Halloween Horror Nights 2022 (USH) - Speculation & Rumors

[Freak]

That's true. I think it could really go either way.
Weeknd and Blumhouse are the only houses this year that have properties guests will probably be aware of.
I could see La Llorona having the highest wait times this year, but it honestly would depend on the quality of the maze.
It's hard to say just how good they can go in this venue. I remember Dracula Untold having pretty decent set design so it could surprise.
Buuut mazes in this venue tend to suffer from the issue of walls being too short if anything and that might make it a little less immersive but it's really anybody's guess what will be top 3 this year.

Y'all are giving the general public too much credit here. With some exceptions, the lines usually reflect the placement of the venue/crowdflow and not what's in there. The Exorcist was the worst house by far and it got the most wait times for the whole event last year. Hill House got decent waits, but not as much as Exorcist. Pandora's Box was usually barren. I think Halloween will be a little more popular this year simply by virtue it's Michael Myers. The general public doesn't really care. I would say a good majority go there to do a get beer, do a few houses, get more beer, do the Mummy while they're a little light headed, get more beer, and then maybe do one more house and a ride.

I'm more curious to see what they are going to do with Killer Klownz. Given it's supposed to be a sequel house.
I believe I heard about Murdy wanting to do the "knock his block off" gag but chose to do Shadowpuppet instead in 2019.
Maybe we'll see the boxing Clown this year. There are rumors that the maze starts in the space ship this year again so there's also the possibility of exploring other parts of the ship.
Given the big top facade is literally the entrance to the ship, sounds plausible.

I'm almost certain this is not going to be a repeat and not a sequel house. If we're lucky, we might get the "knock you block off" scene and *hopefully* a proper Klownzilla. I wouldn't hold your breath though.

 

[DTH]

Mm, I agree to an extent that location is a big factor. But I will say IPs are the biggest driving force overall. As you mentioned, GP are there to do 2-3 mazes TOPS. So that means they are entering the event with those mazes in mind. Which ones will they gravitate towards? In order, it'll be: the IP they came to see, then the IPs they've heard of, then the maze with the shortest wait (because they will be desperate for ANYTHING with a short wait at that point), and if somehow they're squeezing a fourth maze in instead of a ride, it'll be the one they have heard is good from a friend who already went or someone they talked to in line or the weird fringe kid in their group who has an odd preference for scarecrows. And while Exorcist was bad (I wouldn't say by far either, considering the abomination that is Pandora's Box was present), it was inarguably the biggest IP last year even while still being a repeat in comparison to Hill House.

It kinda has to be broken down by zones. One maze from each zone will generate huge lines and that will always be the big IP. In the earlier days (06-12), things were a bit more compact so gameplans/early entry was a bit different, but since then, the park is usually split into three (upper lot, lower lot, and backlot) and usually splits up the early entry crowd and the GP crowd in interesting ways. And from 13-16, you had basically one new maze on the upper lot, not counting the HoH.

But split between zones, the driving IPs in 2017 were Roanoke (backlot), Insidious (lower lot), Titans (upper lot).
2018: Poltergeist (backlot), Stranger Things (lower lot), Universal Monsters (upper lot)
2019: Ghostbusters (backlot), Stranger Things (lower lot), Us (upper lot sorta) -- things were broken up into 4 zones and dispersed groups widely
2021: The Exorcist (lower lot), Haunting of Hill House (upper lot) -- strange year, broken up into 4 zones but with low maze count

With the current maze count and locations, we'll be going back to a more 2017 and 2018 vibe, but with 2021 being the layout. That being said, I do think Parisian will still have lowest waits after the opening crush and before Terror Tram closes. However, I don't think it'll be as short as Bride of Frankenstein -- which had very low awareness last year and was like 5-20 mins tops during that time frame. Same time frame for Horrors of Blumhouse, Universal Monsters and Holidayz, it was at least 30-60 minutes but getting shorter. While even the biggest IP on the upper lot will still be the shortest of the waits during the down time, I don't think it'll be as short as last year's...walk ons.

 

[JS610]

I don't know how long SS29 has been used for HHN, but I would guess that will always be the longest line. I know it's had the headlining IP the past couple years, and will this year as well. But the GP also is probably just excited to be in a Hollywood soundstage. "Wait, isn't that where they film movies? So cool!"

 

[Clive]

I don't know how long SS29 has been used for HHN, but I would guess that will always be the longest line. I know it's had the headlining IP the past couple years, and will this year as well. But the GP also is probably just excited to be in a Hollywood soundstage. "Wait, isn't that where they film movies? So cool!"

I don’t think people realize the houses are in a soundstage until they enter the building. As you said, the top IPs are generally located there, so they tend to maintain the longest lines. Remember, while it may be old hat to us, The Exorcist is HUGE amongst many of the park’s demographics.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I mean when Stranger things was a maze that thing had by far the longest lines of any USH mazes I've seen in a while so if the IP is big enough it makes a difference

But so far no mazes besides Halloween are really that big of Ips that people know. I think if the Tram was Nope themed, I think that could boost that maze but most people here think it will just be apart of the tram at the end so who knows how much that will affect lines

 

[deadbydawn]

I mean when Stranger things was a maze that thing had by far the longest lines of any USH mazes I've seen in a while so if the IP is big enough it makes a difference

But so far no mazes besides Halloween are really that big of Ips that people know. I think if the Tram was Nope themed, I think that could boost that maze but most people here think it will just be apart of the tram at the end so who knows how much that will affect lines

Don't count out The Weeknd's pull with the general public and his potential to bring a lot more than just the usual crowds.

