XGatorHead 8904

I would like to point out that at no time did I say the Tales from the Crypt theme and the Phantom Theater music are one and the same. As I said before, they are similar... but there are differences. The point I was trying to make is that perhaps Ring Master had actually heard the Tales from the Crypt theme and mistook it for PT because of the similarities between the two. I know that the TFTC music is licensed, and that the park does in fact play it in the midways along with countless other licensed songs. As I said in my post, I heard the TFTC theme at the park (actually I was mistaken on the date, it was 9/27). I know the differences between the two, I've listened to each too many times to count. To this date, I have not heard them play the PT music in the park myself since the ride was taken out. I'm not saying that they haven't, but I have heard the (similar) TFTC theme. Before you try to correct someone, please read their post carefully.

Halloween Haunt has been cancelled tonight due to inclement weather. http://www.visitkingsisland.com/#actions

Great article, thanks for posting it Erosarrow! I found myself thinking about this very question a lot last weekend. When I pop out to do my scare in Slaughter House, it's very difficult to see who I'm popping out at, with the combination of the fog and the strobe light in the room. There were a few times when I've popped out, only to realize that there was a small child there. Most children that have been coming through seem to handle it very well, but every once in awhile there will be one clinging to their parent, and this is when I feel bad for popping out at that time. Thankfully this has happened to me only twice this year so far. But as the weekend went on, I started thinking about when I would let GatorGirl go to a Haunt event. Like the author's son, GatorGirl is very fearless when it comes to rides. I think this may be a good sign when it comes to Haunts. I started thinking about when my parents started taking me to haunted houses, and when they started letting me watch horror movies. Granted, since she's only 4 (5 next month), I still have a few years before I'll let GatorGirl do either, but as the years go by I'll assess when I think is the right time. My projection right now is probably when she's 8 years old she may be able to handle it. Who knows, it could be earlier, could be later. We'll see. It all depends on the individual child. When we went to CP's Halloweekends a few weeks ago, Mrs. Gator and I thought it might be fun to take GatorGirl up there next year. We found they have a ton of stuff for the kids. This would be a good way to get her used to the idea. And I loved the author's suggestion of sitting in a scare zone and watching others get scared. I frankly never though of this, but what a great idea to acclimate them. Also, I think the fact that I work Haunt that helps too. GatorGirl knows I dress up and scare people at KI on the weekend. She happened to see a picture of me last year in my costume and makeup. This year she has a better understanding of what I do (although she doesn't know all the details, of course). Funny story... The night that we were in costume and makeup during rehearsal week this year, Mrs. Gator let GatorGirl stay up until I got home because GatorGirl wanted to see my makeup. I didn't know about this, so when I got home I came in the house and heard a Disney movie playing. I quickly peaked my head around the corner into the living room, and there was GatorGirl, sitting on the couch, looking at me and smiling. I peaked my head around again, same thing. Finally, she says to me, "You know Daddy, I'm not scared of your makeup." Mrs. Gator said to her, "You know it's just makeup, right?" GatorGirl said "Yeah", I said "Okay..." and stepped around the corner. I let her touch the makeup, which she thought was cool, especially the latex flesh wound. I told her the latex was fun to peel off. She asked if she could pull it off, but I told her no (good thing too, because the girl who had done my makeup had gotten the edge of it into my sideburns... OUCH!). But she watched me peel off the latex and wash off the fake blood. I hadn't expected to let her see me like that this early, but Mrs. Gator thought it would be okay since she had already seen pictures. And GatorGirl was completely fine with it. She thinks it's cool that I work there doing that.

OK, so I watched the 1993 news video that McSalsa linked, and I'd like to correct my post above. I forgot about the first Star Trek Earth Tour, which is the one that's pictured in that video. That exhibit was located in Cinema 180 (as was the Congo exhibit). The STET that was housed in the tent in the Admin lot was in 1999.

The Star Trek Earth Tour was an exhibit which toured through all of the Paramount Parks, staying at each park for a week or two (I forget exactly how long). At KI, it was located in the Administration parking lot (just beyond the wooden gate located between the men's and women's restrooms near the front gate). It was inside a HUGE white tent. Inside were numerous props and costumes from the Star Trek universe. It was an extremely nice display. They also did a similar tour with Titanic, and to a lesser extent, Congo (the Congo tour was housed in Cinema 180).

