Howl-O-Scream Hypothetical 18+ House Thread
- Thread starter Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser
- Start date
I never said that I was against the 30 woman idea, I said I'm for it because they would have fun.
studiopzp said:
So, let me make sure I understand you:
You would support the idea of taking one house and making it either 30-and-up or Women only? This means, of course, that there would not be a separate 18+ house. Like I said, and we all agreed, we're not trying to take over the whole park with adults-only stuff.
So, one special house 30+ -or- Women Only.
Support?
DoctorMoneyMD said:
I would love to play in the land of dragons and forest of fun... but it would just look creepy.
There is room to add adult content, and there is room to add restrictions on one for two attractions ala "adult swim". Age restrictions would allow busch to tap into not so family friendly themes, without ruining their image. Do things like Blood and gore. And please dont say they dont need it. They technically dont even need a HOS. And some Blood and Gore doesnt have to be like a saw movie... It can be tastefully done. A bloody werewolf chewing on some grizzle is scarier than a house full of werewolves going boo. After A while you realize that every single house you go into you are only gonna get "boo'd" at around corners and when you are blinded by lights, and your mind prepares you for it. Good props and fear of harm being done to you... They improve the scares. A werewolf eating something resembling a human body is alot more scary then a were wolf shaking a can at you, just saying...
My mind needs to go into "Those things will harm you mode" in order for me to get scared. HOS has never done that for me.
Because this has been the format, and it's been working so well...
Yeah, I understand people are enough of troublemakers to warrant it.
You still haven't responded to the issues of little children? Do you honestly think the should be allowed in?
You still haven't responded to the issues of little children? Do you honestly think the should be allowed in?
Do you guys really expect BG to add any content to the park that's not child friendly? What's next, beer stands and smoking sections every 10 feet?
Well, I think 6-ish is a little young for the content. I definitely don't think that a little kid who is still in diapers ought to be getting exposed to vampires and bloody murders. However, like I said earlier, I'm okay with a PG-13 environment, and I agree with enforcing it the way that MPAA ratings are enforced. Strongly encourage people with little kids not to enter the houses, refuse entry to the EXTREMELY little kids, and then, if you've got an 8-ish kid in there, and he's crying his eyes out, you have security step in, remove the party, and hand QQ passes to whoever was unfortunate enough to have been in the maze with the kid at the time.
See? Easy. No overly restricted 18+ required.
BUUUUUT, I asked you a thousand times what you would want to put into a haunted house that would be wrong for a 14 year old to see and you have consistently said that you wouldn't put anything in there that was inappropriate for that age group. You have repeatedly said that it was an issue of park-goers not having their experience ruined by crying kids and hooligans.
MOST of the offenders (you said 2/3) are teens, but probably 9/10 of the offenders are men/under 30. I think, if we're building a restricted house as per your suggestion, it should be 30+ or women only. All problems solved.
Well, parking lots aren't "child friendly" per say, as little kids can't drive cars. But, as with beer and cigarette spots, without them, nobody would show up. Necessary evils.
See? Easy. No overly restricted 18+ required.
BUUUUUT, I asked you a thousand times what you would want to put into a haunted house that would be wrong for a 14 year old to see and you have consistently said that you wouldn't put anything in there that was inappropriate for that age group. You have repeatedly said that it was an issue of park-goers not having their experience ruined by crying kids and hooligans.
MOST of the offenders (you said 2/3) are teens, but probably 9/10 of the offenders are men/under 30. I think, if we're building a restricted house as per your suggestion, it should be 30+ or women only. All problems solved.
Shafor said:
Well, parking lots aren't "child friendly" per say, as little kids can't drive cars. But, as with beer and cigarette spots, without them, nobody would show up. Necessary evils.
I think that BGW should just hire BGT's Howl-O-Scream's planning staff and make a 18+ maze and a 21+ nightclub. I'd pay 10 buxks to get into something like that.
So what's the cut off of keeping a two year old out because they can't handle the situation well and keeping a 12 year old out that can't handle the situation well?
Also, I didn't say 2/3 were teens, I said that 2 out of 3 problem groups would be left out of a 18+ house.
I'm also with Shafor, if you let anybody into all the houses; get rid coasters with height restrictions, anything with sugar so you don't upset people with diabetes, and Abby Cadabby because she's a magical monster and magic goes against the bible according to some people. That way everybody can have an equal time.
Also, I didn't say 2/3 were teens, I said that 2 out of 3 problem groups would be left out of a 18+ house.
I'm also with Shafor, if you let anybody into all the houses; get rid coasters with height restrictions, anything with sugar so you don't upset people with diabetes, and Abby Cadabby because she's a magical monster and magic goes against the bible according to some people. That way everybody can have an equal time.
