Considering extending my Sept trip to WDW a few days to experience Universal. We really love the MNSSHP and will not miss it. I am considering getting a HHN ticket - I will admit that I know nothing about this event and will doing a lot of research. So I thought I would ask those who have attended HHN what their thoughts were and any tips they would recommend.
Please don’t bring your kids
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HHN can be quite the rabbit hole of planning and getting hyped if you like a good pre-trip hype. I went for the first time with my DD15 last year and absolutely loved it. We stayed at BLT and went to MNSSHP, but wnet over to HHN for one night. This year we are doing an all Universal trip at Halloween.
There is a lot to know and plan and extras to make the night easier ranging from early entry to express pass to group or private RIP tours. What would be most useful to you?
The HHN subreddit can be really useful for tips, info and pre trip hype.
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I know there are others here that have been to HHN more than me but I have been going since 2018. My son, daughter in law, and I have an annual trip just to go the HHN one weekend a year. Last year, I also did a second weekend with two friends. I have stayed at Disney, and on site. On site is better for me, and it all that I will do now.
HHN is nothing like MNSSHP. MNSSHP is a family event. Although you will see some kids at HHN, and lots of teens, it is more adult oriented. The houses are horrid houses. You will see blood and guts. Even in the streets, you will see chainsaw wielding zombies, vampires, and other horror related scare actors and scenes.
Can we help?
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Even if my kids are in their 40s?
Ha! Mine are in their 30s!
Thanks @PrincipalTinker and @heathernoel . I know nothing about HHN but I have started doing research. It seems like the haunted houses are the main attraction - is that correct? What is the main plan for HHN? Reading some of the threads that most people are interested in the houses.
My wife and I are seniors but in great health and can ride most of the rides. This trip has morphed quite a bit and we are a little over 90 days out (going in first half of Sept.).
There are only a few rides open during HHN (usually 3-4). Yes, the houses are the main attractions. Express passes are expensive, but they will make a big difference in your experience. Without express passes, lines for houses can be more than an hour. The express passes will also work ( one time each) on the few rides that are open. In addition to the houses there are “scare zones”. Each scare zone tells a story. Scare actors will approach you as you walk through the scare zones, but will not touch you. They do love to catch you unaware, and scare you enough to jump.
Planning each house and scare zone is a full year project. Universal creative ensures that no small detail is overlooked. Oh! And Diagon Alley with the Death Eaters walking through is something I try to see. (if you have time)
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The rides that were open last year are Escape from Gringotts, Transformers, the Mummy.
I definitely think a little time in Diagon Alley/Gringotts and Mummy are a nice fit with the evening. I would not use HHN as a way to fully experience Universal Studios as it is its own thing and doesn’t include things like some of the fantastic daytime US shows.
In addition to Express pass there are some early entry options. What that looks like has changed this year and no one is quite sure how it will work and what will be available.
If you don’t mind or really like gore and jump scares, and you really like live entertainment (i.e. you love parades and shows and anything that has live talent) you will enjoy HHN.
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Hope this helps some.
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