DarthSpielberg

An idea I've long had that would be interesting, but probably more fitting for an anniversary year, is that of a museum curator, someone who collects evil from around the world and presents it to the public under the guise of an exhibit, but it's really just a trap to provide victims for his strange collection. If it were a non-anniversary year, you could have sorts of urban legends show up, along with some unique concepts from A&D (Heck, even a few unique serial killers to please ol' critical) and in the case of an anniversary year, you could have him collect the icons, thinking he can control them (But of course can not) As for looks, kind of unassuming at first, but the more you get to know him, the creepier he gets (like a male Storyteller, I guess. Not really, but she's about the closest I can think to "unassuming at first" in the current Icon line up) At the very least, it could make for an interesting house.

Nothing has been removed for content if that's what you are wondering. The show is a little different each time since its live and the actors adlib stuff. I will say I noticed that the biggest differences in the show depend on who is playing Jack. Each actor has jokes they use that the other does not.

I've been doing video blogs for my trips to HHN. They act as both a preview of things you can see in the streets and a running review. It's Vlog format, so warning, contains my fat face. Let me know what you all think Donald@ Halloween Horror Nights Preview Night Donald@ Halloween Horror Nights Opening Night

SCAREZONES i didn't spend a lot of time in scare zones except for Psychoscareapy Unleashed but they were all fairly unique and entertaining in their own ways! ICONS This is so much better than Face Off last year. Yes it's the photo op zone, but the variety of characters roaming the streets will make HHN history buffs smile. The sets are amazing and I only saw one kill (The Usher, both times I walked through) I can't wait to see the rest. Evil's Roots I walked thought this on preview night before the actors were out (most were still at the gate doing opening scaremonies) and yet, the atmosphere was incredible. I went again on opening night with actors and its ethereal and mysterious and I love it to pieces. I just want to hang out in there and take it all in All Nite Die In: Double Feature the biggest thing I can say about this zone is how crowded and cramped it was every time I walked through it, but both sets of actors are cool and got some good scares, even the classic ones. Lots of photo taking here, selfies with the monsters, but it's still very creepy. Psychoscareapy Unleashed this zone, like Purge last year is HUGE. It leads to some gaps in scares but man those who are scaring are having a ball doing it. I loved the set pieces, and some crazy things were overheard. Also the costumes here are down right fun. Scary Tales: ScreamPunk Like Maskarade last year, this is a beautiful zone, with great costumes and characters. Little Bo Peep may be my favorite character in the streets this year based on the severally times I passed her waking through the zone to get other places. Not particularly scary, but imaginative and well crafted. SHOWS i only saw one show (I watched it both nights I was there though) and it was The Carnage Returns Jack is Back and it's a sight to behold. A sequel of sorts to the show from 2007, this takes the base concept of the Carnival of Carnage and ramps it up several notches. This is the better of the Jack shows, hands down. It's hilarious, brutal, and also really stunning to look at. A mixture of large scale illusions and acrobatics take this show to another level. I love this show and will be watching it every time I attend the event. Bill and Ted will have to wait until this weekend. I disliked last years so I'm not in any real rush to see it.

As for the first question, I am from Boston but I live in Orlando. My roommate is a third party team member and she gave me her pass. As for the second, I don't know how it worked in the past but we booked it over and they let us in, no questions asked

