Duel: The Haunted House Actually Strikes Back - Refurb Incoming

[Trooper Looper]

1. Money no object - Gut the whole thing. Turn it into a world class trackless dark ride but keeping the Haunted House theme.

2. Moderate budget - Remove the guns and targets, keep the Original HH theme, replace a few tired scenes, keep the track /cars and just repair all the bits that need repairing.

3. Shoe-string budget - Keep it as it is with the guns and just repair the odd part here and there.

4. Merlin budget - Do nothing and let it die a slow painful death.

I vote for moderate!

 

[Matt N]

The difference being that many films of the 80s and 90s, a huge majority of people nowerdays prefer them over whats being shown in cinema currently, though with a few exception.

People aren't looking for the newest thing out there in the theme park industry, except roller coasters. People just want something fun. Even John Wardley himself stated this with his creations in an old documentary, saying that the majority of Theme parks are always trying to make the next big thing, next tallest, fastest, longest, most advanced, etc. He on the other hand just just wants to build pure fun, non-groundbreaking attractions.

Though yeah, if they ever did bring it back, I would have little hope if the retrofit wasn't lead by John himself, or any of Spark or Rex Studios workers.

Great idea on paper, it's just execution that is the worrying part. If done by the wrong person, it won't do well.

The blasters don't feel right to be on a ride like Duel, I would expect something like that on Gangsta Granny the Ride.

I used the film analogy because the movie industry is one where slices of history have been “bought back” or remade in this vein numerous times, and by very nature, old films and TV shows can be rewatched years after you originally watched them.

I’m not a film buff by any means, but even from my outsider’s perspective of the cinema industry, I can think of a few examples of where remakes of old, iconic films or revivals of old, iconic franchises have received less than stellar reviews, and also (using my mum & dad as a case study) examples of where films & TV programs that were considered brilliant at the time of their release have been rewatched and produced a very different reaction to what they did when they were new (the amount of critically acclaimed films and TV shows from even the 1990s that have had my parents going “Oh my god, it feels so dated now compared to what it did back then” and remarking on how badly aspects of them have aged suggests that stuff considered the gold standard in the 1990s and earlier may not be up there with the gold standard today).

I think there are definitely exceptions for sure, and I’m not saying that a revived Haunted House couldn’t be a big success by any means, but I’ve noticed that moves for nostalgia, even when done with the best of intentions, often backfire or don’t produce the product that hardcore fans wanted, even dirtying the legacy of the original thing they were trying to emulate in some cases. For instance, if we liken the Haunted House/Duel to the Star Wars franchise and make the 1992 Haunted House the original trilogy and Duel the prequel trilogy, any move to revive the Haunted House would inevitably be cast in the role of the new trilogy, which is considered sorely disappointing by many die-hard Star Wars fans.

So to link it back into Haunted House and address your point more directly; while I fully agree that I’m looking for a fun attraction as opposed to only the latest & greatest, I’m not sure that the Haunted House would be considered fun today like it was in 1992. While I won’t deny that it was surely a ground-breaking attraction back then, the world is a very different place now, with a vastly different definition of what’s fun. I feel like the 1992 attraction as a base concept, no matter how much set dressing you put onto it or how well you maintain it, would be seen in a very different light and have a lot more flaws picked within it now, and I’m not 100% sure that reviving the ride back to 1992 specification would necessarily increase its reception.

Rightly or wrongly, I feel like the way in which they originally built it (dark, jump-scare filled ride with no real story as such) is something people would be far less convinced by today if it didn’t have the laser guns to add an element of interactivity, and with the substantial rise of more “realistic” jumpscare-orientated horror attractions in recent years, I feel like people would react more cynically to the Haunted House in many aspects nowadays. For instance, I think the more cartoony props on the ride would get mocked and criticised unless they substantially changed the vibe and dynamic of the ride, and the lack of story and “grand scenes” might get criticised too. I think the laser guns mean it gets around this currently, as interactive rides typically don’t have too much of a strong narrative anyway, and the dynamic of the ride is changed in a way that plays more to the strengths of the original HH design, but I think a change back to the Haunted House in the era we currently live in would make these perceived flaws more obvious to people. Perhaps controversially, I don’t think the type of ride the Haunted House was in terms of a concept was as timeless as, say, the Haunted Mansion at the Disney parks, and the impression I get from members on here who were around in 2002 suggests that even then, the ride was seen as quite dated by park guests.

So for that reason, if I was in charge and I had to do something with Duel, I’d gut the building completely and do something new as opposed to trying to revive the past. I apologise if my opinion is controversial to you.

