Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

[ni_teach]

I have not seen any reviews yet of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

So how was is it this year? How are the new mazes?

[Skipper S]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

This year for me was the most boring year. There was no talent anywhere. We went on the 29 and did everything and were kinda disapointed. We have been going for 17 years and this was the biggest miss so far. (for us any ways.) The new mazes were ok. I liked the Klown College, The Doll Factory was to repeditive it was the same thing all the way threw. and some of the mask did not fit the maze at all and distracted us. Log ride was the worst as well was the mine ride, and the beowolf it just didnt make sence as a haunted maze I don't know maybe because I do my own large haunted house in nor Cal Im a little more jugmental but I just expect more from Knotts. My faves this year were Red Beards, and Lost Vegas the talent was rockin both time we went threw them they were dead on. Oh and the Grudge 2 maze was a verey cheap vesion of what it was last year. The eye room is the one part where you can see it the most, not as big or detailed as last year. I dont mean to be mean but I just expect more. We drive down for the weeked every year and this was the first year that we questioned going agian... We will always every year no matter what but I hope next year is better. Love Haunt forever

[Zorro825]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I'll be heading there tonight. I'll have a Trip Report sometime tommorrow.

[Bornieo Goes Bananas]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I went on Sunday the 30th - was AWESOME! They did a fantastic job - new mazes are tons of fun.

[JesterMn]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

This year for me was the most boring year. There was no talent anywhere. We went on the 29 and did everything and were kinda disapointed. We have been going for 17 years and this was the biggest miss so far. (for us any ways.) The new mazes were ok. I liked the Klown College, The Doll Factory was to repeditive it was the same thing all the way threw. and some of the mask did not fit the maze at all and distracted us. Log ride was the worst as well was the mine ride, and the beowolf it just didnt make sence as a haunted maze I don't know maybe because I do my own large haunted house in nor Cal Im a little more jugmental but I just expect more from Knotts. My faves this year were Red Beards, and Lost Vegas the talent was rockin both time we went threw them they were dead on. Oh and the Grudge 2 maze was a verey cheap vesion of what it was last year. The eye room is the one part where you can see it the most, not as big or detailed as last year. I dont mean to be mean but I just expect more. We drive down for the weeked every year and this was the first year that we questioned going agian... We will always every year no matter what but I hope next year is better. Love Haunt forever

I have to disagree with much of what you say. Not all of it, but a lot of it.

The Doll Factory did miss a bit, but not because it was repetitive... more because the story line didn't flow through all the way. But that maze had the most amazing "Doll" girl talent I have ever seen... you must have missed her, because she was incredible (the Hollywood1939 report has a pic of her).

Red Beard and Vegas have great theming, but very low on scares. The Grudge was exactly the same as last year... I'm not sure how you thought it changed. I loved Beuwulf.... also a bit more atmospheric, but very well done!

I do agree with you that Log Ride was fairly weak (as was Calico Mine Ride, IMO). I also agree that Klown College was great.

I very much enjoyed the rest of the mazes. However, I do find that Knott's Haunt is best experienced about every 2-3 years. It does tend to get repetitive if you go every year.

[hollywood1939]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I thought it was fantastic this year. Then again it's been 6 years since I've been there.

[gibbage]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I went the 3rd, and it was fantastic. One of the better years I would say! The reason I say this is I always went late in the month, on a weekend. This was the 1st time I went on a week day early in the month! No lines, fresh talent, and the mazes were not torn appart yet.

One thing I must say is there was a LOT of aimless talent in the scare zones. They have not gotten into the groove yet, or still green. Typically at the end of the month, the very few that are left are very good at what they do. Im gonna try the middle of the month next year.

I do think that Knotts is putting more effort into the haunt this year, but its harder due to all the changes made recently to the layout of the park. The old ghost town was always a great scare zone, since there was a lot of dark corners and places for them to hide. Now, a lot of the buildings are torn out, the path is opened up a lot, and the monsters are not taking advantage of some of the dark corners that are left. They all sort of just milled around with the crowd. Not very scarry when you see them walking up too you from 20-30 feet away.

The Log Ride was good, but due too the recent renovation, the inside was COMPLEATLY gutted. It was interesting seeing the internal framework, sort of like the early Matterhorn. Hard to see since it was dark, but I have good night vision.

All in all, one of the better years, and better then last, but can still use a lot of improvement.

[Skipper S]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

jestermn I did see the doll you are talking about in front of the doll house and yes she was amazing , she is the only reason we went threw that one twice. But she alone could not save the maze. The maze is the same in every hall with the faces being blown up. and the costumes with dot room shirts I dont get it. I hope that it was better for all we just happend to hit each maze at a bad time all night. Most mazes had 1/2 the talent as normal and most were not even trying. Like I sayed I love Haunt and will continue to go every year. I do not want to sound like Im bashing Haunt I was just giving My opinion. I thought last year was way better. Oh and Grudge was way down played Like I sayed before last year The eye room was huge and eyes everywhere. This year its a couple of flat walls with an eye here an eye there not as impresive. I know theres more thats just the one that stands out the most. Love Haunt forever

[Professortango]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

^^
It's okay, last year the Grudge maze was love it or hate it. Unfortunately, my friends and I were in the "hate it category." I could tell it cost more than the average maze, but nothing really that scary. Also, waiting an hour makes expectations soar.

As for pyromanicas, I've heard a few vague things about it being bad, but does anyone have any specifics? Are there any tableaus or effects like Red Moon Massacre had or is it just people in the dark?

