Finally went to HHN. I did 5 nights, and I have to say this year is extremely busy, and they need to add the 11th house badly next year. I think it will benefit from an 11th house and two more live shows or have the RIP Tour go somewhere else so we can get the horror makeup show or Bourne Spectacular open and another attraction because of Rockit being closed. Those wait times were astronomical, but I really enjoyed this year. I think it’s a really good year. I would probably rank it right after 32. I don’t think it’s as good as 29 or 32, but it’s up there.
HHN 34 Review:
Jason Un1v3rse:
I really love this house. They have almost every iteration of Jason, and he is everywhere. I don’t think Jason is scary, but I could see how this house could be terrifying for people because it’s relentless and makes the best use of this location. The second part is intense, and they get in your face with double, triple, and multiple scares. I loved this house. The houses definitely received a big budget this year, as evidenced by the phenomenal set design and scenic work. However, many of the houses are too bright and should be darker to make them scarier. 10/10.
Dolls: Let's Play Dead
Another personal favorite. I do think this is one of the best houses at the event. This house is helmed by a SICK, demented little girl named Lyla, and her creations are reminiscent of Sid's from Toy Story, but still somehow worse. There are decapitated rats, burnt toys, toys turned into spiders, and all. This girl is sick, and even though it suffers from being too well-lit and right, these dolls are creepy, and this house has some great scares. I love pressing all the guest-activated triggers that do multiple things, including spraying air at my friend Alex, who is a scaredy-cat. 10/10.
WWE Presents: The Horrors of Wyatt Sicks
I am not a WWE fan, so I had this at the very bottom of my hype list. I know a little stuff, but I have to say I am now a fan. This house is a lovely tribute to the late Bray Wyatt, and I am so glad I got to experience it. It's going in my all-time favorites. I loved going backstage at Raw and seeing the carnage and recreation of their debut and all the WWE Easter eggs, production props, and supplies. I think that was a wonderful way to start before we dive into each character's own world or fantasy. It is truly an amazing house and a must-do, even if you don't care about WWE. 10/10.
Grave of the Flesh
I may be a little biased because this was my most anticipated. I love weird and creepy stories and ideas. On the ParkStop Podcast, Alicia Stella commented that this house was David Cronenberg-esque, and I believe that's why I love it so much. This and another house do this body horror element, where you enter someone's body and intestines. It's kind of poetic and beautiful in a way, and the basis of this house is what happens when you die, and as we descend into death and the afterlife, we become particles and antimatter in this weird, strange world that feels like something out of a Jules Verne story. It felt exactly like Journey to the Center of the Earth, except you start in this beautiful, lovely-smelling cemetery. 10/10.
Five Nights at Freddy's
The Jim Henson Creature Shop did their big one with this one. The animatronics and puppets are so beautiful and fluid. They are creepy in person, and I don't want to spoil anything, but this was one of my favorites, and I hate that I only got to do it twice. 10/10.
Terrifier
If we look at the books and specs, this might be the best house, as much as I hate to say it. Art the Clown and his scare actors are incredibly talented, and the set design is amazing. It's disgusting; there's a lot of water effects and sprayers all over the house, and the Christmas hallway is stunning and perhaps my favorite HHN scene ever. You feel both happy and uneasy when you see the flashing Christmas lights, and now I want a Christmas house. The wet path was a fun, unique idea; however, the dry path is rather unimpressive. With the exception of the poop monsters, flesh odors, and poopy, foul-smelling restrooms, it was a fantastic house, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 10/10/
El Artista: A Spanish Haunting
I really wanted to love this house, but for it to be the icon house, it was missing a little something. I wish it were scarier and darker, because it has a phenomenal story, but I never felt like I was in danger. Some of the creatures are beautiful and elegant, and that may be the point, because it is art. It felt like the twin sister of Dead Man's Pier, with its beautiful sets and the ability to see scenes from other sets of the house, a huge recurring theme this year. It's good, but I overhyped it, and it didn't feel like an iconic and leading theme house. 8/10.
Fallout
A perfect recap of the show. I really liked this one and didn't get the hate. Was it scary? No. It was just a wonderful recreation of the show, which could use some better scares. It wasn't terrible, but that shower curtain of the wasteland makes this house lose half a point for me because it could've been done so much better. 7.5/10
Gálkn: Monsters of the North
I had the same problem as El Artista with this house. I think it's a good house, but it's missing a little something, and I wish it was scarier. This house could use some more scares because it definitely has that feel. One scare got me really good, and the set design is phenomenal. It felt like the child of the Isle of Berk and Goblin's Feast. 7.5/10
Hatchet & Chains: Demon Bounty Hunters
Just like El Artista and Galkn, there are some great ideas, but I just feel like it could've been executed a little better. I wish we saw more of the demons ripping people and animals open to possess them by jumping in their mouths. I hated the smell of this house, but I love a good western theme. I just feel like it's too bright, and being able to see other scenes doesn't work well for this house. You want it dark and claustrophobic. Overall, still a great house that I enjoyed, but it wasn't what I expected. 7/10
Shows:
Nightmare Fuel: Circus of Decay
Hey, I actually liked this, but I do feel like they toned down the sexiness. Also, the story is kind of meh. 8/10.
Haunt-O-Phonic: A Ghoulish Journey
Dude, we are so back. This show is just amazing. Those fountains are very enticing and powerful. In keeping with the usual Halloween theme and symphony of Halloween classics, this adorable little tale and lagoon show is a perfect fit. It is nearly as incredible as the first Marathon of Mayhem, and I was genuinely amazed. I adored it. 10 out of 10.
Scarezones & Experiences:
- The Cat Lady of Crooked Lane
- Origins of Horror
- Mel’s Die In
- Mutation: Toxic Twenties
- Masquerade
- Club Horror