I agree, it's good to see a group with park experience purchase the chain. Out of their current investments I've only been to Universal/IOA, but what a great place that is. I'm sure they'll do right by the parks. Two quotes from the Orlando Sentinel article I found interesting (emphasis added by me): Yet another positive sign if you ask me! The two Busch parks I've been to in my adult life (Tampa & Sesame Place - I'm not counting Sea World since I haven't been there since the mid-80's) are good parks, and I wish the best for the chain.

^I bought a "What A Day" Scooby & Shaggy snowglobe two weeks ago at Emporium for $1.06. I just had to have it!

I know even when we used the blacklight reactive ink, back when I was in Admissions, there were many, many attempts at fake handstamps. Thankfully most were very easy to spot, but there were some good fake attempts. I can only imagine the number that aren't caught now, now that they use that terrible ink they got this year...

Why is the little girl in the LAdA picture linked above standing up and not properly restrained by the seatbelt?

You are correct as usual, Terpy. There was no Haunt on any Sundays last year. Now two years ago there were the Bare Bones nights...

This may actually be the theme to Tales From the Crypt. I heard that theme at the park on 10/4, and the two songs are very similar (although I don't remember hearing either one in SD&THC that day). I remember the first time I rode PT, I was struck by how close the two sound. The rhythms are very close, and the note progressions are very similar. I love me some Danny Elfman, one of the best composers when it comes to creepy Halloween-y type movie/TV music.

^Well, that depends. On Friday I was in the butcher room (right after the freezer). Saturday I started there, but was moved to the kitchen a few hours into the night. Not sure where I'll be next. But if you see a crazed butcher wearing a black and white checkered doo-rag on his head, offering you a free sample of some nicely roasted meat...

The petting zoo animals are not used in Slaughter House. Every time we went by the Scooby meet & greet area on Sunday, he was not there. Nor were there any Nick characters to be found in Nick U or International Street... Hopefully they make an appearance before the season is over. I'd love to get a last set of pictures with them and GatorGirl.

My symptoms first started on Monday. The doctor said as long as I was fever free for 24 hours I'd be fine to return to work and wouldn't be contagious. She said I should be fine to return on Friday. Sure enough, I didn't have a fever at all yesterday and I'm back to my regular job today. Still a few more days left to go on the Tamiflu. It figures I would get it now... they haven't given out the flu shots at work yet (I get one every year). Mrs. Gator got hers yesterday, and we're just waiting on GatorGirl's doctor to get another shipment in then she'll get hers. -Flu Gator (I like the nickname. Thanks, standbyme! I just wish I didn't have to have it. )

That was me. I had just tried a new hiding spot when you went through, and after your group I decided I didn't like it because I missed seeing half the group! So I quickly went to my previous hiding spot.

Peanut has been through a few times, and we will make another pass through this Friday. On opening night we were in the 1st or second group to go into SH I saw her on Saturday and said her name, but I don't know if she heard me. On Friday, it threw me off that you were in there so early.

You too, huh? I took Monday off as a sick day because I had lost my voice (kind of hard to do my job as a CSR on the phone all day without my voice). Started feeling achy Monday evening, foolishly went to work on Tuesday, had a 101.5 temp that night, went to the doctor yesterday and tested positive for the flu. Took Wed and Thurs off and slept a lot, am going to try to go back to work tomorrow (or, I guess that would actually be today). Hopefully I'll be up for Haunt... we'll see.

^No offense taken. I was just saying that it has improved with the effects they put in since you went through.

That room had a lot missing from it when you went through. That's the "trophy room".

^Exactly. There were a lot of effects that weren't in place when the other scareacters walked through on Wednesday.

^OK, um, wow... I don't remember that part at all. Where was I? Maybe I was still thinking about the dolls, and flashing back to Happy Jack's Toy Factory at CP.

^I feel it's accurate!

^Oops... you're right!

QUOTE (Jason B @ Sep 26 2009, 11:43 AM) It was about 12:30 and decided to give Slaughter House a go. On the way over to SH it started to sprinkle a bit but we were in luck because there was almost no line. Less the 5 minutes in the line we were in. This was by far the best haunt for the night but where were the live animals? LOL . It was unfortunate that sections were exposed to the elements and you just wanted to run to the next section since the rain was really coming down at that time. Thanks! And don't get me started about the animals... There are no longer live animals in Slaughter House. They were taken out sometime before the park opened to the public Friday evening.

I agree. What one person doesn't like, another person loves. Especially when it comes to Haunt. I was the one that called out your name in Slaughter House on Saturday. When you came through, I had just tried a new hiding spot for the first time... and quickly abandoned it for my old spot.