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Scarefest 2021

We also saw some Phalanx (?) style guards walking around with someone dressed like a crazed prisoner with a mask on who interacted with us in the Galactica queue, which I thought was interesting and seemed to be hinting at something, however if you're hiring actors to be scary military style guards which I assume they were meant to be, maybe don't hire 16 year olds? Didn't quite hit the mark haha

Oh god don't start this again. The only thing they're hinting is that they're Scarefest roaming actors, nothing more. However, I completely agree with you on the age front. I'm not sure if it's my age or not but seeing a lad dressed in what was supposed to be an oppressive uniform who looked like he hadn't even begun shaving yet felt a little strange. In the mazes as well, loads of young girls and guys, I could've been their dad.
 
It’s intriguing that the same comments on Scarefest come up year after year. The inconsistency of the mazes, older mazes feeling stale, the lack of themeing away from Towers Street - these have all been complaints for the last decade and yet there’s never seemingly an improvement.

Unusually, I’m going to defend Towers to an extent here. I think if nothing else the entertainment has seen an uptick in scope over the past few years and that is a step in the right direction. Equally the garden lights are a nice addition.

What j would like to see return are some more of the unique experiences rather than just scare mazes. I know there were problems in the past with stuff like Duel and Haunted Hollow Live, but they were pleasant (and free) attractions that were Halloween themed whilst not involving a traditional scare maze.
 
What j would like to see return are some more of the unique experiences rather than just scare mazes. I know there were problems in the past with stuff like Duel and Haunted Hollow Live, but they were pleasant (and free) attractions that were Halloween themed whilst not involving a traditional scare maze.

Exactly, and they had demand too. It was last time I remember Duel being queued for the entire length of the extended queue. (Unless you count last weekend where it was bucketing down and Duel was the only indoor attraction that was open)
 
Exactly, and they had demand too. It was last time I remember Duel being queued for the entire length of the extended queue. (Unless you count last weekend where it was bucketing down and Duel was the only indoor attraction that was open)
On Monday the queue was coming out of the extension and leading across the plaza. Was approximately 50 mins from the back.
That was because cars were out of use and groups of 5 or less being split between multiple cars. :oops:
 
What j would like to see return are some more of the unique experiences rather than just scare mazes. I know there were problems in the past with stuff like Duel and Haunted Hollow Live, but they were pleasant (and free) attractions that were Halloween themed whilst not involving a traditional scare maze.

I think Haunted Hollow would need to be re-thought as having lone actors in a remote dark location isn't a good idea. But mini-shows that play out, more line the Ancestors with three people putting something on sponteanously would be a good fit for the area.
 
Who’s in charge of the Ents now at Alton, specifically Scarefest? Last time i knew it seemingly Pete Cliff who was the lead figure.

Whoever it is I wonder how much they are restrained by budgets. The faults with Scarefest are so glaring obvious surely the only thing holding them back is budget
 
Who’s in charge of the Ents now at Alton, specifically Scarefest? Last time i knew it seemingly Pete Cliff who was the lead figure.

Whoever it is I wonder how much they are restrained by budgets. The faults with Scarefest are so glaring obvious surely the only thing holding them back is budget

Ents actually appears to have a larger budget this year with the Ancestors, freaky five shows, other stage shows and some further walk-round characters. Maybe mazes need more work but it feels like Ents has had a big push all year this year.
 
Whoever it is I wonder how much they are restrained by budgets. The faults with Scarefest are so glaring obvious surely the only thing holding them back is budget

Normally, I'd agree with you. But they've had problems recruiting actors and staff and overall I'd have to give the park absolute credit for the amount of effort and investment they've put into entertainment this year in general. Scarefests main problem this year seems to be the fact it's mostly the same as last years event. But then after a fantastic Oktoberfest and a new summer event, I'm not going to knock them for Scarefest. I just hope some more imagination goes into next year's event.
 
I would think the Rapids is the only one that plausibly could be not just maintenance and is actually a cost saving.
 
Definitely a case of maintenance for Hex and the Rapids. I was sent an image of the vault parked oddly with the house lights on prior to it closing, whilst the Rapids' leak doesn't appear to be an overnight fix.

As for The Smiler, a source on park today has reliably informed me (courtesy of the entrance host on duty) the ride is closed due to a noise issue raised by a neighbouring pigeon who made its nest in the woods backing onto Farley Lane.
 
Oh god don't start this again. The only thing they're hinting is that they're Scarefest roaming actors, nothing more. However, I completely agree with you on the age front. I'm not sure if it's my age or not but seeing a lad dressed in what was supposed to be an oppressive uniform who looked like he hadn't even begun shaving yet felt a little strange. In the mazes as well, loads of young girls and guys, I could've been their dad.

Presumably this is because the only actors willing to work for what the park is prepared to pay are out-of-work drama graduates.

You can do a lot to make people look older with stage make-up - just watch Back to the Future II!
 
Normally, I'd agree with you. But they've had problems recruiting actors and staff and overall I'd have to give the park absolute credit for the amount of effort and investment they've put into entertainment this year in general. Scarefests main problem this year seems to be the fact it's mostly the same as last years event. But then after a fantastic Oktoberfest and a new summer event, I'm not going to knock them for Scarefest. I just hope some more imagination goes into next year's event.

Yeah man I agree with you there. To be honest, I think many people underestimate the impact Covid still had on the park in terms of this years event. It was the safe option to keep the same lineup as the mazes were already Covid safe.

Im confident we’ll get a big refresh next year though! Excited to see what ideas they come up with maze wise though…
 
We had an interesting experience last night:

We tried Junk Yard three times in the space of about 90 minutes and it was closed on all three occasions. Staff couldn’t tell us when it would reopen either, but that we could go to the Box Office for a refund - a sensible if slightly disappointing solution.

We then waited at the Box Office for 20 minutes and spoke to two different staff. Neither of the staff would refund us as the “T&Cs state that the ticket is non-refundable”. after much protestation, it was really clear we weren’t going to get anywhere. That’s in spite of them not being able to provide the service sold to us and their own staff at the maze telling people they can offer refunds.

To say this is a joke is an understatement. I’m pretty sure what they’re saying would be considered unlawful.

Finally after a third attempt at guest services we received our refund. However it really shouldn’t be this hard to refund people for a service the park can’t provide. It left us with quite the sour taste in our mouth.

Sort it out Towers - give your staff some authority to do the right thing.
 
I doubt it, Hex is experiencing technical problems, The Smiler is closed for an early inspection and who knows whats up with the Rapids.
Do we (you) know this is 100% the case on both fronts or are we (you!) just repeating rumour & gossip as fact?
 
We had an interesting experience last night:

We tried Junk Yard three times in the space of about 90 minutes and it was closed on all three occasions. Staff couldn’t tell us when it would reopen either, but that we could go to the Box Office for a refund - a sensible if slightly disappointing solution.

We then waited at the Box Office for 20 minutes and spoke to two different staff. Neither of the staff would refund us as the “T&Cs state that the ticket is non-refundable”. after much protestation, it was really clear we weren’t going to get anywhere. That’s in spite of them not being able to provide the service sold to us and their own staff at the maze telling people they can offer refunds.

To say this is a joke is an understatement. I’m pretty sure what they’re saying would be considered unlawful.

Finally after a third attempt at guest services we received our refund. However it really shouldn’t be this hard to refund people for a service the park can’t provide. It left us with quite the sour taste in our mouth.

Sort it out Towers - give your staff some authority to do the right thing.
That's odd, last year I was told by a Darkest Depths staff member to get a refund as it was closed due to flooding. Went all the way to Guest Services and they processed it straight away. :)
 
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