Halloween Horror Nights 35 (UO) General Discussion Thread

[TheGentTrent]

It is definitely in the “house style” of AI, but there’s also the strong possibility it isn’t AI and just looks like dog crap!

This. I’m all for calling out AI slop, but at the same time it’s extremely lame and frustrating to see people immediately jump on the AI witch hunt for anything that gets put out. We just saw this recently with the new monorail voice at Disney World.

 

[Lucky Planet]

This. I’m all for calling out AI slop, but at the same time it’s extremely lame and frustrating to see people immediately jump on the AI witch hunt for anything that gets put out. We just saw this recently with the new monorail voice at Disney World.

actually you reminded me, a few park YouTube channels that I love to watch have been accused of being fake ai voices but I've followed them for years, they're definitely real. but yeah they even get insulted for being ai, when they never used it.
( it's channels that never show their face, only park footage )

 

[Parkscope Joe]

So

Respectfully, I'm not sure that I really buy that it isn't having any sort of impact. These are the wait time averages of the first 12 nights (2025/2026)

1. 62 min/62 min
2. 63 min/53 min
3. 64 min/31 min (2025 Sunday before Labor Day)
4. 60 min/35 min
5. 56 min/36 min
6. 54 min/38 min
7. 54 min/48 min
8. 49 min/63 min (2026 Sunday before Labor Day)
9. 51 min/50 min
10. 54 min/47 min
11. 53 min/49 min
12. 60 min/57 min

2026 wait averages have been shorter on 11 out of 12 nights (some by significant margins). That's not to argue that capacity shouldn't be improved (please please please give us new entertainment) or that there aren't busy nights, but I don't agree that it hasn't done anything to help.

There's a lot of things that can impact waits so I don't think "removing express" is always going to be the answer, but I can say for sure that the sold out Saturday saw significantly lower Express waits and less crazy influxes than in prior years. Everything was fast, efficent, and not-frustrating. I say that's a win, and anyone still bellyaching about the decision should get a grip.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I think that has to do with the design/layout of the store. It’s a tight maze-like layout compared to previous stores.

Even with the large crowds, they’ve managed food and beverage stands very well. It’s just houses and entertainment being swamped.

The entry is a big mistake, they funnel you through a corridor full of merch instead of a full open first room.

 

[SeventyOne]

I think what HHN needs (lol, you guys are gonna love this) is to go full Disney. Add upcharge attractions and spaces that people can purchase during the event hours. The problem with the queues isn’t the general public (I don’t think), it’s the people who have become legit HHN lifestylers over the past few years. Take advantage of the experience economy, take advantage of how many people want to just “be there” every night, and take advantage of your rabid core fanbase. It’s an easy way to take those people off the streets for a few hours at a time and also keep the event fresh for people who go every other day with their FFP’s.

Nightmare Fuel goes to capacity consistently despite being the same thing year after year. The tribute store apparently has a queue now. That’s not a reflection of a house capacity problem, that’s a reflection of a fanbase that’s just looking for “stuff” to do.

While I like this idea in theory, and specifically love a couple of your proposals (sign me up for that Singapore-style dinner), I think the lifestyler aspect you mention is why it won't be as effective as a price hike. I'm not sure guests spending $220 on a full month of access -- rather than $350 for TWO months of access including actual Halloween -- are a realistic market for a $150 dinner. Or even a $50 upcharge house. There are quite a few local superfans who will go for this opening night at least, but I think the primary market would be out-of-towners -- who now are looking at several hundred more dollars to get in their eyes "the full" HHN experience. Sooner or later, there will be a breaking point.

Your point about the queue for the tribute store is exactly it -- HHN is a hang now, with regulars looking for something free and easy to kill time. Upcharges are not that. Better to get that extra money up front, and reduce numbers inside the park.

 

[Touchdown]

Really think they should look into multi day passes (with and without express) of up to 10 nights in 14 days and take away the season pass. As always will be interesting what happens after ROF is over.

 

[OrlandoGuy]

While I like this idea in theory, and specifically love a couple of your proposals (sign me up for that Singapore-style dinner), I think the lifestyler aspect you mention is why it won't be as effective as a price hike. I'm not sure guests spending $220 on a full month of access -- rather than $350 for TWO months of access including actual Halloween -- are a realistic market for a $150 dinner. Or even a $50 upcharge house. There are quite a few local superfans who will go for this opening night at least, but I think the primary market would be out-of-towners -- who now are looking at several hundred more dollars to get in their eyes "the full" HHN experience. Sooner or later, there will be a breaking point.

Your point about the queue for the tribute store is exactly it -- HHN is a hang now, with regulars looking for something free and easy to kill time. Upcharges are not that. Better to get that extra money up front, and reduce numbers inside the park.

That’s totally valid. For the record, I’m not in favor of squeezing out the super fans, just thinking about general capacity constraints for anything else Universal adds. Maybe the only “paywall” for some of these features is the FFP itself.

In general I see your point about raising prices but have two hang-ups:
1. Price hikes have yet to deter anyone in 35 years
2. I think higher pricing is less a concern than ever. People will find ways to pay it…and then just take even more advantage of it.

