TromaKing

Taking my boys to KI a few times this summer but more importantly working Haunt for the 7th straight year.

Because if Halloween Haunt taught us anything last year, it's that they will do anything to avoid capping how many the sell. To implement this program has cost them very little - there's no overhead. Instead of using established systems that work efficiently like modern amusement park chains do, this company insists on using paper wristbands and bringing people in through exits. It costs them nothing and then they sell it to you and I for a price that is pure profit to them. All you have to do is look back to Halloween Haunt. Did you see the Fast Lane line for Firehawk? It extended all the way down that ramp to the entrance on most Saturdays! They were using one train for Fast Lane and one train for regular guests. Neither line was moving quick. Now this year, they've added "more rides." Doesn't that sound exciting? Except, look at the other rides! Scrambler, Zephyr!? Those rides never have lines anyways. I guarantee you that someone in an office up high thought to themselves: "If we offer more rides, we'll spread all the Fast Lane users out and then we can sell more!" Yeah, like people are gonna go use their pass on the Dodgem instead of using an unlimited line cutting pass on the good rides. My points exactly. Most of those rides usually have less than a 20-minute wait. I'm also concerned about the fact that they can be used on Eiffel Tower. The only time when it would really be advantageous to do that (other than on a really busy day) is towards the end of the night when they start packing people up there for the fireworks. I don't think that's fair to other guests, and I hope the park realizes this and does something to remedy the potential issues (either by restricting the use of Fast Lane passes during the final hour or so, or by opening up the lower observation deck as well). Why should they restrict the Fast Lane pass? If someone is willing to pay extra to get a special benefit, then they should be able to use the said benefit. If the person decides they want to buy it just so they can see the fireworks from Eiffel Tower at the end of the night, great for them. They paid extra for that right. If you purchase a first class ticket on a plane, you would expect to be able to keep your first class ticket for the full flight correct? Using the same logic, if you purchase a Fast Lane pass you should be able to use it all the way up to closing time.

I remember when KI had a ball pit and the drivable race cars. I cant remember what they were called though.

Back in the Mid 90s the food was the same as was sold in the park, however you did get a nice discount. I used to go with my friends on my off days and that is how we would eat without having to leave the park. Now that I only work there during Haunt i have no idea what the prices are like.

With the blue paint can we now start calling it Invertasmurf?

The McDonalds is open. There is also Frischs, Waffle House, Subway, Arbys, Taste Wok, Ruby Tuesdays, and BK.

As I am not sure of the type of car you are driving, the gas mileage you get, or your driving style I would not be willing to speculate how much you would need to bring for gas. Check the site for ticket prices. Plus I think its 10 for parking. How much you spend inside the park is completely up to you. If you want to go the cheap route, pack that cooler with a meal or 2 and eat out at your vehicle. If you don't do any of the up charge things or play games you wont spend money inside the park. If you are the type that has to win your lady friend a prize and eat inside the park get the Fast Lane passes buy souvenirs and other things like that you could easily drop another 300 - 500. It is all based on the type of experience you want to have.

I drove by the park Saturday and my son noticed the Gold Pass parking is gone. Is that a thing of the past now or are they putting up new fencing?

Isn't the limit for riding partners 1 on most of the rides?

lol my kids need some wood to make a tree house

Great pics however I kept finding myself looking at Slaughter House in all the Action Zone pics lol

Will there still be Asian food there with the Mexican food coming in?

I think the SOB should be turned into something that could be used. I don't know maybe toothpicks would be useful. I only rode it twice once with the loop and once without. Hated both. Seeing it go would be no great loss.

LOL Sam Cledus and I were in that story

I love this topic!!!!!!! Personally I think Urgent Scare needs to be revamped. Since the best parts of the maze have been taken away, what a perfect time to turn it into a true zombie lab (Resident Evil esk) Put up plexiglass as doors to quarantined areas. Have frantic lab workers rushing to get peeps out. Oh yeah get rid of those stupid mask. This would cost a little money but I don't know anyone that wouldn't agree the inside of Urgent scare did not need a remodel. Next a little change to Massacre Manor. I have always loved the layout of this haunt but never really cared for the Cary concept. I think this would make the perfect Doll house or a marionette maze with the puppet master in the final room on a balcony ala the enterance to Phantom Theatre. A great haunt to focus on the little girl in the blue dress could be done in IR. This could be done while having that wonderful upcharge dinner they do up there. Simply by having the wait staff dress in time period close to serve. Throughout the dinner have a little girls voice play softly over the speaker saying "have you seen my mommy? I cant find my mommy." Then toward the end of the dinner have a little girl skipping through IR progressively getting more violent asking what guest did with her mommy. I can not wait to see what is going into the Crypt. I kinda hope they keep the theme in there and do like a miners stuck in a mine type deal with the guest walking over them or something like that. Those are just some of my whacked out thoughts

The Smurf theme song. That song I like to eat eat eat apples and bananas The theme from Doug There are more but those are the ones off the top of my head

It hurts to ride the train anymore. It is just sad to see all that potential and what has happened to it. Looking at that fort with the weeds and trees consuming it is awful. Then the little village is barely a shell of its former self. When I was a kid and that had that guy in a wash tub and the water pouring over him was my favorite followed closely by the blacksmith. Now when you go through the village there is a golf cart thing sitting where the blacksmith was and I find myself telling my kids that this little village used to be so much better and how I wish they would at least try to do something with it.

