[Soundgod]

Gail likes haunted houses. I really don't, but hey, she's got to be sick of IllumiNations by now, so we're even. Four day visit starting at Universal for Halloween Horror Night. We stayed one night at the Royal Pacific for the night, as much for the fast pass room keys as for the closeness to the parks. Universal offers a $10 option for Horror Night guests to go to IOA for 3 hours before Universal Studios opens back up for Horror Night. We ate lunch at Emeril's before checking in and then headed to the parks after we got settled. At check-in, I mentioned it was our anniversary, hoping they'd upgrade us to club level. Didn't happen, but more about this later. So we rode Hulk a few times, then went to Spiderman. The first time we were grouped with oh, 6 12 year old girls and their parental overseers. They screamed the whole time, in tunnels, at full volume. It's Spiderman for crying out loud! There's nothing to be scared of! We got in one ride on the Fire Dragon, even with fast pass, there was too much of a crowd in the load station to go back and ride Ice Dragon. We also rode the High in the Sky Suess Trolley Train Ride. This is the first new ride in IOA since the Storm Tea Cups and the Flying Unicorn roller coaster in 2000. It's not really new. This is the car sky ride in Suess Island that never opened to the public. It's been completely reworked with new track and with new powered multi car trains. This is a ride worthy of a Disney park, as is the entire Islands of Adventure park.
After this, we entered Universal Studios through a side entrance that was installed a few years ago when they were running horror nights in limited areas of both parks, as the haunted houses are usually built on movie soundstages between the two parks. Anyway, even though it's Thursday night, the park is mobbed. I don't think Universal cuts off sales of tickets. We may have saved money with discounted event tickets and the IOA add on, but we had to spend $30 each for Xpress Passes that allowed us to get through all of the haunted houses in something near a reasonable amount of time. The houses are so packed that you are never really surprised by anything. Also, they're tending towards too much gore for the sake of shock value. At least they dropped the "Fear Factor" house this year. They staged a lame attempt at a water and fireworks show on the lagoon that used to host the Miami Vice stunt show, compared to other shows, this just lacked any spark for me. The highlight of Halloween Horror Nights is the annual update of the "Bill and Ted Show". Too bad there were so many people in the park that we were turned away from the 10 and 11:15 shows 15 minutes before each show. This is how I know that Universal oversold the night or just never cut off sales. The theater they perform this show in is the Wild West Stunt Show theater which is easily as big as Indy or Lights, Motors, Actions' grandstands for 5000 people. Assuming that nobody is staying for two shows, we have at least 15,000 watching the first 3 shows this night. Gail didn't really feel like waiting for 12:30, so we left.
We caught the boat back to the hotel. I stopped to look at the menu for Tchoup Chop as we were going to eat lunch there in the morning. I decided we'd eat at Fulton's instead. We got up to our room and found a bottle of Austrailian champaign on ice and a plate of chocolate covered strawberries with a note wishing us a happy anniversary. Gail never ate the strawberries and the champaign came home with us.
We most likely will not go back to HHN next year. Their haunted houses are merely mazes of gore, crowded to the point of being extended queues and not much more. The scare zones also lack any spark. And Bill and Ted are probably in need of retirement already. It's 14 years now since the second movie.

[Cavey]

Sorry it didn't turn out as well as hoped. I haven't done a haunted house (Other than HM) in 15 years! Tomorrow night will be the first adult Halloween Costume Party I've ever gone to.

[dznygrl]

Ick. I hate haunted houses. And crowds.

So basically, that trip would have been a nightmare for me!

Sorry it wasn't better. Nice of them to give you champagne and strawberries, though!

[OffKilterFan]

There's three more days, right? I'm sure they'll be better.

[Erin]

I can't wait to hear the other days...

Matt wants to do Halloween Horror NIghts SO badly, but I'm too scared. Honest truth. I would prolly cry!

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by Erin

I can't wait to hear the other days...

