Kings Island Halloween Haunt 2024 Reviews

[IndyGuy4KI]

We will use this thread for Haunt 2024 reviews! 

 

[johnjniehaus]

Going tonight! Who else is going to be up there? 

[beastfan11]

Off to a great start.

[Tr0y]

I’m not sure if this thing is working right. Is the wheelchair supposed to do burnouts or something?

[Tr0y]

17 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

I’m not sure if this thing is working right. Is the wheelchair supposed to do burnouts or something?

**Update** The wheelchair honks and then it plays the radio. 

[gforce1994]

1 minute ago, Tr0y said:

**Update** The wheelchair honks and then it plays the radio. 

How much did the lamp cost?

[brenthodge]

So, this is a thing…

[BB1]

Whoever had the brilliant idea to put a loud horn on i street as an interactive station didn’t realize a lot of people eat on I Street. The horn is annoying, way too loud, and for some reason will play constantly for 1 minute straight which makes enjoying your meal on i street extremely uncomfortable. 

[Tr0y]

I’m impressed with the interactive lantern so far at KI. A plethora of locations to interact with. More so than Disney’s Magic Band.

[Orion742]

15 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

I’m impressed with the interactive lantern so far at KI. A plethora of locations to interact with. More so than Disney’s Magic Band.

Sorry I’m trying not to annoy you lol but have you used it at the SOB location yet?

[Tr0y]

Just now, Orion742 said:

Sorry I’m trying not to annoy you lol but have you used it at the SOB location yet?

Yes.

[gforce1994]

32 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

Yes.

Spoiler

 

[WoodVengeance]

If we use a Lantern near The Vortex plot, does an Extreme Spinner show up? 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I enjoyed my time at Haunt tonight! Here's a short spoiler-free review:

The new scare zone is well themed and full of actors, the lantern points look great (even though I don't plan to buy one), I was thrilled to see an old "friend" from Haunts past at the game station in Rivertown, and there was an abundance of fog — always a big plus in my book! I wasn't able to go through any mazes tonight, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they're like compared to previous years. Most exciting surprise of my night has to go to the new Tower Gardens overlay. Part of me is wondering if the park is done setting up, but if they are I'm still super excited to come back next week! I also had my 33rd meal at a legacy CF park tonight at Tom & Chee and was super thrilled with the niceness of the associate and the quality of the food!

With those praises being sung, I was not terribly happy with some things I experienced. Take this next part with the knowledge that I saw some of the first shows of the first night and that things will (hopefully) change! The music in the shows was far too loud! In fact, I looked up the price for some noise-reducing ear buds right after the second show I saw because I don't know how much more my ears can handle of it. The shows also felt like they were not very coherent and needed more of either a plot or a throughline to connect the songs together. In my mind, that's something that cannot be fixed without rewriting at least part of each show. One show in particular rubbed me the wrong way, but I can't quite figure out why (sorry). 

All in all, I had a wonderful first night of Haunt and have high hopes for many more!

[gforce1994]

Here’s a look at the lantern attraction. Overall it’s highly worth it.

 

[robintodd]

12 hours ago, brenthodge said:

So, this is a thing…

Nice to see "kiddie haunts" returning to the park.  Nice to see the space not wasted during the day.

[brenthodge]

28 minutes ago, robintodd said:

Nice to see "kiddie haunts" returning to the park.  Nice to see the space not wasted during the day.

Would be nice if that space was used year round for something like this (better if it was used for a ride, but at least this would activate the building and not have it sit like a big eyesore)

 

[Cedar Fair Fanboy]

There's a hidden scarezone near Backlot.  I think it's Serpentine.

[KatieF]

I am a new gold pass member, and I used it for the first time for opening night of Haunt. I had went to Haunt in 2019 only to ride rides, and was absolutely miserable. We had been there on  a Saturday before Halloween, and we had been there for 9 hours and only rode 3 rides. It was packed and there was several fist fights.

