Only time I would be able to go this year is this Saturday and it looks like it’s going to be a thunderstorm from 5:30-8:00. To say I’m bummed is an understatement lol.
Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt 2023
- Thread starter mtorange
- Start date
Blood Reign was simple yet effective this year, i watched a live stream and it built anticipation for when i get to actually see it in person.
I think I'm confused what's up with Fear. Grimmwoods is only 1 year older, yet put 21 to shame and it sounds like it's still well ahead. Personally, Grimm might be my favorite based on last year, while 21 seemed to be everyone's (and my) least favorite, so I'm confused what happened. Did they just go through a big budget cut in the year between the two houses? I was willing to let 21 slide because it seemed like a one-time placeholder, but if Fear is just as bad or only marginally better than last year, then yeah, that's pretty concerning.
I'm generally pretty optimistic when it comes to Haunt. I'm easy to please, I can admit that. And usually I don't take Opening Night reviews very seriously since parks always need time to work out the kinks. But if a house itself is just bad looking - not even talking about actors, just the quality of the set itself - that can't really be worked out. Definitely kind of concerning. Fortunately, Haunt is a great even as it is, but yeah, I'm starting to join the forum in getting worried for the future of the event.
I'm generally pretty optimistic when it comes to Haunt. I'm easy to please, I can admit that. And usually I don't take Opening Night reviews very seriously since parks always need time to work out the kinks. But if a house itself is just bad looking - not even talking about actors, just the quality of the set itself - that can't really be worked out. Definitely kind of concerning. Fortunately, Haunt is a great even as it is, but yeah, I'm starting to join the forum in getting worried for the future of the event.
Maybe they renamed 21 “Fear” because they knew we feared the house would even return lol.
Big props to KD for putting on good opening night despite the bad weather it was really impressive that they were even able to keep the scare zones and outdoor houses open.
Really all things considered it was a good night. I really disliked the new ending for Cornstalkers but everything else was good for the most part. I honestly wasn’t huge on the new placement for Site X.
The mazes were all good other than Fear. The scare zones were all good. Good amount of staff around given the low attendance.
Also I305 ran 2 trains in the rain. Walk on front row in the rain was incredible lol.
The mazes were all good other than Fear. The scare zones were all good. Good amount of staff around given the low attendance.
Also I305 ran 2 trains in the rain. Walk on front row in the rain was incredible lol.
Yesterday was incredible! The houses are fun! Blood on the Bayou was my favorite for the time being. (I did manage to miss 21, so I may be less enthused after trying it.) Being able to walk into the houses with just my family was such an experience. Doing the same with the front-row, no wait was just crazy fun for all the coasters. You couldn't beat that low crowd attendance, and I can not stress enough how good the actors are this year! I am excited for more!
The re-entry line to stay in the park for Haunt is EXTREMELY unorganized. Half of the people don’t even know what they’re in like for. Check-in polls are at the front of the park and the line is going all the way down international, wrapped all the way around the eiffel tower, and into planet snoopy. Luckily it’s moving quickly but it’s controlled chaos to say the least.
The rescan is really badly executed. If they want to do separate tickets, just give out wrist bands at entry and then keep Jungle X open while getting Haunt ready. This close the park system was a mess and that's on a Sunday that had dicey weather. A busy Saturday will be a total disaster.
I'm going to be going on the 14th, weather permitting. I'm looking forward to it, other than this re-entry stuff which sounds like it will be pretty bad on a Saturday. Will it be less bad if we just come at 6 for Haunt and skip the whole re-entry thing?
My plan is to tough it out and do every maze. I usually only do a couple. I'm a real scaredy cat when it comes to jump scares.
My plan is to tough it out and do every maze. I usually only do a couple. I'm a real scaredy cat when it comes to jump scares.
I think we should let them iron out the kinks before passing judgement on their holding areas and rescanning systems. Hopefully, the processes will improve.
If they went to rolling closures/openings, with everyone pushed to Jungle X this might work. Making guests stand in line for half an hour plus to go back and do what they were already doing is a terrible guest experience. Likewise closing stores and eateries for 90 minutes can't be good for generating spending.
I would like to say that I was all the way in planet snoopy like I said yesterday, the check ins were at the front of international and the line was going down international, all the way around the eiffel tower, and into planet snoopy. I was able to get checked back in for haunt in less then 20 minutes even though I was so far back in the line. It was an extremely chaotic environment but the system was effective… organization i feel would only improve it even more. I’m not concerned about the future of the re-entry process.
The line didn't actually start moving until well after 5pm. If you joined the line late, you probably didn't get to stand around while I assume they cleared out the park.
I’m sure the stay in the park system will evolve into a Stay and Scream type situation. From what I have heard the First in Fright at SCarowinds has worked remarkably well because they close Aeronautica Landing, scan in SCarowinds tickets by Afterburn and hold you in Aeronautica with rides and food open until SCarowinds starts. Apparently it has gone off both Saturdays without much confusion or any mess. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time (maybe not this year per se) until KD does something similar.