BoddaH1994 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I know we mainly talk about Halloween Haunt, but I took the opportunity yesterday to check out Nick or Treat while I was at the park. I can tell you that the kids react to it really well. They even have a magic show geared toward the kids. Click here to see photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyKay07 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 I went Saturday with my nephew. He loves Kings Island so he really had fun. He wore his Thomas the Train costume and his future step-sister wore a little witch outfit. He didn't get to ride everything because it was crowded but it was still fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ragerunner Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 My kids love Nick or Treat. Its a great event. The train ride to get a pumpkin, the candy stops, the walk through maze and the spongbob bubbles have been a big hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Hey Ryan we have been going to Nick or Treat for the past three years and yes I have always found the kids to be very entertained because of a special event in their neck of the woods. Kids really like to dress up to practice on their up-coming Trick-r-Treat evening. Spending time with the family during Nick or Treat seems to be done at a more relaxing pace as compared to visits through the summer months. This year I would like to commend Kings Island on a nicer and well laid out activities for the kids, candy stations, Sponge Bob’s bubbles. The Pumpkin Patch was a nice scenic journey through the woods and when the kids got back there was a lot of tables set up with plenty of markers for the kids to decorate their pick of the patch. <object width="640" height="533"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;29598606;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;29598606;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;29598606;" width="640" height="533" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> In my opinion the Magic Show was very entertaining for the kids, with a very nice decorated stage. I am also going to add a short 24 second video to give a small sampling of the magic show and the kid’s reaction to the show itself. <object width="640" height="533"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;29598459;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;29598459;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;29598459;" width="640" height="533" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Now after that nice glowing review of Nick or Treat I must sadly say this may very well be our last visit to Nick or Treat for a few years. We live out of state and next year we will no longer be able to use our season passes to get in. As nice as Nick or Treat is, it is my opinion that it just will not be worth driving 2 hours then paying additional gate admissions plus gas for the shortened hours. I am not saying it’s not a worth while event but one that we will look closer to home for. This will also make it harder to renew our passes as we usually do it during this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 A little birdy told me that Nick Or Treat will not be an upcharge, even if Halloween Haunt is.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Interpreter – I sure hope your birdie is right as we will continue to come to the Nick Or Treat festivities if it is true. I had seen on various post that next year there was going to be a up-charge and that was more confirmed as the young lady who helped me with our renewals made sure that I understood that we would not be able to use our season pass next year in the Fall. So much misinformation, I consider my self a KI enthusiast and even I can not keep it straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Yep...and even if the birdy is right, things may change. It sure would be nice to know what IS going to happen...if anyone knows... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
italianchef Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 My family went 2 weeks ago. But my son was more interested in the rides than he was in trick-or-treating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 It is just so fun to walk through Nick U. and see all the families that are out having a good time at the best kids area in the land. I know that my 2 little cousins went over there but they did not dress up. They came back with a buttload of candy. It is also sad to think that in only about 5 or 6 years those little kids that we saw so innocently nick-or-treating might become one of us. As in us i say Kings Island junkies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted October 23, 2007 Author Share Posted October 23, 2007 I think you guys should wait for an official press release before making future plans. I think Interp is right and IF they upcharge next year, it'll be included from 10-5, then the upcharge will be from 7pm to 1. Just a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 10-5 would be a big improvement. Right now, they don't open on Saturdays until noon. If they upcharge the fright event, they need to open for the younger set earlier than noon, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 Yes, that is very true. 12-5 is not much time for the younger set, or if you just want to visit the park with your season pass and ride the rides. I have no problem with them charging for HH next year, as long as they don`t shorten the season for pass holders by making the entire month of October an upcharge. Somehow, I doubt this will happen for obvious reasons. That being said, it will be interesting to see what the pricing strategy they plan to implement will be for HH. If it is not much different then this year, I`m sure there will be quite a bit of people that will attend, even if less pass holders go. After all, some pass holders tend to buy less stuff while they`re at the park as opposed to those who pay admission to get into the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 I find it interesting that the same company that says it intends to have pricing integrity and to charge for the fright event next season is having season passholders bring a friend for less than ten bucks during Bare Bones...This is the same company that charges in excess of fifty bucks per person for the Haunt at KBF. Some times I just can't understand Cedar Fair's pricing strategy. Actually, make that most of the time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 I think they may end up changing it so you get in free in october with the following years season pass instead of the current one to get more people to renew earlier, just speculation and wouldn't be a bad idea to get more people to buy quicker, wouldn't bother me since I get a pass every year, however I may be totally wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted October 29, 2007 Share Posted October 29, 2007 Im going to expand on this when I do my TR for this past Friday and Saturday but... I really enjoyed the Halloween Haunt, Friday was a blast and I was able to do all the haunts and a handful of real rides as well. Saturday