 

I was hesitant returning to Haunt, but I was so PLEASANTLY surprised. I had NEVER ever been in a haunted house before, so I did two for the first time last night! I did Hotel St Michelle, which I really liked! I was a little worried about feeling claustrophobic, but I felt like there was plenty of room to get through and enjoy. I liked that the scareactors scared you there, but they weren't really up in my face as bad as other spots. I also enjoyed it being back in the old Days of Thunder building, I think. I had never been back there before, so that was fun. I felt the same way when we went through Madame Fatale's. I got a little more panickey during the line of Madame Fatales, but I think I was really hot and overwhelmed. It was a fun house though! There is a heavy strobe effect in it, so if that effects you, just be aware!

We got to walk on Diamondback and Mystic Timbers, and we also got a ride in on Adventure Express. That ride is FUN in the dark! Also I got my FIRST NIGHT RIDE EVER on The Beast!!! HOLY CRAP!!

Also we stayed for the closing scaremonies and I highly recommend catching that before you leave. It is epic! This was my first day using my gold pass and it's perks, and I am really thankful for it. It was a fun night!

 

[robintodd]

Took the grandson last night and had an absolute blast!  Bought a lantern and was very impressed with it and found it to be a good value.  We spent part of the night walking around trying to find the lantern spots, it was like a scavenger hunt.  The main issue at night is those that had sound based actions were hard to hear with the loud sounds of Haunt.  Not sure if it's better in the daytime, will find out today when we go to find the daytime lantern spots.  Also, some of the effects were hard to see.  For example the Grain and Grill spot you have to be under the overhang to access the lantern spot but need to step back to see the effect that happens above on the 'second level'.  Aside from that I find that the lantern is a great deal and wanted to make sure to get one before they ran out like they ran out of the Winterfest Wands last year.  The lantern worked very well and as advertised.  Kudo's to the team at KI for adding value to a great souviner.  

Nyte Walkers is a fantastic show and this years version is fantastic.  My only critisizm would be to just drop the boyfriend/girlfriend posession/unpossession story and just have it be that they walk into the woods and wake the dead and end up both becoming nyte walkers.  I understand they are trying to tell a story, it just become convoluted and confusing in my opinion and it not necessary.  For example why would the boyfreind all of a sudden be high fiving the walkers near the end of the show?  I get that she get's "posessed", I just think go ahead and have him be posessed and be done with it.  No happy ending, in the end Nyte Walkers take over the world.  

Love the effects of the hands/arms early in the show and the boyfreind is insane on the tramp.  I can't remember anyone getting as high has he does mid-show.

Also, No explanation of what happens to the "third wheel" from the beginning of the show.  The guy in the bucket hat is there in the beginning and never seen from again.  I would just add him as a walker in the beginning and have just the boyfriend/girlfriend only at the start.  I guess my point is simplyfy the story aspect.  I appreciate the effort I'm just not sure such a complicated story is easy to convey and not necessary for this fantastic show.

Finallly, the bane of my existence and bigget critic of the show is yet again back and for the life of me I don't know why for the curtain call we get "six pack deamon" & company on the big screen.  I'm even ok with the dancing new dancing skeletons mid show but during the curtain call having any characters on the screen is a distraction and takes away from the focal point which, in my opinion, should be the performers taking a well deserved bow.  The are incredibly talented and their energy and talent really shines through even when we saw them at the last show of the night. 

The haunts are well done, love the use of the path in the back of the park between shake rattle roll and frontier pizza.  I also thought Pumpkin Eater is WAY to short and wish they could find another place for it.  Where it was last year in Action Zone was better in my opinion.

The night was fantastic and my granson (13) kept commenting how great of a time he had.  I had a fantasic time as well.  I found the houses had more scareactors than last year as well as roaming scareactors.  Cornstalkers was still closed because of the water main break so looking forward to that being open next week.  

In summary we both had a fantastic time and kudos to the entire staff at KI for giving us a great time.  Looking forward to next weekend to do it all again!

