Orlando Trip Questions

[Guest kiwisoup]

Weird I've been doing that plan for three years and have never seen that. It's been Frequent Fear Nights only though.

Nobody quite seemed to know about it but finally someone said they actually do it for Annual Passholders nights....which is the first two weekends Fri and Sat, which just so happens to be when I went the last two years.

Edited September 4, 2014 by kiwisoup

[Arsik_22]

20 more days? As in: you're going at the end of Sep? If so, the Rush of Fear + Express would save you a bit of money over the FFP. the Rush of Fear includes the first 10 days (including Fri & Saturdays). FFP has Fridays/Saturdays excluded depending on the level you purchase. Make sure it fits your schedule. Universal will definitely let you change your ticket if you call and ask nicely.

If you can, why not do the early UTH tour in addition to the afternoon? They each go through 3 different houses, so they are completely different.

Here's a helpful money-saving hint: When you do the UTH tour, you do NOT need to buy daytime park admission. If you do the afternoon tour they will NOT escort you to the gate. 4:15 will come and they will say "You know your way out?". They fully expect you to stay in the park and enjoy it for the next 90 minutes it is open. That's probably enough time to run to Gringott's, or do one other ride. If you do the morning tour only, they will probably escort you to the gate. So if you are planning on just doing the afternoon and buying a ticket for the morning, you might want to think otherwise. Either do both tours and save a park admission or sleep in (you'll need it) and do the afternoon tour and still save admission.

Great choice of parks - your legs are going to be SORE!

Check out touringplans.com for accurate wait times and crowd conditions at all of the parks.

When going to Disney, the day of the week is VERY important. You'd be surprised. It's worth the research. Crowd patterns are totally different than in California.

The first couple of times I went to Orlando from LA, it was the commando "gotta do everything" approach. Damned near killed myself. Pace yourself, because one blister and it's all over.

Even in October, it's humid as hell over there. It may decide to pour for 30 minutes just for fun. Then nighttime comes and you expect it to get cool, right? Not even close.

Have fun but know what you're in for.

One other thing you MAY want to consider...

You are probably starting something you will find yourself doing for years to come. As such, you will probably be going to a Disney park or two every time you go. You MAY want to consider buying a Magic Your Way ticket for many more days than you are planning this year, and adding the "No Expiration" option at the park. It's a lot of money. But you get to lock in your ticket price forever. Way back in 2004 I bought several 10-day passes with park hopper, water park add-on, and no expiration. They were a whopping $375 each back then. So I locked in 10 park hoppers at $37.50 each and a bunch of free water park passes that all never expire. These same tickets cost more than 2x that now. In another 10 years they will be double again. Just a thought. You can buy these at discounted rates from undercovertourist.com. The discount is about 8% from Disney's prices. They are a reputable place and are an authorized seller. They will fedex the tickets to you.

Oops ! Totally meant Rush of Fear with Express. Lol

I would love to see the 3 other mazes in the morning tour, but were already planning on doing the Universal park that day, and just taking 2 hours out of the day for the tour. Plus, I'm the one that really wanted to do this tour. My girlfriend and 2 friends aren't as excited so they wouldn't want to shell out another $60 for the morning menace tour. Either way, getting a lights on tour in 3 mazes and pictures allowed is a dream come true for me. Im beyond excited for that.

My friend did check the average wait times for the day were going to Disney and it looks like it should be a fairly slow day. The max wait times for most rides was like 15 minutes, so I'm hoping that pattern stays true this year. Thanks though for sharing the tip, I would have had no clue to check the crowd conditions if it wasn't for my friend.

Magic your way ticket? Hnmmm I'll definitely look into it! I know, I haven't even gone this year yet but I know I want to come down to Orlando's HHN event every year. I know it'll be awesome especially after reading the reviews from previous years on these forums !

Thank you again for taking the time to give all of these helpful tips, I'll be sure to check out those park hopper tickets without an expiration date.

Quick question, I know you guys have said to not do the Disaster Queque house before it's completely dark. Which house is that this year? And since we have FOL for Thursday, Friday and Sunday for HHN, is there still a recommended order for what mazes to hit the first time without using the Fol?

