Halloween Horror Nights 35 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors

[Tobias]

Slow spec season, huh?

I wouldn't say slow, this feels like the normal lull before more things get officially announced.

Sorry if this has been confirmed earlier, do we know how exactly Stay and Scream works out this year?

Nope! Nothing specific yet.

There has been a recent rumbling on Stay and Scream, mainly what tickets gets you what.

If you just have a Horror Nights ticket, you get entry at 6pm as usual. No Stay and Scream.

If you have a daytime admission and Horror Nights ticket, you have access to Stay and Scream, and can enter the queues for the houses that open between 4pm to 6pm.

Now as for the 3 houses which open really early...In order to access those houses, you'll need to purchase the Scream Early ticket. That is what gets you into those 3 houses from 2pm - 5pm. (Of course, you'll still need a valid Horror Nights ticket as well.)

That's what the rumblings are so far.

 

[RedRightDan]

Now as for the 3 houses which open really early...In order to access those houses, you'll need to purchase the Scream Early ticket. That is what gets you into those 3 houses from 2pm - 5pm. (Of course, you'll still need a valid Horror Nights ticket as well.)

Weren’t getting quite enough dough from the UOAP holders, eh?

 

[Kichkinet85]

Weren’t getting quite enough dough from the UOAP holders, eh?

To play devils advocate here, that’s not the case and they’re increasing the value of the scream early ticket.

 

[RedRightDan]

To play devils advocate here, that’s not the case and they’re increasing the value of the scream early ticket.

Counter to your advocacy…A ticket that UOAP holders never had to buy, because they already have a park ticket AND an HHN ticket.

 

[tdmarshmallow]

Counter to your advocacy…A ticket that UOAP holders never had to buy, because they already have a park ticket AND an HHN ticket.

And to my understanding, UOAP can still enjoy stay and scream. Scream Early seems to be a separate ticketed event. But, this is all still speculation at this point, and what do I know. In the long run, UO annual passes are still an amazing value.

 

[Tobias]

To play devils advocate here, that’s not the case and they’re increasing the value of the scream early ticket.

Counter to your advocacy…A ticket that UOAP holders never had to buy, because they already have a park ticket AND an HHN ticket.

I'm more @Kichkinet85 on this one, since the past few years folks literally have been wondering what the value was for the Scream Early ticket. (On this very forum, no less!) Giving it the perk of being able to access those 3 houses early suddenly gives it a bit of value.

Also, that could possibly keep lines manageable before they open for everyone else.

 

[Acandrews12]

To play devils advocate here, that’s not the case and they’re increasing the value of the scream early ticket.

Counter to your advocacy…A ticket that UOAP holders never had to buy, because they already have a park ticket AND an HHN ticket.

I’m the UOAP that is going to be in a conundrum by this. I always go to HHN with my brother who is not a UOAP. So, we always bought him a Scream Early so we could ride a few rides and then Stay and Scream. Well now, I as a passholder, have three options:

Option 1: Also purchase the Scream Early if I want to do the early admission houses with him.

Option 2: He could not use the biggest perk of the Scream Early pass and we do them together during the event.

Option 3: He can do them on his own during the early admission and get an advantage over me as a passholder.

So people who are in my situation will have a decision to make.

 

[Kichkinet85]

Counter to your advocacy…A ticket that UOAP holders never had to buy, because they already have a park ticket AND an HHN ticket.

Exactly and that’s why they added to its value.

 

[StaticShock]

Slow spec season, huh?

Kinda hard to spec when the majority of the stuff's been speculated to death at this point. Just waiting on HHN twitter to announce everything at this point...

 

[TheCodeMan95]

As long as they do the wristbands again for S&S this year, I'm a happy guy

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I’m the UOAP that is going to be in a conundrum by this. I always go to HHN with my brother who is not a UOAP. So, we always bought him a Scream Early so we could ride a few rides and then Stay and Scream. Well now, I as a passholder, have three options:

Option 1: Also purchase the Scream Early if I want to do the early admission houses with him.

Option 2: He could not use the biggest perk of the Scream Early pass and we do them together during the event.

Option 3: He can do them on his own during the early admission and get an advantage over me as a passholder.

So people who are in my situation will have a decision to make.

Yeah, this is sort of why I'm confused by this new offering. You are essentially requiring an AP to have to purchase an additional ticket for something they already have in order to be with your group for a few hours. At the very least, they should rename the ticket to show it as a different premium offering.


A good chunk of S&S guest are APs, so I'm not sure how this helps the event overall if the goal (if it is) is to help improve capacity at the event.

 

[SeventyOne]

I wouldn't say slow, this feels like the normal lull before more things get officially announced.





There has been a recent rumbling on Stay and Scream, mainly what tickets gets you what.

If you just have a Horror Nights ticket, you get entry at 6pm as usual. No Stay and Scream.

If you have a daytime admission and Horror Nights ticket, you have access to Stay and Scream, and can enter the queues for the houses that open between 4pm to 6pm.

