September 14, 2019

Halloween HAUNT Mazes (WOF)


MAZES & SCARE ZONES

BONEYARD (scarezone)
The main event for HAUNT is always the haunted attractions and Worlds of Fun is definitely one of the leaders in the amusement industry when it comes to fear

This year there is dedicated entrances for the area and you cannot cut into it by Zulu like you used to be able to.  You must go all the way up Scrambler to enter

The fog and lights are really blinding this year making it easier for the screamsters

Definitely a step up from last season

ZOMBIE HIGH (maze)
This season's version of Zombie High is probably the best it has ever been.  I actually got a few jumps scares in it.  The talent was really into their roles and it was just awesome.  Usually one of the weaker mazes, it might have been in the top 3 this year.

CHAMBER of HORRORS: CONDEMNED (maze)
I have never really been a fan of this maze in any of its forms.  Last year they added the new wrinkle of it being condemned so the lights were turned off and you were given a flash light to navigate the maze.  The problem is, the only thing the maze had going for it was its props.  Well now you can barely see anything so the screamsters have to rely on you catching one by chance with your flash light.  If this maze was to go after this season, we wouldn't miss it too much.

CORNSTALKERS: Murder in the Maize (maze)
They added a new wrinkle to Cornstalkers this year and it took an already solid maze up another level.  The wrinkle is the addition of crows to the maze.  Already scary creatures in real life, these screamsters clad in black can literally melt into the background making them impossible to see until it is too late.  Also look out for King Crow.  He's holding court in the maize.  Definitely our favorite maze of the night.

PETER PETER PUMPKIN EATER (scarezone)
The newest scarezone is probably the best one that has ever been on Forum Road.

While not overly scary for us, we did some screamsters get some "floors" (where the victim falls completely to the ground in fear) so we can attest that it was effective on certain members of the public.

The visuals of the scarezone were great.  The use of the corn to block out the rest of the park on both sides of the pathway really helped

We would rank Peter Peter as probably the 2nd best scarezone in the park, just behind Bone Yard

OUTLAW'S REVENGE (scarezone)
This scarezone still suffers from too much lighting and way too open of an area.  This is the one scarezone that makes use of slider screamsters.  The sparks created by their knee pads and gloves make some cool visuals.

BLOOD SHED (maze)
Blood Shed received some upgrades this season.  The big pig is actually earlier in the maze and I noticed some completely new scenes.  I had a good time in here.  The girl who was playing with the feathers was hilarious and the screamster in the meat locker cooler got me good.  I wouldn't classify it as one of the top mazes, but I always have fun in Blood Shed.

RIPPER ALLEY (maze)
I will have to admit that I have never understood this maze.  Nothing about it has ever stood out as being scary to me.  With that being said, it probably has the most guest interaction out of any of the mazes.

This is just a completely different type of maze than the others at HAUNT.  From what I understand the whole point is that screamsters have a part and you as a guest are now part of the story.  Go ahead and chat it up with them while going through.  You'll have a lot more fun - I know I did this year.  The ones in the back alley trying to sell you a woman for the night were hilarious.

BLOOD ON THE BAYOU (maze)
This is my personal favorite indoor maze.  There is so much eye candy in here.  Seriously take time to look at how detailed each of the scenes are in here.  I find something new each time.  The screamsters will scare you, but they'll also give you time to check things out.  I just love this house and honestly would go through it several times if I could (and didn't have to stand in line).  Watch out for the crocs.  They grow them big in here.

LORE of the VAMPIRE (maze)
The oldest maze at HAUNT is still alive and kicking.  They moved the sign this year so that you can see it (as seen in the photo).  I noticed a few new set pieces in the upper level and the lower level felt like it had been reworked.  Loved the screamster downstairs wanting to play "Drink Drink Kill" - she was fun to interact with.  Also happy to report there were a lot fewer "hissing" screamsters this year.  I never found them to be scary in the past.

CARNEVIL (scarezone)
While not an official scarezone this year, we're still calling this area in Scandinavia CarnEvil as there are several screamster clowns stationed in this area.

The four screamsters were a lot of fun to interact with.  I honestly think that it is more fun for them if you talk to them "in character" as it gives them something to do.

