Sohrin

So on the "Evil Takes Root" page, their advertisement for HHN23 has that face in the sky background. I don't think that looks like La Llorona. Could this be the icon, or is it someone else. Have we seen this face before? http://www.eviltakesroot.com

Okay, so this is my first writing a review on the forums. I just want to say from the beginning, I have been to the event every year since 16. And while that isn't as much as a lot of people here, I have had ups and downs. Overall, the event felt different for me. I am not sure that I liked the different feel of the event, but others may like it. i personally want to go over the event as a whole; this means I will talk about houses, streets, advertisement, everything. This year, I honestly felt a lack of scariness in the event. The popping scares have always been at HHN, but the mystery behind some of the houses just wasn't there. I feel this is because we had a strong commercialized event; not only does it destroy the mystery of the event, but it gives the event unreachable expectations. There will always be complaints about what was missing in Silent Hill and The Walking Dead just because we have seen the shows and played the games. I know i loved The Walking Dead, but the house missed out on a lot. Of course, this isn't to say that all commercialized events have been terrible in the past. The Wolfman house of 19 was really cool to me. To me, mystery is so important to the event. I fear the unknown, not the expected. This is why i believe that half of the reason this year was just okay was due to advertisements and websites. Of course the media gets the word out for the event. But in years past, we were not spoon fed what the event was. We were left to forums and games on the websites to decipher codes about the event. This year, we were literally GIVEN the houses, and to top it off, there were pictures of scenes everywhere on the Facebook page. This kills half of the fun and scares. If you have preconceived notions on the event, you have set expectations on the event, and know what will be in it. To me, the advertisement was a complete failure in that it made the event feel like it had nothing more to give. When you get to the park, the atmosphere is slightly set. The chain fences outside are pretty cool. I personally miss the jumbotron TV, but I can get over that. Getting tickets was relatively easy, since I went to the electronic Kiosk. The one problem I had was a lack of understanding from the staff about the Horror Unearthed Game. I asked many employees about where to get the card (I eventually found it) and more importantly where to SCAN the card. I was slightly irked that no one could tell me where to scan the cards; most employees didn't even know what I had in my hands. The other problem I had was the express pass. In years past, the express pass was a nice purchase. But this year, it backfired on many houses. Since I knew I would only be going to each house once, I used the express pass as often as the lines were long. I made the mistake of using the express pass on the Alice Cooper house, which had a 15 minute wait, and I was stuck in express lane for 30 minutes. I always ask for the opinions of employees about whether or not we should wait or take the Express. I ended up wasting a lot of time in the express lanes. The highest queue was 45 minutes this particular day, but waiting 20-30 minutes in line doesn't seem right, as i have waited 15 minutes in the past for an 80-90 minute queue. I am not sure if I will go for it next year, but we will see. Now to the actual houses (I apologize in advance for the lengthy review of the event). I have to say, I was not too impressed with the houses this year. Some stood out as beautiful, but that does not make a completed HAUNTED house for me. I want to be scared as well. This is the order I did the houses this weekend. Silent Hill- At first I was impressed by the house's design, but now I can't even remember anything I saw except for the facade. It felt kind of repetitive in design. I was deeply saddened that I did not see a true nurse room in the house. It just seems like it would be something that would HAVE to happen. It's been done before (Dead Exposure 18). While I did enjoy Pyramid Head (Awesome job!) I did not really get any other scares because the resets of them were blatantly obvious without other scares going on. Also, I didn't hear the alarm. Overall, I thought this house was on the bottom of the list. Too monotonous. 