 

[kristenabelle]

(apologies if this isn't the right place; responding to the capacity/offerings conversation)

in terms of additional experiences - i'm not a huge fan of the format of universal's great movie escape, but an upcharge escape room with some scareactors would be amazing. we've done some in NYC that are like this, and it's absolutely worth the cost when done well. it'd be very low capacity, especially relative to the event, so folks would have to come back if they weren't able to book whatever night they wanted.

make it themed to the year's icons or to boris shuster (or both?), and I think it could do well

 

[Lucky Planet]

(apologies if this isn't the right place; responding to the capacity/offerings conversation)

in terms of additional experiences - i'm not a huge fan of the format of universal's great movie escape, but an upcharge escape room with some scareactors would be amazing. we've done some in NYC that are like this, and it's absolutely worth the cost when done well. it'd be very low capacity, especially relative to the event, so folks would have to come back if they weren't able to book whatever night they wanted.

make it themed to the year's icons or to boris shuster (or both?), and I think it could do well

yep
this is another great idea, I know that local haunts in other states live by their escape rooms, sometimes they make more money than the actual haunt.
I remember watching YouTube videos of their escape rooms and they look really cool.
the haunt owner said that they had to expand the escape room and take away space from their haunt because people just loved it so much.

Really think they should look into multi day passes (with and without express) of up to 10 nights in 14 days and take away the season pass. As always will be interesting what happens after ROF is over.

you run the risk of having some very empty days. with little sales on drinks and food ( because like you mentioned with ROF) after ROF Is over, there will be a couple nights that will be more slow.

 

[Hannah L]

(apologies if this isn't the right place; responding to the capacity/offerings conversation)

in terms of additional experiences - i'm not a huge fan of the format of universal's great movie escape, but an upcharge escape room with some scareactors would be amazing. we've done some in NYC that are like this, and it's absolutely worth the cost when done well. it'd be very low capacity, especially relative to the event, so folks would have to come back if they weren't able to book whatever night they wanted.

make it themed to the year's icons or to boris shuster (or both?), and I think it could do well

I mentioned this on the last page but HHN 26 had an up-charge house called the Repository that seemed to combine escape room games and VR elements. I was curious why it didn’t come back, does anyone have info on that?

https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/The_Repository

 

[SeanPhilly]

I mentioned this on the last page but HHN 26 had an up-charge house called the Repository that seemed to combine escape room games and VR elements. I was curious why it didn’t come back, does anyone have info on that?

https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/The_Repository

I loved it. Lots of people (including on this forum) did not. I recall doing a survey after about price points and such. I’m not sure why future iterations were dropped, but I recall some spec that they couldn’t sustain it at a reasonable price point.

 

[Lucky Planet]

I mentioned this on the last page but HHN 26 had an up-charge house called the Repository that seemed to combine escape room games and VR elements. I was curious why it didn’t come back, does anyone have info on that?

https://halloweenhorrornights.fandom.com/wiki/The_Repository

I wonder if we can find some more reviews. (like Facebook reviews or Google or something)
we do have a thread about it here:
Pros:
Sets are top notch/ Actors do a great job and there is a lot of interactions/ The VR is integrated into the story
Cons:
Too expensive for what you get/ Graphics are not up to par on the VR/ Everything feels rushed/
Final puzzle is confusing/ Not scary

Thread '"The Repository" VR House'

Aug 12, 2016

“The Repository” is an exclusive, limited-time attraction that has guests joining a team of investigators, enter a centuries old, secret warehouse where mysterious artifacts have been collected and stored for hundreds of years. Advanced supernatural and paranormal devices are being tested using state-of-the-art technologies to determine the power these relics hold. You make your way through multiple rooms and find yourselves transported to various worlds in this personalized, mind-bending experience.

“The Repository” Virtual Reality Paranormal Experience Coming to Halloween Horror...

• Brian G.
• Replies: 190
• Forum: Haunted Houses

• 

 

[kristenabelle]

I loved it. Lots of people (including on this forum) did not. I recall doing a survey after about price points and such. I’m not sure why future iterations were dropped, but I recall some spec that they couldn’t sustain it at a reasonable price point.

A Silent Hill themed room in Brooklyn was $100++, IIRC. Not cheap by any means, but worth it. I guess it's all relative, especially compared to RIP pricing or other exclusive experiences.

 

[Jake S]

Some reviews of The Repository from this fine website:

The Repository: 8/10

This was a really great experience! The thing that really stands out is the actors. These aren’t typical scareactors, these are very talented actors good with improv and seemed to have their characters down perfectly even when handling something unexpected. The physical interaction was perfect, the guards push and shove you and move you from scene to scene. The sets are very nicely detailed and since you don’t just walk past them, you get a chance to really look around and take in all the detail. Even with that extended time they don’t become old or boring. The VR aspect of this was disappointing, they don’t have you move through halls with the VR which I think is a huge missed opportunity. Although it was explained well in the story you’re basically just standing in one room looking around. One thing to note here I wear glasses, they made me remove them and so I basically couldn’t see any of the VR stuff other than just swirling blobs of color. I’m also not a fan of the escape room aspect I would prefer to just be led through this house watching the story unfold with the earlier type of interactions. Worth the money, not worth doing a second time and I will definitely do it again if they do one next year.