It was hilarious how they'd all dance around to Jack when he'd go off

KHAOS: UNLEASHED (maze)
This maze has moved from Oceans of Fun to the Festahaus catering building behind Grand Carrousel.  Unfortunately it was not ready for Opening Night of HAUNT but should be open next weekend.  We'll make a return trip later in the HAUNT season to check it out as we are dying to know how different it is from last year.

2019 HALLOWEEN HAUNT at WORLDS OF FUN COVERAGE
|  DECORATIONS |  GREAT PUMPKIN  |  SHOWS  |  MAZES  |

Halloween HAUNT Shows (WOF)


SHOWS

A long tradition at the park continues again this season with a Halloween Musical Review at the Moulin Rouge.  Constantly playing to packed houses - Haunted Homecoming is one of the most popular parts of the Halloween tradition at WOF.

This year's version features a brand new opening with a locker entrance.

"I Gotta Go Back to School Again" - Grease 2

"Cell Block Tango" - Chicago: the Musical

"Cell Block Tango" - Chicago: the Musical

"Hot Hot Hot"

"Disco Inferno"

"Fever"

"Burnin' Love"

"Dentist" - Little Shop of Horrors

Lots of crowd interaction during this segment

"I Put A Spell On You" - Hocus Pocus

"Time Warp" - Rocky Horror Picture Show

This year's version of Haunted Homecoming was amazing.  Very tight harmonies and a very energetic show.  Definitely worth seeing.  We'll probably be back again before HAUNT ends

Time to segue over to the Overlord's Awakening in International Plaza.  The screamsters are already arriving.

The new stage looks amazing.

Here come the screamsters.  Each maze and scarezone is represented by a head

The Overlord appears!

The Wicked Witches of the East and West are back again this year

There seemed be a lot more vehicles this year in the parade.  Took awhile to get them all staged around the center ring of the International Plaza

The other show during HAUNT is the Skeleton Crew which takes place at the International Plaza Stage.  This is sort of a condensed Cirque style show that features an aerial straps artist

A Russian Hoop artist

A trapeze artist

and the finale is a trampoline and wall act with three different artists participating.
Make sure you check out the other parts of our 2019 HAUNT coverage by clicking the links below

2019 HALLOWEEN HAUNT at WORLDS OF FUN COVERAGE
|  DECORATIONS |  GREAT PUMPKIN  |  SHOWS  |  MAZES  |

Great Pumpkin Fest (WOF)



Welcome to the Great Pumpkin Fest at Worlds of Fun.
This the "scare-free" portion of Halloween Haunt and it takes place in Planet Snoopy

One thing we would like to note is that Planet Snoopy closes at 6pm on Saturdays. 
This means there is no access to the entire area after 6pm.

I really liked the new Peanuts themed jack-o-lanterns at the main plaza in the area

A new pumpkin arch over the entrance to the new Petting Farm

Lots of great banners and bunting around the entire Planet Snoopy

This is the entrance to Linus' Labyrinth. 

The family friendly corn maze was actually a lot of fun.  There are no dead ends, so there's no reason to be worried about getting lost

The entrance to the Great Pumpkin Patch can be found at the end of the corn maze

Through this arch you can find two more family fun activities

This is a hale bale maze where you can take home a mini pumpkin

This is a trick-or-treat trail for the kids

Just a really neat set up and the younger guests were having a great time

More decorations down in the lower section of Planet Snoopy

Again, as a reminder, this section closes at 6pm.  They will block off the area completely at all entrances to Planet Snoopy.  In addition there is NO access to Blood Shed through Planet Snoopy, it can only be accessed by going through the Forum seating area.

In addition to Planet Snoopy, the new scare zone Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater transitions to "scare-free" during the day 

No screamsters are present and honestly it works well in both versions

Not nearly as scary under the bright sunshine

A huge pumpkin prop in the center of the scare zone

Lots of cool props for the kids to check out

There's lots of fun for the kids during the day, but things get a little scarier once the sun goes down.  Be sure to check out the other parts of our 2019 HAUNT coverage by clicking the links below

2019 HALLOWEEN HAUNT at WORLDS OF FUN COVERAGE
|  DECORATIONS |  GREAT PUMPKIN  |  SHOWS  |  MAZES  |