2018 Howl-O-Scream 2018

[Zachary]

Confirmed Howl-O-Scream 2018 Attractions

Houses

1. Circo Sinistro
   • Festa Italia: Behind Roman Rapids
   • Debuted 2016
2. Cornered
   • Oktoberfest: Next to Das Festhaus and DarKastle
   • Debuted 2015
3. Frostbite
   • Oktoberfest: Inside DarKastle (Front Half?)
   • Debuted 2017
4. Lumberhack
   • Oktoberfest: Behind Festhaus Park
   • Debuted 2015
5. Demented Dimensions
   • Oktoberfest: Inside DarKastle (Back Half?)
   • New for 2018
6. The Vault XX
   • Oktoberfest: Inside Drachen Fire's Station
   • New for 2018
7. Dystopia
   • San Marco: Under Escape from Pompeii
   • New for 2018

Scare Zones

1. Axe Alley
   • Trapper's Village
   • Debuted 2017
2. Ripper Row
   • Banbury Cross
   • Debuted 2013
3. Sideshow Square
   • Festa Italia
   • Debuted 2016
4. Vampire Point
   • Rhinefeld
   • Debuted 2013
5. Fools' Court
   • Aquitaine
   • New for 2018
6. Garden of the Souls
   • San Marco
   • New for 2018

Shows

1. Fiends
   • Killarney: Abbey Stone Theatre
   • Debuted in 2012
2. Monster Stomp on Ripper Row
   • Banbury Cross/Ripper Row: Globe Theatre
   • Debuted in 2014
3. Night Beats: Revamped
   • Oktoberfest: Das Festhaus
   • Debuted in 2017
4. Haunting Hour
   • Oktoberfest: In Front of Das Festhaus
   • New for 2018
5. Projection Mapping Experience
   • Rhinefeld: Wikommenhaus
   • New for 2018

Bars

1. Inoculation Station
   • Killarney: In front of Castle O'Sullivan
   • Debuted in 2012
2. Cobblestone Ale & Spirits
   • Banbury Cross/Ripper Row: Next to M. Sweets Confectionery
   • New for 2018
3. Chaos Cocktails
   • Aquitaine: Next to the Restrooms
   • New for 2018
4. Jack's Nightcap
   • Rhinefield: Next to Wikommenhaus
   • New for 2018
5. Last Call: XX
   • Oktoberfest: In Front of Das Festhaus
   • New for 2018
6. Restless Spirits
   • San Marco: Next to Artisans of Italy
   • New for 2018

Escape Rooms

1. Case of the Haunted Hotel
   • Inside Wilkommenhaus
   • Debuted in 2017
2. Jack's Nightmare Room
   • Inside Wilkommenhaus
   • New for 2018

Other Experiences

1. Control Lab at Inoculation Station
   • Killarney: Outside Castle O'Sullivan
   • New for 2018
2. Coaster Creepers
   • Roller Coasters Around the Park
   • New for 2018
3. Garden of Souls Party Zone
   • San Marco: Il Teatro di San Marco
   • New for 2018
4. Fools' Court Party Zone
   • Aquitaine
   • New for 2018

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Original First Post:

Lets jump-start this thread with a bombshell...

Catacombs, at least as we know it, will not return for 2018.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

I can’t say I’m too surprised. It was a good maze that they would usually switch up a little bit each year. However, I have always found Catacombs to be a maze of untapped potential. When they first announced Catacombs into 2009, I had a distinct picture in my mind of what we ended up with, except with water in the sewers. I know they never had much space to work with in catacombs, but a little bit of “water” would have really taken the maze to the next level.

Having outlived Bitten is the longest running maze at Howl-O-Scream, I think it was time for the park to retire Catacombs. Hopefully, like with Bitten, we will have some sort of spiritual successor like FrostBite.

 

[Zachary]

One of the more interesting chats I've been having with people lately is about Howl-O-Scream 2018 house locations. 

