Howl-O-Scream 2019

[WDWRLD]

Thing is a event like this should be running 100% on day one. You shouldnt have to come back the last week of the event because they add a little more or finally get around to putting up all the decor then. Yea I give them a pass for the first weekend for things that were forgot to be plugged in or didnt work out as expected but this crap of "give them time its still early in the year" is BS. Do people go to HHN with expectations that they wouldnt get the full HHN experience becase they still have a few weeks to get everything up? No.

 

[wombat96]

Do people go to HHN with expectations that they wouldnt get the full HHN experience becase they still have a few weeks to get everything up? No.

Yes, it's extremely common for HHN to not be complete the first weekend. Many set-pieces in scare zones aren't put up due to weather or time limits due to the event starting so early. Most fans of the event acknowledge that the event is going to be incomplete the first weekend. For example, Festival of the Deadliest at HHN 27 was very barren at the start of the season and by the end had a slew of new props.

This is also isn't just an issue at BGW or HHN, even at KD down the road the park seems to add props as the season goes on. It's unfair to assume that the event will be fully ready to go the first night due to a limited amount of time to set-up, actors having to learn and adjust to their roles, and potential weather issues delaying the outdoor decoration set-up in the weeks leading up to the event.

 

[Applesauce]

I would like to argue that HHN has a higher threat of hurricanes destroying everything than we do. And from what I've seen, unless there's a storm coming or hits right before the event, they still manage to put out at least 95% of it. Adding final touches =/= adding like half the event.

BGW, doesn't nearly have the same excuse. Preview night sure, things can be unfinished. It's like a dress rehearsal. But by opening night unless we get hit by our rare hurricanes, or even a tropical storm, they should be at, at least 90%. Adding more decorations as the event goes on is fine, but it's a completely different thing when they don't have the majority of it finished by opening night.

And yet they seem to do this every year. This year they extended Bier Fest. Which meant less time they had to set up, despite Bier Fest's minimal decor, they still lost a week/weekend to take it down and switch it. And adding on to the fact that they lost/fired Oak Island, and it has to be done all in house. It really just makes the park look very amature.

 

[Jonesta6]

As much as regional parks such as BGW aren't the same as Disney, this is an area they could really work with adopting in regards to seasonal decoration transformation.

I saw a video once going from Halloween to Christmas overnight - everything was pre-built and joined together so that it could be installed as a singular unit, so all they had to do was disconnect the previous season (wiring, supports, etc) and connect the new season/hide any obvious holes made while making the switch/test any lighting or effects.

It would take some doing, but would make their lives easier if they could find a way to incorporate that idea into their designs.

 

[Wooemwoemeht]

Went Sunday and park attendance was not bad so able to get through everything pretty quick. In years past, we get to the park early and attend shows during the day and do mazes and scare zones at night but this year there were no shows except for Night Beats and we didnt bother with Jack's since it was a short one. I must say that the atmosphere just wasn't the same as it has been and that was a bummer. Best mazes of the night were Lumberhack and Frostbite. Best terror-tories would go to Carnival and Garden of the Souls.

 

[BGWnut]

I would like to argue that HHN has a higher threat of hurricanes destroying everything than we do. And from what I've seen, unless there's a storm coming or hits right before the event, they still manage to put out at least 95% of it. Adding final touches =/= adding like half the event.

BGW, doesn't nearly have the same excuse. Preview night sure, things can be unfinished. It's like a dress rehearsal. But by opening night unless we get hit by our rare hurricanes, or even a tropical storm, they should be at, at least 90%. Adding more decorations as the event goes on is fine, but it's a completely different thing when they don't have the majority of it finished by opening night.

And yet they seem to do this every year. This year they extended Bier Fest. Which meant less time they had to set up, despite Bier Fest's minimal decor, they still lost a week/weekend to take it down and switch it. And adding on to the fact that they lost/fired Oak Island, and it has to be done all in house. It really just makes the park look very amature.

I really don't think that there was a lot of set up that the the park had left to do. To me this past weekend it felt like there wasn't a lot left to completed. It honestly felt like 85-90% compete from a decoration standpoint. It felt like they were still in need of some not scare actors but they always add more over the course of the event.

 

[NoStylGia]

I do just want to point out that the first weekend and pass preview days are mostly for the staff to "soft open" and see where the problems may be with some areas while still working on fleshing out the others. I know if "the park is open it should be 100% and there is no excuses" blah blah but yeah that was this past weekend. If you ever expect the first week(or even the second) to be exactly as they planned, and fully fleshed out you will always be disappointed. I myself won't be headed that way until October to let it all marinate for a few weeks, plus with no shows except jack what is the point??

 

[Zachary]

I do just want to point out that the first weekend and pass preview days are mostly for the staff to "soft open" and see where the problems may be with some areas while still working on fleshing out the others.

