The Forsaken

Although the plans/ideas look good...I'm trying to figure out how in the hell this is considered a "capital investment". KI really has some strange accounting practices. I don't know if it's been mentioned but I hope they offer a good Turkey leg! That and the reindeer have me excited.

Another "capital expenditure" on the way...hmmm...has anybody looked around the park yet other than Rivertown? Even something as small -relatively- as MT started to drop construction clues months ago. A "capital expenditure" is the acquiring or maintaining of fixed assets...which could be justified as anything within the park. Maybe Rivertown will get a complete off season rehab complete with a GCI/Beast retracking.

I highly doubt it's anything BUT just a themed portion of track with lighting, sound, and maybe some video projections/mapping. The fact that this ride does not have a MCBR tells me that the park wouldn't add anything to the ride that could slow down its capacity. Stopping a train completely to present a small show with a drop track effect is illogical given how much time that eats up in capacity. The only way I could see this happening is IF they sent out a train up the lift hill (which might explain why it's SO SLOW) the moment another train enters the shed. But that would mean they only plan on running two trains. So, don't expect much. Just a cool dark spot of the ride with some light theming elements...nothing to crazy.

I wonder if "so bad it's good" applies here. Also, this kind of tells me that the park has zero integrity. I'm passionate about Halloween and haunt events/attractions, if the park is just using this time of year as an excuse to just extend the season and go for as much money as possible....it's awfully shameful. KI has yet to figure out that you CAN produce a top quality show -that makes the haunt and horror enthusiasts very happy- and STILL draw the massive crowds. But its as if they don't care...or don't know how. If anybody at KI that reads this and is in a position to make changes...HIRE HAUNTERS TO DO HAUNT! But again, integrity. Oh well. Not sure what your business is here , but basically putting sam and everyone down here is not welcome.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk First, I don't care. Second, not really putting anyone "down". As I stated, I've worked with Sam...he's a great guy with a genius mind for theater/stage production. The point being..."haunts" are NOT stage shows. It takes a "haunters" brain to figure what works, how to design it, how to fix it, train the staff, and -in their blood- knows what truly scares people. I free to express my opinion about the event whether it'd be glowingly positive or ungodly negative. I visit around 170 haunt attractions a year and work the industry professionally (full time); so I'd like to think I know what I'm talking about. I try to point these things out in hopes that SOMEBODY that makes decisions at KI can see it and maybe consider making changes or being more involved. My hope is that one day KI will, once again, have a fantastic haunt event that is terrifying and fun. I go to Haunt every year hoping to see this change....although in the last 10 or so years nothing has helped change my mind about it.

I don't know if this has been thrown out there...but if a change happens, here's ONE thing I'd like to see: Let's change the first drop...big time. What I'd like to see is the first lift hill extended with it's current degree of rise (I don't know what angle of degree The Beasts' lift is), but let's just keep going further with it maybe another 20'-30'. What this would do is 1) obviously make the first drop taller and overall make the ride faster -and- 2) create more of a "near vertical" first drop. Since we extend the lift hill out further it would have to compensate the first tunnel by making a much steeper first drop. I think this would be amazing. Just an idea.

I once worked with Sam...great guy, excellent theater mind. BUT....haunt attractions aren't like stage theater. Yes, some aspects are shared....but he isn't cut from the cloth of a great "haunter". As someone who works in the haunt industry and attends the tradeshows every single year...I'd be happy to see Sam walk the floor, take the seminars/classes and start REALLY working on a great haunt. #KIneedsHaunters

I wonder if "so bad it's good" applies here. Also, this kind of tells me that the park has zero integrity. I'm passionate about Halloween and haunt events/attractions, if the park is just using this time of year as an excuse to just extend the season and go for as much money as possible....it's awfully shameful. KI has yet to figure out that you CAN produce a top quality show -that makes the haunt and horror enthusiasts very happy- and STILL draw the massive crowds. But its as if they don't care...or don't know how. If anybody at KI that reads this and is in a position to make changes...HIRE HAUNTERS TO DO HAUNT! But again, integrity. Oh well.

