Terror Tram: Enter the Blumhouse
- Thread starter Brian G.
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I think it's still popular and will probably be kept around for a while. However, it's interesting to see what the no-access to the NOPE sets would look like. If it didn't generate enough positivity, then the Terror Tram might be closed again like in the pre-COVID days.
That said, I'm with you that the current Terror Tram trend is too old and tired, since it's just a big scare zone that acts like a walkthrough, and all it does is increase the foot pain you already have to deal with walking around the park. Had it not for the 1986 fatal accident, we'd probably stay on the tram for 30-40 minutes instead of getting out and walking for miles, which would have lived up to its name. I much rather prefer it for those who want a footrest.
I don’t know if anyone here tried the stranger things drive thru experience during covid, but I always thought that could’ve been a cool pivot for the Terror Tram to try something like that. Pull up and stop for some show scenes that play out for a minute or so before moving on to the next one.
I’m very interested to see if this iteration is still the same attraction with a new skin or if they might try one or two things new. I’d bet on the former, tho.
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I personally would love if we give the “stay in the tram” format another try. The very name Terror Tram makes me think I will be on the tram, not dropped off. Terror Tram is the least scary attraction so it couldn’t hurt to try something new with it. The last time there was a “scene” on the tram that I could think of was in ‘09 at the end when the Saw pig chainsaws the girl who was in the intro video.
There is also precedent for the tram being scary enough even with lo-fi scares with the daily tram and something like Norman Bates simply just staring at people.
There is also precedent for the tram being scary enough even with lo-fi scares with the daily tram and something like Norman Bates simply just staring at people.
- Jun 27, 2017
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I mean...how could it even be scary if your in the middle of the Tram
I'm not against a new section where you ride though an area where they try to scare you but a Tram ride would be much...much less scary then what we have now
I'm not against a new section where you ride though an area where they try to scare you but a Tram ride would be much...much less scary then what we have now
- May 26, 2010
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Trying to scare people while the tram is in motion is how we got the tragic scenario that temporarily ended Horror Nights in Hollywood. They won't try it again.
That’s why I suggested something like the Stranger Things Drive Thru. Stop for a show scene, much like Norman bates or how they did the Whoville dance routine during Grinchmas of old.
But honestly, it’s such a small percentage of us that no longer find it thrilling to walk the same old path year after year… a majority of the GP eats it up which is why it returned after a brief absence.
Maybe with advanced AI in the future, you could have AI replace human actors in scaring people instead while setting up motions to prevent the trams from colliding with said AI. It might be possible for the Terror Tram to live up to its name. I understand USH isn't going back to the 1986 variation due to a fatal accident, but it was nearly 40 years ago. That doesn't mean I suggest Universal should go for it, but that Universal has the means to adapt to changes without harming anyone on set.
- Feb 23, 2023
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No, I'm not saying the technology is there or something like that, I'm saying along the lines there can be technologies in the future that can reduce the repeat of the 1986 event. It's not going to stop a small group of people who saw the current Terror Tram as nothing but a big scare zone acting like a walkthrough, and pointing it out, not to mention the increase in foot pain.
I think this discussion has kind of run its course and we’re all forgetting (myself included) that this is for the discussion of the Blumhouse tram.
But I think, to make a quick point and hopefully clarify some things, that the scaring on the tram wouldn’t work. Yes, we have moving actors close to trams (like Norman on the daytime tour) often. But there’s still the stigma of that death occurring during the event. Is it possible to do it one day again in a similar fashion (without replacing employees with AI or even CGI created by other employees/freelancers)? Sure. Would it be scary? Idk does Norman ever scare you on the tram?
From what I’ve read that incident occurred back in the day of loose regulations around employee safety. The scare actors for that went balls-to-the-wall and would jump on the tram, lean over the railing and get in your face. It’s too dangerous to create an experience that visceral again with a moving vehicle.
I’ll admit, I feel like I should take some responsibility for derailing this thread a little with my reference to the Stranger Things drive thru. I only brought it up as a potential way they could spice up the TT in a new and safe way, while still getting to rest your feet lol.
Let’s get back to the topic on hand. So who’s ready to “Enter the Blumhouse?”
On topic: I’m not super psyched about the name. Doesn’t roll off the tongue.
The name is not great, but thankfully everyone will still just call it Terror Tram
- Sep 5, 2018
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I think terror tram works well when there’s a story. Like chuckys army or the ghost face oneThe name is not great, but thankfully everyone will still just call it Terror Tram
I have a love/hate relationship with the Terror Tram as well. Like most of you, I agree that it's basically the same thing nearly every year, just different costumes and small set design changes. I wish they could vary the pathway more, and/or include more indoor sections (thought that always creates bottlenecks, it's own problem).... not to mention more hiding spaces for the scareactors.
