HHN 2024: Tips, Tricks & Planning Thread

[Jake S]

Guests were very confused by the dual entrance to Bloodlines/Jurassic World on the night I was visiting. It could stand to be more clear.

 

[Spookies n' Stuff]

I'm amazed that Bloodlines is getting no traffic. Universal Monsters tend to do okay. My only theory is confusion to where the line is. There's no way word of mouth spread to GP that it's terrible yet. Something like Dead Exposure getting higher traffic is a little strange to me, but maybe people just think "cool, zombies." Maybe the title Bloodlines is unclear what monsters are present.

I'd guess confusing entrance, both due to its weird fusing with Jurassic World, and the fact that it's a weirder location post-2017 regulars aren't accustomed to. (Even I forgot a good handful of times where everything was supposed to be this year despite keeping track of construction.) A later opening for Early Entry, so a lot of people arent sticking around on the lower lot for it or returning later in the night if they've done everything else down there, and lukewarm word of mouth, though I'd consider that to be the lesser factor since we're still early.

 

[Clive]

I'd guess confusing entrance, both due to its weird fusing with Jurassic World, and the fact that it's a weirder location post-2017 regulars aren't accustomed to. (Even I forgot a good handful of times where everything was supposed to be this year despite keeping track of construction.) A later opening for Early Entry, so a lot of people arent sticking around on the lower lot for it or returning later in the night if they've done everything else down there, and lukewarm word of mouth, though I'd consider that to be the lesser factor since we're still early.

I think this is right on. The key art also doesn't super clearly communicate who the monsters are, whereas Unmasked put Phantom front and center, while Legends Collide clearly featured Mummy, Dracula, Wolfman. Not many folks are familiar with Dracula's Daughter (and certainly not this more directly monstrous version of her), Saskia Van Helsing is a new character, and the Bride is fairly small in the image.

 

[Wesker69]

Saskia Van Helsing is a new character

**was

Fixed that for you. Anyway, after sleeping all day like the vampire I am, I'm on my way up to the park now. I'm curious how long I last tonight between the waittimes & cold

 

[DTH]

The wait times look pretty much identical to last night at peak time. With that in mind, they really need to start putting the least popular house in the Curious George location that doesn't have to wait in that parking garage. I feel terrible for anyone stuck in line for Insious, it's absolutely miserable. That wait specifically is a huge part of why I don't think I can ever go with a General ticket again on a peak day.

I'm curious if we will see any other tactics to sell tickets after this weekend from Universal. I don't think the execs are going to be happy they still haven't sold out a general day yet.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

Guests were very confused by the dual entrance to Bloodlines/Jurassic World on the night I was visiting. It could stand to be more clear.

I am gonna genuinely bring this up again (even if I beat it to the head),

they should've found a way to have the SNW area "Open" with Mario Kart restricted to 2PM Day/Night, Express and RIP. It should've been the Potter of the Lower Lot in allowing it to act as a proper bypass, as I'd imagine it would be somewhat more identifiable and easy to navigate than that of the Jurassic situation.

 

[Wesker69]

They really need to start putting the least popular house in the Curious George location that doesn't have to wait in that parking garage.

Nope. No way. Exact opposite. Keep the popular houses in the furthest locations to help thin the crowd. Make them earn that experience

 

[Spookies n' Stuff]

They really need to start putting the least popular house in the Curious George location that doesn't have to wait in that parking garage. I feel terrible for anyone stuck in line for Insious, it's absolutely miserable.

I'm honestly just grateful the heat wave is over for now, the mist fans blending with the insane heat and people packed in down there made it feel like a florida summer simulator. No matter how unbearable it is now with bigger crowds I'm just glad its 70 degrees unbearable instead of how it was last week.

 

[Wesker69]

Here are the waittimes at midnight on Saturday (9/14)


The last PURGE show didn't end up starting until around 12:45am-ish...

 

[DTH]

I think it's safe to say, Express is absolutely unnecessary this year. You could arrive by 10pm and easily get all the mazes done. Arrive by 8 if you want Terror Tram and the 2 shows lol *as of right now

 

[Wesker69]

On my way now. Let me know of anything I need to keep an eye out for (besides new stray merch)

It's already breezy, so maybe Ghostbusters will actually be "minimally chilly". But from what I've heard the A/C unit is still not replaced. I'll "try" to visit

 

[bdubsCEO]

In line for Early Access now! so excited to finally be here.

 

[EAS]

I'm going on Saturday the 28th and have an RIP tour starting at 5:00. I have never done RIP at Hollywood, so would appreciate some thoughts from the pros:

-I understand that the RIP tour that starts at 5:00 is likely to end in the 9:00 to 10:00 range - does this seem right, or will it be later?
-I understand that, even this year, you can use the RIP credential to do the RIP and not Express line, letting you walk onto houses even post-tour. Is that right? [So different than Orlando.]
-If I am aggressive about using the credentials to try to get multiple runs of houses in, what does the group think is feasible for one night? I think this will be one shot for Hollywood since I live on the East Coast and would like to try to get multiple runs of as many houses as possible.

 

[Jake S]

I understand that, even this year, you can use the RIP credential to do the RIP and not Express line, letting you walk onto houses even post-tour. Is that right? [So different than Orlando.]

Yes, there is a separate line for RIP.

 

[EAS]

Yes, there is a separate line for RIP.

Thanks - I should clarify that the question was that you get to use it as many times as you want, even after the tour is over.

 

[Wesker69]

For the price you pay and in the description when purchasing, you get "unlimited" express

 

[EAS]

For the price you pay and in the description when purchasing, you get "unlimited" express
View attachment 23535

The description is a bit vague about whether you'd get to go in the RIP Line or just get unlimited runs in the Express Line once the tour is over, but I understand from everyone you can still use the RIP Line once you are no longer with the guide.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I would not worry about lines if you have express....I've yet to see someone in express have to wait even 10 mins

 

[Jake S]

I would not worry about lines if you have express....I've yet to see someone in express have to wait even 10 mins

Yeah, Express is much, much quicker in Hollywood than in Orlando.

 

[FeistyPumpkin]

I'm going on Saturday the 28th and have an RIP tour starting at 5:00. I have never done RIP at Hollywood, so would appreciate some thoughts from the pros:

-I understand that the RIP tour that starts at 5:00 is likely to end in the 9:00 to 10:00 range - does this seem right, or will it be later?
-I understand that, even this year, you can use the RIP credential to do the RIP and not Express line, letting you walk onto houses even post-tour. Is that right? [So different than Orlando.]
-If I am aggressive about using the credentials to try to get multiple runs of houses in, what does the group think is feasible for one night? I think this will be one shot for Hollywood since I live on the East Coast and would like to try to get multiple runs of as many houses as possible.

Did RIP on Friday the 13th. Had a 5PM tour time and was finished by 9:30PM (this included Mario Kart & a bar stop, but no shows).

Yes, you can use the RIP line the rest of the night. On our own we did all of the houses for a second time, went back to the buffet for desserts, plus Wizarding World and a couple of bar stops. Skipped the shows and left after the chainsaw chase out.