Halloweekends or Haunt??

Jeff, I hope they're not going to add a separate admission for pass holders.

^I doubt you have to worry about that. For one thing, Halloweekends is working right now, I dont see why CP would try to "mess with the formula."

And more importantly, KI has anounced that they will not be going to extra admission for their haunt after previously saying that they would.

When did they announce that CarnEvil is leaving?

^ Never. People are jumping to conclusions. Presumably they are the same people who think the park ran out of space in the early 90's.

That's what I thought. Planet Snoopy doesn't take up any more space than Peanuts Playground, and they do a good job of dividing one area from the other, I would imagine they will do the same this year (and probably set some rules, like no cutting through the kids area while in make-up).

To address the first part of the original question (I’m late to this one. I don’t check this forum often these days). I had posted a report this Fall titled “HalloWeekends vs King Island Halloween Haunt 2007” that sums up the differences. I didn’t go back to read it all, but I recall it was detailed and gave the gist of the differences, which is that Halloween Haunt is not for kids or families, it is interesting that it's so much different in tone, compared to HalloWeekends with a capital "W" :) which is more fun overall, even in the quote- unquote "scary" parts. The physically larger, longer layout of CP and the winding Fright Zone/Frontier Trail, compared to the more compact layout of other parks like KI, makes a difference in CP's favor for the outdoor haunt.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/Forums/Thread/22004.aspx

Halloweekends as it is provides a pretty perfect balance between family attractions and the haunted attractions that people expect from a Halloween event. With the huge crowds they've been drawing, I certainly wouldn't expect them to start isolating either of those two audiences anytime soon.

Chris is very right. The only thing I can ask for would be some sort of improvement in the haunted houses. Get the people working in there make more of an effort. Decorate them better. They sure have got the night time attractions (ie Fright Zone, Fear Faire, CarnEvil) down pat, just do something to make the houses better.

ejh1701 said:
Ah just open up the soak city gates, fill it with these haunts and about 200 fog machines...haha jk.

Trust me, that is a Screamsters dream right there....but 200 fog machines...nah, bring on more. There would be nothing better then sliding down a slide to scare some kids.

But it would be nice to see Cedar Point toss in a 18+ themed zone someplace, wishful thinking I know, but still......a little blood and gore never hurt anyone.

And to go along with the Haunted Houses.....the ones that work in there are all mainly volunteers from local frats and sororities, so they're not really there to scare, more of an obligation. And it's kind of nice to have them not be as good, it makes the guests appreciate the outdoor zones more, and it's always fun to hear gusts trash talk the kids in the houses.

^^ - except that gore isn't scary.

^Agreed, Jugga. That's the main reason that there are very few modern "horror" movies that actually come close to scaring me. Sure there's blood, gore, and plenty of gruesome deaths; but all that makes me do is go "oh, that was bloody," or depending on the state of my stomach, make me feel a little nauseous.

I know gore isn't that scary, but gore is mainly used as an add on. Take the costumes we use now..and add some blood to it it gives the costumes a little more to them, and helps gives our dead zombie look a little better. And I know Chris will agree with me on this, that we have helped boast the busiest weekends in the past 5 years getting busier and busier and we have been getting higher ratings each year for the event we put on, and that means for us, as cast, we'll be stepping up and doing more and more to make sure we don't retrogress in the performance we give. So with that adding blood to our costumes and themeing isn't that crazy of an addition, we already use some props now that have blod and a few times the masks had some blood, so in a way, we are slowly moving to a more aggresive haunt. And this year I'm in the works of trying to get something together that will, in a way, give back to the die hard fans that we have, and if it can happen, will be a pretty cool contest that will give you guys, the paying public, a little say in what a few of the Screamsters will be "identified" as. And yeah as stated earlier in the thread it is a little early to be talking October...but it's always good to hear ideas that we could possibly add to our performance that will help make it better, because we can only think of so much to do, so if any of you have some ideas on what you would like to see, meaning us in the outdoor haunts, as in different props you think would be cool or costume ideas, let it out and we'll definatly take them into consideration. I know me and Chris speak on behalf of all the Screamsters when we say we're always looking for new ideas to make the show we give you guys better and better.

Haha, it's never too soon to start talking/thinking about Halloweekends. On closing night every year I'm already thinking about the following year. :)

As for the blood and gore, I can see it both ways. In my opinion, the scares should ALWAYS come from our talent, as they have since the inception of Screamsters. I have no problem with us and our scenery looking more gruesome as long as it's not tacky (which is hard to do) and we continue to rely on our talent and not our costumes to get the scares. For veterans I don't think that would be a problem, but I could see some newbies thinking "I look really gross, that'll be enough to scare them."

