The Old HHN 30 Speculation Thread (2020)

[OhHaiInternet95]

I think they're basically identical.

I don't think so? In terms of size yes, but SS23 has doors on its east side. 24 does not.

EDIT: I'm pretty sure 23 runs more north-south. With 24, the two houses run parallel to each other.

ADMIN NOTE: IMAGE REMOVE

 

[Scarematt32]

What did I just say? We have no indication that an announcement is guaranteed on July 22nd. Discussion on when announcements will or will not happen needs to end now. As @reeseyNG pointed out, it will happen when it happens.

I completely respect your position, but I think the reason people at this point are getting nervous, is because we are getting close to the time frame where we have to make final decisions about traveling. Obliviously thou that we shall not speak about could easily change things but it would be nice to at least know the logistics of how it will operate prior to August. If I’m spending thousands, like many, on this trip I want to know sooner than later how it will operate. The houses I don’t need to know. I have complete faith that if it does in fact go on this year the houses will be incredible.

 

[Legacy]

I completely respect your position, but I think the reason people at this point are getting nervous, is because we are getting close to the time frame where we have to make final decisions about traveling. Obliviously thou that we shall not speak about could easily change things but it would be nice to at least know the logistics of how it will operate prior to August. If I’m spending thousands, like many, on this trip I want to know sooner than later how it will operate. The houses I don’t need to know. I have complete faith that if it does in fact go on this year the houses will be incredible.

And this is the big change. Universal is going to rely on locals for the event this year. That changes their “we have to announce by” date to August.

I can understand the anxiousness if you travel to the event, but travelers aren’t the priority now.

 

[Clive]

I completely respect your position, but I think the reason people at this point are getting nervous, is because we are getting close to the time frame where we have to make final decisions about traveling. Obliviously thou that we shall not speak about could easily change things but it would be nice to at least know the logistics of how it will operate prior to August. If I’m spending thousands, like many, on this trip I want to know sooner than later how it will operate. The houses I don’t need to know. I have complete faith that if it does in fact go on this year the houses will be incredible.

@Legacy is right on the money. I'd also point out that I'm especially objecting to the assertion that we are guaranteed news by July 22. Nothing that I've seen even suggests that, much less guarantees it.

I think there's a difference between discussing booking anxieties and debating at what moment an announcement might come.

 

[Scarematt32]

And this is the big change. Universal is going to rely on locals for the event this year. That changes their “we have to announce by” date to August.

I can understand the anxiousness if you travel to the event, but travelers aren’t the priority now.

I know, in fact I remember the days when everything was announced in August, as I have been going since 2004. I think like many I’m just nervously sweating what will happen as everything except our tour is booked. The main things are booked so I’m just riding it out. This event is my Christmas so I honestly get way more worked up than I should. Ha

@Legacy is right on the money. I'd also point out that I'm especially objecting to the assertion that we are guaranteed news by July 22. Nothing that I've seen even suggests that, much less guarantees it.

I think there's a difference between discussing booking anxieties and debating at what moment an announcement might come.

You both are most likely right about the timing. I go to Florida every year as I have family and close friends that live there. I will be there in September, so at this point I’m just hanging on for the ride.

Just for clarity, I have been coming on to this forum for many years, but just started communicating with people. This is what I call my support group for my obsession and love for all things HHN. When I went with my mom in 2004 I not only got over my fear of haunted houses, I developed a fascination for the art behind them. Plus I have exhausted and annoyed everyone in my family talking about the 30th anniversary, and what it might be. This forum is probably a much healthier outlet to channel that energy. Haha.

 

[dxwwf3]

I’ve said this before and I know it’s probably not doable, but I think it would be much easier for those of us who have to travel if Universal announced that the same 10 houses will be coming back next year. “The 30th is so big we are spreading it over 2 years” or any other way they could spin it. And maybe if the houses had more scareactors in them for 31, the locals wouldn’t mind having repeats as much. I don’t know. I just feel bad for anyone who can’t travel to the event and will miss out on these houses forever.

 

[Santi_Coasters]

@Legacy is right on the money. I'd also point out that I'm especially objecting to the assertion that we are guaranteed news by July 22. Nothing that I've seen even suggests that, much less guarantees it.

I think there's a difference between discussing booking anxieties and debating at what moment an announcement might come.

