Ask yourself this question...
Will the speculation forums, website, games, teasers, theme and/or back story make you spend more money in the park AFTER you bought the ticket? Maybe you MIGHT but some merchandise.... Sure you might buy some adult beverages... BUT you are in the door folks!!
Oh... No you say...
Well my forum friends... there is the answer.
With this year being in the flux of changes and construction, Corporate doesn't need to spend the $$ on all the things we love to get us in the gate. Ultimately that's what they want... to get us in the door. Right now Uni seems to riding on their reputation to make it through this year. So, we go, we fill out the surveys and hope for the best again next year. I seriously doubt that many of us will NOT GO based purely on speculation this year. Now after the event and the speculation of HHN 23 some may decide not to go... which is understandable.
As JWfearman stated above... We all get it... We all want in depth themes, icons, ect... but this doesn't seem like it's happening this year. But we haven't even been to the event. We can have this discussion the end of September AFTER the event has started.
It's getting VERY difficult to read this thread... People are being rude, petty and snide. We are all passionate about this event but I think it's gotten out of hand. We have opinions and have the right to express them but let's not turn on each other. (Yes you will now start bashing my post... oh well *I tried*).
If you really think this year stinks AFTER you have attended the event then use your words and let UNI know.
PLEASE!!! Can we get back to speculating???
So I am excited about the clues for the haunted mansion... I could see this house being very scary!