Source

Website is updated!!!

It's a little late, I know, but I wanted to put in my two cents on this issue. I really feel like this issue has gotten way out of hand as this thread has three pages and the thread discussing the actual house only has one. I would like to preface this by saying I have no military training or experience (I have, however, gotten the opinion of my best friend of 20 years who just got out of the USMC after doing two tours in Kuwait totaling 13 months). His opinion, which I share, is that anyone with PTSD/Shellshock knows that they have this condition and are being treated. They probably avoid events like HHN in general to avoid being startled and having to resort to the military "fight or flight" instincts. My father-in-law (who served 26 years as part of Miami-Metro Dade police) avoids the event for the exact same reason. My friend's opinion is that USO should continue posting warnings like they normally do. He doesn't see any reason to single out military personnel, but feels a general "This house has scenes with graphic war violence, if scenes of such nature will adversely affect you, please do not enter" would suffice as people who have never seen military combat may be affected by the scenes as well. He doesn't feel that any "extreme precautions" need to be taken in regards to scareactor safety or OPS is concerned in this house since (as history has proven) the drunks/ easily startled/ generally douchebaggy guests attempt to harm scareactors in every house of every theme every year. Finally, in regards to people "checking out" the house to make sure it's ok for veterans or current military personnel alike, I disagree completely. This is the only example I can use to back my reasoning: I have stated publicly that I have a neurological disorder/ brain defect that causes me to have seizures. I wouldn't want someone with Epilepsy (or any other seizure disorder) "judging/checking out/okaying" a house with heavy strobes or other seizure triggers for me, since what triggers their seizures may not be the same as what triggers mine. No offense, but I certainly wouldn't want someone along the lines of an EMT, having never experienced a seizure but having studied them a great deal and knowing their causes and warning signs, going through a house and telling me it's "all clear." I would find this not only offensive, but insulting as well, to be lumped in to some generic category of "seizure people" who seem to have no personal control or knowledge of their condition.

Laz, I'm super stoked! But, it's the internet, so some people will never be happy. Even if they are pleased with how the event looks, they have to pretend not to be in order to keep their cool persona in tact. I really don't understand how people can already be saying they're disappointed in houses or zones that they won't see for close to a month.

The same post was on the official FB page. This brings us to September 1st at Midnight, most likely the big website update! Can't wait!

Thank you for doing this once again! I watched the feed last year and it should help tie those of us unable to attend employee preview night over until Friday.

Source and I will be there!! Do I get to have a Guinness with Hush?!?!?!?! *oops....didn't know I was posting under his name...lol!!! Rephrase: Tweedle9200 and Source will be there and Tweedle9200 would like a Guinness with Hush please!

