HHN XXI Speculation II

[King_K.]

Interesting speculation so far! I find it odd that both events are doing a Poe house.

The designers from both events are great friends and they more than likely talk about ideas every time they hangout. So I wouldn't doubt that they both had a Poe discussion one day and thus the situation we have this year. Both groups are probably having a big laugh about it,

Either that, or it was just a huge coincidence.

[Fallow]

What's even more of a coincidence is that the houses seem to share a title, as well. This takes the Nightshade Toy Factory vs. Chucky Friends Til the End comparisons to a whole new level!

[Legacy]

Nothing is officially confirmed for SZ details except some colorful characters in Hollywood, stilts in IFB, and the rat lady in NY.

And there is the idea that Luck may appear in the least likely of places...

And our Bat...

[alienrottweiler]

I have been using these forums for 3 years now and havent really talked I just observe but i cant wait for this year and wait for the site to finally be revealed. Everything you guys have found out has made me more and more excited. I just want to know more about the cemetary house. The game looks awesome and im just stumped as to know what it could be

[HHNFreak88]

So, are we all agreeing that the icon house is going to be in SS22 then, since the rumored "casino house" turned out to be Poe?

[Legacy]

So, are we all agreeing that the icon house is going to be in SS22 then, since the rumored "casino house" turned out to be Poe?

There may not be an icon house. At this point, if there is one, it is most likely the cemetery, but that is not firm.

I've said it for a while, and I'll say it again. There is a great deal of potential that there is not icon house this year. Remember, Fear was not in a house last year either. I have a feeling that how Luck is used will be completely different form from we know. She, quite possibly, will not be the type of "icon" we expect but in fact be more of a mascot for marketing purposes.

I really hope every would make an attempt to change their way of thinking about icons and how they are used. We may never see them in the same way again.

[AaronPaHHNFan]

So, are we all agreeing that the icon house is going to be in SS22 then, since the rumored "casino house" turned out to be Poe?

First of all I see your a new poster so welcome to HNN! but.......

SS 22 - Deals with the cemetery/Lady Hawthorne house, the key game, and the light blue card.

It could be an icon house, if there is an icon house. Rumors are leading me away from there even being an icon house. I don't have any inside info or anything, just what I'm thinking based on speculation. I think Legacy is right when he says the icon might be more of a mascot.

[Fallow]

There may not be an icon house. At this point, if there is one, it is most likely the cemetery, but that is not firm.

I've said it for a while, and I'll say it again. There is a great deal of potential that there is not icon house this year. Remember, Fear was not in a house last year either. I have a feeling that how Luck is used will be completely different form from we know. She, quite possibly, will not be the type of "icon" we expect but in fact be more of a mascot for marketing purposes.

I really hope every would make an attempt to change their way of thinking about icons and how they are used. We may never see them in the same way again.

That'd be unfortunate - because I think that's what people expect at this point. People want to see the icon or whatever it is they see in the ads.

Fear not being in a house last year was a testament to how rushed his development was and became a major disappointment. Let's hope we don't have that blunder again.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - purely marketing faces don't make good characters or tell good stories. HHN supposedly develops both.

[HHNFreak88]

There may not be an icon house. At this point, if there is one, it is most likely the cemetery, but that is not firm.

I've said it for a while, and I'll say it again. There is a great deal of potential that there is not icon house this year. Remember, Fear was not in a house last year either. I have a feeling that how Luck is used will be completely different form from we know. She, quite possibly, will not be the type of "icon" we expect but in fact be more of a mascot for marketing purposes.

I really hope every would make an attempt to change their way of thinking about icons and how they are used. We may never see them in the same way again.

That's a shame if there is no icon house. I would've liked to have seen a full out casino-type haunted house for Lady Luck, but if the graveyard house in SS22 is going to tell the back story of our icon, then maybe, just MAYBE, there's a small chance that house is the icon house. I won't get my hopes up for it, but there's no harm in being a little optimistic.

