FrightFest thoughts...

Just follow me for a second, then argue with me...it's an exercise in futility also known as "Second-guess SFI now, before the Christmas rush".

Fright Fest at SF parks is generally (universally?) included with admission.

Reports are that these events have been VERY crowded.

Supply and demand seems to say that the demand for Halloween events is VERY high, esp. in comparison to the supply.

Some of the other chains charge extra for their Halloween events (for instance, passholders get "discounts" on HHN and HoS, but they ARE separately-gated, extra charge "events")....

Is it time for SFI to recognize that they can generate revenue AND decrease over-crowding by charging *something* to get in to "Special Events"?

Oh nooooooooooooooo! Next he's going to say GAdv should also charge extra for the concerts in the Northstar Arena... *winks*

Actually I could see it if the quality even goes higher. But only if that happens. Some of the stunts at GAdv's Fright Fest were laughable at best.

Do Six Flags parks operate their Halloween events in the same manner as Fear Fest at PKI? (Pay to get into the park, event included; pass holders get in free)

Yes that is how the event is run right now with the exception of I believe the Parks that run Alice Cooper's Brutal Planet. That show/event is an upcharge show/event.

Last time I checked SF charges admission and on top of that a fee to go in each of their haunted houses. Thus no one goes in them and instead rides roller coasters, thus causing long lines with minimal staff and minimal flat rides open means minimal fun.

Not at SFMW, both this past Sat. and Sun, huge enormous lines for both rides and the upcharge haunted attractions, never saw the park this crowded in the fall.

Some parks upcharge the haunted houses, others don't. I *still* don't understand why parks don't just charge more on days that they anticipate being busy. (Just up front, on the signs...not coupon or coke-can style). $60 for a Sat., $50 for a Fri. or Sun. $40 for any other day. Seems to make sense to me. Price = demand / supply. If there's more demand on a Sat., price should reflect that.

i think you need to apply to a park-by-park basis....

some parks have tons of things, while some have very little...

-- alan jacyszyn

AFAIK the haunted houses at SFA are free..all except brutal planet though.

I went yesterday & they put on a pretty good show & had the park fixed up quite nicely compared to last year....still recuperating froom that extra long cycle on rodeo however.

SFGAm crowds have been absolutely huge for Fright Fest again this year. Ride lines have been very long and once darkness sets in the haunted house lines have been really long also. Part of that is due to the crowds, part of it due to not all the rides being open.

BTW, They've added an operating day to the calendar and will now be open from 5-10pm on Halloween.

SFStL's Fright Fest isn't very well attended from what I have seen. They have one haunted house for $5 (very lame) and then they theme the train and have a hayride. Decorations are pretty pathetic as are the 'scare zones'. Of course it is hard to compete with one of the originals across the state at WOF. Crowds there on the other hand are CRAZY!

At SFMM all FrightFest attractions are including in the price of admission. But then what do you expect from a park that sells Babysitting -- oops, I mean SEASON! -- passes for less than $50!

I happen to like how Knotts does it: keep the park open during the day for regular operation; reopen the park at night for Haunt, separate admission.