alluna

Hey gang, I went to the press event on Friday for the Haunt. This means I was stuffing my face instead of facing the wall of monsters, but I tried to make up for this fact by hitting all haunts in one night. The result, like last year, is a review of each haunt, along with immediate reactions from the people I brought along for the night. Here is a recap of our night, complete with LOTS of photos. I really spent all day today editing photos. Being a shutterbug has a downside. I tried to get the names of a lot of the scare actors, but it was impossible at times. If you see yourself or someone you know who would like to be identified, I am more than happy to add their name in! Halloween Haunt 2010 Haunt Reviews Here are a few of my favorite photos: \ There are a bunch more posted on the article. Does anyone else have photos of the Haunt to post here? I haven't seen many but my own, which I'm pretty sick of looking at after a day of photoshopping...

They sort of chased us, but not really. Kind of followed behind until our friend got worked up enough to run out on her own!

Here is my full review, I brought along a few friends for immediate reactions after each haunt: 2010 Kings Island Halloween Haunt Review 1. Wolfpack - only if you are scared of shirtless guys. mildly intense. 2. Cornstalkers - low on scare actors Friday. Not scary. 3. Club Blood - medium intensity and entertaining. 4. Massacre Manor - less consistent theme than last year. Med/high intensity. 5. Death Row. Too intense due to sirens and strobes. Not scary...just annoying. 6. Trail of Terror - great scares here. High intensity. 7. Urgent Scare - high intensity, good scares. 8. Cutthroat Cove - not intense. Piratey and funny, really. 9. Slaughterhouse - high intensity. Scary. 10. Cemetary Drive - not intense, quietly creepy. 11. Tombstone Terrortory - intense, but obvious scares. 12. Carnevil - intense on your senses, lots of surprises.

I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam. So psyched for tonight! Edited to add is lieu of double posting: URGH! I love how people who have absolutely no first hand knowledge of this continue to weigh in with bad information. Please see my above post for the correction on this statement. Dear Kirk, You seem like a pretty cool guy. Please don't Urgh at me. You don't know every wrestler on the face of the earth. Neither do I. I didn't say ALL of the blood was real. I didn't say ALL of the blood was fake. I compromised with a 'some is real/some is fake' middle of the road statement. Some wrestlers use blood caps. Some cut themselves. Some do both. Have a cookie.

Can you blame the guy? This is his day job and some people here are cutting him down before they've even given him a chance, already blaming the group for possible fights among park goers during the Haunt. Kudos to Puppet for taking a second to do this -or the PR person who suggested he do it. I'm guessing someone from KI browsed through here to gauge the general reaction HPB and decided there needed to be a statement made by one of the wrestlers to get us psyched instead of griping? I truly hope that KI handles the crowd in a sensible manner, and that the performers don't get blamed for any possible acts of violence from irresponsible patrons who don't understand the difference between a show and reality.

Fantastic! I loved this show last year. Thanks for the info, Kirk!

I couldn't find anything on the site about it, either, but I know they are calling the press thing on Friday an RIP event again this year, so I would say it is a delay in updating the website (big surprise), or like Terpy said, a pricing thing. It is on the high end ($225 last year, correct me if that is wrong), but totally worth the cash if you are looking for a special Halloween event this October. This is where I shamelessly post my review on it: RIP Tour Review: http://www.examiner.com/family-travel-in-dayton/kings-island-halloween-haunt-rip-tour Not sure if this year will include the same freebies as last year, but it might give you a good idea. Oh, and for some entertainment, here is the current VIP Tour page. Enjoy all the information: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/public/admission/vip_tours/index.cfm

