Howl-O-Scream 2013: Rumors Have a Way of Spreading
- Thread starter Ben
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RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
To get this thread back on topic, I'm guessing this year we could see a few new houses. Last year they were experimenting with capacity/crowd control. And while I think they were on the right track, I still think they need a few more houses. More mazes means fewer people on the pathways. Also keep in mind that even if the houses are many, they still need to be high quality.
My only concern is that if I recall correctly, Scott Gasparich said "their house limit was six". I really hope he was only referring to last year.
As far as the scare zones, I think they should continue to do it the way they were at the end of last season. Only, have some designated scare zones with lots of theming, and add in a few roaming hordes, with a few "surprise" scare zones.
I think we really are working our way up to a better event, and I don't see any reason why we can't at least be the best Halloween event in Virginia. They seem to be taking this one step at a time, which is very smart I think. If not this year, then fairly soon, I think we could be big competition, even for Florida. We know they certainly have the creativity. But will they do it? I think we should know for sure soon.
To get this thread back on topic, I'm guessing this year we could see a few new houses. Last year they were experimenting with capacity/crowd control. And while I think they were on the right track, I still think they need a few more houses. More mazes means fewer people on the pathways. Also keep in mind that even if the houses are many, they still need to be high quality.
My only concern is that if I recall correctly, Scott Gasparich said "their house limit was six". I really hope he was only referring to last year.
As far as the scare zones, I think they should continue to do it the way they were at the end of last season. Only, have some designated scare zones with lots of theming, and add in a few roaming hordes, with a few "surprise" scare zones.
I think we really are working our way up to a better event, and I don't see any reason why we can't at least be the best Halloween event in Virginia. They seem to be taking this one step at a time, which is very smart I think. If not this year, then fairly soon, I think we could be big competition, even for Florida. We know they certainly have the creativity. But will they do it? I think we should know for sure soon.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
With the staffing issues in the current houses, I really don't think this is an option. :s
CastleOSullivan said:
With the staffing issues in the current houses, I really don't think this is an option. :s
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Not sure why staffing this event is so hard. Usually hundreds of people line up for a chance to be a part of events like this. For reference, hunt club had over 100 people audition last year for just about 20 spots. This event is on a much bigger scale and I'd think People would be jumping for the opportunity to work it.
Not sure why staffing this event is so hard. Usually hundreds of people line up for a chance to be a part of events like this. For reference, hunt club had over 100 people audition last year for just about 20 spots. This event is on a much bigger scale and I'd think People would be jumping for the opportunity to work it.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
From what I've heard, they are picky about staffing. Also, not everyone wants to get punched. The biggest issue is scare actors getting hurt and people aren't fools, they aren't going to audition for a job that comes with having to deal with getting injured constantly. I have heard some pretty bad things from last year scare actor injury wise.
From what I've heard, they are picky about staffing. Also, not everyone wants to get punched. The biggest issue is scare actors getting hurt and people aren't fools, they aren't going to audition for a job that comes with having to deal with getting injured constantly. I have heard some pretty bad things from last year scare actor injury wise.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Who gave the park a limit of how many houses they can have?
CastleOSullivan said:
Who gave the park a limit of how many houses they can have?
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Apparently, Scott Gasparich, by that post
Honestly, I can only see them having limit so that they don't bust the budget. If they had more than six they would probably have to cut back on shows and scare zones/hordes by like a lot. Or maybe they can only fit six in? After all, look at all the possible places for houses? There are some out of the box ones but when it comes down to it, the park doesn't have a lot of space for houses.
Alpenscoot said:
Apparently, Scott Gasparich, by that post
Honestly, I can only see them having limit so that they don't bust the budget. If they had more than six they would probably have to cut back on shows and scare zones/hordes by like a lot. Or maybe they can only fit six in? After all, look at all the possible places for houses? There are some out of the box ones but when it comes down to it, the park doesn't have a lot of space for houses.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Maybe if they raised instead of lowered the pay rate for actors, more people would audition... Kings Dominion pays their scare actors over $4 more an hour than Busch Scare actors... And they get more hours, among other things.