Now as for the 3 houses which open really early...In order to access those houses, you'll need to purchase the Scream Early ticket. That is what gets you into those 3 houses from 2pm - 5pm. (Of course, you'll still need a valid Horror Nights ticket as well.)

That's what the rumblings are so far.

Sorry if this has been confirmed earlier, do we know how exactly Stay and Scream works out this year?

A lot of social media spec based on some sloppy ad copy and customer service responses. But it all comes down to two scenarios:

1. In the most blatant money-grab yet, UOR wants to run 3+ houses for 3 hours each HHN afternoon for a relatively tiny fraction of guests.
2. Marketing/Customer Service don't really know the plan yet, and aren't the best at writing clear, legal-right-defining copy in their desire to hype up something new.

Given the current state of the world, I can't 100% rule out the former, but given logic and the history of the event, the latter seems more likely.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

And to my understanding, UOAP can still enjoy stay and scream. Scream Early seems to be a separate ticketed event. But, this is all still speculation at this point, and what do I know. In the long run, UO annual passes are still an amazing value.

This is the opposite of what I heard.

 

[RedRightDan]

This is the opposite of what I heard.

Need some clarity on this, as it could be read two ways.

1. UOAP can access the early houses without buying an additional Scream Early ticket
2. UOAP can get in the park, but can no longer take full advantage of S&S without buying a Scream Early ticket (IE: Can't queue early)

Hopefully not the second one, as that would be a huge slap in the face.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Need some clarity on this, as it could be read two ways.

1. UOAP can access the early houses without buying an additional Scream Early ticket
2. UOAP can get in the park, but can no longer take full advantage of S&S without buying a Scream Early ticket (IE: Can't queue early)

Hopefully not the second one, as that would be a huge slap in the face.

I heard if you’re in the park and have a HHN ticket for that day you can get a wrist band and see the houses early. Obviously can change between when I heard and when the event starts, but I have no reason to believe they’ve changed this.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

A lot of social media spec based on some sloppy ad copy and customer service responses. But it all comes down to two scenarios:

1. In the most blatant money-grab yet, UOR wants to run 3+ houses for 3 hours each HHN afternoon for a relatively tiny fraction of guests.
2. Marketing/Customer Service don't really know the plan yet, and aren't the best at writing clear, legal-right-defining copy in their desire to hype up something new.

Given the current state of the world, I can't 100% rule out the former, but given logic and the history of the event, the latter seems more likely.

To add, I think the revenue/benefits received from your passholder base is far more profitable than your 1-night S&S guest. Having this as a major benefit to an AP will not only entice new APs, but also keep current ones from floating away when (eventually) Epic passes become online and increase prices. (APs could also arrive earlier in the day and start generating revenue earlier in the day/reduce strain at the parking lot at 4PM, etc.)

Doing some rough math, assuming it costs $4-5K per hour per house to operate (wages, utilities, etc.), you'd need at least ~600 ticket sales to break even. Assuming you'd need to profit a good amount (let's say ~40% gross margin), you'll need to sell 1K tickets a night of pure S&S. (Houses would average about a 20-40 minute wait).

 

[Hatetofly]

A lot of social media spec based on some sloppy ad copy and customer service responses. But it all comes down to two scenarios:

1. In the most blatant money-grab yet, UOR wants to run 3+ houses for 3 hours each HHN afternoon for a relatively tiny fraction of guests.
2. Marketing/Customer Service don't really know the plan yet, and aren't the best at writing clear, legal-right-defining copy in their desire to hype up something new.

Given the current state of the world, I can't 100% rule out the former, but given logic and the history of the event, the latter seems more likely.

I fear it’s going to be an operational nightmare due to communications or lack thereof. I can already see the common fan / general public visitor going and being like how many flipping tickets do I need?

I also wonder about staffing. 3 extra hours may not seem like a lot to most but after 1-2 weeks the turnover machine will begin to kick in and houses could feel strained from a staffing perspective let alone the sheer wear and tear on the staff themselves.

Completely understand that HHN is the most profitable time of the year for the resort and it’s very apparent every year they’re taking action to cash in with some new offering. I just have to wonder at what point does it become too much? From ticket types, add ons, special events, early entry, food festivals, shows, etc. I mean it’s a lot, and instead of investing in expansion they seem more focused on cashing in on all these other added expenses for the guest to “see it all”

 

[StaticShock]

A lot of social media spec based on some sloppy ad copy and customer service responses. But it all comes down to two scenarios:

1. In the most blatant money-grab yet, UOR wants to run 3+ houses for 3 hours each HHN afternoon for a relatively tiny fraction of guests.
2. Marketing/Customer Service don't really know the plan yet, and aren't the best at writing clear, legal-right-defining copy in their desire to hype up something new.

Given the current state of the world, I can't 100% rule out the former, but given logic and the history of the event, the latter seems more likely.

Isn't this similar to how HHN-Hollywood has "early access" to the houses at 2pm?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I fear it’s going to be an operational nightmare due to communications or lack thereof. I can already see the common fan / general public visitor going and being like how many flipping tickets do I need?

Andy, it’s April.