Carowinds closed early due to "unruly minors" amid apparently false rumors of gun fire

So just not little whores, but unruly little whores

Tommytheduck:

Link please

Might have been this one:

I dunno

super7*:

These parks like Cedar Fair have made their own bed with these Halloween events and the crowds they have marketed them to. Dollywood manages high attendance in the fall with a special event that’s not aimed toward this crowd. Apparently this is what Hershey wants in the future.

I suspect the replacement of Haunt with Tricks and Treats at ValleyFair and CGA is a test. If those parks can do similar numbers without the costs and headaches of Haunt, it will be replicated elsewhere. Not sure if you can ever get rid of Haunt at Knotts though.

Dude , that's 3 hours long! I could barely stomach the intro. These people really need to learn how to edit themselves if they think it takes 3 hours to prove a point. This should be 30 minutes max, which is short enough to show in a class, or single sitting anywhere, yet long enough to present the "facts."

I'll admit that these sort of videos crack me up but there's no way I'm going to watch that! Besides, I wouldn't want to ruin my experience at the Ghost / Carcass concert in 3 days.

I thought they tried dropping scary stuff already in fall 2020, and that it didn’t go well. Hershey and Sea World just went scary after years of avoiding. I personally suspect it’s more of a staffing issue with VF. CGA and s most likely a reaction to crowd issues, but I personally think having the chaperone policy is a better way to achieve their goals.

Tommytheduck:

Dude , that's 3 hours long!

Yeah, but it’s fun to skip around and watch little snippets of it. It’s completely ridiculous.

I don’t remember if that’s the exact video, but it’s the same concept. I can’t believe the things they pull out of lyrics to make them appear to be “satanic”, though.

I've been listening to The Naked and Famous for years, and while I do enjoy being naked periodically, it has definitely not made me famous.

Jeff:

and they should probably be separately ticketed events at parks where that makes sense

Canada's Wonderland closes the park for a few hours and reopens as Halloween Haunt. The most basic Season passes also don't work during Haunt, crowd control I imagine

Vater, all the meanwhile failing to acknowledge the fact that up until a couple of hundred years ago, pianos in the church were thought of as a bad idea for the same reason. Now I challenge you to find one without a piano.

Jeff:

I've been listening to The Naked and Famous for years, and while I do enjoy being naked periodically, it has definitely not made me famous.

I've been listening to music that glorifies Satan and murder since I was 13, and yet somehow I haven't murdered anyone and have managed to become a productive member of society.

super7*:

These parks like Cedar Fair have made their own bed with these Halloween events and the crowds they have marketed them to. Dollywood manages high attendance in the fall with a special event that’s not aimed toward this crowd. Apparently this is what Hershey wants in the future.

I'm with Super7 on this one. I don't think anyone here is suggesting violent Halloween events turn people violent (we'll leave that to the youth group leaders).

But parks that market "extreme" Halloween activities WANT big hordes of teens - that's literally who they are designed to attract. Clearly there's a demand for that type of experience, but it comes with an awful lot of issues that many of these parks aren't prepared to manage.

I'm still befuddled as to why so many parks think they need to rely so heavily on teens, especially when they don't spend as much money and often cause more problems. It seems like parks have forgotten what families want, or they're just chasing the wrong customer. Anyone have thoughts on that?

For example: Compare how Carowinds markets their Halloween event with Dollywood.

From a market standpoint, there are more families in the Charlotte area than Pigeon Forge. If I'm a park operator, why am I investing in demonic clowns and not friendly pumpkins?

Because scare events also attract adults. Most parks see their highest sales figures in October because of haunts. I don’t know about Dollywood but SDC doesn’t attract as many crowds to their fall event as they do to Christmas. As a person who likes haunted houses I really enjoy those events. I think the chaperone rule in place at Knotts and Carrowinds is the right play.

Chaperone Policy for SCarowinds
For decades, Carowinds has been a place where families and friends come together to enjoy our one of a kind park. Millions of guests have counted on us for their daily dose of wholesome family fun, and we’re committed to keeping that promise going forward.

As part of this commitment, we have added additional security protocols and operational policies for SCarowinds. A Chaperone Policy is in effect every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night of the SCarowinds event.

Under the chaperone policy, all general park guests who are age 17 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old to be admitted to the park during SCarowinds event hours. The chaperone must present a valid government issued photo identification with date of birth at ticket entry. One chaperone may accompany no more than four guests aged 17 years old or younger per day.

Chaperones must accompany their party during entry, remain inside the park during their visit, and be available by phone throughout their stay. Guests ages 17 years old or younger who are found inside the park unaccompanied by a chaperone will be subject to ejection.

Bag Policy
Guests may not bring bags of any kind, including purses, backpacks, or diaper bags, into the park during SCarowinds. NOTE: Guests who require health accommodations may bring a bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5” containing only medically necessary items into the park. All bags will be searched prior to entry. No re-entry is permitted into SCarowinds

These policies are in effect until further notice and subject to change.

Touchdown:

I don’t know about Dollywood but SDC doesn’t attract as many crowds to their fall event as they do to Christmas

But SDC only started hosting their Pumpkin Nights event in 2019, clearly modeled on the success of their longstanding Christmas/holiday event. It's going to take a few years to build out the decor and establish the tradition. If they can pull crowds during cold weather, they can absolutely draw crowds during fall, which is beautiful in the Ozarks.

Like you, I admit my personal preferences are spilling through here. I just don't enjoy haunted houses. I agree requiring chaperones are a good approach for a park targeting large packs of teens; we'll see if they have luck with it.

Taking a long term view, I'd be very cautious about the impact these Halloween events might be having on a park's reputation outside the teen demo.

For years SDC hosted a Western/Cowboy festival that featured a huge craft show, and western music artists for entertainment. I went to it several times and it was fun. It had a definite autumnal air to it, with seasonal crafts and decor around the park. It was busy seemed very popular. I always thought it was a fitting substitute for a traditional Halloween event.
Both SDC and Dollywood lean toward faith-based values and I doubt there will ever be a horror or even a spooky attraction.

@Jeff

But it seems like it was just people at a scare event who let kids running around push their imagination. Herd mentality at its worst.

the imagined gunshots could be attributed to "Herd mentality" but that doesn't refute the claim that fights between large groups were occurring.

also the fact you aren't afraid of large groups of "kids" running around is proof you're a braver man than me, what special jiu-jitsu moves does one use against a group of 16 year olds all hopped up on hormones and Halloween Havoc?

WTF kind of first post is that? My observation literally has nothing to do with me or my feelings. Way to add to the discussion.

I’m at Halloween Horror Nights this week and I’ve seen multiple people get tracked down for running by or harassing a scareactor in the scare zones and witnessed a group in front of me inside one of the houses get scolded. They are also showing a small screen as you walk into each house that shows the security feeds similar to how they do on the Old Mill. Just a subtle reminder that you’re being watched.

@Jeff

what does it matter if it was my first post or my last post?

your observation seems to be "no real gunshots = Herd Mentality" and completely ignoring that there were groups engaged in physical violence and people shouting that somebody has a gun

it's the common law cliche of shouting "FIRE" in a crowded theater

Because you made a dick judgment about my character that was completely unwarranted and without context. Do you have a shift key?