JW's review

[JDW]

Now that I have seen everything multiple times, I can give a much better synopsis and the average of all runs.

I want to say first off, Universal has really outdone themselves with the quality of the houses they are truly top-notch this year.

Hallowed past: Details A+ Scares B

This was the first house of the night. I really enjoyed this house it is so incredibly detailed. I love their spin on the scenes they picked. Many times I didn't see many scareactors In the house. But After the First night this improved dramatically and I even saw a Treak & Foon one time. I had a good scare from a body Collector... Bravo... best scare I've had.

Catacombs Details B+ Scares A

I love the style of this house and the masks are uber creepy. The sets were generally the same (it is a Catacomb) but I really like the details. the facade is just weak but I guess it works. The music is way too loud going in. There was way too much light early on in the night and it really killed the creepiness for me... but going on through the night it is a completely different animal very creepy. I've had multiple scares in this house. Cast B has consistently been on point and sometimes almost too aggressive

Havoc Details: C Scares: B

This one I was really anticipating but I came out with a.. eh feeling. The sets were done well but seemed very repetitious and while i can't be 100%, I think it is the exact same layout as spawning but there were some good gags in the house. The scares were decent but I don't think anyone got me. However I still haven't gone through in full-on darkness so I will reserve final judgment. But so far my least favorite.

Orfanage: Details B scares B-

While I liked this house set wise and people did jump out at me, Overall I just wasn't feeling it the first night. Was it because I had just stood in line in a torrential downpour for an hour? I don't know. I felt like something was missing.

Having gone through consecutive It has grown on me. I like the house but it just isn't all that scary to me. The falling soot is a nice touch in the beginning but they need more. I'm glad they have turned down the fog in consecutive trips.

Zombiegeddon: Details B Scares A

This house was plagued with very bright light the first few times we went through and I can guarantee that killed it. Which I was pretty upset about because I really wanted to like this house. I love the concept behind it and its intensity but I couldn't get into it with all the sunlight.

However having gone through in the dark it is so much better. The plastic room was really freaky, as well as the final scene at night.

Hades: Details A Scares A

Originally I felt all the rooms felt the same and I still don't see where it is the biggest scale house like Mike said. but after seeing all the detail on the UMTH tour and going through multiple times, I really like the details now.

However, there is still way too much hanging stuff... especially the wet hanging stuff... that was just gross. I have gotten some good scares in this house.

The end still leaves me scratching my head and I feel the integral scareactor is missing and I have not seen him yet.

Psychoscareapy: Details A Scares B

I loved this house. Its sets were awesome and the details were fantastic. I didn't feel like anyone was attempting to scare me at all though in this house. I saw scareactors jumping out and I saw them standing around as well I still have yet to get a scare though. It definitely changes the mood of previous houses and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that. But all in all a great house.

LT house: Details A+ Scares B+

Another amazing set. Everything in this house was very cool. The gags were top notch and unconventional. I've gotten some decent scares out of this house but I think it is really hard to scare people in this house, especially consecutive runs as they are limited to where they jump out and they glow (which gives them away a lot).

20 Years of Fear: Details : A+ Scares B

We have all seen the detail. The scares were decent. There was so much fog it was easy for them to jump out. Still no scares were directed at me at all however.

Fear Revealed: Details A Scares: C

Lets face it... its a photo-op. But a good photo-op.

The coven: Details A Scares A

The details are cool and having spent some time in this zone now i have had a few of the willow huts scareactors get me very good. Has to be one of the better scare zones for scares.

Esquelteto Muerte: Details A Scares C

Very cool black light props and costumes. No real scares. I've seen a few mild attempts but this is more of a cool photo-op than anything. It was weird I expected some upbeat music but there were creepy noises instead. No biggie, I just wouldn't have thought that.

Saws and steam: Details B Scares B+

Steam steam and more steam. So much steam that I did not see a small show (I think?) down the alley where the chair is. Someone was yelling from there but I literally could not see them. Very cool effect with the scareactors goggles.

Funny story, I heard I would get wet going through. We apparently the second we go into the zone the sky opened up and I thought "That is way to much water Universal" only after I came out did I realize it was raining . So we went through a second time and the chainsaws are always a crowd pleaser. The steam made it very easy for them to sneak up.

