ThreeCircles

Thanks for the info. Just wanted to know as I'm considering an annual pass this year. More to avoid the parking fee than anything but wondered if the Stay & Scream allowed you to bypass the hassle of the moronic security at the front. Regarding the flasks, have never had a problem bringing alcohol in when I wanted to but I usually just pre-game a beer or two at Whole Foods or World of Beer. As "smart" as Universal thinks they are at the front, it's hardly difficult. They have more of an issue with me refusing to put my wallet in the pass through trays than anything. Phone, keys, anything else I'm OK with. Not my wallet. It is Orange County, after all. Anyway, thanks again for the info.

Searched and searched but couldn't find an answer. How do they handle Stay & Scream holding area security? Do they actually screen like they do at the front entrance with metal detectors and bag searches? Do they do so before you enter the holding area or when you're leaving the area? Any help would be appreciated.

May be worse tonight but I have to say that I've yet to have spent a night at HHN that *wasn't* infested with drunk college students.

One of the worst concepts to ever make it off the HHN designing table. That and Cold, Blind, Terror. And people suggest that HHN can't give us total bombs.

I'd rather they just skip social media use all together if it's going to be as crap-tastic as last year. HOS and HHN Hollywood seem to take a very similar approach when it comes to social media use. They interact directly with their fans, answering questions and providing information about the event, without extravagant and fanciful dressings. Even that would be better than last year's efforts. Probably makes more sense from a business standpoint too.

This is an excellent point. There is no such thing as "never" or "won't" and anything could happen. How many people have sworn that the number of houses would "absolutly never" decrease? Well, welcome to "never".

It's Universal. They have no competent people. Want an example? They were out of the souvenir shot glasses and were thus selling shots at $6 in a disposable plastic cup. After explaining this to me the "bartender" charged me for two shot glasses at $7.50. When I questioned him he tried to tell me that I would get refill shots if I kept the Solo plastic cup. Talk about a fucking moron.

Thanks for the info. I must have missed such news in years past. Would someone mind posting to this thread if they open the Saturday(s) this year? Not sure I'm on the proper e-mail list to get the info. Thanks in advance.

I find this interesting as I wasn't aware they opened Saturdays to FFP holders. Sometimes Halloween was opened, yes. But Saturdays? Can anyone else comment on this?

And you think that did anything other than reinforce her behavior? Trust me, she was yelling "You're not scary!" louder then ever in the next house she went through. I have no problems with making quips when the employees aren't even trying. And there's a lot that don't. Not that I think my comments will change anyone's behavior, as I don't.

It seems that the security at the front of the event is contracted out. Still, it's the responsibility of Universal to ensure appropriate behavior of the contracted employees. Universal as a rule has some of the poorest, immature and unprofessional employees in the Florida theme park industy. A visit doesn't go by that this isn't made evident. Last night we came to the express scanner person. My ticket didn't scan and I thought it had and began to move away. The person made this very odd gutteral moaning sound which, I'm guessing, was her way of saying "wait a second." At any rate, when I asked her if that was a verb or a noun she just responded with a blank stare. It just never ceases to amaze me. Busch and Disney certainly set a very high bar for employee interaction.

I know I give full faith and credit to absolutly *everything* an hourly, low wage and entry level theme park employee tells me. No. Really.

I personally think the Lady Luck masks need to be burned. They would be laughable if they weren't so moronic looking. Again, Lady Luck this year makes the farce of an icon Fear from last year look absolutly amazing.

It was a great house but the volume needs to be dropped a few notches. Loud is fine but when you can't even hear your own scream that's a bit much. Thought the same about Acid Assault too. Just too loud.

Yeah, the design sucks. If that's "bitching" and you don't like it, um, let me count the ways I care. The funny thing is that this year they have above average shirt designs. They could have easily taken one or both of the shirt designs and placed them on the back of the hoodie. That would have been pretty superb. But, no, they decided on a lackluster design. Given the merchandise track record of the event here's my prediction if they do end up doing well (which I don't see): You get the same hoodie next year with the spade gone and something equally miniscule in its place. Oh, and it will be $45.99.

The design sucks. Either the Lady Luck or the house design would have been better. I'm going to guess that this won't do well with the general public sales wise.

*You* felt bad for *making* him break character? I really hope you're kidding here.

Couldn't agree more. The voice, the mannerisms, and the look inspire laughter more than anything else given that this individual is suppose to extract fear from people. I was a huge critic of "Fear" last year but this new character makes even his flamboyant self look downright terrifying.

Not sure a response is needed. My point is this, some in the fan community tend to take on the role of arbitrators of what is and what isn't legitimate speculation or possibilities surrounding the event. We supposedly had it from the direct source that there would be no movie based houses and an entirely "new" era. Both are moot now that a house based on The Thing franchise has been announced. Again, I'm thrilled with the Thing return. But, shutting down speculation doesn't always work in our favor. Now, regarding the info on FB regarding the house. People really need to slice through the marketing BS that's always on overload with the event. I'm really hopeful they will improve on the Thing and think they will but it's going to be similar to Assimilation. It can't not be.

And all those that swore there would be no movie houses, because Universal told us so, maybe take away that there are no certainties when it comes to this event. Same is true of the whole "new era" idea. This house, while I'm very excited about and looking forward to, is rehashed and in no way "new". I may be one of the few who enjoyed the first Thing house but I do hope they can improve on it.

The exact premise of HOS's The Hunted.

I tend to have a couple pre-game drinks at the NBA club upstairs bar. There's always a variety of specials, two for one, etc. Then, in the parks, I enjoy my flask.

Those are unlikely official Facebook entries. Under the Terms of Service every Facebook member has to represent a real person. Businesses are not allowed to represent themselves as people but, rather, must set up a "Page" for their business. And members cannot be "fictitious."

I'm just really curious. What, or perhaps more importantly, where is Chez Alcatraz? I think some of the arguments being presented are without base. Are the "drunks" really the ones tearing up the houses? Or is that action just being attributed to the group without reason? I've been buzzed, drunk, whatever you wish to call it, a couple of times at HHN and HOS and I've never even thought of damaging a house or anything else.

Was thinking the same. There have been times the past couple of years where the express line was actually longer than the regular line. I think the "Plus" option is nice for those who want to attend on Fridays. The prices are a bit much though. And considering many of those who buy the frequent fear pass attend the event multiple times it seems odd that they would also pay out the ear for express each night.