HHN XXI Speculation

[BruinsFan]

in which he writes his stories and ideas in which immediately come forth into existence.

Sounds a lot like what I did back in '08.

[JDW]

Sounds a lot like what I did back in '08.

Very true

The scribes did that in STIII. But you amp it up and make the whole event centered around horror stories and classical literature. It serves to satisfy people's desire for fables and fairy tales and brings new elements into the mix.

Edited June 13, 2011 by JWFearman

[Dr. Jimmy]

I invision the icon to be a slight, odd fellow with a distubing insane quality about him. Perhaps a fashion misfit who wears antiquated clothing and/or facial hair. He could literally carry around an evil, flesh-bound book in which he writes his stories and ideas in which immediately come forth into existence.

Of course I see him in victorian clothing as that is the kick I'm on lately... but he could easily be from any period.

A sort of creepy daft librarian perhaps? Maybe something like this?

Then again, an evil librarian doesn't have to be a weird eccentric Victorian Gentleman, something else might be a lot more fun!

[JONNYFXM]

So, here's a crazy idea....

Talk of "rolling dice" and "taking chances", accompanied by this being the 21st year, could we be looking at a casino, las Vegas, blackjack type theme/icon? Sit down at the table, wager your life, when The Dealer hits 21.

(And you bring Kenny Rodgers "The Gambler" in to perform, that'd be scary as hell XD)

[Legacy]

I'm still hesitant to attach too much Emeric's literary references to the event yet. Most of them seem to have been made "outside the game," where he is commenting about his personal status and not the status of the event. He stated that the "game" had not started a couple of weeks before, "starting" the game with the roll of the dice.

Even the recent, "Rumors of my demise," comment was directed at an individual after most of us had grown suspicious that he had gotten in trouble for dropping hints. It wasn't a tweet or post that opens itself up to speculation, but rather a subtle, "Hey, I am still here," type comment.

I think all the book quotes were before the game was being played (real hints were coming). Most of them came even before the pitch for final management approval so if he was hinting at anything it's possible it wasn't approved. It could just be an indication of how Emeric is in real life (ie, well-read). If I was a hint-spector, I would speak in play and musical quotes, but that wouldn't necessarily mean I'm hinting at a theater-themed event. It would just mean I like theater. I think Emeric just likes books.

Besides, the book/literary quotes don't fit the theme of his hints from last year. Last year, they were direct statements; Not quotes lifted from passages. He didn't even quote Shakespeare for Havoc, but rather told us to look at a play, scene and line.

I get that everyone would love to see a literature-themed event. Shoot, the cast of Catacombs even discussed an entire Poe-based event last year during our downtime. That said, I can't imagine A&D/Marketing would completely feel comfortable with essentially pulling out a rehash of the Storyteller immediately after putting her away. "A writer and storyteller aren't the same." Yes, they are. The only difference between Elsa, a storyteller who allowed you to experience the stories she told, and a Writer whose stories come to life, is that Elsa didn't write the stories herself.

I still think A&D is going to start pushing for more "realistic" experiences. Catacombs was historically and visually accurate. Havoc was a military/sci-fi house that is completely plausible to real life (the entire thing was roid-raging soldiers). Legendary Truth attempted to do away with the fanciful and address the paranormal (something that people do everyday). With that, I hope the era of "magical," undead, immortal clowns, teleporting funeral directors, and hyperimaginative, projecting literates goes by the wayside. Death is more real than any of the past icons (outside of the Director, who had no powers to my knowledge), and with the tone of the "new" houses last year, I think realistic (even if it isn't Death him/herself) is the way the event is going to start going.

[JONNYFXM]

.

I get that everyone would love to see a literature-themed event. Shoot, the cast of Catacombs even discussed an entire Poe-based event last year during our downtime. That said, I can't imagine A&D/Marketing would completely feel comfortable with essentially pulling out a rehash of the Storyteller immediately after putting her away. "A writer and storyteller aren't the same." Yes, they are. The only difference between Elsa, a storyteller who allowed you to experience the stories she told, and a Writer whose stories come to life, is that Elsa didn't write the stories herself.

I've got to agree with you on this one. Literary works would be cool, but you would almost have to bring an icon in that would resemble the Storyteller.

But there have been plenty of years prior to the icon years where there was no main character of the event. I'd like to see a year where the entire park fits into a theme, including the houses and SZs, when there isn't necessarily a main icon.

