Universal Horror Unleashed - Las Vegas, NV

[Wishmaster]

With these IPs used yearly, does this mean they are retired during Haunt SZN at both parks?

 

[Brian G.]

Leatherface is a horror icon, and is absolutely deserving of having a spot in this. I think the point being made is that Leatherface isn't as merchandisable as the other slashes, as the character is inseparable from gore without doing something like Fortnite did. I don't think hardcore HHN fans would have any reservations about buying a shirt they could mostly only wear at haunt events, but the general public might.

OH, he's definitely not as marketable as Michael or Chucky, but he still is - and ultimately, the point is to get them through the door. As far as GP - IDK, Art the Clown is about to ring the bell for the NYSE.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

It's funny to me that anyone would complain about this. It's a tourist attraction in an out of the way part of the US and should probably only be visited if you have other plans while already in Vegas. It's a bonus. It literally did not exist until now and otherwise would not exist unless they can plant in some existing or easy properties. It's not going into our beloved Hollywood or Orlando parks. It's starting its own path -- think of any of the other HHN iterations in their first year and legitimately they were probably worse. It's also year round, which probably means day time too. At that point, who cares what it is? You want a little bit of horror in March at 2:15pm while taking a break between the slots and you expect them to deliver an A+ original maze that'll break the mold of the haunt industry? It's Van Helsing, it's House of Horrors, it's The Walking Dead Attraction -- as long as it serves its purpose, WHO CARES!

HHN fans are convinced that this is made for them, and not for random tourists who they're trying to draw into becoming HHN fans lol

With these IPs used yearly, does this mean they are retired during Haunt SZN at both parks?

I would say absolutely not. I mean it's not like Believer will ever be back - and I'd bet my house that TCM will be back at some point. Monsters are also a given!

 

[Casper Gutman]

It's funny to me that anyone would complain about this. It's a tourist attraction in an out of the way part of the US and should probably only be visited if you have other plans while already in Vegas. It's a bonus. It literally did not exist until now and otherwise would not exist unless they can plant in some existing or easy properties. It's not going into our beloved Hollywood or Orlando parks. It's starting its own path -- think of any of the other HHN iterations in their first year and legitimately they were probably worse. It's also year round, which probably means day time too. At that point, who cares what it is? You want a little bit of horror in March at 2:15pm while taking a break between the slots and you expect them to deliver an A+ original maze that'll break the mold of the haunt industry? It's Van Helsing, it's House of Horrors, it's The Walking Dead Attraction -- as long as it serves its purpose, WHO CARES!

Yeah, in the grand scheme of things, this is REALLY unimportant. But on a message board about Universal themed attractions? It’s why anyone is here!

My friends and I were planning a Vegas trip to see this. Now we’re reevaluating. So it matters to that extent as well.

 

[Brian G.]

HHN fans are convinced that this is made for them, and not for random tourists who they're trying to draw into becoming HHN fans lol

Need to stress this point the most. This is meant to compete with Vegas attractions, not other haunted ones.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Need to stress this point the most. This is meant to compete with Vegas attractions, not other haunted ones.

I imagine literally the entire point of this is to get random Vegas tourists to say "hey, this was really cool. Maybe we'll go to the real thing next year!"

 

[Clive]

Regarding the seemingly baffling Exorcist: Believer inclusion, Universal as a company bet big on that IP with its $400 million+ investment in a trilogy of films. Of course corporate wanted to make the most of that kind of spend, so they doubled down when planning and locking Unleashed attractions. The bet didn't pay out, but I'm sure it'll be the first attraction to be switched for something else down the line.

 

[rageofthegods]

Regarding the seemingly baffling Exorcist: Believer inclusion, Universal as a company bet big on that IP with its $400 million+ investment in a trilogy of films. Of course corporate wanted to make the most of that kind of spend, so they doubled down when planning and locking Unleashed attractions. The bet didn't pay out, but I'm sure it'll be the first attraction to be switched for something else down the line.

It's like when you buy a barbecue and have to use it a few times to convince yourself it was a smart investment and not a mid-life crisis moment.

 

[Brian G.]

It's like when you buy a barbecue and have to use it a few times to convince yourself it was a smart investment and not a mid-life crisis moment.

I love my Traeger!

 

[GAcoaster]

Exorcist in any form is a marketable brand— even if the specific film was bad

 

[Casper Gutman]

I imagine literally the entire point of this is to get random Vegas tourists to say "hey, this was really cool. Maybe we'll go to the real thing next year!"

Which makes the IP choice much more baffling. You want franchises with the strongest, widest draw. Halloween, Chucky, Friday, Nightmare (rights issues aside) have that kind of draw. TCM has a much more narrow appeal. Believer has NONE (remember, this is the gp - quality of an old HHN maze is entirely irrelevant). Even Exorcist, as a whole, is limited.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Which makes the IP choice much more baffling. You want franchises with the strongest, widest draw. Halloween, Chucky, Friday, Nightmare (rights issues aside) have that kind of draw. TCM has a much more narrow appeal. Believer has NONE (remember, this is the gp - quality of an old HHN maze is entirely irrelevant). Even Exorcist, as a whole, is limited.

