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Halloween Horror Nights 23 Speculation


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Please explain to me again why Orlando seems reluctant to "push the envelope" and Hollywood is not. Is it literally a logistical thing? Hollywood is Hollywood, and everyone knows how obnoxious Hollywood overall is (theoretically), so it's to be expected that they'd be nastier? Whereas, Orlando is ruled by Disney (theoretically), and there are more "children" (even though the warnings written everywhere clearly state HHN is NOT an event for kids), so they tend to go lighter in Orlando? I don't understand that logic.

Grow some balls and enforce your written policies. If the event is for park-goers that are - what is it? 13 and older? - then make it be 13 and older. If it scares the hell out of those kids, they can go to Disney or some other park for Halloween. Universal should be THE leader in ALL aspects. I realize they win a lot of "audience favorite" things already, but I'd have even more respect for them if they went all out scarier. The very fact that Disney has scooped up the focus for kids, why can't we have an "adult playground" where the connotation of that phrase isn't some seedy porn shop.

I"m sick of this "focus on the kids" crap. If people who light their hair on fire over HHN billboards and Burger King cups were so concerned about what their kids are exposed to, they wouldn't be rolling them into HHN in their damn strollers. Ah, sorry, I feel a major ranting coming on..

Let me go back to the original question - why the big discrepancy? If we sit here and speculate that Orlando might be getting a HHNH house, but it's expected to be tamer.. what's the damn point??

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Let me go back to the original question - why the big discrepancy? If we sit here and speculate that Orlando might be getting a HHNH house, but it's expected to be tamer.. what's the damn point??

Because with Knott's and the numerous individual haunts in the immediate vicinity of Hollywood, Universal has to push the envelope in order to draw and keep customers. It's an actual competition on the West Coast.

Orlando, conversely, doesn't really have any competition. Though there's Howl-O-Scream in Tampa, there's little audience cross-over. Because of the two-hour drive and cost, it's an either/or thing in Florida. Therefore, the only way Orlando can increase its fan-base is through accessibility. That means its not as offensive.

If you want a more gruesome HHN, put your money where your mouth is (and support a local haunt).

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Please explain to me again why Orlando seems reluctant to "push the envelope" and Hollywood is not. Is it literally a logistical thing? Hollywood is Hollywood, and everyone knows how obnoxious Hollywood overall is (theoretically), so it's to be expected that they'd be nastier? Whereas, Orlando is ruled by Disney (theoretically), and there are more "children" (even though the warnings written everywhere clearly state HHN is NOT an event for kids), so they tend to go lighter in Orlando? I don't understand that logic.

Grow some balls and enforce your written policies. If the event is for park-goers that are - what is it? 13 and older? - then make it be 13 and older. If it scares the hell out of those kids, they can go to Disney or some other park for Halloween. Universal should be THE leader in ALL aspects. I realize they win a lot of "audience favorite" things already, but I'd have even more respect for them if they went all out scarier. The very fact that Disney has scooped up the focus for kids, why can't we have an "adult playground" where the connotation of that phrase isn't some seedy porn shop.

I"m sick of this "focus on the kids" crap. If people who light their hair on fire over HHN billboards and Burger King cups were so concerned about what their kids are exposed to, they wouldn't be rolling them into HHN in their damn strollers. Ah, sorry, I feel a major ranting coming on..

Let me go back to the original question - why the big discrepancy? If we sit here and speculate that Orlando might be getting a HHNH house, but it's expected to be tamer.. what's the damn point??

Isn't it because FL is more religious or something as well?,

I mean, isn't it the same reason Hollywood gets this:

8011451872_7770a224c0_z.jpg

But we could never have something like that?

I don't know,

I think I even asked about the gogo dancers in the past,

I think I remember reading somewhere about this, About how Orlando could not push the envelope like Hollywood did.

I also recall someone mentioning the religious aspect or something like that before, besides the "Disney family friendly" look that Orlando already has.

Sometimes I think we are lucky enough that we can have an event like Halloween Horror Nights as it is. I mean, look at how much complaining there was for the Walking Dead and the Bloody Mary Billboards.

