UniversalParksBlog News for June 9th, 2024
Universal Orlando Resort announced a new Halloween Horror Nights House…and a new way to watch it.
This is an extremely exciting week for UniversalParksBlog News.
A Quiet House
So, let’s start with this clip, which is absolutely brilliant.
That’s the advertising clip for Universal’s announcement of its next Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) House.
Universal
Let’s just say that I’m ecstatic about this one, as I’m a superfan of A Quiet Place as a film franchise.
A Quiet Place debuted in theaters in 2018 and quickly became one of the most profitable films ever.
Image: Paramount
Produced for $17 million, the first film earned $341 million worldwide.
Profits on the level of a factor of 20 qualify as rare air in Hollywood, and a sequel became inevitable.
Image: Paramount
Alas, bad timing sunk this one’s upside, as A Quiet Place 2 debuted in theaters in March 2020.
Okay, that’s only partially true, as the world premiere happened on March 8th, 2020.
Image: Paramount
Three days later, a COVID-19 outbreak led to a societal shutdown, delaying the sequel’s release until May 2021.
Even so, A Quiet Place 2 earned just under $300 million against a $60 million budget.
Image: Paramount
That’s still a factor of five in profit, which is absolutely outstanding, given the state of the world at the time.
Three years later, Paramount Pictures will release a prequel, A Quiet Place: Day One, which is obviously an origin story.
Image: Paramount
In the film coming out in three weeks, we’ll learn how aliens came to Earth and collapsed society.
Let’s just say that movie fans hold tremendous interest in discovering those secrets.
Image: Paramount
While most films disappoint at theaters these days, A Quiet Place: Day One may prove the exception.
Even if the movie doesn’t, it’ll still possess pop culture intrigue this year, and that’s because of Universal…
The Unique House Premise
Image: Paramount
You’ve probably felt excitement over this announcement, but have you taken a moment to consider how the House will work?
Universal will try something daring here, as this isn’t a conventional House premise.
Image: Paramount
Think about what happens at every House at every HHN event. People scream their brains out, right?
What’s the core concept of A Quiet Place? When you make a sound, the aliens hear you and swarm.
Credit: Universal
So, Universal is going meta by constructing a singularly unique House experience.
Unlike all the others, A Quiet Place will demand silence. When you enter, the aliens will sniff around in hope of sensing you.
Jungle of Doom
The only way you’ll alert them is if you’re unable to remain quiet. It’s like a game of 123 Quiet Mouse…taken to a logical extreme.
I have no idea how Universal will implement this one and am genuinely curious how it will work. But I’m so intrigued.
Photo: UNIVERSAL BLOG
As an aside, Universal Studios Hollywood will host this House as well.
Remarkably, this wasn’t the only tantalizing HHN announcement, either.
HHN Adds a Velvet Rope
Photo: Universal Blog
If you didn’t know it, Comcast owns Universal Studios, something I mention from time to time.
While Comcast has proven unexpectedly benevolent thus far, we shouldn’t ignore the obvious.
Photo: USA Today
Comcast has “won” the title of Worst Company in the World. Multiple times.
Much of the criticism stems from Comcast’s focus on profits over people.
(Jeff Fusco/Comcast via AP Images)
I’m mentioning this because HHN has become Universal’s primary financial mechanism.
The “problem” with that fact is that after-hours theme park party capacity possesses a theoretical limit.
Past a certain point, you cannot sell the exclusivity because larger crowds limit the value.
Since HHN sells out anyway, Universal holds limited options for increasing revenue from this event.
Photo: Universal Orlando
The primary method involves raising prices, but even that comes with limits.
Well, this year, HHN has added a new twist. I’d like to introduce you to Premium Scream Night.
Photo: Lynette Granger Rep/Facebook
This is a special HHN event wherein you’ll pay more in exchange for more exclusivity.
Universal will limit attendance on August 29th, a time before HHN theoretically begins.
On that date, people willing to pay more will experience this year’s event first. So, you’re effectively paying for early access.
Tickets for this event cost $350, a significant increase from a regular night.
Photo: Universal
This strategy basically makes influencers pay extra to broadcast the Houses on the first night.
Financially, that’s a brilliant ploy. However, as a longtime Comcast watcher, I can’t help but worry about what they’ll do next.
Universal Miscellany
Photo:Universal Studios Hollywood
Circling back to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, tickets for the event are now on sale.
At Universal Orlando Resort, the big news is the impending debut of the Epic Universe preview center.
Photo: Universal
Later this month, this place will replace the former Universal Legacy Store.
Universal indicates that it’ll employ augmented reality to show tourists a glimpse of what’s coming next year at Epic Universe.
Photo: Universal
You don’t have to wait for park merchandise, though. The store will sell Epic Universe gear later this month.
Another new announcement is that the preview center will host photo ops celebrating each of the five themed lands.
Photo: Universal
Finally, if you’re a Universal Studios annual passholder, I have good news about the upcoming shows.
For a limited time, Universal will host a special viewing area for passholders.
Photo: Universal
You can utilize this section during the Universal Mega Movie Parade and CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular.
So, that should dial down the aggravation during those overly crowded early performances.
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Feature Photo: Universal Orlando