Edited June 13, 2011 by JONNYFXM

[JDW]

I'm still hesitant to attach too much Emeric's literary references to the event yet. Most of them seem to have been made "outside the game," where he is commenting about his personal status and not the status of the event. He stated that the "game" had not started a couple of weeks before, "starting" the game with the roll of the dice.

I know what the game is! It's called the waiting game

I still think A&D is going to start pushing for more "realistic" experiences. Catacombs was historically and visually accurate. Havoc was a military/sci-fi house that is completely plausible to real life (the entire thing was roid-raging soldiers). Legendary Truth attempted to do away with the fanciful and address the paranormal (something that people do everyday). With that, I hope the era of "magical," undead, immortal clowns, teleporting funeral directors, and hyperimaginative, projecting literates goes by the wayside. Death is more real than any of the past icons (outside of the Director, who had no powers to my knowledge), and with the tone of the "new" houses last year, I think realistic (even if it isn't Death him/herself) is the way the event is going to start going.

I don't comopletely agree. I think you need an element of reality to transition you into the fantastic. Once there it no longer has to stay in the realm of reality. It just needs to be believable enough of a transition and they get you to accept anything.

I personally like the fantastical. Because real life, even if more plausable... Is depressing, boring, and predictable. It is evident that 2008 was many people's favorite year and it was furthest from reality the event had been in a while.

[Legacy]

I don't comopletely agree. I think you need an element of reality to transition you into the fantastic. Once there it no longer has to stay in the realm of reality. It just needs to be believable enough of a transition and they get you to accept anything.

I personally like the fantastical. Because real life, even if more plausable... Is depressing, boring, and predictable. It is evident that 2008 was many people's favorite year and it was furthest from reality the event had been in a while.

We might as well start a new thread for this conversation: Fantastic vs. Realistic.

[AaronPaHHNFan]

Well, if you can't make it down here at least you have Hersheypark in the Dark right in your own backyard, and of course Shocktoberfest in nearby Reading!!!

I hear Shocktoberfest is pretty damn scary.

WHOOO!!! MY 3000TH POST!!!!!

Hersheypark in the Dark is actually meant for children. There isn't anything for people like us. Shocktoberfest is good but it's no HHN. The one I am interested in going to is Dorney Park Haunt it is done by the same people who do Knott's scary farm but once again it's no HHN. I will find a way to get down there even if I have to drive the 16 hours down.

Congrats on your 3000th post.

Edited June 13, 2011 by AaronPaHHNFan

[localHHNfan19]

coorect me if im worong but didnt i see in this thread that king would not allow none of his work to be used in a theme park huant?if so that would throw out the it theroy cause thats a king book.and to be honest thats why i thought roody created jack.

[localHHNfan19]

The idea of popular literary works as themes for houses is an interesting one. Now, these opinions are coming from someone that has no connection to Universal pretty much, but it seems to me like it

As for anything from Stephen King, after watching an interview with him about a month ago, I'm not sure he would give the rights to do something like a haunted house. He's very insistent about being extremely involved in any kind of recreation of his novels, and I doubt he would entertain the idea. But im not gonna lie, it would be an instant classic.

But there's my two cents.

i agree i would love to see some of his books be brought to life as a hunated house that would be badass,cause he does very good work.but i doubt it would ever ever happen.king has to much time and pride into his work to let it be runied by a theme park.like for instance tommykncokers would be a very good house.

[Pumpkin]

This is just a thought, but what if the literary quotes are broader hints regarding one centralized concept, instead of many centralized hints (literature) regarding one broader concept (the event theme or event icon)? For example: Maybe they all are related to just one, singular house or one house/scare zone combo. I'm not sure how a lot of the work or credit is divided up within A&D, but what if Emeric is hinting at something that he had sole or direct creative license over? Are there any classic or influential literary works celebrating an anniversary this year that do NOT belong to the horror genre? For me, it would be more of a challenge to take something well know and turn it into a dark or gory, comprehensive variation than it would be to take something bizarre and macabre and simply depict it just as that, bizarre and macabre. Poe and King are fun, but they're almost too easy. Maybe they are embracing the mashup trend, but trying to create their own hybrid instead of just creating an attraction based on preexisting source material; like, instead of having a Pride and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies scare zone or an Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter house, they've created their own seemingly random coupling. For instance, The Great Gatsby meets an alien invasion, like War of the Worlds, or if you want to go dark humor Mars Attacks. I'm NOT saying that that specific idea is what Universal is going to do this year, so no one misunderstand me, please. It's just an example. Separately, has there even been a main attraction house in recent years (late 90s to now) that wasn't directly related to the event theme or icon (once that era began)?