DoctorMoneyMD said:
I'm sure the 4 ladies that would actually attend would be all for it. Great business model. How about one for people over 6'5"? We're a pretty tame bunch.
^ I knew someone would play that, which is why I have repeatedly emphasized that it would be EITHER 30+ (maybe 40% of park goers) OR Women only (50%) of park goers.
9/10 of problem persons would be kept out of either a 30+ house or a Women's Only house. Better.
Are you kidding? Height restrictions exist so people don't fly out and die, not so adults don't have to deal with rowdy 6 year olds. And guess what: scared little kids get dragged onto roller coasters all the time. Sugar is delicious and it's up to the park patron/their parents to determine if they should have it or not (which is in line with what I'm advocating, not with what YOU are advocating). Abby Cadabby is the same as sugar (I don't know if she's delicious...but probably not because she's a puppet made out of polyester).
The reality is that you are advocating restricting entrance to a certain house to 18+, and you tried to act like it was going to be some kind of brilliant business move to solve the problem of crying/rowdy kids. When I presented an even better solution (cutting out only 50% of the guests and eliminating 99% of the problems by making it women only), you balked. You may very well intend to help the park out, but mostly, you're just saying that YOU PERSONALLY don't like dealing with kids in the houses.
It's very easy to support a blanket ban when you aren't under the blanket. If BGW announced that it was going with a 30+ only haunted house, I doubt you'd applaud it and say "man, it's a good thing they finally did something about those kids!"
9/10 of problem persons would be kept out of either a 30+ house or a Women's Only house. Better.
Are you kidding? Height restrictions exist so people don't fly out and die, not so adults don't have to deal with rowdy 6 year olds. And guess what: scared little kids get dragged onto roller coasters all the time. Sugar is delicious and it's up to the park patron/their parents to determine if they should have it or not (which is in line with what I'm advocating, not with what YOU are advocating). Abby Cadabby is the same as sugar (I don't know if she's delicious...but probably not because she's a puppet made out of polyester).
The reality is that you are advocating restricting entrance to a certain house to 18+, and you tried to act like it was going to be some kind of brilliant business move to solve the problem of crying/rowdy kids. When I presented an even better solution (cutting out only 50% of the guests and eliminating 99% of the problems by making it women only), you balked. You may very well intend to help the park out, but mostly, you're just saying that YOU PERSONALLY don't like dealing with kids in the houses.
It's very easy to support a blanket ban when you aren't under the blanket. If BGW announced that it was going with a 30+ only haunted house, I doubt you'd applaud it and say "man, it's a good thing they finally did something about those kids!"
I never balked that idea, it's a solution to my issue. I also have never said that this would be a brilliant business decision, a lot of people won't like it. The most I said to this affect is that it could be a up charge house, in which people would understand the 18+ restriction better. I fully admit that I personally don't like kids in houses, but I also know I'm one of many.
I don't, however, see why it's such a horrible idea to restrict things to certain people when there are already plenty of restrictions placed on those age group already. This reminds me when there was a sit-in at McArthur mall because they had a curfew set up.
I have a couple questions for you, and I really want to know the answer because it might help me see your point better.
1) At what point does the park stop trying to let you have fun? Are you saying that the park is good to put up the house and maintain a level of safety, but as far as kids acting up, you're on your own?
2) I understand the park can't pander to every demographic out there, but at what point should the park fix a problem if there's something wrong? Or do you honestly not think that kids acting up in houses aren't a problem?
3) Also, when you say you've never had a house trip ruined because of other people, were you telling the truth? If so, I'm willing to go with you to HoS one day this year to simulate the experience so you can see the issue. I'll play a crying kid (quite a stretch lolololo), maybe Swiftman could be a 12 year old girl who overreacts to everything, and Shafor could be the parent who tells the actors not to scare me.
I don't, however, see why it's such a horrible idea to restrict things to certain people when there are already plenty of restrictions placed on those age group already. This reminds me when there was a sit-in at McArthur mall because they had a curfew set up.
I have a couple questions for you, and I really want to know the answer because it might help me see your point better.
1) At what point does the park stop trying to let you have fun? Are you saying that the park is good to put up the house and maintain a level of safety, but as far as kids acting up, you're on your own?
2) I understand the park can't pander to every demographic out there, but at what point should the park fix a problem if there's something wrong? Or do you honestly not think that kids acting up in houses aren't a problem?
3) Also, when you say you've never had a house trip ruined because of other people, were you telling the truth? If so, I'm willing to go with you to HoS one day this year to simulate the experience so you can see the issue. I'll play a crying kid (quite a stretch lolololo), maybe Swiftman could be a 12 year old girl who overreacts to everything, and Shafor could be the parent who tells the actors not to scare me.