[AaronPaHHNFan]

That's a shame if there is no icon house. I would've liked to have seen a full out casino-type haunted house for Lady Luck, but if the graveyard house in SS22 is going to tell the back story of our icon, then maybe, just MAYBE, there's a small chance that house is the icon house. I won't get my hopes up for it, but there's no harm in being a little optimistic.

Never any harm in being optimistic when it comes to something you want to see.

[Dr. Jimmy]

There may not be an icon house. At this point, if there is one, it is most likely the cemetery, but that is not firm.

I've said it for a while, and I'll say it again. There is a great deal of potential that there is not icon house this year. Remember, Fear was not in a house last year either. I have a feeling that how Luck is used will be completely different form from we know. She, quite possibly, will not be the type of "icon" we expect but in fact be more of a mascot for marketing purposes.

I really hope every would make an attempt to change their way of thinking about icons and how they are used. We may never see them in the same way again.

It would really sting if Lady Luck didn't appear somewhere at the event.

[Legacy]

That'd be unfortunate - because I think that's what people expect at this point. People want to see the icon or whatever it is they see in the ads.

Fear not being in a house last year was a testament to how rushed his development was and became a major disappointment. Let's hope we don't have that blunder again.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - purely marketing faces don't make good characters or tell good stories. HHN supposedly develops both.

Oh... I definitely think guests will get an opportunity to see Luck. It just might be in a more profitable format. Remember... people loved taking pictures with the characters. People also hated losing a scarezone for a photo-op. They tested a way to accomplish both last year and we may see it again.

Essentially, we could be seeing an Icon Room; not a house.

Remember, there have been more years without strictly defined, developed icons than with one.

1991-1999, 2004 - Ten years with no icons, strictly mascots or marketing.

2000-2003, 2008-2010 - 7 Years, Strong, well-defined icons.

2005 - The Storyteller had little backstory, and was created by Marketing to replace the Terra Queen. If I'm gracious, I'll had her year for 8 icon years.

2006 - Theme-centric reunion, rehash of characters with no backstory.

2007 - Movie-centric (not icon-based) marketing.

This year is feeling similar to 2004 and the early years of HHN. That's not a bad thing. You don't always need an icon. Sometimes, all you need is to be scared.

[hhnFEARfan]

Hopefully SS22 will be an Icon house because last year was a big mistake with not putting fear in a house. It will be sad to see Lady Luck only

In advertising because they could do alot with the concept of her... We will just have to wait I guess...

[Legacy]

It would really sting if Lady Luck didn't appear somewhere at the event.

I see what you did there, Jimmy.

Hopefully SS22 will be an Icon house because last year was a big mistake with not putting fear in a house. It will be sad to see Lady Luck only

In advertising because they could do alot with the concept of her... We will just have to wait I guess...

Honestly, if the cemetery is strictly Victorian ghosts (which is what we're suspecting), Lady Luck as you would recognize her would be way too out of place.

[Grimp0nd]

Legacy could be right about no icon this year but I really hope he's wrong on this one. Last year I liked the idea of Fear but was massively dissapointed in how underused he was. All the build up only to have him appear outside Mels Diner for a photo op. What a let down. I hope they make more of the face this year.

[iLOVEhhn]

I did search for this on here, but can't seem to find an answer for this year... so please don't yell at me if I'm posting this in the wrong thread...

Does anyone know if they are going to try and re-direct the cue for one of the studio houses so that RRRollercoaster can be open during HNN?

[Cramer]

I have been using these forums for 3 years now and havent really talked I just observe but i cant wait for this year and wait for the site to finally be revealed. Everything you guys have found out has made me more and more excited. I just want to know more about the cemetary house. The game looks awesome and im just stumped as to know what it could be

Welcome to the boards. It truly is an addiction. Every time I read a post from a new member I remember the first time I went in 2002 and stumbled across a HHN fan site after coming home from the event. I was hooked ever since. Seeing more people get hooked to the speculation and mystery really makes me happy.

