Greetings internet dwellers!

Been a bit busy here this week, with my job and all the HHN XXV goodies. If you haven't seen the first part of our countdown, you can see 25-11 here. The top 10 was hard. Really hard to put together. I'm positive there may be one or two houses, that may surprise some. 

Like the entirety of this list, everything was placed for a reason. Some sentimental, and others, for different reasons. Still, they were all placed because they were loved in some way, shape, or form. 

So, here it is, the final countdown.

HHN, isn't perfect. They have had some misses, and during our 15 years, we've been through a few. While we have more than these, here are two of our absolute worst experiences inside HHN houses.  

• Location: Thunder Falls Terrace

To this day, I still have no idea why. This thing was a wreck. From start to finish, Fear Factor was bad. It was cheap, and felt cheap. Nothing in here worked at all. This is the absolute worst example of an IP coming to the event. When I hear people today complain about certain IP's, this always comes to mind. Believe me, no IP since, has been as bad as Fear Factor. It is on a whole other level of awful.  

• Location: Nazarman's

How you go from Castle Vampyr at HHN XIV to this, is beyond me. I liked the first Vampyr, but not as much as some people. However, this, was atrocious. The last house ever in the Nazarman's location, was not a good send-off. The flow of this house was awful too. Nothing worked in here. The wait times for this were horrid as well. This is the last house I remember where HHN, actually "pulsed" the line. Just a bad house all around. 

• Location: Poseidon's Fury

Another house, I unabashedly love. In terms of sheer, unadulterated fun I have had in a house, this would be it. Was it gimmicky? Sure, but it was fun gimmicky. The use of Poseidon's Fury's effects throughout the house, fit nicely. The fire going off was a nice, hellish experience, and entering the house through the water vortex was a nice aesthetic. The creatures in here were awesome too! I loved the miner helmets as well. It added another level of guest interaction, which hasn't really been done to the same effect since. They tried again with The People Under the Stairs: Under Construction, but not to the same effect. Had a really funny incident in here, where our leader with the helmet, led us through a Scareactor's boo-hole. That was both terrifying and funny at the same time.

• Location: Sound Stage 20

The first time I really got to experience my favorite horror films as a kid, in real life. Freddy, Jason, Leatherface, Michael Myers; they were all here. Silver Screams, obviously borrowed elements from All Nite Die-In, but this house was the better of the two in my opinion. Still kind of in that sweet spot, that was the early Icon years for HHN, it still holds that charm for me. And I loved that Crystal Lake room. It really felt like you were outside. My favorite Icon house. 

• Location: Sound Stage 20

One word sums up Hellgate Prison: intense. There was a very real sense of atmosphere in here. The Robert L. Strickland character, is one of the best HHN has ever created, that isn't an Icon. From the queue video, and into the house, his presence was there. Lots of amazing sets in this house as well, with some great moments. I'm sure most people remember the electric chair scene, as well as the ending, where you were separated from your party. I'm surprised HHN hasn't done a direct sequel to Hellgate Prison. We know now, that Run: Blood, Sweat and Fears will feature the prison. I welcome that. Hellgate was fantastic.

• Location: Sprung Tent 2

A nearly perfectly realized representation of the film. It's incredible to think that HHN Orlando took this long, to bring the film to life as a house. Halloween was intense, in your face, fun, and superbly executed. It hit all the right notes when it needed too, and never missed a beat. Even when you left the house. Like Camp Blood, I was waiting for some criticism about Myers being too repetitive. However, they utilized him perfectly in here. All the iconic scenes from the film were represented nicely. A great visceral experience.

• Location: Sound Stage 20

This house. Oh, yes, this house. Not only was the mythology of the Body Collectors expanded, their creepy level was intensified. The sets in here were absolutely amazing. I love the whole Jack The Ripper was really the Body Collectors doing. Fantastic scenes in here, including the operating theater. That is still one of the most memorable scenes in a house for me. Just so awesomely morbid, scary, intense, and bloody. Still one of the scariest houses I have ever been through at HHN. The imagery in here is still burned into my memory.

• Location: Sound Stage 20B

I have said it in the past: I love when HHN goes paranormal. One of the things that I don't really like, are houses that rely heavily on special effects when you walk through. It's all dependent on timing. This house did it right. Timing was key, yes, but there was so much more going on, it didn't matter. Beautiful sets in here too, which just complimented the special effects. The design of the house was extremely creepy, and in a way, was kind of a throwback. Dead End, was just an old school haunted house. And of course, that eerie tune. It all just fit perfectly with Dead End. I would LOVE to see a sequel to this house someday. 

