Halloween Horror Nights Moves to IOA
Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is moving across the way to Islands of Adventure this fall, with the promise of more and scarier frights.
From UO Guy
Posted June 13, 2002 at 5:12 PM
Just to let you all know Halloween Horror Nights is going to be at Islands of Adventure this year, according to the Orlando Sentinel:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-bizuniversal13061302jun13.story
Now it's time for me to go snoop around the backlot and try and figure out what all is going to happen!
Here's a few starters: Bill & Ted's will be in the Toon Ampitheatre. The other show, usually in the Animal Planet venue, will be in the Sindbad venue.
From xavier xo
Posted June 13, 2002 at 10:28 PM
Oh that is going to be so awesome!!!! Last years ICU was great but to move it to one of the coolest parks in the country is almost not fair! While Knotts Scary Farm is still the best all time haunt this will certainly make a two horse race! I just hope that this years haunts will be less toned down then last years post 9/11 haunts. Major props to Universal for making such great move.
From Joe Lane
Posted June 14, 2002 at 9:29 PM
There's a lot of rumors going around on themed mazes. One includes a maze based on John Carpenter's The Thing (old movie, but still a horror classic--heh, I'll pass on it, though!). And ol' Park Hopper is right about Bill & Ted. Would've been nice to see them on Sinbad, but this way, they can build a new set just for a unique show and not have to rely on what's already set up.
I'm not sure if they plan on putting anything in Seuss Landing, but I do remember an awesome Dr. Seuss Grinch cartoon "Halloween Is Grinch Night" which would make for a perfect maze. THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL PLAN, just an idea I had, so don't expect it. Pity that cartoon is overlooked thanks to "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"...
Also some thought that people would have to exit the park near Seuss Landing and take a special route back into Universal to catch a haunted maze in the soundstages next to Twister.
I believe I heard that Seuss Landing was going to be some sort of "safe" zone for kids... still with some sort of HHN additions, but not as scary to perhaps grab some of the Mickey crowd.
That seems soooooo cool!But scince I live in Washington (not Washington D.C.) I can't go but I'll try to get to Nott's Scary Farm and ride Goastrider my mom wants to ride it!
From Anonymous
Posted June 18, 2002 at 1:03 PM
In response to Park Hopper, There are no "Safe Zones" planned in IOA for HHN. HHN is NOT a kids event. Seuss will be an entryway to the house(s) in the soundstage.
Jeez, calm down. I was just relating what I heard. Believe me, I'm well aware of what HHN is and is not. However, I'd still be prepared for some major changes from previous HHNs due to the new locations alone. ::shrug::
Chill, PH. There was nothing in the previous response that was snotty or rude. I should know, since I am the resident expert! ;-)
They should make a maze in Seuss landing where the Dr. Seuss characters are EVIL and try ro kill you! Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!
At the very least, there should be a pair of pale green pants, with nobody inside them.
From Joe Lane
Posted June 25, 2002 at 6:37 PM
*lol* I remember that one, Robert!
They should just designate Seuss Landing and Toon Lagoon as "safe zones" where you can go and sit if you are tired of having the bejeezus scared out of you. No one is going to want to ride the water rides in TL and we don't really need that crowd being able to touch anything in SL! Hee! They should just create a walled walkway from one end of SL to the other.
I think they should change Spider-man so Spidey fights Jack the evil clown!
Yeah, that'd only cost a zillion dollars! ;-)
Please tell me more about HHN and whats involved.
Ive seen and heard the Advertising when ive been over there in September but ive never been there at Halloween time unfortunately
I assume its a nighttime event
but fill me in on the details of previous events.
Is it worth taking our vacation later in the year to catch this show?
