Halloween Horror Nights 35 (UO) - Speculation & Rumors

[SeanPhilly]

I’m genuinely curious to see how many people actually skip the event vs. are very angry, but still go.

I agree that it’s likely to be very few.

To quote Nettie from The Color Purple, “… nothing but death will keep me from here!”

My travel mates and I (coming from Philly) discussed changing our plans based on the (still unknown, but likely) new ticket package options, but the notion to just skip the event was never entertained. And I wouldn’t even say we’re going “very angry,” just maybe slightly peeved.

What Universal might not love is hearing that we may now spend two days we normally spend there at Disney for the first time ever.

 

[Allison]

What about those of us who aren’t angry just mildly disappointed?

Wherever anyone falls on the against-eliminating-FFP + Express spectrum, I’d still be interested to know if they’re going to be completely withholding visiting HHN this year.

Also not counting people who have nonrefundable visits paid for, I understand that’s an issue though there are other haunts in the area to visit instead but I digress.

 

[Touchdown]

Wherever anyone falls on the against-eliminating-FFP + Express spectrum, I’d still be interested to know if they’re going to be completely withholding visiting HHN this year.

Also not counting people who have nonrefundable visits paid for, I understand that’s an issue though there are other haunts in the area to visit instead but I digress.

Still going just may do one less night depending on if a multi night express is offered.

 

[Razgriz13]

So this is my first year following HHN(because its the first year I have the chance to go)
Is it normal to have a week of reveals then nothing on the Friday?

 

[Tbad556]

So this is my first year following HHN(because its the first year I have the chance to go)
Is it normal to have a week of reveals then nothing on the Friday?

Welcome to the chaos! There is no normal hah

 

[Razgriz13]

Welcome to the chaos! There is no normal hah

Lol

 

[TheCodeMan95]

My travel mates and I (coming from Philly) discussed changing our plans based on the (still unknown, but likely) new ticket package options, but the notion to just skip the event was never entertained. And I wouldn’t even say we’re going “very angry,” just maybe slightly peeved.

This is how I suspect it will be for most people. They'll be annoyed, but once the event rolls around they'll be there.

As I mentioned many pages ago now, I think if someone cancels their entire trip over this - they didn't really care THAT much about going in the first place.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

However, the issue is I feel like I need to pick the dates and get the passes now because I am thinking single day express will sell out since no one has it on a pass anymore. That means I also lose flexibility. Previously, if we decided to switch the days we normally go, we could do that because we had a pass that covered all the nights available to us. If I have to buy single day express in advance, it means I have to pick the dates, and I lose that flex option.

This is a HUGE issue for those that like to take 2 or 3 trips. I'll book multiple flights down early, then adjust based on hotel rate changes or work issues that pop up. UO is pretty decent of allowing date changes with calling up, but not if they sell out. This year is one trip, unless see below....

I’m not buying until after the 21st with the hope Universal has invented a ticket for us.

Same, this is the only somewhat reasonable reason they didn't announce this early, that they have some alternate option of multi-express visits.
But now nobody will have an understanding of what is available until they are in a timed queue, taking longer than usual to weigh their options and choose, making everyone else wait longer for the queue to open up for them.

 

[Rocketnippys]

What a weird week. 2 scarezones, a show, wtv killer klowns is, and now silence. I wonder if all this discourse made them rethink announcing Fortnite right now. I hope its still coming. Ik its a strange choice but I like when they try new things

 

[Parkscope Joe]

So this is my first year following HHN(because its the first year I have the chance to go)
Is it normal to have a week of reveals then nothing on the Friday?

Expect the unexpected and nothing EVER goes according to plan. Enjoy the ride.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Same, this is the only somewhat reasonable reason they didn't announce this early, that they have some alternate option of multi-express visits.
But now nobody will have an understanding of what is available until they are in a timed queue, taking longer than usual to weigh their options and choose, making everyone else wait longer for the queue to open up for them.

I will actually die of laughter if everyone freaked out just for them to introduce a new ticket type with express

 

[Robert Bliss]

I loved RoF with express. It was the cheapest way to guarantee a stress-free Horror Nights week in which I knew I had plenty of time to do and re-do whatever I wanted. I have already paid for the airfare and resort package and will grab a RoF basic for sure unless there is an interesting out of towner type week-long package. Unless there is a ticket option with express that is called something else, I will try to buy three nights worth of express passes and test my luck the other two nights. Am I having a hard time with the extra money I will be spending and worrying express passes will sell out before I can afford them all? Yes. Will I try to do it anyway? Yes. I'm going to wait and see what this year's ticket offerings look like and will hope for better options next year. Hopefully they learn to communicate and let us know their plans ahead of time, but I won't count on it. I loved Brian's write-up of the situation. I'm not going to stop going to Horror Nights any year soon unless something goes insanely wrong. I'm pretty addicted to the fog, y'all.

 

[Lucky Planet]

I’m waiting for them to debut a MNSSHPesque family event at Epic frankly. Have a Boo-fest in SNW, let dark universe be dark universe, pumpkin up Paris, and Invent a Viking Halloween party for Berk. Throw in a firework show and a parade, it would print money.

out of my entire family I'm the only one that really visits hhn.
but everyone in my family would love a "nicer" family Halloween event at epic. the Nintendo area alone would make everyone happy.
just having Halloween decorations and characters around would be crazy good.