[HHN UK]

There was some stuff on another forum about Edgar allan poe......if its true the theme could be similar to that film where what ever is written comes to life , cant wait to come back this year after missing last year...........its the only reason I have my holiday in the us hahah mrs wont go in the houses with me though lol

[killswitch22]

Did Emeric give us hints about Fear as the icon or did we have to wait for the previews and the reveal?

[King_K.]

I don't remember Emeric giving any hints whatsoever last year. I could be mistaken though?

[JDW]

There were many here are just a few towards the end:

And so it would appear that the final unveiling is nigh upon us. In the preceeding days, let me re-state my words one final time:

As FDR said in his First Inaugural Address: " . . . let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is Fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror."

Are there any amongst us who are familiar with the works of the great Bard? I, for one, have always been fond of Julius Caesar. Specifically, Act 3, Scene I, Line 273. "Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war"

This Plague of ever-mutating speculation makes one yearn for the deathly quiet of a crypt or Catacombs.

A haunted mansion? Sounds like the sort of thing that some might enjoy investigating. Truthfully, effective ghost-themed haunts are decidedly difficult to achieve. Done correctly, though, the results could be positively Legendary.

One may be encouraged to learn that they may have one final opportunity to fly over the cuckoo's nest.

Many have wondered about poor Cindy's fate. She may have been spending time with Miss Hannigan, but all will become clearer as the day unfolds.

Texas may have a peculiar penchant for chainsaws, and the various Meatz may look tasty. However, those dining at the feast of Doomsday may already be dead themselves. Pardon that improperly placed zed.

It may be a labour of Hercules, but one should never turn around to look for Eurydice.

While many have walked the hallowed halls of horror through the years, this year's 20th Anniversary event to unveil the Best Universal has to offer.

others later on

Do the thing you fear, and the death of Fear is certain.

emericbelasco Emeric Belasco

What we fear comes to pass more speedily than what we hope.

emericbelasco Emeric Belasco

A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free.

emericbelasco Emeric Belasco

The thoughts written on the walls of madhouses by their inmates might be worth publicizing.

emericbelasco Emeric Belasco

It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.

Edited June 13, 2011 by JWFearman

[killswitch22]

Thanks JW. This year would be a good year to not have an icon however. The event has succeeded without icons(XIV) and with this being the new era once again, Universal could try out some houses that could come back for many years to come and based on popularity incorporate an icon into the house's storyline. Kinda like how Psychoscarepy worked out

[Carnagefan]

That's not a bad idea at all like a continuing of the cycle. Didn't fear recorded stuff in the park mention cycles

And rolling the dice suggests a more random event maybe they are going to try some new concepts like the early years with no central theme other than horror nights. And then see what new franchises take off.

Edited June 14, 2011 by Carnagefan

[Kenny]

Since there was a rumor about a ninth house could it be like alone but it be a true maze so you take a "chance" at every turn which would tie in with the speculated gambiling theme for this year?

[mystiquephreeq]

I see my comment about IT took flight. I did not intend for that to happen. It was a simple observation combining two possible theories and my own fanaticism, as I stated in my later post. Yes, there is a big screen version being made. Yes, WB owns the rights. No, I don't think it will be at HHN.

The literary references by Mr. Belsaco are interesting, but I don't thinks it's the source we should be looking at. Literary quotes and quotes by authors, in general, are very common. All you have to do is google a subject such as fear + quotes and a plethora of famous quotes by famous people appears. Author's quotes and their works tend to be easily found, being that words are their bread and butter. The content is most likely far more pertinent than the source.

As for novels or literary adaptions at HHN, we've seen it already. Small homages to known works. The Legend of Hell House/The Haunting of Hill House were payed homage to last year.

I would love to see Poe's work brought to life at HHN. It would be enjoyable in every aspect. The visuals, audios, smells, physical sensations would be amazing. Hearing the swish of the pendulum and feeling the pressure as it displaced air. A room that seems to be consumed by the beat of a heart. The soft rustling and strident call of a raven. The smell of bricks and mortar and decay while walking through a passage way, hearing muffled screams and cries coming from the walls. There would need to be a room devoted to the Conqueror Worm though.

