Official 2023 Halloween Horror Nights 32 (Orlando)

[djmeredith]

Just saw elsewhere that part of the reason why the Express waits were so long on opening night and why the lines were coming to a complete standstill for big chunks of time was because of all of the media VIP groups going through and them being allowed to take as long as they wanted while they filmed and got their content. We had something similar happen to us when we went to Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld last year. Just thought I’d share that little nugget of info.

That makes sense. My nephews said they saw "the Viking from Mr. Beast" outside the sound stage area when we exited one of the houses. I also saw WAY more VIP tours this year. That was opening night, so not sure if they offer more of them than others that night or what. I guess it's possible I just noticed them more this year, but I honestly don't think so.

oops sorry one more questions - what restaurants are open during HHN, besides for booths, etc.

Fast Food Blvd in the Simpsons area is also open.

So Diagon Alley isn't a holding area correct? I have a rush of fear with express pass and just seeing if I wanted to start the night casually in HP what the best game plan would be? I could either just come in late or maybe stay in the San Francisco area Stay and Scream and then walkover once we are released?

DA is not a holding area. We stopped by there right after stay and scream ended and there were literally less than 10 people back there. By the time we got off Gringotts, there were already a lot more people. Unfortunately, the Death Eaters were not out when we were there. Not sure what time they appeared.

 

[Lynne G]

I was in DA around 9 pm on opening night and saw several death eaters. Neat they have red lights in there, so looks great. I guess they come out a bit later after opening. I haven’t seen a schedule of when they appear.

 

[tony67]

I was in DA around 9 pm on opening night and saw several death eaters. Neat they have red lights in there, so looks great. I guess they come out a bit later after opening. I haven’t seen a schedule of when they appear.

Yeah - I am pretty sure its not on a schedule.
Same for the Megans.

that said as we get more reports we may be able to guesstimate a schedule

 

[keishashadow]

Didn’t see DE or Megan’s last night.

First run thru, will deem it a solid year. One of the better in last five years. Hopefully, on an upward trend there

Non IP were top of list, every year for me lol

Reuse of many prior year’s sets with some overlays is common but, quite apparent this go-round in a few houses. Found that somewhat distracting

Scareactors really on point!

Will reserve judgment on scarezones at this point

Two giant roaches in Louie’s, one flying, one crawling. had me quickly retreating & tossing my pizza fries. That was the scare of the night. Yes, I’ve seen them before, just more than a bit disarming where you are eating. People took pictures I’m sure will hit social media.

Will try the hotel guest line tonight. Just too sunny in Central Park area. At least one person keeled over and escorted away by medical. Reports it’s been opening same time as main gate

 

[keishashadow]

This site was on point for wait times

https://www.thrill-data.com/hhn/orlando/2023

 

[Bird003]

Just got back from opening weekend! Had an absolute blast! No weak houses. We did two nights, one rip tour and unmasking tour

 

[tony67]

Will reserve judgment on scarezones at this point

So have you had a chance to think on this.. The seem a little underwhelming but did not see any live streams last night - the one Thursday night seemed very slow compared to the weekend

Reuse of many prior year’s sets with some overlays is common but, quite apparent this go-round in a few houses. Found that somewhat distracting

Yeah that does get a little annoying - but cant blame them

First run thru, will deem it a solid year. One of the better in last five years. Hopefully, on an upward trend there

That is good to hear - I am still on the fence about making a trip - I've cancelled everything at this point and luckily Universal was very understanding.

Didn’t see DE or Megan’s last night.

Yeah this is an odd one - its random on no set schedule and happens in different locations (or at least 2)
The videos are interesting and it did make me watch the movie which was better than I expected.

Will try the hotel guest line tonight. Just too sunny in Central Park area. At least one person keeled over and escorted away by medical. Reports it’s been opening same time as main gate

Yeah - its gets crazy hot in those areas and the lines are just out of hand IMO - if I do go I am going to have to just bite the bullet and get express

Would like to hear your experience in the hotel guest line as it used to be pretty good - but if I but express Ill probably enter later in the night.


How are the photo points, do they have a photographer or is it all take your own picture situations?

 

[Monykalyn]

Thanks to lots of flight delays with storms over central Florida we didn’t get into parks before they closed for HHN turnover. So we took our time and ate dinner. Into parks around 730. Got through all ten House and zones with express. Started at back with Monsters and worked our way around from there, including spending time in DA to see Death eaters. Peacock bar took nearly 20 minutes to get a drink. Once we got thru houses we went sampled some food.
Food: poutine-this was great and I’d get again.
Ration bar. Was ok. Nothing special
Salted caramel iced coffee. Best drink of night(alcohol version)
Ravioli-good and love the Rations can! No wait at 10 pm
Skip the syrupy drinks. Bleh
Houses were all good. Oddfellow and Blood moon surprisingly intense. ST & TLOU were very visual as was DD. Exorcist was good but felt repetitive. Chunky ok and this would be on my skip list. Rest of them solid, using some different techniques for scares in some houses…
HHN bear had a bit of fun with people waitin in lines for soundstages -when cast changeover happened he stayed behind screens for longer and popped his head over at various points, crowd chanting and cheering for him. He finally went into the house but it was fun to see crowd laughing and cheering.
Scare zones-worth seeing in daylight to see details of sets, costumes and then again in dark. They are NOT going light on fog this year! It hides the actors well holy moly. Vamp zone is fun!
Some of the walks back to the tents are longest ever done OMG. There is a strategy so study entrances/exits to be efficient. We walked ~4 miles less this year because daughter had been opening weekend and she directed us. Still clocked 7 miles.
Out around 1 am
Express was consistently less than 1/2 of posted times. Had perfect weather last night and crowds were big but not elbow to elbow.