There are people getting disemboweled in Urgent Scare. I don't think they allow that at Kings Island, either. Shut it down! I sincerely hope people aren't REALLY getting disembowled at this thing! The midgets are REALLY BLEEDING, and using office equipment in ways that aren't recommended! Talk about a tough job interview: "So... the job is you'll be dressing up in a Halloween costume and acting like a patient in a haunted maze... pays a little better than minimum wage....How does that sound?"... "Ok I guess".... "Great you can get started this weekend, we have some paperwork for you to fill out.....one other thing, How do you feel about REALLY being disembowled?".... "Changed your mind huh.... Ok, how 'bout letting a midget staplegun your forhead until you really bleed?..... No.... wait..... come back!!!" So far I can't name one person who has brought a stapler with them to the park. I think we'll be okay. I like the point made about Robbie Knievel. Since his arrival, I have been keeping an eye out in the KI parking lot, but I have yet to see anyone jump over my car on a motorcycle. Edited to add: I agree here. These people are professionals trying to make money. I bet a bit is real, but most is fake. Even wrestlers that cut themselves for effect also use blood packs! :lol: I totally agree. I'm not a wrestling fan, but I am still not comprehending the sheer level of disgruntled reaction to these wrestlers. Hopefully it doesn't become a problem, but I don't think it will be the fault of these performers, but how KI handles the situation.

The fact that I still see toddlers and kids under 10 at the Haunt (and people who very clearly can't handle being scared) mean that these two bullet points are pretty much null and void; <bold added for emphasis>First off: Toddlers? At the Haunt? Really? What exactly are these toddlers doing during the Haunt? Watching Hot Blooded? They certainly aren't riding kiddie rides. I'm calling BS on this one. Sorry. Not sure how these points are "null and void". If someone is bringing a toddler to an event that is billed 'Mature', then isn't that their mistake? How is the park at fault for a parents bad judgment? If parents knowingly bring a preschooler to this event and then attempt to act traumatized by what they find there.. well, I can see a frivolous lawsuit in the works. Whatever happened to common sense? Do we really need the park to coddle us and tell us what exactly the term MATURE means... or aren't people able to make this distinction and realize that young kids don't fit the bill, here? Is the general public really that stupid? Okay, maybe I already know the answer to that one. This is why they have the daytime events for the kids. Clearly, two separate Halloween celebrations! I'm a proud mom of some smart kids. I am also a hard working woman that deserves a night out with a few brews and coaxing monsters into sneaking up on my unsuspecting siblings. We might even *gasp* involuntarily curse when something jumps out at us. Oh noes! Every other visit to KI, I am someone's mom. Once a year I get to shed the Linus Launchers and go to enjoy being just another adult. A screaming, drinking giggling yet-still-polite-and-law-abiding adult. I would hate to see some moronic naysayers sue or whine their way into making the Haunt any tamer or lamer because their poor baby walked in on a midget taking a header into a folding chair. Perhaps the park could hire staff to cover the childrens eyes in case someone with half a face comes through the fog while this innocent family is on their way to whatever attraction is designed not to scare anyone. Or, maybe I could follow them around and check their watch for them so they can make sure not to walk into Festhaus during the clearly marked showtimes. Because in a rational and sane world, parents need to have this done for them. I say that if parents stroll into Festhaus with a little kid who can't handle it (again toddlers...really?), then they simply ignored fair warning. I hope they turn on their heels at the Festhaus doors to leave the park in disgust. I hope their panties get in a big giant bunch and they sob openly all the way home over losing their ticket money. I hope that their little kid goes home and pretends to be Puppet until they take him to a psychiatrist. Then the park can get sued and my ticket price would go up. Clearly the problem here is the content at the park, not stupid parents. Right?