3/10 The Walking Dead: Since I have watched every episode of the series, I was not pleased with this house at all. The scene changes were very abrupt and didn't convey the show very well. The scenes were more like a wannabe imitation. I feel as if Uni could have called this Zombies, and it would have worked. Minus the RV, which I thought was interesting, nothing scream TWD. I was impressed by the scares to an extent. Some resets were very well done. But, again, do my disappointment, I was getting hyped over a barn fire scene, and I didn't see it. I am not sure what happened, but all I saw was orange light behind planks of wood. That killed the house for me. I did enjoy the actors, and how the house transitioned to the street. But overall, the effect of the house didn't work. 4/10 Penn & Teller: Okay so this house is kind of fun. I liked the 3D effects. Typically I hate humor houses, but this one was pretty good. The interactivity of buttons and ropes was there, but it distracted me from the actual scenery. The Christmas light room was really my favorite part of the house. Overall, it was fun, but not too scary. Minus the lights and 3d of the house, it wasn't too memorable. I know i laughed though. 5/10 House of Horrors: We have had quickly made houses before, and we have had the strobe effect before. But honestly, I thought that this house was one of the best of the event. Yes, it wasn't "black and white" because of the neon blue feel. But I can get over that. If someone tells me that its supposed to be black and white, and I can see they tried it, I can feel it. This house was so interesting, and I got quite a few scares. The actors were great and I though placement was good too. For only a month, this house felt prepared. I also liked the crouched effect with the Mummy. Finale was pretty fun. Overall, good job with what you were given and kudos. 7/10 Alice Cooper: To sum this house up: mattresses. That is what I got out of it. Mattresses. The music was there, and so were the actors. I enjoyed some of the effects, but this house just didn't do it for me. It seems so disconnected in both story and set. i did get a few scares and appreciated the actors. In conclusion, I was just confused. I think I need to look over the house again to understand it more, so I can't blame the house entirely. 4/10 Gothic: in one hand I have to say this house was beautiful. On other hand, it wasn't too scary. Beauty isn't everything in a house, and this house was very much looks. It is possible to be scary and have looks. Winter's night did that for me last year. It irritated me to see some of the actors not really care about the house. For instance one of the gliders just went across the night scene completely still not flapping the wings, like it was asleep. I lost all immersion when I got there. The effect of being high in the cathedral was impressive, but something was still missing for me. There were some good actors and some bad. House was beautiful, but thats it. Even so, I enjoyed the fluidity of the house, minus the abrupt ending. Probably one of the better houses, but still needed scares. 7/10 Dead End: I was psyched about this house, and I think I had unreasonable expectations. And while the house didn't totally affect me, i know it was a timing issue. This house scared A LOT of people while I was in it. I loved the effects of the house, and a prop scared me. The house was really cool, and I loved the hints that the pictures gave about the house. I know the potential of this house was huge. The only complaint I had was there were almost too many video effects. The house relied heavily on effects that didn't feel tangible. Other times, it was really dependent on actors. i had trouble knowing how many actors are in the house. Overall though, this was my favorite house. 8/10 The Streets: i was not excited about the streets. But I should have been. If the streets are done correctly they can be awesome! i was literally chased from MIB all the way to the main store in the front of the park by a group, and I know it was partially due to them relocating, but they chased my group. I swear 20 of them would not stop chasing us. I loved the intensity of the street actors, and I prefer them over the scare zones that I have seen in the past. Every group was unique. I have to admit I though female chainsaw prisoners was eh, but I loved them. Every group acted uniquely, and I appreciate that. The other thing is they really acted on the "nowhere is safe mentality." I saw them hide by bathrooms, in stores, in wait lines for rides . My favorite was the one vampire who hid in the bushes by the exit queue of AC and PT. Lastly, the streets were dark, and I Liked that. Fog and darkness worked well this year. Funny how when we don't have zones that deeply need fog that the effects work very well. This is the first year I enjoyed streets more than houses, and I don't know why. It might have to be because the streets were mysterious to me. But I think everyone should give the streets a chance. The concept is good when it is done right. Overall, this year was okay to me. I have seen better and worse days, though more were better. I feel that the event was too hyped and meant for the fans who were not too ingrained in the non-commercial HHN. I personally feel that originality makes things better if done correctly. I will neither encourage nor discourage the event, or the use of commercialized items. Anything can work, it is just the process of the event, and how it is handled that determines its success.

