USH - Halloween Horror Nights 2010 Media Day

[wrs28330]

Once again, Universal Studios Hollywood rolled out the red carpet, as they celebrated both the Eyegore Awards and the opening of their yearly Halloween event, Halloween Horror Nights. The Eyegore Awards celebrate accomplishments in horror films. The event starts with a red carpet interview session with celebrities receiving awards, followed by the formal presentation.

 

Halloween Horror Nights features 5 haunted mazes themed to various horror films, 6 scare zones, Bill & Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure, and a few more goodies.

 

The event overall is similar to past years. Many people were sad to see that the Rocky Horror Picture Show tribute did not return this year. Though I personally am not a fan of the movie, seeing the tribute live was fantastic! Especially with a great crowd. The returning mazes were almost identical from years past. The new 3-D Rob Zombie maze was a great addition to the event, as the maze theming is much different from the other mazes. (This maze had the longest line of the event, with other guests reporting actual wait times of 1.5 hours.)

 

The Terror Tram: Chucky's Revenge was both a hit, and a flop. The video segment does a great job tying in Chucky's Insult Imporium from a few years back, as well as other happenings at Universal Studios, to explain why Chucky had a fall out with the media. The scare actors do a decent job on the backlot, but many of them are given the same costumes. Half of them are dressed as military/security guards, and guests become immune to their scare factor rather quickly. The same route is used to take guests through Whoville/Bates Motel/War of the Worlds. We did not, however, go through the outdoor sheet mazes before war of the worlds. Not sure if it is part of the event this year.

 

Most of the scare zones were fine at best. We only saw 2 scare actors in the Pigz area on the lower lot, and they did not have much energy. La Llorona left people simply confused. Based on guest reaction, people were not familiar with the legend. Lunaticz, Nightmarez, and Freakz were a notch above the others, with Klownz being the clear crowd favorite. Klownz is located at the start of New York Street, and features a large flame column arch way, and a Ringmaster. This high traffic area is alive and kicking all night long.

 

Be prepared for a more vulgar event than in past years. Obviously, if you are reading TPR, you will be fine for what the event has in store. Harsher language is used in Bill & Ted's, and on the Starway. The Terror Tram and mazes also use colorful language. Not a issue for most who will be attending the event, but nonetheless, very noticible.

 

Opening day was packed! We highly recommend going for the "Gate A" Pass if it is within your price range, as it may be the only way to experience all the event has to offer in one night.

 

Thank you to Universal Studios Hollywood, for once again putting together a great Halloween Event!

Welcome to Halloween Horror Nights and the Eyegore Awards!

On one hand, we were important enought to have a spot on the red carpet! On the other hand, look who we are next too..... Just kidding! We LOVE Westcoaster!

Frank is happy with having our spot just behind a wall for one of the mazes!

Event map, if you were layind down!

William tries to eat his event lanyard for the 2nd year in a row! "But it gets tastier each year!"

That man is going to eat those vampires!

It's time to start the "OMG! It's...." section: "OMG! It's Christopher Lloyd!"

"OMG! It's Derek Myers!" (The bald guy in the background. He is the new dude who played Jason.)

"OMG! It's Michael Jackson! Or is it Corey Feldman?"

"OMG! It's Molly Orr! TPR's favorite USH employee of all time! (Even moreso than Joey!) She was one of the best Backlot Tour Guides, and now she is one of the official spokespeople for USH. We love you Molly! Would you like to meet our friend Dan?!

Scare Zone - Klowns

Let's head down to the Terror Tram on the Backlot!

This year, Chucky gets his revenge!

Trams drop the guests off at the Whoville set, and are met by a militia gang. And then....

....they attack!

"You complained about my Insult Imporium, but now I'm back, suckers!!!!!!!"

Yay.... another 50th anniversay celebration.....

Ride the Terror Tram, and you get to walk through the Psyco set!

Play nice!

Ahhhh! It's Chucky!

Momma?

So that's why Heroes was cancelled...

The video sequences on the trams while traveling to and from the loading areas are quite entertaining this year.

Frank recommends the "Gate A" Pass, because the park is PACKED!!!!!

Nightmare on Elm Street is the first maze up!

Think of the children!

The new La Llorona walkaround area.

Just look at the freakishly scary....barrels! Barrels = what???? Theming!!!!

Time to see the first Bill & Ted show of the season!

This year, the show is in 3-D!

Lady Gaga likes her meat!

Justin Bieber, Snookie, and The Situation are just some of the many wonderful people who took time out of their busy schedules to be in the show this year.