Thanks
Steve
From Anonymous
Posted September 19, 2003 at 4:46 AM
LAst years halloween horror nights was the best of all time ive been going with my dad for 6 years already, the best part about the move was how the streets look more eerie and how well they are able to create themes around that, the best theme had to be the theme with mavel super hero island that was cool, the only thing bad about the move was that the streets are to narrow for the parade so they did not include it wich is a big bummer but i think that thedays where they do not have the horror nights then they should have the parade at the studios, they hopefully will do an idea like this for the 14th HHN
From Anonymous
Posted September 23, 2003 at 2:57 PM
hey steve alll i can say is that if you want a great and fun time you should go to Halloween horror nights. The entire enviorments change into cool horror themed areas, i agree with the person who posted before this that it is a big disapointment that the parade want included both veterans and workers of HHN alike were disapointed aslo. I do not recomend this to children of young ages but for older adults it is real fun. Another thrill is riding the hulk in the dark towering over, Island Under Seige (the name of the HHN area of marvel comic super hero island, seeing the flashing lights and charecters.
From Anonymous
Posted September 24, 2003 at 10:12 AM
Are they allowed to touch guests? Want to go, but have past haunts that touching is too scarey. Thanks, KD
From Anonymous
Posted September 27, 2003 at 8:14 AM
NO, They aren't allowed to touch you. Thats why they have to scare you by sneaking up on you, or making some sort of loud sound. Such as the chainsaws.
Did anyone watch the show on the Travel Channel about HHN???
The show was excellant and it looks like a great time, just wish i could attend it someday!!
From Anonymous
Posted October 10, 2003 at 9:59 AM
I heard about the show. What channel was it exactly & do you know if it will re-air. I would love to see it before I go next week.
From Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2003 at 11:10 PM
As one who has gone to HHN 7 years in a row, I can say that it just doesnt work very well at IOA. When it was at Universal everything was perfect, and there were parades, which is one of the biggest attractions of HHN. Tell me, do you feel scared walking through toon land? How about Dr. Suess land? I don't think so, both the years I have gone To HHN at IOA it has been terrible, and I hope they have the brains to realize how stupid it is to have it at IOA, and then bring it back to the original park. Where everything comes together perfectly...
From Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2003 at 11:23 PM
Haha.... I just got back from HHN at IOA tonight, I wish I would have stayed home and watched a scary movie, that would be more scary then what I just came from. What was Universal thinking when they moved it to IOA? Wow I'm really scared walking through Dr. Seuss land, let me tell you. Parades? Nope not this year, thanks to their genious idea of having it at IOA. Any positive feedback for the move? No can't really think of any, if Universal doesn't smarten up fast Busch Gardens Hawloscream may blow HHN away for years to come if they keep having it at IOA.... What a waste of money....
The HHN special on the Travel Channel WAS great. I loved seeing all the ins and outs of the event. I enjoyed HHN last year (went twice), but I still have to maintain that the event is better at USF. IOA's streets are fairytale and non-realistic in nature and it's effect is very interesting with all the scareacters roaming around. But in USF, with it's Hollywood Blvd., Amityville, and N.Y.C. replica streets, it gives you a chilling, eerily real experience where you can allow yourself to be taken to a place in your mind where you think to yourself, "This is just like walking down the block and having psychos chase after you."
(I think that might have been the longest sentence I've ever written.)
Both venues are great and I can't wait to go next week, but my sense of nostalgia makes me wish it would go back to USF.
From Anonymous
Posted October 19, 2003 at 5:37 PM
This year was a huge improvement. Still would have been 100X better at USF. The Bill and Ted sucks in this theater too cause there is no set the Wild West theater was a lot better for it. It you plan on going and dont want to do all the houses here is how i rated them so you know which one to goto:
1. All Night DrIvE in
2. Fun House of Fear
3. Ship of Screams
4. Psycho Scareapy
5. Screamhouse Revistited
6. Jungle of Doom (dont do it even if there is no wait)
From Anonymous
Posted October 20, 2003 at 7:03 AM
From what Danielle has told Cheryl, I hear it sucks. And beleive me when i say this, i do not have to go there to know first hand!
From Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2003 at 8:33 AM
I was there Sunday night, and I think the houses were the best ever. Scream House Revisited scared the crap out of my bunch. Also loved All-Night DrIvE-In, it was so incredibly detailed. The crowds weren't huge, so we saw 5 houses in less than 3 hours. I also noticed not as many scareactors, but perhaps because of less people. I will say that Bill and Ted really sucked this year. Maybe they need to give it a rest.
I like having HHN at IOA. Universal was great, but because the put all the houses on one side of the park, the crowds often seemed unmanageable. I would love to see them use both parks.
From Agent R
Posted October 21, 2003 at 9:10 AM
One of the main reasons for having HHN at IOA is that you have major draw attractions like Hulk and Dragons and Spider-Man that, it is hoped, will help draw some of the house crowds to the rides and keep the lines from getting absolutely insane.
Don't know if it's a good move or not (LOTS of people ask about a parade), but I will say we set two attendance records this past Saturday.
From Anonymous
Posted October 21, 2003 at 11:30 PM
FOR WHAT IM READING OR MY UNDERSTANDING. THERE IS NO HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS IN HOLLYWOOD THIS YEAR. I'M VERY SAD ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I WANTED TO TAKE MY HUSBAND THERE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY. SO IT MEANS I HAVE TO FLY THERE AND MY HUSBAND IS VERY SCARED TO FLY I DONT THINK THAT WILL HAPPEN. BUT WHY ARE YOU NOT DOING IN AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS IN HOLLYWOOD, CA? IF YOU ARE WHEN DOES IT START AND THE PRICE? PLEASE HELP INFIGURING WHAT TO DO? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELIZABETH ANDRADE DESPERATE LOOKING TO GET THIS DATE TO BE AWESOME AND SCARY!!!!
Huh? Lay off the caps! Scary!
Anyhow, they haven't had it at USH for several years because security has become a major problem. Let's just say a lot of undesirables were attending the event and it was just not worth it anymore for USH.
BUT... with new security procedures at the gate, why couldn't they bring this back? When we visited Knotts' event last year - which is a good choice for a Halloween event - we didn't find many "undesirables" there and had a good, yet crowded, time.
I have heard bad things about this year's Bill & Ted also. Does anyone think this is due to just a poorly written show this year, a poor year to make fun of people, or is the whole thing just getting stale? Last year's Hanging at Knotts was quite good. How is this year's?
From Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2003 at 4:26 PM
Hi. I attended HHN every year since the very first year. It is the most amazingly fun time. I stopped going 3 years ago, due to I moved to N. California. I thought for sure that there would be a HHN in hollywood, but guess what? Nope. I miss HHN so much. It doesn't feel like halloween anymore without it. PRAY that they bring it back to hollywood. You guys in Florida have it lucky! -MeL
From Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2003 at 4:56 PM
Does anyone know anything about the halloween express passes? I know they're different than the daytime express, but are they different every night? For instance, is Friday night different from Saturday night(ie color, bar code, dates, etc....)? The only thing I've seen is that they have the date on the front of the coupon book. Besides that is there a difference? Thanks for the help.
From Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2003 at 5:01 PM
oh, also...... how are the halloween express coupons used? Torn off and given to the ride attendent?, scanned?
From Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2003 at 6:08 PM
You tare them off to the attendant. You will need a booklet for each member of your party. It gives you 1 expass to every haunted house, bill and ted, and all the rides that have express. I bought it this year and was done with the 6 major rides, 6 houses, and Bill and Ted, at 11pm (only took me 4 hours to do everything i wanted) Well worth it on peak nights, cause the waits the night i went were 2.5 hours and i would have been able to only do 2 houses. and maybe 1 ride.
From Anonymous
Posted October 23, 2003 at 7:03 PM
Is there anything to distinguish Friday night's express pass from Saturday nights? (ex: bar code, date, different color?)
From Anonymous
Posted October 24, 2003 at 3:41 PM
On your booklet, on the front cover there will be a stamp saying the day it is. Some people check it, some dont.
