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Scarefest 2016

This year was wicked! So as for the mazes for next year, let's just wait and see? I do think what should be added is more 'free' scares. The haunted hallow through the woods path has never really been 'haunted'. Maybe this could be improved?
 
The path could be used for a scarezone, but a problem is that the "statues" around haunted hollow would ruin the scare.
 
I think it's more the chavs hiding in the bushes and behind the statues that ruined it last time :p
 
I agree with James, A Band on Ship were brilliant as the hotel entertainment. I went a few years back for Halloween and stayed with friends at the hotel. "One drink" we said but they were so entertaining that we stayed till the very end which resulted in Hex the next day being a difficult ride lol.
 
I really don't think there will be any additions to next years Scarefest lineup, or the year after most likely. Although I'd love to be wrong.
 
Maybe the Sanctuary could return for 2016 once the bad Smiler vibe has gone, although I imagine it would need rerouting amongst other improvements, but I imagine it would be a cheaper way for them to provide the fourth maze should there be one.
 
I can't see sanctuary coming back, especially as the majority of the set is now in sub species and even some in TOTT.

Next year I would want sub species to come back, but sort the ending out, as the alien ending never worked properly, so I would merge the two endings together and get the best bits out of each end. I would bring Molly back but it needs improvements, I would add more effects, eg wind, strobes, even fire. And even take the masks off earlier before the last room.

Then I think TOTT needs some major work, even though it's had a new route it's still the same maze and the final was very weak compared to previous years.
 
My ideal scarefest 2016 line up:
  • Sub species: the end games (but not have alternate endings, and change the ending too. Put more emphasis though on the aliens or get rid of it though as it made no sense to me)
  • A new maze to replace TotT, maybe like boiler house but with a new storyline
  • Molly Crowe, but with a longer section without the hood, an maybe instead of just seeing Molly and it ends, maybe if you had a bit longer at the end without the hood. You have to escape the house, but Molly is chasing you. going to the room where Molly was found "on fire".
  • A scarezone cross maze, should be a free experience for younger children or people who don't want to go in the mazes. Should have a strong storyline unlike this year's scarezones, and should be more intense than a scarezone, but less scary than a maze.
  • A scarezone like dark apocalypse though with more theming.
  • Similar family offerings as this year
  • More roaming actors around areas like x-sector which seemed neglected this year, though hopefully this won't be the case with the smiler open (it should be by then). Maybe sanctuary type actors around the area.
  • Change the extreme experience. Allow people to do end games alone or extreme
All three of the mazes should be more "extreme" as this year TotT seemed rather weak after Molly Crowe and sub species.
 
I think we can agree Sub Species has been a hit this scarefest.
So with the event over for this year how would you like to see it improved ?
Keep as two endings?
A complete change of story?

Linking the two endings together, making the maze a lot longer.
The alien didn't really work but the egg chamber I thought did so going from the tunnels further down into the alien lair may be fun. As long as there's no plastic alien on strings wafting about being silly.
 
Ok so, ToTT I agree needs an overhaul. There were some good sections in this years (such as the overhead section) but it still felt very "samey". The strobe light maze was shorter at the end yes. I still love the year it was heavily themed with the storyline of cannibals and the master chasing us out of the dining room at the end with air cannons going off.

Sub Species was excellent, how can it be improved upon is a tricky one...... maybe more confined areas, more tunnels? Dunno.

Molly Crow, not sure this could return next year. Personally, I would love to see the Boiler Room return.
 
I've loved Scarefest this year, I didn't enjoy the scare zones though, I much preferred Scary Tales and Zombies! but I understand a lot of enthusiasts have liked the scare zones this year, I would like Alton to at least bring back Scary tales as it only lasted one year. DA could have it's own area maybe with all the theming of Zombies! I loved the chainsaw element. Onto the mazes, I cant speak on these since I didn't experience them but I'd love a fourth maze which has no additional cost themed around The Carnival of Screams or similar to The Big Top at Thorpe park, or The boiler house. Towers Street looked amazing this year with its lighting and theming although theming and lighting lacked around the park, this need's to be improved. Haunted Hollow, when I walked through there at night, it was pitch black, it'd be nice to have some coloured lighting around here. I loved Duel Live, it'd be nice to see a return and Hex Live maybe?
 