 

[highdefrex]

I feel like the Weeknd is going to have the same sort of effect on pulling people to the event who never had an interest in it before in the same way that Stranger Things in 2018 and The Walking Dead in 2012 did. Obviously a number of IPs over the year have appealed to and drawn in newcomers, but I've been going for almost 15 years now, and I always point to those specific IPs' first appearances at the events marking a very, very noticeable (and permanent) increase in crowd size due to their sheer mass appeal even amongst non-diehard horror fans that has upped the event's overall profile. The Weeknd fits that, too.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Don't count out The Weeknd's pull with the general public and his potential to bring a lot more than just the usual crowds.

We will see

But I doubt it will get the lines like Stranger things did, when i went that year every time it was 2 and half or longer for that maze after 30 mins of it opening. Not that its a contest, but I doubt that mazes will have a line that long.

Its the only maze I have gone early to the parks and had to wait 30+ mins in line after waiting 40 mins before the maze opened. People can tell their stories of maybe seeing this before but pretty sure if I had gone to Killer Clowns instead first, I'd basically have walked on.

 

[chris.g]

The Weeknd is insanely more popular than Stranger Things with all due respect.

 

[Jerroddragon]

The Weeknd is insanely more popular than Stranger Things with all due respect.

I keep seeing people saying this and what data are people looking at?

ST to my knowledge every season broke viewing records for the biggest streaming service out there and is connected to the event in a pretty nature way like Walking Dead.

Also I think the Weekend is a great artist so I'm not trying to downplay him, just honesty asking why everyone thinks his maze is going to have the longest line

 

[foodstampsFTW]

I keep seeing people saying this and what data are people looking at?

ST to my knowledge every season broke viewing records for the biggest streaming service out there and is connected to the event in a pretty nature way like Walking Dead.

Also I think the Weekend is a great artist so I'm not trying to downplay him, just honesty asking why everyone thinks his maze is going to have the longest line

Because it absolutely will

 

[Clive]

I think it’s fair to wonder if Weeknd’s presence will convert listeners who previously have not come to HHN to try the event. I’d argue the overlap between Stranger Things fans and people who dig haunted house events is maybe larger than the overlap with Weeknd’s fan base.

With that said… I still expect it to have the longest lines by default (it’s the headliner), and it could beastly beat cautious expectations and become a runway smash.

 

[DTH]

I do think a lot of people who liked the post are likely Weeknd fans in other areas of the world who probably have little-to-no way to travel to the event. The Weeknd's advertising to 41M over HHN's 410K is gonna do that. Will there be an influx? Sure. Do I think it'll be bigger than Stranger Things? Not necessarily. After all, the park can only hold so many people and it sells out almost every night as it is.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Because it absolutely will

So if the maze has average weight times, then what?

I understand he has followers but that doesn't mean he will draw in more then one of the biggest TV shows going on currently

Once again not a contest so who cares but people saying it like its fact when I'm asking what data or incite they have that proves this or is it just what they feel, which is fine but if thats it then say you "think" it will be.

 

[nicodingus]

I think The Weeknd will definitely drive respectable wait times.
I have to agree that I don't think it will bring in 3 hour waits like Stranger Things did.
The fanbase is a little more divisive for Weeknd. Usually people really like his music, or think he's alright.
And then of course there are the people who dislike his music. There isn't a whole lot to go off of.
I could see some of the GP not going to his maze simply because they don't like his music.
Although in the case of ST, even those that dislike or are unfamiliar with the property, might go see it anyway because they might have seen some of the characters.
I still think Weeknd will have the longest wait but I think we'll see wait times be a bit more proportionate this time around.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

 

[Ridesandstuff]

Random but considering the way theyre syncing up the way both coasts operate I’m starting to think that the rest of the mazes will be released in one drop like Orlando does.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Random but considering the way theyre syncing up the way both coasts operate I’m starting to think that the rest if the mazes will be released in one drop like Orlando does.

I'd love that

could really help spread out people for mazes instead of everyone rushing to the backlot

 

[deadbydawn]

So if the maze has average weight times, then what?

I understand he has followers but that doesn't mean he will draw in more then one of the biggest TV shows going on currently

Once again not a contest so who cares but people saying it like its fact when I'm asking what data or incite they have that proves this or is it just what they feel, which is fine but if thats it then say you "think" it will be.

Aside from him being one of the largest performing artists in the world right now, I don't know what kind of data you'd need. After Hours as an album (which is what the maze is inspired by) crushed charts with a laundry list of awards, and Blinding Lights continues to break records. It is now Billboard's #1 Hot 100 Greatest Hit of All Time. That is only one of four singles off of that album, all of which have their respective accolades. Keep in mind, he is currently touring in support of After Hours for the first time and every stadium he has played has been to massive crowds. Even though this album is two years old, it's still insanely relevant.

Correlation doesn't always equal causation, however I think it's really important to understand that an artist of The Weeknd's caliber promoting this event and being tied to it as a headliner will get it in front of people's eyes that maybe otherwise wouldn't know about it. Will the maze be a hit? Will it command giant waits? That all remains to be seen, but it's pretty likely to be popular and bring people in. I don't think there is any denying that, whether you like his music or not.

 

[DTH]

Did I not say The Weeknd has 24M followers? lmao