buckeyecoaster

Saw many people with bags being turned away last night. However, it's confusing as they sell bags in the park, and we also saw some people with bags be allowed in. I get why they are doing it, but they need to get on the same page with all security associates so this policy is executed properly.

Went to Haunt Opening Night last night and was extremely let-down. What once was a well-themed and well-executed Haunt has slowly become a vague, almost thrown-together event. Honestly, this year seemed that it could've taken one week to put everything together. The decor is sparse this year. It used to feel like there was decor and theming around every corner and this year, it doesn't. There is barely any fog, lots of untouched spaces, and lots of random lighting features. There are six mazes. In year's past, there used to be over 7/8 mazes and scare zones. They took away mazes/zones and you can definitely tell. We went through three mazes last night and it is the same old same old. The new maze, Hotel St. Michelle, was well-done but it seems they used a bunch of old props/items from old houses and tried to make a cohesive idea come to life. The scare zones had just a few actors, not a lot of fog, and just lacked the charm/personality of years past. Don't even get me started about "AlienX". This scare zone had people dressed in silver bodysuits with lizard face painting. The mom in front of us said "are these alien pimps?" It was.....something. The shows were entertaining but not outstanding. Nytewalkers has so much going on during the show that you can't even focus on what is going on. The dancing went from show choir moves to a bit more "suggestive" but when you've seen all the Cirque shows and other All Wheels Shows, this is just another show with the same stunts you've seen in those shows. Leaving last night, we discussed as a group that they need to drop the word "Haunt" and just have Haunt be a part of Kings Island at night. It didn't even feel like a Halloween event honestly. Back in the day, Haunt and Fear Fest were really special...there was a special charm/environment/mood that is severely lacking this year. The intense fog, cheeky music throughout the park, an abundance of decor and theming....none of this is here this year. It seems like Cedar Fair Corporate is trying to take this event and make it a more "corporate" event and it just doesn't work. Bring back the fun and the excitement.