 

[Trooper Looper]

Not at all. You've made valid points for both sides, and I really appreciate that

 

[WillPS]

The Haunted House isn't "iconic" with the general public at all so there's no inherent risk of a disappointing reboot.

The problem is there's also basically no marketing potential in it either.

 

[Trooper Looper]

Then why does everyone remember it? I know quite a few people who are nowhere enthusiasts, but even they remember The Haunted House.

 

[WillPS]

Remembering something existed does not an icon make.

 

[Trooper Looper]

Well it's still better than what it is now. That's all I can say.

 

[rob666]

Then why does everyone remember it? I know quite a few people who are nowhere enthusiasts, but even they remember The Haunted House.

Everyone???
Every middle aged geek more like!

 

[WillPS]

Well it's still better than what it is now. That's all I can say.

It's better last year than it was this year. And the year before that. And every year for the last 30 years!

 

[Trooper Looper]

I wouldn't call 2018 or 2019 better. Those years were abysmal for Duel, many of the lighting was way too bright. TBH this scarefest, most of its lighting was actually really good. Maybe I was lucky though IDK.

 

[Auribus]

/snip

That's quite a long and complicated way of saying "start again from scratch" Matt N.

And whatever - hypothetically speaking - Merlin put in it's place will find a new set of drawbacks and disappointment that the enthusiasts will find fault with.

HH is in an ideal place and setting for the attraction that it is and doesn't require a plot based exposition.

Most non-enthusiasts won't even see the fine and minute details pointed out by enthusiasts -- and won't care even when they are pointed out. They "score" and "assess" and derive enjoyment from the ride based on it's overall atmosphere and ambience.

 

[mo237]

In all honesty, I think Duel's time is up. Not now, but years ago.

Since I started visiting about a decade back, Duel's always been suffering, but each year it's gradually declined in quality - so much so that, after my most recent ride on it at Scarefest - I could probably quite happily never ride it again. So many effects left broken, EQ throughout was totally off, new batching system was awful - not to mention that they could only load about half the cars on the circuit, meaning it took a deceptively long time to get on. It's beyond embarrasing, especially given the legacy that preceeds it.

So, big refurbishment? Honestly, I'd rather they just didn't. If they wanted to restore it to be a super spooky masterpiece, they'd have to spend an unholy amount to make it all work. It'd be great for us geeks, but for most people who casually visit, they'd probably see Haunted House 2.0 and think, isn't this outdated? It's sentimental for some and nostalgia is a powerful tool, but the majority of people who'd have ridden it probably wouldn't care anymore.

Well, new theme and total overhaul of what's inside? I'd also rather they didn't. Much like the theming itself, the transit is incredibly dated, and would need some serious cash splashed at it to make it work. I'm also skeptical of whether Merlin would realistically be able to pull off something within that space - yes, there's plenty of room, but with their previous big two indoor ride refurbs (Gruffalo and Broom), they didn't strip the flats out, they just repurosed them - so I'd be anxious that'd happen with Duel, meaning whatever would come next would have to awkwardly squeeze in.

Duel/Haunted House has had a super long run, and as cliche as it sounds, all good things (well, kinda mediocre at this point) must come to an end. I'd much rather they just buldozed Gloomy Wood and put a new area in its place.

 

[s_g_k]

In all honesty, I think Duel's time is up. Not now, but years ago.

Since I started visiting about a decade back, Duel's always been suffering, but each year it's gradually declined in quality - so much so that, after my most recent ride on it at Scarefest - I could probably quite happily never ride it again. So many effects left broken, EQ throughout was totally off, new batching system was awful - not to mention that they could only load about half the cars on the circuit, meaning it took a deceptively long time to get on. It's beyond embarrasing, especially given the legacy that preceeds it.

So, big refurbishment? Honestly, I'd rather they just didn't. If they wanted to restore it to be a super spooky masterpiece, they'd have to spend an unholy amount to make it all work. It'd be great for us geeks, but for most people who casually visit, they'd probably see Haunted House 2.0 and think, isn't this outdated? It's sentimental for some and nostalgia is a powerful tool, but the majority of people who'd have ridden it probably wouldn't care anymore.

Well, new theme and total overhaul of what's inside? I'd also rather they didn't. Much like the theming itself, the transit is incredibly dated, and would need some serious cash splashed at it to make it work. I'm also skeptical of whether Merlin would realistically be able to pull off something within that space - yes, there's plenty of room, but with their previous big two indoor ride refurbs (Gruffalo and Broom), they didn't strip the flats out, they just repurosed them - so I'd be anxious that'd happen with Duel, meaning whatever would come next would have to awkwardly squeeze in.

