Howl-O-Scream 2013: Rumors Have a Way of Spreading
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RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
So I thought I would write a report on one of the Terror-tories, Ripper Row. This report is a full analysis of what this particular terror-tory will offer and what I think we can expect terror-tories to really be.
First, let me quote the Howl-o-Scream websites description of the area.
Now keep the description in mind as you read through the rest of this post. I believe the park is telling us exactly what they plan on doing. I think what they are doing is pure genius at this moment. I really hope they can live up to my expectations because this is going to be cool.
Now, when Zach first broke the news of terror-tories he hinted at a few things we might see, but more specifically a phrase that I think was much overlooked was "structural changes". Being that this is a new concept to the theme park industry, I understand the concern about this experimental concept for pathway scares. Originally, I thought Terror-tories were just oversized and overdone scare zones. Now, I think they are much more than that. They truly are an experience.
With that in mind, the next thing to break news was the lighting and crows which is small on the scale of what we can expect. However, I managed to get an exclusive picture of some steel structures for Howl-o-Scream. These structures have no clue indicating their purpose other than "scot yard". So we looked and it got overlooked because there was no real detail to it, plus adult grilled cheese seems to be more important than this.
But then just tonight I came across the most exciting news yet. I was told, Jack the Ripper was going to actually kidnap random guests off the park pathway and murder them, random guests being pre-planned actors as undercover guests. Now this news of street acting is amazing, and it just gets better. Once hearing this I was doing research. I re-read the park's description of the Terror-tory and I looked up Jack the Ripper via internet.
What I found was something that connected the dots. Back in the late 1800's Jack the Ripper was being investigated by the London Police, or as commonly known back then as the Scotland Yard. Once I saw this, I realized the steel structures I saw made sense! The 'scot yard' refers to the Scotland Yard, a police station! Which means the park is going to build the 1800's version of the Scotland Yard in England!
Even more great news, after re-reading the description of the event, with all that in mind, it turns out this street acting is much more drawn out that originally thought. It appears that while guests are coming and going, the police will be searching all over England searching for Jack the Ripper while he snatches *fake* guests off the pathways. While they are searching, the police too will be grabbing suspicious persons off the pathways. Who are these suspicious persons and victims, they are fake guests, gypsies, beggars, etc.
So in the end Terror-tories are not scare zones, they do not have scare actors jumping out at you scaring you, they are full immersive experiences. They literally redefine how pathway scares are done. Scott was serious when he said, "[we] would see the park transform like never before". You guys shrugged it off as they say that every year, but he was serious things are changing like never before and I for one am very interested to see how this all works out.
For those who are looking for the picture, I have it posted below so you don't have to fiddle searching through pages after pages.
So I thought I would write a report on one of the Terror-tories, Ripper Row. This report is a full analysis of what this particular terror-tory will offer and what I think we can expect terror-tories to really be.
First, let me quote the Howl-o-Scream websites description of the area.
Howl-o-Scream said:
Now keep the description in mind as you read through the rest of this post. I believe the park is telling us exactly what they plan on doing. I think what they are doing is pure genius at this moment. I really hope they can live up to my expectations because this is going to be cool.
Now, when Zach first broke the news of terror-tories he hinted at a few things we might see, but more specifically a phrase that I think was much overlooked was "structural changes". Being that this is a new concept to the theme park industry, I understand the concern about this experimental concept for pathway scares. Originally, I thought Terror-tories were just oversized and overdone scare zones. Now, I think they are much more than that. They truly are an experience.
With that in mind, the next thing to break news was the lighting and crows which is small on the scale of what we can expect. However, I managed to get an exclusive picture of some steel structures for Howl-o-Scream. These structures have no clue indicating their purpose other than "scot yard". So we looked and it got overlooked because there was no real detail to it, plus adult grilled cheese seems to be more important than this.
But then just tonight I came across the most exciting news yet. I was told, Jack the Ripper was going to actually kidnap random guests off the park pathway and murder them, random guests being pre-planned actors as undercover guests. Now this news of street acting is amazing, and it just gets better. Once hearing this I was doing research. I re-read the park's description of the Terror-tory and I looked up Jack the Ripper via internet.