No thank you!

"I found some 'fairy dust' in Paris Hilton's purse!"

The best moment in the show inspired from the following youtube sensation:

Jacob from Twilight at his finest.

The show features several high-energy dance numbers to popular music...

...and some great lighting and pyro too!

The audience loved the show. But Robb pointed out last year that California has not fully embrassed the show as Florida has. The show is still in its first few years, so the crowd has to learn to appreciat this show. In Florida, "We Will Rock You" starts playing, and the crowd goes crazy! Here, the song plays and the audience sits quietly, not realizing that they can make noise. Give it few more years. This years show was much better compared to last year. Not sure if it is a better overall theme to the show or a better year for pop culture.

Maze #2: Friday the 13th!

Ahh! It's Jason!

Scare zone: Freakz

Oh no! They got Frank surrounded! Why are they wasting their time on him? Scare the 13-year-old girls instead! They are more entertaining!

A new maze this year! The 3-D effcts make this my favorite maze this time around.

Get the "Gate A" Pass, and get free 3-D glasses for the maze!

Oh, the colors!

The coolest room seperators ever! Octopusssssss tentacles!

The normal House of Horrors attraction received a vampire overlay for HHN. 'Nuff said.

Saw seemed like a step backwards from last year. Some of the rooms douse guests with water to the point that you should wear a poncho.

Want to play a game?

Don't forget to see the new King Kong (almost) 360 3-D! There is a separate tram that departs from Jurrasic Park. The tram from this stop, only travels to the King Kong attraction. The Terror Tram still loads from its normal location.

On crowded nights, it is likely that a 4th Bill & Ted show could be added, as was the case on this first night. Last year, there were 4 showings with a possible 5th if needed. This year, the show is about 45 minutes in length, so there is not as much turn around for the cast this year.

Great cast this year!

The show utilizes several video sequences this year.

Again, we HIGHLY recommend the "Gate A" Pass. Just look at these wait times on a Friday! Thank you USH, for another great time at Halloween Horror Nights! We love you Molly!

Edited September 26, 2010 by wrs28330

[PCW_Nut]

Awesome TR.

 

I gotta admit, I still find the idea of normal size Chuckies funny rather then scary...I just don't get the logic in it. If you're gonna do Chucky, go all out, get animitronics and spread them out...have the scares come from human victims rather then over sized Cabbage Patch dolls.

 

Did you get an video by any chance? I know the mazes are dark and what not, but I would love to see a walk through of House of 1000 Corpses.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Thanks for the pics and info. Hopefully the low spots will pick up before we go next Saturday. We don't have Gate A, but I'm not seriously thinking about it.

[wrs28330]

^^We tried video, but it was indeed too dark.

[kf2010]

Awesome TR, love Halloween Horror Nights!

 

I gotta admit, I still find the idea of normal size Chuckies funny rather then scary...I just don't get the logic in it. If you're gonna do Chucky, go all out, get animitronics and spread them out...have the scares come from human victims rather then over sized Cabbage Patch dolls.

 

Really. Really?! Logic?!?

[edgeboy]

I gotta admit, I still find the idea of normal size Chuckies funny rather then scary...I just don't get the logic in it. If you're gonna do Chucky, go all out, get animitronics and spread them out...have the scares come from human victims rather then over sized Cabbage Patch dolls.

 

Actually, the Chuckies I saw were not normal size, but played by little people.

 

I agree with the Terror Tram review... it was a bit hit and miss. There were large sections where there were no scare actors at all, and it's just not evolving much from year to year (with the exception of last year, when they extended the path).

 

But I disagree about the mazes being identical... yes, the themes are identical, but the designs of the mazes seem vastly different from their previous incarnations. A couple of things are recycled, to be sure, but more seemed new than not.

 

I was also a bit disappointed with the 1,000 Corpses maze. I thought the first third was pretty good, but the pacing seemed bogged down in the latter half, with many completely unthemed transitional hallways, and no real clarity of how a storyline was developing. I have seen the movie quite a while ago, but it seemed like the elements from the movie were shuffled around in a somewhat random order.

 

They did okay with Vampyre, but since it's year round, there's no real surprise there. I think even the GP are beginning to figure it out--notice it's wait time compared to all the other mazes!

 

I didn't make it to the Saw maze or Bill and Ted last night, but I hope to hit it tonight.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Only 4 more weeks before I get to go.

 

Guy "I love Halloween time." Koepp

[RCFreak]

We don't have Gate A, but I'm not seriously thinking about it.