Ha ha ha ha I remember back in the day seen C&C Music Factory and MC Hammer at Timberwolf. Not on the same day. Oh yes also saw Warrant. How could I forget that?

i have been around KI my whole life. As a kid my favorite hands down was the hand pedal things you sat on. I remember always racing my cousin on them. A close second would be the big slide. As a teen the flying Eagles. When that thing would snap and pop it was a big thrill. Then I was introduced to The Vortex and thrill rides have concord since. This was my sons first big coaster. He was petrified the first time but when we got off he made me ride it 6 more times straight. Now I have 2 favorites Drop Tower and Diamond Back in the front seat. Why the front seat? Well that is easy, its that first big hill. When you are hanging over the top looking down without being able to see the track there is no feeling like it.

This is my 6th year with Haunt and I love every minute of it. Some of the rules I go by working Haunt are a bit different then what has been mentioned. 1) When you come into my room you are part of the show. If you see me creeping in a corner this is great because I am at that point using you as a block to get the peeps behind you. 2) If it pops into your mind to say I have heard it before. So don’t cry when you get insulted. 3) I’m cool with cell phones. What a better distraction for a scare? If you walk into a wall because your texting don’t worry I will laugh at you. If you are talking on your cell, which is even better because I love talking to new people so give it to me to talk to your friends and family. 4) This is completely up to the individual actor, so I am only speaking for me. I recommend you to not bring your kids in. I try to do my best to leave the kids be or if they are really scare try to make them feel better. Guess this is the father side of me coming out. However if you are not carrying your child I will come after you 3 times as hard for torturing your child. If your child can not handle it do not be afraid to as an actor for the nearest exit. Most times you are never more then 15 second from being able to be out of the house. DO NOT get mad or hit the actors that scare your kid. In fact the actors and other patrons in line should be allowed to smack you in the back of the head. 5) I have no problem laughing at stupid. The teens that come in big and bad and then turn into a wall after saying something stupid is pretty freaking funny. If you take off running and fall down when you hit the people in front of you, I like to call bowling for cry babies. 6) Hey tough guys, this is for you. If you get mad and feel the need to fight someone that scared your girl friend. Remember this; WE KNOW THE HOUSE AND ENVIROMENT BETTER THEN YOU. Plus there is a lot more of us then there are of you. I know my house mates will not take kindly to someone attacking their own. 7) I like the people that are man or woman enough to admit they jumped when I scare them. We all see the people that obviously don’t jump very often. When I get “hey where did you come from" or "hey that was a good one", those are the scares that make my night.

Maybe I am old school but Planet Snoopy seems to be catering more to tweenies rather then the kids like when I was growing up. I miss the days of the old cars you could actually drive. The long relaxing slow rides like the Smurf ride used to be, the whole family could relax together on it. A good old fashion Ferris wheel would be awesome if it were big enough to see all of kiddie land. I say go back to the basics.

The one on the bottom right is Flo. Very close friend of mine.

I just wonder, Do the people that cry and moan about KI going extreme during Halloween cry and complain to retail stores that go Christmas crazy? Personally I don't see a difference in the 2 events, as it is getting into the spirit of the season. KI seems to take great pride in keep HH what it is. What is it you ask? Well from open till around 7PM its family friendly with lots of things to do for the kiddies. Then as advertised come 7PM The Beasts are unleashed. It transforms from kid friendly to an adult oriented event. Hmmmmm don't Dave and Busters do something similar to this for adults at night?

In an earlier post didnt you say there were 6 voting members? Meaning a 3-3 tie could happen?

I miss the old Winterfest. It was great. You could ice skate on the fountain. Sit around with your friends sipping hot chocolate. Ride the horse drawn carriage through Coney Maul. The peaceful train ride. All the lights. It was a blast to go every weekend and it was always busy it seemed. The biggest problem that it always had was keeping the ice frozen on the fountain. During slightly warmer days there was always a puddle at the end. Was it profitable? I have no clue. I just remember how much fun it was, But I was also the kid that was fascinated by watching the person making stuff out of glass and could stand there watching for hours. Winterfest could work again if done right. They don't seem to be leveraging area they have. Water Works or whatever its called now would be able to handle it. The crowds are not going to be like they are in the summer time so theres no real need to have the main part of the park open. They could bring back the horse drawn carriage, have a small petting zoo, Set up a Santas workshop, have the train running. This idea is not all that far fetched as it is the basic thing the Beach has been doing for years. Well I may get bashed on the idea but I like it and would love to take my kids to do some of the fun things I used to do as a kid. Lastly BRING BACK THE TRAMS