1 - What I am advocating is leaving the park's attractions open to as many guests as is reasonably possible. I absolutely hate people who don't know how to act in public. I think the park's security (security in every public place) ought to have more leeway to act to enforce the rules. If kids are in the maze goofing off, kick them out. BUT, I think our levels of acceptable "goofing off" may be different.
2 - I think kids goofing around in houses can be a problem, but there's also a certain amount of "deal with it...this isn't your own private haunted house," in there, too. Violence of any kind shouldn't be tolerated, of course. It's kind of like, in the movie theater. Some people like it absolutely silent when they go to the movies. But the thing is, some people like to much nachos. If you want the atmosphere to be perfect, I'd suggest watching the movie at home. Obviously, if someone is going crazy on their cellphone or what have you, then kick them out.
3 - I am absolutely telling the truth. I have seen kids acting stupid...but I've also seen young adults acting stupid. Nothing that I would say has ever ruined an experience for me. I also don't get bothered by girls screaming. They're scared. That's the point. If I don't like it, I walk slower, give them space, and move on.
2 - I think kids goofing around in houses can be a problem, but there's also a certain amount of "deal with it...this isn't your own private haunted house," in there, too. Violence of any kind shouldn't be tolerated, of course. It's kind of like, in the movie theater. Some people like it absolutely silent when they go to the movies. But the thing is, some people like to much nachos. If you want the atmosphere to be perfect, I'd suggest watching the movie at home. Obviously, if someone is going crazy on their cellphone or what have you, then kick them out.
3 - I am absolutely telling the truth. I have seen kids acting stupid...but I've also seen young adults acting stupid. Nothing that I would say has ever ruined an experience for me. I also don't get bothered by girls screaming. They're scared. That's the point. If I don't like it, I walk slower, give them space, and move on.
This is merely my POV/opinion after reading through this thread.
You don't need a house that's going to exclude teens/twentysomethings/men, security needs to be able to do their job. It should be made clear that anyone causing a problem in the houses will be removed, be it touching a cast member, getting in their face and screaming obnoxiously, whatever. If it wouldn't be appropriate staff/patron interaction outside of the house, it should not be allowed in it. Of course, people will scream when scared or whatever, I mean the jerks who stick their face in someone else's and go for it. No, it's not going to get rid of the people who point out scare actors or holler that they're not scared, but it would get rid of a specific, awful group.
I don't like kids. I won't lie. And the reason I don't like kids is not because they're kids, it's because of the things they're allowed to get away with or the situations they're placed in by idiot parents. I acknowledge the kids themselves don't know better. That said, a baby being carried/in a stroller or a toddler do NOT belong at HOS after 6pm, and they absolutely do not belong in the houses. I don't have a definitive cut-off because it does depend on the kid, but since parents can't be held responsible and make smart decisions about what is appropriate for their children on their own, maybe the park should enforce some type of age cut-off. The kid who is able to handle the scares would have to pay for the idiocy of the parents who don't remove the kids who aren't able to handle it and ruined it for everyone else. Such is life. Not that BGW would ever do that.
You're right, I don't want to listen to a wailing baby in a haunted house. They have no business being in there. I would think that's common sense, but no. It's just as bad when you're walking around the park. Sure, the scare actor won't scare a small child or baby if they see them. Okay... well, what about the people who happened to be on the path at the same time and don't get scared because some idiot has an infant or toddler at the park at 10pm? And of course, I'm the lucky girl who always, without fail, gets stuck next to them, and the parent screaming not to scare their kid. If you're in the park after 6pm, everything and everyone should be fair game. They were warned, they ignored the warning, so be it. Don't ruin it for everyone else.
And before anyone cries discrimination towards kids, let's touch on Land of the Dragons, since it was mentioned before. I'm 26. I love dragons and fairy tales. I would LOVE to romp around in that area and check it out, but I'm not allowed. Isn't that discrimination? Just because I don't have a toddler to chase, I can't play? We all know that equipment is safe for adults, so why am I not allowed in? Isn't that the same as saying what is and is not appropriate for children under a certain age at HOS?
You don't need a house that's going to exclude teens/twentysomethings/men, security needs to be able to do their job. It should be made clear that anyone causing a problem in the houses will be removed, be it touching a cast member, getting in their face and screaming obnoxiously, whatever. If it wouldn't be appropriate staff/patron interaction outside of the house, it should not be allowed in it. Of course, people will scream when scared or whatever, I mean the jerks who stick their face in someone else's and go for it. No, it's not going to get rid of the people who point out scare actors or holler that they're not scared, but it would get rid of a specific, awful group.