Having been through multiple times now I really like the feel of this house and I'm glad they cut some of the steam around the one show so I could see what was going on.

Zombie Gras: Details B Scares B

I really like this sz. The characters are interesting, the idea is humorous, and the music is cool (if not a little weird at HHN) In my many runs through this sz, the zombies are confronting people but I think they have a disadvantage with really no where to hide and it being very light.

Bill and Ted... well i got to sit down for a while.

So my second visit the scares were amped up dramatically in almost all areas. I am very impressed and please with this years event.

Edited October 13, 2010 by JWFearman

[LV-426]

Cool, Yeah a lot of steam, when I went by Saws and steam there was no actors, but I could not see where I was going, and someone came walking up to me and punch me in the chest,

I kept thinking, I hope the actors don't get injured or injured someone, there is so much steam you can barely see anything.

and about the music on Esqueleto, yeah I loved that there was no cheesy music, I did hear music, but it was midnight syndicate I think, my favorite zone

[Joker3411]

haha.. i know what scene you were talking about in hades and i was like when i saw it, then "that scareactor" wasn't there so i was like sort of ruined the house for me :/

[Laphin]

Hey JW. No scareactor was missing last night.. Why there's no one there in that spot you are speaking of is BEYOND me. I was questioning that myself.

[kate]

Hi, I heard that the Hallowed Past house is the one that has a vortex---is there anyway to go around it or must you walk through it as someone in our party totally looses their equilibrium and has actually fallen in the one at Ripley's in St. Augustine. This house sound amazing and I would hate for her to miss it but really don't want her to fall and get hurt.

[Cody]

Hi, I heard that the Hallowed Past house is the one that has a vortex---is there anyway to go around it or must you walk through it as someone in our party totally looses their equilibrium and has actually fallen in the one at Ripley's in St. Augustine. This house sound amazing and I would hate for her to miss it but really don't want her to fall and get hurt.

As far as I know, no alternate path. I would recommend that she closes her eyes and just grabs onto somebody's shoulders as they walk through.

[kate]

As far as I know, no alternate path. I would recommend that she closes her eyes and just grabs onto somebody's shoulders as they walk through.

Thanks Cody maybe will give that a try.

[JDW]

Hey JW. No scareactor was missing last night.. Why there's no one there in that spot you are speaking of is BEYOND me. I was questioning that myself.

It seemed rather sparse all around. Maybe I just have really bad timing.

Hi, I heard that the Hallowed Past house is the one that has a vortex---is there anyway to go around it or must you walk through it as someone in our party totally looses their equilibrium and has actually fallen in the one at Ripley's in St. Augustine. This house sound amazing and I would hate for her to miss it but really don't want her to fall and get hurt.

yeah like Cody said. My wife Really has a problem with the vortex. She just holds on to me and closes her eyes.

[hhn18bm]

I had the exact same reaction to the last scene in Hades. I began looking around trying to find 'someone' that may have supposed to have been there, but did not. I was like okay, maybe the next scene will have this character...go through to the room to realize its the exit. I was kinda let down with that ending. I really hope that is not the way it was supposed to be.

On another note, I agree the scares overall were really below HHN standards to me on Friday night. I saw a lot of scareactors just standing in the open, not doing anything, like you mentioned. I will let the 'scares' go being it was opening night and everyone will need to find what works for their roles. I went back Saturday night and it seemed some of the scareactors started getting into their roles a little more. Hopefully they are even better when I go back this Friday.

[Harry Warden]

Zombiegeddon: Details B Scares B

This house was plagued with very bright light as we went through in the daytime and I can guarantee that killed it. Which I'm pretty upset about because I really want to like this house. I love the concept behind it and its intensity but I couldn't get into it with all the sunlight.

Appreciate the decent grade even with the daytime light. But you say you really want to like the house...please tell me you are going to try again after dark sometime

[JDW]

Appreciate the decent grade even with the daytime light. But you say you really want to like the house...please tell me you are going to try again after dark sometime

Yeah I'll be going every Friday so I will, at some point hit it at night.. I really think it will improve 1000 fold.

[myclassyclassic]

Gotta say that would have been cool effect if the rain was part of it! That was just perfect timing for us to be going in there at that time. Unbelievable!

[Universal Freak]

Gotta say that would have been cool effect if the rain was part of it! That was just perfect timing for us to be going in there at that time. Unbelievable!