To keep it on topic: The cemetery house also is at the top of my interest list right now. Every other house is fairly well laid out as far as theme or story goes, but the cemetery house we know very little about. All we have is the "Lady Hawthorn" thing, the crypts, and...I'm hoping nobody forgot about this...the code name which is/was "Blue Light." I notice that the lanterns in the game are blue, and that the light over the entire game has a blue theme. Maybe blame it on the snow, but I'm hoping that the "blue light" hint has more to do with it than we originally imagined.

My very hopeful mind wants this to be the next "Terror Mines" or "PUTS" except instead of hats, blue lanterns. Of course, I understand that that's quite unlikely. As I said, very hopeful mind .

[iLOVEhhn]

I feel like with such an increase in ticket pricing this year... they should be able to offer more things to do. I get from an internal perspective that more money may mean more technology or better houses, but from a marketing perspective, to the customer, more money needs to mean MORE things to do.

[Fallow]

It just upsets me that they seem to be making the same mistake with Lady Luck that they did with FEAR - assuming what Legacy says is accurate. Having FEAR as chiefly a photo op sucked. It wasn't threatening. It wasn't scary. It screamed "rushed idea/cheapness." I had hoped A&D learned from that erroneous decision. I'm nervous enough that we don't have a casino - but "The House" in the game suggests Lady Luck may have some tie into the cemetery after all. I hope she does. She needs, at the very minimum, a scare zone, but I fear even that won't be enough if FEAR was any indication...

By the way, I really dislike the argument that because we've only had 8 "icon years" that that makes a non-icon year more likely or even acceptable. The "Our Legacy" section of the website shows the Iconic Era as being the final stage of a series of evolutions - it's the "ideal" HHN, so to speak. HHN evolved to the point where it could produce original characters with intensive backstories and super-elaborate events. There's no need to retrogress to the pre-2000 era (remember, 04 worked due to the gimmick of two parks).

[Cooger and Dark]

Oh... I definitely think guests will get an opportunity to see Luck. It just might be in a more profitable format. Remember... people loved taking pictures with the characters. People also hated losing a scarezone for a photo-op. They tested a way to accomplish both last year and we may see it again.

Essentially, we could be seeing an Icon Room; not a house.

Remember, there have been more years without strictly defined, developed icons than with one.

1991-1999, 2004 - Ten years with no icons, strictly mascots or marketing.

2000-2003, 2008-2010 - 7 Years, Strong, well-defined icons.

2005 - The Storyteller had little backstory, and was created by Marketing to replace the Terra Queen. If I'm gracious, I'll had her year for 8 icon years.

2006 - Theme-centric reunion, rehash of characters with no backstory.

2007 - Movie-centric (not icon-based) marketing.

This year is feeling similar to 2004 and the early years of HHN. That's not a bad thing. You don't always need an icon. Sometimes, all you need is to be scared.

Okay, so based on this and some earlier ideas I am putting forth the idea that if we have some female icon along the lines of Lady Luck we are looking at a scarezone. I personally will throw my money on Sting Alley. My reasoning is that it is absolutely perfect for the speakeasy time period. Also, there have been rumors of hags or some sort of Coven spin-off so why not instead of it being The Coven it being our icon scarezone. This would fit perfectly given that there are supposedly lots of women cast in this area. Instead of witches or even sirens what if it is just our icon. I believe earlier Dr. Jimmy implied that our icon could have multiple personalities and even the HHN facebook has implied more than one face so why not many different incarnations of Lady Luck in this area. Even some of the names could be attributed to emotions felt while gambling. Thoughts?

[JDW]

I feel like with such an increase in ticket pricing this year... they should be able to offer more things to do. I get from an internal perspective that more money may mean more technology or better houses, but from a marketing perspective, to the customer, more money needs to mean MORE things to do.

Welcome to the forum.

They have 8 houses, 7 scare zones, and 2 shows... I've never had time nor was bored enough to do the rides and I've never seen another haunted attraction with as much to do.