If BGW doesn't believe they can provide a finished product by the day after preview day, they need to start calling the first weekend "Preview Weekend." The park's current approach of charging the unsuspecting public full price for a single day ticket to an event that isn't done yet is, in my opinion, unethical.

I'm of the same opinion with these delayed show openings for the record. The park is selling HOS at full price to the public right now. It should include every part of HOS—every house, every scarezone, and yes, every show. Intentionally charging the same for a worse product now vs what it will be in a few weeks is a really slimey approach. Also, if I held a Basic Membership and had to deal with blackout dates later in the season, I'd be really pissed that a good chunk of the Saturdays I have access to the park don't include all of Howl-O-Scream.

 

[BGWnut]

So I was told today talking to a friend of mine from the park that due to Pantheon construction Festa will be closed on the Wednesday and Thursday night openings during HOS.

 

[Gavin]

That’s outrageous.

 

[Dylon]

As much as I encourage criticizing the park and what not for their “lackluster” product year in and year out, I just can’t continue to hate on it over and over again. While the houses may not be the scariest, or the park atmosphere may not be the most decorated, I still have a great time at the end of the day. I agree with most of what’s been said, but when it comes down to it I still want to go back, bring friends and not critique every LITTLE problem the park has. My favorite thing to do at HOS is people watch, whether that be in mazes or on the paths... believe it or not the “GP” still gets scared shitless by this “product” Busch has put on. Just my little 2 cents opinion on the matter, can’t wait to go back in a couple weeks.

Continue on??

 

[WDWRLD]

If BGW doesn't believe they can provide a finished product by the day after preview day, they need to start calling the first weekend "Preview Weekend." The park's current approach of charging the unsuspecting public full price for a single day ticket to an event that isn't done yet is, in my opinion, unethical.

I'm of the same opinion with these delayed show openings for the record. The park is selling HOS at full price to the public right now. It should include every part of HOS—every house, every scarezone, and yes, every show. Intentionally charging the same for a worse product now vs what it will be in a few weeks is a really slimey approach. Also, if I held a Basic Membership and had to deal with blackout dates later in the season, I'd be really pissed that a good chunk of the Saturdays I have access to the park don't include all of Howl-O-Scream.

I completely agree!

 

[WDWRLD]

As much as I encourage criticizing the park and what not for their “lackluster” product year in and year out, I just can’t continue to hate on it over and over again. While the houses may not be the scariest, or the park atmosphere may not be the most decorated, I still have a great time at the end of the day. I agree with most of what’s been said, but when it comes down to it I still want to go back, bring friends and not critique every LITTLE problem the park has. My favorite thing to do at HOS is people watch, whether that be in mazes or on the paths... believe it or not the “GP” still gets scared shitless by this “product” Busch has put on. Just my little 2 cents opinion on the matter, can’t wait to go back in a couple weeks.

Continue on??

I really like to sit and watch the gusts get scared as well but this past weekend most areas were very well lit with very little fog so you could see the scare actors coming a mile away. They park didnt feel creepy at all and most of the places I used to like to camp out and watch are no longer good places.

 

[Beachokie]

As much as I encourage criticizing the park and what not for their “lackluster” product year in and year out, I just can’t continue to hate on it over and over again. While the houses may not be the scariest, or the park atmosphere may not be the most decorated, I still have a great time at the end of the day. I agree with most of what’s been said, but when it comes down to it I still want to go back, bring friends and not critique every LITTLE problem the park has. My favorite thing to do at HOS is people watch, whether that be in mazes or on the paths... believe it or not the “GP” still gets scared shitless by this “product” Busch has put on. Just my little 2 cents opinion on the matter, can’t wait to go back in a couple weeks.

Continue on??

Agree completely...been lurking for a while and finally choosing to post...a bunch of people on here just bitch about every single little thing especially if the scare zones or mazes don’t make half the people that go inside them piss their pants in terror. Shut up. Don’t be a donk. It’s a great product that 99.9% of the people that go love but some of you try to prove a point by complaining the most like it’s a competition. If you don’t like it, don’t pay for a membership and don’t go. This site is awesome for all the inside info and the vast majority of the conversations are awesome..but damn some of you are ridiculous.

Looking at you WDWRLD - I’ve never seen someone pay for something then bitch incessantly about the dumbest things in every single thread. Get over it, man.

 

[Beachokie]

If BGW doesn't believe they can provide a finished product by the day after preview day, they need to start calling the first weekend "Preview Weekend." The park's current approach of charging the unsuspecting public full price for a single day ticket to an event that isn't done yet is, in my opinion, unethical.

I'm of the same opinion with these delayed show openings for the record. The park is selling HOS at full price to the public right now. It should include every part of HOS—every house, every scarezone, and yes, every show. Intentionally charging the same for a worse product now vs what it will be in a few weeks is a really slimey approach. Also, if I held a Basic Membership and had to deal with blackout dates later in the season, I'd be really pissed that a good chunk of the Saturdays I have access to the park don't include all of Howl-O-Scream.