 

[Tr0y]

On 9/21/2024 at 12:35 AM, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I enjoyed my time at Haunt tonight! Here's a short spoiler-free review:

The new scare zone is well themed and full of actors, the lantern points look great (even though I don't plan to buy one), I was thrilled to see an old "friend" from Haunts past at the game station in Rivertown, and there was an abundance of fog — always a big plus in my book! I wasn't able to go through any mazes tonight, but I'm looking forward to seeing what they're like compared to previous years. Most exciting surprise of my night has to go to the new Tower Gardens overlay. Part of me is wondering if the park is done setting up, but if they are I'm still super excited to come back next week! I also had my 33rd meal at a legacy CF park tonight at Tom & Chee and was super thrilled with the niceness of the associate and the quality of the food!

With those praises being sung, I was not terribly happy with some things I experienced. Take this next part with the knowledge that I saw some of the first shows of the first night and that things will (hopefully) change! The music in the shows was far too loud! In fact, I looked up the price for some noise-reducing ear buds right after the second show I saw because I don't know how much more my ears can handle of it. The shows also felt like they were not very coherent and needed more of either a plot or a throughline to connect the songs together. In my mind, that's something that cannot be fixed without rewriting at least part of each show. One show in particular rubbed me the wrong way, but I can't quite figure out why (sorry). 

All in all, I had a wonderful first night of Haunt and have high hopes for many more!

Welcome to KIC!

[SHMAN1]

On 9/21/2024 at 1:31 AM, gforce1994 said:

Here’s a look at the lantern attraction. Overall it’s highly worth it.

 

 

Thanks for showing off some of the interactions....it looks like the lanterns were a really good addition to things this year, what a great use of technology!!  I also noticed the lanterns interacting with the show inside the Fethaus

[BeeastFarmer]

I'd be the person to follow the person who spent the money on the lantern and get the interactions for free.

Follow me for more hacks. 

 

[disco2000]

The 4th of July Patriotic music in Coney during the day really gets you in the Haunt mood 

[BoddaH1994]

3 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

I'd be the person to follow the person who spent the money on the lantern and get the interactions for free.

Follow me for more hacks. 

 

Instead of buying a No Boo, just follow a kid with one. Follow me for more recipes. 

What I think is funny is that we went into this thinking that Hooked was what was "new" for the event. In reality, the lanterns are a really big deal (it's a several-hour activity, for those who wish to participate), Nyte Walkers was reworked from last year for the better, there is a new scare zone near Backlot, and while the closing show is similar to last year, (no spoilers) it adds an element that is 100% unnecessary and really "plusses" the experience. 

[Rivertown Rider]

3 hours ago, disco2000 said:

The 4th of July Patriotic music in Coney during the day really gets you in the Haunt mood 

The 90s wrestling fan in me thought Doink the Clown was facing Lex Luger somewhere in Coney Maul.

[Tr0y]

On 9/20/2024 at 7:14 PM, gforce1994 said:

How much did the lamp cost?

$40. However it was loaned to me to be reviewed. 

[disco2000]

1 hour ago, Tr0y said:

$40. However it was loaned to me to be reviewed. 

Blow your own whistle and share the full review 

[DJSkyFoxx]

I skipped opening Haunt weekend for a change in exchange of taking care of things around the house, errands and what not and some self care. I won't be making it to a KI Haunt until the middle of next month since I have so much to do the next two weekends, but I am glad to hear that opening weekend was fun and that it sounds like an improvement over last seasons' Haunt!

[robintodd]

21 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

I'd be the person to follow the person who spent the money on the lantern and get the interactions for free.

Follow me for more hacks. 

 

I'm aware you comment may be in jest but I feel it is important to support things the park does that is good.  I get an extremely good value out of my season pass, drink plan and meal plan.  I figure conservatively I have saved over $600 on drinks and food alone, that kind of savings allows me to make additional purchases in the park.  So many times I've read on this forum that people are "voting with their dollars" by not purchasing things that are not worth it as a way to send a message to management.  For example I didn't participate in the food for grand carnivale because they eliminated the tasting cards.  By the same token I strongly believe in supporting (voting with my dollars) things management does that are very well done to send a message to do more of this.  Plus have a great souviner.

BTW, I was told (and I found it to be accurate) that in order to activate the lantern spots make sure the side of the lantern that has the haunt/Kings Island at the bottom faces the activation point.

Again, kudos to management for going above and beyond the lantern definitely has my vote.