I feel like I"m just not 'getting' all the outrage pointed at these guys, unless it is all over the 'm' word and their use of it??? Is that it? Or is it something else? Otherwise, This is how I see it: These wrestlers are consenting adults. Patrons attending the Haunt are consenting adults, or adults who have deemed their attending teens mature enough for the content. If they aren't, don't take them. The Haunt is clearly billed as intended for Mature Audiences If you don't like bloody wrestling, don't walk over there and look at it. I've seen a magician staple himself plenty of times on the arm and forehead. It's a cheap trick, don't get too worried about them. So... what is the problem? KI is a 'family fun' place, but family also includes me having a night out with my husband and my sisters as, you guessed it, consenting adults. I'm not really into wrestling but, c'mon, guys, it's Halloween... what's wrong with some blood from guys who make plenty of $$ doing it? Who cares if they got drunk the night before? It's none of my business. Because they are adults and I'm not their mommy. I'm going to go have a good time, and I hope these guys do, too. Hopefully no patrons will feel the need to wrestle me in the streets, or turn into werewolves, but that is the risk I'm willing to take.

There are people getting disemboweled in Urgent Scare. I don't think they allow that at Kings Island, either. Shut it down!

That is too creepy. Although, it makes me wonder what the Huckleberry Hound version would look like...

We are really getting excited for the Haunt. I noticed on the CP HalloWeekends page that they have a lot more shows going on than we do. Is anyone wishing we had as many shows as CP? I kind of like have a whole bunch of haunts with just a few shows, but I bet it would be a very different and interesting experience to have a lot of music and dancing going on, too. Wondering if it is worth the drive from Dayton.

I've never been to KI on gay day, but it seems like a good time to go. No one is more respectful and tolerant than people who constantly have to deal with disrespectful and intolerant people! I really hope that no one goes there with the mindset that they can talk an amusement park full of people into dumping their loved ones and changing their beliefs. That's ridiculous.

They didn't work for me, either. Thrill_Biscuit, thanks for the kudos. I'm never sure if a photo is a really great shot, or just something I'm in love with at the time!

Really bring up Kentucky Kingdoms accident?, and int he manner you said it? It's horrible what happened to the girl, but it's time to move on. The accident was nothing more then a accident, they happen every second all around the world. The hell she went through is something I'll NEVER be able to comprehend but to continually bash and bash a park for it is stupid. Many parks have had accidents where a person had died and has never taken such a beating Kentucky Kingdom has. I just think that in peoples minds the thought of having your feet severed is a lot worse then falling 50 feet. Although, you will die from falling 50 feet. I'm really touchy about what happened at Kentucky Kingdom, I know many workers who were greatly effected by it and some of those workers don't deserve what happened. I bet the girl who's legs flew off is really touchy about it, too, eh? People will talk for years about that gruesome incident, no matter how much it bothers you. Falling 50 feet is just not the same as sending 2 feet flying through the air on their own. It is so graphic that Kentucky Kingdom will take a beating for it forever. And for good reason, whether it was solely Intamins fault or not. Which I'm not buying. You saying it was 'nothing more than an accident' is probably just as insulting to Kaitlyn and her family as fighting31irish saying 'aside from chopping legs off'. If you lost your foot, I doubt you'd be saying 'it's time to move on'. People will always mention it in passing. Because it's horrifying and somewhere a girl is still in pain. You'll get really exhausted if you try to combat it everytime someone brings it up when Kentucky Kingdom is mentioned. It is burned into everyone's brains. It is what it is. And thats not EXACTLY what I said? "I just think that in peoples minds the thought of having your feet severed is a lot worse then falling 50 feet. Although, you will die from falling 50 feet." Don't say I was insulting her, I wasn't period. I see your points, and ALL of those points were already in my original post. I will NEVER know what she went through and god I never ever want to. To this day I still feel sympathy for everyone involved with the accident. The employees, Six Flags, Intamin and Kaitlyn. I had friends call me in tears after the accident, and that was something I NEVER want to experience again although it's nothing compared to experiencing it first hand. Your post ****ed me off, not going to lie. I say: Does everything **** you off? Chill out! My whole point was that you can't get so bent out of shape when someone mentions something that's been all over the news and is so ridiculously horrifying. People will mention it. Forever. Don't have heart palpitations over it! I was trying to tell you to lighten up, and instead you just got madder. Slow down the blood pressure. Let's all take deep breaths. We'll all get past this. My worst park? I want to say Americana, but truly I had a weird love for it and wish I could go back in time to play Fascination just once more!!