Edited September 4, 2014 by shark23

[N i c k]

Clowns is the Disaster house this year

[Cooger and Dark]

Oops ! Totally meant Rush of Fear with Express. Lol

I would love to see the 3 other mazes in the morning tour, but were already planning on doing the Universal park that day, and just taking 2 hours out of the day for the tour. Plus, I'm the one that really wanted to do this tour. My girlfriend and 2 friends aren't as excited so they wouldn't want to shell out another $60 for the morning menace tour. Either way, getting a lights on tour in 3 mazes and pictures allowed is a dream come true for me. Im beyond excited for that.

My friend did check the average wait times for the day were going to Disney and it looks like it should be a fairly slow day. The max wait times for most rides was like 15 minutes, so I'm hoping that pattern stays true this year. Thanks though for sharing the tip, I would have had no clue to check the crowd conditions if it wasn't for my friend.

Magic your way ticket? Hnmmm I'll definitely look into it! I know, I haven't even gone this year yet but I know I want to come down to Orlando's HHN event every year. I know it'll be awesome especially after reading the reviews from previous years on these forums !

Thank you again for taking the time to give all of these helpful tips, I'll be sure to check out those park hopper tickets without an expiration date.

Quick question, I know you guys have said to not do the Disaster Queque house before it's completely dark. Which house is that this year? And since we have FOL for Thursday, Friday and Sunday for HHN, is there still a recommended order for what mazes to hit the first time without using the Fol?

Your best bet is to pick a side (SS or Tents) and clear that side completely without using your Express Passes. Which you choose is based entirely on preference. Since you have multiple nights you could try out both ways and work off of that. If I had to guess, the three big draw houses this year are going to be TWD, AvP, and Halloween so take that as you will.

[zombieman]

What has worked for me every year is arriving at the gates and getting past the security by 6:15. They usually open the gates at 6:30. Enter the park and make a beeline to the RIGHT - You will come to two mazes. Do the one on the RIGHT first and the exit will be back where you entered the queue. THEN do the one on the LEFT. It will exit near Men in Black, where there is a line for the third maze on that side. That will also exit near Men in Black. From there keep going deeper into the park, past Potterland. This will take you to Disaster, where you hit your 4th house.

Everyone else will enter the park and head straight to the Soundstage houses. Those lines fill up instantly and become 30 minutes quickly. That's why you head toward the tents instead.

Be aware that the SS queue near Mummy opens later than all the other queues - another reason to avoid SS houses first. SS lines will be 45 min minimum all night long. No getting around that. I think Disaster doesn't open right away either.

By the time you hit Disaster, people who took the SS path will start to merge with you, and you will start to feel the crowds.

If you are doing early entry or the daytime tour, they will corral you in one of two areas. I have always been corralled in the New York area (near Finnegan's restaurant - very good place to eat, BTW). You will be let out into the park a few minutes before the main gate opens. I usually run for the tents - passing MIB on the left. It's a long haul. I honestly don't know the other area where the corral people - it may be more convenient.

What ticketing option did you use? If it was print at home, make sure you print out SEVERAL COPIES of the tickets. They will get wet over the days and will be hard to scan. Buy a Lanyard to keep them in, scan side out. Next time, use the Kiosk option - only takes a minute and you get real tickets. Kiosks are between security and front gates. Whenever you use your ticket as a FOTL use, they will scan it (or mark it if the scanner is broken). Careful if they want to mark your Rush of Fear pass - you will need to use that same pass every day you do, and having it pre-marked may make it hard to use on a future date. Remember, a Rush of Fear with Express looks just like a non-Express.

TAKE A PHOTO OF ALL TICKETS - if you lose it (I lost an Express pass at the park one night), Customer Relations at the front of the park will print you a new one. Much easier if they have a photo that contains the number. Nothing makes you feel worse than losing a $100 ticket in the dark.

