Shame you guys had a bad experience this weekend. I saw another review on a different board who had a blast Friday night and had generally positive reviews for almost all of the houses. I guess it's just a matter of luck. Some nights are just better than others and some people will have a blast and others will hate it. Kind of just how these things go.
Halloween Haunt 2014
- Thread starter wombat96
- Start date
Applesauce said:
So...That was totally me and zebrashoes that must've been in front of you. We highly enjoyed club blood because of the amount of scares we stole. The guy that ran toward us in one of the hallways and propped like spiderman to the walls stopped us dead in our tracks and left a very memorable scare.
Applesauce said:
I think this might have been me and my friend! I am so sorry about that!
Nah you guys are fine! 
I'm glad at least somebody got scares from the house. Plus it was kinda funny to watch you two get scared. lol
I'm glad at least somebody got scares from the house. Plus it was kinda funny to watch you two get scared. lolNicole said:
I still think the crowds do have an impact on the Haunt actors. To me, I would think the actors would burn out faster if they are new and don't know how to pace themselves.
Secondly, I would think the mindset of the actors can be impacted as well. When you have high volumes of folks going through a maze almost non-stop, the actors have a hard time with the element of surprise; because they can never really hide and set up for the next scare. At most, they can stalk/follow to add to the tension. I would not be that enthused after a couple hours of not truly being able to scare/surprise folks. That is part of the allure of that type of job. I would get a "meh" feeling when it came to being "ON" under those conditions.
I don't know if the park can find a better way to get more actors hired for this event (better pay, benefits, incentives). If the park could hire another 40-50 people for this event, they would have enough to stagger the actors so they are only on duty for 45 mins to an hour and then take a 20 minute or so break. Plus, adding 3-4 folks per Haunt attraction for increased staffing.
The job is only 8 weeks long, working 3 days per week. Plus, you are there on average from 4-5 pm till around 1 am before you can leave (includes time for makeup application/removal and costume change). This job is pretty physical for some positions. It's not for everyone.
If the park is not able to hire more folks for future Haunts, then I don't see them being able to expand the event with more mazes to spread the crowds out more. Which, in turn, could allow smaller groupings of folks to go through the mazes with at least a little spacing between them. If feels like the chicken or the egg syndrome.
mwhinva, you're correct about monsters getting tired or not being able to hide well. There is a lot of new monsters this season and this past Saturday for example was the first time that they experienced a conga line (open door).
As far as the staffing goes, I feel like they had all the positions filled, but then when training and costume fitting started, those that were hired, simply didn't show up or a previous job within the park withheld them from working Haunt.
Hopefully this coming weekend will be a lot better because the monsters will have a better expectation for what is to come. Friday and Sunday's are what they usually are of course.
Sunday will be weird on crowds as Columbus Day is the day after, but I don't think it will be too bad.
As far as the staffing goes, I feel like they had all the positions filled, but then when training and costume fitting started, those that were hired, simply didn't show up or a previous job within the park withheld them from working Haunt.
Hopefully this coming weekend will be a lot better because the monsters will have a better expectation for what is to come. Friday and Sunday's are what they usually are of course.
The Kid said:Hey everyone. I just wanted to send out a friendly warning that about 50-80 people from my marching band are going to haunt on Sunday, so I'd advise staying home that day!
Sunday will be weird on crowds as Columbus Day is the day after, but I don't think it will be too bad.
Evan, it feels like the park has cut back too far on positions in the fall (this doesn't apply to not having the "Miner's Revenge" Haunt attraction nor is this just about Haunt folks). I agree that there are those who are no-shows or drop out after the first couple of days because a Haunt actor is not the job for them. But, the park has been doing the event enough years that they should know that and hire a few more than what they initially need. I know they cannot go overboard with that; but, at least they would not be caught totally with their pants down when no shows and walk offs happen. That way it gives them some time to give call backs to those initially turned down and get some new blood into the system.
I realize that Friday night Haunt is light on crowds and they don't need every food stand and store open and staffed. Since the park does not open till 7pm, most folks have eaten dinner. There is just enough places open to grab a snack or slice of pizza or a burger/hot dog.
