Jump to content

What would you do if Fearfest went back to being an upcharge attraction?


Young Gunz
 Share

Recommended Posts

For you season passholders:

I've heard ever since the CF takeover that there were rumors that Fearfest was going to be an upcharge attraction sometime in the near future.

I see two sides to the equation:

First, it stinks because I'm now used to getting into Fearfest for free, but on the other hand, they'd probably have more cash to do more with Fearfest, and wouldn't have to make it so family friendly and could bring back things like the celebrity execution show that they had at the Timberwolf.

Your thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First of all, they never had a celebrity execution show. Secondly I don't think they will start to charge for FearFest. You'd be amazed at how many people don't even come to the park during Fearfest till around 7 or 8 o'clock. They are still making alot of extra revenue from Fearfest. But if they started to charge for it again, I probably wouldn't go, unless they offered a discount to season pass holders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it was in 02 or 03 when Alice Cooper was there. That was back when WEBN was involved with Fearfest.

I have been known to be up all day and then take off at 8pm and drive all night to get to a good Halloween event. I have been to Fearfest at KI and never seen one worth paying for. I remember paying to get in Fearfest and it was no different than the ones that are free.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Celebrity Execution show was held in 2002, the last year that FearFest was an upcharge attraction. I think that they could easily make money if they made it a separate attraction. But, they will have a hard sell to attract any season pass holders, who have gotten in free with their season pass since the 2003 season.

It will be interesting to see if it becomes an upcharge this year or not. Don`t some of the legacy Cedar Fair parks, like Cedar Point have Halloween events like Halloweekends, that are included with park admission?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Makes you wonder how profitable having it for free really is.

Let's be realistic -- a lot of the revenues generated by the park are far beyond gated admission. I remember going to FF as an upcharge attraction back in 02 and the park was completely dead until right before Halloween. Do you really think they'll profit more from having a $24.99 per head admission (or whatever) and have a lot fewer people, or to have a ton of people who got in for free?

I do however agree with Young Gunz in saying that they can do a lot more with an upcharged Fearfest. Fearfest, even the night stuff, has to be moderately family friendly since it is free. As an upcharge, you know exactly what you're getting into.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would be really surprised if FearFest went back to being an upcharge attraction.

CF would really have to change everything that has been done for years now to make it a "new" draw, or why would people be willing to pay an upcharge price to see the same thing that was free in the past?

The costs alone for those kind of changes may not be worthwhile for the park. And if CF was worried about paying off their debt, I'm not sure if biting off the hand that feeds you is the best solution. FearFest is already popular. I don't think upsetting all the guests and passholders by having an upcharge for an event that has not been an upchrge for many years now would bring in the type of revenue that would make a major impact that CF needs to take a chunk out of their debt.

There is a risk/ reward factor that may not make it worthwhile for the park.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well here's my take.

As a 42 year old father of 2 girls, ages 10 and 12, who have ridden pretty much every extreme ride in the park including Drop Zone and Firehawk..........and who've also attended FF the past 3 seasons.............we will not be purchasing any additional charges for waterparks, FF, or whatever.

It's getting ridiculous with the price of food. We used to spend alot of money on food, but this year we told our girls that we'll have one meal, preferably a LaRosa's pizza and that's it. We now make them drink from drinking fountains if they get thirsty and avoid all the little extra snacks and things.

I have always felt that if the games were more reasonably priced, we would play more. Heck, to pay 5 bucks for 2 tries at a game is just plain stupid business. If they were $1 a try, you'd probably get addicted and spend more.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If KI went back to an upcharge event I simply wouldnt attend I went in 01,02,03,04,06 I didnt like it FF seemed to have lost its spark and I lost interest in it besides that upcharge in 02 was awful that FF was the worst one I've been to I didnt like last years at all it was tacky and I left within 45 mins of being in the park I hope FF can return to what was it was in the beginning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If KI went back to an upcharge event I simply wouldnt attend I went in 01,02,03,04,06 I didnt like it FF seemed to have lost its spark and I lost interest in it besides that upcharge in 02 was awful that FF was the worst one I've been to I didnt like last years at all it was tacky and I left within 45 mins of being in the park I hope FF can return to what was it was in the beginning.