Know that in Orlando HHN you are going to walk several miles in an evening - you will not believe how crazy the queues are. Take Hollywood's JP queue and multiply it by 3. That's what every queue is like in Orlando. You walk 1/4 mile to a house only to walk 1/4 back afterward to the exact same place. The soundstage houses all walk back to the same point. You will be exhausted. Better to visit a house you like multiple times while you are there as opposed to circling the park two times.

Finally, DO go to the Bill & Ted show. With the exception of 2012, Orlando's has been a must-see. And even more reason since Hollywood pulled theirs due to political correctness.

Edited September 4, 2014 by zombieman

[Guest kiwisoup]

What has worked for me every year is arriving at the gates and getting past the security by 6:15. They usually open the gates at 6:30. Enter the park and make a beeline to the RIGHT - You will come to two mazes. Do the one on the RIGHT first and the exit will be back where you entered the queue. THEN do the one on the LEFT. It will exit near Men in Black, where there is a line for the third maze on that side. That will also exit near Men in Black. From there keep going deeper into the park, past Potterland. This will take you to Disaster, where you hit your 4th house.

Everyone else will enter the park and head straight to the Soundstage houses. Those lines fill up instantly and become 30 minutes quickly. That's why you head toward the tents instead.

Be aware that the SS queue near Mummy opens later than all the other queues - another reason to avoid SS houses first. SS lines will be 45 min minimum all night long. No getting around that. I think Disaster doesn't open right away either.

By the time you hit Disaster, people who took the SS path will start to merge with you, and you will start to feel the crowds.

If you are doing early entry or the daytime tour, they will corral you in one of two areas. I have always been corralled in the New York area (near Finnegan's restaurant - very good place to eat, BTW). You will be let out into the park a few minutes before the main gate opens. I usually run for the tents - passing MIB on the left. It's a long haul. I honestly don't know the other area where the corral people - it may be more convenient.

What ticketing option did you use? If it was print at home, make sure you print out SEVERAL COPIES of the tickets. They will get wet over the days and will be hard to scan. Buy a Lanyard to keep them in, scan side out. Next time, use the Kiosk option - only takes a minute and you get real tickets. Kiosks are between security and front gates. Whenever you use your ticket as a FOTL use, they will scan it (or mark it if the scanner is broken). Careful if they want to mark your Rush of Fear pass - you will need to use that same pass every day you do, and having it pre-marked may make it hard to use on a future date. Remember, a Rush of Fear with Express looks just like a non-Express.

TAKE A PHOTO OF ALL TICKETS - if you lose it (I lost an Express pass at the park one night), Customer Relations at the front of the park will print you a new one. Much easier if they have a photo that contains the number. Nothing makes you feel worse than losing a $100 ticket in the dark.

Know that in Orlando HHN you are going to walk several miles in an evening - you will not believe how crazy the queues are. Take Hollywood's JP queue and multiply it by 3. That's what every queue is like in Orlando. You walk 1/4 mile to a house only to walk 1/4 back afterward to the exact same place. The soundstage houses all walk back to the same point. You will be exhausted. Better to visit a house you like multiple times while you are there as opposed to circling the park two times.

Finally, DO go to the Bill & Ted show. With the exception of 2012, Orlando's has been a must-see. And even more reason since Hollywood pulled theirs due to political correctness.

They let you in at 6pm usually, earlier than the advertised 6:30pm...I've been at the front of the gates by lining up at about 5:30pm before, and by rushing in front of the large crowd forming, I've managed to walk straight into the open studios houses without a wait and getting those out of the way before the advertised opening at 6:30...note that only a couple of them are open at 6pm. Also keep in mind that it takes a good 15 minutes to get from parking to the gates, so factor that in.

So I'd say my advice is to be AT the gates and in line an hour early (really only a half hour wait), maybe up to an hour and a half on a peak night...unless you get held up at the front gates I think starting with the studio houses is a fine alternative, and on AP nights it's a necessity. When choosing a line at the gate, pick one off to the side, and be on the look out for turnstiles that suddenly open up after you are in line or temporary turnstiles that they open in the center.

