I just did the exact same survey for Great Adventure.
Event FrightFest 2026
- Thread starter bill s
- Start date
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Can’t fathom why they ditched it last year, but this is absolutely phenomenal news.
Edit: Embed doesn’t show it, but this is in reference to Dead Man’s Party returning this year.
So glad this is returning! It was one of the many, many entertainment cuts they made last season across the chain.
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with what I’ve seen of their entertainment so far this season. The stage show in front of DDD’s plot has especially made me wish I was still an hour away, they’ve got my taste in music nailed.
That said, I hope not a single thing changes about DMP after a year off. Not only is it the most important part of Fright Fest to me, I think it’s the park’s best show in general.
That said, I hope not a single thing changes about DMP after a year off. Not only is it the most important part of Fright Fest to me, I think it’s the park’s best show in general.
Hm be intresting to see how they make that works as a maze and be effective
New maze is the best in the park alert Opinions will differ of course, but I thought Final Destination was the strongest maze on the opening weekend of Fright Fest. Lots of intricately designed areas with awesome set pieces. Great variety of actors too. After hosting my least favorite maze last year, it was rad to see this building's transformation. I was unfamiliar with the franchise prior to this and had a great time.
Twisted Holidays is absolutely fantastic! If I'm not mistaken, the same in-house team that worked on The Asylum was given free rein to overhaul the somewhat lackluster Wreck-Cage maze from 2025, and they cooked. I did not think highly of the idea when I first heard about this maze, but going through every holiday of the calendar year in order with a spooky spin was a blast. Lots of clever design throughout.
As for the other mazes: I thought both Toro side maze replacements (Jason and Deadwood Cabin) were decent. Witch's Reflection, Big Top Terror, and The Asylum are largely unchanged, which is totally fine because they were and are strong. I was surprised to see how many changes they made to The Conjuring, given how strong that maze was as well. I think I liked the previous iteration a little bit more but the fresh spin is still appreciated. Army of the Dead felt a little more empty than it was in prior years, though I could have caught it during a time when actors were still prepping (it was the first one I visited).
The Awakening was great. It makes an appropriately big deal about the return of Dr. Fright and does a really nice job of acknowledging the egg that SFEC laid trying to replace him last year.
Dead Man's Party was a crowd pleaser with a nice blend of new and classic content. The stage being near the bumper cars works better than I thought it would, and there's a decent amount of seating thanks to a plethora of relocated benches from Hurricane Harbor.
Blade Drummers and Freak Show have both been adjusted, with more impressive fire balancing acts in Blade Drummers and more electrical effects in Freak Show. Both were good performances, and their new locations work well.
Unleashed, as usual, is strong. I still think 2024 was its pinnacle but IMO this version is stronger than 2025's.
The one sore spot came from maze access. It's now done via a Fast Lane style website where you pick your maze and generate a QR code for entry. There was a bleak weather outlook and low crowds when I visited - every maze was a walk-in, but there were still congregations at the queue entrances as people tried to figure out how the code system worked. Busy October days are going to be a disaster with this system in place. This also means that my previous system, where some people in my party would go on rides while others went to experience the mazes again, is no longer viable without jumping through hoops.
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^ There are options for both; I was able to get all of Fright Fest for $45 when I renewed my pass for next year, so it was an easy decision for me. It looks like that option has gone up to $75 now. A single day pass is $35 if I'm not mistaken.
Several of the mazes don't open until 6:45 (and none open before 6), so I'd imagine a lot of potential single day buyers were dissuaded from purchasing given the park's 10:00 closing yesterday.
Several of the mazes don't open until 6:45 (and none open before 6), so I'd imagine a lot of potential single day buyers were dissuaded from purchasing given the park's 10:00 closing yesterday.
First thing I noticed was the bamboo that was ripped out by Bak along the top of the entrance to the media event tent. At least that's where I presume it came from.
Went to Fright Fest tonight with my partner. Ended up taking WAY too many pictures, this is just a selection.
Saw all four shows. They were all great.
The guy at Freak Show was a wonderful treat and the Blade Drummers were great. Unleashed was absolute masterpiece. Dead Man's Party was amazing, if a bit crowded.
Didn't do the mazes because there was no way there was going to be time and I wasn't standing in the lines. The scarezones that were active were pretty neat.
Boardwalk seemed a bit empty and there was nobody over in the Pine Barrens, but the lakefront and pirate area had nice ambiance. I think the best one was the Dia de los Muertos themed zone in Plaza del Carnival.
Had the Worms in a Dirt Funnel Cake. Really good, if a bit too rich. Wanted to try the Vampire Fries but couldn't figure out where they were. I'm assuming YumYum or the pub, but they were both too crowded.
Overall I think the event was pretty good this year.
Saw all four shows. They were all great.
The guy at Freak Show was a wonderful treat and the Blade Drummers were great. Unleashed was absolute masterpiece. Dead Man's Party was amazing, if a bit crowded.
Didn't do the mazes because there was no way there was going to be time and I wasn't standing in the lines. The scarezones that were active were pretty neat.
Boardwalk seemed a bit empty and there was nobody over in the Pine Barrens, but the lakefront and pirate area had nice ambiance. I think the best one was the Dia de los Muertos themed zone in Plaza del Carnival.
Had the Worms in a Dirt Funnel Cake. Really good, if a bit too rich. Wanted to try the Vampire Fries but couldn't figure out where they were. I'm assuming YumYum or the pub, but they were both too crowded.
Overall I think the event was pretty good this year.
