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08-06-2015, 07:42 PM
The temporary nature, limited duration, and profitability of seasonal attractions makes it paramount for theme parks to maximize potential visitors' interest within the relatively short timeframe preceding and during each event. Key to Halloween haunt attractions, anxiety, suspense, and surprise are attributes that theme parks are increasingly incorporating in creative ways into the time leading up to their Halloween haunts.
This effect is achieved by keeping plans secret and timing revelations in order to pique fans' anticipation and stimulate speculative discussion around the event's constituents. Southern California Halloween haunts have different strategies for releasing news. Universal Studios Hollywood has been releasing information piecemeal, one attraction at a time--which, as of this writing, includes three mazes and one show. In June, Queen Mary's Dark Harbor announced a new maze and attraction. Knott's Scary Farm, however, has released nothing.
Last year, Knott's announced their roster in a spectacular preview event (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=annabel-osberg/knotts-reveals-gory-detai_b_5662193.html) for season pass-holders and media on August 6. In 2013, it unveiled its attractions to season pass-holders and media in early July. As of this writing on August 5, no such event has been announced for this year. Revelations are supposed to be made at Knott's Scary Farm's panel at Scare LA on August 9th.
Not only is the lineup itself enshrouded in mystery, Knott's is also concealing when they will release the information, and what information they will release to whom. Knott's implication is that they will reveal this year's lineup at Scare LA, supplanting a media and season pass-holder event as they have had the previous two years. However, there is no definite information as to the nature of what Knott's is planning to disclose at Scare LA. Nor is it clear as to whether or not they will host another event for media and season pass-holders, though that seems unlikely.
Construction is underway at Knott's Scary Farm; and actors have been assigned their positions, rendering premature revelations inevitable. Surprisingly, reliable information on new attractions remains unattainable, except for a few stray rumors. But bits of information surrounding some older attractions have leaked, filling gaps in the puzzle constituting this year's Halloween Haunt.
None of the following information has been confirmed by Knott's. It is based on non-authoritative reports that are not necessarily reliable.
Research shows that returning mazes include, but may not be limited to: Voodoo, Tooth Fairy, Pinocchio Unstrung, Forevermore, and Black Magic. There will be Skeleton Key rooms; and the Blue Fairy may appear in Pinocchio Unstrung's key room.
Scare zones will include: Ghost Town, Carnevil, and Fiesta.
Shows will include Elvira's Asylum and The Hanging.
Infected will return to Camp Snoopy.
Research strongly indicates that Dominion of the Damned will be replaced with a new maze. A lack of information about Gunslinger's Grave and Trick or Treat might indicate transformation or replacement.
For years, Brooke Walters was a driving force behind Knott's Scary Farm, consistently designing mazes that were among Knott's most popular, including: Doll Factory, Terror of London, Trick or Treat, Forevermore, and Voodoo. As Walters is no longer with Knott's, it seems likely that significant alterations will be made to those of her mazes that return. It will be interesting to see how the designer will apply her talents away from Knott's; and in what ways the Haunt will change as a result of her absence.
This year's Scary Farm will run on select nights between September 24-October 31.
One can only speculate on pricing and ticketing. It seems likely that Knott's will offer a Scary Farm season pass this year, probably with an increased price, perhaps with blackout dates.
Last year, Knott's announced its Scary Farm prospectus directly to season pass-holders and media first, and released further details afterward at ScareLA. Will they reverse that pattern this year, and hold some kind of media/season pass-holder presentation after ScareLA? Or will ScareLA be their only pre-Scary Farm event? Time will tell; but by all appearances, much, if not most or all, important information will be released at ScareLA.
By conducting the event at ScareLA, Knott's may reach an audience of haunt fans that extends beyond season pass-holders and media that are already loyal to Knott's. Knott's, in turn, will draw its loyal followers to ScareLA, increasing attendance for the Halloween convention whose admission starts at $30. It's a mutually beneficial promotion strategy whose roots can be traced long before ScareLA's inception. ScareLA's Programming Producer, Rick West, has supported Knott's via coverage in his publication (now a website), Theme Park Adventure, since 1994. In fact, West and his Theme Park Adventure partner Johanna Atilano became core principals of ScareLA at the request (http://www.fangirlnation.com/2014/08/15/interview-rick-west-creative-programming-producer-of-scarela/)of convention founders David Markland and Lora Ivanova, who recognized the valuable applicability to ScareLA of Theme Park Adventure's strong bonds with major haunts.