• Location: Sound Stage 23

Nightingales, is one of the best houses HHN has ever done aesthetically. The setting alone is unique, in that it is set in World War I. Making your way through the trench warfare of the conflict, was incredible. The Nightingales themselves were fantastic looking, and very sinister. Lots, and lots of stuff happening around you too. Gunfire, crashed planes, soldiers attacking each other, getting attacked by the Nightingales, and even dead horses. Such a wonderfully realized house and concept. 

• Location: Disaster Queue

With Bloodengutz, HHN for me, nailed that darkly comic tone which they love to do. They even managed to make Bloodengutz kind of a tragic and sad figure. I don't think many people could blame him for snapping. There is a reason people want to see this character return someday, maybe even as an Icon. For a Disaster Queue house, this one is a really good one. Great sets, scares, and a whole lot of fun. Also some great guest triggers in here as well. I think most people know of the button in the Oval Office. All around, a lovely fleshed-out experience. Another one I hope they bring back in the future. I mean, come on, one of the holiday horror movies featured, is centered around Arbor Day. That alone is awesome. 

• Location: Jaws Queue

The last house ever in the Jaws Queue, and it was a good one. A really, really, REALLY, good one. I LOVE the way this house looked. It was so eerie, so disgusting, so odd, yet, so beautiful. The Scare Zone the year before was great. The house took that concept and ran with it. It expanded the story, and setting along with it. The man in the diving suit, and waterfall, is one lasting image I can't shake. This is my all-time favorite looking house in the Jaws Queue. You forget it is even in that location. Such a wonderful, and eerie house. Another one I would love to see a sequel to in the future. Can you imagine this thing in a Sound Stage? 

• Location: Sound Stage 22

The perfect example of an IP, and what the creative team at A&D can do. The story was easy to follow, for those who had never seen the film, the sets were stellar, the scares were awesome, and all the little details were perfect. Add in those wolf puppets, and you have the perfect mix for a memorable house. It was easy to tell that An American Werewolf in London, was a labor of love for A&D. They had tried multiple times to do the house at the event, and had come close a few times, but to no avail. Those puppets were a masterstroke by A&D. Not even the Aliens in AVP the following year, could duplicate the terror these things brought to the house. I can not WAIT to see what they do with this for HHN XXV. In my opinion, An American Werewolf in London, is a perfect house.   

So that concludes our top 25 of the last 15 years. Once again, to see 25-11, go here. HHN XXV is a mere days away, folks! Can you believe it? Bring on the next 25 years.

Hasta La Bye-bye for now.

Greetings internet dwellers!

Well, the dust is settling after last nights reveal. I am very excited about this year. If you follow me closely, you know that I can't stand fanboy bitching. Nitpicky little things to incessantly drone on, and on about, give me a headache. 

Yes, there will always be things that may sound questionable, and stuff that may not be up to par. However, fanboys tend to pick away that dead horse, until there is nothing left. I can't do that. I refuse to do that. I refuse to let myself be consumed by nitpicky thinking. Yes, the event has changed its approach to certain things (marketing, target audience), however, that doesn't bother me.

We all love the event for different reasons (if you are reading this, you probably like the event too). However, there is that line I refuse to cross. And I refuse to get caught up in it. That is why I don't visit forums generally, and get involved in those discussions. I can be overly critical sometimes, but I genuinely like to keep things positive. 

Details are fine, but when people start picking things apart, for the sake of picking things apart, I'm out. That being said, what has been presented to us, is strong. Very strong. There is potential for things to be great. The Scare Zones sound awesome. The houses sound strong. 

I'm sure there will be a lot of these in the coming days, but I digress. So, let's break this down, shall we? 

This is a strong line up. Heavy IP's like Freddy Vs. Jason and The Walking Dead, will bring in the general public. The original content, will get the attention of the HHN veterans. The Body Collectors, Monsters & Mayhem, and Run, should peak their interest. I love the mix this year. Great variety for everyone to be excited about something. 

My interest in The Purge, is solely based on curiosity. I guess I can talk a little bit about what may have happened. Scream was supposed to be here. It was dropped very, very late in the game. Even if The Purge was always at the event, it would still be on the bottom for me. I am not a fan of the films. Especially the first one. Still, there is some potential here. I'm just not expecting much.

