Howl-O-Scream 2013: Rumors Have a Way of Spreading

[Nicole]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

Nic: I agree the bars will hurt the event as well. The thing is that just like KK, the park had never had to stoop so low as to put add something only because it's popular with the kids. Yes, the park does follow certain trends and the have licensed franchises, but the park had never had to rely on DJs and JLo to entertain everybody. The fact that the park is no longer willing to try to entertain without pandering says volumes.

Okay, so people go just for food, but that's because the food at the park is somewhat unique (not it all) and of a certain quality. The food at the park is well establish like the shows. Slapping a DJ for the sake of having a DJ is hardly unique.

The park is selling immersive territories add the big thing this year. They're making 1/4 of that a street party. They're also flat out lying about what Demon Street is at this point.

Sorry in advance. This is a bit stream of consciousness, as I try (in part for myself) to pinpoint why I am not nodding my head and agreeing with PK on this.

I think this is the first year that I can remember, when they didn't set out to include children, so in some respects they are trying to entertain a smaller cross-section. I do recall avoiding dance parties in the past. I don't recall if there was live bad music or recorded bad music, but I'm also not sure that I see a difference.

I never went to BGW's Kinetix, but at the Tampa version that my daughter insisted we attend, there was a DJ (also some cheerleader-like girls and trampy dancers). I thought y'all as a group like that show? Regardless, clearly there is some history of DJs at the park.

I can't disagree that it appears that HOS will not live up to its billing, but I am willing to wait and see and really hoping that it will be great.

Co-worker just arrived demanding coffee. Must dash.

 

[Zachary]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

The park is selling immersive territories add the big thing this year. They're making 1/4 of that a street party. They're also flat out lying about what Demon Street is at this point.

This is something I have a problem with. They're setting guests up for disappointment and it's going to end up harming the event.

 

[Planeteer]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

I have seen some pretty effed up dance parties in the movies before. Play some Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, and Gwar. Throw in a chick in a prom dress, doused in blood(Carrie style). There is potential. No one has said for sure it's a pop dance party...

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

The park has had some DJs in the past, but they've been one off events like ride nights. And aside from the SS stuff, the park didn't have kiddy stuff last year, and there was another year where they didn't have Jack, which was like a street party, but it was clearly billed as a kiddy thing unlike the demon DJ thing. I agree the park needs more kiddy stuff during the day, but the dance party isn't there to fill that void.

 

[Party Rocker]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

There is potential if you seek it.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

So I just got a PM from a friend (need too protect him) about Jack is Back.

Part of the reason Jack is Back was removed was to give Howl-O-Scream a more adult tone and limit the appeal of the event to families and tweens. What's being done in Aquitaine is a complete roll-back of that.

Actual DJs appeal to drunk people at bars. Awful theme park DJs that can only play a set of acceptable songs appeal to tweens.

Look at the crowd for KK. If you ever saw anyone enjoying the show, it was 12 year old girls. That what they made Demon Street's target audience into.

Factoring in the alcohol, this is pretty damning.

 

[chickenking]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

Why is there always this assumption that those who may partake in adult beverages are going to be drunken @$$h0l3$? Though there will certainly be a few, the vast majority will merely be enjoying their drink of choice and having a good time. That also doesn't mean that they are idiots for liking things at the park that some here may not. Maybe they are there for "the party." Who are we to deny them that and criticize them for it. BGW can't just cater to the very few who want things a certain way. Now I know some members are just reading this and dying to jump all over this comment, but if HOS does bring in a lot of money, then maybe our REGULAR season will get back to how it is supposed to be. I'm not sure we really had much of one this year.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

I can't speak for my friend, my comment was aimed at with the park aiming to the tweens with the DJ and more focus on alcohol, it's a very mixed message.

 

[BGW Family]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

At the Celtic Fyre season finale, a couple and their girl (12 or younger?) were talking about the HOS shows last year. The girl did not like Night Beats at all. It was "all old people music, it needed new songs, and the owls were stupid". My wife replied. "Honey, I am old people." Then, the girl's parents laughed and said they loved Night Beats. Interesting comments on both sides. The "old" music was all I liked (Wham! shoot me now). The owls were classy and one of my favorite, and better produced, parts of the show.

However, a focus on alcohol, DJs, and tweens will continue to enlarge my sad streak.

 

[chickenking]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

There will be an unofficial event this HOS every Friday night...

