So we have done Demented Dimensions, and Vault XX. Started with DD, I think the House was very well staffed! The set was amazing, “It felt like a Tampa house.” - Zachary Strader. I completely agree with that statement, the house was very immersive. The actors were doing a great job as well. Downsides in my opinion is that there isn’t a facade....at least a sign, please? Also the entrance scene could have been better. Now on to Vault XX, I REALLY liked this one as well; however, it was a mixed bag for the whole group. I liked the nostalgic atmosphere of this house! The aspect of trying to figure out which room was which house was fun! They really are getting good at distraction scares. Like DD, the house was very well staffed. Downsides, again, in my opinion were that there isn’t a ROOF. Really Busch?! The house setwise was “not finished looking”. With all of that said, I am feeling good so far with this years event; however, don’t get me started with the atmosphere with the park.....shame.
Howl-O-Scream 2018
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
In line for Vault XX now and the fire alarm got pulled so there's a bit of a delay. ?
There's nothing more classic BGW these days than fire hazards.
I went through Dystopia and I didn't care for it. I usually like to wait a few visits before giving my opinions though because the quality of the houses seem to vary from day to day or even from hour to hour at times but I left mostly unimpressed with Dystopia if we're talking first impressions.
Update: We did Frostbite....awful.....completely awful. I’m done.
The first part of Frostbite was great and vastly improved.... Then the park ran out of money.
Whatever they used for snow made it uncomfortable to breathe. Really not cool, like at all.
Whatever they used for snow made it uncomfortable to breathe. Really not cool, like at all.
Dystopia was the best of night. Way more than I was expecting.
I did everything there is to do tonight and I have a lot of concerns about the rest of the event. I'm afraid that the only reason the mazes were well staffed was because most of the event is closed.
I'll touch on the rest of the event, but yeah, not a strong start.
I'll touch on the rest of the event, but yeah, not a strong start.
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Frostbite was awful. I agree, good start, but then it just felt like any other cookie cutter maze. And yeah, that artificial snow was horrible. Sucked just walking through it, but I feel bad for those employees that have to stand there for hours breathing whatever it is in.
Ok, so as a first time goer to a haunt my very unofficial $0.02:
Every haunt/maze/experience feels like they try to go 5 rooms too many meaning there's some dud rooms. The space between is standard so they can reset rooms.
Every haunt/maze/experience feels like they try to go 5 rooms too many meaning there's some dud rooms. The space between is standard so they can reset rooms.
I think the closing of other houses didn't contribute much to staffing in houses.
I know at least 2 people I'm friends with that are acting were simply "off" for the night because they are staffed at a house/zone was closed today. I know Busch brings for the most part the same people back for the same role, since the costumes are fitted to them for the most part, even though some are easy to move around.
I imagine there also isn't a surplus of extra costumes for each house, but I could be wrong.
I think the staffing will be fine throughout the season, they seem to have brought more people in than usual.
But maybe I'm just being optimistic.
I know at least 2 people I'm friends with that are acting were simply "off" for the night because they are staffed at a house/zone was closed today. I know Busch brings for the most part the same people back for the same role, since the costumes are fitted to them for the most part, even though some are easy to move around.
I imagine there also isn't a surplus of extra costumes for each house, but I could be wrong.
I think the staffing will be fine throughout the season, they seem to have brought more people in than usual.
But maybe I'm just being optimistic.
Yep, a friend of my mom is a scare actor and she had off today. Actually ran into her and a friend (another scare actor) at the park in street clothes and asked her about it. She said they were given the day off since their house was one of the closed ones.
Sounds like Ludwig isn't happy being replaced
Ludwig's Revenge. Missed opportunity.
Apparently I'm the minority who thought frostbite was an improvement. I thought of the four mazes open all were decent to excellent mazes for Howl-O-Scream standard's.ill give my blow by blow for each house.
1. Dimented dimensions: loved what they were going for but felt like by the time I started to get into the theming it changes. But each section was very distinct and cool. 3.9/5 but I expect it to get better as the event progresses
Frostbite: I think condensing the maze was the right move. It felt more claustrophobic and less open and empty than before. While the maze got less detailed as it went on, I felt the actors we're having fun and getting the hang of it. I would expect to see the quality of scares to increase as the vent goes on. 3/5
Vault XX: THIS! I've been going to this event for years and I got a kick out of this one. It was a stroll down terror lane! While the set ups for some of the scares was poor I was cuaght off guard most.kf the time by taking in the nostalgia. 4/5
Dystopia: this was my least anticipated maze and it was quickly my favorite. It just worked. It already was the coolest maze.of the night on the first weekend and I expect once they get into the hang of it it will be the best. 4.5/5
I guess one of the reasons I'm quick to forgive frostbite is because I remember mazes like cutback cove and the later years of bitten...
I also happen to know from a few insider sources that the people who were in terrortories and outdoor mazes we're not put in the indoor ones. So staffing wise is better than I've seen in a while. I'm excited because first weekend rarely represents how good the event will be.
1. Dimented dimensions: loved what they were going for but felt like by the time I started to get into the theming it changes. But each section was very distinct and cool. 3.9/5 but I expect it to get better as the event progresses
Frostbite: I think condensing the maze was the right move. It felt more claustrophobic and less open and empty than before. While the maze got less detailed as it went on, I felt the actors we're having fun and getting the hang of it. I would expect to see the quality of scares to increase as the vent goes on. 3/5
Vault XX: THIS! I've been going to this event for years and I got a kick out of this one. It was a stroll down terror lane! While the set ups for some of the scares was poor I was cuaght off guard most.kf the time by taking in the nostalgia. 4/5
Dystopia: this was my least anticipated maze and it was quickly my favorite. It just worked. It already was the coolest maze.of the night on the first weekend and I expect once they get into the hang of it it will be the best. 4.5/5
I guess one of the reasons I'm quick to forgive frostbite is because I remember mazes like cutback cove and the later years of bitten...
I also happen to know from a few insider sources that the people who were in terrortories and outdoor mazes we're not put in the indoor ones. So staffing wise is better than I've seen in a while. I'm excited because first weekend rarely represents how good the event will be.
I did Demensions a second time with the sole purpose of trying to figure out what the maze was and if there was something I missed. I honestly don't know what half the maze was supposed to be, but I do think when they got the maze from Tampa, they put the rooms in a different order.
In the Alice room, the walls at the end of the room futuristic cyber playing cards, which was weird, but okay. It then goes into this alien and egg room where the music is upbeat techno. The room after that is what is supposed to be a VR room.
If this is the case then it might have made more sense in Tampa, but there are still rooms where I have no idea what the theme is or what is supposed to mennacing about it. A good example is what appears to be a Victorian London street.
In the Alice room, the walls at the end of the room futuristic cyber playing cards, which was weird, but okay. It then goes into this alien and egg room where the music is upbeat techno. The room after that is what is supposed to be a VR room.
If this is the case then it might have made more sense in Tampa, but there are still rooms where I have no idea what the theme is or what is supposed to mennacing about it. A good example is what appears to be a Victorian London street.
My understanding from what I was told was that it came with NO layout info and they just winged it putting it together how they thought fit best.
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Found this today. Man I miss Count Vladtastic, he was fun and worked well with the crowds. And yes that's my son he has. Ha