If people don’t like blackout dates, pay like $3 more a month and upgrade.

 

[Zachary]

If people don’t like blackout dates, pay like $3 more a month and upgrade.

It's not disclosed at the time of signup that half the Howl-O-Scream Saturdays you're given with the Basic Membership are Howl-O-Scream Lite™. It makes for a confusing, frustrating experience for the average, non-enthusiast park-goers out there.

Anyway, I think it's silly for us to run around in circles repeating ourselves over and over again about the park not being ready until October. It's a known fact that Howl-O-Scream is never ready and none of us can pretend not to know that. That said, I think everyone should reasonably also agree that it's really bad form that BGW is never ready for opening weekend. None of us would go to a burger joint at opening, receive a half-cooked burger, and then just be ok with that because the restaurant is just getting setup for the day. The existence of a consistent cause of a problem doesn't make the problem any less real.

 

[WDWRLD]

Agree completely...been lurking for a while and finally choosing to post...a bunch of people on here just bitch about every single little thing especially if the scare zones or mazes don’t make half the people that go inside them piss their pants in terror. Shut up. Don’t be a donk. It’s a great product that 99.9% of the people that go love but some of you try to prove a point by complaining the most like it’s a competition. If you don’t like it, don’t pay for a membership and don’t go. This site is awesome for all the inside info and the vast majority of the conversations are awesome..but damn some of you are ridiculous.

Looking at you WDWRLD - I’ve never seen someone pay for something then bitch incessantly about the dumbest things in every single thread. Get over it, man.

Its because I know the park can, should and has done better in the past. Ive been coming to the park since it opened and have never missed a season of HOS. Honestly this season I took a diffrent approach to HOS and didnt read any of the posts here, watch any videos and avoided the park the past few weeks so I could go in to HOS not knowing anything that would be offered this year. I had heard the Fiends rumor but didnt know about Stomp. I was happy to se Jack was Back where he should be but the rest of the night was a letdown.
But thanks for coming out from lurking to "bitch" as you say about other peoples posts.

 

[NoStylGia]

If BGW doesn't believe they can provide a finished product by the day after preview day, they need to start calling the first weekend "Preview Weekend." The park's current approach of charging the unsuspecting public full price for a single day ticket to an event that isn't done yet is, in my opinion, unethical.

I'm of the same opinion with these delayed show openings for the record. The park is selling HOS at full price to the public right now. It should include every part of HOS—every house, every scarezone, and yes, every show. Intentionally charging the same for a worse product now vs what it will be in a few weeks is a really slimey approach. Also, if I held a Basic Membership and had to deal with blackout dates later in the season, I'd be really pissed that a good chunk of the Saturdays I have access to the park don't include all of Howl-O-Scream.

... I mean the whole park is still open? lol the rides, food, and what they have of HOS are still available so why wouldn't they charge the admissions fee? I think you are a little too focused on the fact you may be there for -just- HOS while during the time of HOS it is still a fully functioning park so like, why would they water down the price of admission? They don't do that in the spring when nothing is up for any events, and the park is just open.

 

[NoStylGia]

Agree completely...been lurking for a while and finally choosing to post...a bunch of people on here just bitch about every single little thing especially if the scare zones or mazes don’t make half the people that go inside them piss their pants in terror. Shut up. Don’t be a donk. It’s a great product that 99.9% of the people that go love but some of you try to prove a point by complaining the most like it’s a competition. If you don’t like it, don’t pay for a membership and don’t go. This site is awesome for all the inside info and the vast majority of the conversations are awesome..but damn some of you are ridiculous.

Looking at you WDWRLD - I’ve never seen someone pay for something then bitch incessantly about the dumbest things in every single thread. Get over it, man.

I mean.. this though lol all I mostly read on here is complaints. Like I get it, most of you are pass holders and expect things, but damn you would think all of you boycott this park and not attend it by the way all the complaints come in. I mean, bg is trying to put out product that can entertain and reach a large scale audience, not just the locals who decide whether or not to attend all year round. I've seen plenty of great feedback from this past weekend from the news letters and from other employees in the park sharing their stories so it isn't a huge flop like you all make it out to be. I'll definitely see for myself in the coming weeks but man, can you guys tear something down as quickly as it is (not) put up lol

 

[Jahrules]

I mean.. this though lol all I mostly read on here is complaints. Like I get it, most of you are pass holders and expect things, but damn you would think all of you boycott this park and not attend it by the way all the complaints come in. I mean, bg is trying to put out product that can entertain and reach a large scale audience, not just the locals who decide whether or not to attend all year round. I've seen plenty of great feedback from this past weekend from the news letters and from other employees in the park sharing their stories so it isn't a huge flop like you all make it out to be. I'll definitely see for myself in the coming weeks but man, can you guys tear something down as quickly as it is (not) put up lol

You gotta keep in mind that this being an enthusiast site; people are going to nitpick everything to pieces. It's kinda what we do.