Halloween Horror Nights 29 General Discussion

[NuteGunrayWasFramed]

So do we basically know that Stranger Things 2 will be at the event?

Do we know? No. Is it going to happen? Yes. It's a logical deduction from the success of last year and Universal's positive relationship with Netflix.

 

[shiekra38]

Carnival Graveyard is an example of just how much crap they have stored up

Also, that house must have been awful to disassemble

 

[RevFreako]

So do we basically know that Stranger Things 2 will be at the event?

We don't have confirmation from Uni, but they're already casting for it, so.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Unfortunately, at this rate, there aren't really any tricks that can be used (re: guest safety) that they haven't used already. It reminds me of the South Park episode "The Simpsons Already Did It." Did they re-use props during the 2000s, even if there just weren't as many?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I think we're taking "they're going to use the CAD design of a stairwell" to mean the houses, scares, and effects will be identical. I can understand the concern, and I am a little worried too, but after thinking a bit it reminds me of standardized parts in a production line: similar basic parts but many different unique vehicles.

 

[SeventyOne]

I think we're taking "they're going to use the CAD design of a stairwell" to mean the houses, scares, and effects will be identical. I can understand the concern, and I am a little worried too, but after thinking a bit it reminds me of standardized parts in a production line: similar basic parts but many different unique vehicles.

As Legacy mentioned, Spawning and Havoc were literally the same law-out. But they felt like completely different experiences going through them (one very good, one not so much).

At the same time, despite using a mix of different sets, Halloween 4 felt like a rehash of at least ten recent houses. I think the set dressing and the costumes and creative arrangement can overcome the feeling of sameness that comes with reusing props. Tho after 18 years, yeah, the tunnel, e.g., if always going to be instantly recognizable. Slant floor probably in that category now too.

 

[horrornights789]

At the same time, despite using a mix of different sets, Halloween 4 felt like a rehash of at least ten recent houses. I think the set dressing and the costumes and creative arrangement can overcome the feeling of sameness that comes with reusing props.

It’s amusing at this point how many houses in recent years have pulled a Havoc and been saved by a great cast. Blumhouse 1 + Halloween 4 being the recent examples. I honestly don’t worry that much about house quality anymore unless they just sound awful from the rumors. Stranger Things last year did not sound like it was gonna go well but it ended up being a great house

 

[Brian G.]

As Legacy mentioned, Spawning and Havoc were literally the same law-out. But they felt like completely different experiences going through them (one very good, one not so much).

At the same time, despite using a mix of different sets, Halloween 4 felt like a rehash of at least ten recent houses. I think the set dressing and the costumes and creative arrangement can overcome the feeling of sameness that comes with reusing props. Tho after 18 years, yeah, the tunnel, e.g., if always going to be instantly recognizable. Slant floor probably in that category now too.

Halloween 4 was a last minute addition, though. So the scramble to get something done ASAP is understandable.

 

[Legacy]

Unfortunately, at this rate, there aren't really any tricks that can be used (re: guest safety) that they haven't used already. It reminds me of the South Park episode "The Simpsons Already Did It." Did they re-use props during the 2000s, even if there just weren't as many?

Yep. They've reused props since year 2.

The construction (CONSTRUCTION) of a house will reach six figures, and can exceed 1 million each. If they bought all new scenic/props for their houses, you could triple the cost.


Fun fact - did you know you can buy used coffins?

 

[Mad Dog]

Yep. They've reused props since year 2.

The construction (CONSTRUCTION) of a house will reach six figures, and can exceed 1 million each. If they bought all new scenic/props for their houses, you could triple the cost.


Fun fact - did you know you can buy used coffins?

With or without bodies?

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

Yep. They've reused props since year 2.

The construction (CONSTRUCTION) of a house will reach six figures, and can exceed 1 million each. If they bought all new scenic/props for their houses, you could triple the cost.


Fun fact - did you know you can buy used coffins?

I think Ghost Town 2 (and probably 1) did that?

 

[Legacy]

With or without bodies?

Without. Mostly.

But, legit. Coffins that are used during a viewing, but the body is getting cremated, will get resold at a discount.

That's how Universal got most of their coffins.

 

[horrornights789]

Without. Mostly.

But, legit. Coffins that are used during a viewing, but the body is getting cremated, will get resold at a discount.

That's how Universal got most of their coffins.

Makes the Poltergeist house that much creepier than it already was...

 

[JawsVictim]

If you haven't been to Hollywood/ seen the videos of the past couple of years...Orlando doesn't even come close to the amount of times Hollywood reuses this tactic.

I attended Hollywood’s event in 2016. I don’t watch videos for haunts or attractions because they never do it justice. I agree they used it a lot. They also overused scareactors reaching down from a box at the end of a hallway/switchback.

Speaking from my experience as a scareactor, Orlando uses the trigger effects just as much. Every scare in my room was trigger activated. Trigger queues strobe/loud sound effect, boo, and skidoo. The difference is the variety. Orlando uses triggers and puppets for example. Orlando also uses multiple boo holes for scareactors. Essentially though, it’s the same trick.

 

[Mad Dog]

Without. Mostly.

But, legit. Coffins that are used during a viewing, but the body is getting cremated, will get resold at a discount.

That's how Universal got most of their coffins.

Yes, I was aware of that. Alene's best friend's family runs a funeral home. Societal views have changed a lot and now they end up cremating about half the bodies. And, like you say, the caskets used for the viewings, if they have a viewing, are discounted big time.

 

[Kadath]

We don't have confirmation from Uni, but they're already casting for it, so.

How do you know they're casting for it? People still have to go attend auditions before they can be cast and that won't start until the first week of May. Unless you mean casting is hoping the same people they cast into the roles last year come back for auditions because they intend to re-cast them into the same roles.

 

[truejonas]

Carnival Graveyard is an example of just how much crap they have stored up

Also, that house must have been awful to disassemble

Probably was terrible to setup, too.

Without. Mostly.

But, legit. Coffins that are used during a viewing, but the body is getting cremated, will get resold at a discount.

That's how Universal got most of their coffins.

I'm...I'm morbidly curious at the going rate of used coffins, now.

How do you know they're casting for it? People still have to go attend auditions before they can be cast and that won't start until the first week of May. Unless you mean casting is hoping the same people they cast into the roles last year come back for auditions because they intend to re-cast them into the same roles.

I'm no insider, but I'm guessing they probably can audition people for a more generic role and move them wherever they fit best if they are hired.

 

[Legacy]

How do you know they're casting for it? People still have to go attend auditions before they can be cast and that won't start until the first week of May. Unless you mean casting is hoping the same people they cast into the roles last year come back for auditions because they intend to re-cast them into the same roles.

I'm no insider, but I'm guessing they probably can audition people for a more generic role and move them wherever they fit best if they are hired.

Since it's a type-cast for all scareactor roles, and a lot of HHN performers are also Universal employees, it's literally as simple as walking around the resort, seeing someone, and saying, "You look like Winona Ryder. Want to work HHN?"

They can also do it with anyone who applies for any other job.

That said, I can imagine they're trying to get a pool of lookalikes together already. It was struggle to fill last year's house with "consistent" characters (the same character in the same spot for both casts) because they were a last minute add. They can plan ahead now, so it makes sense they would do so.

 

[GA-MBIT]

When should traditional scareactor auditions start this year actually?

 

[Kadath]

When should traditional scareactor auditions start this year actually?

From what I've heard, this year HHN auditions start the first week of May.