Ah, The Walking Dead. As I have said many times, I do not mind this at the event. I do despise the show. I think it's awful. However, I can still enjoy the houses for what they are: zombies. I really dug last year's house, and No Safe Haven in 2013 was pretty neat. I await what the creative team has done for this year. 

I love evil Alice. If you've noticed my Twitter profile pick, that would be evil Alice from 2008's Asylum in Wonderland. I really dig when HHN does their twisted fairy tales. I'm not so keen on the 3D aspect in here, and because this is in a brand new venue, I'm not sure what to expect. Lots of potential for fun. I hope we get something with the dark and twisted sense of humor, that was Giggles & Gore Inc. last year. 

Again, wasn't a huge fan of the films. However, I love the potential this house has for atmosphere. I definitely feel a Dead End vibe coming from this house. I'm also interested to see how they do this in a Sprung Tent. 

The first Run house, was an interesting and fun experiment. It is something that I am not sure they can get away with today with the crowds. Run: Hostile Territory, was awful and basically done to capitalize on the Hostel craze. This sounds more like The Running Man, which I can dig. And setting it in Hellgate Prison? Bonus points. Big bonus points. I worry a little about the space limitations in the Disaster venue, but nevertheless, I look forward to this. 

Number 4? This is how strong I feel the line up is this year. I have said it in the past: if they were to bring back one house ever, this would be my pick. And I stand by that. I am very excited that people who had not had the opportunity to go through this the first time, will get a chance to do so this year. Oh, more wolf puppets? With a new look? Yeah, sign me up pronto. Can't wait to do this again.

A month ago, this was my most anticipated. That is, until I started hearing details about the next 2. I can't wait to see how they pull this house off. Different endings, these two icons of horror occupying the same space, and much more. Friday the 13th, is my favorite slasher series, and Jason my favorite character. You know who I will be rooting for. This is also one of those houses, you enter with a group of friends, and just have a blast. Can't wait.  

I loved Collections of the Past. If this is even half that good, then I will be satisfied. The potential is there for some really memorable set design. That is where I am most concerned about this house. I have a mental image in my head, that I am not sure will be satisfied when I go through this house. Nevertheless, I greatly look forward to walking through this. 

All this needs to do, is be better than Hallow'd Past. If it does that, I will be happy. However, I have a feeling, that there will be some very special things in this house. And I can't wait to revisit some of my favorites from HHN's history. I'm also really curious how Jack is going to be incorporated into the house. So much potential here, but also a danger of total failure. Either way, I am stoked for this house. There's that word again. 

Like the original content houses, there is a lot of throwback in the Scare Zones. Everything from Icons, to storylines, to past Scare Zones. All have me intrigued one way, or another. 

I'm sensing a great deal of photos coming out of this Zone. Granted, it will be nice to see the old Icons and characters again, but I'm not one to clamor over the Icons. I look forward to it, just not jumping up and down.  

Like I said before, I love the twisted fairy tales thing. However, I am not so into the Steampunk thing. I did love Saws 'N Steam though, and if they are trying to combine the two things, it could be very interesting.

Very curious about this Zone. I love the current decor in Central Park. Grown Evil wasn't the be all, end all of Zones. It looks like this will have a similar vibe. However, the look of the area, and the descriptions have me really intrigued. 

I'm getting a Purge: Anarchy vibe from this Zone, but with some HHN characters thrown in for good measure. The idea that a bunch of crazies literally crash a peaceful Halloween party, sounds awesome. Things happening in windows, burning structures, crazy people... What's not to love about this? 

If the drive-in from XIX is returning, then I'm in. That was such a fun Zone to walk around in. Lots of characters everywhere! The drive-in set itself was awesome, and it really does look like that will return. I am very curious where they are going to put all of this stuff in San Francisco. The flow of people in that area, is going to be interesting. Still, I love this concept, and can not wait to see this in person. Really can't wait to see what characters they have walking around in here as well. 

As far as the new show goes, I don't have an opinion one way or another. One thing is for sure, that area may get very, very crowded. And Bill & Ted is, well, Bill & Ted. 

That's it folks! HHN XXV is upon us. Let us now speculate on what to expect inside each horrific thing, the minds have cooked up for us. This year is shaping up to one great one. Here's hoping it delivers!

Hasta La Bye-bye for now. 

Greetings internet dwellers!