I had to leave to drive back to Toledo so I left around 9:30ish, but I saw a packed park, in fact it was the most packed I have ever seen KI. However, even with the crowds and the longer lines for the haunts, all the coasters I saw (though I did not walk past FoF or Firehawk) did not have more then a two hour wait, and the some of the haunts may have had a 2+ hour wait (Massacre Manor looking at you) but most did not. When I went to CP for Halloweekends on a Saturday earlier this fall I saw 3+ hour waits for coasters and 2+ hour waits for the haunts yet no one I know ever complains about those size lines and demands that CP institute a separate ticket for the Halloweekends attractions. Also, unlike KI, the lines at CP are super long all day on Saturday (as opposed to KI where from 12-5 the park was frankly pretty empty outside of Nick Universe.) I think that CF has to really take a hard look at these facts, because in my opinion the two events are about equal in my eyes when ranking Halloween events. Sure KI has much more haunts, however CP has the Fright Zone and Fear Faire which nothing KI approaches that level of quality. In fact, if I were to rank the haunts of both places side by side heres what I would come up with: 1. Fright Zone, Cedar Point 2. Fear Faire, Cedar Point 3. Massacre Manor, King's Island 4. Trail of Terror, King's Island 5. CarnEVIL, Cedar Point 6. Death Row, King's Island 7. Red Beard's Revenge, King's Island 8. Cornstalkers, King's Island 9. Worksite, King's Island 10. Werewolf Canyon, Cedar Point (when there is no wind to blow the fog away) 11. Pharaoh's Secret, Cedar Point 12. Tombstone Terror-itory, King's Island 13. Lair of the Vampire, Cedar Point 14. CarnEVIL, King's Island 15. The Cemetrary, King's Island 16. Club Blood, King's Island* 17. U.R. Dade Mortuary School, Cedar Point* *Gore/gross out gags do nothing (no scare, no gagging, boring) for me (Im a med student) so thats why the two gross out houses at both parks are at the bottom of my list. Looking at that list to me, you can almost look at CP vs KI as a quality versus quantity thing when it comes to the haunts, but as I said I enjoyed both equally. On the plus side for KI they're fog usage throughout the park is amazing and covers everything, but they have for some reason decided to make all their scare zones line access attractions (which is stupid, scare zones are supposed to be open to all.) So in the end, my assesment of the upcharge situation is that they shouldnt implement it, I for one would not take the trip down if it meant I had to pay extra at the gate and parking (and for reference this year, I ate 2 meals in the park, bought a HH hoodie, and payed for a hotel so Im not cheap) because I can go to CP's event instead (and spend much less money doing so, basically the extra $60-80 I would spend for two Haunt nights + parking is the breaking point for me between me going to the HH and not going to the HH.) I also dont understand all the bellyaching here about lines on Saturday night, as I said its like that at many other parks (including sister park CP) and in most cases worse (because the crowds are there all day.) With regards to worrying about kids getting scared if they arent forced out, its no longer necessary. All the signs in Nick U, the entrance and word of mouth worked, because as I was wandering around Nick U @ 4 every one was getting ready to leave/talking about getting out at 5 to avoid scary monsters. I think that the park should instead look at a way to get those scare fans to visit the park all day Saturday, and even get more to show up on Sunday. How can they do this, easy, open the indoor houses (minus Carnevil, keep that a kid friendly place during the day) earlier in the day and on Sundays like CP does at 3. That way you have scary stuff to draw more crowds in, but that scary stuff stays confined to closed off corners of the park so little kids can still roam free. Then tranform the park full boat at 7 like normal. However, if they still want to do a additional ticket, here are some ways that wont offend pass holders as much and will keep down on the crowds: 1. Using a wristband system, charge the same price for an all day ticket and for HH, however only those who enter after 7 get wristbands that will allow them to experience the Haunted attractions (ie you could still ride the coasters/flats without a wristband after 7.) 2. Make the HH free to Gold and Platnum Passholders 3. While keeping the park open all the way through, simply stop accepting SPs as entry after 5 pm (that way those of us who are sticking it out the whole day and spending money can enjoy the evening.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 cp really don't need to change much or have more attractions for halloween because they are pretty much swamped for halloweekends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Thats my point raptor, KI is also swamped for HH. The only thing they need to work on is convincing people to come the whole day on Saturday, and opening the indoor haunts mid afternoon like CP should get people to spend the whole day there on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Uh, don't forget parks are in the business of making money. With the debt facing Cedar Fair, the company would be very unwise not to do whatever generates the most long term revenue for the parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Touchdown Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 Interpreter, Im aware of this, and I dont think the up charge is going to help them long term because fewer people are going to come. Getting people to spend more time in the park (ie all day on Saturday) increases their likelihood of buying things (especially with the no reentry policy after 7.) Also, I still say that the quaility isnt good enough to warrent an extra fee yet. As I said, I found the HH to be as good as CP's Halloweekends. KI had more mazes but many (Death Row, CarnEvil, Cornstalkers, Worksite) were woefully understaffed when I went early in the night (all before 10:30) and unlike CP, on Saturday night they close many of their normal rides. Also, for their claim that "nowhere is safe" from monsters to really mean something they need much more roamers then they have now. So as it stands now, they need to spend more money and hire more actors or keep it free if they want me going in October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outdoor Man Posted October 30, 2007 Share Posted October 30, 2007 i would dare to say that the majority of October weekend day visitors tend to be Season Pass holders. HH may be a different animal. I could see that crowd being about 50-50. I would think that the majority of the money made isn't from admission, but from the $5 cups of ice with a splash of soft drink. my thought is that an upcharge would mean a reduction in income across the board. today, tomorrow and Wednesday (7-1) could be a good indicator of the public's appetite for a late night event that could be "charged" for.... this three-day run is probably a "test-run" / audition for this type of event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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