Halloween Horror Nights 33 (UOR) - Speculation & Rumors

[TheCodeMan95]

I know they'll never bring back the BOGO of 2019 but dang, I really wish there was a more affordable way to go three nights. FFP keeps going up so much that it doesn't feel like I'm getting that third day for much of a deal. Which, tbf, I know FFP are meant for people going more than we do, and it's an excellent deal if you can go more. I just want to get in as much HHN as I can for the short time I'm in Orlando lol

3 nights is always the sweet spot that's hard to nail.

 

[DannyPowers]

I really wish there was a more affordable way to go three nights. FFP keeps going up so much that it doesn't feel like I'm getting that third day for much of a deal. Which, tbf, I know FFP are meant for people going more than we do, and it's an excellent deal if you can go more. I just want to get in as much HHN as I can for the short time I'm in Orlando lol

Scream it from the rooftops son.

FFP is still a decent deal for three nights in the world of theme parks. But it definitely has been losing some shine the last few years.

I know we've been asking for it for a while now, but this year or next seems to be a great time to introduce that "Weekly Pass".

 

[johnathanm]

Given the debate about crowds/multi-night ticket pricing that seems to roll around every year, I’m curious if anyone more educated than myself has any sense of this: Do we have reason to believe Universal thinks the crowds are at problematic levels?

Of course, if things get busy enough that it really hurts guest experience (some will argue we’re already passed that), eventually that shows up in the GSATs and ultimately financials. But if crowds are continuing to grow at levels they are pleased with (and if attendance is primary measure of event quality), maybe that breaking point hasn’t happened yet in their eyes. Is there much reason to believe they think they need to make some change to the structure of tickets at all?

Maybe the *selecting a start date* feature and the premium night are attempts to start to address this. But could that be more proactive than reactive, in the minds of Universal at least?

 

[TheCodeMan95]

I know we've been asking for it for a while now, but this year or next seems to be a great time to introduce that "Weekly Pass".

I am very, very much onboard for a ticketing system that allows you to select the amount of days.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

The fact that HHN prices RoF at the same level as 1 night at MNSSHP is still bizarre to me lol

 

[DannyPowers]

The fact that HHN prices RoF at the same level as 1 night at MNSSHP is still bizarre to me lol

Flip that, reverse it.

The fact that one night at MNSSHP (that mostly just repeats the same stuff from previous years) costs the same as an entire ROF pass is bizarre to me.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

Flip that, reverse it.

The fact that one night at MNSSHP (that mostly just repeats the same stuff from previous years) costs the same as an entire ROF pass is bizarre to me.

That's what I meant. I know Universal likes to bank off Express & Merchandise sales in addition to admission... but there's still room for increased pricing before they see an attendance decline. Last year proved that HHN demand is at/reaching capacity.

 

[ColbyTurkey]

Given the debate about crowds/multi-night ticket pricing that seems to roll around every year, I’m curious if anyone more educated than myself has any sense of this: Do we have reason to believe Universal thinks the crowds are at problematic levels?

Of course, if things get busy enough that it really hurts guest experience (some will argue we’re already passed that), eventually that shows up in the GSATs and ultimately financials. But if crowds are continuing to grow at levels they are pleased with (and if attendance is primary measure of event quality), maybe that breaking point hasn’t happened yet in their eyes. Is there much reason to believe they think they need to make some change to the structure of tickets at all?

Maybe the *selecting a start date* feature and the premium night are attempts to start to address this. But could that be more proactive than reactive, in the minds of Universal at least?

I don't think they need to be concerned about it being too crowded. As long as the Disney parks are worse, they are in a sweet spot. We attend HHN during the middle of the week in September so we can do everything and then some with Express. There will always be people who complain that weekends and holidays are busy. That's their fault.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

I don't think they need to be concerned about it being too crowded. As long as the Disney parks are worse, they are in a sweet spot. We attend HHN during the middle of the week in September so we can do everything and then some with Express. There will always be people who complain that weekends and holidays are busy. That's their fault.

To be fair... during this past HHN, weekdays were actually just as (sometimes busier) than weekends. There were a few pleasant "sold out" Saturdays that were manageable compared to some Wednesdays/Thursdays.

This past year really showed just how many people purchase/use Frequent Fear/Rush of Fear passes for the event. There was a noticeable attendance dip after the last night of RoF.

 

[DannyPowers]

That's what I meant. I know Universal likes to bank off Express & Merchandise sales in addition to admission... but there's still room for increased pricing before they see an attendance decline. Last year proved that HHN demand is at/reaching capacity.

We're saying pretty much the same thing. I was just making a dumb joke about how overpriced Disney is compared to the value that HHN gives you.

 

[Patrokls]

That's what I meant. I know Universal likes to bank off Express & Merchandise sales in addition to admission... but there's still room for increased pricing before they see an attendance decline. Last year proved that HHN demand is at/reaching capacity.

Don’t forget all of the alcohol that they sell at HHN vs MNSSHP.

 

[ColbyTurkey]

To be fair... during this past HHN, weekdays were actually just as (sometimes busier) than weekends. There were a few pleasant "sold out" Saturdays that were manageable compared to some Wednesdays/Thursdays.

This past year really showed just how many people purchase/use Frequent Fear/Rush of Fear passes for the event. There was a noticeable attendance dip after the last night of RoF.