Queen Mary's Dark Harbor has already announced a new maze, Lullaby, apparently replacing Submerged, and a new "Side Show of Freaks and Oddities" that will replace last year's "Freak Show." The nature of their further announcements at ScareLA on the 9th is unknown. Last year, Dark Harbor offered a season pass that included front-of-line privileges for $50 or $60, depending on when they were purchased. This year, a season pass costs $49 and does not include front-of-line privileges, cutting consumer surplus. Last year, lines were extremely long even on off-days; so though the price of this year's season pass has decreased by $1-11, it is considerably less valuable, especially given decreased utility. Dark Harbor will run select nights October 1-November 1.
Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights will unveil a new maze, along with other information, at their ScareLA panel on the 8th. So far, Universal has announced the following mazes: "Guillermo del Toro Presents Crimson Peak: Maze of Madness;" "The Walking Dead: Wolves Not Far;" and "Insidious: Return to the Further;" as well as a "Jabbawockeez" show. Throughout the year, via Horror Nights' Twitter account, Creative Director John Murdy offers clues, teasers regarding the upcoming roster, and details of attractions' creations. It's a brilliant strategy for unfolding news in a way that cyclically piques and satisfies fans' interest.
Supposedly, a roster for Halloween Horror Nights Orlando was leaked as early as April, underscoring a major pitfall of secrecy: it can be subverted. Still, leaks don't necessarily backfire the overall strategy. Even if leaked information is true, it is unreliable until the theme park itself has made official announcements. Speculation on the veracity of rumors fuels discussion around events, maintaining fans' interest and anticipation.
Engineering suspense through secrecy and revelation is a delicate strategy. Waiting too long to divulge attractions and prices encourages leaks and rumors. Delays (especially in conjunction with false rumors) can promote disappointment at having waited long for news that doesn't match expectations heightened by the suspense.
As to new attractions yet to be announced, one can only speculate and hope that the truth is worth the discussion and the long wait.
For official information (or lack thereof) regarding the aforementioned Halloween events, see: knotts.com; halloweenhorrornights.com/hollywood, http://www.queenmary.com/events/dark-harbor, and scarela.com.
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=terms.html/) It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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This effect is achieved by keeping plans secret and timing revelations in order to pique fans' anticipation and stimulate speculative discussion around the event's constituents. Southern California Halloween haunts have different strategies for releasing news. Universal Studios Hollywood has been releasing information piecemeal, one attraction at a time--which, as of this writing, includes three mazes and one show. In June, Queen Mary's Dark Harbor announced a new maze and attraction. Knott's Scary Farm, however, has released nothing.
Last year, Knott's announced their roster in a spectacular preview event (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=annabel-osberg/knotts-reveals-gory-detai_b_5662193.html) for season pass-holders and media on August 6. In 2013, it unveiled its attractions to season pass-holders and media in early July. As of this writing on August 5, no such event has been announced for this year. Revelations are supposed to be made at Knott's Scary Farm's panel at Scare LA on August 9th.
Not only is the lineup itself enshrouded in mystery, Knott's is also concealing when they will release the information, and what information they will release to whom. Knott's implication is that they will reveal this year's lineup at Scare LA, supplanting a media and season pass-holder event as they have had the previous two years. However, there is no definite information as to the nature of what Knott's is planning to disclose at Scare LA. Nor is it clear as to whether or not they will host another event for media and season pass-holders, though that seems unlikely.
Construction is underway at Knott's Scary Farm; and actors have been assigned their positions, rendering premature revelations inevitable. Surprisingly, reliable information on new attractions remains unattainable, except for a few stray rumors. But bits of information surrounding some older attractions have leaked, filling gaps in the puzzle constituting this year's Halloween Haunt.
None of the following information has been confirmed by Knott's. It is based on non-authoritative reports that are not necessarily reliable.
Research shows that returning mazes include, but may not be limited to: Voodoo, Tooth Fairy, Pinocchio Unstrung, Forevermore, and Black Magic. There will be Skeleton Key rooms; and the Blue Fairy may appear in Pinocchio Unstrung's key room.
Scare zones will include: Ghost Town, Carnevil, and Fiesta.
