Howl-O-Scream
- Thread starter wombat96
- Start date
Here is an album of some photos I took yesterday. I would recommend viewing it on Flickr, rather than the site plugin.
I decided to post a link instead.
I decided to post a link instead.
The Tomato said:
Not technically. However, all three houses in the Germany section can be easily connected in a way. Cornered's exit is right beside Lumberhack's entrance, and Lumberhack's exit is right beside Bitten's entrance. So if you start at Cornered you can connect all three houses with little added walking.
If you have QuickQueue, you can walk directly from the exit of Bitten to the entrance of LumberHack. Otherwise, the LumberHack entrance is next to the Cornered exit.
I have only have one major negative criticism for Unearthed. The sound in the entire first half of the maze (until you get to the second simulator room) was not working, aside from actor triggered effects. In the cave section, the audio gets choppy. Scarlett's theme is played until you get to the Lady of the Gardens Card. Then you hear the old "Midnight Buffet" Theme from one speaker. Then it is once again silent until your final encounter with Scarlett. I think someone will have some serious explaining to do.
yeah, when I went through Unearthed on friday, it was silent and it confused me but also freaked me out but all of a sudden the music just kinda started blaring
Okay so due to some circumstances which I can't discuss here, I can't judge like any of the houses. I went through 5 of the 7 before having to leave, and the mood I was in completely ruined it all. Despite the fact that I walked through Deadline and CTC 100% alone, which in any other circumstances I probably would have enjoyed.
Unearthed from what I saw had nobody in it. Oh sure the sets were nice, but you have to have somebody in there to work it. And continuing the nobody in it thing, there was no stacking. I was the second person through in my group and we never once caught up to the group in front of us. honestly I could have hung back and given myself space between me and the couple in front of me, and I almost did, but circumstances said I needed to exit the house as quickly as possible. and honestly with the lack of actors in there, I really wanted out.
I think CTC and Lumberhack were suffering some staffing issues because of the rain and wet paths. Lumberhack I 100% can't judge because by the time I went through it I was so upset that I didn't care. One scene had the two actors talking to a staff person. Everyone else was focused on the group in front of me, and I was the last person through in the group. (Again 100% alone.) But even then, thinking about it, they weren't really reacting either. Also I guess I went through the Quick Queue entrance on accident??? Because I exited Bitten and walked straight into the line for Lumberhack, and nobody was stopping anyone. like it was a stream line of people coming from Bitten going to Lumberhack. though it might have been due to the weather? I don't know. I didn't see any other way to get to Lumberhack. And there was even a sign on the Festhaus pointing to Lumberhack by Bitten.
Some people got me in Deadline, the one person who got me the most actually like rubbed something on my head though. (And I mean like really rubbed my head. I don't remember what room it was in.) Which is slightly uncomfortable tbh. But walking through 100% alone was cool. Deadline is super disorientating when you don't have anybody to guide you through. I actually got lost a couple of times because I didn't have anybody around, despite the fact that I've gone through the house many times.
Bitten wasn't preforming for me. But then again I also had a family containing 5 teen girls behind me. (I actually switched places with them because they didn't want to go first.)
But that was pretty much it for the houses with my experience. I can't rate them or judge them because my mood was super sour.
However, I can judge shows, saw all three of them. And honestly, of the three Fiends was probably the best. And as it was the best the over all feeling was, meh.
Some dialogue changes in Fiends were... ehh. I have to say I really enjoyed the Doctor's and Simplicity's singing. Also, no more sequence bras. Until the Vampire shows up, and then the nurses pretend to rip them off and throw them at him. (What.) Also Igor had a... small banjo??? and a kazoo??? during his and the Creature from the Black lagoon's number. It was unexpected and rather unnecessary, but honestly I had a good laugh at it. Over all the shows beginning and end were decent enough, but the middle was incredibly weak. But the best news of all, the werewolf isn't a furry anymore. And I was pleased.
Night Beats was... something. So take last years show and change Ulrich and Beatrix to Ludrich (sp?) and Freeda, and that's it. that's the show. they literally renamed the main characters and gave the same show. Which I wouldn't have minded so much, except one of the opening lines is something to the effect of "I know you all know my brother Ulrich, well he and Beatrix flew the coup." They openly acknowledge the original couple in the show, and then go into the same exact show as last year. Down to the romance subplot thing and the awkward hugging. Also. The female Grim Reapers. They aren't nurses. why are they wearing bright pink bras? Why are they showing like all of the bra. Even during Fiends their outfits were zipped up, because it was an early showing. So why were they wearing that.