Matt wants to do Halloween Horror NIghts SO badly, but I'm too scared. Honest truth. I would prolly cry!

I would cry. I would barf. I would scream bloody murder. I would cut off the circulation in someone's hand.

Bottom line: It would not be pretty.

[SaraAriel]

Haunted houses are definitely not for me either. I end up screaming my head off like a baby. I haven't done the haunted house thing since Busch Gardens in 2004 and it scared me to death. Being chased by a chainsaw is not my idea of fun. Yes, I'm a chicken

[geeman]

Soundgod,
I'm glad they remembered your anniversary, but I couldn't tell if you enjoyed your trip or not. Reading through reminded me of why I've stopped visiting Universal. I also remembered the last horror night I went to almost 10 years ago and it's interesting to see things haven't changed.

[Soundgod]

The whole trip's not done. We enjoyed IOA. We did do a bunch of stuff in 3 hours for only $10 and you can't beat that. My comments about Universal's event are meant to hopefully draw the attention of someone from Universal so they can make adjustments. I'm glad we went on Thursday, I don't even want to think about Friday or Saturday crowds if they oversold a Thursday and let's also factor in the above average temps we've had in Florida this month. It was almost as bad as July or August, without the late day showers.
There's also another factor that's getting worse and worse. Gail is beginning to not want to walk so much.
More later. (These are not supposed to be complaint reports, but I know a lot of you don't go to these events, so I get really critical. Also, because of DW's enjoyment of and involvement with haunted houses, I've been through more than my share and know quite a few poeple who operate them. So, I know good and bad scare attractions when I see them, and Universal has been coasting on their reputation for years.)

[Dopey]

Well, that's day one...on to better days.
I am sure while I am writing this, you are writing more on your report, right?

[Soundgod]

