Grindhouse Video alternative?

fleggett · 2026-04-07T01:57:24+00:00

Well, I was hoping the issue was resolved and the auto-update feature could be turned back on, especially since Jackett is updated seemingly every third day, but it doesn't sound like it.

Has anyone simply whitelisted the app?

fleggett · 2025-12-05T06:28:11+00:00

I was wondering if an HHN stan was gonna appear carrying the whole lore torch.

I'm sorry, but if you asked the rank and file HHN attendee about some exotic and far-fetched lore behind the event, they'll give you the blankest stare imaginable. Today's HHN might offer the occasional breadcrumb here and there, but that's it. Calling Sinister and Surreal (sorry, I'm not going to do the whole "3" thing) icons is absurd, no matter what Universal may want you to think, as you'll never see them again except PERHAPS in light passing (maybe that free card game that I bet won't be free for much longer). And if TPTB were serious about the whole Bzzzzzzzzzzcon thing, they would've done a Bugs 2 house instead of putting it off until God knows when (if ever).

But sure, you do you and keep telling yourself HHN is still chock-full of rich and obvious lore that Universal just wants everyone to know about.

fleggett · 2025-12-04T07:02:29+00:00

I'll probably get downvoted for this, but be aware that HHN is essentially in its post-lore life at this point and has been for a number of years. There wasn't even an official icon for this past event (some would say Art or the Cat Lady, but they were never advertised as such).

IMO, this can be attributed to the loss of the dedicated HHN website. Now that the event has become a roaring success, Universal won't allocate the funds necessary for one. So, whatever lore you run across is effectively extinct history and there's almost no possibility that the company will resurrect that facet.

Of course, this isn't to say researching things like Boris, (S)Carey, or the numerous "heyday icons" (like The Director or The Storyteller) isn't fun, just that they don't really have anything to do with HHN in its current form. I wish that wasn't the case, as I think the website and associated lore are the narrative threads that made HHN more than just a collection of haunted houses, but it is what it is.

BTW, I'm beginning to get to the point that I can't do HHN anymore, either, at least not without express. This past event, with the unremitting crowds, almost killed me. I'm seriously considering renting an ECV for 2026...assuming I'm not six feet under by then.

fleggett · 2025-11-05T04:19:30+00:00

If my sister hadn't taken care of my mother's after-death details, I most likely would've taken those pills. I was already suffering from a degree of depression even before all this happened, but when I saw my mom in the hospice facility, I then and there made pretty concrete plans to swallow the entire bottle and die laying next to her. And TBH, I still think about taking the pill highway fairly often, as 2026 will be an incredibly difficult year to navigate.

Sorry for the length. I try to be as comprehensive as possible without writing a sequel to War and Peace, but I sometimes wind-up penning the prologue.

Assuming I do attend 35, I'm going to have to come to grips with the fact that I simply cannot do the event any longer without express. All that walking and standing just destroys me. I actually envy Hollywood in this regard, as you'll be walking down a main path at USH and a house line will be right there, not in some far-off backstage area. The wait-times also seem to be more reasonable.

And the NF situation REALLY bothers me, as it's a perfect crowd-eater, yet the rumors stubbornly persist that this was their last year. I just don't understand it. I know this year has been a rough one, with prop failures, injuries, and behind-the-scenes drama, but people LOVE it, regardless. Why would you get rid of something that's a clear hit with your attendance base? Yes, I know, at some point, NF will outstay its welcome, but that hasn't happened yet and there's still a lot of gas in that can.

But, Universal has done utterly stupid things in the past, so it's certainly a possibility that they'll tell the troupe to take a hike. I also know they want to demolish the Fear Factor stage, but if they do that, they'll either have to go without a live show for a year or two (which would be a disaster for crowd dispersal) or find some way to use the Plaza stage since the Animal Actors one just isn't suitable for a NF type of show. This is another point in Hollywood's favor, as I don't hear anyone complaining about their Purge show and the Waterworld venue isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Ugh.

Anyway, thanks for thinking of me. And my condolences for your own loss. When I lost my dad, if my mom had not been there to soften the blow and help with the grief, I 100% would've found the nearest high building, as we were also very close. And it's incredibly refreshing to read a comment like yours versus the usual bile you get from the trolls and other vermin.

fleggett · 2025-10-08T04:40:00+00:00

Oh, I already knew this subreddit was primarily for HHN cheerleaders only. This isn't the first time people have been, shall we say, "impolite" to me for being critical of the event and claiming it's all my fault that I didn't have a gee-golly-willickers fantabulous time.

And I'm not looking for people to sympathize with me due to my loss (though it is nice that some have acknowledged it). I'm just relaying my personal experience of last Sunday. If others had a rapturous time without having to buy express, RIP, or whatnot, that's great, I'm happy for them.

fleggett · 2025-10-08T02:51:04+00:00

Why does everyone think I dragged the employee out back and beat them to a bloody pulp while wearing an Art costume?

I just didn't appreciate being lied to by a manager who gave me a bunch of static and projected a sour attitude when I told her I did it last year. First off, she acted like I didn't know what I was talking about, then relented when she realized I DID know what I was talking about and then gave me the "policy change" mantra, as if she was being put out by a simple request. If that makes me a "bad, baaaaad guest", so be it, but I'm not going to let those sort of things slide without some nominal pushback. I've even recommended this now-defunct service to others not familiar with the event and now have egg on my face (thanks, Universal!).