Monster Stomp was in the middle. Honestly the only thing people were really reacting to was the drumming and the skeletons. Which lets face it, at this point that's all the show needs is 20 minutes of that. The Ripper and the Prostitute are just filler. Couldn't really hear the singing over the music. But it was about on par with last year, which wasn't that good. I think the guy can rap a little bit better than the one last year. But it still doesn't sound good... at least from what I heard of it. Again most of it was over powered by the music.
And one final thing I'll leave here. Holy shit were there so many children at HoS. I got inline for Unearthed at like 5:45, and they were already letting people through. I saw at least 15 different groups all with children. Including one family with a stroller bound toddler. Like they brought the stroller into the line with a toddler in it.
Unearthed from what I saw had nobody in it. Oh sure the sets were nice, but you have to have somebody in there to work it. And continuing the nobody in it thing, there was no stacking. I was the second person through in my group and we never once caught up to the group in front of us. honestly I could have hung back and given myself space between me and the couple in front of me, and I almost did, but circumstances said I needed to exit the house as quickly as possible. and honestly with the lack of actors in there, I really wanted out.
I think CTC and Lumberhack were suffering some staffing issues because of the rain and wet paths. Lumberhack I 100% can't judge because by the time I went through it I was so upset that I didn't care. One scene had the two actors talking to a staff person. Everyone else was focused on the group in front of me, and I was the last person through in the group. (Again 100% alone.) But even then, thinking about it, they weren't really reacting either. Also I guess I went through the Quick Queue entrance on accident??? Because I exited Bitten and walked straight into the line for Lumberhack, and nobody was stopping anyone. like it was a stream line of people coming from Bitten going to Lumberhack. though it might have been due to the weather? I don't know. I didn't see any other way to get to Lumberhack. And there was even a sign on the Festhaus pointing to Lumberhack by Bitten.
Some people got me in Deadline, the one person who got me the most actually like rubbed something on my head though. (And I mean like really rubbed my head. I don't remember what room it was in.) Which is slightly uncomfortable tbh. But walking through 100% alone was cool. Deadline is super disorientating when you don't have anybody to guide you through. I actually got lost a couple of times because I didn't have anybody around, despite the fact that I've gone through the house many times.
Bitten wasn't preforming for me. But then again I also had a family containing 5 teen girls behind me. (I actually switched places with them because they didn't want to go first.)
But that was pretty much it for the houses with my experience. I can't rate them or judge them because my mood was super sour.
However, I can judge shows, saw all three of them. And honestly, of the three Fiends was probably the best. And as it was the best the over all feeling was, meh.
Some dialogue changes in Fiends were... ehh. I have to say I really enjoyed the Doctor's and Simplicity's singing. Also, no more sequence bras. Until the Vampire shows up, and then the nurses pretend to rip them off and throw them at him. (What.) Also Igor had a... small banjo??? and a kazoo??? during his and the Creature from the Black lagoon's number. It was unexpected and rather unnecessary, but honestly I had a good laugh at it. Over all the shows beginning and end were decent enough, but the middle was incredibly weak. But the best news of all, the werewolf isn't a furry anymore. And I was pleased.
Night Beats was... something. So take last years show and change Ulrich and Beatrix to Ludrich (sp?) and Freeda, and that's it. that's the show. they literally renamed the main characters and gave the same show. Which I wouldn't have minded so much, except one of the opening lines is something to the effect of "I know you all know my brother Ulrich, well he and Beatrix flew the coup." They openly acknowledge the original couple in the show, and then go into the same exact show as last year. Down to the romance subplot thing and the awkward hugging. Also. The female Grim Reapers. They aren't nurses. why are they wearing bright pink bras? Why are they showing like all of the bra. Even during Fiends their outfits were zipped up, because it was an early showing. So why were they wearing that.
Monster Stomp was in the middle. Honestly the only thing people were really reacting to was the drumming and the skeletons. Which lets face it, at this point that's all the show needs is 20 minutes of that. The Ripper and the Prostitute are just filler. Couldn't really hear the singing over the music. But it was about on par with last year, which wasn't that good. I think the guy can rap a little bit better than the one last year. But it still doesn't sound good... at least from what I heard of it. Again most of it was over powered by the music.
And one final thing I'll leave here. Holy shit were there so many children at HoS. I got inline for Unearthed at like 5:45, and they were already letting people through. I saw at least 15 different groups all with children. Including one family with a stroller bound toddler. Like they brought the stroller into the line with a toddler in it.
It's crazy how we can all go on the same night and have such different experiences. I went Friday evening and made it through 6 of the 7 houses...after reading some of the other reviews I wish we hadn't skipped Bitten!
I totally understand it was opening night and the weather wasn't the best. I also understand that not all the actors were probably in place yet. And despite any picking of nits below, I had an amazing time and I think 2015 is already off to a much better start than many previous years.