 

RECONSIDER! Seriously, for opening night and a Friday, it was really packed and the group I was with missed out on the Terror Tram, Nightmare on Elm Street and House of 1000 corpses cause of the lines. So I can only imagine the horrors that await on a Saturday.

 

Also the wait times are lies haha, Kong said it had a 5 minute wait, but we ended up waiting about half an hour to get on; I attribute that to being opening night and a new set up, but we also waited about 40 minutes for Saw with a posted wait time of 20 minutes and about 35 minutes in line for The "25 minute" Simpson's Ride before I decided we needed to leave the line to catch the 12:00 Bill And Ted.

 

Saw seemed like a step backwards from last year. Some of the rooms douse guests with water to the point that you should wear a poncho.

 

Fucking A this is the most annoying thing I think about Universal's event (also a criticism I had two years ago, seriously, it annoys me...), but yeah it seemed like if there was a water effect, I was the one in our group that got hit every single time. I also had issues with decapitated bodies, but that's another subject.

 

And I don't know if it's just me, but it honestly felt like the exact same event I went back to in 08 (didn't go last year). I expected it to be a little more different, but hey it's still a really fun Haunt with top notch Mazes that I still highly recommend (WITH GATE A PASSES!).

 

 

All that said, great TR William, it felt like I was there .

[larrygator]

Will - thanks for the coverage.

 

Maybe the California crowd will understand Bill and Ted someday.

[Guy T. Koepp]

Yeah! Those Californians! It's like they're living in an entirely different world over there.

[ebl]

 

That guy on the left with the beard and combed back hair looks like my nephew---could even be him in fact. I'll have to find out.

 

Hopefully I'll make it to HHN this year.

 

Eric

[the ghost]

I was there last night looking for you guys just to say hey, but no such luck. We did not have front of the line passes, but we got (almost) everything done, and in theory we could have gotten everything done. My friends for some reason really wanted to ride Simpsons and Jurassic park, both of which had ten minute waits, so had we skipped those maybe we could have done everything. We only missed Elm Street, but we did every other maze, the terror tram, and saw bill and Ted. The key is getting there early and heading where the GP is not. Friday the 13th had a ten minute wait, terror tram was about 7 minutes and saw was about thirty minutes. In fact the only REALLY long wait was corpses, and the main reason for that was because it opened late for the eyegore awards. Anyway, TR is going up now! YAY!

[sfmmfreak101]

Just wanted to say I saw Six Flag's Neal Thurman at the event today.

[Gambit]

Just wanted to chime in. I went on Saturday and did not need the Gate A pass to get everything done. I got there late and left early but could have easily done it all if I had stayed. I think Friday was packed because it was opening night. I'll be going again next Saturday, so we'll see how crazy that is.

 

Interesting note that California still doesn't quite "get" the Bill & Ted show. I noticed that the first time I came on this coast in 2007. They just weren't thrilled with it where the audience in FL eats it up! So odd. I can't figure out if it's because people out here live and breathe pop culture, so those jokes are already old by the time the show rolls around? Or maybe they're just getting used to it. The audience this year seemed way more enthusiastic that in 07 or 08. Perhaps they're finally coming around? Of course, there's one major factor that people seem to be forgetting. They sell no alcohol at the event here in Hollywood. Hmmmmmm.

[robbalvey]

Interesting note that California still doesn't quite "get" the Bill & Ted show. I noticed that the first time I came on this coast in 2007. They just weren't thrilled with it where the audience in FL eats it up! So odd. I can't figure out if it's because people out here live and breathe pop culture, so those jokes are already old by the time the show rolls around? Or maybe they're just getting used to it. The audience this year seemed way more enthusiastic that in 07 or 08. Perhaps they're finally coming around? Of course, there's one major factor that people seem to be forgetting. They sell no alcohol at the event here in Hollywood. Hmmmmmm.

I think combined with the fact that the show is still fairly new here AND no alcohol probably is part of the reason.

 

I'd be willing to bet that in Orlando, about 75% of the audience has had at least one drink. And like, while you don't need to be drunk to enjoy the show, people do seem to get a little more "fun" and into it when they've had a little bit to drink.

 

It's too bad they don't allow alcohol at the Hollywood event, but I can see why. I think most Californian's are far more irresponsible than people in Florida.

 

--Robb

[Sunfire]

^Regarding alcohol sales: I'm sure Universal in Orlando has their fair share of stupid people as well. I'm talking of course about the ones who have had too much to drink and are a nuisance (I still endorse Drunk Piers, he is absolutely NOT a nuisance). However, for the guests who just have one or two drinks, offering alcohol could be a big money maker for Universal. So I do think that USH could easily offer alcohol for HHN, as long as it's regulated properly.