Zeek is right, we do love getting feedback from people. Last year, as TL in Fear Faire, I would print compliments and complaints that I found on this site and read them to the entire crew.

And Zeek, I haven't heard anything about this scheme you are cooking up for next year, but it sounds awesome. You'll have to send me a PM and clue me in. :)

Zeek said:
And to go along with the Haunted Houses.....the ones that work in there are all mainly volunteers from local frats and sororities, so they're not really there to scare, more of an obligation. And it's kind of nice to have them not be as good, it makes the guests appreciate the outdoor zones more, and it's always fun to hear gusts trash talk the kids in the houses.

While I understand what you're saying, I don't agree. I know that the people who staff the haunted houses are volunteers and most could care less and that's the problem. Walking down a dark hallway and having a person stand around a corner and say "boo" I'm not going to be scared. I've never actually been to a good haunted house that was worth my money (or in CP's case, time). I'd like to check out Ghostly Manor this year. It's too bad we never made it there on that day I met up with a bunch of people from this site.

As for knowing the houses aren't that good and leaving it that way because the outdoor zones are good seems to be Cedar Fair's (or maybe just DK's) general rule of thumb.

Believe me, I would love to see the houses step it up and be better, but untill they hire Screamsters to do it and not volunteers it wont happen. And it's not Cedar Fairs nor Kinzel's policy, it's just getting people to work that actually care to scare.

From walking thru those a lot and at different times, it is hit or miss with the sorority, frat boys, sports teams, church groups etc. who man the indoor haunts, WWC and Midway Monsters who dance with DJ Zombo and the King Dapper Combo. But when they had good groups, I observed they were very enthusiastic and did a good job. It seemed the more they have in a group, the more enthusiastic they were, but it also seemed easier on Saturdays when people were going thru constantly, as opposed to most Fridays when there can be a 15 minute gap with no one to scare. Then you walk thru and they're sitting on the railings. There was one time when they didn't have enough girls to man Lair of the Vampire so it was basically just walk thru the maze (which a person like me could almost do blindfolded LOL). I recall in 2006 the one kid who was supposed to be climbing the metal wall with the magnets on his shoes was laying in front of it and I said "climb the wall" He said "I'm too tired" I emailed CP about that one. But it does seem like it physically is somewhat demanding. But still with enough breaks he shouldn't have been doing that. There was one group with an air cannon in WWC that was fun. some of the frat boys had a sense of humor running thru the crowd in WWC yelling "Holy Shnikey there's Werewolves!" that was funny. And all three little pigs dancing in the barn at the end got into it really well one time. So they aren't all bad. I'd say it's about 50/50. It could be improved but it's amazing CP can stay open with enough employees and volunteers/fund raisers that time of year in the first place with an event that keeps getting bigger and bigger.

A complaint I heard from a volunteer, and maybe it was on this forum, that the supervisor didn't exactly know what to tell or how to instruct the volunteers. I think the TL was a Lifeguard during the Summer, unlike say having an experienced Screamster being a TL, but I would bet none of you would want to do that, like not wanting to do the coffin photo area by the RGS and I don't blame you. The Tricksters for that matter on the Midway give an effort especially Sara and Bradley.

One good thing about the outdoor haunts people walk thru more often because there's no waiting in line and they're walking from one part of the park to the other anyhow. But as I was walking thru those, it seemed like Fear Faire was the only one which had dead times when not a lot of people would walk thru just because of where it's at, which I think is a fine location, it's just not a normal path from point A to point B in the park like FZ and CE are.

It wouldn't be a good idea to alienate the kid/family friendly partisans....Are those famous last words or what? (I've been distracted...I'm still watching my WWL tribute video and sitting in my giant slide burlap sack)

But seriously, how about the Planet Snoopy Doghouse of Death. Think of the backstory possibilities, Snoopy gets rabies, mauls Linus, (possible off-season prop use for the heads of the ice show Peanuts costumes?) decapitates woodstock and begins stalking tourists searching for leg bones.....

HalloWeekends! said:I recall in 2006 the one kid who was supposed to be climbing the metal wall with the magnets on his shoes was laying in front of it and I said "climb the wall" He said "I'm too tired"

He thought HE was tired.. He doesn't even begin to know how tired one can get doing a Screamsters job.. hehe

I've got a job for him.. MUUHAHAHAHA

And alot of those volunteers come through and trash talk us. When I can guarentee they couldn't do a 4 hour show in 90 degree weather like we had last year for most of the season. Ask Chris, it got pretty intense with the whole sweat factor, masks turned to sponges of glorious sweat, haha.