For 2017 we saw the following:

1. Under Escape from Pompeii
2. Field behind Roman Rapids
3. Woods behind Festhaus Park
4. Parking lot next to Das Festhaus
5. DarKastle
6. Royal Palace Theater backstage
7. Battle For Eire

Out of the list above, both #3 and #7 could be inaccessible for Howl-O-Scream 2018.

#3, the area currently housing Lumberhack, is right in the middle of what is anticipated to become the Project Madrid site. Even if the house area itself is not directly affected, heavy construction taking place in Festhaus Park could make Lumberhack's home inaccessible.

#7, the current home of Unearthed, is another major issue. Assuming Battle for Eire is well received by the general public, it seems... unlikely... that the park would close their big, new, first of its kind attraction early enough in the season to allow Unearthed to be reinstalled. Out of the question? Certainly not, but this is an ongoing discussion within the park right now I'd imagine. 

Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are almost certainly going to be utilized again. In #1 we have Dead Line. I can't imagine it being removed next season. #2 houses Circo Sinistro and, once again, I'd be shocked if this didn't return. #4 brings us to Cornered—another house whose return I'd bet on right now. #5, Frostbite. No doubt in my mind that we'll see this back for 2018.

#6 is where things get interesting again. With Catacombs almost certainly gone, do we get a new house in this location? The easy answer is yes... But how likely is that really if we're facing having to find new homes for houses #3 and #7? Is it even remotely realistic to expect a new house in the Royal Palace Theater on top of those major projects for next year's Howl-O-Scream?

If I were to lay bets, I'd say that both Lumberhack and Unearthed are going to become homeless next season. Either/both of them could potentially just be relocated (Unearthed ⇨ Royal Palace Theater? Lumberhack ⇨ The Wild Reserve?) but historically the park hasn't simply relocated houses without at least a partial retheme.

Anyway, all that said, things I see as likely possibilities for Howl-O-Scream 2018:

• Lumberhack's and Unearthed's current locations will not be used
• Catacombs will vacate the Royal Palace Theater backstage
• One or two new house locations will be utilized
• The event may go back down to six houses

 

[wombat96]

I feel I should mention that in 2010 when EITA opened the park didn't return Caverns of Darkness and we didn't see a house in that location that year until 2011 with 13. That was also a heavy construction year with Vanish Point, Mach Tower, along with prep work for Verbolten.

Also, not 100% sure about this but knowing that HOS began in 1999 the next year in 2000 Dark Tower did not return because of the park utilizing Pompeii as a maze area, but could have this partially been because of Corkscrew Hill and other Ireland renovations? Knowing this the park didn't return a house in this area until 2009 when Corkscrew Hill was on it's way out.

Maybe we'll see the return of another previously used location? Who knows, the park has been very creative in areas to put houses.

 

[The Hessian]

The way I see it until more concrete evidence on this "Project Madrid" comes available we will still see Lumberhack being used to its full potential. Despite my view that the house doesn't scare as well compared to the other houses.

 

[BGWScream]

I would love to see Never Ever After make a return. I don't know where it would go though since its former location may not be available.

 

[Mushroom]

For what it's worth, and this is just my thought process which should not be interpreted as serious speculation, if the 2018 season does cause issues with finding enough space for all of the park's mazes, maybe 2018 would be a good year to return the haunted train.

I'm sure the park has zero desire to ever bring back the haunted train, and I certainly don't expect them to, but what better way to make up for the disappearance of one or potentially several mazes than to announce the return of a legendary Howl-O-Scream attraction that guests pine for every year?

 

[Nicole]

Not all guests pine for the Never Really Haunted Anyway Train Ride.

 

[wombat96]

While I personally doubt the train will return in 2018 as there are reasons as to why it left, but some are irrelevant now and with it being the 20th season of HOS now would be a great time to make its triumphant return.

Pros

1. Staffing - The Park is hiring significantly more actors in 2017 compared to the last year there were live actors in 2006 for Jack’s Nightmare Express. If the park is cutting a house this allows for those actors who would previously be placed in say Unearthed to now take apart in the train along with maybe a few actors the park could cast to fill in the holes.

