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Using that mentality, Hollywood's HHN shows must be far superior to Orlando's - because, well, it's Hollywood. Except that their shows blow compared to Orlando's. So let's please drop the notion that Hollywood does some things better because it's Hollywood... I have been going to both coasts' events for 7 years and I wouldn't want to bring a single idea from the Hollywood event over to Orlando - which is why I have the least enthusiasm I can remember ever for either event. Every aspect of HHN Orlando has consistently been better than Hollywood's - shows, ticket options, lack of house repeats, website, house sizes. Other than the weather, Orlando always offered the better event. Clearly money is the motivator for making the events more similar, and clearly the better product was costing more money. I have never been a fan of movie houses - ever. I am still waiting for someone to explain to me why it is in any way fun to walk through a house for the first time knowing exactly what you are going to see - because you've already seen the movie. The contracts that come with IP take the potential for creativity (and any chance for originality) out of the equation. Which is why I make the surely controversial statement that I'd take an original generic Orlando zombie house over The Walking Dead house. Will I have enjoy TWD over Zombiegeddon? We shall see...because I loved Zombiegeddon, but I've already seen every episode of TWD. We all know that many great Orlando houses borrowed from movies, but the ones that were very successful were not constrained by an IP contract. There's no way a contract was needed to do The Forsaken or Demon Cantina. The hugely popular Frankenstein presented an old idea in a fresh and clever way - again not constrained by a contract. Clearly not all of Orlando's original ideas have been winners, but man, so many have. I hear a lot of people wishing for the best (and I am, too), but if we find out that 2013 brings the west-coast mentality of repeat houses, there's going to be a chorus of complaints. Believe me - you will really get tired of seeing Silent Hill three years in a row, no matter how much management promises it will be "all new"... Until then, I'm going cross my fingers and hope that the opposite happens - that Hollywood will pick up some of Orlando's good qualities, like no repeat houses, or adding behind the scenes tours.

I'm sorry why does the event have to have a story? Do we go for the event or for the stuff leading up to it? I know that all the little story updates are fun and awesome... but really they are just icing on the cake. They are something they do to show the fans appreciation (as the GP doesn't care about story) but it isn't required for a successful event. Cut them a break... they got a lot on there plate this year. Why does one year full of celebrations and construction spell the end of an event 22 years strong? An event that has happened yet mind you. I've seen every year of this event. It was successful in '91 and it was successful in '11... The company has changed hands numerous times and numerous times they have changed up the game. Have a little faith... Wait until the reveal before complaing... better yet go to the event and then complain. We haven't seen anything to say one way or the other officially if there will be a theme. Do you know what we had last year at this time? A hand, two cards, and the Thing house confirmed... that's it. This year we already have 3 houses confirmed (4 should have been already) and they seem to be hurrying to reveal the IP's. So if we have another reveal next week all 4 IPs will be revealed and then the normal time frame for teasing starts. So people are essentially complaing because they have given you more quicker than last year. Regardless, It's really hard to judge Universal's marketing plan before they actually implement said plan... 0.o

Well as far as the underlying theme it really has been lessened, I must agree with Legacy. At the end of the day uni needs to make money and marketing knows how to do that. Appealing to the general public is where the monies at. Now I love a good overall theme. HHN 18 was one of my absolute favorites, and LT just added a huge bonus to the group of us who frequent the event almost every night. On the flip side HHN 14 was another amazing year and that had absolutely no central theme. I have not been let down by any HHN in 9 years of going so Im sure I wont be with this one either.