Really bring up Kentucky Kingdoms accident?, and int he manner you said it? It's horrible what happened to the girl, but it's time to move on. The accident was nothing more then a accident, they happen every second all around the world. The hell she went through is something I'll NEVER be able to comprehend but to continually bash and bash a park for it is stupid. Many parks have had accidents where a person had died and has never taken such a beating Kentucky Kingdom has. I just think that in peoples minds the thought of having your feet severed is a lot worse then falling 50 feet. Although, you will die from falling 50 feet. I'm really touchy about what happened at Kentucky Kingdom, I know many workers who were greatly effected by it and some of those workers don't deserve what happened. I bet the girl who's legs flew off is really touchy about it, too, eh? People will talk for years about that gruesome incident, no matter how much it bothers you. Falling 50 feet is just not the same as sending 2 feet flying through the air on their own. It is so graphic that Kentucky Kingdom will take a beating for it forever. And for good reason, whether it was solely Intamins fault or not. Which I'm not buying. You saying it was 'nothing more than an accident' is probably just as insulting to Kaitlyn and her family as fighting31irish saying 'aside from chopping legs off'. If you lost your foot, I doubt you'd be saying 'it's time to move on'. People will always mention it in passing. Because it's horrifying and somewhere a girl is still in pain. You'll get really exhausted if you try to combat it everytime someone brings it up when Kentucky Kingdom is mentioned. It is burned into everyone's brains. It is what it is.

I miss it a lot. ditto man, PKI shall live on forever in our hearts Same here. RIP Mirthmobile! Incidentally, I Googled it and found it for sale. This guy claimed it was the KI prop. I wonder who owns it now? I also wonder if it was the one from KI or if KD had one? Hmmmm.

I have never been to Kings Dominion, so looking at the photos of the tower and the fountains there after a lifetime of attending KI is like looking into a Bizarro world. I'm half expecting Snoopy to walk by with a mustache on. Thanks, Terp, you've sent me down a Google images rabbit hole that will probably take up most of my afternoon.

Hey gang, I recently posted a gallery of Royal Fountain photos here as part of my writing work. I also have a confession to make. The Royal Fountains have always turned me into the worst touristy shutter bug. During the day, I'm willing to weave my way through tables of pizza-eating families to get just the right angle, then take three more of the same frame to get it perfect. Even after a lifetime of visit KI, the fountains make me want to have a photo session with each visit. Night time photos are a whole different story, leaving my kids to groan behind me as mommy takes YET ANOTHER PICTURE of the fountains from the side, facing the Eiffel Tower, toward the entrance, on different camera setting and the worst... waiting through the light sequence for red to come around again. Sheesh. So, I put a few to good use in the gallery, but I don't really have a good excuse for the multitude still on my hard drive. If you have some great fountain angles to share (flagpoles included ) I'd love to see them in this thread!

Somebody needs a cookie and a nap.

We were there a couple weeks ago and saw a gaggle of teenagers wearing the Action theater 3D glasses while waiting in line for The Beast. It was really aggravating!!! I wonder if any of the staff people just want to snatch them off their heads?

Congrats, Rustbelt! I bet my Diamondback count is still in the double digits.

I really really really (fingers crossed, toes crossed) hope that Disney will buy it. I know it might sound silly, but BOY wouldn't it be great for our area's economy to have a Disney hub here. I like a day at Kings Island now, but I love great theming. Probably will never happen, but a girl can hope.

I signed in today to post asking who this guy was with an orange shirt proclaiming his 3000th ride. We saw him getting a photo in front of the Diamondback entry sign and it looked like he was having a blast. We probably were watching him get on for that 3000th ride, come to think of it. What's wrong with him spending his free time like this? I thought he looked like he was having a great time and the kids thought it was pretty cool. Kudos to this dude and shame on anyone who is poo-pooing him for minding his own business and doing something he loves.