That said, it's something not only very unique to Hollywood HHN, but unique to the haunt scene in general. The only other haunt experience that even comes close is maybe the Haunted Hayride. but I'm not even sure that's a true equal comparison. I find myself usually enjoying Terror Tram (for what it is) despite it's obvious flaws. I think it's the energy levels of the crowds and scareactors that does it for me. I do get a thrill from people watching, and aside from Scare Zones (where it does feel a bit awkward to stand there and gawk), there's no better place to do it.
I also think we forget that most people don't go to HHN year after year, like many of us do. So for a lot of people, every year there are a huge number of guests where it is their first time. It still amazes me that when they get to the drop off point and the host says, "Looks like you'll have to get out and walk," there's nearly always 1/3 of the tram screams in surprise, "Awww, hell no!" And I think we have to admit, even for us veterans, the very first time we did this, it was insane.
I did do the Stranger Things Drive Through experience, and I do think something like that could be done with Terror Tram (and would be interesting!), but I also think Universal doesn't really want to reinvent the wheel trying something so drastically different, when their current formula still basically works.
Side note: I heard one of the reasons Jupiter's Claim was cut from the Tram was that there were too many people stealing and damaging props from the sets. Reducing the crowd to VIP levels would better allow them to supervise guest behavior. I don't know if that's true, but it sadly sounds very believable to me.
That said, it's something not only very unique to Hollywood HHN, but unique to the haunt scene in general. The only other haunt experience that even comes close is maybe the Haunted Hayride. but I'm not even sure that's a true equal comparison. I find myself usually enjoying Terror Tram (for what it is) despite it's obvious flaws. I think it's the energy levels of the crowds and scareactors that does it for me. I do get a thrill from people watching, and aside from Scare Zones (where it does feel a bit awkward to stand there and gawk), there's no better place to do it.
I also think we forget that most people don't go to HHN year after year, like many of us do. So for a lot of people, every year there are a huge number of guests where it is their first time. It still amazes me that when they get to the drop off point and the host says, "Looks like you'll have to get out and walk," there's nearly always 1/3 of the tram screams in surprise, "Awww, hell no!" And I think we have to admit, even for us veterans, the very first time we did this, it was insane.
I did do the Stranger Things Drive Through experience, and I do think something like that could be done with Terror Tram (and would be interesting!), but I also think Universal doesn't really want to reinvent the wheel trying something so drastically different, when their current formula still basically works.
Side note: I heard one of the reasons Jupiter's Claim was cut from the Tram was that there were too many people stealing and damaging props from the sets. Reducing the crowd to VIP levels would better allow them to supervise guest behavior. I don't know if that's true, but it sadly sounds very believable to me.
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- Feb 23, 2023
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This is what I always come back to. It still feels special, if not always scary, to walk on the backlot. But it’s really special watching so many people get excited/freaked out by the mere premise every year. I’m glad it’s become a staple of the event for that reason.
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I love the name Enter the Blumhouse, personally!
Sad to hear about Jupiter's Claim. My guess is that's probably why the WotW set used to be a literal disaster zone to now a fairly easy walking path. Like, do y'all remember how that used to look? It was INSANE how much stuff was everywhere. If they keep diminishing it, within 5-10 years, I legit think nothing will be left except maybe the planes, the house facades, and the cars.
It's true, Terror Tram was THE reason I even went to Horror Nights in 07. Yes, I was excited for Jason, Freddy, and Leatherface mazes, but the thing that SOLD me was "AND I also get to walk on the backlot?!" It was the first attraction I went to and felt I could not miss under any circumstances. When the tram stopped, I was elated. And thinking back to the first time they did a chainsaw brigade with a bunch of chainsaw lunatics waiting for you to be dropped off and THEN they rev their saws, even us veterans were like "THIS IS AWESOME." They've changed it up over the years (sometimes now they pop out one by one, sometimes it's a different formation) but it really wasn't that long ago that it began to evolve in that way. Even if you miss 2-3 years and been on and know the Terror Tram over the years, that would still be surprising.
Sad to hear about Jupiter's Claim. My guess is that's probably why the WotW set used to be a literal disaster zone to now a fairly easy walking path. Like, do y'all remember how that used to look? It was INSANE how much stuff was everywhere. If they keep diminishing it, within 5-10 years, I legit think nothing will be left except maybe the planes, the house facades, and the cars.
