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Scarefest 2018

Matt.GC

Matt.GC

TS Member
Couldn't see (please lock if I'm wrong), that we had a 2018 Scarefest thread yet. So, since noticing that the past 2 years the upcoming Scarefest thread was created before the current one finished, and since its already being discussed in other threads, I thought I'd be the irritating person to keep the Towers Street tradition alive!

I think the 2017 scarefest has been noticeably busier than most of us expected. It looks like it could have been busier than the park expected.

So next year, with SW8 on the way and a noticeable recovery in attendance already taken place during 2017, I think it would make no sense not to extend the event. The first weekend into 2 full weeks run ing to Halloween in the third week would be essential considering how busy this week gone has been.

I think the park needs to reverse the wound down atmosphere thats been creeping in. No effort put into the park beyond the 1 remaining scare zone ( a cutback in itself in the fact there was only 1), the mazes (which I thought were all Ok), and Towers Street.
 
More event dates are needed in 2018, especially with the increased crowds that I'm sure they are hoping SW8 will bring in.

As for an attraction lineup, I would keep Sub Species and Mine Tours and improve them following feedback from this year. I would also like to see The Welcoming return, but obviously it would need a new location, there are many places around the park where it could go. I also think The Welcoming would work perfectly as a free maze that the park is really lacking. As for TOTT, I think they should keep the name but completely gut the maze and start over with a new brand added to replace "What Lies Within".

Freak Show should stay and there should be at least one new scare zone.

House of Monsters, well it all depends if CCL is still open this time next year.
 
MakoMania said:
More event dates are needed in 2018, especially with the increased crowds that I'm sure they are hoping SW8 will bring in.
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Shawn Sanbrooke said in his latest Scarefest vlog that there have been rumours of them reverting back to two full weeks of Scarefest in 2018, like every year until 2015.

In terms of what I'd like to see, I can't really say much because the only time I've ever visited Scarefest is for a brief drop in visit in 2015. Also, I'm not really into scare mazes/scare zones/things containing scare actors so I can't base off of my own opinions. But judging by feedback from this year's event, I think that the park needs to:
  • Change TOTT from the What Lies Within moniker.
  • Make one of the mazes free (possibly TOTT or HoM?)
  • Make The Welcoming a traditional hands-on-shoulders maze.
  • Have better park atmosphere outside of Towers Street.
 
Matt N said:
Shawn Sanbrooke said in his latest Scarefest vlog that there have been rumours of them reverting back to two full weeks of Scarefest in 2018, like every year until 2015.
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Shawn mentioned this to me at the end of last year season, nothing materialised this year :rolleyes:

I think something needs to give, considering that we had some of the popular rides opening at 10.30am and 11am, the only comfortable day in terms of queue times was the very first Sunday of the Scarefest and the only other day that could have been a quiet day was ruined by a certain community, other than that, there was very little option left for trying to pick a great day avoiding major queues.

I personally think they should bring back the full two weeks plus the additional pre-weekends
 
Matt N said:
Shawn Sanbrooke said in his latest Scarefest vlog that there have been rumours of them reverting back to two full weeks of Scarefest in 2018, like every year until 2015.
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I find this unlikely. Halloween events up and down the country have started closing on Mondays, Tuesdays, and sometimes Wednesdays in the weeks leading up to the 31st, over the past few years. It's just a response to the market in this country and how people choose to celebrate the season. Remember halloween celebrations are still primitive in this country, perhaps in another 10 years things will be different.

In order to stay profitable the park should just do what other events here are doing - following in the footsteps of the Americans by opening up for weekends early October and even in to September. I mean in America, Halloween events start the first weekends in September.
 
They switched away from 2 full weeks because of how quiet the first week always was. Going weekends only has boosted attendance throughout October rather than just at the end. I'd be very surprised if they reverted back, but it would be good to see the event running on a few more nights.
 
I don't agree. Although I accept that events like Scarefest are relatively new to this country and the original set up of opening hours was based on American style events, I think Scarefest, Fright Nights and other events are winners.