What I found was something that connected the dots. Back in the late 1800's Jack the Ripper was being investigated by the London Police, or as commonly known back then as the Scotland Yard. Once I saw this, I realized the steel structures I saw made sense! The 'scot yard' refers to the Scotland Yard, a police station! Which means the park is going to build the 1800's version of the Scotland Yard in England!
Even more great news, after re-reading the description of the event, with all that in mind, it turns out this street acting is much more drawn out that originally thought. It appears that while guests are coming and going, the police will be searching all over England searching for Jack the Ripper while he snatches *fake* guests off the pathways. While they are searching, the police too will be grabbing suspicious persons off the pathways. Who are these suspicious persons and victims, they are fake guests, gypsies, beggars, etc.
So in the end Terror-tories are not scare zones, they do not have scare actors jumping out at you scaring you, they are full immersive experiences. They literally redefine how pathway scares are done. Scott was serious when he said, "[we] would see the park transform like never before". You guys shrugged it off as they say that every year, but he was serious things are changing like never before and I for one am very interested to see how this all works out.
For those who are looking for the picture, I have it posted below so you don't have to fiddle searching through pages after pages.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
They did a similar thing at BGT's Vampire Casino house. A plant guest was grabbed and hauled away by a vampire. Gotta say, it was kind of cool.
They did a similar thing at BGT's Vampire Casino house. A plant guest was grabbed and hauled away by a vampire. Gotta say, it was kind of cool.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
You're so cute with your optimism.
You're so cute with your optimism.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
It may be bunnies?
(Only Buffy fans...)
Anyways...what's the theory?
chickenking said:
It may be bunnies?
(Only Buffy fans...)Anyways...what's the theory?
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Not sure, as far as I know, this is the plan for Ripper Row, and Demon Street is already supposed to have it's own demon dance party thing. I assume the other two will take on completely different styles.
My theory is that since VP of Finance was replaced by a girl, so was the monster.
BGWScream said:
Not sure, as far as I know, this is the plan for Ripper Row, and Demon Street is already supposed to have it's own demon dance party thing. I assume the other two will take on completely different styles.
My theory is that since VP of Finance was replaced by a girl, so was the monster.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Each of the territories will have actors, the roles will different. I've heard rumors of disappointingly low account of actors to actually have an effect, so don't expect much.
Each of the territories will have actors, the roles will different. I've heard rumors of disappointingly low account of actors to actually have an effect, so don't expect much.
What?
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Actually, I think a low amount of actors is just fine. Depending on their roles, I think having few people can work to their advantage and multiple roles can be filled by one actor.
Yes low numbers seem disappointing, but sometimes if you do it right and end up doing very well with just a few. I can think of only four people needed for Ripper Row. I mean, you have Jack the Ripper, two cops, and a victim/suspect. The victim/suspect can go through various costume and makeup changes throughout the evening as to appear as many different people.
Actually, I think a low amount of actors is just fine. Depending on their roles, I think having few people can work to their advantage and multiple roles can be filled by one actor.
Yes low numbers seem disappointing, but sometimes if you do it right and end up doing very well with just a few. I can think of only four people needed for Ripper Row. I mean, you have Jack the Ripper, two cops, and a victim/suspect. The victim/suspect can go through various costume and makeup changes throughout the evening as to appear as many different people.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
You can't do immersive theming with fewer actors than the scare zones.
Everything the park is doing this year is half assed and cheap.
You can't do immersive theming with fewer actors than the scare zones.
Everything the park is doing this year is half assed and cheap.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Don't you mean a "WOMAN"?
But yeah, that was my thinking as well.
Kitty said:It may be bunnies?chickenking said:
Anyways...what's the theory?
Party Rocker said:
Don't you mean a "WOMAN"?
But yeah, that was my thinking as well.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
I honestly think you can. Sometimes cheap is better, who needs to spend money on fake things, when you can get some of the real stuff for cheap. Costumes for example, why pay for a dirty, ripped dress for a gypsy when you can buy a dress and rip it and dirty it yourself and save money.
Pretzel Kaiser said:
I honestly think you can. Sometimes cheap is better, who needs to spend money on fake things, when you can get some of the real stuff for cheap. Costumes for example, why pay for a dirty, ripped dress for a gypsy when you can buy a dress and rip it and dirty it yourself and save money.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Are you seriously trying to justify the park being cheap?