I agree that the inclusion of Believer is weird, but acting as though TCM is a niche/underground IP is wild lol

There are 9 TCM movies, one of which came out just 2 years ago. A TCM video game just came out a year ago. It is absolutely relevant and widely popular.

Maybe not on the level of Myers or the others, but it's still a massive IP for the GP

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Regarding the seemingly baffling Exorcist: Believer inclusion, Universal as a company bet big on that IP with its $400 million+ investment in a trilogy of films. Of course corporate wanted to make the most of that kind of spend, so they doubled down when planning and locking Unleashed attractions. The bet didn't pay out, but I'm sure it'll be the first attraction to be switched for something else down the line.

Or just switch it out for the Mike Flanagan version, which will have a baseline level of quality the previous film did not.

 

[HandsomePete]

Not sure why they signed off on describing the location as “on the edge of Las Vegas” … not only is it plainly false, it grossly overstates the main problem Area 15 has to overcome, which is getting tourists to leave the Strip. Hopefully the marketing for the actual experience (and not just a teaser) doesn’t mirror that.

I might go eventually if I’m out there with a car and need to kill an afternoon - would be nice to do Scarecrow and the Monsters house.

 

[TheHaunter]

Not sure why they signed off on describing the location as “on the edge of Las Vegas” … not only is it plainly false, it grossly overstates the main problem Area 15 has to overcome, which is getting tourists to leave the Strip. Hopefully the marketing for the actual experience (and not just a teaser) doesn’t mirror that.

I might go eventually if I’m out there with a car and need to kill an afternoon - would be nice to do Scarecrow and the Monsters house.

I normally go to Vegas, and I would for sure love to hang out here often. I haven't done any of these mazes and since these are great mazes getting to do them again and again is basically all I ask for. This is absolutely amazing!

 

[Wesker69]

The scare cam footage that has been featured on pretty much every HHN ad ever?

Yes. And it's lazy. Also it's more of a recent trend than years ago. Seeing people get scared is lame, showing what is doing the scaring is better.

Eitherway. The marketing is "tired"

HHN fans are convinced that this is made for them, and not for random tourists who they're trying to draw into becoming HHN fans lol

No. Not even in the slightest. HHN hasn't been for the fans for years. So I'd give up that notion already.

This house line-up is uninspiring & could easily be offered up without the Universal brand attached. It's basic & cooperate.

The rest of the venue will hopefully be better

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Not sure why they signed off on describing the location as “on the edge of Las Vegas” … not only is it plainly false, it grossly overstates the main problem Area 15 has to overcome, which is getting tourists to leave the Strip. Hopefully the marketing for the actual experience (and not just a teaser) doesn’t mirror that.

I might go eventually if I’m out there with a car and need to kill an afternoon - would be nice to do Scarecrow and the Monsters house.

They should say “edge of the strip”.

 

[Legacy]

Which makes the IP choice much more baffling. You want franchises with the strongest, widest draw. Halloween, Chucky, Friday, Nightmare (rights issues aside) have that kind of draw. TCM has a much more narrow appeal. Believer has NONE (remember, this is the gp - quality of an old HHN maze is entirely irrelevant). Even Exorcist, as a whole, is limited.

Halloween has its own smattering of licensing challenges (more so than Nightmare) which always made that rumor feel somewhat unlikely. Chucky is marketable, but there are likely maintenance expense concerns with an animatronics-heavy house running year-round. Friday the 13th, while absolutely marketable and synergistic with Crystal Lake, is in a weird limbo because of that synergy. It also has, admittedly, the most limited environment of the Titans.

TCM, arguably not in the top three, fills the slasher (and gore and chainsaw) house role. Legacy also demonstrated how expansive Universal’s permissions for IP are, even if they don’t focus on the movie. That movie, also, is celebrating its 50th.

But really, I think a big reason they went with TCM is… simply… Texas. Vegas is very popular for Texans. It’s easy marketing to a big market.

Exorcist Believer is a sunk cost.

 

[Midnight Detective]

I think an aspect really being overlooked is the properties do an excellent job spreading across all elements of horror as well.

TCM - brutal violence
Exorcist - religious/psychological
Scarecrows - traditional/fall/original showcase
Universal Monsters - classic

I'm most excited for the theming of the Bars/Restaurants/Shops

 

[chris.g]

I really wonder how intense these houses are going to be. Color me surprised there’s no CHUCKY, someone I think would be a smash hit for the Vegas clientele. Still very interested in going to this!

IU Forum meetup next year? Lol