Howl-O-Scream
- Thread starter wombat96
- Start date
Do you guys think I could use the platinum entrance tonight or will they turn me around? I'll be arriving around 6.
The rainy weather really messed up crowds this weekend. Yesterday most of the mazes had 2+ hour waits, and Quick Queue sold out before Howl-O-Scream even started. One of the managers told us over 1,000 regular HOS Quick Queues were sold yesterday, not even including the unlimited pass. At $60 a pop, that's over $60,000 dollars raked in on QQ in one night, and those babies are basically pure profit. It was kind of sucky from a guest's point of view, but it was certainly a good financial night for the park.
Also, protip: if the regular QQs are sold out, try getting a few one-use passes. They cost $10 and provide priority access to one maze, but they're less popular and less publicized than the other passes. I bought 3 of them for a total of $30, and got to experience the three new attractions without waiting or breaking the bank.
Also, protip: if the regular QQs are sold out, try getting a few one-use passes. They cost $10 and provide priority access to one maze, but they're less popular and less publicized than the other passes. I bought 3 of them for a total of $30, and got to experience the three new attractions without waiting or breaking the bank.
I'm kinda honestly surprised everyone's shocked about the crowds this weekend. Considering the weather the past two weekends. >__> Plus the added Columbus day is tomorrow, so the military has it off. It was going to be a busy weekend regardless.
It's tremendously packed. Scarlett's entrance was moved next to the Eagles, so now instead of the line stretching into Killarney, it stretches almost halfway through the wild reserve as of 5:30. :/
It should be an interesting night...
It should be an interesting night...
I imagine Uneathed is at a loss. On the one hand, stretching into Ireland creates a problem, as Ireland is small.
On the other, if it's going down one side of the Wild Reserve, and Fiend's queue is on the other side, that path is going to be pretty damn narrow.
On the other, if it's going down one side of the Wild Reserve, and Fiend's queue is on the other side, that path is going to be pretty damn narrow.
Had a lovely time just taking a stroll around the park tonight, as the weather was nice, but I dared not go in any of the haunted mazes. All of the lines that I could see were extremely long. I did get a few scares from the terror-tories tonight though! All of the scare actors were doing a really good job.
Went last night. Got quick queue and it was definitely worth it. The long that we waited was 15 minutes. Unearthed was really good today, catacombs was ok, cornered was FANTASTIC! Bitten was way better than past years, lumberjack was ok, cut throat cove was pretty good, and deadline was ok. Wendigo woods and pirate terror-Tory (the name escapes me right now) were absolutely horrible. No scares in either place. Vampire point was actually pretty good this year, I was surprised. That's my experience in a quick run down.
^It amazes me how much the amount (or apparent/visible amount) of actors can fluctuate so much from day-to-day, and even between hours. Last night was the first crowded night I have experienced this season, and all of the houses seemed under-staffed. Ironically, I counted the most actors in Unearthed. Although, it wasn't as well staffed as it was when they first added more actors.
What Hoopla said about Wendigo Woods only seems to give more credit to my point about the amount of actors by the time of day. When I walked through, it seemed to be the most well-staffed area. I saw at least ten people. Also, take into consideration the fact that most of them are hiding to wait for the right moment to scare someone.
What Hoopla said about Wendigo Woods only seems to give more credit to my point about the amount of actors by the time of day. When I walked through, it seemed to be the most well-staffed area. I saw at least ten people. Also, take into consideration the fact that most of them are hiding to wait for the right moment to scare someone.
I was in the park on Friday, and I have to say overall I was pretty impressed with this years event! It did get pretty crowded towards 6, but I mean it is HowlOScream that is to be expected. I only got around to seeing one show Monster Stomp on Ripper Row, and it was decently cheesy. I give it a 3/5, but mainly because I miss the old Monster Stomp. Our group started out at Deadline, and it was good but I've seen it perform better. There was not a single actor in the subway portion of the maze 3/5. We then headed over to Unearthed, and I actually enjoyed this maze a lot. The actors were on point, and it was greatly themed! My only issues with this maze were the projection screens and the cavern towards the end. The black sheets hanging from the ceiling seemed half-a**ed to say the least compared to the rest of the maze 4/5. Catacombs was performing well, but I think it is about time they axe this house 3/5. Cornered was fabulous. My whole group agreed that it was the best house of the night by far! The actors were on point, and the maze itself has a wonderful layout for the theme. I would axe the claustrophobic portion because it did cause back up in the maze. The mirrors and corn at the end were perfectly executed as far as design and scaring 5/5. Lumberhack was good. But it wasn't great. I enjoyed the atmosphere, and the actors were really energetic. But I feel the openness of the maze makes the scaring harder. I wish they had a few more hiding spots for the actors. This maze has a ton of potential and with a few tweaks it could definitely be one of the top mazes 4/5. Sadly, my group was tired and we didn't make it to Bitten. I really wish I had the chance to experience this maze because of all the good things I have heard this season. I wasn't to upset about missing CTC. As far as terror-tories go, Wendingo Woods has a great atmosphere and it was generally spooky. I didn't see a single pirate, and I only saw a couple actors in Ripper Row but they were mainly taking pictures with guests. Demon DJ needs to go. I thought the chainsaws were effective, and Vampire Point was performing exceptionally well on Friday! Overall I think this is one of the best events the park has had in a long time, and I look forward to seeing how they expand on these changes next year!