In 2007, a horror fan in Boston stumbled across the website for Halloween Horror Nights 17. The concept of the Carnival of Carnage intrigued me, but moreso was this event with a a huge story wrapped around it and the houses featured. From then on, I made sure to follow the event , wishing desperately I could attend. This year is the second year I've been able to attend, but it feels like the first real Horror Nights in some ways. A love letter to the "icons" era while still focusing on the new IP driven formula tha has proven so succesful, this year feels like nothing I've ever experienced. I'm on horror nights cloud nine. Houses The Purge (1 out of 5) The first house I went in was The Purge, and while I didn't hate it, I also felt no real connection to it. I think the Purge movies have a fascinating concept that they don't explore well enough, and last years scare zone felt, to be, to be a better take on it than the movies. The housedoesn't fare as well. Lots of actors try their hardest and the scares do happen, but you can feel that this was put together last minute due to behid the scenes drama with Scream. Maybe it will improve over the run. I'm interested to see. Insidious (4 out of 5) This house is insane. So throughly creepy and at times actually scary rather than just startling. I've not seen the third movie, so I can't comment on its inclusion in the house, but it gets the first two films right, and has one of the coolest effects I've ever seen in a house. I can see this being a perfect house by the end of October. I went through this twice on preview night. Both times were excellent. Run: Blood, Sweat, and Fears (3 out of 5) A fun fun fun house that has a great concept and the actors going full tilt into it. It's not very scary (I'm not sure I even jumped once) but its got a lot of energy and fun set pieces at make it a house worth repeating. I hope it gets scarier, but for now i dig the feel of it. An American Werewolf in London (4 out of 5) What a house. On preview night there weren't a lot of actor based scares that hit well, but the puppets were spectacular in every way, and holy hell are they BIG. I love the movie so seeing it come to life in this way was fascinating. On opening. Night, the actors were much more energetic and the puppets hit me every time. Good stuff and it will only get better. Jack Presents: 25 Years of Monsters and Maniacs (5 out of 5) Oh my god. This is the house to best this year for sheer awesomeness. As a fan of HHN who missed out on a lot of stuff, seeing house ive heard of come to life again is a blast. The sets are fantastic, and some classic Horror Nights effects show up in ways that made me smile. It could use a little something at the end to spruce up the exit, but it's great. It's so so great. Did this both nights and the cast was on point both times. Body Collectors: Recollections (5 out of 5) I have wanted to experience a Body Collectors house since 2008, and here we are, with possibly the scariest haunt I've ever been in. The setting and basic story lead to an unease that really feels like we shouldnt be witnessing what is occurring in Shadybrook. The sets are incredible and it'd packed with good scares left and right. I cannot wait to walk through this one again. Asylum in Wonderland (3 out of 5) I've been in many 3D haunts (and worked in one for the first two years of being a scare actor) and they always leave guests disoriented, but scared isn't what most would call their feelings. Asylum is not a deviation from this. It's not scary, but it is fun. The costumes and sets a creative and are just neat to explore. Never got scared once, but I look forward to seeing this one grow with the season. Freddy vs. Jason (3 out of 5) Disappointe isn't the word I am looking for because I do like this house, but there was a lack of energy when I went through (I walked into the queue five minutes to close on preview night, so I understand why) but the sets were phenomenal. Like stepping into both franchises. This house is the one I am most excited to see firing on all cylinders. I imagine my rating will improve. Some real fun stuff in here for fans of the films, so when the scares get ramped up, I am sure it will be a classic. I didn't do Walking Dead on either night, and I can't lie, I'm it in any rush to see it.

I have a TM friend getting me in, and I am so stoked.

I just hope it's better than last year. I was so let down after years of waiting to finally see it live and in person and I really thought the jokes fell flat for a majority of the show.

Looks like the set for this show is going up pretty fast. I was at Universal this afternoon and they already have quite the structure under way. I took some photos but my phone is garbage and they really aren't good. The upper deck to the set plus hearing about aerial has be intrigued as to the possibilities.

Can you upgrade a FFP to have express after the event starts. I am debating getting it, because I don't usually use express (I have a knee injury and make due with the Guest Assistant Card, getting return times) but the few peak nights I went to last year were insane. Even the rides had long waits, so I am considering buying into express perhaps in October when I'd be able to afford it, where as now I can onl afford the base FFP

This is the first anniversary year that I'll get to attend, so I'm pretty much excited for everything except Walking Dead which I couldn't care less about as a property (although the house was cool last year, I'll admit) 1. Freddy Vs. Jason. I love Freddy so very much, and regret not impulsively buying a ticket to come down for Carnival of Carnage back in 07 to see his house, and having both him and Jason in one maze is thrilling. 2. Anniversary House. As I have only recently been able to attend Horror Nights, I am excited for a house filled with event history. Ive been following since 03' so I know a lot, but to experience it in person is exciting. 3. AWIL. missed it the first time around, so I am stoked that I'll get to check it out. Hoping it's got some new twists. 4. Insidious. When I first saw Insidious I went "damn this would be a fun haunted house" so I am psyched. 5. Alice 3D. Having worked 3D haunts, I'm interested to see where this goes. I love creepified Wonderland stuff, so I hope it's good. 6. Blizzard. These two house concepts combined is strange and intriguing. Hope it's something along the lines of Home for the Holidays 7. Run. I dont know much about this concept besides the basics of Eddie. If he makes a return, that'd be neat 8. The Purge. This is low on the list only because office of how late it is in the game it is. I loved the scare zone so we'll see. 9. The Walking Dead. Yawn.

My only issue with that commericial is the voice-over guy. The guy they used to have doing the commercials sounded cool. Not so much for this new guy. I will say this feels like the ads they used to have for the older years, like before 2002.