I don't like kids. I won't lie. And the reason I don't like kids is not because they're kids, it's because of the things they're allowed to get away with or the situations they're placed in by idiot parents. I acknowledge the kids themselves don't know better. That said, a baby being carried/in a stroller or a toddler do NOT belong at HOS after 6pm, and they absolutely do not belong in the houses. I don't have a definitive cut-off because it does depend on the kid, but since parents can't be held responsible and make smart decisions about what is appropriate for their children on their own, maybe the park should enforce some type of age cut-off. The kid who is able to handle the scares would have to pay for the idiocy of the parents who don't remove the kids who aren't able to handle it and ruined it for everyone else. Such is life. Not that BGW would ever do that.
You're right, I don't want to listen to a wailing baby in a haunted house. They have no business being in there. I would think that's common sense, but no. It's just as bad when you're walking around the park. Sure, the scare actor won't scare a small child or baby if they see them. Okay... well, what about the people who happened to be on the path at the same time and don't get scared because some idiot has an infant or toddler at the park at 10pm? And of course, I'm the lucky girl who always, without fail, gets stuck next to them, and the parent screaming not to scare their kid. If you're in the park after 6pm, everything and everyone should be fair game. They were warned, they ignored the warning, so be it. Don't ruin it for everyone else.
And before anyone cries discrimination towards kids, let's touch on Land of the Dragons, since it was mentioned before. I'm 26. I love dragons and fairy tales. I would LOVE to romp around in that area and check it out, but I'm not allowed. Isn't that discrimination? Just because I don't have a toddler to chase, I can't play? We all know that equipment is safe for adults, so why am I not allowed in? Isn't that the same as saying what is and is not appropriate for children under a certain age at HOS?
For goofing off, let's say people acceptable stops at people holding up the queue looking for actors to screw, shout at, ect. Simple screaming / laughing I feel is normal and I don't have a problem with. I honestly think it should be stated before you go into a house that there's a zero tolerance policy for disruptive behavior and people should be pulled instantly. The problem with that is that I know BG doesn't want a reputation for "being mean" so they're really never going to increase their tolerance level beyond what it is now. The good thing about an 18+ house is that it would serve as a filter so BG wouldn't have to become haunted house nazis in every house in order to have fun. (You don't really need to go into the 30+ house again, you've made your point on that one.)
I've made the movie theater comparison before, but I'll make it again. With a movie, you have at least 90 minutes of experience, with a house you have maybe 5. If somebody acts up during a movie, they can be removed and at most you only lose a key plot point that you can pick up on later. If somebody ruins a house experience for you, you have to wait in line again which could easily be an hour during strong days and pretty much pray to the god of your choice that you don't get unlucky again. There is a certain amount of deal with it, and while it may not seem like it, I do have a fair amount of tolerance for jerks. The problem arises when said jerkery ends up costing you a large chunk of time that could have better uses than going back into the line of the house you got out of.
Can I buy whatever magical charm you posses off of you? You have to be the luckiest person on earth. As I stated above, I don't have a problem with screaming as long it's actually being scared and not a bunch of teenage girls thinking they're smart. Walking slower is actually pretty hard to do in a house without setting off a chain reaction that will slow everybody down. I've also had a security person say something to me when I try to put space between a crying child and myself.
At this point I'm willing to suggest a house with more intense situations and gore /just/ to justify an 18+ house even more since annoying kids apparently aren't a problem and should be entitled to everything.
I'd be down for an R-rated extra ticket house, that adds to the number of houses. I don't care if teens can get in, but I wouldn't want anyone's parents complaining or suing for what their kids saw/experienced in there. I know this scare exists in other places, but it doesn't mean that BGW can't have one extreme/intense house. As long as it doesn't take anything away from the rest of HOS I don't see a problem.
You know, after all these arguments, I appreciate you guys' position a little better. That being said, I just still don't agree that there need to be 18+ houses. I think maybe 13+ would be okay. No babies in there, no toddlers. I can agree to that. I think that if you couple that up with the idea I put out there before, that goof-offs would be removed right away and those who were affected by this behavior would pick up QQ passes, I think you could remedy the house problems, in large part.
As far as my luck goes...I just don't know. I mean - I've had some less than ideal experiences, but, I don't know, t's never been so bad that I felt screwed out of a good time. Most of what has "ruined" my HoS experiences (if anything) has just been that there are SO MANY PEOPLE there that you really can't control the crowds in the houses and you're just logistically unable to hide the scares.
As far as my luck goes...I just don't know. I mean - I've had some less than ideal experiences, but, I don't know, t's never been so bad that I felt screwed out of a good time. Most of what has "ruined" my HoS experiences (if anything) has just been that there are SO MANY PEOPLE there that you really can't control the crowds in the houses and you're just logistically unable to hide the scares.