HHauntFanatic

You work with the tools you're given, you know? If a maze is poorly designed, lacks attention to detail, creativity and everything else, there's only so much an actor can do. My beef isn't with the actors' themselves but the product as a whole. When I watch walk through videos of Knott's Scary Farms mazes, the differences between them and Kings Island's mazes are almost embarrassing. Is it a fair comparison? I don't know. Knott's is in Southern California, so for all I know, they may have true professional actors and designers working for them. Who knows? What I do know is that they could do a much better job of improving the product as a whole, which in turn, can only help the actors.

I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said Forsaken! I remember going to Fearfest the first year it started and was amazed at the creativity, ingenuity, and effort put in to it. I mean, a maze at the top of the Eiffel Tower?? Genius! Now, it's just a shell of it's former self and it's a shame. However, I will give them credit for how they dress up the park for Haunt. I still think they do a pretty good job at it. In fact, I could just walk around the park looking at the props and sets and be happy.

Knotts' Haunt blows every other Cedar Fair park-owned Haunt out of the water. I love how they transformed the Mine train ride into the Witch-themed ride. I was just watching a POV video on Youtube of the ride and it's awesome. It's a shame KI doesn't do something like that. A couple of years ago, they put a scare actor or two in the Boo Blasters ride and added a "surprise" prop as you rode The Beast, but they didn't even do that this year. I was kind of disappointed by KI's Haunt this year. Great trip report and I hope to someday visit one or both of those Haunts.

Preach brother! Totally agree. I was at Haunt Friday and went up to look at some cool animitronics by the Kings Island Theater. As I was taking pictures of the scene, a woman came up next to me with her two young kids in tow and asked me if I knew if somebody was going to jump out of one of the barrels. I said I didn't think so, but I wasn't sure. She then went on a rant saying if something or somebody pops out and scares her kids, she's going to hit them, complain, blah, blah, blah. She said nobody's going to scare my kids, I'll protect my kids, blah, blah, blah. Then she stopped a couple of guys passing by and asked them if any scareactors would jump out from where they just came from. It was unbelievable and I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. This woman was either high, drunk or just plain off her rocker because she was all over the place. I felt bad for her kids because they were clearly embarrassed by her erratic behavior and they didn't even exhibit any signs of being scared in any way. The stupidity and lack of common sense in society these days is just mind-boggling.

I noticed that Knotts' HH site is different from the Halloweekends site. I wonder if corporate is letting each individual park have a little more free reign as to how they design their sites compared to past years? If I'm not mistaking, in years past, weren't all the HH sites for each park the same cookie-cutter design?

This. It was so peaceful and provided such a nice place to sit and relax for a bit. Plus, it was just a cool thing to look at! I always liked that area where the movie posters were (don't know what to call it) during the Paramount days. That was also a nice little area to just hang out and get away from the hustle and bustle for a bit. But my biggie is Phantom Theater KCKC. I really miss those two.

im Auditioning Friday.. wish me luck? im scared that ill mess up haha. It's not so much an audition as it is just an interview TBH. Auditions are more for their more permanent entertainers. I was a little baffled since I was expecting to be asked to scream and crawl around and such. It only made sense to me since the LEADS auditions had you perform similarly to how you would during employment, when I auditioned. The most "acting" I did was when I was asked, during my interview, what kind of things I would say in that particular haunt. So more of testing the cleverness of your improv? I don't know, you'll be fine as long as you don't do something inconceivably weird or unacceptable. Haha So did you actually get the job after you interviewed? What kind of things did you actually come up with that you would say when they asked you this, if you don't mind sharing? Also, what do you mean by "permanent" entertainers? Are these just entertainers that have been there year after year or what? Sorry about all of the questions, I've just always been curious about the interview process and what it's like. I'm also surprised that you didn't have to crawl around and stuff and act a fool, lol! I did get a job, but I don't feel comfortable giving details that could or could not help you in your process for the job. And when I said "MORE permanent" I meant just that - The people that spend the entire regular season performing shows most everyday; not necessarily returners. (technically no one is guaranteed a spot every year) Got the job! CONGRATS!

im Auditioning Friday.. wish me luck? im scared that ill mess up haha. It's not so much an audition as it is just an interview TBH. Auditions are more for their more permanent entertainers. I was a little baffled since I was expecting to be asked to scream and crawl around and such. It only made sense to me since the LEADS auditions had you perform similarly to how you would during employment, when I auditioned. The most "acting" I did was when I was asked, during my interview, what kind of things I would say in that particular haunt. So more of testing the cleverness of your improv? I don't know, you'll be fine as long as you don't do something inconceivably weird or unacceptable. Haha So did you actually get the job after you interviewed? What kind of things did you actually come up with that you would say when they asked you this, if you don't mind sharing? Also, what do you mean by "permanent" entertainers? Are these just entertainers that have been there year after year or what? Sorry about all of the questions, I've just always been curious about the interview process and what it's like. I'm also surprised that you didn't have to crawl around and stuff and act a fool, lol! I did get a job, but I don't feel comfortable giving details that could or could not help you in your process for the job. Oh no no, I'm not applying for any job there. Just always been curious about the interviewing process. That's all. But I understand not wanting to indulge all the details. I wouldn't want to inadvertently help the "competition" get a job either, lol.

Oh wow, I didn't know an outside company ran it. Interesting. Thanks for the info.

You know, I always thought it was just me, but good to hear I wasn't the only one to think this. I also went the first year of Fearfest and then went to it again about 2 years ago and thought that it just didn't seem as good as before. I'm must throwing out things thoughts here and I have no idea if this has any bearing on it whatsoever, but I wonder if it was better under Paramount because they had access to top-notch make-up artists, designers, acting coaches, etc? When Kings Island was owned by Paramount, did Paramount bring in some of their staff that worked out in Hollywood?