I've been having a few thoughts on Sub Species and how it could be improved for next year. Once again yesterday the alternate alien ending was not open. Of all my run throughs I have only had it once and I know many have not experienced it at all. So, do there need to be two endings?

The alien ending was definitely the weaker ending and considering that it was hardly being used there shouldn't be any capacity issues with just one ending. What I wouldn't mind seeing is one ending, but make it longer. Maybe next year arrange the containters in a way where is one way out at the end but multiple routes through the containters to get here, a bit like the first half of the maze. I feel that would not only enhance an already great maze but give it a fresh enough feel in its second year.

:)
 
I always thought they missed a trick in the monk corridor of TotT by not having one either be an actor or at least animated in some way!
 
Dar said:
I always thought they missed a trick in the monk corridor of TotT by not having one either be an actor or at least animated in some way!
Click to expand...
This. The corridor was by far the scariest part of the maze, really could have done with an actual scare for a payoff.
 
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I think sub species would be better if (I know they are limited by the building) you were surrounded by doors in the first room, and lots of people get dragged a different way. I thought the tunnel had far more potential. After seeing one actor who load me to go th other way, there weren't any others in the tunnel. Even having material that brushes your face as you crawl through, or a sound on the outside that sounds like someone is hitting it would improve it. Also, I would prefer it if (I know some people wouldn't like it) but if too many people were in a group at one time (like at the start, if only a few people are taken through other doors, lots of people end up together in the next room) the actors can split you up some how, by keeping some of your group back or taking them a different way. The ending was amazing, possibly the most scared I've ever been, but I'd like the ending to be changed for next year (although the chainsaw to feature in the maze at some point), and not to have the alternate endings, as one will inevitably be weaker. At one point towards the end of the maze (either before or after the tunnel, I can't remember) I saw quite a lot of sunlight coming through the side of the shipping container which didn't help portray that you are in a sewer. The body on the stretcher at the end could be better used, by being across the path so you have to walk close to it, and if it wasn't constantly moving - if it only moved if someone was next to it.

Really hoping it will return though, defiantly the strongest maze this year.
 
I think what would enhance Scarefest the most going into next year would be to bring back Scary Tales, which was absolutely fantastic last season and one of the highlights of the event. This should particularly be the case if a new, free maze isn't introduced for next season. Personally, if the budget allows, I would also replace Molly Crowe; the maze was pretty much as good as it could be considering the concept but said concept simply does not work; the idea of having a bag over your head is scary, but in reality I was focusing so much on following the rope that I wasn't scared in the slightest.

I would also be nice if they made Scarefest more of a 'resort' event again next year. Bring back the scare rooms and ideally introduce an additional maze outside the Enchanted Village - I'm fairly sure that there is space there. If they still have the props from Carnival of Screams or The Boiler House I honestly don't think anybody would complain about a refreshed version of one of these re-opening (particularly The Boiler House, which I still personally feel was the best maze Towers have down to date).

Ideal Scarefest 2016 (Subject to budget constraints):
- Three scare mazes on-park, one of which is new to replace Molly Crowe. Keep Terror of the Towers but eliminate the additional charge for this maze as it's iconic to the event. Change the story-line, bring back the 'oven' scene and extend the strobe maze if possible.

- A third additional charge maze to be introduced on the Resort and kept open late into the night after park close. A real atmosphere generator and helps to reduce the complaints surrounding hotel entertainment by providing something extra.

- 10pm close on thrill rides if possible. This means that the crowds disperse more gradually and helps to keep people on park for the 'extreme' maze time slots.

- Scary Tales reintroduced as a story-based family maze (ala Chessington) rather than a scare zone. Kids show also replaced / rejuvenated. The scare zones return in the same format as this year but with additional theming.

- Bring back the band at the hotels

- Parkwide theming (not just on Towers Street) - even simple stuff like bringing back the skeletons on Rapids and Oblivion would be nice.

- Park lighting was better this year but still left much to be desired - nowhere near the standards of Chessington in 2008 which set the benchmark really. More improvements needed.
 
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