HHN 2024: Tips, Tricks & Planning Thread

[Brian G.]

The dedicated thread for Tips, Tricks & Planning questions, advice, etc. regarding HHN 2024 at Universal Studios Hollywood

 

[jarmor]

Posting here instead. . .

Quick question, How are Saturday nights? More so I plan on coming sat sept 28th and I am trying to pick between express or unlimited express. 40.00 difference but not sure if it were possible to do repeats later in the night closer to closing. I normally do RIP but I can't justify that price as the food is lackluster and the special terror tram stuff is kinda meh.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Posting here instead. . .

Quick question, How are Saturday nights? More so I plan on coming sat sept 28th and I am trying to pick between express or unlimited express. 40.00 difference but not sure if it were possible to do repeats later in the night closer to closing. I normally do RIP but I can't justify that price as the food is lackluster and the special terror tram stuff is kinda meh.

I normally have gone on Saturdays because its the day my friend's can stay latest

While we do not know the crowd levels this year, last year even weekend 2 was insanely packed. So I would assume pretty packed

Last year the Last of Us House had times it closed the line down because it got too long and I waited 40+ Mins for Chucky with Express.

I've never gone to a Saturday and its slow at least, in all the years I've gone.

Last year with express unlimited/Early Access and that long Chucky Line I was about to see both shows.

Last of Us, Stranger Things, Exorcist, The Terror Tram and Monstrus I did twice (could have also done Evil dead again but decided not to), and the other houses I did once Chucky and Universal Monsters had long express lines so did not do those twice but would have.

I left before midnight, so I stayed until closing maybe could have done all houses twice and maybe one or two 3 times.

 

[mccgavin]

I'm thinking about potentially going to the event on November 3rd. Despite being the final day, is it likely that it will be somewhat less crowded than normal due to taking place after Halloween?

 

[DTH]

Historically, November is the BEST time to go and an absolute ghost town. I will be going the weekend as well for my second trip. I'm hoping general population doesn't get wise on this because it is my absolute favorite time to go. Even on a Saturday, I can't imagine a wait getting over an hour. Everyone stops caring about Halloween at 11:59:59PM on the 31st. Only downside is some actors drop out too, so some spots may be empty, but not a whole lot.

 

[Stonecoldfreak1]

Am I completely missing something or did they not publish event times yet? Specifically closing times?

 

[Wesker69]

Am I completely missing something or did they not publish event times yet? Specifically closing times?

Daytime Park closes at 6pm
Event early entry is 5-5:30pm
Event starts at 7pm - closes 2am

 

[Jerroddragon]

Are all attractions closed during the 6-7 PM switch over time?

 

[Wesker69]

Are all attractions closed during the 6-7 PM switch over time?

The only rides open are the ones that will be open during HHN, otherwise they close at 6pm like normal.

The only way to access a ride between 6pm-7pm is with an "early entry/day-night" wristband.

 

[Clive]

FYI, last year, the event closed at 1am on opening night despite the crowds. I would assume the same will happen this year unless/until we hear otherwise.

 

[Wesker69]

Didn't Wednesday night's also close at 1am?

I hate that Hollywood picked up that old Orlando trend.... its like they don't want an extra hour or two of draining guest's wallets. I liked it better when every night was 2am!

 

[Clive]

Didn't Wednesday night's also close at 1am?

I hate that Hollywood picked up that old Orlando trend.... its like they don't want an extra hour or two of draining guest's wallets. I liked it better when every night was 2am!

Nope, I'm pretty confident Wednesdays stayed open until 2am throughout last year.

 

[StopMakingSense]

I've seen people mention being able to upgrade to express/express unlimited in city walk on the day of, even when sold out online. The only time I tried to do this outside of the park they basically shut me down saying if it's sold out online it's sold out there as well (this was 2021). I know after 11 pm upgrade exists inside, but any tips for upgrading to express unlimited outside of the park (or inside for that matter)?

 

[Jerroddragon]

I've seen people mention being able to upgrade to express/express unlimited in city walk on the day of, even when sold out online. The only time I tried to do this outside of the park they basically shut me down saying if it's sold out online it's sold out there as well (this was 2021). I know after 11 pm upgrade exists inside, but any tips for upgrading to express unlimited outside of the park (or inside for that matter)?

Might depend on the day or where you do it. But I in park upgraded at the Central Plaza Express shop last year on a sold out day, the ticket booths out front might not sell them if they are sold out but try in park

I'll also post about what happens to me, I'm going day one and planning to upgrade to express on the day of this year

 

[StopMakingSense]

Might depend on the day or where you do it. But I in park upgraded at the Central Plaza Express shop last year on a sold out day, the ticket booths out front might not sell them if they are sold out but try in park

I'll also post about what happens to me, I'm going day one and planning to upgrade to express on the day of this year

Awesome, thanks pal. I'll be there the following day (Friday), will also come back to add what my experience was.

 

[DTH]

I think it literally has to be day of. I got the same "online" turnaround doing it outside of that, but last year, easily bought sold out Early Entry tickets day of at the gate. My guess is they keep some set aside in case someone was silly and made the trip all the way there from afar without tickets.

 

[StopMakingSense]

I think it literally has to be day of. I got the same "online" turnaround doing it outside of that, but last year, easily bought sold out Early Entry tickets day of at the gate. My guess is they keep some set aside in case someone was silly and made the trip all the way there from afar without tickets.

Day of is the only day I’ve ever tried, but maybe it was just bad luck that day.

 

[Freak]

I have my FFP, but I decided to change things up this year. Won't be doing opening night this year as even doing RIP last year, the event was chaotic and unpleasant. I'm hoping that by going Sunday it will be at least a little more manageable. Yeah, I would be missing out on the opening night hype, but after literally years of doing HHN on night one, I'm willing to wait a couple of night for the hype to die down some.

I think it's also worth noting how they dropped the price of the FFP down $30. AFAIK, that's never happened in the history of HHN Hollywood. Like, ever. I think that says a lot about what they expect the crowd level to be. I don't think this year will be quite as ridiculous as last year crowd-wise early on, but there will still be crowds.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I have my FFP, but I decided to change things up this year. Won't be doing opening night this year as even doing RIP last year, the event was chaotic and unpleasant. I'm hoping that by going Sunday it will be at least a little more manageable. Yeah, I would be missing out on the opening night hype, but after literally years of doing HHN on night one, I'm willing to wait a couple of night for the hype to die down some.

I think it's also worth noting how they dropped the price of the FFP down $30. AFAIK, that's never happened in the history of HHN Hollywood. Like, ever. I think that says a lot about what they expect the crowd level to be. I don't think this year will be quite as ridiculous as last year crowd-wise early on, but there will still be crowds.

I thought the first night had lower lines because the tickets are more limited?

 

[Freak]

I thought the first night had lower lines because the tickets are more limited?

Seriously doubt that. The crowds were so bad they had to shut down the line for Stranger Things for an hour. Add on top the fact the event closed early....yeah opening night is no fun anymore.