- Aug 17, 2009
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I’ve never attended Orlando’s event, and while maybe it’s “better” in the sense that the budget is bigger and the scope is more expansive, I think it’s hard to make a true qualitative judgement when the context and infrastructure of both parks and both events are so hugely different.
The thing Hollywood has going for it is the working studio atmosphere. Universal Studios is one of the true homes of horror, and even though HHN doesn’t use it to their advantage as often as I’d like, there is still something extremely special about being on the Universal backlot on a Saturday night in October and just being in the HHN atmosphere. Even the most hardened cynics will admit that’s still an incredible feeling, and I feel like it’s something Orlando can’t replicate because it’s just a theme park, and Hollywood is something more.
The other thing is yes, Hollywood HHN is one event among many, and some of those events are equal and occasionally just straight up superior in quality. But to me, that’s fine—in fact, it makes the whole thing even better. Haunts in Southern California (pro and home) are part of an ecosystem. It’s a community that extends to all kinds of different horror-related events and activities throughout the entire year between conventions, film screenings, art galleries, and the list goes on. HHN Hollywood blends itself into that. It’s not the end-all, be-all event like Orlando because it’s part of a bigger culture here, though I think most would agree it’s still the best in town.
Honestly, to me, it seems like HHN Orlando is great for the tourist, but HHN Hollywood is for the purist.
It's an interesting debate to have. I actually agree with pretty much everything you said other than the closing line somehow You brought up a lot of fantastic points.
I've never experienced HHN Hollywood (yet -- was meant to finally happen this year lol), but after 10 years of doing Orlando, I think the big difference for me seems to be the black wall issue that you all constantly run into. I feel like I have a hard time calling it an event for purists when the houses aren't even 100% fleshed out in their final product. It's an easier concept for a tourist to digest imo. But again, I've never experienced it.