News update: HHN Hollywood tix on sale; lightsabers in Star Wars Land?

August 17, 2016, 8:10 PM · Tickets are now on sale for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood. Prices range from $59-89 per night for the annual hard-ticket event, which starts Sept. 16 and runs selected nights over a month and a half. Universal Studios Hollywood is extending the run to add an extra weekend after Halloween, Nov. 4-5, as well. In addition to nightly general admission tickets, an admission that includes front of line access to the houses costs $159-199, depending upon the night you visit. The Frequent Fear Pass, good for 15 selected nights during the run, is $149.

Across the country in Orlando, Universal Thursday morning will announce details for its next Harry Potter Celebration. The event has run the last weekend in January for the past two three years, bringing on- and behind-the-camera talent from the Harry Potter films to the resort for a multi-day celebration and exhibition. The event is included with park admission, thought Universal typically sells vacation room packages for the event that include premium access and other perks.

Over at Disney, let's talk about some nifty new tech that might show up in Star Wars Land. Gizmodo linked to a post that included the complete patent application for a system that would allow guests to participate in a lightsaber battle. Guests would use prop lightsabers to seemingly deflect lasers shot at them by drone flying nearby. (Think of that scene in A New Hope where Luke trains with the lightsaber on the Millennium Falcon.) If you miss, a custom vest you'd be wearing would simulate a laser "hit" on your body. Disney's not announced any of this officially, of course, so we don't know exactly how the tech would be applied, or even if it would become a regular feature in the parks. But it sounds amazing.

Finally, Knott's Berry Farm today announced details of its 2017 expansion, which will be two new slide towers at the Soak City water park. Here are the details, on our Discussion Forum, if you're interested.

Replies (3)

August 17, 2016 at 10:32 PM · Disney promised ways to "use the Force" in Star Wars Land. This patent sounds like it could be one of them. Exciting stuff, if they can execute it well.
August 18, 2016 at 1:08 PM · Bummer Harry Potter won't be open during HHN
August 19, 2016 at 3:11 AM · posted in wrong thread...

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