I truly wish that I could have been as fortunate with the rain. Instead, my group found itself waiting out the torrential waves of water in Finnegan's. It almost makes me wish that more rain effects (as in more than just lightning) were used in some houses. Everyone loves a good thunderstorm!

[JDW]

I updated my review.

[JDW]

It's funny to read my first impressions on the event and realize how much they have changed since my second visit.

While i still feel the houses were all top notch, I do agree with most that the ending were generally weak. Most notably LT, Hades, and the Orfanage.

I also concede with many technical aspects that several people have mentioned. I see how Fear is generally not well-developed.

However all this is rather moot to me. I am not NEARlY as picky as some and I realize that there will always be problems. I am incredibly forgiving when it comes to HHN as I was hooked at Fright nights and it has a soft place in my head... er heart ever since. I see those issues as miniscule in contrast to two major issues that have nearly made me do a 180 in my thoughts on this years event... and going to HOS and seeing that it had neither issue only solidified my disdain.

First off:

I have NEVER in 19 years of HHN felt so harrased and stressed as I have this year. Generally my stress comes from the drunks, smokers, and teeny boppers who in general seem to think it is their God-given right to act how they want and destroy the event for everyone else. These people I feel are, in general, the scum of the earth and should be banned from the park. BUT in the four times I've gone this year I have not encountered this at all. It has been the self-empowered staff that seem to feel they are on a mission to keep everyone in the park opressed.

Don't get me wrong, not everyone is like this and I haven't met a scareactor this year who hasn't done everything in their power to keep the ambience, scares, and excitement at full steam. But I am at the point of indignace and fury at the abuse I and others have suffered at the hands of security and house OPS.

I'm sure you heard what was done to me over the buttons but for the sake of those who didn't... the short version. I make buttons from artwork I do, inspired by the years icon, and hand them out when people find me. I do this with my own time, effort, and money. I'm not the only one and not by any means the originator of this practice but I have done it for a few years. Anyway I was threatend, harrassed, and escorted out of the park when I refused to check in said buttons at guest services. The reasoning was that the pin on the back is a weapon. Barring the fact that universal SELLS buttons, pins, and many other things that could be construded as a more effective weapon, this has never been a problem years past or my two previous trips to this years event.

Now universal compensated us well and gave their apologies which I am truly thankful of... But then I hear that people were being forced to remove belts, shoes, etc. as well as several MORE similar stories the following week. If they really felt that what the contracted security is doing is wrong, whould they not have curbed the abuse? Frankly, I am concerned now because all I want to do is come back one more time and hand out the rest of the buttons. Even though the head of security told me to drop his name if the problem occured again... Do I really want the hassle?

As for the OPS they have always been a blight on the houses as long as I can remember. but they are everywhere and out of control! I have dropped at least $600.00 on this event. Do I not have the right to a least enjoy what I paid so much for? To the OP trying to scare people in the Catacombs... you are NOT a scareactor and nobody wants to see you. Please stop.

My final concern is the Merchandise. While it doesn't ruin the actual event for me I find it completely disheartening that we beg for better stuff each year and each year get the shaft. I LIKE the shirts, cups, pins, etc but why can't they make more unique products to buy. HOS has an entire STORE devoted to their event. We get what... 7 items?! How many times have we begged for a coffee table book, a DVD, a Hoodie, Limited edition soundtrack, house specific merch, etc?

Overall I loved the actual event but it has become so stressful and disheartening that when I think about going this friday I don't know if I even want to go. I do have to use the express passes so we will go... But I'm dreading the thought of how I will get treated.

Edited October 20, 2010 by JWFearman

[giant4203]

It's funny to read my first impressions on the event and realize how much they have changed since my second visit.

While i still feel the houses were all top notch, I do agree with most that the ending were generally weak. Most notably LT, Hades, and the Orfanage.

I also concede with many technical aspects that several people have mentioned. I see how Fear is generally not well-developed.

However all this is rather moot to me. I am not NEARlY as picky as some and I realize that there will always be problems. I am incredibly forgiving when it comes to HHN as I was hooked at Fright nights and it has a soft place in my head... er heart ever since. I see those issues as miniscule in contrast to two major issues that have nearly made me do a 180 in my thoughts on this years event... and going to HOS and seeing that it had neither issue only solidified my disdain.