Edited by LV-426
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Please explain to me again why Orlando seems reluctant to "push the envelope" and Hollywood is not. Is it literally a logistical thing? Hollywood is Hollywood, and everyone knows how obnoxious Hollywood overall is (theoretically), so it's to be expected that they'd be nastier? Whereas, Orlando is ruled by Disney (theoretically), and there are more "children" (even though the warnings written everywhere clearly state HHN is NOT an event for kids), so they tend to go lighter in Orlando? I don't understand that logic.

Grow some balls and enforce your written policies. If the event is for park-goers that are - what is it? 13 and older? - then make it be 13 and older. If it scares the hell out of those kids, they can go to Disney or some other park for Halloween. Universal should be THE leader in ALL aspects. I realize they win a lot of "audience favorite" things already, but I'd have even more respect for them if they went all out scarier. The very fact that Disney has scooped up the focus for kids, why can't we have an "adult playground" where the connotation of that phrase isn't some seedy porn shop.

I"m sick of this "focus on the kids" crap. If people who light their hair on fire over HHN billboards and Burger King cups were so concerned about what their kids are exposed to, they wouldn't be rolling them into HHN in their damn strollers. Ah, sorry, I feel a major ranting coming on..

Let me go back to the original question - why the big discrepancy? If we sit here and speculate that Orlando might be getting a HHNH house, but it's expected to be tamer.. what's the damn point??

Must be an IL thing... because Im with you 100%!

MONSTERS built Universal! Push that envelope! When people start bitching, people start talking, when people start talking, people start going to the event.

Of course HHN doesnt NEED to appeal to more people bc, well, we all so last years crowds. And they are winning awards for the best event in the country, etc. SO maybe they dont feel a need to be edgy. But us horror geeks can dream I guess...

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Must be an IL thing... because Im with you 100%!

MONSTERS built Universal! Push that envelope! When people start bitching, people start talking, when people start talking, people start going to the event.

Of course HHN doesnt NEED to appeal to more people bc, well, we all so last years crowds. And they are winning awards for the best event in the country, etc. SO maybe they dont feel a need to be edgy. But us horror geeks can dream I guess...

there is nothing worst in this country than someone who feels "offended" by something in the parks. They will write letters and complain and make such a big deal about it that it could even make the news.

Remember the "Mitt Romney" controversy with Bill and Ted? that got so big they even had to change the freaking show.

I hate that Uni has to play safe sometimes, I Do want to see more, see more gore for example, but I really cannot blame them either.

You could have a thousand HHN fans asking for more, but it takes that one person...

Edited by LV-426
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The is one reason why Orlando does not "push the envelope". It is the mouse down the road.

Orlando is seen as the "family friendly" vacation spot. You cannot destroy your image for an event that lasts 24 nights a year.

Think of the "horror" expressed by people regarding the Eyegore or the Mary billboards. We must "think" of the children!!!

Like last year's B&T debacle, most of the arguments and offense and horror was "OMG! There were kids in the audience!!"

And it was Universal's responsibility to protect those children! Not the parents, Universal!

Orlando is unfairly treated, because every theme park in this area should be just like Disney. Everyone knows the people in California are "depraved".

Be glad we aren't stuck with Spongebob's Halloween Adventures instead of HHN.

Edited by mystiquephreeq
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So back on topic, Kevin as the "I think there's something wrong with Kevin" angle, and the paedophobia would coincide extremely well... It could be akin to previous experiences but more concentrated, it could be linked to the Trick or Treaters from last year and be given a more dark intense element. Continuing from last years event... Also Balloons, Paedophobia, can be tied with a phobic themed HHN or House, where individually set up zones and houses are to cater to specific phobias which could link Fear into it and give him a decent icon house... -just my take on it-

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Let me go back to the original question - why the big discrepancy? If we sit here and speculate that Orlando might be getting a HHNH house, but it's expected to be tamer.. what's the damn point??

As a third Illinoisan, I concur. :) As a fan, I want dark, intense, bloody, and scary as hell. However, as a marketer, given the area, I can understand why it is the way it is.