Then again, you did justify KK. Carry on then...
Are you seriously trying to justify the park being cheap?
Then again, you did justify KK. Carry on then...
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Except the adult beverages & grilled cheese sandwiches.
BTW, we noticed that the Festhaus Cafe' does offer a Grilled Cheese Sandwich on the Kid's Menu. Sadly no Adult version. We asked.
Pretzel Kaiser said:
Except the adult beverages & grilled cheese sandwiches.
BTW, we noticed that the Festhaus Cafe' does offer a Grilled Cheese Sandwich on the Kid's Menu. Sadly no Adult version. We asked.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
^^Buffy Fan here!
"Or maybe midgets"
But, to comment on the Ripper row terror-tory. It sounds really cool if they pull if off like you have described. I think people would really get into it trying to show the cops who Jack the Ripper might be and having fun with it.
Kitty said:It may be bunnies?
^^Buffy Fan here!
"Or maybe midgets"
But, to comment on the Ripper row terror-tory. It sounds really cool if they pull if off like you have described. I think people would really get into it trying to show the cops who Jack the Ripper might be and having fun with it.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
I can't believe I am defending PR, but, inexpensive does not have to be "cheap". I liken this to me buying my kids school clothes at discount prices, big name brands, but at lower prices. They do not look "cheap", but the clothes were inexpensive. Obviously there are budget issues, and rumors of a new finance person, so SG may be trying to do things inexpensively to cover his butt. While trying to argue every point PR comes up with(whether he is right or wrong) you come off as elitist. We may, as people who love the park, have to endure the park recycling a few things to help with the budget, for a brighter future for BGW.
Pretzel Kaiser said:
I can't believe I am defending PR, but, inexpensive does not have to be "cheap". I liken this to me buying my kids school clothes at discount prices, big name brands, but at lower prices. They do not look "cheap", but the clothes were inexpensive. Obviously there are budget issues, and rumors of a new finance person, so SG may be trying to do things inexpensively to cover his butt. While trying to argue every point PR comes up with(whether he is right or wrong) you come off as elitist. We may, as people who love the park, have to endure the park recycling a few things to help with the budget, for a brighter future for BGW.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
The issue is this, the park is being "cheap" on two different levels.
The first level is of course financially. We know the park is suffering in this department, but SG's decisions (unneeded stage renovations, huge shows for small venues, paying more to cast talent from it off state, ect ext) have made the situation much worse that it has to be. We could have probably gotten a decent new house for the price of the ILN animals (I've been told they were not cheap in the slightest), but for whatever reasons they were so important that he decided the park's most popular event is going to come off as cheap. It didn't have to be as cheap looking but they made it what way.
There is also the aspect of the park being cheap on the levels of imagination and innovation. Look at KK and then look at Club Hell and London Rocks. All of these pander to those who only like pop music. The park is unwilling to invest in anything that brings people out of what they're exposed to every day. This outright slaughters the "theme" the park is supposed to have and the fact the park isn't willing to do anything new or different feels well, cheap. Say you have a business that makes something, you have a vice whether to make a good quality product that possible have bought for years that might need to rethink the product to sell more of in these hard times or slap Mickey Mouse on it just because it will sell without any effort? Yes, Mickey Mouse will sell, but it cheapens the product since you're giving up integrity in the product you had before by pandering it out.
I get the park is in hard times, but some if what we're seeing now could have been avoided.
The issue is this, the park is being "cheap" on two different levels.
The first level is of course financially. We know the park is suffering in this department, but SG's decisions (unneeded stage renovations, huge shows for small venues, paying more to cast talent from it off state, ect ext) have made the situation much worse that it has to be. We could have probably gotten a decent new house for the price of the ILN animals (I've been told they were not cheap in the slightest), but for whatever reasons they were so important that he decided the park's most popular event is going to come off as cheap. It didn't have to be as cheap looking but they made it what way.