From Anonymous
Posted October 24, 2003 at 8:05 PM
thanks
From Anonymous
Posted October 24, 2003 at 8:08 PM
I went to the HHN last night (23 Oct) and it absoultely rocked... Yes, there were crowds but the whole thing was just so awesome - the whole theming, lighting, sound... and that "Psycho Scarepy" House was awesome... I'm from Australia so I'm probably not going to get there very often... this was a massive experience...
From Anonymous
Posted October 27, 2003 at 3:37 PM
We went on Saturday Oct. 25th around 6:30 and it was horrible! The whole event seemed unorganized. We were only able to do one haunted house which was Ship Of Screams, the other had two hour waiting times the whole night. The park is only open for 7 hours so you figure that's three haunted houses, if that's all there was to do all night. We were only able to ride Jurrasic Park and Dueling Dragons also all the rides in Dr. Suesses Landing(beacuase it was empty). I am so mad we were never able to do The Huk or Spiderman because again the lines were always 80 minutes pluswhich we knew was a lie they were at least 2 hours as well with lines wrapped all the way around these buildings. The whole point of going was for the haunted houses and we weren't able to because of crowds. I think the event was oversold and way too crowded. There were too many drunk teenagers who were rude and obnoxious. I thoroughly love Halloween and I feel cheated. I do not reccomend going on a weekend night. I wish this were a positive report however there was nothing positive about this experience. I want my money back!!!
Anonymous, you're confirming all of my worst fears with your report. My wife and I are heading down this week and have tickets for Halloween night, oh boy. We didn't much care for it last year and prayed it would go back to USF this year, but figured what the heck. We've been going for years now, so why break the tradition. If this year's no better or is actually worse, we may have to reconsider.
As expected, HHN at IOA was not much better this year than last.Yes, some improvement was made and the long lines and mass consumption of alcohol were expected but it will never have the same feel as it did at USF. We don't go for rollercoasters and rides (simply because they are available all year, so why waste time doing all that at HHN?) The All Nite Drive In and Screamhouse Revisited were worth the short (30 minute) wait, but the lack of imagination (and those REALLY ANNOYING hoochie mammas on the stilts at the entrance whose only purpose was to give hell to the patrons) cheapened the whole night. Maybe I'm just a prude, but IOA is not the place for HHN.I have to give Universal credit, though:the most frightening part to the event came long before we ever got into IOA. The JelloShooter girls at the entrance to CityWalk REALLY were scary with those overpriced livations.What a shame....
As expected, HHN at IOA was not much better this year than last.Yes, some improvement was made and the long lines and mass consumption of alcohol were expected but it will never have the same feel as it did at USF. We don't go for rollercoasters and rides (simply because they are available all year, so why waste time doing all that at HHN?) The All Nite Drive In and Screamhouse Revisited were worth the short (30 minute) wait, but the lack of imagination (and those REALLY ANNOYING hoochie mammas on the stilts at the entrance whose only purpose was to give hell to the patrons) cheapened the whole night. Maybe I'm just a prude, but IOA is not the place for HHN.I have to give Universal credit, though:the most frightening part to the event came long before we ever got into IOA. The JelloShooter girls at the entrance to CityWalk REALLY were scary with those overpriced concoctions.What a shame....
I sit here every year, and see how people bash this event. (how sad) ALOT of time and money goes in to trying to entertain you each year. Decisions are made, that may not be to your likeing, and things may change that you think shouldn't. No one every gives credit to those who make this show go on. Hardly ever do I see anyone give an "ATTA boy" to the staff.
It is too easy to critisize someone from behind your monitors.
MY HAT IS OFF!!! To all of you who worked hard to make HHN this year the success that it was. I Enjoyed my visit, and I look forward to next year! I know that the planning is going to start in a few weeks, and I hope that you can make it better! It gets harder each year to top the last, and make sure that everyone will enjoy it.
To everyone involved with HHN, THANK YOU! and we will see you next year!
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