Didn't see these posted, but here are some basic points from the conference call yesterday: (all credit goes to Destination:Theme Park, thanks for these!) The following notes from the August 26th HHNXX Conference Call were posted on Destination: Theme Park --- Earlier today, we had the opportunity to join Universal’s TJ Mannarino (Director of Art & Design for Entertainment), Patrick Braillard (Show Director of Entertainment) and Mike Aiello (show director of entertainment) in a conference call discussing Halloween Horror Nights XX. We hung up the phone and some fun facts that we’d like to share with you. I don’t want to go into a long transcription of the entire conference call, so I thought I would sift through my notes and give you some useful bullet points that were discussed during the call regarding this year’s event. The following is a paraphrase and/or direct quotes from the call: Goals for HHN XX * HHN XX’s main purpose is to pave the way for future HHN events * To pay homage to all the previous events which have brought HHN XX to us today while introducing more terrifying new characters * Find the haunted houses, scarezones and characters that will be the future Psychoscareapys, Body collectors of the future, icons like Jack, etc. * Take HHN XX back to the beginning where it started with original characters and to start the process of beginning originality again Fear * More to be revealed about the Fear character within the next few weeks. We will learn more about how he links back to HHN events * The goal of Fear was to have it be an all-encompassing character that would visually stand out from the other icons and would have a presence of control over the other characters * Fear has always been consistent and has always been at the event * Fear has now been brought to life and has been given a persona with this event * We will be able to “See it, Feel it and Taste it (in the shot glasses)!” * The advertising campaign with Fear’s mouth is a play on the phrase Being Consumed By Fear * When you look back at past events (purposeful or not), there is something that links each event to something else. That common thing is Fear. * Icon relationships with fear: Jack instills fear. The Caretaker examines fear. The Storyteller speaks fear. The Director captures fear. The Usher shows us the way to fear. The Lantern * It is a part of who Fear is. * Mike: “The Lantern is Fear and the Fear is the Lantern.” * It represents the past 20 years * It represents the fear that has been building for the past 20 years. * It represents many of the visuals that you will see when you go to HHN XX. * It is a physical embodiment of the fear that’s been building for the past 20 years. Paying Homage to the Past * There will be two major attractions that will pay homage to the past: one House and one Scarezone * Past characters will be seen in both areas. Changes * They are changing up flare for the event and the houses and are saying goodbye to some of the houses… at least for a few years. * No Rocky Horror Picture show at least for the next 2 years. Mike: “Could it come back in 2 years? Yes.” New Special Effects * Lots of experimental special effects technology will be used this year. * Open flames will be incorporated. This is something that has never been used before within the houses. * The Legendary Truth house will have new gags and effects that have never been used before. Legendary Truth House * Idea/Content was created 2 years ago, but due to the inability to use certain gags and time restraints for R&D, it was put on the shelf; until now. * Mike: “It is a haunted maze which truly is a haunted maze.” They want to give guests a truly haunted experience. * New gags never seen before will be used in this house in order to give the illusion of real paranormal encounters. The Family Tree * As the creation of the event progressed, it kinda fell off the table. * Trees don’t have any significance in the event this year aside from the root-like attributes on the lantern and Fear himself. Miscellaneous Points * This year will be more intense with more fear, scares and gore. * There will be one comedic toned house. “But it’s not the house you think it is.” * Bill and Ted will always be at HHN. * Cindy finally has her own house – the Orphanage * “Best time to experience the event is on a non-peak night.” * “No creature is off limits as far as what you may see in the streets or in the houses.” Que: “Does that include Bloody Mary?” TJ:”I stand by my statement” * Several different opportunities that guests can choose from to stay entertained in the queue area for the haunted houses. “It will be much more expansive than in the past.” * We may see some intellectual property characters (i.e Wolfman) in some of the houses. But they want to start the process of showing off their original creations such as Jack and the Storyteller. * It is Mike’s last year working on Bill and Ted. * Bill and Ted will have the same structure and include pop culture references. This year’s story concept for Bill and Ted: Bill and Ted may face possible replacement (in the story) and they will find themselves in an odd predicament. * Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood are completely different. The only thing that is slightly similar is the Bill and Ted show (the script is sent to Hollywood, that’s it).

as mentioned above, the site is changing. the cursor now acts as a flashlight as the site appears to be getting darker. once in the lantern, the screen appears to shake and a strange growling can now be heard in the background

I have the best of intentions with this post (although I'm sure there are many others on this board who would not and will not be so kind) but, are you serious? How in the world do you come onto the board literally weeks before the event and try to tell people that what has been discussed and agreed upon MONTHS ago is wrong? Half man-half bird...troll...really? I understand that everyone has the right to speculate and is entitled to their own opinions but wow, just wow. Before you reply, please go back and READ the threads where this was all discussed. I,for one, have never known the Fire King to wear clown make-up...that might just be me though. I understand that it may take some time to research when semi-cryptic (but fairly obvious) clues are given, but please understand you've lost pretty much all credibility by attempting to force your opinion onto others. Just so this post isn't completely wasted, I speculate many answers will be given on Thursday. (this is called sarcasm)

With New York City being such a tourist attraction, I know they have an abundance of con artists.

Amazing man...thank you very much!

I have a sig request for ya Reaper if you have time.... I am not uber-picky and I know you come up with great ideas on your own. All I ask is for a red and black color scheme, my name to be tilted, and a biohazard symbol to take the place of the O in my name. Thanks again

This was my latest question sent to Ms. Himmel: In regards to Senior Staff of THE COLLECTIVE, are you at liberty to discuss any details pertaining to the resignation or termination of former CEO Calvin L. Thorncastle,Phd.? And her response: The subject of Dr. Thorncastle is a sensitive one. Conversations in that regard are to begin later. No further comment at this time. IH I may start sending questions to Allison Endicott as well