Quick HHN Opening weekend review. My Wife Debi and 2 of my kids Kat, age 25 and Ben age 16 went through HHN all 3 days opening weekend over labor day weekend last week. First, we had a blast again and IMHO this year is most definitely better than last year. Let's start with the special features this year: Meghans, Death Eaters, and David S Pumpkin! Unfortunately we did not see the Meghans on any night, however I have it under good authority from friends they are good! Finally we get the Death Eaters in Diagon Alley! Very nice especially with the added fog. Lastly David S. Pumpkin, he does an awesome job. He made my daughter Kat very uncomfortable, but in a good way. He's fantastic. He hangs out by the HHN bar at Lombards.
On to the Houses. I was a bit lukewarm after our first two walkthroughs, but things vastly improved from there. Did most but not all the houses twice. It rained HARD with a big storm Friday, and we got soaked waiting in the stay and scream line, and it did lead to some blisters and soreness, but still a good night despite a late start. After 3 nights and about 17 house walkthroughs my personal rankings are as follows, YMMV. Also, IMHO all the houses are very good just levels of greatness. Plus, I had no clear favorite if the top 6, all could jump around after future visits, same with the bottom 4 but I felt like there was a dividing line between the groups.
1. Exorcist
2. Bloodmoon
3. Last of Us
4. Tie: Stranger Things / Yeti
6. Monsters
7. Dueling Dragons
8. Dr. Oddfellow
9. Chucky
10. Darkest Deal
Again, all good. I thought Exorcist looked great and had good scares if the timing was good. To me Bloodmoon was like this year's Dead Man's Pier with a different theme. Last of Us had good sets and good scares, true to the game, and show too even though based on the game. Stranger Things looked great, not as good as previous Strangers Things houses IMHO but very good. My only complaint is many missing characters. Yeti had great theming and sets, good scares. Dueling Dragons looked pretty good but was disappointing IMHO, plus split ending was very short. Dr. Oddfellow was ok looking ad not as scary, but still good. Chucky was cheesy, 2nd half was better, but overall a bit disappointing. Still fun though! Darkest Deal had a good story and some good scares, just not as good as the other houses IMHO. As I said, I'm sure when I return some of my rankings could change, really liked them all!
The scare zones were quite good too. I think my favorites were Vamp 69 and the Zodiac. Overall a lot of fog and scareactors. Loved the music in Vamp 69!
We did not see the show yet, I've heard it was good. Saving it for our next visit. Overall a wonderful time once again.
Oh, we did try a bunch of drinks and some food. Usually not our focus, but daughter Kat took notes on Drinks. Our favorite was Survivor's Fizz. We also tried some desserts. Most were pretty good. Protip: Late at night the leftover desserts/snacks in the tribute store might be buy 1 get one Free!
Regards,
Ted