[Sweetdevotchka09]

From Chad a few hours ago...

(12:21:26 PM) emericbelasco@live.com: Good day.

(12:26:14 PM) emericbelasco@live.com: The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.

(12:26:37 PM) emericbelasco@live.com: Auf wiedersehen.

I'm not sure if anybody realized that the second comment made by Emeric is actually a famous quote by Mark Twain. With that being said, this could just be pure coincidence; however this is the second Mark Twain quote that Emeric has referenced if I am not mistaken. I guess the question here would be why Mark Twain in specific? Perhaps, I am just allowing my anticipation to get the better of me...

[Cody]

I'm not sure if anybody realized that the second comment made by Emeric is actually a famous quote by Mark Twain. With that being said, this could just be pure coincidence; however this is the second Mark Twain quote that Emeric has referenced if I am not mistaken. I guess the question here would be why Mark Twain in specific? Perhaps, I am just allowing my anticipation to get the better of me...

I'm 99% certain that you are.

[BabyFirefly]

The whole literary reference of Mark Twain got me thinking. So I began to search other of his novels and short stories to see if there was a reference to a specific real life situation in which we could gather information from.

I found the "Ghost Story" by Mark Twain which is an "encounter" he penned. His experience for all to read and enjoy. This is just how I interpreted it, as I'm sure, many others will have a vast amount of knowledge to prove me wrong or to say that this does not correlate to the postings of Emeric. I also could be overanalyzing. Either way, I found it interesting and left it here to share with anyone else who might be interested.

"A ghost story" by Mark Twain

I found these quotes to me most intriguing:

"In the ashes on the hearth, side by side with my own bare footprint, was another, so vast that in comparison mine was but an infant's'!" (Reference to the rebirth?)

"I sat there, thinking of bygone times; recalling old scenes, and summoning half-forgotten faces out of the mists of the past; listening, in fancy, to voices that long ago grew silent for all time" --I know this is a beginning to the New era of Darkness, interesting how we keep recalling the past characters/icons of the past and wishing for them to return, including incredible Plague Doctors and Dogs of War.

Could another ghost house be possible? And not one of those based on people conducting studies and experiments to see if paranormal activity exists but rather yet, instead of a team of paranormal seekers (The LT) they could have a prequel house to what happened BEFORE the LT was involved?

[Sweetdevotchka09]

I'm 99% certain that you are.

Oh well, C'est la vie...I just found it interesting to be referencing Mark Twain once again; when most of the other quotes come from completely different authors.

[Sweetdevotchka09]

The whole literary reference of Mark Twain got me thinking. So I began to search other of his novels and short stories to see if there was a reference to a specific real life situation in which we could gather information from.

I found the "Ghost Story" by Mark Twain which is an "encounter" he penned. His experience for all to read and enjoy. This is just how I interpreted it, as I'm sure, many others will have a vast amount of knowledge to prove me wrong or to say that this does not correlate to the postings of Emeric. I also could be overanalyzing. Either way, I found it interesting and left it here to share with anyone else who might be interested.

"A ghost story" by Mark Twain

I found these quotes to me most intriguing:

"In the ashes on the hearth, side by side with my own bare footprint, was another, so vast that in comparison mine was but an infant's'!" (Reference to the rebirth?)

"I sat there, thinking of bygone times; recalling old scenes, and summoning half-forgotten faces out of the mists of the past; listening, in fancy, to voices that long ago grew silent for all time" --I know this is a beginning to the New era of Darkness, interesting how we keep recalling the past characters/icons of the past and wishing for them to return, including incredible Plague Doctors and Dogs of War.

Could another ghost house be possible? And not one of those based on people conducting studies and experiments to see if paranormal activity exists but rather yet, instead of a team of paranormal seekers (The LT) they could have a prequel house to what happened BEFORE the LT was involved?

I am aware that the first quote referenced "Pity is for the living, envy is for the dead" was included in the autobiographical account "Following The Equator" which he wrote shortly after the death of his daughter and this particular quote was in reference to her death; Twain was in bad mental and emotional place at the point in which this work was written.

The second quote "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated" was sparked from an obituary that was falsely circulated about Twain's death when in fact he was still among the earthly plane.

What peaked my interest was that the author was used twice and in both references the origin of the quote correlates with death; when in the other quotations there is variety of authors; but as I had stated in my previous post this was probably just a stretch of the imagination...