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Scarefest 2020

Social distancing could be difficult in the dark though, but I'd hope they would find a way around it.

I don't think there is any area of the park that is significantly dark at present that simply walking round paths is a hazard, most areas are already pretty well lit.
 
I don't think there is any area of the park that is significantly dark at present that simply walking round paths is a hazard, most areas are already pretty well lit.
I'm mostly talking about the queue lines. Thirteen's for example is in woods, so would need lots of temporary lighting.
 
I'm mostly talking about the queue lines. Thirteen's for example is in woods, so would need lots of temporary lighting.
It’s been fine every time I’ve been in that queue at fireworks time. Didn’t bump into anyone and managed to walk round easily.
 
What's with the sarcasm @Danny? ;)
Did a thirteen night ride last year and it was awesome. Only see the station and drop room, everything else is pitch black. :eek::)
 
It seemed on my visits that Thirteen closed before dark more often than not last season. I don't think it operated at night at all over fireworks weekend.

It was good the year before when they coloured the main lights in Dark Forest so it wasn't so ridiculously bright in the area. Usually Dark Forest is the least atmospheric area at night thanks to all the white floodlights, though I guess it's the least atmospheric area during the day too so no change there.
 
What's with the sarcasm @Danny? ;)
Did a thirteen night ride last year and it was awesome. Only see the station and drop room, everything else is pitch black. :eek::)

It wasn't sarcasm. For several years now Thirteen has been closing due to temperatures before it gets pitch black. The only way you're guaranteed a night ride is to join the queue at the last possible second, guessing when the temperature will drop below the critical point.

The ONE coaster that was almost seemingly made to be ridden in the dark and it's virtually impossible. Typical really.
 
It wasn't sarcasm. For several years now Thirteen has been closing due to temperatures before it gets pitch black. The only way you're guaranteed a night ride is to join the queue at the last possible second, guessing when the temperature will drop below the critical point.

The ONE coaster that was almost seemingly made to be ridden in the dark and it's virtually impossible. Typical really.
Yeah sorry, I didn't get what you were saying til @RoyJess explained it. :oops:
 
Appears as if a number of scare events have began to ramp-up their marketing campaigns for Halloween 2020, suggesting some aim to definitely open this year. I've spotted most will offer Scare Mazes too.

This begs the question as to whether Scarefest will go ahead this year. It does make me wonder how the other events have managed to ratify a plan to maintain social distancing in scare mazes, etc, as I'd imagine it's probably quite complex to achieve.

I wouldn't mind if Scarefest just went to a Scare Zone event for 2020; still offering the shows and decor but removing Scare Mazes and replacing them with 3-4 Scare Zones instead, where distancing is probably much easier. For example, I'd imagine social distancing in experiences like the old Zombies Scare Zone would be far easier than Mine Tours or The Attic. If the social distancing metric reduces to 1m it'll be much easier to go ahead with Scare Mazes I'd say, and I wouldn't feel uncomfortable entering one either.

It'll be interesting to see what happens!
 
I have no idea about scarefest this year in my honest opinion I’d be surprised if it went ahead. Part of me is saying the entertainment budget will be cut completely and if it hasn’t then the other side is that well it takes months and money to plan and put together an event are they willing to risk it. The big risk is the unknown so if they plug all this money into scarefest and they are still at only 10-20percent capacity or if (and I mean big if) a second wave occurs and they have to shut again. Merlin are going to try and save as much money as possible so I doubt scare mazes will occur this year (less actors means less money on wages). I have no idea what they will plan but i will surprised to see it go ahead.
 
Scare mazes with any kind of social distancing would be rendered totally ineffective; I don't see how anyone could run a successful scare event in the current climate. Probably wishful thinking from the organisers.
 
I think Alton Towers will do something as the night time coaster rides is a big part of the event. But even if things are relaxed enough I'm not sure how many people will want to do scare mazes.
 
I think Alton Towers will do something as the night time coaster rides is a big part of the event. But even if things are relaxed enough I'm not sure how many people will want to do scare mazes.

I reckon a lot of people will want to Do scare mazes but it’s not viable this year that’s my guess at least.
 
If you do 1m distance, then maybe they could do some sort of experience, just eliminating the usual close contact you get in scare attractions? Or they could just have all the actors in full PPE, but I think that would ruin the effect a bit...
 
Problem is they'd have to change the PPE every so often for health and safety reasons.
How often do they change it in the hospitals? There’s far more likely to be COVID-19 on hospital PPE than theme park PPE, arguably.
 
I stick to my comment merlin won’t put any money towards any events if the numbers don’t add up. For a company that’s recovering they won’t throw money towards anything this year they will Not want to spend a penny unless it has to. As I said before scarefest is planned months and months ahead. Most of the planning stages will be missed for this year as most people have not been working. I’d love to see scarefest but unfortunately this year is a no go in my opinion.
 
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