And another thing everyone forgets (or likes to ignore) is that even before Soundstage 44 got the sudden demo, HHN22 was only slated to have seven houses. It very nearly had six if A&D hadn't pushed really hard to get House of Horrors thrown together. (Seriously, executives were gonna be fine pushing six houses out.) More creative solutions to the streets than "hordes" could've been developed - the graveyard theme was lazy. There are spots all over that allow for permanent sets that the parade doesn't interfere with, and the others (Hollywood/New York) could've been handled with the movable set pieces that they've established they're still willing to do.
I could've excused the hordes if they were elaborate. We had guys in Halloween masks that you can purchase down the road. And don't try to tell me Skoolhouse was the same thing - Skoolhouse had a giant literal school building, a school bus, a playground, wonderful atmosphere, a sense of purpose and place - context, storytelling. Seeing a guy in an astronaut wearing a plastic tiger mask was pathetic.
The streets seemed to have next to no budget, and it showed. The money for the 8th house went nowhere except the pockets of those who didn't mind cutting it.