Shows will include Elvira's Asylum and The Hanging.
Infected will return to Camp Snoopy.
Research strongly indicates that Dominion of the Damned will be replaced with a new maze. A lack of information about Gunslinger's Grave and Trick or Treat might indicate transformation or replacement.
For years, Brooke Walters was a driving force behind Knott's Scary Farm, consistently designing mazes that were among Knott's most popular, including: Doll Factory, Terror of London, Trick or Treat, Forevermore, and Voodoo. As Walters is no longer with Knott's, it seems likely that significant alterations will be made to those of her mazes that return. It will be interesting to see how the designer will apply her talents away from Knott's; and in what ways the Haunt will change as a result of her absence.
This year's Scary Farm will run on select nights between September 24-October 31.
One can only speculate on pricing and ticketing. It seems likely that Knott's will offer a Scary Farm season pass this year, probably with an increased price, perhaps with blackout dates.
Last year, Knott's announced its Scary Farm prospectus directly to season pass-holders and media first, and released further details afterward at ScareLA. Will they reverse that pattern this year, and hold some kind of media/season pass-holder presentation after ScareLA? Or will ScareLA be their only pre-Scary Farm event? Time will tell; but by all appearances, much, if not most or all, important information will be released at ScareLA.
By conducting the event at ScareLA, Knott's may reach an audience of haunt fans that extends beyond season pass-holders and media that are already loyal to Knott's. Knott's, in turn, will draw its loyal followers to ScareLA, increasing attendance for the Halloween convention whose admission starts at $30. It's a mutually beneficial promotion strategy whose roots can be traced long before ScareLA's inception. ScareLA's Programming Producer, Rick West, has supported Knott's via coverage in his publication (now a website), Theme Park Adventure, since 1994. In fact, West and his Theme Park Adventure partner Johanna Atilano became core principals of ScareLA at the request (http://www.fangirlnation.com/2014/08/15/interview-rick-west-creative-programming-producer-of-scarela/)of convention founders David Markland and Lora Ivanova, who recognized the valuable applicability to ScareLA of Theme Park Adventure's strong bonds with major haunts.
Queen Mary's Dark Harbor has already announced a new maze, Lullaby, apparently replacing Submerged, and a new "Side Show of Freaks and Oddities" that will replace last year's "Freak Show." The nature of their further announcements at ScareLA on the 9th is unknown. Last year, Dark Harbor offered a season pass that included front-of-line privileges for $50 or $60, depending on when they were purchased. This year, a season pass costs $49 and does not include front-of-line privileges, cutting consumer surplus. Last year, lines were extremely long even on off-days; so though the price of this year's season pass has decreased by $1-11, it is considerably less valuable, especially given decreased utility. Dark Harbor will run select nights October 1-November 1.
Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights will unveil a new maze, along with other information, at their ScareLA panel on the 8th. So far, Universal has announced the following mazes: "Guillermo del Toro Presents Crimson Peak: Maze of Madness;" "The Walking Dead: Wolves Not Far;" and "Insidious: Return to the Further;" as well as a "Jabbawockeez" show. Throughout the year, via Horror Nights' Twitter account, Creative Director John Murdy offers clues, teasers regarding the upcoming roster, and details of attractions' creations. It's a brilliant strategy for unfolding news in a way that cyclically piques and satisfies fans' interest.
Supposedly, a roster for Halloween Horror Nights Orlando was leaked as early as April, underscoring a major pitfall of secrecy: it can be subverted. Still, leaks don't necessarily backfire the overall strategy. Even if leaked information is true, it is unreliable until the theme park itself has made official announcements. Speculation on the veracity of rumors fuels discussion around events, maintaining fans' interest and anticipation.
Engineering suspense through secrecy and revelation is a delicate strategy. Waiting too long to divulge attractions and prices encourages leaks and rumors. Delays (especially in conjunction with false rumors) can promote disappointment at having waited long for news that doesn't match expectations heightened by the suspense.
As to new attractions yet to be announced, one can only speculate and hope that the truth is worth the discussion and the long wait.
For official information (or lack thereof) regarding the aforementioned Halloween events, see: knotts.com; halloweenhorrornights.com/hollywood, http://www.queenmary.com/events/dark-harbor, and scarela.com.
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. (http://start.westnet.ca/newstempch.php?article=terms.html/) It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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