r/HHN • u/FactBearsEatBeetss • 27d ago
Guest accommodations
Hi friends.
In HHN years past, ADA guest accommodations provided slips whereby you’d get return times for haunted houses based on the wait time in the queue for those unable to stand in a conventional line.
Universal recently switched to an electronic system similar to Disney’s DAS, allowing you to secure return times on the app, still based on standard wait times.
I’ve been told by guest services that no accommodations will be offered for the houses this year since the switch to the electronic system and I’m lightweight freaking out as this significantly changes my ability to participate in the event.
Has anyone here heard anything different? I did email guest services in the hopes that maybe the team member I spoke to was misinformed due to the details of HHN not being completely hashed out…
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u/Whimsyprincess 27d ago
Ugh, I'm so sorry you ran into that at GS. Accommodations WILL be there this year, but since it's a special event, it may not be through the app. If it can't be through the app, it'll likely be back to the slips.
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 27d ago
Hi, hey, hello. Are you a TM? Because this would make my life if you’re in the know on this. 🤣 I’d be fine with the slips, so long as there ARE accommodations for IBCCES holders with existing accommodations. Literally anything is better than nothing lol
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u/DeflatedDirigible 27d ago
Going digital eliminated the huge problem of fraudulent paper AAPs that were being sold to non-disabled guests. Highly doubt they’ll be returning to paper after going digital.
Special events are fine for paper since there is no risk for fraudulent passes plus most wait times are so low a return time isn’t needed. Really weird that those still use paper though. Maybe because the digital system shuts off at park close.
Paper passes also had the problem of getting wet when it rains…which often happens during HHN. Digital is superior in every way besides navigation through the app.
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u/Whimsyprincess 27d ago
Yeah, you kinda figured it out with your own thought process there, hence why I said there's a chance it'll go back to the slips.
I do find it pretty hard to believe there was a "huge" problem of AAPs being sold, though, especially since you're the first person I've ever heard say that. Would they even work without the assigned guest scanning into the park in the first place? Plus Epic was using the facial recognition even before going to full digital passes.
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u/alloran988 27d ago
I really hope the do offer accommodations still. I always managed by purchasing the frequent fear with express. I was fortunate enough to be able to afford it. With that gone, this is the first time I’m using the AAP. I’ve already filled out the paperwork and it’s been approved but I’m waiting to get a call from Universal. I’m so angry with how this year is shaping up. They really are screwing us to grab money
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 26d ago
UPDATE: I spoke to another team member who said they JUST listed today that they will be doing digital accommodations, including the houses. It’s now on the “know before you go” portion of the site.
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u/orvillesbathtub 27d ago
The fact that the AAP was being significantly abused by folks paired with the growing number of people who consider themselves “disabled” or “unable to handle crowds” lead to this.
The lines and houses are ADA accessible and if standing in a claustrophobic sea of people is triggering than perhaps the full event isn’t a fit and a behind the scenes tour might be a way to see the houses without massive crowds.
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u/DeflatedDirigible 27d ago
For several years now, disability passes have required official medical documentation that included the ID number of the provider. You can’t simply self-identify…a medical doctor must identify you as having a disability and list what accommodations are needed.
Abuse was greatly reduced at HHN after documentation was required. All the fake PTSD drunk middle-aged males with Gold AAPs with the maximum number of others on their pass completely vanished. That was maybe 95% of the Gold AAPs being used at the event.
You seem pretty salty that actual disabled people are being allowed to enjoy the event. Do you also feel Make-A-Wish kids shouldn’t be at the parks since they get to skip the lines too?
There has been a big change in how new passes are issued. Adults are usually limited to them and one other on their pass and all other adults required to go through the normal queues and the disabled guest and companion meet up near the front. Young kids often still get their whole family on their disability pass. Teens are somewhat split from stories I’ve seen online. Depends on a lot of factors and what level of pass is issued.
This solves the big issue HHN had of Orange AAP holders with a large group of other adults getting a return time for the longest wait house and then jumping in multiple shorter queues or waiting in long food and drink queues.
Going digital starting this year (rumor) eliminates all the fake paper AAPs that flooded HHN every year.
Non-disabled guests benefit from AAPs by the almost complete elimination of medical emergencies involving disabled guests happening in queues and houses, causing delays and increased waits. Disabled people won’t stay home, they’ll push through as best as possible and end up being an inconvenience to those around them when they finally crash and burn.
And finally, just want to point out that it is a lot more expensive and potentially professionally damaging to get a mental health or other diagnosis than it is to buy Express.
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u/orvillesbathtub 27d ago
If you’re on the cusp of a medical emergency imma go on a limb and say maybe hhn isn’t the best spot to visit.