* Catacombs was decent and I actually had a couple good scares in there. I felt it was staffed well, and having the scare actors on top of the maze banging and even reaching through the ceiling was a nice change! I just wish it was a little darker.
* Unearthed was 50/50 for me. The beginning was pretty good, though I had a lot of time to walk slow, look at the sets, and observe, which meant it was a bit understaffed. When I did finally encounter an actor, they were pretty good at what they were there to do, especially the goats. But the simulator rooms? Why oh why was is SOOOO bright in there?! And Scarlet just hanging there? It so didn't fit the rest of the maze.
* Cornered was by far my favorite of the night. Even though it was dusk, there were some great actors and some really good scares. The maze looked great and the mirrors were amazing! And entering the corn field right after the mirrors left you disoriented.
* Lumberhack, hmmmm, my experience was very different than a lot of others. Hopefully they will re-route the LONG walk to the entrance and fix the confusion at the entrance/exit. The actors that were there were great, loved the giant saw blade and the sparks flying, but overall it felt like I made it through the maze in less than two minutes. Maybe it was just how the group and flow was going. The environment was great, and I can't wait to go back in a few weeks after things get worked out. Otherwise, it just felt like "that was it?"
* Cut Throat Cove suffered from a major lack of staffing. It looks like some things were cleaned up and the room with the all-white "sails" was disorienting, but there were just so many long stretches without a person.
* When I went through Deadline it was hitting on all cylinders. It was the last house of the night and it felt like a totally different house from last year. It was really well staffed when I went through and the effects seemed louder and brighter, especially in the electrical room. There were two actors in the restroom, a couple on the subway, and several in the vending area. I would definitely vote it as "most improved" from last year.
Just my two cents, your mileage may vary. Can't wait to go back!!
I totally understand it was opening night and the weather wasn't the best. I also understand that not all the actors were probably in place yet. And despite any picking of nits below, I had an amazing time and I think 2015 is already off to a much better start than many previous years.
* Catacombs was decent and I actually had a couple good scares in there. I felt it was staffed well, and having the scare actors on top of the maze banging and even reaching through the ceiling was a nice change! I just wish it was a little darker.
* Unearthed was 50/50 for me. The beginning was pretty good, though I had a lot of time to walk slow, look at the sets, and observe, which meant it was a bit understaffed. When I did finally encounter an actor, they were pretty good at what they were there to do, especially the goats. But the simulator rooms? Why oh why was is SOOOO bright in there?! And Scarlet just hanging there? It so didn't fit the rest of the maze.
* Cornered was by far my favorite of the night. Even though it was dusk, there were some great actors and some really good scares. The maze looked great and the mirrors were amazing! And entering the corn field right after the mirrors left you disoriented.
* Lumberhack, hmmmm, my experience was very different than a lot of others. Hopefully they will re-route the LONG walk to the entrance and fix the confusion at the entrance/exit. The actors that were there were great, loved the giant saw blade and the sparks flying, but overall it felt like I made it through the maze in less than two minutes. Maybe it was just how the group and flow was going. The environment was great, and I can't wait to go back in a few weeks after things get worked out. Otherwise, it just felt like "that was it?"
* Cut Throat Cove suffered from a major lack of staffing. It looks like some things were cleaned up and the room with the all-white "sails" was disorienting, but there were just so many long stretches without a person.
* When I went through Deadline it was hitting on all cylinders. It was the last house of the night and it felt like a totally different house from last year. It was really well staffed when I went through and the effects seemed louder and brighter, especially in the electrical room. There were two actors in the restroom, a couple on the subway, and several in the vending area. I would definitely vote it as "most improved" from last year.
Just my two cents, your mileage may vary. Can't wait to go back!!
Entrance to Lumberhack has been fixed so you enter through the Bitten gate now. No entering through the Cornered side and then being forced to walk all the way around.
Saturday night maze reviews.
Lumberhack was performing well last night. Like Catacombs it suffers from length issues but its a solid maze (5/5)
Cornered was great actor wise. Set wise its still really plain. Got a few scares out of it. (5/5)
Scarlett's Revenge has great set pieces but the actors are a little short. Some dead room as well but definitely not as much as 13 (3/5)
Bitten was excellent as usual. Got a few scares out of it (5/5)
Catacombs was suffering from opening weekend issues. Got a scare or two out of it (3/5)
Pirates was meh. New worst maze of HOS maybe? (1/5)
Deadline 2012 is back with a vengeance. Fully staffed and ready to scare (5/5)
Scare zones
Vampire Point was OK. Had its share of good actors but they're short staffed like crazy.
Wendigo Woods had a few gold actors including a group near the carving shop that were fantastic and the guy by the demon gate. Everyone else sorta just stood around.
Pirates was OK. Fully staffed and had some decent scares thanks to bungee dude.