Why no Jack show this year?

As someone who's first HHN was 2007, Carnival of Carnage, and the next after that being 2015, HHN25, the carnage shows have a special place in my heart.

Is it just too busy for that kind of show, and they just need mass market dance show now?

Looking back, Jack show AND Bill and Ted, we were spoilt.

maybe jack will have a mini show in the zone. a little stage or something.

What a weird week. 2 scarezones, a show, wtv killer klowns is, and now silence. I wonder if all this discourse made them rethink announcing Fortnite right now. I hope its still coming. Ik its a strange choice but I like when they try new things

killer klowns is a very very famous 80s horror comedy movie. universal had a scarezone and full house in the past.

 

[Rocketnippys]

out of my entire family I'm the only one that really visits hhn.
but everyone in my family would love a "nicer" family Halloween event at epic. the Nintendo area alone would make everyone happy.
just having Halloween decorations and characters around would be crazy good.



maybe jack will have a mini show in the zone. a little stage or something.



killer klowns is a very very famous 80s horror comedy movie. universal had a scarezone and full house in the past.

Yes ik what killer klowns is lol. Probably in my top 3 favorite movies. I was referring to the ambiguity of the announcement

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I will actually die of laughter if everyone freaked out just for them to introduce a new ticket type with express

I want to be very clear here: any new tickets are just ideas and not even speculation, let alone a rumor.

 

[Chumpieboy]

I agree that it’s likely to be very few.

To quote Nettie from The Color Purple, “… nothing but death will keep me from here!”

My travel mates and I (coming from Philly) discussed changing our plans based on the (still unknown, but likely) new ticket package options, but the notion to just skip the event was never entertained. And I wouldn’t even say we’re going “very angry,” just maybe slightly peeved.

What Universal might not love is hearing that we may now spend two days we normally spend there at Disney for the first time ever.

yeah we’re still going (sunk cost, super fan, already booked plane tickets and epic tickets and have an AP etc.)

We do plan on purposely spending less on souvenirs and food/drink tho. We plan on letting universal know in surveys why this is the case. Guests who don’t feel respected enough due to lack of timely/basic communications around a major change in sales like this don’t feel like spending as much.

Already planning out more QS vs the number of table service meals we normally do, stop at a grocery store for Q&D breakfast stuff instead of Voodoo/Starbucks/Cinnabon/Crescent Bakery, pregame in the room instead of at Citywalk, etc.

 

[Midnight Detective]

Just because this is still ongoing I thought I'd pitch in a unique perspective -

I've been attending this event for quite some time. In all the years I've been going I've never once purchased Express. Being an Orlando local, I'm at liberty to come and go to the event based entirely around convenience and guesstimates on whether a night will be busy or not. I've guided many groups coming in from out of town on attendance, strategy, where or not to get express, stay and scream... the works.

In the past 5 years (maybe even longer), even with park knowledge, arrival times, picking a date light on attendance, and using every single strategy available, lines have become unbearable at the event to the point where this is the make or break year for me on continued attendence. If it's as bad as last year with the changes, I think I'm a one night RIP guy now.

The current way lines are done, particularly with non-stop disruptions from express, is fundamentally broken. People in regular lines experience it, people who normally buy express are recoiling in horror at the very thought of having to experience it - it's a disaster.

I have no idea if this will help or fix it, but Universal has to do something.

 

[Irishlad]

Just saw this on a FB group anyone heard this yet

 

[Parkscope Joe]

View attachment 30312

Just saw this on a FB group anyone heard this yet

Pandora switching out for Publix for the leaks.

 

[SeventyOne]

Just because this is still ongoing I thought I'd pitch in a unique perspective -

I've been attending this event for quite some time. In all the years I've been going I've never once purchased Express. Being an Orlando local, I'm at liberty to come and go to the event based entirely around convenience and guesstimates on whether a night will be busy or not. I've guided many groups coming in from out of town on attendance, strategy, where or not to get express, stay and scream... the works.

In the past 5 years (maybe even longer), even with park knowledge, arrival times, picking a date light on attendance, and using every single strategy available, lines have become unbearable at the event to the point where this is the make or break year for me on continued attendence. If it's as bad as last year with the changes, I think I'm a one night RIP guy now.

The current way lines are done, particularly with non-stop disruptions from express, is fundamentally broken. People in regular lines experience it, people who normally buy express are recoiling in horror at the very thought of having to experience it - it's a disaster.

I have no idea if this will help or fix it, but Universal has to do something.

This is a very relevant point I feel gets lost among the "high-roller" and "hard-core" fans. Universal is still trying to run an event for 2020s crowds with a 2010s engine. And both obvious solutions--increase house capacity dramatically or increase prices across the board dramatically--scare them worse than Jack. The former because it will cost too much (I'm not talking 11 houses, I mean 15, plus an extra show or other "activation"), the latter because they fear, probably with data to back it up, their fans are incredibly price-sensitive. But no, 10 houses, a FFL show and a 10-minute lagoon show can't absorb the current crowds, especially with huge numbers of Express added to to the mix.