Halloween Horror Nights 22 Discussion

[JungleSkip]

I also think despite everyone saying this year sucks that this years event might have had a better pull over all. I think we're really know come the end of the event but all the IP's are really big and actually have a pull.

The year doesn't suck by any stretch of the imagination, IMO. But the crowd levels really hurt the street experiences.

 

[Jakemeister]

The year doesn't suck by any stretch of the imagination, IMO. But the crowd levels really hurt the street experiences.

I also think they don't have nearly as many people in the streets as necessary to pull it off. I think if they even 1.5x-ed the amount of street actors the experience would improve. That being said, I think the experience is here to stay so expect it to improve greatly next year.

 

[JungleSkip]

I also think they don't have nearly as many people in the streets as necessary to pull it off. I think if they even 1.5x-ed the amount of street actors the experience would improve. That being said, I think the experience is here to stay so expect it to improve greatly next year.

More people would always be helpful, but I thought the amount they had was pretty good.

And I'm hoping a mix next year. Once the full waterfront is open in London, I'd want a scarezone there, sting alley, Central park, and maybe even between Shrek/Transformers, depending on that setup.

 

[Scarletwebslingr]

I really liked the costumes and imagery in Cooper's though.

 

[Octobers Fade]

For everyone saying it sure was crazy for a Sunday, etc. etc. It was a holiday on Monday so take that into consideration. Waits would have been long with an 8th house and another attraction.

And Universal tries their best to make sure the event doesn't get sold out. In 2006 we came dangerously close to selling out. UOR's response was to open Marvel Super Hero Island.

IMO, this year did suck, the IPs were all lame, and the streets were nothing more than OK if this is the futue Uni will be seeing less of my money.

 

[YETI PINTRADER]

IMO, this year did suck, the IPs were all lame, and the streets were nothing more than OK if this is the futue Uni will be seeing less of my money.

The general public seems to agree with you. I talked to two first timers in line for dead end, they only had de and silent hill to go, and said that the event felt underwhelming compared to what they had heard about years past. They said unless Uni goes back to a full theme and drops the IP houses, they are not going to go out of their way to come back. My friend who was coming for the first time said he liked the houses but felt that the streets were dead and that some houses seemed lacking compared to his other haunt experience at howl-o-scream last year.

 

[Hockeyman55]

The general public seems to agree with you. I talked to two first timers in line for dead end, they only had de and silent hill to go, and said that the event felt underwhelming compared to what they had heard about years past. They said unless Uni goes back to a full theme and drops the IP houses, they are not going to go out of their way to come back. My friend who was coming for the first time said he liked the houses but felt that the streets were dead and that some houses seemed lacking compared to his other haunt experience at howl-o-scream last year.

Funny cause thats exactly how I felt about Howl-o-Scream last year. I did have fun but thought the production level wasn't on par with what Universal pumps out. Id imagine Universal's budget is pretty extensive compared to HOS so that would play a part. I haven't been to HHN this year yet so cant really comment on it until I do later in the month.

 

[Octobers Fade]

Funny cause thats exactly how I felt about Howl-o-Scream last year. I did have fun but thought the production level wasn't on par with what Universal pumps out. Id imagine Universal's budget is pretty extensive compared to HOS so that would play a part. I haven't been to HHN this year yet so cant really comment on it until I do later in the month.

That is why it is really hard to rate them side by side, My GF, who is NOT a haunt person thought HOS was better.

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The general public seems to agree with you. I talked to two first timers in line for dead end, they only had de and silent hill to go, and said that the event felt underwhelming compared to what they had heard about years past. They said unless Uni goes back to a full theme and drops the IP houses, they are not going to go out of their way to come back. My friend who was coming for the first time said he liked the houses but felt that the streets were dead and that some houses seemed lacking compared to his other haunt experience at howl-o-scream last year.

I would agree and I know we are not alone in that opinion.

 

[SeventyOne]

For everyone saying it sure was crazy for a Sunday, etc. etc. It was a holiday on Monday so take that into consideration. Waits would have been long with an 8th house and another attraction.

I know it is up north, but are Florida schools even out Columbus Day? The Hospitality Night rates makes some sense--although Pride weekend had discount tickets Thursday and crowds weren't as bad--but I'm curious to see/dreading crowds next Sunday.

And Universal tries their best to make sure the event doesn't get sold out. In 2006 we came dangerously close to selling out. UOR's response was to open Marvel Super Hero Island.

Not dangerously close--oversold. Universal failed to take into account all the tickets sold at Publix and realized combined they had sold more HHN tickets than US capacity, forcing them to increase event capacity. I was already a regular that year, trust me, MSHI did little to help the situation.