We can call 2015 a haunt? They had haunted attractions? I was there on multiple occasions and this is news to me. KI really needs to step up their game in a market where regular park goers KNOWS better haunts in the area. Always a shame.

I call B.S. Anybody in the entertainment industry understands the importance of telling a great story. Creating exciting content for haunts are particularly fun and -somewhat- easy. This was just a lazy change with zero thought put into it. How about..."Ms. Killjoy's School for Girls", "Kill-U", "D.O.A: Delta Omega Alpha"...etc. etc.

Sorority House...Ki's creativity strikes again! LOL.

TromaKing, Thank you for extreme honesty and openness for an opinion. I know sometimes 'context' is almost impossible to read through on an online forum...but you got it 100%. I am fully aware that my visit to Haunt was EARLY in the season and that some of the actors may still be learning their craft. As it was my one and only visit to Haunt, I could have only expected the best. I surely hope people from KI are reading this and taking notes on things that need fixing. Actor training for haunts is one of those things that can easily be messed up. If the proper time and training is given, by the right instructor, it can totally makeover a haunt. The actors themselves are the ONLY saving grace of KI's Haunt. Most of my critiques were in the design, operations, and detailing of the shows. I'm completely confident that by now the actors have "set in" their characters are have figured out what works. Have a great season...scare the hell out of people! =) As per the makeup...I understand the role this attraction plays within the scope of the event. However, to be truly gory and disturbing, less is more. What I would do is design specific "looks" for each character that involves properly distressed and stained costumes, dirt/grime makeups, conservative blood splatters and realistic "spattering", and maybe more "wearable faces and animals heads". I'd also fabricate a troupe of "butcher masks" that had gore on them...like, the extreme of the extreme guys that slaughtered for fun and pleasure! Just some thoughts... -T.F.

Explain this to Universal Orlando...who closes their park to MORE people and has them come back in. Technically, you can in fact stay in the park but only in sectioned off ares until Halloween Horror Nights begins. ....and don't be snide in your comment. I am a haunt consultant...if KI wanted me, believe me, they know where to find me. I've worked with many theme parks around the world (in recent years mostly in China and Europe) with their Halloween events and I'd be happy to assist KI on their event. But, I don't have the time to -as you put it- apply for a job there. I can make more money assisting other parks, maybe KI's competition, than I would having a full-time job at the park. Just sayin'... -TF

I completely agree with everything you bring up. On one hand, I can understand some of the thought processes behind the decision making for Haunt. However, it's also shameful that they think they can just vomit out the same old tired attractions year-after-year and think people won't notice...or won't care. I also understand the battle between Entertainment and Park Operations. I'm sure Kevin (Entertainment Director) is doing his absolute best to work Haunt while dealing with some insane request from Operations. The park obviously wants one thing...more people per hour. This does nothing for the quality of the shows. It's also a point to bring up that -I believe- the Cedar Fair parks are now the ONLY parks that do not charge a separate admission fee for their Halloween events. I know this is ALWAYS a hot topic point for a lot of people, but HH could be SO MUCH better if a $20 haunt admission was introduced with special wristbands/passes. There is no argument that can go against this fact. The best example is Halloween Horror Nights, charging an average of $80 JUST for the after-hours event...and yet they are the biggest haunted event in the world. Again, this all stems from the fact that KI is my "home" park and I, as somebody very passionate about this industry, can't stand how Halloween Haunt is operated and planned. -TF

The one big thing that I remember seeing was Garbonzo's (sp?) Cannon in the museum section of the haunt. I think my wife caught one or two small things. I'd have to go back through a couple of times to better "refine" my search. -TF

