Do I appreciate every attempt to lower lines? Of course, it's the biggest issue with the event. But ... Devil's advocate:
- 13-hour shifts has to mean a third shift of actors--that's three full casts extra now (with the option to add more). I'm not sure Orlando can supply that. I'm not sure UOR is truly willing to pay for that. I kind of assumed the shift to less staffing in houses was to free up actors for an 11th house, but maybe it was this.
- 2020 taught us that lines in Summer mid-day heat are no joke. Ops better be ready to do a lot of extra prep here. And what a lousy way to go through a house from a guest perspective.
- More esoteric, but starting at 2 pm destroys the mystique. An August Saturday afternoon is neither Halloween nor a night. The perception is that the event is less adult as well, when it's covered in the halo of daytime ops.
- Finally, this is Orlando, no one has a real job. There will be lines for the top two houses forming by noon every day, largely defeating the purpose. (This is assuming any AP can get in line, that it's not paywalled to S&S--seen no confirmation one way or the other.
On the first point, it's a shame if that's what the ultimate goal is. Keep staffing equal to that of last year, but just spread the cast thin?
If there's one thing that Florida parks do best, is that they forget that it gets hot and uncomfortable in Florida. That Terrifier queue out in the asphalt under the August/September sun is no fun. They did solve the problem with the FNAF/WWE and Fallout/Galkn queues, but I hope all the other houses get dedicated shelters and fans.
While I do agree that starting a Halloween event in the middle of the day in August is questionable, the event has gotten so dang popular that I'm ok with this move. I loved last year's event, but didn't love the crowds. We would try to fit in a house or two during S&S, watch HNF and leave. This option would at least get us to do more houses earlier in the day (and IMO the best as your eyes don't adjust yet lol).
I will say this and something else this week I can't discuss seem to be a tell--UOR is terrified of pricing out its casual customer base. The superfans will drop over a grand, but a 1-night ticket remains well under $100. Contrast with WDW and $200 for a single night at peak. A brief peek into corporate culture over there.
~7-8 years ago when WDW started to price their special events at $100+ I could have sworn Universal would follow, I guess they have data to suggest that HHN won't do well in that sort of model.
I think a combination of "regular dates" and more premium nights is the best mix for your financials
and customer experience.
My hope is that this level of thinking applies to Epic Universe APs eventually. They know that pricing the park at a premium will end eventually and you'll need the AP base to come in.
Do we expect the 2pm houses to only be available for those that buy the Scream Early ticket or will it be open to all day guests that have both a park ticket and an HHN ticket?
Language in the ticket does appear to be the same as last year, so I'd imagine this is will include APs and any day guest tickets.