First off:

I have NEVER in 19 years of HHN felt so harrased and stressed as I have this year. Generally my stress comes from the drunks, smokers, and teeny boppers who in general seem to think it is their God-given right to act how they want and destroy the event for everyone else. These people I feel are, in general, the scum of the earth and should be banned from the park. BUT in the four times I've gone this year I have not encountered this at all. It has been the self-empowered staff that seem to feel they are on a mission to keep everyone in the park opressed.

Don't get me wrong, not everyone is like this and I haven't met a scareactor this year who hasn't done everything in their power to keep the ambience, scares, and excitement at full steam. But I am at the point of indignace and fury at the abuse I and others have suffered at the hands of security and house OPS.

I'm sure you heard what was done to me over the buttons but for the sake of those who didn't... the short version. I make buttons from artwork I do, inspired by the years icon, and hand them out when people find me. I do this with my own time, effort, and money. I'm not the only one and not by any means the originator of this practice but I have done it for a few years. Anyway I was threatend, harrassed, and escorted out of the park when I refused to check in said buttons at guest services. The reasoning was that the pin on the back is a weapon. Barring the fact that universal SELLS buttons, pins, and many other things that could be construded as a more effective weapon, this has never been a problem years past or my two previous trips to this years event.

Now universal compensated us well and gave their apologies which I am truly thankful of... But then I hear that people were being forced to remove belts, shoes, etc. as well as several MORE similar stories the following week. If they really felt that what the contracted security is doing is wrong, whould they not have curbed the abuse? Frankly, I am concerned now because all I want to do is come back one more time and hand out the rest of the buttons. Even though the head of security told me to drop his name if the problem occured again... Do I really want the hassle?

As for the OPS they have always been a blight on the houses as long as I can remember. but they are everywhere and out of control! I have dropped at least $600.00 on this event. Do I not have the right to a least enjoy what I paid so much for? To the OP trying to scare people in the Catacombs... you are NOT a scareactor and nobody wants to see you. Please stop.

My final concern is the Merchandise. While it doesn't ruin the actual event for me I find it completely disheartening that we beg for better stuff each year and each year get the shaft. I LIKE the shirts, cups, pins, etc but why can't they make more unique products to buy. HOS has an entire STORE devoted to their event. We get what... 7 items?! How many times have we begged for a coffee table book, a DVD, a Hoodie, Limited edition soundtrack, house specific merch, etc?

Overall I loved the actual event but it has become so stressful and disheartening that when I think about going this friday I don't know if I even want to go. I do have to use the express passes so we will go... But I'm dreading the thought of how I will get treated.

If house ops hassle you for walking slow, just say you have bad back/knee/whatever issues....I say that and they back off...if I acknowledge them at all when they start flashlighting

[JDW]

If house ops hassle you for walking slow, just say you have bad back/knee/whatever issues....I say that and they back off...if I acknowledge them at all when they start flashlighting

nice I'll try that

[Mae]

I try not to actively disregard OPs, but I don't usually see them unless they're truly obnoxious. I have a tendancy to get distracted by something and stop for a few seconds, and sometimes they DO need to (gently!) remind me to move along. The worst I've encountered this year was in Hallow'd Past; it was still daylight and pretty bright just as you enter the 'themed' rooms, WTF are you using your flashlight for? Give me a break.

I'm glad you're having some fun, tho. You seemed so....stoic when I saw you that first night. I sure wish I'd asked for a pin!!!

Mae

[JDW]

I'm glad you're having some fun, tho. You seemed so....stoic when I saw you that first night. I sure wish I'd asked for a pin!!!

Sotic lol... yeah I wasn't having a great night with the rain and all... I am little weird with first impressions sometimes too... scratch that... I'm just weird....

Sorry I would have gave you one but that was actually the only day i gave all of them away (go figure)

But I will have the pins.. so long as they don't deny me access on Friday.

Edited October 20, 2010 by JWFearman

[Mae]

Sotic lol... yeah I wasn't having a great night with the rain and all... I am little weird with first impressions sometimes too... scratch that... I'm just weird....

Sorry I would have gave you one but that was actually the only day i gave all of them away (go figure)

But I will have the pins.. so long as they don't deny me access on Friday.

Can't come back until Sunday.

Stupid work.

Mae