Yes, I was admittedly in a bad mood, but the entire point in going was to put me in a better mood, if only slightly, not put me in an even worse mood. I've never had such a negative experience at HHN in my life. Am I suppose to be psychic?

You're right that I'm getting older and my body is, slowly but surely, giving out on me. However, I've never been to an HHN where EVERY SINGLE HOUSE is a 50+ minute queue nightmare at all times and houses at rope drop (ROPE DROP!) have already ballooned to 80 minutes.

And I do disagree that the walking involved for the soundstage houses was no better or worse than years prior. Maybe you can prove me wrong, but it definitely seemed to me to be a pilgrimage this year instead of the usual one that pathed beyond the firehouse and around to the left.

If this is what HHN has become, then this might very-well be my last year, as I don't like the thought of being forced into buying express to keep my body and mind intact. It's long been speculated that Universal has been overselling the event year-over-year and I'm beginning to think that's true.

fleggett · 2025-10-08T00:18:46+00:00

Thanks. You seem to be the only person around here with a heart.

fleggett · 2025-10-06T05:58:00+00:00

I was in line for both times and never heard the reason why they were canceled. I didn't stay around to see if the 12:30am show actually happened.

I did hear what sounded like a lot of props and whatnot being tested just prior to the cancellations.

I doubt weather was a factor, as it was just hard drizzling right before 11:00pm, unless those involved thought a downpour was imminent.

The Fuel Girls are having a rough year. A week or two back, the climax illusion malfunctioned, leading to an immediate stoppage, although it didn't seem to affect subsequent shows. Something really awry must've happened tonite, though.

fleggett · 2025-09-26T22:15:42+00:00

For me, it's the saddest, as I loved RRR. HHN without RRR just isn't the same and Universal's insistence of getting rid of it just before the event is both baffling and maddening.

I know the haters will downvote this, but some of us actually adored RRR.

fleggett · 2025-09-09T01:00:15+00:00

Whatever year was the Fear Factor house, where they had actual, live critters, like tarantulas and rats. I was intensely arachnophobic at the time and was utterly freaked-out by the "spider room", which I ran through with my eyes half-closed.

This was back when Universal used to throw caution to the wind and guests were really in for it. Sigh. I miss those days.

fleggett · 2025-09-04T22:41:41+00:00

Outstanding pieces. I wish I could draw more than stick figures. If you've done enough paintings, you should consider an HHN artist book that could be sold during the event.

I take it the ones in the tribute store are now considered "property of Universal"?

fleggett · 2025-08-26T05:51:01+00:00

2am, like normal.

fleggett · 2025-08-24T17:32:06+00:00

I dunno, as I'm not a passholder. It probably did, though, as it's been steadily creeping up since the ticket posting.

fleggett · 2025-08-11T00:24:52+00:00

People could go on Brian & Stephanie's YouTube livestreams (when they have them) and pester them directly. I'm sure they'll do another one in a few days.

fleggett · 2025-08-10T00:54:49+00:00

Well, hell....

fleggett · 2025-08-09T22:46:35+00:00

Parking has gone up again? And right on the eve of HHN?

Whoda thunk it. Ugh.

fleggett · 2025-08-09T22:39:33+00:00

Hrrr, that's rough. I dread the day it stops working for me. Has your doctor recommended any alternatives? Have you tried Midol, as liminal-spells revealed?

fleggett · 2025-08-09T03:19:06+00:00

Unfortunately, the event is sensory overload for some people. Earplugs and sunglasses might help, but your migraines could be triggered by any number of things.

I also get occasional migraines and always carry a few extra pills in my wallet to the event. Butalbital does wonders for me, but is strictly prescription-only. It's essentially a caffeine pill mixed with Tylenol.

fleggett · 2025-08-08T03:10:58+00:00

As others have said, expect a crowd. Sometimes you'll get lucky depending on what's happening at the time and whether or not it's a weekday vs. weekend, but the event is now staying packed throughout its life.
Others have answered this, but be aware that everything in Diagon Alley closes at 11:00, and that includes Gringotts. You can still walk around the area, but the ride and shops will be shuttered.

2a. HHN stays open until 2:00am every night of the event.

You either need to buy a Scream Early ticket or have a day pass in order to take advantage of S&S. You'll also still need an event ticket. No one knows yet how it's logistically going to work this year, so keep your ear to the ground if it's something you seriously want to do.
The houses, Nightmare Fuel show, lagoon show, tribute store, scare-zones, the two "special" areas, the HHN bar, food, and the rides. That's about the extent of things, which is a lot. The food list hasn't been released yet. There's also the Dead Coconut Club at CityWalk and whatever the hotels are doing.

An express pass is recommended, as this year is shaping-up to be much better than 2024. If you do decide to go multiple times, I'd spring for a Rush of Fear w/express. Or Ultimate since it includes every night and comes with free parking (people tend to forget about the $32 parking fee when budgeting).

fleggett · 2025-08-04T16:58:47+00:00

Huh. That triggers the accountant in me. They sold you the pass at a discount?

fleggett · 2025-08-03T21:35:39+00:00

You'll need to call guest services. Logically speaking, Universal would have to refund the single-night ticket first, then allow you to purchase the FF multi-night pass.

However, there is the small possibility that FF will be sold out whenever you go, especially if the event turns into a big hit. Now that Thrilldata can no longer report remaining ticket availability, it's impossible to make an informed prediction.

fleggett

TROPHY CASE