This is partially an expense thing, but also partially an IP thing, but as for me, I’m attending a wedding in Italy in a few days and have decided to purchase D23 tickets (keep in mind D23 locked my visit in a good deal of months ago). Now, that’s two big trips and that means I’ve got less flexibility. However, I was also planning on visiting Horror Nights Orlando this year, because it’s become something of a tradition with my stepmom and I love seeing all of the new stories each year. I am on these forums, which should indicate how much I love the inventiveness, the new sets, and the performances that make up these houses each year. It’s like seeing ten brand-new attractions every year, which is totally bonkers. The time-limited reason of the HHN houses is actually the reason I return to Orlando every year - if it were the same each year I would stay behind until something really exciting we’re happening (a limited-season entertainment offering of another sort, the finale year for a beloved attraction, a celebration at one of the parks that didn’t completely tank, etc.). Otherwise, my one visit is in October. Remember, all things considered, the rides don’t move. I have time to see them. I don’t have time to see things like HHN again.
If this year’s lineup were, say, Icons (which I had never truly seen in person due to my limited years at the event), Silence of the Lambs, Scream, or something like that, I would not mind the extra expense. I made the CONCERTED EFFORT to see the Icons last year despite multiple travel hurdles. I’m not really a musical person, and I’ve seen Halloween and Universal Monsters at the event before. I’ve also done Blumhouse in the past, and while I know this is going to be way different, I haven’t seen these movies yet. I have a feeling that it’s going to veer closer to the “Happy Death Day” side rather than the “Insidious” camp… which makes me less excited to go, considering that I went through both iterations of that house, and loved the first but didn’t love the second.
If I were to book a trip to Orlando, I would also probably visit EPCOT due to Guardians and Rat (I’ve done Velocicoaster), and I’d maybe even spend a night to see Enchantment at MK, though I’ve only heard awful things about it. So, let’s say that it’s a three-night trip. The planning it takes to make a Disney vacation fun these days is horrendous, and as such I would need to book that portion of the vacation FIRST. I also have to book my vacations several weeks in advance due to limited availability of time off at work. Because Universal’s piece isn’t pushing me over the edge, this may not work into my travel plans. In effect, both Disney AND Universal lose my locked-in travel plans and whatever massive deposit I’m making. This also means that UNIVERSAL, not Disney, is losing my hotel booking, because Disney hotels have truly proven their lack of worth, charm, and comfort, while Cabana Bay may have a limited-time offering for this event and offers, overall, a much better price point and visit experience.
I think that this is where hype and marketing could have definitely swayed me. If something like the old Lady Luck site had been made for this year I think I really would push for a visit and stretch my time and budget some more. Before we all get bent out of shape about the importance of a website, these sorts of things are being done all over the place, from the Stranger Things X Domino’s Mind Ordering App to JupitersClaim.com . At least for me, these two pieces make me so excited for their source material by making me the main character of the story and letting me in on the “vibes” of what may happen in the movie/TV show to make me more invested as an individual.
As of now, my brain wants to tell me “two repeats and a Happy Death Day, do you really want to spend all that money and deal with Disney’s BS?” *** Maybe that changes later. But yeah, to answer the question with my “vacation calculus”, people on this site absolutely plan their trip based on the lineup as well as so many other aspects… though line-up is currently driving MY personal decision.
***EDIT: I understand how HHN works, I know that it isn’t two direct repeats and “Happy Death Day”, that’s a major simplification.
