- Sep 23, 2013
- 4,160
- 3,765
I think we have reached the point where HHN won't have any more "dead" nights. However, if you can do stay and scream OR wait outside the gates an hour or so before park open, you can accomplish 5-7 mazes within 2-3 hours without needing Express.
I thought last night was fairly non-busy.
Dont forget losing the 8 PM Parking.
that has definitely made the lines shorter until 10. lines before 10 are manageable. the park is still very crowded but it is not as bad. Im sure that change is here to stay. people are still paying for parking and the locals get to go later, i wonder how much universal is making in parking. or what the difference is from last year.
I agree with the houses being understaffed. im noticing a lot of holes in all the houses. (And it is not due to cast change) im noticing empty holes on carnival and trick r treat and Sinema and scary tales. it is very disappointing. (And im not talking about actors not scaring me, I also check if the people in front of me or behind me get anything,) some spots are just empty. kinda sucks.Reviews all over the place. Some say one of the GOAT, on par with 21, etc. A few others say on par with 22 (well, only one review I've heard was THAT negative, but yeah).
My opinion: easily the best house set design in the years I've been coming (16, 18, 26, 27, 28)--especially the facades, which for seven of the houses range from very good to mind-blowing. As far as house intensity goes, it's tough to say because I am VERY VERY hard to scare, especially with the conga lines that have been a thing for at least 15 years now, though some of the houses do feel a little understaffed. Also, they clearly took a couple of risks that didn't quite work out (the "barrel" scare in Carnival that I never saw, the dropdown clown, the single light source in SoX) but I applaud Uni for being ****sy. Still, think the vast majority of the houses are really good.
The scare-zones: Vamp '85 is MEH. Traditions falls just short of TrT, but I love that there's no stage, as I always love having a set in that spot. Killer Klowns is too short, but has sort of an Asylum in Wonderland feel to it. I like the different displays in Chucky. Overall improvement from last year.
The event feels decidedly less corporate than it did the last two years.
Basically, 16's shows + 18's backstories, house intensity, and scare-zones + 28's house design = perfect event.
as for the zones, i kinda love them this year. Vamp doesnt have too many props but the stage show is really awesome and gets the crowd fired up. also the vampire host is wonderful and gets the crowd going. the zone is kind of simple and doesnt have a lot going on but the energy is really good.
I think twisted tradition is beautiful and creepy. I know trick R treat was amazing but this zone is really nice at night. the pumpkin creatures are really cool. Killer klowns is super small but everyone has such a great time in that zone. its like a big block party.
The zones this year might not be the best, but Vamp, killer clowns and Chucky all feel like nice street parties. maybe they are not scary and dont have that many props but they feel like fun parties. they are very entertaining.
(even the clowns by the simpsons are yet Another big party, those guys have the most fun out of all the zones. they are really crazy this year, a lot of dancing and a lot of yelling.)