PTR: Horror from Coast to Coast

[coasterdave]

It seems each year this trek gets abit bigger. Last year it went from Orlando to San Antonio, but I came up with a wild idea of doing both Halloween Horror Nights (Orlando and Hollywood) in consecutive nights. So once that was decided I added the Haunt at Knott's and hanging out at Disney during the day.

 

So I left Charlotte Wednesday afternoon to see some old friends of mine that I had not saw in a month of sundays that night and thursday morning. Always great to catch up and talk about old times.

 

I had elected to do the RIP Tour this year, instead of front of the line passes like previous years. I will say that it was worth its weight in gold and will do the RIP Tour every year. It might cost abit more but in my eyes it is well worth it.

 

I am not really going to go into big detail on each house, but I will say that they are pretty strict with the use of cameras at this years event in Florida. But alot has to do with the contract with New Line for the use of the Jason, Freddy, and Leatherface. The guide said it was 27 pages long. I will wait to compare this event with the others till I am done with posting all the pics. And I also decided to use the small camera this year and not that pleased with how the pics turned out.

 

Enough of rambling and on with the pics.

More Banners

Banners outside the event

The only Scare Zone of the event is ahead.

Welcome to Jack's House

Bill and Ted Stage (First ever Bill and Ted Show I had saw)

Beware of the ghosts that lurk the area. Just thought it was an interest pic that is all.

Freddie is coming for you.

Which way to go now?

Get this when you check into the RIP Tour.

Jack's Bus is waiting out front.

The other one was enjoying the peeps walking by and not noticing her.

The woman on stilts are back once again this year.

Just incase you forgot where I was.

[coasterdave]

After an early morning flight to LAX and checking into the hotel, I was off to Universal Hollywood. I was also doing the RIP Tour here. I have to say that this version of the RIP Tour is alot better than the Orlando version. It was abit more than the one in Orlando, but this one came with a meal that was served in a black casket. It was a great touch and the meal was pretty dang good also.

 

Also had the added bonus of visiting some of the sets in the back lot before heading to the Terror Tram. We visited the set of Ghost Whisperers and where told some ghost stories. We stopped at the prop graveyard and the European area of the back lot. Then it was on to the Terror Tram.

 

I will say that they are now letting you take as much pics as you want this week. I could have took pics of every single thing in the walk if I wanted to, but did not want to held up the group I was with. Will say this was the start to a great night at the park, but it started to rain after getting back from the Terror Tram. It kind of added to some of the many scarezones.

 

Not going into a great deal about each house, but will comment on what I thought are really strong parts of this event after I have posted all the pics in this trip. But will say that the houses where pretty great except for the House of horrors.

 

On to the pics.

Guess he did not practice safe sex.

Not the pic I wanted, but turned out shocking I think.

Recall this from one of the Nightmare on Elm Street Movies?

Outside the Hewitt House

Seems Freddy is waiting for you at home.

Could almost touch it.

Got to walk through the plane crash this year.

Norman even came to greet us in our walk.

Not to far from Crystal Lake

Not the safest bus to ride it seems.

Never can tell what is hanging around at the Bates Motel.

What you get from checking in at the RIP Tour in Hollywood.

The meal was served in a small casket. it was a nice touch.

Pole Dancers entertaining the crowd

Same skeleton hanging around in the same spot as last years.

Next stop is Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Hollywood.

[bobafett]

Great report and pics! I'm glad you had a good time at both events. I'm glad you didn't take any pictures of the roaches like Robb did. I hate roaches!

[Erik Johnson]

Looks like the Hollywood one is the one to beat this year. I have to admit I was a bit disappointed in the Orlando one this year. Especially with the real lack of scare zones and how they really limit the amount of photogrpahy/video you can take now.

[SharkTums]

Everyone owes Robb for getting them to change the policy and allow photos on the Terror Tram!

 

I'm still really excited about HHN in Orlando next week, but it is getting a bit worrying seeing TR after TR saying how downhill it's gone and how HHN Hollywood is looking better and better!

[thefitness]

Everyone owes Robb for getting them to change the policy and allow photos on the Terror Tram!

 

I'm still really excited about HHN in Orlando next week, but it is getting a bit worrying seeing TR after TR saying how downhill it's gone and how HHN Hollywood is looking better and better!

 

 

I have not experienced Hollywood's HHN, but from the looks of it Orlando still beats it out. That of course, is just my opinion though.

 

The Art and Design Team really stepped it up with the houses this year, and all of them had an amazing amount of detail. They even added a small area with Treaks and Foons (without the masks) because so many people were complaining about lack of scarezones.

 

The best thing to do is go into it with an open mind. I really enjoyed this year, and can't wait to go back!

 

Nice Photo TR! Sounds like a really fun 'adventure' traveling across country!

[Erik Johnson]

^^ Well, I really did like the Christmas, Dead Silence, and Chainsaw houses this year.

[SharkTums]

They even added a small area with Treaks and Foons (without the masks) because so many people were complaining about lack of scarezones.

 

But does it have FOAM!!!!

[thefitness]

Ugh, no foam this year

 

When I heard about the Treaks and Foons I was so excited because of the foam. No foam, but the farting/burping soundtrack is back!

[jackskellington101]

Where is this new makeshift Treaks and Foons scare zone?

[Jew]

I have not experienced Hollywood's HHN, but from the looks of it Orlando still beats it out. That of course, is just my opinion though.

 

How can you compare something you haven't experienced?

 

BTW, doing both HHN's on consecutive nights sounds like a great idea. I may have to try it sometime...

[Slacking]

Where is this new makeshift Treaks and Foons scare zone?

 

The walkway between Shrek 4D and the shrek/Donkey Meet & Greet Area.

[JT3000]

Not sure I understand the hate for Orlando's event. Yes, it lacks scarezones, but this is the best line-up of houses they've had in a while and there's more shows than usual. You win some, you lose some.

[coasterdave]

Figured I would go ahead and close this thread out since I decided against going to The Haunt at Knotts Sunday evening and my Disney pics do not fit the topic.

 

I will say that doing both Halloween Horror Nights in consecutive nights was great. I think next year trek will include abit more but you can count on me doing them both in consecutive nights again, though I might start out in California so I can try to hit Scary Farm on a Wednesday night. I might even include hitting some other haunts or even stopping in the big Easy on the way to Cali for some real haunted places.

 

I was asked by afew people which one I preferred the most. Before I even answer that question I am going to say that both versions where a blast to do. Each event had its strong and weak parts, but if I had to choose one it would be the one in Hollywood as being the better of the two over all. Now before anyone gets in an uproar, I am not saying the version in Orlando sucked. I am just saying it had more weak points in it.

 

Both version had some really top notch houses this year. The Dead Silence in Orlando really stands out since it was almost like being in that movie. The three in Hollywood (Freddy, Jason, and Leatherface) also stand out in my eyes as being really thought out and well detailed in almost all aspects. I am sure each team is proud of their houses and by god they should. I just hope they take some of the feedback and improve on each version next year. I am sure both will be better next year.

 

I will go as far to say that the version in Hollywood has huge potential of being one awesome event before it is said and done. I look forward to seeing it grow each and every year.

 

But this is just my condense view on these two good events each park has to offer. I know some will disagree with my views and that is cool with me. Just go and enjoy yourself in the remaining weeks each event is open.