There is also the aspect of the park being cheap on the levels of imagination and innovation. Look at KK and then look at Club Hell and London Rocks. All of these pander to those who only like pop music. The park is unwilling to invest in anything that brings people out of what they're exposed to every day. This outright slaughters the "theme" the park is supposed to have and the fact the park isn't willing to do anything new or different feels well, cheap. Say you have a business that makes something, you have a vice whether to make a good quality product that possible have bought for years that might need to rethink the product to sell more of in these hard times or slap Mickey Mouse on it just because it will sell without any effort? Yes, Mickey Mouse will sell, but it cheapens the product since you're giving up integrity in the product you had before by pandering it out.
I get the park is in hard times, but some if what we're seeing now could have been avoided.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
You are passing judgement on 2 things that have not happened yet. We don't KNOW what Demon Street or London Rocks will truly be until we see it. I do have my own business, and guess what? I give my product pop culture names to help them sell better, it's called marketing. I still put out a quality product, but there are bigger names out there that use cheaper ingredients, and frankly do not taste as good(ask ToddF), but I still need and edge in marketing to attempt to compete. And they are doing something new. When it come to halloween and scaring people, there is not a lot of things that haven't been done. Cutthroat Cove is new, the Terror-tories are new. Of course this could have been avoided, hind sight is 20/20, but the damage is done, why dwell on it, making yourself seem like a Debbie Downer? I sense you are not a very happy person, I don't mean that as a burn. Yes we all bitch about the crap that happens here, but there is no need, no matter what has happened in the past, with the park, or someone in particular, to continue being so pessimistic and condescending. We don't know what is going to happen, ever, but if we truly love BGW, then we need to roll with the tide and hope for the best.
You are passing judgement on 2 things that have not happened yet. We don't KNOW what Demon Street or London Rocks will truly be until we see it. I do have my own business, and guess what? I give my product pop culture names to help them sell better, it's called marketing. I still put out a quality product, but there are bigger names out there that use cheaper ingredients, and frankly do not taste as good(ask ToddF), but I still need and edge in marketing to attempt to compete. And they are doing something new. When it come to halloween and scaring people, there is not a lot of things that haven't been done. Cutthroat Cove is new, the Terror-tories are new. Of course this could have been avoided, hind sight is 20/20, but the damage is done, why dwell on it, making yourself seem like a Debbie Downer? I sense you are not a very happy person, I don't mean that as a burn. Yes we all bitch about the crap that happens here, but there is no need, no matter what has happened in the past, with the park, or someone in particular, to continue being so pessimistic and condescending. We don't know what is going to happen, ever, but if we truly love BGW, then we need to roll with the tide and hope for the best.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading
Getting back to the idea of actors being kidnapped (I've been off-line for an while, sorry). I think it could be really cool. My organization did an emergency escape drill a few years back in which they had several employees pretend not to make it out of the building. Obviously, the point was to test our personnel accountability procedures in an emergency (kind of critical after 9/11), but the result was a lot of very freaked out supervisors. No one knew what was going on and everyone was abuzz. It created quite a stir and had a massive affect for several hours.
I think that if it appears that people are being kidnapped and killed it will have a similar affect. People will be curious and a bit scared. Also, only an idiot wouldn't figure out almost immediately that it is part of the "show." (As far as I am concerned, the park isn't responsible for pandering to the lowest common denominator.)
Oh and it didn't take a lot of missing employees to create a huge ripple. I don'[t think this would require tom,es of actors either. Honestly, the same few guys could be killed several times a day, since no one really stays in one place for very long.
Getting back to the idea of actors being kidnapped (I've been off-line for an while, sorry). I think it could be really cool. My organization did an emergency escape drill a few years back in which they had several employees pretend not to make it out of the building. Obviously, the point was to test our personnel accountability procedures in an emergency (kind of critical after 9/11), but the result was a lot of very freaked out supervisors. No one knew what was going on and everyone was abuzz. It created quite a stir and had a massive affect for several hours.
I think that if it appears that people are being kidnapped and killed it will have a similar affect. People will be curious and a bit scared. Also, only an idiot wouldn't figure out almost immediately that it is part of the "show." (As far as I am concerned, the park isn't responsible for pandering to the lowest common denominator.)
Oh and it didn't take a lot of missing employees to create a huge ripple. I don'[t think this would require tom,es of actors either. Honestly, the same few guys could be killed several times a day, since no one really stays in one place for very long.