Day 2 Friday:
The sun rose this morning with a vengence directly into our room. We took our time packing and checking out of the Royal Pacific. As I'd mentioned, we had early lunch reservations for Emeril's Tchoup Chop at the hotel, but decided to cancel them. For whatever reason, I never got to talk to anyone to cancel, so , we left. We rolled our bags out front and I got the car, having not used valet for a change.
A quick drive down I-4 to Lake Bueana Vista and through the main entrance to WDW. We stopped at DTD for so I could pick up so picture frames at World of Disney so I could get my monsterous 10% AP discount (Hey Disney, Universal still gives 20% on all merch in all stores, not one selected location. Maybe you could do the same?) When we finished, I called WDW for a lunch reservation at Fulton's. I sent Gail ahead to Fulton's while I dropped the stuff in the car. After a lunch of baby fried shrimp and milk chocolate creme brulee, it was time to find our hotel. After stumbling past Pop Century, we headed in the right direction to get to the All Star Music. It's no dump, but after the tower at the Contemporary, this is a bit of a letdown. Gail stays in the car while I go to check in. Nice sized line, guess it took 20 minutes for me to get to the head and be called. Things seem to be moving nicely when my CM has to start making calls in order to see if my room is ready. Mind you, the time is now 2:35. Poor guy's spending time on hold. Eventually, he gets the OK. Engineering was replacing a curtain pull rod, so they held us until they were done, I guess so that we wouldn't be disturbed after we checked in.
We've never stayed at one of the values before, so I had little idea where I was going once I found the right area of the parking lot for our building. We were in Jazz 9 (9547) and eventually found our room on the second floor. The room has been freshly painted recently. It was a handi ready room with king bed. The decor wasn't bad, with the exception of the lighting, which was, in a word, hideous. Way too bright, there were only two bed lights on one switch and a less bright wall light opposite. It was a nice newish TV, but it was fastened to the armoure, so you couldn't get at the back panel to add a DVD player and the front panel inputs were locked out. Why doesn't Disney offer HBO?! Because this is a handicaped guest room, there is a huge wheel in shower. For a three day visit this is fine for us, well except that it's so far away, and I hate food courts.
I had planned to catch the 4:45 performance of Lights, Motors, Action, but it was already after 3 when we finally go into the room, and I didn't want a repeat of one of my attempts to get to MGM last month, so, I gave up and didn't try. About 5, we went over to MGM for Fantasmic at 7:30. I had a pair of fast passes for RnRCoaster from last month, so we used them. I carried my camcorder on the ride, but asked a CM to hold my tripod. I'm not sure, but I don't seem to recall the signs' lights turning on and off as the train passed before. After the ride we pass through the "bye buy" shop and look to see if there's anything I'm going to buy, but don't.
Anyway, we look at the wait time for Tower of Terror, but it's a bit long if I want to get the seat I want, it's probably better to get into the theater now. We got seats in the left center section where I could keep the supports for the truss out of my shot. I was also able to set up my tripod between the bench in front of me and our bench and we also somehow were able to save a little breathing room between us and the people on either side. Good news, the steamboat is back. I saw the "alternate" ending last month, but the cast still seemed unsure of their footing and pacing as the enter the stage to wave. After the show, we took our time leaving. We weren't racing to epcot for Illuminations. We were going to catch Happy HalloWishes from the ferry landing in the TTC and that wasn't until 9:30. I would have wanted to be in the park, but Disney, unlike aparantly Universal, sells out their hard ticket events, so there were no tickets available. But that's OK too because there's only one way you'll see all of the explosions in the finale, and it's not in the park, it's along the south shore of Seven Seas Lagoon. I'll have a screenshot at some point that I can share. Now my plans unravel a little. It's Friday night, so Epcot has EMH until Midnight and Sunshine Seasons is supposed to be open, so I'd planned that for dinner. Also, I've got Gail saying she doesn't want to walk that much. It turns out that Sunshine Seasons only has a couple sandwiches and a couple prepacked food items, it's a limited menu, which I didn't know, until we got to Epcot. We could walk down to the Boardwalk and eat at ESPN or grab a bus to DTD, but Gail doesn't want to walk. Major gripe: there is no way to get to DTD from the parks, not at any time, and not especially at closing time. Well, I get cranky when I can't eat (Electric Umbrella doesn't count, I didn't want another burger). Oh and there's a 45 minute wait for Soarin', so we weren't staying. Off to the bus stop for our bus and back to ASM, well after the bus finally showed up. I'm really foul now and Gail doesn't want to walk anymore, so I take the car to DTD. I go to House of Blues and find a sign that says "seat yourself", so I did. And waited for 15 minutes as not one waiter/ess came anywhere near me. So I left. Yes, McDonald's is open all night, but if I've passed on Electric Umbrella, is a Quarter Pounder going to make me happy? In retrospect, we should have gotten on the resort monorail and eaten at Kona Cafe or Grand Floridian Cafe, or even Concourse Steakhouse, but I never imagined how limited the offerings at Sunshine Seasons would be. We'd probably have still had 45 minutes in Epcot after dinner anyway. Something to keep in mind for the future.

[Dopey]

So, the Values are out in your opinion? Or will they do in a pinch?

[Soundgod]

