3. Late Season Analysis

By the middle of the run, something fundamental changes. We have already done the event. A lot. For some of us, every event night but Saturdays (the only night not included with the Frequent Fear Plus pass). We have the Bill and Ted script memorized. We know where every boo hole is in every house. The actors recognize and acknowledge us as we pass through. Most years, the Legendary Truth game is going strong by this point, and we think nothing of skipping houses or shows as needed to fully participate in the game events.

At this point, most of the community moves into a more analytical point of view. We take behind-the-scenes tours, find ways to be the last person through a favorite house at night, and spend a lot of time paying close attention to *how* things happen and how well they work. If a particular effect isn’t working, we take to the Internet forums to dissect in detail our theories as to why. Was it a safety hazard? Did it mess up the pacing of the conga line (the endless line of people going through one of the houses)? Is it gone for good, or just for this weekend? Will its absence fundamentally change the nature of the show?

We’re also fond of arguing over which house, which street scare zone, which cast, even which specific actor is the best. We analyze different scare tactics, critique the makeup and costumes, and endlessly debate whether a particular audio or lighting effect was really the best choice. We also write lengthy reviews that sound highly judgmental and overly critical.

At this point, we don’t love the event any less than we did during the early season. We just see it in a different way. While people who attend for the first time late in the season are having their breathtaking, magical experience, we’ve moved on. It’s the inevitable result of seeing something that many times, especially for highly intelligent and creative people who have such a passion for it.

4. Last Night Goodbyes

Everything changes again in the last nights of the run. We know it’s coming to a close, and we suddenly have the strong desire to stop time. We start developing our lists of last must-dos—I must say goodbye to the Cast A Frankenstein or the Cast B vampire girl in the red dress. I must get a photo with the Rocky Horror cast. Legendary Truth usually holds some sort of dénouement, wrapping up the year’s storyline and setting the stage for what will happen during the off season. For quite a few of us, everything else falls behind that sacred ritual: the last Bill and Ted show.

At that show, both the actors and the audience go all-out to give the show a proper sendoff. The audience shouts the lines along with the actors, and the actors go wildly off-script in an effort to prank both each other and the audience. Some years, the cast sticks around for photos, while in other years they are quickly herded backstage.

And that’s it. The last Bill and Ted show ends after the event officially closes for the night, so there is nothing left to do but leave. As if on cue, the hugs and tears begin, as everyone comes to terms with the fact that it is over for another year. Some people go out for a late-night dinner or drinks, some head home to bed. All awaken the next day in a post-HHN stupor, having spent the past month balancing late nights at the event with early mornings at work or school.

5. Post-Season Critique

Very little is said in the days immediately following the season’s close. Exhausted and a bit sad, fans tend to keep to themselves as they return to normal life. Within a week, however, everyone has recuperated and it’s time for the Monday morning quarterbacking to begin. This is the stage when people begin to analyze the season as a whole, comparing it to past events and writing more objective, balanced reviews.

This phase generally lasts until mid-November, when everyone gets caught up in the winter holidays. Some hardcore fans continue to post on forums, but the majority go quiet through the dark days of winter. This is just a temporary respite, however. As spring dawns fresh and crisp, the faithful begin to awaken, emerging from the shadows to begin the cycle anew.

Universal’s ability to build this sort of passion and sustain for it 25 years is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Their dedication to creating something entirely new each and every year is a major reason why. HHN is, in large part, magical because it is fleeting. While most haunts recycle some or all of their mazes and storylines from year to year, HHN fans get just a few short weeks to build the memories that will last a lifetime.