2. Scare - Being that the park has eliminated the Pumpkin ratings for houses and 2011 claiming that everywhere is at a five pumpkin rating guest walk in with the mindset that this event is not meant for those who aren’t planning being scared. There are no limitations holding them back on scare factor.

3. Capacity - Unearthed held some fairly long lines and to simply remove any maze from the line up could cause a detrimental effect on the park pathways as there are now tons of people that would be in line or walking through a house now walking on the midways. Something to put people off the pathways is needed to take some weight off the already cramped areas of the park.

Also, while there are definitely some pros and I would absolutely love to see it return there are definitely some negatives that need to be addressed.

Cons

1. Space - A lot has changed lining the train route since 2006. Going down the line there is now a maze taking place in Festa field which was once home to a carnival, graveyard, and other Halloween scenes. Now home to a maze currently Circa Sinistro this sliver of land can’t be used anymore meaning the park would have to get very creative from the Scotland station all the way until the Rhine River trestle. Another obstacle is Festhaus Park. Once barren of attractions now home to Lumberhack, previously a staging area for InvadR, and receiving a major erosion project during the construction of Verbolten. Having to work around some of these issues could be challenging for the park especially with rumored construction to begin for “Project Madrid” in this exact area. The final issue regarding space would be InvadR as what once was a forest is now an open valley with a roaring wooden coaster in it making it difficult for the park to work around.

2. Transport - While most guests walk to enjoy the parks atmosphere, others utilize the train and being that the train with actors historically loaded and unloaded from New France the transport aspect of the attraction is ruined. However, based on what I see at the park I have never seen a station look nearly as busy as it does on any summer day being that majority of guest are walking to experience Terrortory’s.

3. Set-Up - The trains layout covers quite the bit of land and historically I remeber set up for the train to begin in mid August due to the massive amount of props that were used. Being that the park now has more areas for designated scares and more houses there is already a large amount of work that needs to be taking place in order to have the event ready for opening night. Especially if “Project Madrid” begins construction I feel that overall the park would need more help than they could get.

Overall, I’m all for the return of the train as a haunted attraction these are just some thoughts I imagine the park has when considering bringing back the train as it’s very apparent there are hundreds if not more of guests who have nostalgia for one of HOS most memorable attractions and I imagine are ready for it to come back. Now the question is will it return? We’ll just wait to have wait and find out.

 

[Whaler]

Can anyone list all of the past house locations?

On another note, I feel like we could possibly get The Dark side of the gardens back. Sea world San Antonio used it last year AND got a house about it, (called dark side of the gardens) so we may be seeing it in Tampa and/or Williamsburg.

 

[Zachary]

Can anyone list all of the past house locations?

Your wish is my command. Here are all the house locations in the order in which they were first utilized.

• Killarney Simulator
• Escape from Pompeii Show Building
• Royal Reserve Petting Zoo
• Roman Rapids Queue Area
• Drachen Fire Station Building
• Drachen Fire Maintenance Bay
• Festhaus Park Field
• Field behind Roman Rapids
• Royal Palace Theater Backstage
• Das Festhaus Parking Lot
• Woods behind Festhaus Park
• Curse of DarKastle

And then with this year's availability noted.

• Killarney Simulator
  [Status: Unknown. Reason: Battle for Eire]
  
  

 

[wombat96]

Can anyone list all of the past house locations?

I’ll list all of the locations being used or that we’re once used that’s a I can remeber.

+Ireland
-EITA queue and show building (Dark Tower, Caverns of Darkness, 13: Your Numbers Up, and Unearthed: Scarlett’s Revenge)

+France
-Backstage of RPT (Catacombs)

+Oktoberfest
-Behind DarKastle’s showbuilding in the employee parking lot (Root Of All Evil and Cornered)
-DarKastle’s show building (Frostbite)
-Drachen Fire’s station (Sleepless Hollow Manor, Grimm Hollow: Deadtime Stories, and Bitten)
-Drachen Fire maintenance bay (Tormented Tales and Hunted)
-Festhaus Field Woods (Lumberhack)
-Festhaus Field (Neverafter and Harvest Hollow)

+Festa Italia
-Roman Rapids queue (Distorted Dimensions, Last Laugh Industries, and Masquerage)
-Festa Field (Wicked Woods: Ripper Row, Cursed, Fear Fair, Cuthroat Cove, and Circo Sinistro)

+Italy
Escape from Pompeii show building (Curse of Pompeii, Revenge of Pompeii, and Deadline)

+England
-Forest of Fun/Royal Reserve Petting Zoo (Seadog Cemetery and Wicked Woods)


Edit: Oh, Zach did this already? Oh, sweet.