It is finally over. Speculation has come to an end. No more endless discussions on forums about what is coming. No more speculation about what may, or may not, have happened behind the scenes. Now we know. HHN XXV is now officially upon us, as the rest of the event, has been revealed. 

So, how does it shake up?

Aside from the aforementioned houses already, ( Freddy Vs Jason, Insidious, The Walking Dead: The Living and the Dead, and The Purge), we now have the rest of our line up.

Based on the description, they have added more wolf puppets! Yay! This has me excited. I said it when I reviewed this house, if they were to bring one house back ever, I would chose this one. 

Classic Monsters?! Yes, please. As well as a trip down HHN memory lane. I hear they will have meat-grinding maniacs as well. Can't wait for this one.

I've had the privilege of going through both previous Run houses. The first was good. The second, not so much... While I like the Running Man type of vibe going on here, I still hold my excitement until I see the house. 

I love evil Alice. Asylum in Wonderland was a fun Scare Zone. Twisted fairy tales are really nifty when they are done right. Hopefully, expanding the Zone into a house, is more like Saws 'N Steam: Into the Machine. The 3D doesn't do anything for me though.

Has real potential to be one of the most beautiful houses HHN has ever done, or an epic failure. Collections of the Past, is a great house. I love it more than the original Body Collectors house. Love that this in Shadybrook as well. 

PSYCHOSCAREAPY: UNLEASHED- Obviously in our NY section. The inmates of Shadybrook have invaded the Halloween block party. I'm sure they will just fit right in. No harm can come of this...

ICONS: HHN- The Rat Lady returns. Forget everyone else. Seriously though, the past Icons of HHN, and some other faces will roam the streets. 

SCARY TALES: SCREAMPUNK- Not a fan of the steampunk, but I love the Scary Tales franchise. We will see about this one. 

EVIL'S ROOTS- What evil has taken root? Wait, no, that's something else. More like Grown Evil from 2011. Giant, man-sized bats, and other Halloween evil's. I love what they are doing in Central Park currently. Curious.

ALL NITE DIE-IN: DOUBLE FEATURE- A drive-in theater located in Carey, Ohio? Nothing strange going on in that town. Wait, perhaps I should do more research about Carey, Ohio before I visit this drive-in. Murders happened there you say? It's been renamed DIE-IN? Seems legit. 

BILL & TED'S EXCELLENT HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE- Self explanatory.

THE CARNAGE RETURNS- Apparently, Jack is taking back HHN to its former glory. And he is bringing Chance along with him. I'm curious.

So that's it folks! We have our full event. I am honestly really stoked about this year's line up. How stoked? I never say stoked. Strong, strong potential in all the houses. And the Scare Zones. More to come about the event as we move forward.

Get stoked, people! HHN XXV is here!

Greetings internet dwellers!

"Soon," was sooner than expected. It seems, all of the various social media pages for Halloween Horror Nights Orlando, have been taken over by Jack's Maniacs. The Maniacs also took over the Universal Orlando blog, and are pretty upset about something. 

You can go to the blog, and declare your allegiance to Jack, and get a nifty updated profile pic, which has the writings of the Maniacs carved all over it. It appears that the announcements will happen, or start, at midnight tomorrow. 36 hours from now to be exact. 

On Instagram, HHN will be posting some stuff leading up to the reveal. I believe every hour. So keep your Spidey Senses prepped. 

Hasta La Bye-bye for now.

Greetings internet dwellers!

Our final "Share the Scare" video has surfaced. In it, our annoying female makes her way to a car outside the Sound Stage. Unfortunately, her car doesn't start when she wants it to. Instead, we hear that "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune, and Jack's voice. Things don't end well for our annoying female...

Unfortunately, the final video was not accompanied by another reveal, or all of the rest yet to be revealed. Keep your ears open, as I sense they may be coming "soon." 

You can view the video below. 

Greetings internet dwellers!

As we march on towards HHN XXV, it's time to reveal what houses we loved the most in our 15 years at the event. For the 25th anniversary, we decided to make this our top 25. And it was HARD.

In our 15 years of attending the event, we have gone through MANY houses, and some, multiple times. There comes a point when your are trying to take something like this to task, that things, well, start blurring together. 

Was that in the original house? Or the sequel? Was that even in this house? Or was it another one? Events even start to run together, as you ponder things like this. And sometimes, you even have to question your own choices.

It was a painstakingly slow process. Eliminating things, adding things, taking one away, re-adding the one you took away... It was tough. However, in the end, it was done. Like any kind of list, these are our favorites. Your list will probably look different. In fact, I know they will.