So, with all the complaints about this year’s complaints about the use of IPs and the cries for “original content,” I wanted to see something. I had realized that my first year (2002), only 20% of the houses were original to that year and wasn’t an IP. Just how original IS Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando. Well… the answer may surprise you. With a list of all 109 houses (Double Runs counted as 1), I assigned each house a category of Original, Returning Idea, IP, or Rip-off. Original Houses is a fairly loose category, especially for the earlier years. The Dungeon of Terror, despite its heavy use of IPs, is categorized as an original house because the overall theme was original. It’s a loose term, and if there was any question in my head I went towards Original. Returning Houses are houses based on previous houses or characters seen at HHN. IPs are houses that are based on properties that have existed outside of HHN. If a house was a returning house, but was given an IP as a key factor… it was categorized as an IP. Also, the Fangora houses are considered IP because they are not Universal concepts. Also, “anthology houses” (such as Die-In) were categorized as IP houses since the premise is wrapped entirely around the IPs presented. Rip-Offs are the houses that are obviously ripped from either a recent movie or a well-known pop-culture. Priority was: IP, Returning, Original, Rip-off (Returning IPs were counted as IPs. Returning Originals were counted as Returning.) Original Concepts – 45 IPs – 38 Rip-offs – 10 Returning Ideas – 16 So… out of 21 Years of houses… only 41% were entirely original. 1991 Dungeon of Terror Original 1992 Dungeon of Terror Returning The People Under the Stairs IP 1993 The People Under the Stairs IP The Psycho Path Maze IP The Slaughterhouse Original 1994 Haunted Houses: The Bone Yard Original Dungeon of Terror Returning Hell's Kitchen Original The Psycho Path Maze IP 1995 Haunted Houses: The Crypt Keeper's Dungeon of Terror IP Universal's House of Horrors IP Terror Underground: Transit to Torment Original 1996 Haunted Houses: The Crypt Keeper's Studio Tour of Terror IP Toy Hell: Nightmare at the Scream Factory Original Universal's New House of Horrors IP 1997 Haunted Houses: Hotel Hell Original Tombs of Terror Original Universal's Museum of Horror IP 1998 Haunted Houses: Hell's High Original Museum of Horror (Chamber of Horrors / Unnatural History) IP S.S. Frightanic (Fear in First Class / Carnage Crew) Original 1999 Haunted Houses: Doomsday Original Insanity Original The Mummy IP Psycho: Through the Mind of Norman Bates IP Universal's Creature Features in 3-D IP 2000 Haunted Houses: Anxiety in 3-D Original Dark Torment Original The Fearhouse Original Total Chaos Original Universal Classic Monster Mania IP 2001 Haunted Houses: Run Original The Mummy Returns: The Curse Continues IP Pitch Black Rip-Off Scary Tales Original Superstitions Original 2002 Haunted Houses: Scream House Original Fear Factor IP Maximum Carnage IP Project Evilution IP Scary Tales II Returning 2003 Haunted Houses: All Nite Die-In IP Funhouse of Fear Original Jungle of Doom Original PsychoScareapy Original Scream House Revisited Returning Ship of Screams Rip-Off 2004 Haunted Houses: Castle Vampyr Original Disorientorium Original Deadtropolis Original Hellgate Prison Original Horror in Wax Rip-Off House of Wax Remake was following year Horror Nights Nightmares Returning Ghost Town Original 2005 Haunted Houses: Where Evil Hides Original Body Collectors Rip-Off Blood Ruins Original Cold Blind Terror Original Demon Cantina Rip-Off The Skool Original Terror Mines Original 2006 Haunted Houses: Scream House: Resurrection Returning All Nite Die-In: Take 2 IP Psychoscareapy: Maximum Madness Returning Dungeon of Terror: Retold Returning The People Under the Stairs: Under Construction IP Psycho Path: The Return of Norman Bates IP Run: Hostile Territory Returning 2007 Haunted Houses: Jack's Funhouse in Clown-O-Vision Returning A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dreamwalkers IP Friday the 13th: Camp Blood IP The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Flesh Wounds IP Dead Silence: The Curse of Mary Shaw IP PsychoScareapy: Home for the Holidays Rip-Off Black Xmas/Silent Night, Deadly Night The Thing: Assimilation IP Vampyr: Blood Bath Returning 2008 Haunted Houses: Reflections of Fear Original Body Collectors: Collections of the Past Returning Creatures! Original Dead Exposure Original Doomsday IP The Hallow Original Interstellar Terror Rip-Off Scary Tales: Once Upon a Nightmare Returning 2009 Haunted Houses: Silver Screams IP Saw IP Chucky: Friends 'til the End IP The Wolfman IP Dracula: Legacy in Blood IP Frankenstein: Creation of the Damned IP Leave it to Cleaver IP Fangora House The Spawning IP Fangora House 2010 Haunted Houses: Horror Nights: The Hallow'd Past Returning Catacombs: Black Death Rising Original Havoc: Dogs of War Original The Orfanage: Ashes to Ashes Original ZombieGeddon Original Hades: The Gates of Ruin Rip-Off Clash of the Titans PsychoScareapy: Echoes of Shadybrook Returning Legendary Truth: The Wyandot Estate Rip-Off Haunting of Hill House 2011 Haunted Houses: Nightingales: Blood Prey Original H.R. Bloodengutz Presents Holidays of Horror Original Saws N' Steam: Into the Machine Returning The Thing IP Winter's Night: The Haunting of Hawthorn Cemetery Original Nevermore: The Madness of Poe IP The Forsaken Rip-Off The In Between Original

Which do you want then? Because 04 had no theme or story. It was all marketing.

Not just taglines, that's not big enough. I'm talking maybe a house or at least a scare zone dedicated to doubles or something having to do with duality. Universal has made SUCH a big deal of numbers in the past few years...I don't think they'll just let it go so easily with just a tagline or mention. The 2004 reference is a good example, but the reality is that Universal may very well, at some point in the future, host another two-park HHN. But there will never be another HHN 22....and that's the point. It's a one-time chance to do something creative with the number 22...and I don't think Marketing OR A&D will want to overlook that. I couldn't agree with you more. And, call me an idealist, but I believe the same of A&D - I can't see them letting HHN slide without a theme.

Here is a similar type of question asked on Hollywood's Twitter...

