Creeper06

I agree that there's no need for repeats. We are in a "new era of darkness" so going backwards feels lazy and counterproductive. Though if we had to have some repeats, I'd rather see them go back further and resurrect some truly old-school houses (like the original Dungeon of Terror, Psycho, or Universal Movie Monsters) since so many of us weren't around for them the first time. But when they just go back a couple years (do we really need Psycho Scareapy 14?!?!?) it just seems pointless.

An evil version of the cigarette girls who wander through casinos perhaps?

My reaction exactly. I love the contest idea but with so many mixed feelings about photo ops (some guests love it, others don't. Some scareactors love it, others don't) so it would take some major re-training on the subject. I don't see it happening.

LOL. Touche!

I say bring back Rocky Horror! Not because I like it. I could care less. But it seems popular with a lot of people. So those folks can pack that show and it'll make for more manageable lines for the houses for me

I'm actually a lot like you and I get your point. I have a shirt for every year I've gone to HHN (although a lot of them I bought after the fact via eBay. I was poor when I lived in Orlando). I wear my older ones and I'm proud because I actually attended back then. I don't own any from any years that I did not actually attend. So in my head, yes, I've earned them. But everyone else is right. It's just a shirt. Wear what you want. No one is going to take you to task for "not earning it". It's all good. You love HHN. That's the only way you need to earn it

Isn't just the room breakdown from The Hallow house in 08?

I'd love to see a movie (or movies) based on the icons. I understand all of Legacy's points and he is correct though. Still, it's fun to imagine. They're great characters and who wouldn't love to see them starring in their own films, like Freddy and Jason did. Remember that queue video for Scream House? It had a great story and was truly terrifying. Stretched to feature length could be a very memorable horror flick. But to Legacy's point, the parks are completely separate from the film side of the business. Even here in Hollywood, even though the park is ATTACHED to the Lot, the park and films do NOT mix. Odd? A little. But that's the way it goes. One quick side note: remember Van Helsing? Not a good movie (but a guilty pleasure for me) but there was a character in it that was a gravedigger and mortician. He was tall, thin, and pale. He had long stringy white hair, wore a black suit and a tall top hat. Sound like anyone familiar to you? It was so similar that it always made me go 'hmmmmmm'. Maybe Stephen Sommers is a big HHN fan?

I LOVE it!!! Like I said, the more "Halloween" in HHN, the better, as far as I'm concerned. I like that they've tried to bring it back a bit (with the pumpkins in Central Park) but I think we should always have some classic Halloween imagery integrated with anything new for each year. That's why I was such a fan of Field of Screams, The Hallow, and things like that. They just evoke that autumn, Halloween atmosphere, Sorry to get off speculation too much. Maybe this is more wishful thinking. Ah well. Until we have more clues, what else can we talk about?

I hear ya!!! I still don't know how such a glaring oversight made it through to the final event. Crazy. Even my family (who are casual HHN-goers) were so confused by it.

I'd love to see a return to The Hallow. It was a great premise that could be explored more. Plus- I love it whenever A&D can put the "Halloween" back into "Halloween Horror Nights".

I agree that I don't need to see a sequel to Catacombs just yet. However, it makes logistical sense as they already have all the props and scenery ready to go so it would be less expensive to do another Catacombs right away. We'll see. As for the suggestion of doing something based on Norse mythology, that does make some sense. #1- Hades last year proved that a mythology themed house can be successful and creative. #2- the popularity of Thor right now makes an easy marketing hook for a house of this type. I'm fully aware that Thor has no affiliation with Universal but sometimes A&D will do an unofficial house based around a premise that seems to be popular in pop culture at the moment. Think Hades = Clash of the Titans and Wyandot = Paranormal Activity. Thoughts?

Well, tickets were, what, last year? $75? Who wants to be they'll bump it up $5 and make it $80? What do you think? If they do, that puts us at $85 for 2012! Oh damn. Start saving now. It was $40 my first year in 2000. Sheesh! This is where I complain that prices were much more reasonable when I was younger

Awesome! Thanks so much for the clarification Dr. Jimmy! Much appreciated. Well I'm following him now.

Well, judging from what you posted regarding last year, it doesn't seem that he would use the game references randomly and without meaning. Now if you'll forgive me a silly question... Who IS Emeric?!?!? This is the first I'm hearing of him. I'm new to Twitter.

It's been a few years since I've been on the last night (since I moved away from FL), but the last time I did was in 2004, I remember the scareactors just having fun and being silly, as opposed to trying to be more aggressive. I remember going through Castle Vampyr and the vampires having boxes of Count Chocula and just being funny. This was really fun for those of us who had been going all season but I did feel bad for any guests who were only going that one night. Sounds like management has cracked down on this kind of behavior?!?!