The houses that made it onto the list, all made it for different reasons. Some were sentimental, some were technical, but all were because they were loved- one way or another. 

So without further stalling, let us begin...

• Location: The Parade Building

I've said it in the past; utilizing horror films at HHN, should be a natural thing. Universal Studios was put on the map because of its horror history. Of course before HHN XIX, we had The Director. The Usher, despite some of his rushed concepts, was a solid Icon. The last "good" one in my opinion. Like The Director, he was a great conduit to bring in a movie element for HHN XIX. He was in a sense a bit more relate-able, as he was just a normal guy who loved movies. He died tragically of course, but using the movie theater setting for Silver Screams was great. The atmosphere of the abandoned theater come to life by The Usher, was nice. The room transitions were simple, yet effective. Fantastic scenes in here as well. The Stranger's room was awesomely done, and we got Shaun of the Dead, and Army of Darkness!. Silver Screams was scary, atmospheric, simple, and fun.

• Location: Sound Stage 22

I know what you're saying. Not Dracula: Legacy in Blood? That's right. Granted, I will admit, this is more of personal preference. Legacy in Blood was great, but I love The Wolf Man more as a character. I LOVE when Universal uses the Classic Monsters at the event. When they decided to add their own "twists" on the characters for HHN XIX, I got a little worried. Of course, The Wolfman, was based on the Universal remake, which had a slew of production problems. Originally, the film was going to be released around the time of the event, but got delayed (not the first time either). The atmosphere in Wolfman, is what gets me. It was dark, Gothic, and creepy. The finale may have left a little to be desired, but the rest of the house, I ate up. Unlike say, Dracula Untold, The Wolfman I feel, could have stood on its own as a house. Sure, it was based on the film, but it worked as a separate entity. The sets in here were really well done too, and the make-up was splendid. Out of the three "reboots" at HHN XIX, I remember this one the most. 

• Location: The Parade Building

If you follow HHN closely, you know the story behind this house. It was rushed, and put together at the last minute. House of Horrors had no fancy sets. It wasn't big and bombastic. It was simple, minimal, and a testament to what could happen when things just click. First time through this house, it was evident that things were not completed. Paint was still not applied to certain things, lighting wasn't fully ready, and the cast wasn't yet accustomed to their roles. Once things got rolling, and everything was completed, House of Horrors became a genuine favorite. The use of the classic monsters in here, just melded so well with the minimal style of the house. House of Horrors was just so much fun, and I am surprised at how much I like it, even to this day. I think most HHN fans get caught up in the grand scale of some of the houses at Halloween Horror Nights. House of Horrors, was just a simple, old school haunted house, and done very effectively. 

• Location: Sprung Tent 1
  

Obviously, a new addition in the pantheon of HHN houses. Out of all the originals during HHN XXIV, Dollhouse is the one that stood out. Giggles & Gore Inc. was great fun. However, Dollhouse of the Damned, took the creep factor up to levels of insanity. Again, simple in its design, the house mainly grabbed you with its sheer weirdness. Dolls can sometimes be creepy anyway, and the house took full advantage of that. I also really like the facade for Dollhouse. It is one of my favorites from any Sprung Tent house. Dollhouse of the Damned was weird, unsettling, and creepy. Speaking of weird, Teddy Ruxpin pinned to a wall, wearing a black dress, pretty much sums up this house. 

• Location: Sound Stage 23
  

I love the darkly comic tone in this house. My favorite television show of all time, is The X-Files. I love the dark humor that is often infused in the show. Home for the Holidays, did that really well. It was scary, creepy, and funny. The sets in here were fantastic too. It really felt like you were walking through a neighborhood. Of course, the inmates of Shadybroook Asylum, have escaped and run amok during the holiday festivities. The snowblower scene was awesome. And poor Santa...

• Location: Jaws Queue

I unabashedly loved this house. Most people seem to dismiss it, in favor of A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dreamwalkers, or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Flesh Wounds. Out of the big three in 2007, this is the one I loved the most. Camp Blood was a whole lot of fun, and captured the carnage-spirit of the Friday the 13th films. Great kills represented from the series, including the bed from Freddy Vs. Jason. I also really love the finale here. One of the more fun, memorable exits to a house. Sure, did the random popping up of Jason in places seem a bit overused? Maybe, but isn't that the point? The slasher's seem to always be able to catch up to you, even while just briskly walking. The sets were nicely done as well. Camp Blood was a whole lot of fun. 