Saturdays are just slammed and the lack of workers is sometimes painfully obvious. They are overwhelmed by the crowds. To me, the park closes too many food places too early in the evening. A good number of them close around 6-7 pm. The park should keep 2 or 3 more stands/restaurants open until 9 or 10 pm on Saturdays. Or they should look at setting up some more temp stands (like they do for the turkey legs) that sell hots dogs, or when cooler weather hits, soups/stews like Brunswick, clam chowder, chilli in a cup or bread bowl. I thought they had done the latter in years past.
They should look ahead and if cool weather is in the forecast for the weekend, look at setting up 2-3 stands in the park to sell coffee and hot chocolate. Starbucks on Intl. Street was a cluster &*#$ Saturday early evening 5-6 pm and stayed that way until I left just after 10pm.
KD just needs to set up several contingency staffing plans a couple days before the weekend and select one or two to execute. This should be based on the weather and predicted crowds. If you don't want certain food places open during the day, then have the folks come in later and staff a specialty/temp stand during the evening hours when the crowds are crazy during Haunt. You would be making money and at the same time reducing lines and making it a better experience for those who come on a Saturday and have to endure the crowds.
I realize that Friday night Haunt is light on crowds and they don't need every food stand and store open and staffed. Since the park does not open till 7pm, most folks have eaten dinner. There is just enough places open to grab a snack or slice of pizza or a burger/hot dog.
Saturdays are just slammed and the lack of workers is sometimes painfully obvious. They are overwhelmed by the crowds. To me, the park closes too many food places too early in the evening. A good number of them close around 6-7 pm. The park should keep 2 or 3 more stands/restaurants open until 9 or 10 pm on Saturdays. Or they should look at setting up some more temp stands (like they do for the turkey legs) that sell hots dogs, or when cooler weather hits, soups/stews like Brunswick, clam chowder, chilli in a cup or bread bowl. I thought they had done the latter in years past.
They should look ahead and if cool weather is in the forecast for the weekend, look at setting up 2-3 stands in the park to sell coffee and hot chocolate. Starbucks on Intl. Street was a cluster &*#$ Saturday early evening 5-6 pm and stayed that way until I left just after 10pm.
KD just needs to set up several contingency staffing plans a couple days before the weekend and select one or two to execute. This should be based on the weather and predicted crowds. If you don't want certain food places open during the day, then have the folks come in later and staff a specialty/temp stand during the evening hours when the crowds are crazy during Haunt. You would be making money and at the same time reducing lines and making it a better experience for those who come on a Saturday and have to endure the crowds.
I won passes and cut the line passes as well as a parking pass. I haven't been to the Haunt in years, and I just remember how long the lines were for the houses.
I did some of HOS earlier this year, and I don't get scared easily to begin with, and none of it phased me, but props given for the efforts of the staff.
I did some of HOS earlier this year, and I don't get scared easily to begin with, and none of it phased me, but props given for the efforts of the staff.
Hey guys! 3rd year working Haunt!
These reviews are making me sad! I promise you guys, we are all trying out absolute best to scare yall. Some nights and time of nights affect the outcome of your experience.
First off, the monsters are way less interested on LESS busy nights. We are basically standing around for 5 hours bored out of our mind. Because of the lack of people, guests can very well see monsters quicker, and it's more difficult to get a scare out of the guests when seen. Plus, when one person walks through, every monster tends to approach the person, and that mainly is annoying to them. But that's what we’re instructed to do. Saturdays are way more fun because we can easily target a group of people mixed in with the large crowds to scare. The group is so overwhelmed by all the people and trying to actively scan for the monsters, so it makes for an easier scare. Yes, some of us do get tired faster because we are scaring more than a less crowded night. So later towards the night you'll most likely get the "not trying" feel from us.
That being said, the majority of our energy in scares is in the first two hours- after about 10:30 many of us are exhausted. But it depends on experience in pacing ourselves. I personally get tired just from standing for 5 hours straight. Others lose their voice or get sore from banging/crawling/squatting over a 5/6 hour period etc.
Onto other notes. I personally hate the new Resurrection theme. The speech's pace is way messed up. I’m also disappointed in lack of Venetians. The new I-Street performers are referred to as "specialty performers." Many can walk the entire park freely, The Mob included.