If it helps at all, just think of it like this: HHN is where you get the production value, huge sets, and wonderful theming. Local is where you go for the more intense stuff.

Speaking of which, interested in a Round 2 at Reaper's Realm this year? :D

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Must be an IL thing... because Im with you 100%!

MONSTERS built Universal! Push that envelope! When people start bitching, people start talking, when people start talking, people start going to the event.

Of course HHN doesnt NEED to appeal to more people bc, well, we all so last years crowds. And they are winning awards for the best event in the country, etc. SO maybe they dont feel a need to be edgy. But us horror geeks can dream I guess...

Actually it doesnt win a lot of awards.. Yes it wins Golden Ticket Award but its for Halloween 'Event'.. Keyword is Event in that sentence.. HHN is an event in a lot of ppl eyes not a Haunt.. Its a Haunt but mostly an event, I cover Haunts and I've seen Haunts that have a lesser budget and they much the envelope more then HHN-O

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Because with Knott's and the numerous individual haunts in the immediate vicinity of Hollywood, Universal has to push the envelope in order to draw and keep customers. It's an actual competition on the West Coast.

Orlando, conversely, doesn't really have any competition. Though there's Howl-O-Scream in Tampa, there's little audience cross-over. Because of the two-hour drive and cost, it's an either/or thing in Florida. Therefore, the only way Orlando can increase its fan-base is through accessibility. That means its not as offensive.

If you want a more gruesome HHN, put your money where your mouth is (and support a local haunt).

I suppose this makes sense, but it still seems like a cop out.

And for the record, I support MANY a local haunt - especially since "local" for me is in Chicago. I have to make an extra effort to go to HHN in the way of travel and time off work. Don't get me wrong - it's 100% worth it to me, and I love HHN. It's still my favorite anywhere in this country (and yes, I've been to HHN Hollywood, and I still like Orlando better). But, I also go to at least 3 or 4 different local haunts here in Chicago as well. If I had time, I'd go to more.

You know it, Ryan!

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The is one reason why Orlando does not "push the envelope". It is the mouse down the road.

Orlando is seen as the "family friendly" vacation spot. You cannot destroy your image for an event that lasts 24 nights a year.

Think of the "horror" expressed by people regarding the Eyegore or the Mary billboards. We must "think" of the children!!!

Like last year's B&T debacle, most of the arguments and offense and horror was "OMG! There were kids in the audience!!"

And it was Universal's responsibility to protect those children! Not the parents, Universal!

Orlando is unfairly treated, because every theme park in this area should be just like Disney. Everyone knows the people in California are "depraved".

Be glad we aren't stuck with Spongebob's Halloween Adventures instead of HHN.

I really didn't want to believe that the answer to this was Disney or Orlando's friendly attitude. But, I remembered some old YouTube videos I had watched that had to do with billboard controversy, and now after re-watching them, Mysti (and others who mentioned it) are in fact correct. Living in Orlando (about 20 minutes from the parks) and also being a student, you really sometimes forget that you're in the tourist capital.

Anyways, here are the videos. This first one is absolutely pathetic, and the YouTube channel name is "ChangeBillboard"...give me a break.

I couldn't find the original one of this video, but it was re-uploaded by horrornightsarchives. I think a lot of people remember this story. God forbid if another controversy like this happens. It's a shame Universal has to worry about problems like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7oVJlNSdGA

It's a shame that the family-friendly mantra is a reason the event is being held back. BUT, at least it's not all bad. A family made a response video to the second video listed, and it's quite hilarious and awesome. The father even states, "I guess that soccer mom was wrong." Classic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpxJtB-Yv4c

*Sorry for the lack of proper speculation in this post, but I just had the urge to post it.

Edited by TsunamiFox
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the worst thing about Disney having its tentacles on everything Orlando is that, they don't even do a good job celebrating halloween.

Yes, I know that they have the Mickey's not so scary thing in MK, but none of the other parks have anything else. When Christmas comes all the parks get decorations, lights etc.

Something I wish was that they at least made Halloween fun at Disney, and made it a bigger event.

I really don't know what I would do without halloween horror nights. October would be dreadful in here.

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