Let's see how fast I can write up Saturday. I had planned on getting up early and heading out to either MGM or Blizzard Beach. Well, I never got out. I also toyed with getting breakfast at McDonald's but I didn't seem to get out. Gail's just sleeping, she's not to be bothered. I eventually alter plans and catch Lights, Motors, Action at 2 instead of 4:45 and then come back to the room. Gail makes it as far as the main building and decides it's too hot for her and I go off alone. When I arrive at MGM I stop at the time board to see how the wait times are for the big rides. I grab a ToT fast pass and then head back to the stunt show theater. I've timed this pretty well. They haven't opened the grandstand and I'm probably in the first 700 people in line or so. I get a seat closer to center on the left side fairly low. They say only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid day sun, and I guess that's true because the British are coming! It's the annual school holiday and they all come to Orlando. Welcome travelers. Show ends and I pack up. I forgot to mention, on the way into the theater, I stopped at the Writers shop and picked up a bagel and cream cheese and a bottle of water to have before the show. When I finally was seated, I was happy to discover the softest Philly cream cheese I've ever spread. OK, it was 90 degrees and they'd been out of a cooler for 20 minutes by then. On the way out I took a look at Flatbread Grill, but the thought of eating outside turned my stomach, so I kept walking back to ToT. I went to RnRCoaster to get a fast pass, but they were gone and there was a 35 minute wait. ToT had 20 minute wait, so I got a second fast Pass for ToT for later and got in line. As I exited I found the Nightmare before Christmas snowglobe I wanted to give Gail as an anniversary present, so I took care of that, including having it delivered to the hotel so I wouldn't be carrying it. After a stop at Scary Apothocary for jelly beans, it was back to the All Stars again. Gail still didn't feel like eating, so I gave in and went to the food court for chicken tenders. Somewhere around 6 I gathered up my camcorder and stuff so we could catch SpectroMagic and Wishes. I've planned dinner at Shula's, so in order to be able to get back to our hotel without transfer through DTD, I brought the car to the Dolphin. I drop Gail in the carport area and tell her I'll park the car and meet here at the bus stop. I eventually find a place to park (not easy) and head for the bus. As I'm getting there, the MK bus pulls up. Where's Gail? I look, she's still at the carport. I yell to her, and she moves quicker than I expected her to. Catching the bus at the Dolphin worked out well, because that's the last of three stops before heading to the MK. We arrive and pass through the turnstiles. I'm in luck. I have my choice of spots on the flagpole circle facing the station, right on the curb for the parade. During the parade, one of the two spinning fish came up in front of me and started twirling and winking it's eye at me, although I wasn't sure at the time. Towards the end of the parade, the Big Bad Wolf came marching right up to me, mouth open, and tongued my camera. It was all I could do to keep from laughing. I gave him a thumbs up and he gave me a dissing wave, not breaking character. The parade passed us by and I broke down and moved to the stroller parking area by the Crystal Palace for Wishes. Now, I'm all in place and one of the WDW passport photographers comes and says "I'm in her way" because all the people want their picture witht he castle behind them. Well, I'm not going to argue, but I'm not going to move my tripod and lose my spot. On couple had their picture taken and then she started having trouble with her camera. She didn't come back until after the show. Before she left she mentioned that this wasn't going to be Wishes, but Happy HalloWishes. I've got mixed feelings. I wanted to replace a shot from Wishes that is spoiled by a light pole, but if I can get another HalloWishes in the park, that might be better. As the show was ending, I did notice that they didn't set up the full show with the extra peripheral shells. We've got plenty of time to get to the Dolphin. Well, that is unless the bus in the stop cuts off 20 people before you and the next bus doesn't arrive for another 20 minutes. Still we made it to Shula's in time for our reservations. I had the lobster bisque and we shared a 22 oz. Cowboy Steak (bone in rib eye) and twice baked potato which we should have only had baked once. They don't brew their own iced tea, they have some "Gucci" brand in a bottle. Soup and steak were excellent. We shared a piece of Key Lime pie, which Shula's comped us because it was our anniversary (actually Oct 22). They charge to park at the Dolphin, but Shula's validated. The irony of all this is that when we left the in and out gates to the self park lot were open and the guard house unmanned.
I think that's the end of this day.

[Soundgod]

Originally Posted by Dopey

So, the Values are out in your opinion? Or will they do in a pinch?

In my opinion, the values would be my last choice. Like I said, the room lighting was pretty much the killer. Nothing at all wrong with them, just maybe a little too no-frills for my Disney experience. That and location, except that it's just down the street from Blizzard Beach, if I only took advantage of it.

[leslieh]

Very thorough TR! I'm looking forward to the next installment.