Maybe if they raised instead of lowered the pay rate for actors, more people would audition... Kings Dominion pays their scare actors over $4 more an hour than Busch Scare actors... And they get more hours, among other things.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
KD can afford to pay their actors more, other than fireworks, they dont have any other real special events. BG has to spread their budget between ChristmasTown, Concerts, IllumiNights, ect.
Youhow2 said:
KD can afford to pay their actors more, other than fireworks, they dont have any other real special events. BG has to spread their budget between ChristmasTown, Concerts, IllumiNights, ect.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Well they are shortening illuminights, which sounds like the most costly event.
Well they are shortening illuminights, which sounds like the most costly event.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
The issue is this past year for the first time you couldn't have a day job in the park and do HOS at the same time. In years past a person would work games or park ops during the day and then move over to work in a maze that night. But disagreements occurred between departments with staffing issues and so last year, you could only work HOS if you weren't currently working at the park. This is also why the scares weren't great in the beginning because a lot of regulars couldn't work.
Party Rocker said:
The issue is this past year for the first time you couldn't have a day job in the park and do HOS at the same time. In years past a person would work games or park ops during the day and then move over to work in a maze that night. But disagreements occurred between departments with staffing issues and so last year, you could only work HOS if you weren't currently working at the park. This is also why the scares weren't great in the beginning because a lot of regulars couldn't work.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
That is not true. I knew several people who worked in the park during the day and did HOS at night this past season.
That is not true. I knew several people who worked in the park during the day and did HOS at night this past season.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Actually, I can confirm Human Resources tried to stop and block as many team members as possible from being scare actors; however there were still a few people who were able to get past that, I'm not sure how they did it, but HR did try to enforce that, but as you obviously can tell they didn't stop 100% of the team members.
I have personal experience with this because I know one was a regular TM and was able to do scare squad too, and then another one of my friends who was a regular TM said they couldn't do it because HR said no.
Think of it like the smoking policy, some TMs enforce it, others don't.
Alpenghöst said:
Actually, I can confirm Human Resources tried to stop and block as many team members as possible from being scare actors; however there were still a few people who were able to get past that, I'm not sure how they did it, but HR did try to enforce that, but as you obviously can tell they didn't stop 100% of the team members.
I have personal experience with this because I know one was a regular TM and was able to do scare squad too, and then another one of my friends who was a regular TM said they couldn't do it because HR said no.
Think of it like the smoking policy, some TMs enforce it, others don't.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Uhm, How much money is Busch making during these events?
And KD, lol They have Kingsfest, One of the largest christian music festivals on the east coast where they book a bunch of the biggest names in christian music to perform... Skillet, Toby Mac, Thousand Foot Krutch, RED, Kj-52, Newsong, Chris Tomlin... All huge names... Infact, I wish a Busch's Concert lineups looked that big for all their concerts.
Instead of looking out on how much money they can make with a small teensy tiny old budget, they should look out at how they can make all their events successful, by whatever means necessary... what they realistically need to provide a top of the line experience that will generate guest spending, take care of their employees.
You know, I see alot of similarities between Busch and Disney currently... I don't like it.
Alpenscoot said:
Uhm, How much money is Busch making during these events?
And KD, lol They have Kingsfest, One of the largest christian music festivals on the east coast where they book a bunch of the biggest names in christian music to perform... Skillet, Toby Mac, Thousand Foot Krutch, RED, Kj-52, Newsong, Chris Tomlin... All huge names... Infact, I wish a Busch's Concert lineups looked that big for all their concerts.
Instead of looking out on how much money they can make with a small teensy tiny old budget, they should look out at how they can make all their events successful, by whatever means necessary... what they realistically need to provide a top of the line experience that will generate guest spending, take care of their employees.
You know, I see alot of similarities between Busch and Disney currently... I don't like it.
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
Agree 100%, it's not like Busch gardens is blowing money on these events. I'm pretty sure Busch makes more money every year than KD
Agree 100%, it's not like Busch gardens is blowing money on these events. I'm pretty sure Busch makes more money every year than KD
RE: Howl-O-Scream 2013
I'd be happy if they brought the event up to Tampa's level, with or without the separate ticket.
I'd be happy if they brought the event up to Tampa's level, with or without the separate ticket.