Admin Note: I created a separate thread for the Control Lab.
Howl-O-Scream 2018
- Thread starter Zachary
- Start date
Yes.
A favorite haunt I went to was at a small park. Had about 10 mazes with 3-4 rooms each that took about 4 minutes. Well staffed, never a long wait, you got in and out quickly. No maze was stretched with too many rooms that it became redundant. So each maze got amazing attention to detail and none of them felt like things were missing or not done to a high level.
Most of the mazes at BG aren't as long as you think they are. If you timed them max they'd be about 7 minutes. Which isn't that long. It just seems that way because there's a lot of nothing combined with poor staffing.
I want to argue against shorter mazes. At least for me, the best experience includes sustained anxiety. My biggest complaint about Catacombs was that it ended too quickly. It was able to create and maintain a high level of tension in me, but I was not able to to enjoy it long enough.
13: Your Number's Up could last about 13 minutes. That was overkill, but I think a house should be at least 4-5 minutes. What's unacceptable is minutes on end of nothing to see like FrostBite, Cornered, or even Dystopia.
What if they are trying to create a few cheap mazes so that they can switch those out each year? I would not like that, but they might be banking on new attractions driving attendance, regardless of quality. Hopefully, this quantity over quality thing doesn't continue after this season, but that's how I view this year's event so far, unfortunately.
What if they are trying to create a few cheap mazes so that they can switch those out each year? I would not like that, but they might be banking on new attractions driving attendance, regardless of quality. Hopefully, this quantity over quality thing doesn't continue after this season, but that's how I view this year's event so far, unfortunately.
So I have an idea as to why the audio effects and creepy ass music that bgt had wasn't playing in here. It's right next to frostbite so they would have to set up sound barriers. This is a really piss poor attempt to remake what bgt had. There's holes in the maze everywhere like that random ass alien standing in that one hallway. It's just really underwhelming compared to what bgt had. Bgt has the same budget as bgw yet our event sucks compared to there's even if we don't have enough staff.
i highly doubt this is a factual statement.
Went for what will probably be the last time for the season last night. I have quite a few thoughts about the event, but I wanted to quickly go over what I consider the few highlights.
Garden of Souls- This is such a gorgeous area, I could spend a few hours in here just soaking up the eerie beauty. There actors weren't doing much, but they shouldn't because they should just be shirts haunting the area (in my opinion at least). The actors were in the best costumes and makeup that I've seen in the park in quite some time. I'm also very happy that the park found something amazing to do in that area that works. Though next year the park will probably just put chainsaws in there or some other dumb shit.
Dystopia- Far from perfect, but my favorite house of the event. It had the best actors of the night. It suffers a lot from thematic issues, but the park really doesn't give a fuck about that anymore. They did add a few things like different and more appropriate masks and a few signs, but they needed to do more to convey that you are there to be processed and to convey a more sinister entity.
I'll do a more comprehensive thing when I feel like it.
Garden of Souls- This is such a gorgeous area, I could spend a few hours in here just soaking up the eerie beauty. There actors weren't doing much, but they shouldn't because they should just be shirts haunting the area (in my opinion at least). The actors were in the best costumes and makeup that I've seen in the park in quite some time. I'm also very happy that the park found something amazing to do in that area that works. Though next year the park will probably just put chainsaws in there or some other dumb shit.
Dystopia- Far from perfect, but my favorite house of the event. It had the best actors of the night. It suffers a lot from thematic issues, but the park really doesn't give a fuck about that anymore. They did add a few things like different and more appropriate masks and a few signs, but they needed to do more to convey that you are there to be processed and to convey a more sinister entity.
I'll do a more comprehensive thing when I feel like it.
I've been going to HOS for the past 10 years and it has always been something I looked forward to. I enjoyed some of he efforts this year, especially considering the last two years have felt like a really big letdown, with the exception of Sideshow Square. i am glad they decided to add some new houses and scare zones but I wish they had focused on making the houses scary or interesting or even cohesive.
Highlights -
Low points -
I know I will probably get slammed for saying this but I think 2013-2014 were the last great years. The atmosphere just seemed different and the park seemed full of Halloween things. Not just a few areas crammed with some random stuff. I also miss the Blood Banquet. The shows were entertaining and it filled that space nicely. I know we always pine for the good ole days but I do think it truly was better. I just wish they could get that magic back somehow.
Highlights -
- Garden of Souls - I thought this would be the biggest flop but it was actually really good. The actors even succeeded in scaring a few people. Beautiful costumes, interesting set and creepy music to set a great scene.
- Lumberhack - short but themed correctly throughout and just the right pace.
- Fools Court - again great costumes and set designs.
- Shows - all 3 were entertaining and updated slightly.
- Lines - moved fast and were never too bad.
- Demented Dimensions - while not great, this one had some really good ideas that with hopefully get tweaked to perfection later.