Okay, so I am finally going to the park this Sunday (only day possible in my schedule). After entering the park, where should I go to pick up my card? I keep reading that people have picked them up, but my question is where?

I actually like it. I think the slogans each year on the front are pretty cool. The house list on the back isn't bad either. When someone reads the front they know the back, and the houses. These shirts are good conversation starters for HHN outside of the Fall season. Haha, I have my collection of them in one area of my closet (the teeny-tiny ones they give you in college). I like having them look like a collection. Even so, it would be nice to see them have other shirts too.

I am still a little confused about the street experiences. I see that they are roaming hordes, but is it done in a way that no matter where you are they will be there, or that the hordes switch to specific zones throughout the night? Don't get me wrong, I am totally excited for this idea, but I need more clarity so I know what to expect...

I saw the bungie scare actors in 2008. It was the "Path of the Wicked." I am not sure whether or not they will include that this year, but it was in plaza in 2008.

Well then, I have a question regarding this. Since there are seven houses instead of eight, does that money go Anywhere in the event? Of course people say that they want to use as little money as possible, but i still can't see Universal not applying this somewhere else. i was told not to expect anything more extravagant in scare zones sets or houses, so does that money go to waste? Does anyone know how much a house costs? Just to see how much money would be lost versus the amount of income for a house? I just want to see why they wouldn't use the money somewhere else...

Do you guys think that due to a decreased house count, Uni would invest a little more in the scare zones? Not so much the numbers but the amount of stuff in a set. For me, a big problem of the scare zones was not the actors, but the ambience. I know we have had many safe scare zones in the past that relied on the actors more than the environment, but I felt like last year had a lot of great scenery in half of the scare zones, and then kind of lost it in others. For instance, they utilized the light effects very well on the buildings for Acid Assault, and the detail in "bat forest" was heavy. But then we had the Canyon scare zone which was just, well unflattering. I am wondering if they could move the man power and money from one house to multiple scare zones, if the money even works that way. Even without the extra setting, more fog is never a bad thing!

I in no way said that DE was a bad house, I said I rather enjoyed it and it is still one of my favorites. But it is a house that can put anywhere, Just as I said. Generic isn't always bad, but when you have houses that already have stories behind them, and are known by the public, it would seem shallower this year compared to others houses, unless some story was put behind it. However, TWD has a nice zombie story already, so why battle with it? But if the theme overall has a fit for a DE and it was scrapped, they probably had some other ideas that didn't overlap with TWD. Could it be possible that they were trying to get AMC for TWD, and had a DE type house as a backup. But then it was confirmed so they didn't need it anymore?

I agree, but wish to add on to that. I could not see Uni having both a DE style house and a TWD house. I feel like they would conflict too much. Even if DE was not a zombie based house, because DE style depends on black everything and strobes, it seems like too safe of an option for a year when we will be having less houses and a somewhat commercialized event, thanks to SH and TWD. I feel like it would be the forgotten house, like "The Hallow" (another great house) was for HHN 18. Without BM's backstory to DE that year, it would have been too generic. Don't get me wrong, it was one of my favorite houses, but I think for this event, it just doesn't fit.

I have to agree with you completely, Legacy. The mere fact that I have seen houses that did not seem scary at all come out of Universal, and have them scare the crap out of me makes feel that Universal can make anything scary. Look at Scary Tales, I mean that is the perfect house chain that proves that even the happiest of stories can be TWISTED. That is what Universal does, it twists things and creates something scary. Of course, Bloody Mary helped with the theme of twisted stories, but it has happened year after year. With Penn and Teller being a possibility for a house or show, Universal would not be foolish enough to make a "Magic House." They would twist it, possibly make Penn and Teller the Fraternal Twins of Anarchy, and make a "Magic Gone Wrong House," or something of that nature. I would be for that idea. Maybe a house based off of illusions to add tricky scares. Something unexpected. Even our comedy houses in the past were made to be sick. Dark humor. I believe that magic, illusions, trickery, these can all be twisted into something fearful. Therefore, for me, an Illusion based or magic based house- I am completely fine with it.