IDK know to me its all about HHN I can ride the rides any time so to each his own.

But the price only went up 5 dollars on the single night, no discount, ticket and the new Rush Of Fear option can't be beat.

I mean I can go any night in the first three weeks plus the UMTH tour for $110.00.. I can't beat that with a stick.

As for the original question:

Does anyone know if they are going to try and re-direct the cue for one of the studio houses so that RRRollercoaster can be open during HNN?

The queue is THE issue there. There are only so many places to run the in queues but the OUT queue is a huge problem for running Rock It. Being that there is such a large number of people that have to be moved through there.. I just don't see it.

As far as the icon,... have no fear we shall she her at the event. But icon house... I'm really not thinking it is happening. I guess anything is possible but I don't see the cemetary house relating... guess we will see.

[HHNFreak88]

Welcome to the forum.

They have 8 houses, 7 scare zones, and 2 shows... I've never had time nor was bored enough to do the rides and I've never seen another haunted attraction with as much to do.

IDK know to me its all about HHN I can ride the rides any time so to each his own.

But the price only went up 5 dollars on the single night, no discount, ticket and the new Rush Of Fear option can't be beat.

I mean I can go any night in the first three weeks plus the UMTH tour for two came out to $220.00.. I can't beat that with a stick.

As for the original question:

The queue is THE issue there. There are only so many places to run the in queues but the OUT queue is a huge problem for running Rock It. Being that there is such a large number of people that have to be moved through there.. I just don't see it.

As far as the icon,... have no fear we shall she her at the event. But icon house... I'm really not thinking it is happening. I guess anything is possible but I don't see the cemetary house relating... guess we will see.

Well, couldn't she technically be Lady Elizabeth Hawthorn, and Lady Luck is just a nickname for her? Like a previous poster stated, the web site says there are many faces of Luck. She could technically appear as a ghost in the house and then somewhere else in the park.

[Legacy]

Legacy could be right about no icon this year but I really hope he's wrong on this one. Last year I liked the idea of Fear but was massively dissapointed in how underused he was. All the build up only to have him appear outside Mels Diner for a photo op. What a let down. I hope they make more of the face this year.

And think about the fact that there's actually less build-up about the Luck as a character than there was last year for Fear.

It just upsets me that they seem to be making the same mistake with Lady Luck that they did with FEAR - assuming what Legacy says is accurate. Having FEAR as chiefly a photo op sucked. It wasn't threatening. It wasn't scary. It screamed "rushed idea/cheapness." I had hoped A&D learned from that erroneous decision. I'm nervous enough that we don't have a casino - but "The House" in the game suggests Lady Luck may have some tie into the cemetery after all. I hope she does. She needs, at the very minimum, a scare zone, but I fear even that won't be enough if FEAR was any indication...

By the way, I really dislike the argument that because we've only had 8 "icon years" that that makes a non-icon year more likely or even acceptable. The "Our Legacy" section of the website shows the Iconic Era as being the final stage of a series of evolutions - it's the "ideal" HHN, so to speak. HHN evolved to the point where it could produce original characters with intensive backstories and super-elaborate events. There's no need to retrogress to the pre-2000 era (remember, 04 worked due to the gimmick of two parks).

The House is likely Universal Studios itself. Remember, we haven't seen the outside of any building, unless the house of cards is connected to the cemetery, the website may be the only place it exist. That's assuming it doesn't collapse when it's completed. That would just be rotten luck.

Regarding "regression," that's a matter of opinion. You can't just keep introducing characters ad nauseum. Doing that means you can't progress out of the "Iconic Era." I personally think having "themes," over icons is a progression because the first ten years were strictly "marketing." Then we had characters. Moving to coherent themes (without a focus on a persona, but an idea) IS a progression. Fear, Fate, Luck, "Chance," Death are all ideas and themes. Giving them a "face" is simply personifying them. That IS progression. That is evolution. "Luck," not as a person but as an idea, is more powerful than anything over the last ten years.