A couple of things can be found in the Cavern of Terror. -TF

Brethren, I come to you with my review of Kings Island's annual Halloween tradition...Halloween Haunt. Please keep in mind, I am an avid haunt "goer" and have been working within the haunt industry for 13 years with several theme parks and attractions all over the world. Saying that, I am going to hold nothing back in my review and I hope someone from KI reads this and becomes...inspired. Here we go... I began the night as I do with any night of haunting...I kiss my wife and prepare for a great time. We bough our Fright Passes which is ALWAYS a wise investment if you're like me and HATE waiting in lines. With the Fright Pass we were able to experience the entirety of HH in two hours. Awesome. Looking back, if I had to sum up the 2015 season of KI's Halloween Haunt it would be this...shameful. In the many years of visiting haunt (since the VERY beginning) I am ashamed FOR the KI Entertainment & Park Services Dept. So, let's dive into what exactly is great and terrible with HH. The following is listed in order of visit: Wolfpack- KI, please retire this haunt and tear the SoB station. Credit to the haunt actors in this maze because they are trying their absolute best to "make do" with a mediocre haunt. Yeah, some cool props and ONE good scene is present...but the lack luster design and short maze length make this attraction one of the worst I've ever visited. 3/10 Blackout- The shining star of Halloween Haunt is, in fact, totally dark. Obviously I could rip this haunt a new one for being "lazy" in its design...essentially Club Blood with not/minor changes and the lights off. I give this haunt an "A" for effort, but the throughput is a disaster, the actor are lazy and don't even go out of their way to "scare" you; which by the way...feather ticklers are NOT scary. The best part of this haunt was the hallway with white/blacklight faces. This haunt has MASSIVE potential but I think KI jumped on the "blackout bandwagon" given the success of similar attractions at other theme parks. Tried...failed. Stating this, I can see how this can become a truly terrifying haunt. 7/10 Delta Delta Die- Classic haunt from a "well known" haunt designer that's as tired as this attraction is. This haunt has seen countless new themes and names and passed off as "new" each time....does KI think it's guest are truly that dumb? The actors of the haunt are some of the best at HH. They are totally invested into the theme of the haunt and even go out of their way to create interesting dialogue to make the experience better. Overall...good length, tired design, great actors... 6/10 Board to Death- This take at board games is truly inspiring in it's design, theming, and details. I personally loved the "Mouse Trap" area of the haunt. The actors do a great job and are very "frightening" at times. This is one of the few surprise "hits" of HH. However, I do miss the intensity of the chainlink mazes in this building...I think customers do to. 7/10 Kill Mart- Something about zombies just seems "dull" nowadays....maybe it's just me though. This haunt however has a great design, leaving behind the traditional "wall panel" system for a more "open" plan; this is clever. I also enjoyed the detailing with the clothing racks, rotted food, greenery/pet area, outdoor area, checkout lanes, etc. etc. etc. The actor were lame and need some work...seemed "bored" of the haunt. Overall, it's an "OK" haunt. Love the facade. 5/10 Urgent Scare- Another haunt that has become stale in its tenure at KI. In the beginning, this haunt was amazing. Now, it's become a shadow of its once frightening self. The location is terrible and "out of the way", the sets are showing age, and the actors come off and "trying to hard". KI, it's time for this one to go. 5/10 Cavern of Terror- This has always been one of my favorites. This haunt features great design, great scenes and props, good costuming, and more. The actors also do a great job of playing to their role and being believable...kudos. I'd still love to see this one developed more with added theming and sound design. 8/10 Slaughterhouse- Oh, blood and gore...where could it go wrong? Well, turns out it can. So, here's one for the makeup crew...and let me be very clear...blood paste is NOT an acceptable substitute to quality makeup. There's no reason to take an actor, COVER them in nothing but blood, and call it done. I love the new location, love the design and theming...utterly hate the soundtrack, lighting, and makeup. Also, the actor need MORE training on how to be scary and disturbing. I give this one a 7/10. Tombstone Terrortory- So, the best part of this attraction doesn't happen anymore...the train ride. The line for this attraction, especially for Fright Pass, is a clusterf**k of craziness that's scarier than the attraction. The walk back to the park is boring, uneventful, and down right embarassing. This attraction is almost unchanged from previous years but seems to be missing many details and scenic treatments. The actors, except for a couple, do a terrible job trying to scare you. But I can't blame them...you can't turn a turd into a diamond, it's impossible. KI, here's another one to retire. 3/10 CarnEVIL- This is a great old haunt from Halloween Productions that has seen many new treatments from the park...and it all works. Great design, great sets, awesome 3D effects if you have the glasses....and the actors do an OK job. I mean, it's REALLY hard to be scary in such a bright haunt. What I'd like to see from this haunt in the future is a complete retheme/repaint and lose the 3D colors. Turn this into a real world, dark and gritty circus. Something more like AHS Freakshow. 7/10 Cornstalkers- This is the one that did me in. It. Is. Just. So. Bad. Don't get me wrong, corn mazes and theming are really scary...this one is just to "open" and doesn't have enough actual theming, sounds, lighting, or scares. The actors were "tired" and seemed to not care at all about the guest experience. I present to you the worst haunt at KI....2/10 I don't rate the scarezones because they are always pretty good at KI. Not the best as they seem very small and underthemed....but they're OK. Overall, I give KI's Halloween Haunt a rating of 5/10. I've never seen an event give off such a sense of "no care" than I have at Haunt. I don't know if its the event being under-funded, under-motivated, or under-experienced and poorly put together. None the less, as someone who has had the great privilege of assisting the LARGEST Halloween event in the world I'm sad to see such a horrible showing at what I consider my home park to be. Will this ever stop me from visiting Haunt...hell no. But it does make me sad to see the condition of what was once a great event. Oh how the great have fallen. I always have fun at Haunt with my wife and friends and I'll always recommend it to others. But, and it literally pains me to say this, this may be the LAST time I suggest KI's haunt to anybody. I just cannot in good faith recommend future haunts to people if some changes aren't made. If only the event reflected the marketing for it. Sigh. What do you guys think? Like everything in lie, these things are subjective. I obviously have a much different "perspective" than most people. I know this. But I have to be honest in my reviews in hopes that someone see's it and can help make the event better. Here's to next year... -The Forsaken