99) Repository - Rip-off-itory

The Repository:

Despite what my group says I enjoyed Repository on the whole. Was it my realistic expectations, probably. The actors saved the experience in my eyes. Problem was the mission briefing, VR lead up, and the VR all had little to do with each other. This would have been much better if a free drink was included.

We did the Repository on Thursday (10/20) - overall, I thought it was worth the additional cost. The VR was pretty sad, and we were confused the entire time, but the interaction with the actors, the "physical" nature of some parts and the storyline / effects were really neat. I'd like to see this expanded in future years (and just give up on the VR).

 

[Lucky Planet]

Some reviews of The Repository from this fine website:

why wouldn't they bring it back
too complicated, or not enough interest.

 

[JohnHammondsCane]

My very quick thoughts on HHN35:

Wife and I did our first kids-less trip Thursday - Saturday, attending HHN on Thursday. We bought Express Passes and showed up at about 4:45 PM to get our wristbands. We were able to hit Stranger Things and Hellraiser, as well as hit a few food booths before the gates opened shortly before 6:30 PM.

Express Passes: I don't think we waited more than 10 minutes for a house all night with express. It is well worth the investment. I know it's a lot of of money, but my wife is 32 weeks pregnant and wasn't standing in any long lines I'm not a big rides guy during HHN, but the wait times all looked pretty short most of the night for the four rides at USF during HHN, so not sure Express really matters for them.

Stay and Scream: It seems like these updates are massive gamechangers, ESPECIALLY if you are someone not buying express. I can't stress enough, that if you aren't buying express passes, your night will go so much smoother if you attack Stay and Scream!

Rides : The rides are all good, but man, HRRR is sorely missed. I'd guess USF is going to push to get F&F coaster up by HHN next year. It's going to be awesome.

Diagon Alley: First year that I've skipped peeking into DA. With Butterbeer now almost $10, I've drawn my line in the sand. Soo good, but the price is nuts.

Nightmare Fuel : Been coming to HHN since 2019 and this was by-far my least favorite Nightmare Fuel show. No idea what was going on with the plot of the show. Seemed like there were less stunts/illusions in this show and not as many wow moments as year's past

Stranger Things Water Show: We made it through a minute or so of this before bailing. Seems like you can find better compilations of the series on YouTube.

Food Booths : A standout year for food, IMO. Fried pickles, mozzarella sticks, egg rolls, mac & cheese and jerky.. All great! I rarely drink and I'm too cheap to pay the insane prices for alcohol at HHN, so no reviews there

Scarezones : A down year for scarezones, IMO. My reviews are biased because we attended an on again/off again night for rain. As a Fortnite fan, WTF was that? Club Horror needs to go. Clowntown is actually a cool idea! The Art show (if we want to call it that?) isn't for me. It's definitely popular, the entire street in front of the stage was PACKED.

Houses:
Standouts:
Cybergoria

Mid-tier:
Madlands
ST5
Evil Dead
Hellraiser
Jack & Oddfellow
Sinners

Not a fan:
HR Bloodengutz
Alien Abduction
Ozzy

My review may sound negative but we enjoyed this year! Since coming for the last 7ish years, it would probably rank near the bottom, but was still fun and a good event! Relatedly, we skipped MNSSHP for the first time in that timespan. Another year of Hocus Pocus shows and repeat entertainment made it a skip for us

 

[CoryLevy91]

Really think they should look into multi day passes (with and without express) of up to 10 nights in 14 days and take away the season pass. As always will be interesting what happens after ROF is over.

This.

Instead of suggesting price hikes or up-charge attractions, why not just cut right to the point and either vastly reduce or eliminate FFP all together?

That way those of us wanting shorter lines will be satisfied because FFPers will be much smaller in number while those who want price hikes and up-charges will surely be a-okay shelling out more money for entry every time they get the whim of attending, right?

 

[Lucky Planet]

This.

Instead of suggesting price hikes or up-charge attractions, why not just cut right to the point and either vastly reduce or eliminate FFP all together?

That way those of us wanting shorter lines will be satisfied because FFPers will be much smaller in number while those who want price hikes and up-charges will surely be a-okay shelling out more money for entry every time they get the whim of attending, right?

or, remove ROF and get Fridays and Saturdays less busy for September. do we really need ROF when you can just leave Wednesday Thursday and Sunday for ffp?

 

[CoryLevy91]

or, remove ROF and get Fridays and Saturdays less busy for September. do we really need ROF when you can just leave Wednesday Thursday and Sunday for ffp?

Why do a half measure when you can go..

ALL

THE

WAY!

 

[MAC]

Why do a half measure when you can go..

ALL

THE

WAY!

Or, really go all the way.

No more tickets.

Boom.