Well, couldn't she technically be Lady Elizabeth Hawthorn, and Lady Luck is just a nickname for her? Like a previous poster stated, the web site says there are many faces of Luck. She could technically appear as a ghost in the house and then somewhere else in the park.

Like I said, the way you see her, she would look really out of place in a Victorian cemetery. If you change her face, you likely won't recognize her.

EDIT - And good job, Cooger...

Edited August 22, 2011 by Legacy

[Creeper06]

Hey everyone!

Wow... this thread hos totally left me behind. I couldn't keep up with it so I stopped reading it for a while (so HUGE thanks for the recap). But you guys are awesome at deciphering this stuff. Again, wow!!!

Well the variety of houses has me extremnely more excited than I was initially when the "Gambling theme" was announced. It sounds like they're taking a much broader approach and that makes for a better experience, if you ask me.

No icon house is a bit disappointing but... we had an icon house for 2008 and that was the weakest of the night so, I trust that it'll work out. Plus, I would love for "Lady Luck" to make cameos in each house like BM did in 08. There are ways of weaving her throughout the event without giving her a house.

Anyway, are we expecting a site update on 9/1?

[Dr. Jimmy]

Not to argue or pick nits or anything but I disagree with Jeff on a few points.

Based on what I have seen and heard I think there will be quite a build up to Lady Luck beginning next month.

The definition of "Icon" is always problematic, many people seem to have their own favorite way of determining just who or what is or is not an "Icon". Frankly I find the whole thing a bit silly. As for mascots, there is quite a big difference between Eyegore from 1997, the Pschoscareapy Patient from 2004 and the presentation of Lady Luck which we all will soon see.

Some even go so far as to include the Universal Classic Monsters as "Icons" for Fright Nights in 1991 as they actually did appear in the park that year.

But we can say that there were no Icons from 1991 - 1994.

In 1995 we had the first Icon for the event, The Cryptkeeper. He was of course, a pre-existing character not created by Universal.

In 1996 The Cryptkeeper returned although he was not used in advertising media.

From 1997 - 1999 there were again no Icons, except some would argue that The Mummy in 1999 appearing in a House and the parade that year may count as one.

The Iconic era began in 2000. Icons have appeared in every year since, even when they were not used in any advertising media or presiding over the event.

2000 - Jack was the Icon.

2001 - Eddie was meant to be the Icon, but was pulled and replaced by Jack.

2002 - Sindy was meant to be the Icon, but was pulled and replaced by The Caretaker.

2003 - The Director was the Icon and The Caretaker returned in his house.

2004 - No presiding Icon, but Jack, Eddie, The Caretaker and The Director all returned in the house Horror Night Nightmare. (nice name)

2005 - The Terra Queen was meant to be the Icon, she appeared at the event but was replaced in all advertising media by The Storyteller who appeared in the house Where Evil Hides. Jack also appeared in the maze Rat Run on peak nights.

2006 - Jack, The Caretaker, The Director and The Storyteller were all the Icons for the event. Eddie also appeared in the house Run: Hostile Territory. Cindy, reimagined as The Caretaker's daughter made her first appearance as a corpse in his house.

2007 - Jack as The Ringmaster was the Icon.

2008 - Bloody Mary was the Icon.

2009 - The Usher was the Icon. Jack, The Caretaker and Cindy appeared in the scarezone Shadows of the Past.

2010 - The Icon was meant to be Cindy, she was replaced by FEAR who was the Icon. Cindy still appeared in her house and the FEAR Revealed scarezone along with Jack, Eddie, The Caretaker, The Director, The Storyteller and The Usher. Those six also appeared in the house Horror Nights: The Hallow'd Past. The Cryptkeeper also returned in the scarezone HHN: 20 Years of Fear and even Mary Agana made an unofficial 'cameo appearance' in Psychoscareapy: Echoes of Shadybrook.