Duel/Haunted House has had a super long run, and as cliche as it sounds, all good things (well, kinda mediocre at this point) must come to an end. I'd much rather they just buldozed Gloomy Wood and put a new area in its place.

That my friend belongs in the controversial opinions thread!
I totally agree that something needs to be done, but I don’t agree that the ride system is outdated or that the whole lot should be bulldozed.

I’ve only just thought of this, but could a Stranger Things IP work? The facade could be Hawkins Lab, The indoor queue could progress you into the “upside down” and then the ride could be based around travelling through the upside down with various jump scares etc. I’m not sure of the longevity of it though. They could also reopen the old Nitrogenie stall as an ice cream stall as per series 3, and convert the gift shop into a retro arcade.

I also thought about a family coaster in the gloomy woods intertwining with trees and branches in the upside down but that’s kind of been done in another area of the park

 

[Trooper Looper]

The only positive changes I can see going to Duel is either, less LED lights, getting rid of the zombie props, giving a few props fresh repaints to something more sinister and less goofy.
The other is well, just retrofit it to the HH, but that'll never happen.
Whatever Merlin thinks of replacing it with if it closes within the next few years, will never live up to it, as IPs are short lived cash grabs.

 

[MrFricke]

This ride gets debated and misunderstood often, including by Alton Towers seemingly – otherwise Duel wouldnt be in such a ridiculous situation with so many conflicting factors. Today the idea the ride was built to be entertaining seems to elude people totally.

Nobody wants to "bring back" The Haunted House identical to 1992 for the sake of it. Haunted House basically never left, just got terribly mashed up with loads of naff changes and seriously bad maintenance, to the point it isnt entertaining anymore.

They also missed the chance to remove the guns and fix stuff 10 years ago.

BUT, why is giving the park a haunted house "nostalgia", even as a supposed good thing? I hate nostalgia and how it's being used in entertainment today to recycle old ideas into something lazy and false.

This isn't about nostalgia vs demolition, it's about having a good ride. I think a vibrant and fun haunted house would still suit the park PERFECTLY if handled well.

The Cbeebies blobs have been around 20 years now. Is that nostalgia? No, as long as it remains entertaining.

Injecting new life, reworking what's still great (like some of the sets and unique original style), a new marketing angle, and a new Haunted House (or similar) would go down a bomb with families!

What will more likely happen is Merlin Studios will plough in, empty the building and put some underwhelming screens and a lame IP in. Or Duel will just limp on being broken and boring for another few years.

 

[Trooper Looper]

Good debate!

The only reason I brought up nostalgia is because the Haunted House only got 10 years of operating, before converting to Duel, which seems very harsh, even John Wardley himself seems to dislike the change into Duel. I'd only bring it back for another 10 years to give the HH a rightly deserved revival for some time before a good expansion to the ride with good alterations.

 

[WillPS]

Good debate!

The only reason I brought up nostalgia is because the Haunted House only got 10 years of operating, before converting to Duel, which seems very harsh, even John Wardley himself seems to dislike the change into Duel. I'd only bring it back for another 10 years to give the HH a rightly deserved revival for some time before a good expansion to the ride with good alterations.

Things happen in a moment in time. In the early-00s retrofitting class 2 laser products on dark rides was a popular and relatively cheap way of upgrading an attraction such that it could be marketed as new.

The fact it was 10 years old wasn't really relevant, all that was relevant was that it was a suitable candidate for such a modification.

Whatever happens to the ride eventually will likely be driven by circumstance (i.e. it actually can't continue to run without major investment) or another marketable opportunity arising. It won't be motivated by the logic that 'HH had 10 years, Duel's had 20 etc'.

 

[Matt N]

I have to say that I wouldn’t be at all averse to a revival of the concept of the Haunted House in the form of a brand new dark ride; in spite of some of the things I’ve said previously about HH, I think the spooky house concept and the whole “spooky but friendly” thing could still work if it were to be done today in an altered form with a newer ride system. I’d do something with grander, more clear-cut scenes and a greater emphasis on story and ambience over the jump scares that the Haunted House did (and Duel currently does) focus on. Don’t get me wrong, I might keep the odd jumpscare or two here and there, but I’d make them far less of a key element than they are within the current ride.

I’m not sure if I’d personally choose to revive the old ride in its exact specification, but I would quite like the idea of a brand new dark ride being built using the same basic theme (spooky house theme).