Low points -
- Sideshow Square - the costumes were almost all different and almost cartoonish. way fewer actors than in the past and most just walking around doing nothing.
- Vampire Point - no vampires. This place used to be pretty cool but it is really just a prop place now.
- Frostbite - is there even a theme to this house? Almost no actors, just some white walls with the occasional suit of armour? Is it medieval, is a snow witch, is it and abandoned ice cream factory?
- Dystopia - this one had potential, but they fell short somewhere. Perhaps it was just a bad night or a bad run. I am going to do again in October to see if it feels better.
I know I will probably get slammed for saying this but I think 2013-2014 were the last great years. The atmosphere just seemed different and the park seemed full of Halloween things. Not just a few areas crammed with some random stuff. I also miss the Blood Banquet. The shows were entertaining and it filled that space nicely. I know we always pine for the good ole days but I do think it truly was better. I just wish they could get that magic back somehow.
I noticed this with axe alley yesterday. It was a really cool experience and one I want to see happen in more years forward.
So after seeing so many people on here saying how cool Garden of Souls was I was super excited to check it out last night and... am I missing something? Is it better in daylight? It was completely dark by the time I got over there and honestly nothing looked decorated (I'm not saying it isn't decorated, I just couldn't see much in the dark). I'm not sure I would have even noticed the centerpiece (the gravestone with the skeleton on it surrounded by flowers, under the blue lights) if I hadn't walked off the main path and into the garden area specifically looking for stuff that was decorated. It just looked super dark and dead over there. I didn't love the pirate photo ops that used to be in that area but at least they were well-lit and eye catching.
They had to replace Wendy for a few reasons, actress is out for personal reasons, the costume/character was stirring up too many issues and hazards (Guests being unruly and harmful), and the dolls were removed from the circus all together. The actors in the area claim they "Didn't care for Wendy too much, so they broke her to bits and stuffed her in her box." I thought it was an interesting take, seeing that they do have what appears to be an attempt to replace her with a different female clown character, but they do need a change of make up. The clowns are just that, clowns. They aren't creepy -enough- for the area. I do miss Wendy ,but understand coming from a background in scaring that an outfit that she had is incredibly dangerous. I am not surprised they got rid of the marionette dolls strings last year, I could see too many "funny" guests try and pull them down, and the actor with them.
Went on Sunday, seemed alright for the night but it was too dead and you can tell with some one the actors they were getting stale seeing the same people over and over again. I skipped the shows, I like to see them at week three when they are really comfortable with each other. Demented was dull, looked good but the actors seemed quiet. Dystopia didn't really have a complete idea but the actors were live! Circo was good as always, they replaced the dolls with snake people? Cornered and lumberhack were alright. Didn't ride next to them but was on a ride with the coaster creepers, cool concept! Really gets the theme like they are all around the park
Not that I've seen.
I know he has come to represent good, nostalgic Howl-O-Screams gone by for many, but ultimately he's just a common, off-the-shelf prop.
Truthfully, he had fallen into such awful disrepair that I'd be somewhat relieved if we don't see him again.
Yeah, most of the actors there are less scary, but more interactive. We were checking out the little shrine of past HoS characters and one just popped up behind us and stood there looking at the shrine with us. My mom asked him if those were his friends and he responded with "si" and then my mom said "oh, lo siento". The actor gave her a look and said "No. Italiano" and then turned around away from us and said "mi dispiace" and took off running/skipping back up the hill. We all got a kick out of it.
More house write-ups.
Cornered- Lacking the corn and the brilliant mirror section that made that maze. Some of the masks got an upgrade this year, which is nice.
Lumberhack- Missing the large props that helped the maze a lot. They tried to fix that out of place ghost projection with a much worse projection of a lumberjack just standing there, in the air, waving a chainsaw around like a socially awkward Star Wars fan.
Circo- Roughly the same except for the end. I'm disappointed by the change because A) The smaller dollhouses on the fence looked so cool and B) I don't think snakes are scary.
Cornered- Lacking the corn and the brilliant mirror section that made that maze. Some of the masks got an upgrade this year, which is nice.
Lumberhack- Missing the large props that helped the maze a lot. They tried to fix that out of place ghost projection with a much worse projection of a lumberjack just standing there, in the air, waving a chainsaw around like a socially awkward Star Wars fan.
Circo- Roughly the same except for the end. I'm disappointed by the change because A) The smaller dollhouses on the fence looked so cool and B) I don't think snakes are scary.
We are looking forward to attending this year. I can't remember where I saw it but I saw a picture of the wooden gates opening and scare actors pouring out. Is this in the Oktoberfest area? Would you guys suggest being there at 6pm when Howl-O-Scream officially starts? Perhaps there is some kick off over there. I apologize in advance if this has been discussed and for the life of me I can't seem to find that picture. 
haha
haha