That helps my argument. Like I said, last year with express pass (no stay and scream) we did 13 houses, Nightmare Fuel, The Mummy ride, grabbed a few snacks, and checked out the scare zones for a while, all on a Thursday. If the weekends are even slower, then they don't have much of a crowd problem.

 

[Lucky Planet]

That helps my argument. Like I said, last year with express pass (no stay and scream) we did 13 houses, Nightmare Fuel, The Mummy ride, grabbed a few snacks, and checked out the scare zones for a while, all on a Thursday. If the weekends are even slower, then they don't have much of a crowd problem.

what month? September was really bad

 

[SeventyOne]

That's what I meant. I know Universal likes to bank off Express & Merchandise sales in addition to admission... but there's still room for increased pricing before they see an attendance decline. Last year proved that HHN demand is at/reaching capacity.

The problem is always going to be lines. The #1 complaint across theme parks--nobody likes them. If you run September at capacity with $10/night tickets, word is going to spread and no one is going to risk buying an $80 ticket for a single night out of feat they won't see most of the event. The reason MNSSHP gets a premium is the lines really are manageable. You need to find that delicate balance between sticker shock and an elevated experience.

We're saying pretty much the same thing. I was just making a dumb joke about how overpriced Disney is compared to the value that HHN gives you.

But the crowd patterns last year strongly suggest more guests saw value in the $150+ MNSSHP than HHN at any price point other than RoF. So which is truly overpriced?

 

[Bort]

Given the debate about crowds/multi-night ticket pricing that seems to roll around every year, I’m curious if anyone more educated than myself has any sense of this: Do we have reason to believe Universal thinks the crowds are at problematic levels?

Of course, if things get busy enough that it really hurts guest experience (some will argue we’re already passed that), eventually that shows up in the GSATs and ultimately financials. But if crowds are continuing to grow at levels they are pleased with (and if attendance is primary measure of event quality), maybe that breaking point hasn’t happened yet in their eyes. Is there much reason to believe they think they need to make some change to the structure of tickets at all?

Maybe the *selecting a start date* feature and the premium night are attempts to start to address this. But could that be more proactive than reactive, in the minds of Universal at least?

My guess would be "no" because the average guest can still get what they want done in one night, regardless of when they come.

We, collectively, are the weirdos that consider it too crowded if we can't complete 10 houses in standby, a show, extended time in zones, and food all in 7.5 hours. The common guest considers the trip to be a success by getting through a handful of houses, buying a beer, and skimming a zone as they roam the park. When that no longer becomes feasible, Universal will have to make changes.

 

[UniversalRBLX]

That helps my argument. Like I said, last year with express pass (no stay and scream) we did 13 houses, Nightmare Fuel, The Mummy ride, grabbed a few snacks, and checked out the scare zones for a while, all on a Thursday. If the weekends are even slower, then they don't have much of a crowd problem.

You had the fortunate experience of having express... can't say the same for guests without it. After the first week, express (outside Oddfellow/Last of Us) became walk-ons.

Last year was the first year in a while we're they had to setup an actual queue just to get into the holding pen for HNF.

The problem is always going to be lines. The #1 complaint across theme parks--nobody likes them. If you run September at capacity with $10/night tickets, word is going to spread and no one is going to risk buying an $80 ticket for a single night out of feat they won't see most of the event. The reason MNSSHP gets a premium is the lines really are manageable. You need to find that delicate balance between sticker shock and an elevated experience.

Yes - which is why I keep bringing up the lack of additional capacity added to HHN over the last few years. Even ignoring the additional entertainment & trick or treating experiences, MK has double the attraction capacity (with most of their large capacity theaters closed during the event) than USF's open attractions + haunted houses.

My guess would be "no" because the average guest can still get what they want done in one night, regardless of when they come.

We, collectively, are the weirdos that consider it too crowded if we can't complete 10 houses in standby, a show, extended time in zones, and food all in 7.5 hours. The common guest considers the trip to be a success by getting through a handful of houses, buying a beer, and skimming a zone as they roam the park. When that no longer becomes feasible, Universal will have to make changes.

Certainly you don't need to do all houses/experiences to enjoy a trip to HHN... but it was very difficult at times last year.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

So hours have been up for a few weeks now.. and HHN nights are still showing as closing at 6 PM.

Wonder if this is actually happening?

 

[UniversalRBLX]

So hours have been up for a few weeks now.. and HHN nights are still showing as closing at 6 PM.

Wonder if this is actually happening?

Yeah it's odd. I get that they're site is typically outdated/slow to update... but if I'm planning a non-HHN Universal trip, and I found out a park closes an hour earlier than expected... won't be too happy.

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Yeah it's odd. I get that they're site is typically outdated/slow to update... but if I'm planning a non-HHN Universal trip, and I found out a park closes an hour earlier than expected... won't be too happy.

I would think reaching out to them to confirm the hours would just result in a "times are subject to change" copy paste response.

I am curious to see though - if they DO actually somehow switch to a 6PM close, how would that affect stay and scream?

S&S areas may not setup until maybe 4/4:30?

 

[DannyPowers]

But the crowd patterns last year strongly suggest more guests saw value in the $150+ MNSSHP than HHN at any price point other than RoF. So which is truly overpriced?

I'd argue that it's less of a "value judgement" than FOMO and the cult of Disney taking over.