When I was talking about news for July 22nd, I meant booking details, not necessarily announcements, as you had told me prior to stop talking about them...I genuinely have no clue if FFP will be up this year, I'm leaning more towards yes, but I could see the possibility of no aswell...I haven't really been keeping up with this so if there's any info about it, let me know

 

[Legacy]

I’ve said this before and I know it’s probably not doable, but I think it would be much easier for those of us who have to travel if Universal announced that the same 10 houses will be coming back next year. “The 30th is so big we are spreading it over 2 years” or any other way they could spin it. And maybe if the houses had more scareactors in them for 31, the locals wouldn’t mind having repeats as much. I don’t know. I just feel bad for anyone who can’t travel to the event and will miss out on these houses forever.

When I was talking about news for July 22nd, I meant booking details, not necessarily announcements, as you had told me prior to stop talking about them...I genuinely have no clue if FFP will be up this year, I'm leaning more towards yes, but I could see the possibility of no aswell...I haven't really been keeping up with this so if there's any info about it, let me know

The problem is that they’re still figuring everything out themselves. I hear different rumors every week about how the event is going to operate in a way that accomplishes virtual queueing without using the app, and other operational details that shift and change constantly. They can’t announce what they don’t know.

And in regards to announcing that they’re doing the event over two years, there are reasons why they can’t/don’t want to do that. First, it requires renegotiation to use the IPs for a second year (which they may not want to do, especially with Hill House and Eilish which are in the zeitgeist “now,” but could not be in a year). Second, saying “we’re not going to do new houses next year,” NOW sends a message to management that A&D doesn’t need a full staff to prepare for 2021 (which they typically start in August). Third, saying next year is the same as this year encourages people who may be on the fence about going this year pushes them to the “wait” camp. Universal wants to maximize their HHN intake this year. Incentivizing anyone to wait is absolutely not wait they want to do.

 

[dxwwf3]

The problem is that they’re still figuring everything out themselves. I hear different rumors every week about how the event is going to operate in a way that accomplishes virtual queueing without using the app, and other operational details that shift and change constantly. They can’t announce what they don’t know.

And in regards to doing the event over two years, there are reasons why they can’t/don’t want to do that. First, it requires renegotiation to use the IPs for a second year (which they may not want to do, especially with Hill House and Eilish which are in the zeitgeist “now,” but could not be in a year). Second, saying “we’re not going to do new houses next year,” NOW sends a message to management that A&D doesn’t need a full staff to prepare for 2021 (which they typically start in August). Third, saying next year is the same as this year encourages people who may be on the fence about going this year pushes them to the “wait” camp. Universal wants to maximize their HHN intake this year. Incentivizing anyone to wait is absolutely not wait they want to do.

All of that absolutely makes sense and of course you’re right. It just unfortunate for so many fans. This is nothing like fans of Mickey’s Not So Scary losing the event this year.

 

[FaceBagman]

For me, it's as simple as this:

I live in New York. Not the city, but just about smack dab in the center of the state. We've been pretty fortunate up here this year, all things considered. I love my job and rarely ever take time off. The week of Halloween is the one piece of time I carve out for my vacation; I decided to do so for the first time when I had a year of clean/sober time and had just started at my dream job. It was absolutely surreal in the best way to be at an event I'd wanted to attend for many years but never had the financial stability or time off from my previous job to do so. To miss it this year because of a locals-only mandate or any sort of travel restrictions would be heartbreaking, but would be far from the most painful thing that's ever happened to me in my life.

I bought my airline tickets and purchased a package that includes my stay at Cabana, day-tickets, and a BOGO this year. Based on the fine print, I can cancel any of that up to a day in advance if need be. So I'm not out a ton of money if things go south. Right now, my plan is to attend and take every safety and distancing precaution possible both in the park/hotel and on my travel routes there/back. Then, I would isolate/quarantine at home upon my return (which may mean missing a week or 2 of work without pay depending on how New York's restrictions evolve by then, but that's survivable). I think it's a solid plan, but it's all dependent on the quarantine policy in Florida for Tri-State travelers by that point.

So I would have no ill-will towards Universal itself if I could not attend this year. That ire would be reserved solely for DeSantis and some certain other Floridians, haha.

TLDR: I still have my plans in place. I'm happy with all I've done to prepare at this time. I'll be glad to have been a part of this community and thread no matter what.

 

[CoryLevy91]

All of that absolutely makes sense and of course you’re right. It just unfortunate for so many fans. This is nothing like fans of Mickey’s Not So Scary losing the event this year.