...but Fearfest WAS an upcharge in the beginning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First thing, it was called "CELEBRITY SLAUGHTER" and was when WEBN was the MAJOR sponsor of Fearfest! People would remember them being stationed at the front of the park and somethings back by FoF!

Now, the upcharge issue...

PROS:

-KI would make ALOT more money, allowing CF to shrink it's debt!

-KI could use upcharge money to put BACK into the next Fearfest, Universal does for HHN and IT WORKS!!!! You've all seen the pics from HHN and it is an AMAZING event!

-Fearfest would be more enjoyable because of shorter lines and better access to lets say... shops, food, shows, other venues, etc.

-KI could run, metaphorically, two parks at once: The "ScreamPark" that would be Fearfest, and the theme park of KI! (I'll explain later)

CONS:

-Less attendance to FF events, but results in shorter lines for FF goers.

-A more "price gouging" appearence for the park! or, a "bad rep."

-A busy PR office... meaning more complaints, more hecklers, more BAD impressions!

---------------------------------------------

Now, what if I ran things over at good 'ole KI:

I WOULD charge a seperate admission for FF but only in the amount of $10.00 per WRIST BAND! Why? Well, $10.00 is REASONABLE for EVERYONE. Let's do the math...

Let's say that on any given night KI gets .... 20,000 (just stating, no real fact here) park goers for FF.

Now at a price of $10.00, lets say only HALF that buys a wristband (gaining them access to all the FF attractions/shows)... that would be

$10.00 x 10,000 people = $100,000 roughly!

Now, if KI took that, remember it's only ONE NIGHTS admissions, and put it back into FF... the next year would see an UNIMAGINABLE change in detail, actors, houses, shows, etc... all for the better!

This would also allow KI to run "two parks" at the same time... The "ScreamPark of Fearfest"

and the Theme Park that is KI... this just means that people could come to KI and visit the park, or people could to FF and visit the attractions! This is almost exactly what Universal does and believe me it works!

KI has ALOT going for FF as the ENT. Dept. gets better with it year after year... I know that alot of the folks in ENT. don't really know about the "business of haunting"... see hauntworld.com... but believe me, Kevin and his crew in ENT. at GETTING IT RIGHT!!!! They are learning quickly, look at the '06 season; major changes, and I believe they are turning into genuine "haunters". Kudos.

But, KI still needs alot of direction... and it's the "haunt community" that can help them. Alot of the FF actors LOVE FF and Halloween... they really know how to "haunt"; Just ask forum member Karen! LOL! And believe me guys, I would love if KI contacted me right and asked me to help but we all know that WOULD NOT happen... it's not very "business savy"!

But haunters like me know HOW to do it, meaning we know how to get the most money out of our haunted events... even without putting much money into it! Hell, if KI asked me right know to help with the evolvement of FF... I'd do it for FREE!!!! Well, at least for gas money, but FREE!!!

I want FF to take the art of haunting and SHOVE IT down the breathe hole of HHN!!! I want KI to be the next "BIG HAUNT THANG"!!!! LOL!

Trust me, KI knows what it's doing and Kevin is a very smart and nice guy... FF is going in the right direction! -Hauntguy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interp... I feel ya', I've edited my post. Just let it be a surprise.

PS: Also, would I love to work for the park again?... HELL YEAH!!! KI is full of so many nice people and it's hella-fun!!! And am I going to the FF auditions again this year? HELL YEAH!!! Now, if they don't hire me... it's all good, I understand! I've been contacted several times by USS Nightmare to come and haunt; All I've told them is that I don't know what I'm doing in Oct. but I would let them know come Aug. So either way, I'll be haunting somewhere and FF will still be awesome yet again!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am in favor of them charging for FearFest attractions, and this is why...

1) The quality was much higher

2) The lines are much shorter (bearable)

3) No where else within a days driving distance is going to get you into a haunted house for free.

Even when KI charged extra (I think a passholder paid 15, I went 3 times the first year) for FearFest it was still very successful. If they don't charge this year I would actually be surprised.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...