Can’t really state anything about lighting/music/props as that is out of our control. But for the most part, I think our props are incredible. Especially in No Vacancy and Zombie High.
I have yet to go into MOM. But for the most part, it has been extremely popular this season. Haven’t seen any of the skeleton key rooms either, but from what I have heard, it's generally mixed reviews. Other Cedar Fair parks actually give you a souvenir skeley key with your purchase of a pass, which KD does not include unfortunately.
These reviews are making me sad! I promise you guys, we are all trying out absolute best to scare yall. Some nights and time of nights affect the outcome of your experience.
First off, the monsters are way less interested on LESS busy nights. We are basically standing around for 5 hours bored out of our mind. Because of the lack of people, guests can very well see monsters quicker, and it's more difficult to get a scare out of the guests when seen. Plus, when one person walks through, every monster tends to approach the person, and that mainly is annoying to them. But that's what we’re instructed to do. Saturdays are way more fun because we can easily target a group of people mixed in with the large crowds to scare. The group is so overwhelmed by all the people and trying to actively scan for the monsters, so it makes for an easier scare. Yes, some of us do get tired faster because we are scaring more than a less crowded night. So later towards the night you'll most likely get the "not trying" feel from us.
That being said, the majority of our energy in scares is in the first two hours- after about 10:30 many of us are exhausted. But it depends on experience in pacing ourselves. I personally get tired just from standing for 5 hours straight. Others lose their voice or get sore from banging/crawling/squatting over a 5/6 hour period etc.
Onto other notes. I personally hate the new Resurrection theme. The speech's pace is way messed up. I’m also disappointed in lack of Venetians. The new I-Street performers are referred to as "specialty performers." Many can walk the entire park freely, The Mob included.
Can’t really state anything about lighting/music/props as that is out of our control. But for the most part, I think our props are incredible. Especially in No Vacancy and Zombie High.
I have yet to go into MOM. But for the most part, it has been extremely popular this season. Haven’t seen any of the skeleton key rooms either, but from what I have heard, it's generally mixed reviews. Other Cedar Fair parks actually give you a souvenir skeley key with your purchase of a pass, which KD does not include unfortunately.
It was pretty late in the evening when my group walked through IronworX. I believe I saw you, but you were talking to your manager or somebody like it when going by, along with maybe two others? The only other two people in IronworX I saw were at the very front towards I-Street, and they seemed to be socializing between themselves. IronworX was dead the time we walked through, we were basically the only people.
I do have to say it's a very weird feeling hearing redneck/country/whatever it is on Blue Ridge, right next to the more industrial music of IronWorX.
I do have to say it's a very weird feeling hearing redneck/country/whatever it is on Blue Ridge, right next to the more industrial music of IronWorX.
Applesauce said:
Its horrible, I can hear Blue Ridge and Feary from one point in there.
The music in Blue Ridge needs to be turned down! It seemed strange going with the steampunk theme of Ironworx, but it completely killed the haunting, ghostly vibe of Necropolis. I was also under the impression seemed too "cheery" and that some slower, darker-toned bluegrass-style music would be better for Blue Ridge Bloodbath and the surrounding scare zones.
By the way, for those who have done Maze of Madness, how does it compare to its predecessor Medieval Macabre? Many people said it was also one of the weakest mazes at the event.
By the way, for those who have done Maze of Madness, how does it compare to its predecessor Medieval Macabre? Many people said it was also one of the weakest mazes at the event.
Joe, I can't compare it to the previous maze, but I found the maze very boring. According to Nicole, I was being stalked in the house. I didn't even know it. It just did nothing, I couldn't follow along with what I was looking at. And in some rooms the hospital/asylum type rooms barely showed. I did like the hospital room that looked like an actual hospital though. but everyone I saw in the room seemed to be resetting for their next scare.
It was a very weak house. Also the mirror maze portion is far too bright to properly work as a mirror maze.
It was a very weak house. Also the mirror maze portion is far too bright to properly work as a mirror maze.
I'm not gonna be at the park tonight but I come with some interesting news. My schools drama club will be scaring in the park tonight. I don't know where but I'm glad to see there experimenting with different age groups.
They will be acting out in scarezones or mazes I don't know but they've been training today since opening so I imagine houses. I just though it was cool that there participating.