Universal Horror Unleashed - Las Vegas, NV

[baconwhiskers]

Doesn't the press release mention featuring some IP in the 2nd sentence Year Round Horror Experience Comes to Las Vegas

 

[jarmor]

it mentions. . .

This original concept will bring to life Universal’s vast library of classic horror films and today’s most terrifying tales.

Universals own properties. . .

However, to be fair, it does mention. . .

Universal has long defined the horror genre with its classic films featuring iconic characters such as Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy and the Wolf Man – and redefined modern horror and suspense stories through collaborations with such high-profile filmmakers as Jason Blum, James Wan and Jordan Peele.

That reads, to me, as universal properties that they worked with these directors on. Not a blumhouse film but a universal film.

 

[baconwhiskers]

it mentions. . .


Universals own properties. . .

However, to be fair, it does mention. . .

That reads, to me, as universal properties that they worked with these directors on. Not a blumhouse film but a universal film.

Universal owned films is IP (and what I meant).

 

[Rideguy70]

I'm kind of surprised that so far, no one has mentioned that for a bit, Vegas already had a year round haunted house attraction: Eli Roth's Goretorium. It was off the strip, on the NE corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Harmon (diagonally across from the Crystals shopper center & City Center).

We actually did it... it was okay. Not terrible, but not super remarkable either. It probably only lasted a year or two.

I think the big differences is it sounds like this will be much larger in scale, and next door to an already successful attraction. So I imagine this will do better. But it certainly isn't the first attempt.

 

[Tobias]

This day is just full of surprises, isn't it?

I will say I'm usually hesitant about any year-round haunt since those can be quite hit-or-miss. However, with the location being Area 15, there's honestly a whole lot of potential here. Give us the kind of immersive and quirky environments Area 15 offers with HHN flair, and that can be something worth seeing. There's good potential for various themed bars, too. For starters, I wouldn't mind a more permanent Dead Coconut Club!

 

[shiekra38]

This original concept will bring to life Universal’s vast library of classic horror films and today’s most terrifying tales.

So monsters and maybe icons/successful HHN Originals

 

[Parkscope Joe]

So monsters and maybe icons/successful HHN Originals

Bingo. Then the option for someone to buy a spot for promotion.

 

[Clive]

I'm kind of surprised that so far, no one has mentioned that for a bit, Vegas already had a year round haunted house attraction: Eli Roth's Goretorium. It was off the strip, on the NE corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Harmon (diagonally across from the Crystals shopper center & City Center).

We actually did it... it was okay. Not terrible, but not super remarkable either. It probably only lasted a year or two.

I think the big differences is it sounds like this will be much larger in scale, and next door to an already successful attraction. So I imagine this will do better. But it certainly isn't the first attempt.

I also couldn't help but think of Goretorium, which I didn't have a chance to try. I heard it was underwhelming and poorly managed, especially in the latter half of its short life. Still, how big of a brand is Eli Roth to the average Vegas visitor?

Area 15 is already a draw, and Halloween Horror Nights has nationwide name recognition at this point. It may fare better.

 

[DTH]

I'm pretty stoked for this. I've been wanting to go to Vegas lately, but looks like maybe I'll wait until next year for when this opens. Will definitely try to go within the first week or two. Let them iron a few kinks out, but still be a part of the initial excitement.

Since it's Vegas, the biggest thing I genuinely fear is...the price.

 

[queenmetroid]

I really doubt they will feature IPs (If they're doing any) that will also be featured at Hollywood or Orlando the same year they do it. For example, if they do Saw at the venue the same time both coasts do Saw, wouldn't that cannibalize the Hollywood market a little bit? I'm confident a good chunk of people that attend HHNH are from Vegas.

Since the Saw/Blair Witch escape rooms are right down the street (relatively speaking), I'm pretty confident we won't see Saw as an IP there for a while, if ever. ;D

Since it's Vegas, the biggest thing I genuinely fear is...the price.

I concur. What is the correct price point and admission model for something like this? If we look at something like Meow Wolf or the Saw escape room as a baseline, then it's in the 50 to 60 dollar range. However, that's not really comparable as I spent all day at Omega Mart because the storylines were a blast to uncover and the Saw escape room was an hour because you get shuffled along (plus I didn't pay full price). Houses, by definition, are a four to five minute conga line affair, so there has to be value in addition to that.

If they charge me $60 and I can go through the houses as much as I want, plus there's additional content, even if there are long lines to the houses, I'd be OK with that since I could spend a two or three hours there, especially if there's three or four houses. If they do a la carte runs or limit the amount of time you're in the event, maybe I'm not so enthusiastic about that. Also, the closer you price it to a single day HHN ticket, the less I'm willing to go.

(Not that anyone from Universal is reading this, though.)

 

[Tobias]

I also couldn't help but think of Goretorium, which I didn't have a chance to try. I heard it was underwhelming and poorly managed, especially in the latter half of its short life.

