This years HHN 32 observations from my perspective.
We all have differing opinions on HHN this year. That is a good thing. It means hopefully that we all took the time to enjoy HHN and take in the atmosphere that only HHN can provide.
There are many folks who attended HHN for the first time this year and they are basing their opinion on their first experience with nothing to compare it too. That is ok too.
Those that have attended HHN for years have a back knowledge to compare their experiences of HHN over the years.
Just like in your performance evaluation in your job I think it is important to share our observations on our visit to HHN. If that does not happen then the powers that be who do make the decisions yearly for HHN have nothing to go on as far as the attendees overall experience. Universal does to care about your experience and that is why they send out the surveys.
So here goes. Having attended HHN for a number of years and enjoying many Original Houses, IP Houses and Scare Zones. I do have a history to compare my experience.
HHN has grown so much over the years in both houses, Scare Zones, food, merchandise and the number of people attending. This year and last year the growth in attendance was very obvious.
I originally started attending HHN the end of September into October. That was a busy time and then I decided to go earlier in September and that time was a lot better in terms of crowds.
This year It seemed to be busy no matter what time folks chose.
I heard people complaining about September being busy because of ROF and Premier Pass AP days. I don’t think either one of those were the issue. I think there were just more people attending last year and this year.
I’am a AP holder and didn’t need to use my free HHN day as I had ROF with EP during my stay.
As a AP holder I not only like having the freedom to visit as much as I can during the year if I want, but I’am supporting Universal with my dollars.
Universal has and continues to celebrate their AP holders in many wonderful ways. They are unique in their respect of their AP holders. I hope that continues for years to come.
On the ROF Pass. If people cared to look at the price of the ROF and ROF with EP this pass went up this year like all the other multi night passes did. ROF has always been a way to give an option for those who attend HHN for the month of September a multi night pass.
I would venture to say that a majority of those passes are sold to people like myself who will use them for 7 to 8 nights and then leave. The remainder of those days are then given up.
On the houses. I continue to be amazed at the talent of the creators of the houses, the design team and the talented SA’s.
The Houses this year: I have always said you need to go through the houses a number of times to really appreciate them, but doing that this year really brought out the fact that there were on many occasions missing SA‘s in crucial parts of the houses I returned to.
The Scare Zones: The Scare Zones were dismal except for Vamp 69. The SA’s there were very good. They had a large area to work in and there was color there that was lacking in all the other Scare Zones.
This year there seemed to be a lack of SA’s in the Scare Zones a lot. Of course when it rains and weather is bad they will be absent, but it was an overall issue and there seemed be no consistency.
Last year Universal really hit it out of the park with the theming of the food booths. I was really impressed and felt they had not only taken into consideration the menu, but the structures too. It was impressive.
This year the food booths were not that impressive.
The Halloween Theming in the Scare Zones was awesome last year.