The Late-Night Freaky Train Ride with your merry host...CK!! Bring your bottles of wine & turkey legs!!

Blue Train, next to last car.

 

[Planeteer]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

There will be an unofficial event this HOS every Friday night...

The Late-Night Freaky Train Ride with your merry host...CK!! Bring your bottles of wine & turkey legs!!

Blue Train, next to last car.

 

[BGWScream]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

I really wish they could have pulled off their original idea for Demon Street. That's the way I had envisioned it. I am very scared on how this "dance street party" will turn out. Has anybody heard what kind of music they will be playing? Pop, rock, both?

 

[Planeteer]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

I really wish they could have pulled off their original idea for Demon Street. That's the way I had envisioned it. I am very scared on how this "dance street party" will turn out. Has anybody heard what kind of music they will be playing? Pop, rock, both?

The scariest music possible...Skrillex.

 

[chickenking]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

However, a focus on alcohol, DJs, and tweens will continue to enlarge my sad streak.

This will be my last contribution to this discussion...'cause I know nuttin' about nuttin'.

Consider this; what if HOS is a success as far as revenue goes? Would it be worth it all if we can have a much better REGULAR season next year? The only concern I would have is whether or not a precedent is being set. I too am hopeful for changes and better things, but at the same time, there is going to be compromise to generate money (hold your nose). Throw in the much-needed change in a certain VP position, along with continued POSITIVE support from pass holders & the like, add ???...> Profit. I want my REGULAR BGW PARK back!!

 

[Nicole]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

This will be my last contribution to this discussion...'cause I know nuttin' about nuttin'.

Consider this; what if HOS is a success as far as revenue goes? Would it be worth it all if we can have a much better REGULAR season next year? The only concern I would have is whether or not a precedent is being set. I too am hopeful for changes and better things, but at the same time, there is going to be compromise to generate money (hold your nose). Throw in the much-needed change in a certain VP position, along with continued POSITIVE support from pass holders & the like, add ???...> Profit. I want my REGULAR BGW PARK back!!

Yes! Agree!

And really, I still think it will be fun. I have always enjoyed HOS, and I think there have been some bad bits in the past. It has never made the overall experience bad for me.

"Not as good as it could have been" does NOT equal "bad." In fact, it could on balance be better than last year.

And once again, we have no idea what any of this will look like in the end.

 

[BBW]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

The thing is that just like KK, the park had never had to stoop so low as to put add something only because it's popular with the kids. Yes, the park does follow certain trends and the have licensed franchises, but the park had never had to rely on DJs and JLo to entertain everybody. The fact that the park is no longer willing to try to entertain without pandering says volumes.

...

Couldn't just "like" because there were only certain parts of the post I wanted to highlight -- but this is the crux of the concern about the dance party aspect, I think.

Although I try to remind myself they have had "dance party" -esque parts of HOS for years -- if you consider Jack is Back. Big difference of course is that Jack is Back had live performances and BGW/HOS theme rather than generic recorded pop, and it was a "dance party" (so to speak) for the younger set/families.

But still, I totally agree that DJs and recorded music a la KK are indeed a new low. And another huge step towards being generic.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

Consider this; what if HOS is a success as far as revenue goes? Would it be worth it all if we can have a much better REGULAR season next year?

No. I know I'm in the minority in this, but if this makes sense, HoS is my "Normal Season". Compared to the rest of the year, I spend the most time, money, and energy at the park during HoS. If this event turns into some Disney channel dance party, I have little interest in going to the park the rest of the year. That's why I haven't step foot in the park since the F&W fest, the park looked so bad during ILN I had little interest in going.

 

[James]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

I'm not going to go through countless pages to see if someone has already mentioned this, but I don't see a problem with the whole Jack the Ripper grabbing "guests" thing. I hope the actors are in street clothes. I mean are you honestly going to think someone is being taken away forcefully by a guy dressed up as Jack the Ripper at a Halloween event to be real?

 

[Nicole]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

I was actually thinking about this today. If they wanted, they could actually "kidnap" guests too. They could pull individuals aside and offer them a chance to participate. I'm not saying I think they will, I'm just saying that some people might like being part of the "show."

That said, I'm sure there would be a whole host of legal issues associated with that.

 

[chickenking]

RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013: Fear Has a Way of Spreading

Cody, I'm gonna kidnap and carry you off Friday the 13th. Be prepared. There is a secret locker where they hide all of the bacon in the back alleys of England.