• Location: Sprung Tent 2

Another house that I unabashedly love. So much fun to be had with New'kd Las Vegas. It was funny, scary, colorful, and effective. The queue video was also quite funny. This one, was a surprise for me. I didn't really know what to expect going in. HHN XXII, was an odd year I think for most people. It was the beginning of this real obsession with IP's, and also the first year for The Walking Dead. This house kind of stood out, and perhaps, that was the point. It was weird and quirky. The 3D was good in here as well. They took a page from The In-Between's playbook the year before, in its use. The addition of some really nifty guest interaction, also took the house up to the next level as well. The finale room is one of the only scares at HHN, that had me running for the exit.

• Location: Sprung Tent 1

Speaking of 3D. I think most people these days, dismiss the 3D houses. And maybe rightfully so. They mostly just don't work. However, The In-Between, just got it right. The 3D gimmick was used and balanced nicely. The house was also serious. Most of the 3D houses, are used in more "fun" type of houses. The story here is really quite dark, and the 3D was used to that advantage. The effect offered a view of a different kind, as it was meant to make you feel as if you really did step into another world. Simple sets, yet effective, with the 3D making it feel more grand. I love the finale here as well. It left you on a cliffhanger, much like a film.

• Location: Sound Stage 22
  

Winter's Night, was all about atmosphere. Walking the silent cemetery in the dead of winter, in the cold, with snow falling above you. Winter's Night was yet another simple house, yet it felt bigger than it actually was. The vibe was mysterious, as you really had no direct story happening as you traversed the cemetery. The only info you knew, was in the description of the house. Everything else was left mysterious. Which, I really liked. Some great sight-gags going on in here as well. I still remember that model cemetery, and the zombie of course. Just a really effective house of tone, and atmosphere.

• Location: Sprung Tent 1
  

I think a lot of HHN fans, dismiss the event from 2010. They may have been disappointed with what was presented. For the most part, the vast majority of houses that year, were pretty forgettable. I'm kind of in the same ballpark. I like 2010, but I found the scare zones that year, to be a whole helluva lot more fun. I think most people remember Havoc: The Dogs of War, the most from HHN XX. I like Havoc, but not as much as most people. For me, the house I loved the most, was Catacombs. It was eerie, creepy, and had a very claustrophobic feel to it. I love the design of the catacombs themselves. They were striking, and the Plague Doctor's were very creepy. This one got under my skin. In my opinion, one of the best Sprung Tent houses, ever. Catacombs was incredibly effective in its design and execution. 

• Location: Sprung Tent 1

Another house heavily reliant on atmosphere. A great example of Universal Orlando making over a house that Hollywood had done, and totally owning it. This house was creepy. Very creepy. And disturbing in some aspects too. I love the facade to this house as well. It is perhaps my favorite from a Sprung Tent. The voice over out front, really set-up the house nicely. The story in here was quite good. It was dark, and just the context of what was happening alone, was enough. Great example of what can happen with a Sprung Tent house, when done well. I wouldn't mind a return from La Llorona in the future.

• Location: Sound Stage 20

The Caretaker, is one of HHN's best Icons. He rivals fan-favorite Jack, and even my personal favorite, The Director. His inaugural house, was awesomely done. Very creepy, dark, and disturbing. It's a good thing that this house delivered, after the incredible advertising push they gave The Caretaker in 2002. Despite this house being so long ago, I still remember most of it quite vividly. The overgrown foliage of the rundown mortuary, are still very prominent in my mind. I also seem to remember an "earthy" smell throughout the house. I recall being kind of blown away by the amount of detail in this house. The Caretaker's followers, were quite scary as well. An overall great house, for a great Icon. Fantastic finale room too.

• Location: The Parade Building
  

Once Upon a Nightmare, is a great example of a house done right in the Parade Building. That big, metal structure, has had some issues with houses in the past. The previous Scary Tales houses, were also great. However, Once Upon a Nightmare took the previous incarnations, and super sized it. Bigger sets, better scares, and great characters to use. I loved the Evil Queen at the end. Lots of memorable scenes in here too. The Wizard of Oz comes to mind, as well as Little Red Riding Hood. Oh, and how can I forget the witch's gingerbread house? I love this franchise, and I can't wait for HHN to bring it back again.

