HHN XXVI: FIRST IMPRESSIONS, HOUSE, SCARE ZONE RANKINGS

Greetings internet dwellers!

Well, I am going to try and keep this first update of the event, short and sweet. As I have done in the past, I will keep a running commentary about the event, throughout its run. The reason I do this, is because things change. The event will tweak things as they go along. 

​That being said, they better get on those tweaks, as HHN XXVI feels like an incomplete event. It feels like an incomplete event, with a myriad of operational issues. 

When it comes to the AAT passes, good luck on that front Universal. I hope people attempt to sue the hell out of you at this point. People legitimately need those. Find a better system to curb people from abusing them. Your own staff, abuses that system. Don't punish the disabled, and don't judge the disabled either.

Universal has no right, and I mean no right, to judge someone's disability. They have no right to pick and choose who's disability is worse than someone else. And they have no right to ask, or show proof of a disability. I am utterly disgusted by the treatment of their guests with disabilities on Friday and Saturday. And on top of that, you make someone rent one of your wheelchairs as an alternative? There are many types of disabilities, and it isn't just on the surface. And those people don't need a fucking wheelchair. Nor do they want to be extorted out of money, to rent one of yours. 

This issue, extends to daytime operation as well. We'll see how far this goes. Universal won't get away with this for long. Unless they just want to keep settling lawsuits outside of court. Good Luck with that. 

Moving on to staff issues. Communicate with them better. I am pretty sure some people are just making shit up off the top of their heads, because they don't have a direct answer. I shouldn't be told four different things, from four different people. Nobody should. Friday night, was awful in that department. It seemed like Saturday was much smoother, so I'll chalk it up to first night issues. 

Weird practices were implemented on Saturday night. There needs to be a better system in place, at the Finnegan's stay and scream. I get that you are trying to curb underage drinking. However, having one wristband distribution, with checking ID's directly behind the first, with another wristband distribution, is absurd. 

It holds up the line, and is redundant. If we are going to do the two wristband system, why not have the first one distributed when they scan your HHN ticket? That first one is designed to be the actualy stay and scream wristband. Do the second if someone wants to enter Finnegan's, so you can check their ID. That still raises another issue. Finnegan's has the only bathroom in that stay and scream. Are you going to deny someone entry into Finnegan's to use the bathroom, because they are under 21?

If the other wristband is strictly for someone who is drinking, then have two separate wristbands; one which identifies someone who is 21, and one who isn't. There is no need for two. With two separate stops. If you are going to check someone's ID anyway, it doesn't matter. 

Moving on, let's talk about the content. At this moment in time, HHN XXVI feels incomplete. Scare Zones feel like an afterthought. Friday night, houses felt like they forgot it was opening night, and they needed to actually do things. Or employ Scareactor's.

I've noticed that there seems to be less Scareactor's out in the streets, as well. Survive or Die is a good example. There is like, no one in there. It's one giant dead space. There is no intensity from anyone either. In virtually every Zone, actor's just walk around, with minimal interactions with guests. The Zones, have turned into one huge selfie fest. They will stop for those. 

Dead Man's Warf aside, sets on the streets, are really rather plain. Which is fine, but have the actor's actually do stuff. DO THINGS. 

After the lackluster opening two nights, thank the lord for Academy of Villains. More on that later. 

Let's talk in more detail.

CURRENT HOUSE RANKINGS

From worst to best.

8. KRAMPUS

CURRENT RATING: 1/5

​Krampus is a prime example of sets aren't everything. Sure, the facade is nice, but how about a little variety? Are we not allowed to use characters from the movie? It's the same elves popping out at you EVERY TWO FEET. And where is Krampus? Aside from the roof, and that weird Krampus where, again an elf pops out at you from inside Krampus himself, nothing. Nada. Ziltch.  