Remember to keep things in context a little in the wide span of things. Yes, it is unfortunate that many fans will not be able to attend the event this year due to the global pandemic. People have also lost not only their current livelihoods but their actual lives as well to this pandemic. We all love HHN but it's not the worst thing happening in the world to miss our Halloween event which will absolutely be popping right back up in 2021, 2022, etc.

I'm in the same boat as @FaceBagman, my fiancee and I are planning on traveling from CT to Florida for the event. We have our tickets purchased, hotel bought and the plan is set. We are fully of the understanding that we'll need to sit down two or three weeks before we leave and make the decision for ourselves if it's worth the risk. A few weeks ago we were fully ready to take those risks and optimistic about where things would be in a few months. We haven't sat down and talked it through recently but maybe that's changed, either way we'll make the decision ourselves just as everyone else, whether they're traveling or not, will have to when it comes event time.

 

[Ringwraith]

I don't think there will be any fog this year.

Ironically, as of not too long ago, fog was in and water effects were out. I would hope that changes in regard to fog

Totally off topic, but could there be a possibility of a new icon? We haven't gotten a new icon in a while, I think this year would've been perfect for a new one, but considering the circumstances, I'm not sure, but HHN 30 would be the perfect time to bring in a new one IMO, but who knows.

There will not be a new icon. They're still continuing to build on the current ones they have and it would steer attention away from them in an anniversary year.

I'm so hyped for the supposed Icons house. The fact that we have an Icon AND Anniversary house is awesome. I'm not sure if it's been spoken about already, but if the icons have a similar layout to Monsters last year where they all are ruling over their own domains with some minion scares and stuff, I think we have something very special on our hands. I'm expecting Cindy has her own few rooms and not just be a scare in Caretaker, same with Eddy. And though it's probably not happening, some casino rooms with Lady Luck would also be appreciated.

Anniversary and Icon house are two different things, as far as I'm aware.

I would keep your expectations low for Cindy


Also hearing, and I'm not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but no alcohol and no express

 

[TheCodeMan95]

Charles is a bit of a resident grump. Based off my time in the FB group, he can be funny, but I wouldn’t put much stock in what he says.

I know this is from a bit further back - but I agree wholeheartedly with this. The group as a whole can honestly be annoying lol.

We booked everything back in February I believe - hotel, park tickets, BOGO. Already added flights and UTH tours. At this point in time, if HHN is on, great. If not, we still have a week at our favorite place. We're basically strapped in and ready to take on whatever happens.

That being said though, assuming it happens, I'm really intrigued by the thought of what the event will look like as a whole. Will it "feel" like HHN?

In reference to the post above mine - no express? That'd be wild!

 

[Frightnight03]

Ironically, as of not too long ago, fog was in and water effects were out. I would hope that changes in regard to fog

There will not be a new icon. They're still continuing to build on the current ones they have and it would steer attention away from them in an anniversary year.

I would keep your expectations low for Cindy


Also hearing, and I'm not sure if it's been mentioned yet, but no alcohol and no express

Wow if no Express I imagine the RIP tour would have massive interest.

 

[Ringwraith]

In reference to the post above mine - no express? That'd be wild!

Wow if no Express I imagine the RIP tour would have massive interest.

The way they are *currently* planning from a logistics/crowd control standpoint, RIP would make more sense than Express, but I haven't heard details on RIP yet

 

[TheCodeMan95]

The way they are *currently* planning from a logistics/crowd control standpoint, RIP would make more sense than Express, but I haven't heard details on RIP yet

Huh. I've never done RIP - might be a good year to do it for the first time.

I'll miss Express though.

 

[Frightnight03]

The way they are *currently* planning from a logistics/crowd control standpoint, RIP would make more sense than Express, but I haven't heard details on RIP yet

In prior years the RIP tour made a stop at an exclusive bar for RIP. I wonder if that too would be scrapped since it was easy to Socially distance there.

 

[Living Dead Dude]

If universal did have a local only event for the people that bought the bogo and live out of state would they get a refund?
Also personally I think it would be really awful for universal to hold a event during a pandemic for only locals like if it’s not safe enough for tourists to come that can pass a temp check, wear a mask, not drink alcohol, stay distanced then is it truly safe enough for locals or is universal trying to make a quick buck?

 

[ChaseTuff]

Patrick Braillard has confirmed he was laid off from Universal and thus HHN, as part of the cuts.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Patrick was a great presence in all the events hes hosted and loved the work he did. I will miss his involvement and wish him well on his next venture.