I'm with you too buddy! I love the classic Universal monsters and feel like they should have some sort of presence. Not the whole event mind you (though some year, it would be great to see "The Universal Monsters are taking back what is theirs!!!!') but just as Drac, Frank, and Wolfman were reimagined 2 years ago, I'd love to see Phantom or Creature houses at some point. I know some people think that the classic monsters "aren't scary anymore" but I think they proved that wrong in HHN19

I definitely miss the queue videos but I understand they only have so much $$$ to spread around the event and this is one element that has to take the hit (I think we all would rather the money go into the houses anyway). But I loved what they did last year by having a house-specific video where appropriate (Zombiegeddon) but then just had a basic HHN-themed video for the rest. It was still a great mood-setter for those other houses and also a nice trip down memory lane for us old folks who've been going forever

Apparently I'm older than a lot of folks on here. I heard about HHN because I was living in Orlando in '97 doing the Disney College Program and saw the HHN billboards all over town (it was the one with the little demon holding open the eye... I think he has a name but I forgot it). I saw that image everywhere and I even remember seeing them covering opening night on the local news. It looked amazing, I wanted to go SO BAD. But I didn't have a car at the time and none of my friends were really into it. I finally got to go in 2000 (the first year of Jack). Had such an amazing time that I've been every year since!

Hey all- I did this maze in 2001. My memory of it isn't so great since it's been almost ten years and I only did it the one time. What I do remember is that it was the maze I was most excited for (I love ancient Egypt and the theming) and I was pretty let down. I remember it being just "fine". There was that soft foam floors, trying to simulate sand. There were lots and lots of torn fabric and nets and most of the scareactors were just generic people in robes popping out (many bald guys too). I also remember them using that animatronic of the hanged man that they re-used in Evil-ution and Silver Screams. There wasn't nearly as much pyramid/temple theming as I hoped and I think that was part of my disappointment. Again, it wasn't bad but, considering the premise, it wasn't as good as I hoped. Not to be a downer To end on a positive note, though, the Universal Classic Monster Mania maze in 2000 WAS amazing!!! They had the Wolfman on a bungee cord, the Creature from the Black Lagoon coming from behind a waterfall with strobes, Frankenstein's lab... still one of my favorite houses ever!

Very thorough and well thought out feedback here. Cheers! Too much to go into it all individually but I definitely agree about finales. Those were so strong in 08 and 09 and then, this year, seemed nonexistent. What a shame. And, I've discussed it before, but I don't think the failure of FEAR had to do with him being a creature and not human. It had to do with them keeping him in the shadows too much in advertising, merchandise, the website, etc. Guests just didn't know who the heck he was when they got to the park. And then, once in the park, you could only see him in one place! Just a sad mishandling of what could have been an awesome icon. Well done, Fallow.

Mae- I have to agree with this point: "Either cap attendance lower or offer more nights". Universal seems to shove in as many people as possible every night of the event. I know I've heard that it has "sold out" but I have never actually seen anyone turned away. I've even heard rumors that Universal has happily paid fines for violating fire codes for having too many people in the park during HHN (not sure if that's true but some nights, it sure feels like it). Anyway- my point is that they allow so many people into the event that lines get so long and the park gets so packed that it definitely detracts from the experience. I would feel awful for someone who can only go one night and only ends up doing a few houses because of crowds, which we all know has happened. It's just crazy to pay $75 for a ticket and still not be able to do at least most of the houses without ponying up another $50 for Express. That's crazy! I mean, we veterans know how to navigate the event well enough to do it all but I feel for those vacationers and first-timers who come away from HHN with a bad taste in their mouths because of the way it's managed. Also, yes, getting through security at the front gate is hell.

Hmmm... I actually really enjoyed the opening scareamonies in 06 and 07. I think it makes for a great way to kick off the night and set the tone for the event. It also can really emphasize the importance of the icon to the entire crowd, which FEAR could have really used this year. The general public didn't really seem to know who he was or why they should care. I understand not wanting to lose a SZ but, in 06, The Arrival was a show and the SA's still interacted with the guests afterwards. No reason it can't serve as both. Just sharing my take on it

Yeah. The one time I hit Catacombs was when it was still light out and that could have greatly decreased the effectiveness of the house for me. And I completely agree about Body Collectors and PsychoScareapy. Give them a rest! But a sequel to Catacombs, Legendary Truth, or Hallow'd Past (with different houses represented)? Then sign me up! Dr. Jimmy- I also agree about the difference between "repeats" and "traditions". CDT and Rat Lady (and the pumpkins in Central Park) are expected and it's nice to have them incorporated every year.

I've never minded having one sequel house in the mix. With 8 houses total, one sequel to a REALLY good house is still very cool (like Scream House, for example) and we still get 7 brand new ones. Plus it does give a chance to people who might have missed it the first time around. My point is having 1 repeat out of 8 isn't bad, unlike out here in Hollywood where we got 4 out of 5 repeats. That's just boring. And I find it so curious that everyone loved Catacombs so much. I seem to be the only one who didn't. Maybe I just happened to have a really bad run-through (I only got to do it once this year). But, if we get to return to the Catacombs in 2011, I'm happy to give it a second chance