellent, right at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The haunted house's best entrance is just outside the Atlas statue and down the escalator. The haunted attraction is situated on one of the lower levels of Rockefeller Center, which adds to the experience of traveling below ground to reach the haunt.


During my most recent visit on the weekend, there was a queue even before the event opened. The wait time was generally about 20 to 30 minutes, though they did stop the line and the house for about 5 to 10 minutes for a cast change.

Once past the medical doctor, guests are placed into small groups, typically 6 to 7 people. What made this experience so memorable was the pacing and how it's generated each time guests go through the haunted house. While the shared entrance and exit likely influence the pacing and groupings, they enhance the flow and overall value of the attraction.

The haunted house is very accessible to a wide audience, as it does a great job of balancing comedy and horror, especially with its connection to Jimmy Fallon. This IP haunted house is enjoyable, even if you're unfamiliar with Fallon. While combining Jimmy Fallon with horror may seem odd, it works because it incorporates recognizable Halloween iconography, like aliens and scarecrows, to create a fun experience. The attraction even takes classic Halloween monsters and directly integrates them with Jimmy Fallon, such as in a scene with a werewolf or a serial killer...

The design is claustrophobic at points. The haunted house really does feel like maze. Some rooms are so well crafted that I had to question where the exits are. It doesn't help that each group is guided by a tour guide who has a lot of fun directing attention one way, only for an actor to jump out. Again, the pacing enhances this feeling of disorientation, allowing for a more immersive experience rather than moving through in a conga line.

Getting a Horror Nights quality experience in New York City is fantastic for the price point and what it offers. I almost forgot to mention the free photo opportunity at the end of the house, which is a nice touch since most other haunted attractions charge for photos.


I highly recommend that anyone in the NYC area check this out! I'm not kidding when I say this was one of the best Horror Nights-level haunted houses I’ve ever experienced. I would love to see more standalone attractions like this from Universal in the future!

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Yeah... I think this is going to be at HHN 2025.

Also wonder if this is a preview for how haunted houses will be handled for Horror Unleashed.

 

[Lucky Planet]

So, Jimmy Fallon's Tonightmares was enjoyable. The experience is a fantastic package and likely the best-quality haunted attraction in New York City this year.

The location is excellent, right at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The haunted house's best entrance is just outside the Atlas statue and down the escalator. The haunted attraction is situated on one of the lower levels of Rockefeller Center, which adds to the experience of traveling below ground to reach the haunt.
View attachment 23696

During my most recent visit on the weekend, there was a queue even before the event opened. The wait time was generally about 20 to 30 minutes, though they did stop the line and the house for about 5 to 10 minutes for a cast change.

Once past the medical doctor, guests are placed into small groups, typically 6 to 7 people. What made this experience so memorable was the pacing and how it's generated each time guests go through the haunted house. While the shared entrance and exit likely influence the pacing and groupings, they enhance the flow and overall value of the attraction.

The haunted house is very accessible to a wide audience, as it does a great job of balancing comedy and horror, especially with its connection to Jimmy Fallon. This IP haunted house is enjoyable, even if you're unfamiliar with Fallon. While combining Jimmy Fallon with horror may seem odd, it works because it incorporates recognizable Halloween iconography, like aliens and scarecrows, to create a fun experience. The attraction even takes classic Halloween monsters and directly integrates them with Jimmy Fallon, such as in a scene with a werewolf or a serial killer...

The design is claustrophobic at points. The haunted house really does feel like maze. Some rooms are so well crafted that I had to question where the exits are. It doesn't help that each group is guided by a tour guide who has a lot of fun directing attention one way, only for an actor to jump out. Again, the pacing enhances this feeling of disorientation, allowing for a more immersive experience rather than moving through in a conga line.

Getting a Horror Nights quality experience in New York City is fantastic for the price point and what it offers. I almost forgot to mention the free photo opportunity at the end of the house, which is a nice touch since most other haunted attractions charge for photos.
View attachment 23697

I highly recommend that anyone in the NYC area check this out! I'm not kidding when I say this was one of the best Horror Nights-level haunted houses I’ve ever experienced. I would love to see more standalone attractions like this from Universal in the future!

best in new York ?

 

[Michael S]

best in new York ?

Honestly, I’ve never been to New York, let alone New York City (I know I need to), but what is their immediate competition these days?

Generally curious, cuz I know I’ve heard of a few haunts in Manhattan that were those super-immersive waiver type attractions… but is there anything popular like this, that is palatable for the GP/horror fanatics, in its vicinity?

 

[Jake S]

Generally curious, cuz I know I’ve heard of a few haunts in Manhattan that were those super-immersive waiver type attractions… but is there anything popular like this, that is palatable for the GP/horror fanatics, in its vicinity?

Fright Fest in New Jersey, right? Otherwise I'm not aware of any comparable experiences that are actually in the city. At least, certainly none with this kind of budget and reach.

 

[Rhian]

Also wonder if this is a preview for how haunted houses will be handled for Horror Unleashed.

I hope so! I know HHN can't do it because of the amount of people at the event but pulsing crowds sounds perfect for a smaller venue. I've been to a few which don't do conga lines and they're so much better for the experience.

From the descriptions the design of this house strays away from traditional HHN house setup and that's a good thing if they stick with it for HU.

 

[Lucky Planet]

Honestly, I’ve never been to New York, let alone New York City (I know I need to), but what is their immediate competition these days?

Generally curious, cuz I know I’ve heard of a few haunts in Manhattan that were those super-immersive waiver type attractions… but is there anything popular like this, that is palatable for the GP/horror fanatics, in its vicinity?

Fright Fest in New Jersey, right? Otherwise I'm not aware of any comparable experiences that are actually in the city. At least, certainly none with this kind of budget and reach.

wow so this might get huge in popularity. I didn't know. sounds like it might be a big success.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

The only other one I know of in NYC is Blood Manor - but like others have said, nowhere close to the budget of this.

 

[PenguinCowboy]

best in new York ?

It's wild, but the pool of competition is very, very slim in NYC proper. The cost of real estate, the temporary nature of most haunts, and the very crucial location demographic breakdown, all add up to a perfect storm that drives most haunts to the outskirts of the city or beyond. Combine that with an open talent pool but a couple make-or-break rules and regulations about performer compensation, lighting/scenic/sound tech unions (if you are looking to be for profit at least), fire inspections, the works, in a town built for large scale theatrical productions, and it will kill a lot of mom and pop startup dreams at the root.

It's truly an underserved market, but so many hurdles unless you have a big cash backing and draw power (both of which Universal/NBC definitely bring to the table).

Now, Tonightmares really did do it right, they got Plague Productions in on it and some very talented individual artists in addition to the guidance and HHN influence, and it seems to be a very quality product, but the hand of a big corporation making it at all possible is also undeniable.

Source: 2+ years of market research to determine if we kept our interactive entertainment side business in NYC or moved it back upstate (Side note: if you ever want to hear someone wax philosophic about how subway proximity affects popup businesses, I'm your man, haha)

 

[TylerG]

Just went to Tonightmares. Our party was 2 HHN regulars and 2 who’ve never been to HHN and everyone had a great time. It’s HHN-level quality the whole way through, absolutely worth it for anyone in the area. Hope this becomes a regular thing every year

 

[saint.piss]

 

[Disneyhead]

That's hilarious!

 

[Lucky Planet]

I love Jimmy, best late night host. he's always so funny.