Here is the express pass info.... http://www.halloweenhorrornights.com/orlando/express-pass.html Annual Passholder Discount

FFP with Express is FINALLY on sale! From Facebook: HHN fans, we know you want to feel the fear sooner rather than later….Express Passes and Frequent Fear Passes with Express are now on sale for Halloween Horror Nights 22. The official event dates are: September 21, 22 and 27-30, October 4-7, 11-14, 17-21, 24-28 and 31. Are you ready to face the horror?

Man where are the UMTH tickets : /

it's really sad to hear everyone talking about HHN having no overlaying theme. Isn't that, aside from budget, makes them different and better then everyone else? I've been going to HHN since 2001, and I can't believe that A&D would just so drastically and abruptly change the formula to a winning recipe? IDK maybe I'm way off base but I can't believe that HHN will go without a theme. I can understand no icon; but to have no theme? A&D can't let that happen, and I don't believe they will.

Penn & Teller.

I saw they added group sales ( I don't believe it was an option before), so hopefully express will be around the corner as August creeps up next week.

like it or not Universal is a movie company, movies come first theme parks come second, hell, the only reason we have Theme parks is because of the movies that were made... Disney, same thing, I am not trying to be a smartass or anything, no, but the theme parks are based around the movies, every ride is tied to a movie or show or something, Universal is the movies come to life. the whole reason there are parks, Is Because of Movies. Besides this year marks the 100 anniversary, you people are lucky we are only getting 4 IP houses, we could have gotten 7 movie houses like 2007, I am not saying your opinion is wrong, no, not at all, but I don't understand why the haters of IP houses don't understand it could be a lot worst, all houses could be movie houses, that's what I am getting at, and, you could say "But Blackmask, Horror Nights is different because we get original ideas it is not like a ride" or "At least Movie rides have Their own theme and storyline, HHN houses are best of" which is true, totally true, but I guess one of the reasons that sets HHN separate from other events like Knott's Scary Farm or Six Flags, Netherworld, is the fact that Uni can afford to make movie houses, and the fact that they can take you Inside the world of a horror movie house, to purists here IP houses might suck, but to most of the regular public that have no idea about the event they love it, you can just hear it in their conversations, people telling their friends they visited Jigsaw or came face to face with Leather face or Jason, even my friends ask me about the movie houses, nothing else, I remember my cousin wanted to go on 2009 to see the Jigsaw house, he and his wife wanted to do the Saw house, they didn't even know there was a Wolfman house until I told them, do you think he had any idea about Icons or what the original houses were? I know everyone loves Original houses, but wanting to get rid of all IP houses is not going to happen, and I really do not think we will become like Hollywood, Orlando will always get more houses than Cali, always, there will always be original houses,

But what works in Hollywood is not always going to work for Orlando. I’m from the west coast but live in Florida now and I can tell you one thing. West coasters mentality is 100% different then Florida.

Not to mention the concept art says Sprung #1

I'm just going to say im quite looking forward to this year already I've been to HHN 06 through 2010 I missed last year and its been a year in anticapation for my since last season ended.. I LOVE ALL HAUNTED HOUSES..and I will certainly not moan and wine over the fact that there are a bunch of IP's coming this year as opposed to all original. The only thing that I would love and only hope to ever see is House of 1000 corpses finally making a debut in orlando I would probably cry of excitement if that did happen.

HHN Twitter Update

If anything I would think everyone would really be excited to see how Universal can pull off all these houses based on different types of media. This is their opportunity to reach a much larger audience for the event. You've got your gamers who will want to see what the SH house is all about, the television viewers who want to check out TWD house and then your rockers who want to see what Alice Cooper can pull off. And that's just three houses, whose to say what Uni has up their sleeves for the remaining ones, not to mention the scarezones? Let's face it, we are moving into our 22nd year of this event, it's time to start thinking out of the box and going with some well known properties (SH and TWD) to keep long time fans intrigued and gain the interest of newer ones. In the 22 years I've attended this event, I can say that I've only been disappointed a handful of times...and something tells me this year, I won't be disappointed at all.

Just because you think you know what the characters for Silent Hill,The Walking Dead,and Alice Cooper look like dosent mean you will know where they will pop out from... And once again this isn't the first time IP's have come to the event..ex.2007 & 2009 and many other years...

I'll be honest, I'm not looking too forward to this year. I feel like we are turning into HHN Hollywood. I'm not trying to be rude when i say that, but i feel like Orlando has always done great coming up with original house ideas and themes. That is what makes me so excited to go every year. In the past, i would have been checking the site everyday but this year, it is completely different. this year, we already have three houses based on other things, all of which i am still skeptical about. the website is not even themed so far and it is already late July. i really hope there is an amazing central theme that ties all these things together. we now have a "horror rock" house, a "TV series" house, and a "video game" house...

Hahaha, I really do think you're in the minority there. I mean, so much potential for such a great icon.

Reflections of Fear from HHN 2008. Some people said it sucked but I liked it...