Halloween - Who's The Best?

The answer to this question is simple! Knott's Scary Farm's Halloween Haunt! The industry's oldest, best known, and still hands down best theme park Halloween event. Nothing touches it. The ridiculous amount of detail, effort, and talent that this event showcases really provides for one of the most terrifying and extremely fun events you can ever experience at night in an amusement park. And I'll repeat it for the third time in this thread - go just once, and you'll understand.

^ Have you ever done Halloween Horror Nights at Uni Orlando?

In fact, I think that's the answer I'm most interested in - those of you who have been to both Halloween events, which one is better?

JC

Alright Legendary, I have done Horror Nights and quite frankly, it's specdracula! I'd go so far as to say it's better than Knott's. Knott's is a much more modest event, more traditional. So it depends on what you like. I find Knott's uneven at times, with some mazes working really well, and others that fall flat, while *everything* works at Universal.

Both are a cut above everything else though. Plus, Knott's has The Hanging, and they outdo themselves with that one every year. Do yourself a favor and go during the week though. Knott's Scary Farm can be a bit of a nightmare (pun intended) on the weekends.

^Yeah we're going on a Wednesday and doing the VIP dinner to hopefully avoid some of the crowds. Does Knott's let you into the line at 12:59am or do they close some lines early?

Thanks for the opinion on both, btw. Everyone from Cali who has never done Universal says Haunt is the best thing ever since sliced bread, so I'm glad I got to hear a different view. I don't want my expectations too high, you know! :)

JC

Joe - on a Wed you won't have trouble doing everything. Email me and I'll give you my patented Haunt tips ;)

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DWeaver said:
Alright Legendary, I have done Horror Nights and quite frankly, it's specdracula! I'd go so far as to say it's better than Knott's. Knott's is a much more modest event, more traditional. So it depends on what you like. I find Knott's uneven at times, with some mazes working really well, and others that fall flat, while *everything* works at Universal.

Both are a cut above everything else though. Plus, Knott's has The Hanging, and they outdo themselves with that one every year. Do yourself a favor and go during the week though. Knott's Scary Farm can be a bit of a nightmare (pun intended) on the weekends.

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What is The Hanging?

"The Hanging" started as a show in Calico Square where they used to "hang" a "witch".

It has since turned into a huge show that mocks alot of the pop culture from the past year. Worth seeing alone and in itself.

If you're looking for a really good video about the history of 'Knott's Scary Farm' .. Check out "Season of Screams". A VERY well done DVD about the whole history of The Haunt.

(message me if you want a link to the site to buy it. I don't make anything off of it but don't want to post a link advertising)

*** Edited 9/28/2005 1:27:51 AM UTC by Red Garter Rob***

Well I have never been to any other parks for their halloween events so i'm just going to have to say Kennywood since it's my home park. But i'm sure that other parks are probably better.

I've been to HHN at IOA twice- the first time was pure bliss but the second was pure hell. They say that ticket sales are limited but I found that hard to believe considering that the rides and the haunted attractions both had lines that constantly exceeded more than an hour. The fact that alcohol is sold also makes for obnoxious crowds after midnight.

BGT put on a great Halloween event a few years ago. The haunted attractions were just as good as those at IOA but the crowd was a lot easier to deal with. Kennywood's Phantom Fright Nights is also very good, especially when you consider the park doesn't have the luxury of the budget that the Universal and Busch parks have.

Geauga Lake did a nice job last year. Not as good as Kennywood but I can see their event getting a lot better in future years. I'm curious to see how this year's event turns out. Lake Compounce's Haunted Graveyard is impressive because of the sheer size of the graveyard and the fact that you can score a ton of night rides on Boulder Dash. But aside from the one tour of the graveyard you are entitled to, there's isn't much else "haunted" outside of Ghost Hunt.

The only disappointments I can think of are the Six Flags parks and Dorney's Halloweekends. Neither of those are anything to write home about.

Guntown Mountain. Every day at that place is 10 times scarier than any specialized Halloween event.

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Legendary said:
^ Have you ever done Halloween Horror Nights at Uni Orlando?

In fact, I think that's the answer I'm most interested in - those of you who have been to both Halloween events, which one is better?

JC

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Considering how it's UNIVERSAL STUDIOS behind Halloween Horror Nights, I don't expect the Orlando event to be any less in substance and presentation than a mom and pop park turned Cedar Fair's West Coast baby Knott's Berry Farm. But both parks held the top two slots in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards in their new "Best Amusement Park Halloween Event" category - with Knott's Berry Farm placing first, with Universal Studios Orlando a close second.

Good one millrace.

I can see Williams Grove doing a great Halloween event called Deliverance. Maybe that's something for the new owners (whoever they turn out to be) to consider?

^^So you haven't. Gotcha.

While not necessarily scary, the "Spiral Hallucinating Tunnel" in the Carousel haunted house at Cedar Point has to be one of the most bizarre mind tricks ever.

I did Knott's Scary Farm way back in the early 80's. (Dating myself a bit.) It was incredible back then and likely scarier than it is now because things weren't so politically correct back then.

I'm really looking forward to the Hanging. I actually laugh a bit at Bill and Ted's over at Uni and I can see this being even better.

JC

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skuller said:
i think all six flags parks have suxxy halloween theming. just the indapented parks is the one's with great theaming.

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Uhhhhh.... Are you a native English speaker??? :P

Squeal like a pig, Rob.

Holy Smokes Knotts and Universal are open to 2am on Fri and Sat be nice if CP could pull that off, but I doubt with the ride op crews as small they are that late in the year

Even if they had the staffing, it doesnt' make sense for CP to stay open that late. Come midnight on a Saturday during Halloweekends, the park is pretty empty.

It's the difference in markets. Orlando and L.A. have the tourists and locals to warrant a 2am closing. Sandusky does not.