This isn’t exactly true. The value of HHN’s houses versus an independent haunt varies based on the length of the haunt.
For example I’ll use one of my favorite independent haunts, Spookywoods in Kersey Valley, NC. The general admission cost is $30 and it takes at least 45 minutes to go through the entire experience. For HHN, most houses take at least 5 minutes to walk through. So for this example, Spookywoods gives you a value of $.67 cents a minute, but HHN (assuming it’ll be a $30 up-charge for 2 houses) would be around $3 a minute.
Of course, if it’s free with admission to the parks, that’s a great added value to the price of admission. However, I disagree that you are getting more entertainment with a general park admission and two HHN houses versus the HHN experience. Those 2 HHN houses + the shows and rides open during daily operations are fewer attractions than the 10 houses, two shows, at least 5 scare zones, and rides open during HHN. HHN also offers attractions unique to the event year. So what if you can’t ride ET or watch Bourne during HHN - they’ll still be there outside of HHN.
Again, it boils down to whether you think it’s worth paying extra money for these houses. If it’s free, than my examples don’t matter. But if Universal’s going to charge fans, you’re actually paying more money for less value than the standard HHN experience. And I would suggest fans save their money to experience the event next year.