I've seen a lot of discussion about fans' "concern" with the possibility of no icon at the event. I want to take my rumor-monger hat off and put my fan hat on.
I've attended six HHNs: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011. Five of those years had icons. My FAVORITE year, personally, was 2004. That year didn't have an icon.
Prior to attending, I obsessed over the event. This was before the internet when I all I had to go was Orlando Sentinel's Friday Calendar that was released the week before opening. They would do a huge eight page spread on the event every year. Most of those years didn't have icons.
Aside from Screamhouse (which I was cast in, so I'm biased), none of my top ten favorite houses are icon houses. None of my favorite streets are icon streets. Within the context of the experience, icons are completely unnecessary. They're fun. When used correctly they can extend fan interests beyond the few hours they're at the event. But unless an attendee is sore about the lack of an icon, they'll never even notice an icon isn't there once they walk through the gates.
The houses, like I said, sound really strong. The streets, I don't know enough details to really assume much. They just sound odd, more than anything.
And side note to anyone who has been doing this (not you, EllTee. Others...) - Marketing has been the predominant developer of "themes" and HHN campaigns since at least 2011. They decided/agreed to use Jack for the 25th. They decided to use Chance. A&D hasn't run that side of things for a while. Pitting those two departments against each other is just naive.