Awesome! Thank you for posting. It's cool how it also shows the layout of the circus themed haunt. Thanks again! -T.

Hey guys, I have a bit of an odd requests...like all of us, I'm a huge theme park geek. Part of my passion is looking at and collecting ride layouts of my favorite rides. One such ride that I cannot find a layout for is Phantom Theater...would anybody have this and be willing to share? If Don see's this...help an enthusiast out! Haha... =) Might be a shot in the dark...but I know you guys can be surprising with this type of stuff. -T.

Hmmmm....hopefully it's an omen! Bahahaha...

First, I know I'm going to get a LOT of heat for this...but...I'd personally love to see a Rocky Mountain treatment on The Beast. Imagine, keep the first tunnel where it's at...but make the lift steeper and the first drop taller. Naturally this would also give the first drop into the tunnel a much steeper drop. Then come out of the tunnel into an upward over-banked turn, crest the next hill and drop again (steeper of course). So on and so...I feel like a re-do for The Beast, by Rocky Mountain, would be amazing and a HUGE opportunity to re-market/re-launch the ride. Just a thought. -T

Do what other parks, that have better shows, do...hire in people FROM the haunted house/attraction industry and let them play. Give them guides, a budget and rules and let's see what they come up with. I'd guarantee, given a couple of years, Haunt would be in direct competition with shows in Florida. Just sayin' -T

I'd like to see a big new haunt on the beer patio in Octoberfest. That space could hold a MASSIVE sized haunt.

I'm trying to figure out how people can assume that the 'proposed' 2016 budget will be even be the budget we see in 2016. From my experience, budgets change week-to-week, month-to-month and quarter-by-quarter. Who's to say that with the growing popularity KK is amassing in the central and western KY regions, that they wouldn't generate enough money to set themselves up for a couple of years? Maybe even enough to start financing on a big coaster remodel via Gravity Group or Rocky Mountain? I think you all are to quick to assume that this budget will stay the same. My prediction, it will grow. They are setting themselves up for a VERY successful first year (as it would appear, locally). I for one hope they do this and it's a huge success.

Looks like they also have the run into the vertical loop (after the pretzel) installed as well. Moving very fast these past few days.

Anybody think of digging a ditch there? Simple fix for that would be to dig a gulley type ditch in the ground and boom, clearance issue resolved. But I tend to always listen to 'Terp...there won't be a clearance issue.