• Location: Sound Stage 21A

An amazing example of what A&D can do with an IP property. Fantastic sets, great scares, gore, sounds, music, and the Scare Actor's, all made this house work. For a concept so bonkers, the creative minds that be made this house coherent, and easy to follow. Another example as well, of an IP that could have been an idea cooked up in the halls at A&D. It was familiar to the people who saw the film, but if you had not, the house felt fresh. As a fan of the film, I was quite satisfied. The elevator room is one of my favorite scenes, ever in an HHN house. I felt like I had just walked onto the set of The Cabin in the Woods. A fantastic house. 

• Location: Jurassic Park Discovery Center

I remember waiting forever for this house. The line was insane. I also remember the Scare Actor walking around the line, while guests waited. It was a good, funny time-waster. Inside, the house was also insane. Lots of fog, lots of crazy people, and lots of crazy smells. To put it simply, Psychoscareapy was insanity, but in a good way. Coming into contact with the patients in this house, was what made it memorable. Have I mentioned insanity? Oh, and we can't forget to mention the smell. Yes, there was a bathroom scene inside Psychoscareapy. And the walls were smeared with, well, poop. Yes, poop. And it smelled as such. I haven't actually smelled the smell quite as pungent, as it was in here. I'm not sure if that is because it was scaled back in later years, or nothing else came close to the first Psychoscareapy. An instant classic. 

There you have it. Part 1 of our list. Our Top 10 is waiting in the wings, and will be revealed later this week. 

Hasta La Bye-bye for now. 

Greetings internet dwellers!

Sorry for the lateness of this blog. I was actually out at Universal Orlando, with some family today. First time visitor's! Obviously, HHN decided to drop this announcement, as I was away from my computer.

I'm sure, if you follow HHN closely, you may have heard of some... stuff happening. The Universal Orlando Blog, was very short in their description, and fanfare for this Purge announcement. And I think most of us know why.

Perhaps, some time in the future, we may know more... For now, The Purge comes to HHN XXV. The blog said this about the house:

"You’ll be hunted by dozens of masked vigilantes who will stop at nothing to purge as they are entitled. And just like in the films, you’ll either fight to survive or succumb to the chaos of the Purge.

Good luck."

A few more details were given on Twitter by Mike:

"The Purge is back as a haunted house! From purger invaded residential environments to the hunting arena and even some NFFA activity..."

"Taking you out of the expansive street and into a confined environment surrounded by characters from the successful Purge franchise."

"The maze will open with the familiar purge siren as you are surrounded by the emergency broadcast message and CCTV footage of the purgers."

Seems this is just a simple Purge house. Nothing more, nothing less. And considering, it doesn't surprise me. For "reasons", despite by utter disgust for the first Purge film, this has quickly shot-up, as one of my most anticipated houses this year. Consider it morbid curiosity.

Anyway, I will be out at Universal again tomorrow, so the viral video announcement will be shared on Twitter when it drops.

Hasta la bye-bye for now.

Greetings internet dwellers!

The third viral video has been released. Our "Red Shirts" continue their march towards being horror victim fodder. This time, we find our overacting female, starring at a mirror, where Jack's face appears. Then, our obnoxious male companion, is dragged away somewhere. By something. 

You can see the video below. 

Greetings internet dwellers!

The second viral video has gone online. As we know by now, there are four of these in total. The first one started with two people sneaking around the backstage area of Universal Orlando. Their party was foiled however, by a shadowy figure who scared them away.

The second video, picks up with our two "Red Shirts" running for their lives. They of course, they encounter another evil thing, that does not want them to leave. Oh, and apparently, Jack The Clown is a friend of theirs.

You can see the video below.

Greetings internet dwellers!

It appears that the Jack's Maniacs stuff that has been teased previously, is beginning ramp up. Last week, a series of "locked" videos appeared after you signed up for the sweepstakes promotion that was. There were four in total, and had dates on them. Every Tuesday until the last one in August. 

Today, the first video was unlocked, and despite some HHN fanboy hope, was not another house reveal. Instead, it was a short video, highlighting two people snooping around backstage at Universal Orlando. They find themselves inside one of the soundtages, and come across a popcorn box, with odd writing on it. It is the same popcorn box that went out to a few lucky people, not too long ago.

It appears, after the initial video, that we will be getting some clues and hints about the event moving forward. What, if any, reveals coincide with each video is still uncertain. They also encourage you to "share the scare", which screams HHN Compound.

You can see the video below.