7. LUNATIC'S PLAYGROUND 3D

CURRENT RATING: 2/5
I saw no "effect" transitioning from Chance's mind, to the real world. The 3D is ridiculously ineffective in here. Alice had better 3D, and I hated that one. The house is too bright, and you can see everything coming from a mile away. I did have one decent scare in here though. 

6. AMERICAN HORROR STORY

CURRENT RATING: 3/5
There was a lot of dead space in here. I don't know if we went through on a cast change, or not, but I felt this thing lacked any intensity. It's a long house, so walking through a bunch of pretty rooms with no scares, gets kind of dull. There's only so much you can just stare at before things get boring. 

5. THE WALKING DEAD

CURRENT RATING: 3.5/5
There is a little bit of a nostalgia trip, for those of us who have endured this monster for 5 years. And, they actually made a Walking Dead house, that startled me a few times. Legitimately startled me no less. Surprised by this one. It's a Walking Dead house I actually want to revisit.

4. GHOST TOWN: THE CURSE OF LIGHTNING GULTCH

CURRENT RATING: 4/5
This house is gorgeous. And the scares were really well done too. Most everything jives in here pretty well. I had flashbacks of The Forsaken while walking through this. There was energy in here, something the event overall is lacking. 

3. HALLOWEEN: HELL COMES TO HADDONFIELD

CURRENT RATING: 4.5/5
If it wasn't for Ghost Town, or Halloween on Friday, opening night would have been a complete wash. This shocked the hell out of me. It was intense, the scares came from every angle (and some were inventive as well). I really hope they can keep this up the entire event. As someone who is not a fan of the second film, they did a great job in here. 

2. TOMB OF THE ANCIENTS

CURRENT RATING: 5/5
What a beautiful, fun, entertaining house. The setting might be a little redundant, but man, the effects, the scares, and everything else, come together nicely in here. I can't wait to go back in again, and discover new things. Those damn drop down walls, get me every time. 

1. THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE

CURRENT RATING: 5/5
What an intense experience. This whole house had me on edge. If you love the film, you will probably really, really, dig this house. It's like walking through the movie. And that finale (the one inside), is brilliant. I had the shakes when I left this house. I can't wait to do it again. 

SCARE ZONES

If you want to have the most fun in the streets this year, seek out the roaming hordes. They at least care about what they are doing. The Scare Zones, are just not good. 

5. VAMP 1955

CURRENT RATING: 1/5
Do something. Just, bloody do something. Nothing, happens in here. It's plain, and nobody seems to give a crap. Lot's of plastic dummies too. A trend this year, both in houses and Scare Zones. 

4. A CHANCE IN HELL

CURRENT RATING: 1/5
Nothing more than a glorified photo-op for Chance. Speaking of Chance, her voice; MY GOD, HER VOICE. Hearing her voice every five seconds around the park, is like nails on a chalkboard. Back to the zone, everyone congregates around Chance. I don't even think people know there are actor's in here otherwise. Oh, more plastic dummies. 

3. LAIR OF THE BANSHEES (OR WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE CALLING IT THESE DAYS)

CURRENT RATING: 2/5
At least this has some cool lighting, and good atmosphere. Other than that, that's it. 

2. DEAD MAN'S WARF

CURRENT RATING: 2/5
Do something. Just, bloody do something. At least it looks nice. 

1. SURVIVE OR DIE

CURRENT RATING: 2.5/5
Hey, it has music from Mad Max, so that's a plus. And a few people actually try to scare you. One guy got me yesterday. 

PARTING WORDS FOR NOW

Academy of Villains. This show injected a much needed energy to the event. It's fun, it's different, it's inventive, it's artistic, and it's something HHN XXVI needs. Not to mention, these guys and gals seem legitimately happy to bet at the event. I love their interactions with the crowd. Their excitement just oozes off the stage. It's infectious.  

That's the end of my week one. I will return to the event next Thursday and Friday. I have yet to do Bill & Ted, or The Exorcist. I have a bunch of photos forthcoming, so look for that.

​That's it for now. Until next week.

​