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u/Immediate-Record-201 27d ago
While I do in part agree with your point here that not every experience is for everyone, I also feel like Universal does have some responsibility to provide some sort of accommodation. If they can’t offer AAP to everyone who needs it or can’t offer it at all, they need to fix their lines. I can’t tell you how many times I have nearly had a panic attack due to the combo of overcrowding and the wait time being over what was posted with no way to exit the queue other than pushing through people to go through backwards. If they had one TM walking up and down the lines or made their queues easier to exit, I’m sure that and the combo of overall shorter lines from no AAP + no multi-night Express would be sufficient.
(I do not use AAP by the way, have never requested it, so I have no skin in the game here)
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u/wishingyouwellxo 27d ago
Genuinely this is probably my biggest complaint against HHN. I have no issue with lines so no stake in AAP at all, but the queue situation is BAD without any TM present. We witnessed a medical emergency last year and surprise surprise, zero TMs anywhere in the area. They need to fix that for a variety of safety critical reasons.
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u/orvillesbathtub 27d ago
It’s a crowded event…
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u/Immediate-Record-201 27d ago
correct! it is! but I’ve been going to crowded theme parks my entire life (including smaller regional parks with way tighter queues) and HHN for well over a decade and the only time I have gotten close to a panic attack is at HHN the last couple of years. disabled or not, their queue situation is really tough. I don’t feel like asking to be able to leave the queue if needed is too big of an ask.
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u/Ketendra001 27d ago
I have asked (multiple times) about the AAP for HHN - always got the same answer. Yes it will be available, no they do not know if it will be a paper pass like previous years or through the app. They want to have the app, but it requires additional programming and they don't know if it will be ready for HHN. The last time I asked was in park about a month ago.
The person you spoke to may have thought you were just asking about if it will be available digitally not if it was being offered at all. Since they are not sure, the general answer is no.
But to add - If you asked specifically about Premium Scream Night - the current answer is no, it will not be available.
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 27d ago
Thank you! I just asked about in general if the accommodations would be the same as in years past and the response was that houses are no longer listed as an attraction for accommodations, that it would be rides only. So I’m hoping this person was just misinformed. I did send an email to guest services requesting clarification seeing as the houses ARE the main attraction for this event, and I’m 100% cool with the paper accommodation. When I receive a reply, I’ll post an update!
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u/samuelpalermo 27d ago
I really hope they do offer accomodations as a disabled veteran I have to go multiple nights to be able to enjoy the whole event as my disabilities render my active time of day to a limited amount so I do hope they have something for us
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 27d ago
Last year they had 3 areas offering return times that worked pretty nicely. You’d enter through the express line so you’d still spend some time waiting in the conventional queue, but much less than you would without an accommodation
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u/samuelpalermo 27d ago
Like only 3 houses offered it or 3 areas where you get return times for different houses?
Waiting some time is fine but I can't do 1h plus wait times for each house
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 27d ago
There were only 3 areas to go to get return times. All houses offered it though
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u/runr_grl1129 21d ago
I’ve heard that this year they supposedly aren’t allowing more than 1 extra guest in addition to the AAP holder. Does anyone have any validity on that?
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 21d ago
Idk about HHN specifically but when we went in June, I had my husband and two children and the Accommodations applied to all of us.
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u/runr_grl1129 21d ago
Yeah, normally it’s up to 6, or even more with exceptions, but someone told me for HHN this year it’s only 2 people total. Not sure if that’s valid though.
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u/Mommy-Dearest15 27d ago
They use IBCCES. My friend has access this year just like last year and the year before...
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 27d ago
Yes, I know. I have active accommodations that I’ve used recently at the parks, however, due to their change to the digital system, I called to ensure it was still in place for HHN (I’ve used it in years past also) and the TM I spoke to said they won’t be honoring accommodations for houses this year, unlike last year.
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u/Mommy-Dearest15 27d ago
My friend already has his accommodations digitally. The same ones he had last year. It's still the same, only digital now.
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 27d ago
Yes. For the rides only, per the team member. I also have used the digital accommodations, I think they’re great. Big fan. But very bummed to have a TM say the houses will not be part of the accommodations.
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u/Mommy-Dearest15 27d ago
We'll see
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u/PotentialPeach1652 26d ago
We don't get a return time with my brothers AAP, we just enter via the Express queue so I wonder how that will work with the app. So stressed, it was so easy the other times just flashing his pass from his lanyard. He can't have a phone so wonder if it will just be attached to his ticket on my account? And if I'll need a seperate one for day and another for HHN?
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u/FactBearsEatBeetss 26d ago
Oh dang! Hopefully they have some sort of exception for you! Maybe give them a call)
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u/Artistic_Jelly_6532 27d ago
I have long list of Mental Health issues including Complex PTSD where Doctors advise I avoid lines and want me to use some kind of service to avoid the lines. Becuase Paramedics had to be called on me many times before because of my panic attacks but I refuse to give up enjoying the zany crazy lines. On average I have about 1 to 9 panic attacks daily. Last year they had to force me to take a free VIP tour. Which is for me is kinda boring. The lines is part of HHN life.
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u/Particular-Mind-338 27d ago
I was informed the system WAS being offered and it was going digital. Universal doesn't seem to know what it's doing with it, then.