How'd it go? Would you mind giving us a rundown of what the interview was like? Sort of like a trip report, but about an interview instead, lol. Curious minds would like to know. At least my curious mind would, lol. Thanks.

im Auditioning Friday.. wish me luck? im scared that ill mess up haha. It's not so much an audition as it is just an interview TBH. Auditions are more for their more permanent entertainers. I was a little baffled since I was expecting to be asked to scream and crawl around and such. It only made sense to me since the LEADS auditions had you perform similarly to how you would during employment, when I auditioned. The most "acting" I did was when I was asked, during my interview, what kind of things I would say in that particular haunt. So more of testing the cleverness of your improv? I don't know, you'll be fine as long as you don't do something inconceivably weird or unacceptable. Haha So did you actually get the job after you interviewed? What kind of things did you actually come up with that you would say when they asked you this, if you don't mind sharing? Also, what do you mean by "permanent" entertainers? Are these just entertainers that have been there year after year or what? Sorry about all of the questions, I've just always been curious about the interview process and what it's like. I'm also surprised that you didn't have to crawl around and stuff and act a fool, lol!

He really does! Anybody know who this guy is? Any background on him? Is he a local actor or just a long-time member of the Haunt team? It seems like he definitely has an acting background just based off of how well he plays his character.

Xtreme Skyflyer--No way, no how. I know this topic has to do with current rides, but just to mix it up a little bit, I wouldn't do flight commander either if it was still there. I rode it once with somebody who insisted on turning us upside down and keeping us in that position. I did not like that feeling whatsoever.

For those interested, here's an article in regards to hiring for Haunt. http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/kings-island-to-fill-600-plus-haunting-positions/nY7M7/

Speaking of landscaper, anybody have experience working in landscaping at KI? If so, would you lump it in with one of the worst jobs or one of the better jobs at the park? I think I would enjoy it, just because I enjoy working around plants and the environment.

I'm 6'3" and at the time, was about 280, with most of my fat distribution in my stomach area. I have naturally broad shoulders, which doesn't help on rides with shoulder harnesses. With naturally broad shoulders combined with a fat stomach, it caused all kinds of issues, specifically on Drop Tower at that time.

I was afraid this would play into the accident. I have always had a problem with those of "Exceptional Size" being jammed into a seat. Just doesn't seem safe to me. I would rather be told no than to die from a failed restraint. I feel terrible for the kids that had to witness this happen to their mother. As a woman of "exceptional size" I had an incident on FOF about 4 years ago where a ride op was trying to force the lap bar down enough to have the seat belt click on the side of the train. I told the ride op " if you have to do all of this to allow me to ride that's crazy, unsafe, and point blank i'm not riding" The ride ops did let me off the ride. I enjoy roller coasters, but it's not worth dying over just to get on one. I can't ride DB due to my thighs(I tried the test seat and it did not turn green). but that's okay. I don't want to be jammed in just to be able to ride. I feel very sorry for the victim who apparently didn't feel safe in the restraint and I feel sorry for the family having to see this happen to her. Prayers for the family! This reminds me of an incident I had on Drop Tower a few years ago before I lost weight. I couldn't get my shoulder harness down far enough to buckle the safety belt. It took two ride operators to get me buckled. One had to push down on the harness, while the other buckled me in. After the ride was over, I couldn't get the seatbelt unbuckled because there was no wiggle room whatsoever to push down on the shoulder harness in order to get some slack on the belt to where I could unbuckle it. So, I had to wait for a ride operator to come and unbuckle me. I look back at that incident now after what happened at Six Flags and just cringe at what could have been. In hindsight, I should've did exactly what you did and just told the ride ops to let me off. Although I don't have any issues now since losing some weight, if it ever happens again, I will be taking the walk of shame over trying to squeeze my way onto something. It's just not worth it.

I agree completely and this is coming from somebody who works in Special Education, to which you don't even want to get me started on that whole other can of worms.

I want a Phantom Theater "reunion" on International Street again.

That's a shame. That was the only haunt attraction I actually cared for and it's been a mainstay for years.

I aint gonna lie to ya. I probably would've answered with the same thing if asked. It still gets me every time, even after riding it God knows how many times. That few seconds they hold you up there before you drop? It gets my heart-a-racin every time.

I'm 32 and single. A lot of my friends either have families now or have significant others, so they just can't do as much with me as they used to. Hence, I end up doing a lot of things by myself and I love it. I've been on numerous trips in my life with family, friends and for business. However, one of the best trips I ever took was when I drove cross country by myself. Heck, last night I went to watch fireworks by myself. As for Kings Island, I've never been there by myself, but I would have no problem whatsoever going alone. In fact, this Fall, I'm thinking about going to Haunt by myself. One thing I enjoy about the Haunt is the scenery around the park. I just think the props, sets and just the overall visuals throughout the park are stunning. I've always wanted to go to Haunt just to take in the scenery and take pictures. When I'm with someone else, it's hard to sit back and just take in the scenery because they're usually more into wanting to ride and do the Haunts than to enjoy the visual aspect of it. And I agree with The Interpreter in that the older you get, the less you care about what people think. Being 32, I'm not that old, but there's a huge difference between how I feel about others seeing me alone now compared to just 10 years ago when I was 22. I just don't care now.

In a world of social media, camera phones and "anonymous sources", it's harder than ever to keep things a secret, so yes, I am very impressed.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/06/27/universal-orlando-announces-cabin-in-woods-feature-in-theme-park-halloween/?intcmp=HPBucket