Does anybody remember the house "Dead Exposure?" Well, there was this one part where you were in a big room filled with 20-30 zombie actors, and you had to walk through them, and you could only see them with the lights off rather than on. I am thinking that if we have a Silent Hill house, that they could do something amazing and similar to this scene (even better than it). If they put a room full of the nurse characters and have a flashlight effect that turns on and off, the nurses could react appropriately as you try to walk through them (most of you know what i mean). i think that would scare the daylights out of me.... pun intended

To answer your question, a dual run house is exactly as it sounds. It has two paths. The best example would be Frightanic from long ago. It can basically give double the attraction as they are typically not symmetric. On another note, I do like the idea of 4 moving and 4 stationary scare zones. Even though we have limited space this year, it could prove to be beneficial. It would seem that most all of the park would be a scare zone, which is great for those who don't like the dead areas.

I have to agree with everyone on this. Even though I am not a huge fan of it, having the big "Watch" on the video on the HHN site, has me believing that this year will be very TV/Movie based. The hints point towards these as well, and with the success of movie houses both here, with the Wolfman, Saw, The Thing etc. and at Hollywood (with even more), maybe this is what Universal wants. The only thing that confuses me, was this "new era of darkness" idea. Maybe it is just new "remakes?" Ideas that have not been at Orlando but are being remade?

Seeing the success of Saws and Steam, I would love for next year to have some more of that apocalyptic idea. I remember the spokesperson speaking right at the beginning of the house and couldn't help but think what a wonderful icon a Ringman/host for a dis-utopian society would be. I could just see him in dark purple with a top hat and a cane, just luring us in for our deaths. Saws and Steam could take the next step and become a theme, with this man as their icon. Does anyone else remember this from last years event: the voice in the beginning of the house?

Hey guys, I am heading over for HHN, cuz i am going today. Does anyone know the weather situation? I see the forecast is a lot of rain, but is there a possibility of it dying down before the event starts?

Actually that was just a misconception by me. Someone was hinting towards the pool table prop, but from the hints I guessed it was a helicopter. There is/was not a helicopter in this, nor was it planned to have one. Sorry about the miscommunication....

same...

Apparently there is a deck of cards? Anyone have an image of it?

Well the event has gained steam... people should anticipate lines no matter what! I know a lot of people don't like considering that there is an express pass. but... there is an express pass. Not yelling at you, I am yelling at those trolls

I don't think he is offended at the least. It's a review, there will be criticism. All he was saying is that the fog is supposed to disorient. And you knew that it would be a technical rehearsal, so this part could improve... you never know. I liked your review, and it makes me happy that i will be going later on in the event

Wow, I don't care how many spoilers I just witnessed, it makes me SO excited. That was just.... incredible.... wow.... just........

One of the people from the tweet up said his favorite year, was next year... O.O well.... Anyways, i like the billboard and everything, its not misleading in any way of the icon. I think of lady luck more as a siren or succubus than a rampaging murderer like some of our past icons. And you know what.... I am totally okay with that... I love the subtle seductiveness and dark humor at play.

Just watched all of the Q&A videos over at HHNRumors. Not gonna lie, I am really excited. They went into deeper description than I thought they would.

I know I am probably not the only one, but right when I found out this was going to be a haunted house this year, I knew it would be one of my most anticipated houses. After that red band trailer, I am convinced that at least the movie will be cool. I am looking forward to this house so much, its not even funny. Of course, all the houses seem impressive and have a good concept, but I love The Thing, and I can't wait to see what they have in store for both the house and the movie. I remember The Wolfman from 09, and then the movie, and they ran quite the same. Hopefully this house will have the same route.