Demon Street made two groups of people jump out of their shoes and book it out of the area. I couldn't think of any other zone that did that.
Ripper Row was terrible. Why do you guys even like this scare zone again?
Saturday night maze reviews.
Lumberhack was performing well last night. Like Catacombs it suffers from length issues but its a solid maze (5/5)
Cornered was great actor wise. Set wise its still really plain. Got a few scares out of it. (5/5)
Scarlett's Revenge has great set pieces but the actors are a little short. Some dead room as well but definitely not as much as 13 (3/5)
Bitten was excellent as usual. Got a few scares out of it (5/5)
Catacombs was suffering from opening weekend issues. Got a scare or two out of it (3/5)
Pirates was meh. New worst maze of HOS maybe? (1/5)
Deadline 2012 is back with a vengeance. Fully staffed and ready to scare (5/5)
Scare zones
Vampire Point was OK. Had its share of good actors but they're short staffed like crazy.
Wendigo Woods had a few gold actors including a group near the carving shop that were fantastic and the guy by the demon gate. Everyone else sorta just stood around.
Pirates was OK. Fully staffed and had some decent scares thanks to bungee dude.
Demon Street made two groups of people jump out of their shoes and book it out of the area. I couldn't think of any other zone that did that.
Ripper Row was terrible. Why do you guys even like this scare zone again?
We're hitting the park tonight since it's literally the only day this season we can go. The weather is already nicer this morning in Richmond, and we won't be able to make our way until 4 or so, putting us there at 5:00. I highly doubt there will be a chance of capacity being met tonight... right?! I don't want to make the drive and have to turn around. Past experience has told me we'll be just fine.
So went to the park yesterday, seen and done everything twice,
Fiends, was alright no major changes but more sexier actors which i liked, also when i saw the last show the fog effects were in full blast to where i thought i smoked it. Night beats, was odd to me it seemed toned down and some dancers were off. Monster Stomp was perfect.
DeadLine, performed perfectly. Unearthed (went two times) great props and opportunities not being used. The black light hall eith symbols felt cheesey, thought it was great they used effects with the screens and the wind where she was flying or somthing. But looked cheap, the characters were not there to be behind there cards only two were there the first time ,destiny and trickster. So i came back at night and none of them were there, then Scarlett pops out near the end she just stands there... Ooh. Scary. Overall the house was okay. The three women outside dressed like her were more interesting than the house. Cornerd, was interesting but a serious back up when the bags filled with air on both sides suffocated me when some idiots stopped. But a nice house, Lumber Hack, i found myself jumpping from times to time. Some masks were cheap looking and some didn't, liked how they gotten underneath the walkway and poped up. Bitten is about the same as usual some spots felt empty. Cut throat cove felt empty. Walked through the first half and no body was there. And finally catacombs was toned down the actors were saying boo, which wasnt scary at all.
The terror-tories were okay, vampire point was full of actors and i got a photo with a cute one. :aww: Wendigo woods was empty hardly any good actors. Demon street was low on some demons, the Dj didnt stay long at all. Ports of skull was bare like last year. But good actors, England was low on actors and were just everywhere.
Fiends, was alright no major changes but more sexier actors which i liked, also when i saw the last show the fog effects were in full blast to where i thought i smoked it. Night beats, was odd to me it seemed toned down and some dancers were off. Monster Stomp was perfect.
DeadLine, performed perfectly. Unearthed (went two times) great props and opportunities not being used. The black light hall eith symbols felt cheesey, thought it was great they used effects with the screens and the wind where she was flying or somthing. But looked cheap, the characters were not there to be behind there cards only two were there the first time ,destiny and trickster. So i came back at night and none of them were there, then Scarlett pops out near the end she just stands there... Ooh. Scary. Overall the house was okay. The three women outside dressed like her were more interesting than the house. Cornerd, was interesting but a serious back up when the bags filled with air on both sides suffocated me when some idiots stopped. But a nice house, Lumber Hack, i found myself jumpping from times to time. Some masks were cheap looking and some didn't, liked how they gotten underneath the walkway and poped up. Bitten is about the same as usual some spots felt empty. Cut throat cove felt empty. Walked through the first half and no body was there. And finally catacombs was toned down the actors were saying boo, which wasnt scary at all.
The terror-tories were okay, vampire point was full of actors and i got a photo with a cute one. :aww: Wendigo woods was empty hardly any good actors. Demon street was low on some demons, the Dj didnt stay long at all. Ports of skull was bare like last year. But good actors, England was low on actors and were just everywhere.
angelicurrr said:
If it's anything like Friday, there will be hardly anybody there. If the weather clears up it might be slightly more crowded, but I would be personally shocked if it hit capacity. Best of luck!
netdvn said:
expect 2 wlk around on busy nights at least - whne the line gets rlly long