[jetsfreakHHN]

Every year I stay at the double tree or the holiday inn (both next to each other) right across the street from the entrance to Universal Orlando. It is a very walkable distance, if not almost the same as walking onsite, if you count distance to City Walk not the park. It's a fantastic price, I'm staying at the Holiday Inn this year or 140 all together for two nights. That's one of the cheapest rooms I've seen in Orlando plus the room isn't bad at all. Another bonus is it is attached to the TGI Fridays which includes breakfast in the morning

Plus I always go to stand at the gate at 5:30/6. If you get there at 6 you won't be waiting long and it will be crowded but make a right, which in this case would be the Face Off scare zone and hit the houses next to E.T. (Dollhouse of Damned/Roanoke) and keep going in that order. Personally with Bill and Ted, I've never had a problem with getting in the show. It's getting out that is hectic, but if you don't mind leaving before they finish the dances you should be fine. I'd also eat before you go in the park. I have a tradition where I go to the Hard Rock right before I go in the park and then if still hungry on way out just stop in Mels or get something on city walk. It really is disappointing to watch people stop and eat which can easily make you miss one or more houses.

[jetsfreakHHN]

Hello everyone! First off, if I posted this question in the wrong area please feel free to move it/delete it so I can post it in the appropriate section. I've been going to HHN Hollywood for 8 years, and this year I'm finally making a trip over to check out Orlando's event! I'm beyond excited, and I'd really appreciate suggestions and advice for a couple things since I know many of you have been attending the event for years and know the area very well.

We most likely are leaving LA Tues. morning on Sept. 16, to wander Orlando and just relax that night. Then plan to do a daytime visit to Universal on Wed. and then Islands of Adventure Thursday. To end the trip with a bang, we'll be doing HHN on Friday.

• I'll definitely be paying for the Express pass for Horror nights, will the 6:30-12:00 be enough time to do all the mazes & see at least 1 or 2 shows? Is opening night usually extremely busy, or does it get busier as the weeks pass? And even with the Front of the Line, I'd like to get through a few mazes without using the pass so then we can go back and use it later on to get 2 walkthroughs. Any advice on which maze venues to go to first?

• Park hours are from 9:00am - 7:00pm, do you guys think it will be very busy during those days? If we start right when the park opens, we most likely can finish all of the main attractions right? I just want to make sure since my girlfriend has never been to Orlando, so I want her to have the best trip possible.

The park is usually empty during the day at HHN. Especially since it's the first weekend which all students have school and not a busy season. I always go to the park right when doors open (8am) and this year since HP is out, I'm leaving my hotel at 6 am so I could be first in without staying onsite. Universal roughly takes 5 hours to complete, give or take what you skip and what you do while roaming, and Islands of Adventure can roughly take 4 hours, with sometimes even only 2 hours. With IOA (and now Uni) , do HP first and then hit everything else. That HP line gets pretty crazy (up to 2 or more hours when crowded- at least an hour when semi-crowded) and everything else should be a step-on. Id also advise you to do the Forbidden Journey in IOA before the dragon challenge. Dragons will have a 5 minute wait all day while FJ will go up every minute. Universal is more shows, thats why it takes a while and IOA is more roller coasters which is why you can do the park relatively quickly. If you plan on doing both on the same day and then HHN, 1- GOOD LUCK! Walking 3 parks are not the most fun. 2- Do Universal first, hit HP diagon alley and then go on train to HPFJ so you get to do the train and both HP rides before a lot of people show up. 3- Try and finish near 4/430 and walk around City Walk. Honestly, city walk is equivalent to as much fun as the parks for me.

With the express, do the houses with 5-20 minutes WITHOUT express. Now 20 minutes you may want to use it, but those house waits get up to 45 on non peak nights for HHN. I'm assuming at least an hour for the heavy IP houses (TWD, AvP & Halloween) for every night, so try those houses first if you want to do them more than once. Remember to go right if you like to go in a circular order. This way the people coming in will go straight and you will go the opposite way. Then when it's the end of the night you get the sound stages, which are darker anyways so your eyes will work better in the tent houses, with the least wait times.