 

[Robo56]

Thanks to lots of flight delays with storms over central Florida we didn’t get into parks before they closed for HHN turnover. So we took our time and ate dinner. Into parks around 730. Got through all ten House and zones with express. Started at back with Monsters and worked our way around from there, including spending time in DA to see Death eaters. Peacock bar took nearly 20 minutes to get a drink. Once we got thru houses we went sampled some food

Glad to hear you and your family arrived safely. I was wondering how the storms were going to affect air travel.

Do you know what time the Death Eaters are in DA and are they there every night of HHN? I was looking for info on this and not sure where to look.

Thank you for the house, food and drink information.

Have a lots of fun.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I appreciate everyone answering all of my prior questions. I'm ready to go next week but I had one more question concerning drinks. My dad and I wanted to try the pumpkin beer but we noticed on the menus for the booths they only serve canned beer. Can you only get draft beer in certain locations or does every stand offer it despite not being listed? Thanks!

 

[tony67]

Do you know what time the Death Eaters are in DA and are they there every night HHN is being held? I was looking for info on this and not sure where to look.

As I understand it there are no schedules - same as the Megans - but I think its a bit more regular than that - sounds like there is a 15 to 20 minute break between "shows"

 

[tony67]

I appreciate everyone answering all of my prior questions. I'm ready to go next week but I had one more question concerning drinks. My dad and I wanted to try the pumpkin beer but we noticed on the menus for the booths they only serve canned beer. Can you only get draft beer in certain locations or does every stand offer it despite not being listed? Thanks!

I assume you can get a pumpkin beer on draft in citywalk bars - try NBC grill they have a great beer selection

Pretty sure it will be all cans in the park - there are a few places with draft - maybe Finnigan's will have it on draft.
If you can get it on draft you can probably get a cinnamon rim on it as well
I'm not a fan of Pumpkin beer myself - but its very popular.

 

[DizKids2]

Is there a chainsaw chase at the end of the night in Orlando? One of my kids read about one but couldn’t tell if it was just Hollywood.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I assume you can get a pumpkin beer on draft in citywalk bars - try NBC grill they have a great beer selection

Pretty sure it will be all cans in the park - there are a few places with draft - maybe Finnigan's will have it on draft.
If you can get it on draft you can probably get a cinnamon rim on it as well
I'm not a fan of Pumpkin beer myself - but its very popular.

We're going to NBC Grill for a late lunch/early dinner before the event so I'll check if they had it. I just saw Mammoth Club's video at HHN where she had the pumpkin beer in a blinky cup and was wondering if that was available at every stand or specific ones.

 

[tony67]

We're going to NBC Grill for a late lunch/early dinner before the event so I'll check if they had it. I just saw Mammoth Club's video at HHN where she had the pumpkin beer in a blinky cup and was wondering if that was available at every stand or specific ones.

found it on the Orlando informer site - Looks like they will have it at Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
Nightmare Nectar Blonde Ale
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Souvenir Cup Refill – $12.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

 

[keishashadow]

So have you had a chance to think on this.

Still thinking did howl o scream last night ! Woot

How are the photo points, do they have a photographer or is it all take your own picture situations?

Didn’t visit any sorry

Skip the syrupy drinks. Bleh

Seriously, Fast pass to a hangover

They are NOT going light on fog this year!

Could be said they are compensating lol

Do you know what time the Death Eaters are in DA and are they there every night of HHN? I was looking for info on this and not sure where to look.

I asked GS. There is no schedule (published to public). I’m sure they aren’t winging it

My dad and I wanted to try the pumpkin beer but we noticed on the menus for the booths they only serve canned beer.

Two booths. Below & at Ny scarezone near entrance, booth by water

Hacker-Pschorr Oktoberfest
Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale
Nightmare Nectar Blonde Ale
20 oz. Souvenir Cup – $15.00
Souvenir Cup Refill – $12.00
12 oz. Single Serve – $12.00

Last is A draft in disposable cup.

 

[Monykalyn]

Glad to hear you and your family arrived safely. I was wondering how the storms were going to affect air travel.

Do you know what time the Death Eaters are in DA and are they there every night of HHN? I was looking for info on this and not sure where to look.

Thank you for the house, food and drink information.

Have a lots of fun.

Think it’s random. And we got lucky they were roaming when we popped in.

 

[Monykalyn]

Seriously. Fog machines full blast so you slow down and suddenly a scare actor pops out with a chainsaw. Or other weird creature in your face. Loved it

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

I've heard that DE start at 4pm (before park closure to day guests) on HHN nights. YMMV.

 

[Robo56]

Think it’s random. And we got lucky they were roaming when we popped in.

Thank you.

Seriously. Fog machines full blast so you slow down and suddenly a scare actor pops out with a chainsaw. Or other weird creature in your face. Loved it

Looks like pea soup fog as we call it in the south. I can see it would be conducive to hiding Scare Actors.

Thank you for sharing the photo.