It also had multiple snafu's around its opening. One was when it came to hiring, they didn't tell people what the wages were but insinuated that it would be nice since Eli's behind it. To absolutely no surprise, it was minimum wage and folks got irked by that. Granted, they should've expected a haunt wasn't going to be high paying, but it could've been avoided if they just stated its minimum wage.

The other incident however, if I recall an email leaked for free preview tickets. A ton of people picked those up and got mad as they had to shut down. It was a very rocky start which just didn't get better.

 

[Rideguy70]

For those interested, Vital Vegas had a post about 6 reasons why the Goretorium closed, along with pics (the wall of baby heads is/was especially cool, IMO).

Six Scary-Obvious Reasons Goretorium Kicked the Bucket | Vital Vegas

After operating for just a year in Las Vegas, Eli Roth's Goretorium is closing (as of Oct. 2, 2013). Goretorium—part haunted house, part bar and

www.casino.org

I think most of the reasons are legit (especially the location... it was not in a great space), although I think most of us would now disagree with his final reason... that there's no market for year round horror. But that article was also written in 2013, and I think horror has come a long way since then.

Horror is definitely stepping up in Vegas... from Zac Bagan's Haunted Museum, to the Saw and Blair Witch escape rooms, the Nightmare Toys & Cafe, and Slice Pizza.

 

[Ridesandstuff]

2.5 Acres! I better be in graveyards, forest, space ships. . . every environment possible lol. Maybe the eatery may be a newer version of monsters cafe. . .

So are they doing this outside of the original Area 15 complex?

 

[Ridesandstuff]

Also kind of hilarious how many people were stepping their foot down on this not happening

behind the scenes or on this forum?

 

[graspthesun]

For those interested, Vital Vegas had a post about 6 reasons why the Goretorium closed, along with pics (the wall of baby heads is/was especially cool, IMO).

Six Scary-Obvious Reasons Goretorium Kicked the Bucket | Vital Vegas

After operating for just a year in Las Vegas, Eli Roth's Goretorium is closing (as of Oct. 2, 2013). Goretorium—part haunted house, part bar and

www.casino.org

I think most of the reasons are legit (especially the location... it was not in a great space), although I think most of us would now disagree with his final reason... that there's no market for year round horror. But that article was also written in 2013, and I think horror has come a long way since then.

Keep in mind also that rent on the strip is ridiculously expensive. Universal is probably paying a fraction of the rent and getting so much more space and control.

 

[Nick]

behind the scenes or on this forum?

Look at the first page of the thread.

 

[Ryan]

View attachment 18130

FTR, only the immediate space I was in front of will be Universal. It’s a five acre parcel with half going to Universal.The rest will be more attractions, food and a parking garage.

The original plan for the expansion was to be festival grounds, but that seems to have wildly changed instead into an outdoor mall-like expansion of Area 15.

People are speculating multiple mazes and such, like HHN (which would be great!) but I expect in reality it will be 75% bars and merch, a single really good maze, and the whole environment will be one giant scare zone but all spread out, essentially wandering scare actors. I’m sure the bars and merch are where the bean counters were focusing when they greenlit this thing.

i’d be surprised if we see more than 2 mazes, and even surprised if we see 2. The announcement doesn’t read as “HNN but in Vegas.” It reads as “Vegas thing, with HHN flavor.” To me, anyway.

EDIT: oh, and a casino. Lots of slots and stuff to increase revenue.

Not even close. Number one you need a casino license for that, and Area 15 owns the land. No casino.

And second, the PR says a variety of experiences in addition to dining and merch. Expect a good deal of houses.

For those interested, Vital Vegas had a post about 6 reasons why the Goretorium closed, along with pics (the wall of baby heads is/was especially cool, IMO).

Six Scary-Obvious Reasons Goretorium Kicked the Bucket | Vital Vegas

After operating for just a year in Las Vegas, Eli Roth's Goretorium is closing (as of Oct. 2, 2013). Goretorium—part haunted house, part bar and

www.casino.org

I think most of the reasons are legit (especially the location... it was not in a great space), although I think most of us would now disagree with his final reason... that there's no market for year round horror. But that article was also written in 2013, and I think horror has come a long way since then.

Horror is definitely stepping up in Vegas... from Zac Bagan's Haunted Museum, to the Saw and Blair Witch escape rooms, the Nightmare Toys & Cafe, and Slice Pizza.

Gotetorium was overpriced, under-marketed and in a poor location. Uni has way better of a shot in this location, which may be located around some dingy surroundings, but that should help.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

ditto...

Also kind of hilarious how many people were stepping their foot down on this not happening

Fool me once shame on you…..

 

[jarmor]

So are they doing this outside of the original Area 15 complex?

Yes. Is there any room inside the main building left? Even Lost spirits distillery starts off their tour inside the main building but then transports you to the warehouse they have onsite.

 

[Disneyhead]

I wonder what they will call it. "Halloween Horror Nights" doesn't really fit a year around full time attraction. Maybe something like "Universal's Chamber of Horrors"?