The park was swamped last night, really close to reaching capacity. I opted for QQ as it was my last visit of the season and I wanted be able to do most of the major attractions. I also got permission to film with my go pro in all the haunted houses, sadly, it was too dark to really see most things but you can still hear loud and clear. Expect those to pop up this week. This isn't my full review but some quick thoughts:
Catacombs 7/10: Pretty solid, I like the changes. But I don't the like spiders because they kill the realistic vibe and their spiders. Nobody likes spiders.
Cornered 9/10: Amazing house. Everyone who helped on this house really deserves a pat on the back, light years better than Root of all Evil. Plus, all the actors really got into character. Also, they didn't let the groups go into the claustrophobia room due to stacking.
Bitten 9/10: The actors similar to Cornered were really into their roles. The changes to the house jazzed up the usual pace.
Lumberhack 9/10: Again, props to entertainment for trying something new. The house has some brilliant scares.
Cut Throat Cove 7/10: Meh, pirates themselves were doing okay but this house really is just Fear Fair with a pirate over-lay.
Unearthed Scarlett's Revenge 8/10: This house was way over-hyped sadly. The detail in the house is insane, the scares not so much. What really bugged me is how several rooms would have multiple actors whereas some rooms wouldn't have a single actor. Also, some were really good at their roles unlike some who would just stand there. Fix the staffing issues and you'd have a winner on your hands.
Over-all HOS 2015 is a sold 8.5ish maybe a 9/10. Highly recommend.
EDIT: To put into perspective how busy it was last night, I had to go over by Le Scoot to use my phone as there were some many people using there phones in the park. Happy to see the park get all this business.
Catacombs 7/10: Pretty solid, I like the changes. But I don't the like spiders because they kill the realistic vibe and their spiders. Nobody likes spiders.
Cornered 9/10: Amazing house. Everyone who helped on this house really deserves a pat on the back, light years better than Root of all Evil. Plus, all the actors really got into character. Also, they didn't let the groups go into the claustrophobia room due to stacking.
Bitten 9/10: The actors similar to Cornered were really into their roles. The changes to the house jazzed up the usual pace.
Lumberhack 9/10: Again, props to entertainment for trying something new. The house has some brilliant scares.
Cut Throat Cove 7/10: Meh, pirates themselves were doing okay but this house really is just Fear Fair with a pirate over-lay.
Unearthed Scarlett's Revenge 8/10: This house was way over-hyped sadly. The detail in the house is insane, the scares not so much. What really bugged me is how several rooms would have multiple actors whereas some rooms wouldn't have a single actor. Also, some were really good at their roles unlike some who would just stand there. Fix the staffing issues and you'd have a winner on your hands.
Over-all HOS 2015 is a sold 8.5ish maybe a 9/10. Highly recommend.
EDIT: To put into perspective how busy it was last night, I had to go over by Le Scoot to use my phone as there were some many people using there phones in the park. Happy to see the park get all this business.
I know this isint a Kings Dominon thread but I went last night and it looked super crowded but everthing was quick. I can't imagine Busch. Kings Dominion's atmosphere is HORRIBLE. But the mazes are just purely amazing with scares. Im super hard to scare. But I screamed a couple times. I'm going to Busch this sunday for the 1st time this year so im pretty excited. I'ts going to be hard to beat Kings. Kings Dominion seems like there is less rules for the actors.. they can follow you and they can just rome around the park as the please. Unlike Busch. Anywys I hope Busch isint busy.
Sundays are usually the least busy weekend wise for the park so you should be fine. The park closes at 10 on Sundays by the way. Have fun!
I bet Cornered and Lumberhack are fun to walk through alone. (Spoiler: They are.)
And for everyone saying Lumberhack isn't meeting up to what people are saying on here, I've noticed that with Lumberhack in particular you have to be in basically the front of the group to get a good turn. Which sucks if you get stuck at the back. It's something they need to work on.
While Cornered, once you get passed the giant air bags, it's pretty much smooth sailing with few people to lead. Which leads to better scares.
It's just something I've noticed.
And for everyone saying Lumberhack isn't meeting up to what people are saying on here, I've noticed that with Lumberhack in particular you have to be in basically the front of the group to get a good turn. Which sucks if you get stuck at the back. It's something they need to work on.
While Cornered, once you get passed the giant air bags, it's pretty much smooth sailing with few people to lead. Which leads to better scares.
It's just something I've noticed.
I thought Lumberhack was a great maze, I just thought it was really short. I understand that they were working with limited space, but I felt like there were a lot of areas that could have been used more effectively to create a lengthier maze.
But I suppose since they put the effort in preparing this area to be used as a maze, that we may see it reused for years to come and we may see improvement.
But I suppose since they put the effort in preparing this area to be used as a maze, that we may see it reused for years to come and we may see improvement.
I'd love to see Lumberhacks occupy the field space as well as the woods.