I don't remember HHN selling out much in the past couple years, but I imagine that was as much a factor of the economy as anything. Now that the touristy Orlando economy has roared back to life--I can't believe the number of new businesses on 192 and I-Drive--I'm seeing huge crowds at F&W and HHN this year. I think that plays a role, but I have to disagree with JungleSkip, I think the loss of an 8th house/Jaws/defined ScareZones is exacerbating the crowds. Perfect Storm type scenario.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I know it is up north, but are Florida schools even out Columbus Day? The Hospitality Night rates makes some sense--although Pride weekend had discount tickets Thursday and crowds weren't as bad--but I'm curious to see/dreading crowds next Sunday.



Not dangerously close--oversold. Universal failed to take into account all the tickets sold at Publix and realized combined they had sold more HHN tickets than US capacity, forcing them to increase event capacity. I was already a regular that year, trust me, MSHI did little to help the situation.

I don't remember HHN selling out much in the past couple years, but I imagine that was as much a factor of the economy as anything. Now that the touristy Orlando economy has roared back to life--I can't believe the number of new businesses on 192 and I-Drive--I'm seeing huge crowds at F&W and HHN this year. I think that plays a role, but I have to disagree with JungleSkip, I think the loss of an 8th house/Jaws/defined ScareZones is exacerbating the crowds. Perfect Storm type scenario.

So you think if the crowd level keeps on this rising trend they would expand it to both parks like they did years ago? I personally wasn't a fan of when they held it at both parks, I felt it left a lot of dead space with no scare zones or actors around in certain areas.

 

[YETI PINTRADER]

I feel like their response this year will be to open superhero island, and most likely make an 8th house there next year if no space opens itself up at the studios. The biggest problem with crowds is that people are just going house to house with no reason to stop. And for those who have gone to the shows, is it typically a full house or are the shows not bringing in that big of a crowd.

 

[Jakemeister]

I feel like with Potter 2.0 they're going to have to go to parks. It's no longer a question of if, but a question of when. The increased day attendance will lead to an increased HHN attendance.

 

[JungleSkip]

I feel like with Potter 2.0 they're going to have to go to parks. It's no longer a question of if, but a question of when. The increased day attendance will lead to an increased HHN attendance.

The real problem is the event will have to get bigger. Even with an 8th house, this would have been an insanely crowded event year.

They'll have to do something regarding more houses, IMO.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I feel like with Potter 2.0 they're going to have to go to parks. It's no longer a question of if, but a question of when. The increased day attendance will lead to an increased HHN attendance.

^ and im sure that will also lead to an increase in HHN ticket prices also :doh: I wouldn't mind spending the extra money if they went crazy and totally decked out both parks and increased the amount of house. Sort of a HHN extreme 2 park version.

 

[JungleSkip]

^ and im sure that will also lead to an increase in HHN ticket prices also :doh: I wouldn't mind spending the extra money if they went crazy and totally decked out both parks and increased the amount of house. Sort of a HHN extreme 2 park version.

I think they'll have to do this. If HHN attendance continues to go up, they'll have to either find a way to offer more houses, or start running the event on more nights to disperse the crowds.

 

[Octobers Fade]

^ and im sure that will also lead to an increase in HHN ticket prices also :doh: I wouldn't mind spending the extra money if they went crazy and totally decked out both parks and increased the amount of house. Sort of a HHN extreme 2 park version.

They need to stop glogging the lines with FFP and ROF people, how crowded would the park be if it was just people who had to buy a ticket for every night they wanted to get instead of $5 a night?

 

[JungleSkip]

They need to stop glogging the lines with FFP and ROF people, how crowded would the park be if it was just people who had to buy a ticket for every night they wanted to get instead of $5 a night?

You do that and you alienate your customer base. Poor business decision.

 

[Jakemeister]

They need to stop glogging the lines with FFP and ROF people, how crowded would the park be if it was just people who had to buy a ticket for every night they wanted to get instead of $5 a night?

Their business plan is built on having Annual Passes and like services available to residents. If they didn't have these it would be a PR fiasco and despite everyone saying "I won't attend next year", people legitimately wouldn't attend. I could understand them having to scale it back some, but I can't find any justifiable reason for them to not offer multi-day ticket incentives.

 

[Hockeyman55]

I think they'll have to do this. If HHN attendance continues to go up, they'll have to either find a way to offer more houses, or start running the event on more nights to disperse the crowds.

With the crowds im hearing so far this year, they probably could afford to have the event run all week long and still fill the place up.

 

[Eric]

I can't believe the amount of people buying express passes this year. I think this contributes to the problem as well. I see more people going into express than I do the actual line.