 

Regarding the event itself: I really wish I could make it down to Socal for HHN and maybe Fright Fest at SFMM. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to make it down there. Oh well, maybe next year.

[sfmmfreak101]

Ya Saturday was empty, the park was open an hour later and had 3,000 less people. By 1:30AM, everything was a walk on.

[Joe_Spence]

Is that gentleman in the suit jacket Eli Roth?

[figment1986]

Maybe the California crowd will understand Bill and Ted someday.

 

I hope the californian crowd is happy they can take photos and videos of their version, while those of us on the east coast vising Orlando can't.

[Gambit]

Maybe the California crowd will understand Bill and Ted someday.

 

I hope the californian crowd is happy they can take photos and videos of their version, while those of us on the east coast vising Orlando can't.

 

I think I'll record it for posterity on Saturday

 

For the record, I really enjoyed the show this year. This is one of the first times I remember it having a story that made sense (not that that's really the point of the show).

[RCFreak]

I think Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure had a few flat moments (uh yeah that whole Betty White bit...), but I'm sure they'll work it out a bit as the event and show progresses. And because I'm a dork, I did record the last dance number from the show. SInce I forgot my memory card at home, my actual camera was useless so I had to use my iPhone 3gs. I'm sure there will be better video later on, but hey it's more then you'll see of Florida's production!

 

[Brisal73]

Went on the 1st...glad I had my Front of the Line Pass... Longest line was to pick up my pass... 45 minutes... worst part of my night.

 

First... Bill and Ted

I think the main reason people in California haven't warmed up to it is that we are use to seeing something like The Hanging at Knotts and people compare the two as the same type of show.

 

Saw Maze: It's just ok, but I was actually more disgusted than anything. It smells, its wet, and just a bad experience

Mummy: Still crappy and the forced employee clapping is horrendous and pitiful.

King Kong 360: A ok experience, but no story and having no idea what to focus on makes it confusing

Terror Tram: Boring... I remember back in the day where you actually traveled around the backlot and experienced the story/scenes while riding the tram. BRING IT BACK UNIVERSAL. The best part of Terror Tram is that you get to walk near the Bates Motel and Psycho house, but other than that it still sucks. Except that year where they had mini areas/mazes for Leatherface, Jason, and Freddy... that was fun.

Freddy and Jason Maze: I really liked these. The effects in Nightmare were fun and the outdoor forest theming for Jason rocked. However, I did miss Michael Myers this year.

1,000 Corpses Maze: I never saw the movie but I liked it for what it was and the 3D was interesting.

 

Overall I had fun, but make sure you get a Front of the Line Pass...totally worth it. **TIP ** pick up the pass before the event starts.

[DBJ]

I also went on the first. I did not have the Gate A pass and saw everything.

 

Here was the "plan". We arrived early, 6:20. They let people into the park I think right around 6:45. Did the pre-show, and then dropped the ropes. Most of the crowd split either to Rob Zombie or Vampyre. We went straight to Jason. Wait time 5 minutes. Flew out of that, then hit Nightmare. 10 minute wait. Flew out of that. Simspons 10 minutes. Then, the lower lot. I knew from experience that the Terror Tram is a people eater in general.

 

Lower lot. Forced friend to actually walk down the escalator instead of passively riding. Walked onto Mummy. Out of Mummy straight to King Kong (skip if you have seen it, as a stand alone, it does not hold up). Straight towards Saw. Then over to Jurrasic Park, walk on.

 

Back up to upper lot, approx. 8:45 at this point. Went to ouse of the 1000 Corpses. 25 minute wait. Then back through towards the Terror Tram. 25 minutes, line never stopped. Finished that up, and then the signs read that Vampyre was closed, but headed towards it anyway. Browsed Kwik-E-Mart, then Vampyre opened, 10 minute wait. Hit the 11:15 show of Bill & Ted, completing the event.

So my tips are to A.) move like the wind towards the lower lot. Ignore scare zones completely. B.) Walk down the escalators. C.) Don't stop to eat, unti your'e done with all attractions. Eat high protein and carbs prior to entering. Most importantly, arrive early.

 

I would absolutely get the upgraded pass if arriving anytime after 8 or 9pm. Oh, the tickets also give great discounts on Citywalk for free food and drinks at select vendors. Used it for Yogurtland, great place.