I’ve said before that if we’re talking about what I’d do with Duel in an ideal world, I’d personally:

• Rip out the current ride system and building interior apart from possibly the indoor queue, but keep the exterior like it is now.
• Replace the interior ride system with an ETF Trackless Multi Mover similar to Symbolica at Efteling.
• Theme the ride similarly to how it was themed originally, but make it more ambient and story-driven, with less of a focus on jumpscares and more of a focus on story, atmosphere and clear cut scenes. I’d perhaps make the tone a bit more fun/fantastical and a bit less dark and scary than it is currently; as much as I’d have the ride be themed around a spooky house, I wouldn’t want anything too dark or scary, and I’d want to give it a wider appeal than the current ride. I’d have it mostly be focused on physical theming and set pieces, but I would integrate the odd screen or bit of projection mapping in here and there.
• I might possibly add a pre-show in the current indoor queue area to set up the story, but I might also keep it as an indoor queue you walk straight through; either could work. I would alter the indoor queue to get rid of the whole sloped illusion, personally; I think a level room would work fine there, with maybe a brief explanation of the story and some themed elements.
• I’d actually keep the current music done by Simon Allen, at least on the exterior; I do really quite like it, and I think it sets up the spooky tone of the ride really quite nicely!
• I wouldn’t name it The Haunted House, but I’d try and keep to a similar theme; I’ve always thought Macabre Mansion would be a nice name for this type of ride!

So that’s what I’d personally do if I had free rein over Duel (this is a dreamworld, where money is no object)! In reality, I know the chances of anything like this happening are low, as I don’t think Merlin could afford anything like Symbolica, but it’s still fun to dream, right?

 

[Trooper Looper]

Great ideas, though at the expense of Duel/ The Haunted House, I'd personally wouldn't think it as worth it. Don't get me wrong, it sounds brilliant, but there's something about Trackless ride systems that really seem to ruin the experience as you can see the next car ahead and from behind, same thing with the Omnimover. Which is why I'm actually not a fan of any of Disneys Haunted Mansions. Controversial I know

Boy I'd love to see the HHs type of theatrical theming return in some form though!!

I've never really had a great relationships with Rides that heavily rely on stories, par Madhouses. I just wander off half way though them lol, probably because of My ADHD, which actually explains why I love a lot of the 80s/90s attractions, you just sit down, and enjoy the experience without thinking.

As Stubborn as I am, I'm still keeping my hopes on Then bringing Back The HH, even when it's 100% not going to happen. Mostly because it's pretty much the last remaining piece of the late 80s/ early 90s era, Dark Ride wise anyway, and it shouldn't be smashed to pieces because it's "Old and tired" when in reality, Merlin are just too lazy to do anything to give Duel new work, or Retrofit it, and it can easily be achieved. Not too long ago we lost Bubbleworks, which was replaced with an IP only young Children could really thoroughly enjoy. I dont want Wardleys and Sparks last Dark Ride having the same fate by the same people for Money.

 

[Matt N]

Great ideas, but if it were ti replace Duel, I'd personally wouldn't think it as worth it. Don't get me wrong, it sounds brilliant, but there's something about Trackless ride systems that really seem to ruin the experience as you can see the next car ahead and from behind, same thing with the Omnimover. Which is why I'm actually not able fan of any of Disneys Haunted Mansions. Controversial I know

Fair enough!

I think it depends on how the ride is designed, though; a trackless ride could definitely provide the same type of individualised experience as HH if a park designed it as such, as the vehicles are separated from one another in the same vein (they’re not connected like they are on an omnimover, anyway).

I think the main reason you often see other ride vehicles a lot on trackless rides is because parks often design them specifically so that you interact with other vehicles at points during the ride. For instance, I know quite a few trackless dark rides, such as Hotel Transylvania at Motiongate Dubai (which I guess is kind of similar to a spooky house-themed trackless ride like I’m describing) have a central room where the cars are designed to interact with one another and then split off into a separate room. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Symbolica might do this too.

The one trackless dark ride I’ve done, Antarctica at SeaWorld Orlando, certainly did at least one scene where cars “danced” with one another and were designed to interact. I think quite a lot of trackless dark rides do this.

If Alton Towers wanted to, however, I certainly think they could pull off a trackless ride where the cars didn’t interact. The type of ride I described above would be designed such that it wouldn’t matter quite as much if you did see other cars (the emphasis on jumpscares and the element of surprise would be lower than on the current ride, and the tone would be very different), but a trackless ride system doesn’t necessarily mean that the cars have to stay close to each other. Take a look at Challenge of Tutankhamon at Walibi Belgium, for instance; by the looks of things, the park were able to create an experience no less isolated than on HH/Duel with that one:


But if trackless ride systems aren’t for you more generally, then fair enough!