Gee... what a shock. A forum full of leg-humping fanboys taking a dump on an event they didn't even attend (yet), let alone the chaotic hiccup that was media/team member preview last night. You guys will rip apart HHN every year, but still attend (despite the price hikes & crowds). You'll rip on other events you haven't been to in a while or don't plan on attending. Its really kind of a joke honestly. Your expectations are way too high for EVERYTHING. As its been said, this is the 3rd year for WB (first year for going full haunt) unlike Knotts (46 years) & HHN Hollywood (19 years total). You can't compare them. Knotts repeats 75% of its content, yet is still going strong. HHN is hit or miss, but also repeats content in some way. Why not take your head out of your @$$ & just open your mind to "new" events rather than talk crap about them or judge them without even going.
I'm suuuuuper stoked about this event! Arkham Asylum is the #1 thing I'm looking forward to. Never did I think there would a haunt maze recreated from one of my favorite video games of all time!
Also, I'm really curious about the Exorcist Forbidden Screening...
I actually expected Arkham to become a thing once Six Flags had the Suicide Squad the past 2 years. As for Exorcist, it was down most of the night. It was a good idea, but terrible execution. We'll see how it goes this weekend. So far, that is the only "weak link".
More specifically, it's more centered on present IP's and potential IP's for further down the road.
Correct... its suspected that next year could see Supernatural, Shining, Beetlejuice & Potter.. We'll have to wait & see. Great merch though.
If you want some mild spoilers, if you go on Google maps, you can see a lot of what the trail looks like in a POV. It's definitely a lot more closed in than the Terror Tram and I imagine will be very creepy at night. From the looks of the map, it even looks like you go through a cabin/house, which is pretty amazing because they're practical sets and not just facades. It will definitely be terrifying with a small group of people. Not to mention, the trail looks fairly long. And I think it's a specific trail, not something you just wander around in.
IT & Conjuring are getting praise for how they have both improved, and Arkham is getting a rather good word. At-least, from what I'm reading around for tonight.
IT is full of scares. Arkham has some great encounters with a few scares. Conjuring was very popular & had decent scares.
I've got someone sending me pics/ reviews and oh my the event looks underwhelming so far. Apparently, it's not worth anywhere near the price they've advertised for. IT however is a highlight but the costumes/ makeup is apparently terrible. Conjuring being the most disappointing.
And clearly they are just their to be judgmental rather than actually enjoy the event itself. The costumes/makeup are far from terrible. Conjuring was very popular.
IT looks ok but I think the guided tour of Conjuring is what kills it. Scenically though it’s exactly what I would want from a maze off that franchise but if it had Horror Night’s scares it would be amazing.
So you want solid black hallways with scareactors hitting a trigger with sound/light everywhere. Got it. ....what kills it, is you watching a video.
I'm getting ready to start hearing rumblings of WB returning their IPs to Universal for HHN 2019 already..
You're actually so wrong about that it is hilarious.
The question shouldn't be, is this event better than HHN?
But....Is it better than last year? If the answer is yes, then it's a success.
Exactly. Although don't even compare it to last year. This is completely different & both Conjuring/IT are brand new from the ground up.
HERE'S YOUR PSA:
As someone on here who was actually there last night. I can tell you this. Not everything was ready for Preview Night (oh hey... just like HHN on both coasts. but hey lets bash it & praise HHN anyway). It suffered from chaotic hiccups, but last night still went well. It is a smaller event & a very different event. WB is NOT a theme park. It can & will be a different experience from the other haunt events. Last year they tested the waters with only roughly 800 guests each night. Tomorrow is apparently sold out with roughly 3,000 guests. Drastically small number compared to the 20,000+ Universal pumps in, but it doesn't have the capacity to have more guests. The scareactors were on point, in character and had FUN. (keyword: fun.) The mazes are well done with great set details (a lot of which weren't in place the other day). Remember, these mazes are located inside backlot set/facades... which means they aren't exactly sound proof. The event has a lot of kinks to work out, LIKE ALL EVENTS DO! It isn't perfect, but it isn't as terrible as so many of you fanboys are making it out to be (without having been). It is just "different". The only real weak link in the line-up is "Exorcist". It was a good idea on paper, but doesn't exactly work in reality (or at least not last night. So it might change). Unlike the other haunt events, this isn't meant for repeat visits. It is certainly worth going twice if you are there to enjoy yourself & not be eternally judgey about everything. One visit is good enough for this type of event because it is smaller.
- Maze lines do close an hour before the event closes
- Tram is hoping to have clearance to extend later, but like HHN... yay neighbors
- Crave Inn is a restaurant (also a tribute in name... Clue: Wes)
- Fangtasia is small, but its a bar... so yay booze (and overpriced bloodbags that DO have liquor in them)
- Little Shop of Horrors has some great merch. Its roughly the size of Feature Presentation, maybe a tad smaller.. but packed full.
- Devil's Drop is smaller than expected, but a nice additional thrill to do.
- Small stage is for the DJ & Bette/Joan. Yay entertainment
- Scarezone entrance scareactors (clowns/freaks) wander the "midway" after the initial opening
- Terror Tram is a bit dark & didn't have all of its lighting/effects (however the cast still rocked it. despite being spread thin).
- Arkham... you will either get Two-Face or Riddler & Poison Ivy or Penguin. Also Dr Harleen or Harley, depending on when you go through.
- IT... same as above but with Pennywise or Headless Boy & Pennywise or Beverly.
- Neibolt house is a photo-op with Georgie (much like Norman & the Psycho house)
- Arkham photo-op is inside the first scene of the maze. Fun getting booked into the asylum
- Lost Boys arcade is small & leaves something to be desired, but eh..
- Make-up tutorial demonstration is available
- Tim Burton exhibit is cool
Overall, it is a very fun enjoyable experience on the backlot. For what they were able to pull off, it was good. The key thing you have to remember, this is a fully functional studio backlot that actually uses these sets (especially this area) a lot, so they have less time than Universal. For being a flaw-filled preview night, it was still enjoyable. Without constructive criticism & positive feedback, events won't grow, change or evolve. So don't be lame. Go check out the event. Experience something NEW. and most importantly, HAVE FUN!