[JesterMn]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

^^
As for pyromanicas, I've heard a few vague things about it being bad, but does anyone have any specifics? Are there any tableaus or effects like Red Moon Massacre had or is it just people in the dark?

To me, it mostly seemed weak because there's just basically nothing much there that isn't there on a regular basis. There's some scenery/tableaus , but mostly it's just siren lights and a few people hiding in the dark. Many people are reporting that the lights are on internally, and that the superstructure of the ride is exposed, but on my particular ride, I didn't get to see that.

On the other hand, it's just nice to ride the Log Ride again after being down for so long! (And rumor says it's going down again following the Haunt, so ride it while you can.)

[Zorro825]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

Went last night and had a blast. This was the earliest we had ever gone to the haunt and I have to say its was awesome being able to do every maze for once.
"The Doll House" was pretty good. The doll that had me thinking "Holy ****" was the one that had contacts that made her eyes look like "X's", That was cool.
"Clown College" was good and "Beuwulf" was very well done. I did not like "The Lazer Range" or whatever it was called and I unfortunetly did not do "Pyromaniax" because no one in my party wanted to go on a water ride late night.
"Black Widow's" cavern was lame IMO.
"The Hanging" was pretty funny too.
All in all I had a great time. I'll be going to USH in a few weeks to try their Halloween offerings. We'll see how they compare.

[DisneyFunGuy]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

Did anyone see the stage show at the Charles M Schultz Theatre? And any spoilers on The Hanging this year???

[Baiser_Tu_2]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

Did anyone see the stage show at the Charles M Schultz Theatre? And any spoilers on The Hanging this year???

From what I've heard ppl didn't lile Hack's show at the Charles M. Schultz.

other than that here's a big spoiler on The Hanging.

Spoiler

Sanjaya gets hung this year.

[gibbage]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I saw "Hacks" this year, and it was "OK". I really liked the dancing girls, and some of the bits were funny. Its a live improv with 5 comedians with the "bits" seperated by dancing numbers done by some very talented and HOT girls.

The Log Ride was rather under dressed, thats for sure! Im sure that it will close down for another long refurb to build inside the show building since its gutted. I saw a lot of moonlight streaming in when inside, and in the daytime it will light the area up too well to hide. It will be interesting to see what they put in there! They will be starting with a clean slate! If I relcall, it was just a cavern of waterfalls with a whirlpool in the middle.

The Lazer Rage was totally LAME last year, and looked the same this year. Save yourself the time and avoid it like everyone else. Also some of the female talent in the Lore of the Vamp was very nice also.

[ChubbyBunny]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I attended Haunt on 9/27 and 9/28. I will also be there tonight and the 12th.

The first couple of days of Haunt are usually hit or miss. Some monsters are stoked to be back and have lots of energy, while some of the rookies are just trying to find their groove (some vets need this time to get back into it too). Personally, I thought they did a great job on both nights. Tons of monsters in every zone: GTS, SBMT, CS and CE were all rocking when I was there. Mazes did an awesome job too.

Monsters sometimes feed off the guest's energy. If you walk through a maze all "blah", they're probably going to bypass you and aim to scare the next person that's into it.

[Zorro825]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

Did anyone see the stage show at the Charles M Schultz Theatre? And any spoilers on The Hanging this year???

This years victim was:

Spoiler

Sanjaya!!

[DisneyFunGuy]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

I saw "Hacks" this year, and it was "OK". I really liked the dancing girls, and some of the bits were funny. Its a live improv with 5 comedians with the "bits" seperated by dancing numbers done by some very talented and HOT girls.

The Log Ride was rather under dressed, thats for sure! Im sure that it will close down for another long refurb to build inside the show building since its gutted. I saw a lot of moonlight streaming in when inside, and in the daytime it will light the area up too well to hide. It will be interesting to see what they put in there! They will be starting with a clean slate! If I relcall, it was just a cavern of waterfalls with a whirlpool in the middle.

The Lazer Rage was totally LAME last year, and looked the same this year. Save yourself the time and avoid it like everyone else. Also some of the female talent in the Lore of the Vamp was very nice also.

Just curious...with those HOT girls, were there any HOT guys as well? You know, for the female and gay audience members??? =)

[Skipper S]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

No guys . The girls were hot but the show was better at bird cage. More intamite and all improve. They realy dont do much and the girls slow the show down. Its like all the shows before.... Ed Alonzo anyone his show was great at Bird Cage to but was ruind by the move to goul time. oh well had some great laughs and let us rest our feet so not a total los.

[gibbage]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

Just curious...with those HOT girls, were there any HOT guys as well? You know, for the female and gay audience members??? =)

Yes. I dont know if they do it every night, but the 5 comedians did a pole dance/lap dance number after strapping a male volenteer into a chair and promising one of the girls out do it. I dont know whats hot or not, but the guys were rather well built for comedians.

[elly]

Re: Any Reviews of Knott's Halloween Haunt.

No guys . The girls were hot but the show was better at bird cage. More intamite and all improve. They realy dont do much and the girls slow the show down. Its like all the shows before.... Ed Alonzo anyone his show was great at Bird Cage to but was ruind by the move to goul time. oh well had some great laughs and let us rest our feet so not a total los.

The Ghoul Time Theater has a very bad reputation of taking great shows from the smaller venues and polluting them. I agree with what you said 100%...I was VERY disappointed to hear Hacks! was moving into the big theater because their improv worked SO WELL in the Birdcage and they were definantly the best show at Haunt last year (altho i'm pretty partial to Marty Putz' Prank Party as well, Chubby Bunny FTW!)