 

[Irishman]

Haunted forest of fun anybody?

 

[Whaler]

What if they put a maze behind the Elmo castle facade? ( or somewhere else, if you have any suggestions)

 

[Irishman]

So I'm trying to look at potential areas for future haunted houses that have not been utilized before, Stays away from potential construction areas, and could be accessible through already established paths


Potential location 1: Oktoberfest

 

[Zachary]

Nicole and I have been talking about Der Autobahn as a really good candidate for a few weeks now. I'm a huge fan of this option.

Dropping a family flat from the attraction line-up after peak for house setup time is a minor sacrifice. Plus it would be another house that won't be exposed to the elements. Additionally, honestly, if the park didn't want to put in the time to strike the house before Christmas Town, I don't think anyone would mourn the loss of bumper cars for the Christmas event.

Your third option is something I had thought of too. I think it is actually a great spot for the park to build a dedicated Howl-O-Scream warehouse or two simular to what we have seen the Cedar Fair parks investing in lately. Having more large, blank canvases that the park can build in and not have to mess with for the rest of the season (like Dead Line) would be a massive plus.

 

[Irishman]

Nicole and I have been talking about Der Autobahn as a really good candidate for a few weeks now. I'm a huge fan of this option.

Dropping a family flat from the attraction line-up after peak for house setup time is a minor sacrifice. Plus it would be another house that won't be exposed to the elements. Additionally, honestly, if the park didn't want to put in the time to strike the house before Christmas Town, I don't think anyone would mourn the loss of bumper cars for the Christmas event.

Your third option is something I had thought of too. I think it is actually a great spot for the park to build a dedicated Howl-O-Scream warehouse or two simular to what we have seen the Cedar Fair parks investing in lately. Having more large, blank canvases that the park can build in and not have to mess with for the rest of the season (like Dead Line) would be a massive plus.

I agree 100%, as both would be viable for the event, One more expensive and invasive, and one cheaper but not permanent. What are your thoughts on the areas behind the kiddie rides in Italy? Not sure what the terrain/access would be like. It was my 4th possible location but decided against it for uncertainty factors

 

[Zachary]

Both your first proposed option and the area behind the Da Vinci's Garden kiddie rides have a lot of very harsh terrain. I can't imagine either would be used to be honest. :unsure:

 

[Irishman]

Both your first proposed option and the area behind the Da Vinci's Garden kiddie rides have a lot of very harsh terrain. I can't imagine either would be used to be honest. :unsure:

Thanks for the info ! At least we have two viable options!

 

[CastleOSullivan]

Here are some that were missed above.

Escape from Pompeii: The maze was originally called "No Escape From Pompeii" and the name might have been changed the same year due to the 9/11 Terrorist attacks. It was very basic compared to Curse of Pompeii. It had the same wall panels basically throughout, and had very few cohesive scenes.  

Roman Rapids Queue: "Clownfusion" in 2007 was kind of a halfway between a maze and a scare zone. It was a strange placeholder for Last Laugh Industries, which was absent in 2007.

Festhaus Park Field: "The Neverafter" was the name of the overall FHP area during Howl-O-Scream of 2007 and 2008. The scare zone in the middle of The Neverafter was called "The Beaten Path".


Even without the Festhaus Park area being in use, I can still see the event being "Germany-centric" maze-wise. There are so many places they can use in that area for Howl-O-Scream without causing major traffic issues. Even the bumper cars building could probably facilitate a maze. Tampa has done this in the past with theirs, to great success.

Edit: I must have skipped a page. Naturally, everyone is already talking about using the bumper car space.