Just listing the event as being 'recommended' for ages 13 and up, would help. A park wide shutdown of music for a couple announcements before hand would at least give the sensible parents a chance to get out. The parents with the indestructible R rated video game playing 8 year olds are going to stay anyway. I see no reason to ban them from the event completely with an age restriction.
Howl-O-Scream
- Thread starter wombat96
- Start date
Yeah, it looks like I agree with the majority of others who feel that a hard age limit would be ineffective and alienating to the park's guests. For better or worse, the fastest way to get people really angry and vocal about their anger is to try to tell them how to do their job as parents.
I started going to Howl-o-Scream with a groups of friends when I was 11 or 12- at that age even the kids themselves are self-aware enough to decide whether or not they can handle the level of intensity and scares that the event has to offer.
Someone else had a good point about how there are no identifying documents or IDs at that age, so how would enforcing such a ban even work? Just park employees walking up to people who they thought looked too young, asking them their age and taking their word for it? Doesn't seem very practical.
That said, I do wish the park would use stronger language when warning parents of young children that the event is not family friendly.
I started going to Howl-o-Scream with a groups of friends when I was 11 or 12- at that age even the kids themselves are self-aware enough to decide whether or not they can handle the level of intensity and scares that the event has to offer.
Someone else had a good point about how there are no identifying documents or IDs at that age, so how would enforcing such a ban even work? Just park employees walking up to people who they thought looked too young, asking them their age and taking their word for it? Doesn't seem very practical.
That said, I do wish the park would use stronger language when warning parents of young children that the event is not family friendly.
Prismapaws said:
If you just turned 13 this year how were you able to have had an account on this site since October 2014? Unless I am mistaken that violates the rules of this site.
http://parkfans.net/misc.php?page=Rules
Class One Offenses:
"Holding an account under the age of 13. In order to comply with the FTC’s Children’s Online Privacy Act of 1998, all members must be at least 13 years old."
Is it bad that I've been going to HOS since I was three? Just add a "Recomended for ages 13+" and then the parent can decide if they want their kid going or not. Some people enjoy HOS from a very young age while others are just very obnoxious when they visit even in there teenage years. Everybody is different. Back to HOS 2015, so Jack is supposedly coming back in Sacrlett's Revenge?
As hard as it would be to enforce, middle schoolers are awful people and can ruin any event with their power to annoy
Just sayin
Just sayin
I have a daughter who will be 16 in Nov. and a son who will be 19 in Nov. Both of my kids have been going to Howl O Scream and going in the houses since they were 5 or 6. I taught them from a very young age that it was all just pretend. Since I have worked in haunts I would also let them watch me get "made up" which reinforced what I had told them. My kids acted better in the houses at 6 than some adults do. They never cried or became annoying because I was always with them and they were fine. Now I realize that not all children are the same and some can't handle that kind of stuff that early but I don't feel like my kids should have been punished with an age restriction. Thankfully, that never happened as they were growing up because they both LOVE Howl O Scream and other haunts. They both volunteer with me now in a local haunt and have just as much fun scaring other people.
Let's start a movement. BRING BACK THE PUMPKIN SCALE!! /s
I didn't go through CTC last year so it slipped my mind but a starter house probably is a good idea, and that location is probably the most open/bright so CTC works as it.
Deadline should aim for 5 pumpkins, it certainly felt like it during the opening year when it was well staffed...
Deadline should aim for 5 pumpkins, it certainly felt like it during the opening year when it was well staffed...
0Well I checked the parks blog and it appears that there will be a new store called Blood Haus in Das Festhaus to go along with Night Beats.
EDIT: Blood Haus will actually be located in Germany along with Vampire Point.
SourceBusch Gardens Williamsburg said:
EDIT: Blood Haus will actually be located in Germany along with Vampire Point.
WasabiDragon said:
Last year, forgive me. I was born November 14, 2001, this making me 13 since last fall. Anyways, like I said before I've been going to haunt events since I was 5 without getting scared, so that on top of other things would make the 13+ rule unessasary.
I wouldn't call an age-based rule unnecessary. I'm also not sure it would really solve what I think is the central problem.
A few examples of children who are fine at HOS do not demonstrate that the majority of kids can handle the scares. I rather doubt anyone has those data either. For what it is worth I can provide examples of children who freaked out in the mazes and scare zones.
Regardless, I think the big problem is that many parents ignore warnings and bring their kids to the event. I have seen children being dragged through houses crying. Even worse, I have seen parents scream at a actors for scaring their children in the middle of Terror-tories.
I believe the goal is really to protect the actors (and the rest of us) from those clueless and/or irresponsible parents.
At a minimum I think a stroller ban is totally legitimate after the event starts. Scientists use startles to condition animals to avoid certain things. Can you imagine the possible effects on babies?
A few examples of children who are fine at HOS do not demonstrate that the majority of kids can handle the scares. I rather doubt anyone has those data either. For what it is worth I can provide examples of children who freaked out in the mazes and scare zones.
Regardless, I think the big problem is that many parents ignore warnings and bring their kids to the event. I have seen children being dragged through houses crying. Even worse, I have seen parents scream at a actors for scaring their children in the middle of Terror-tories.
I believe the goal is really to protect the actors (and the rest of us) from those clueless and/or irresponsible parents.
At a minimum I think a stroller ban is totally legitimate after the event starts. Scientists use startles to condition animals to avoid certain things. Can you imagine the possible effects on babies?
Ben said:
No thank you, I like my pass including HoS
Its how all the best Halloween events do it, BGT and HHN especially. In all honesty making CT included with the pass and HOS upcharge is the way to make the best of both events.
Jacques said:
I completely agree. And i know this may not be a popular opinion and i know it is hard but EVERY bartender needs to be trained on when to stop serving a person. AND they should have the parks backing if they do cut someone off. Its better safety practices for the park and it keeps patrons safe. There are a million and one bad things that can happen to a person who is trashed out of their mind and i would HATE to see anyone hurt due to someone who should not have been served those last few drinks.
Sorry for the double post....
While i do believe that SOME children can handle things better than others. You are in the minority. And yes i know many children and teens who have grown up in haunt events and have been able to handle it. But I think there needs to be an age limit in place to some extent. As a parent and former teenager i say this lol.
end rant
Prismapaws said:
While i do believe that SOME children can handle things better than others. You are in the minority. And yes i know many children and teens who have grown up in haunt events and have been able to handle it. But I think there needs to be an age limit in place to some extent. As a parent and former teenager i say this lol.
THIS!!!!! is what i have been saying! Poor little babies. Also im so sick of dealing with the kids who think its ok to try to butt in line to be with their friends. Alot of kids ive dealt with during HOS have overly entitled attitudes. I can see this from multiple standpoints. As a parent NO your 1 yr old should NOT be in line with you at CTC. As a teen yes its a fun event that i believe i can handle and after a certain age be allowed in. As a adult id like to see an older crowd so i can get things like severed heads back into my haunted houses, thank you very much. lol SorryNicole said:
end rant
Nicole said:
Yep, I've called people out numerous times for yelling at scare actors for getting their children. Like did you not read every warning sign and not hear Count Vladtastic's ANNOYING voice telling you at 6 PM all hell will break loose? They look at me like I'm crazy, but you were warned and if you ignore those warnings, you get what you get.