Firstly, seasonal events are showing massive growth trends in this country. I know because I work in an industry that depends highly on them. The fastest growing seasonal event in the UK right now? Halloween.

Secondly, I think the sheer chaos seen these last few days at both Thorpe and Towers shows just how much demand there is for interesting events in Theme Parks. I do t think people are coming just because of the events proximity to Halloween, I think they're coming because it's interesting, it's different, there's a bit of a show, long opening hours, rides in the dark etc. I think my point is proved in just how busy this week has been. Although it's been a busier season in general for Towers, it looks like it's disproportionately fallen onto Scarefest, not just this year but last. Also looks like the case for Thorpe which has been posting queues of nearly 3 hours in a park that has presumably been declining/stagnating all season.
 
In terms of the whole event I felt like this years Scarefest wasn't as great as previous years. Next year I would personally like to see Terror Of The Towers either having a complete overhaul with a possible change of sets and storyline or removing permanently, now I don't think that will happen but hey ho.

Sub Species: I also feel like this maze is past its sell by date, maybe closing its doors for good to make way for a bigger and better maze.

Altonville Mine Tours: In my humble opinion I do not think much needs changing with this maze apart from the ending which I felt was rather poor and random.

The Welcoming: With this maze being debuted to market SW8, I think this is a one year attraction. Although it was great I would be very disappointed to see this return.
 
Can someone enlighten me as to why people like Mine Tours? Every time I go through it I find it completely boring with almost no actors and a very short route.
 
MakoMania said:
Can someone enlighten me as to why people like Mine Tours? Every time I go through it I find it completely boring with almost no actors and a very short route.
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I thought this year was much better than last however the ending is still very flat! I do think it differs on each run through though.
 
I didn't go this year.
I think they'd be crazy to ditch TOTT and Sub Species completely, Terror as it's the flagship maze, and SS as of its reputation. I would like to see then both revamped considerably. I only expect 3 full mazes next year.

Terror of the Towers: In Ruins
Sub Species: Round 2
Altonville Mine Tours

Return of 2 scare zones, and a new 'tame' maze in the mould of House of Monsters.
 
I think it's safe to assume that the welcoming will return for this year with SW8, perhaps as either a tamer experience to replace HoM. Lets face it, while the theming was incredible, it wasn't scary in the slightest and it might be good to have a more family oriented maze themed around the parks new family(ish) ride. I'd like to think that AMT will also return as I thought this years rendition was a really enjoyable attraction. I can see SS getting revamped as this years wasn't as good as last years in my opinion, despite it still being quality.
 
I don't half get bored of people frequently saying Terror of the Towers should go because they feel it's 'good but a bit stale' or similar, just because it's been around for so long. That's likely to be a comment on how frequently you've been able to go, not on the quality of the attraction! It's like me saying 'yeah, I've been on Nemesis a few thousand times now, it's about time they added an extra inversion or just got rid of it'. For the vast majority who get a run through once every few years its still hugely enjoyable.
Things do get tweaked to keep it interesting, but really it is a very good basic/traditional scare maze that chews through the crowds without throughput slaying gimmicks, and should be welcomed back indefinitely.
 
:hearteyes: ToTT
Had the last run through of the season on my own !
Was amazing
If they do away with it will be mighty sad :cry:
It’s almost a national treasure, I’m thinking Mary Berry , Christoper Biggins, a cuppa tea on a hot summers day
 
MakoMania said:
Can someone enlighten me as to why people like Mine Tours? Every time I go through it I find it completely boring with almost no actors and a very short route.
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See I thoroughly enjoyed Mine Tours this year. I think in total i had 7 run throughs during this years event and not once did i have a poor run through. Although as for the ending, I thought it was awful and just random.

bluesonichd said:
:hearteyes: ToTT
Had the last run through of the season on my own !
Was amazing
If they do away with it will be mighty sad :cry:
It’s almost a national treasure, I’m thinking Mary Berry , Christoper Biggins, a cuppa tea on a hot summers day
Click to expand...
As for TOTT i couldn’t agree anymore with the statement of national treasure but do you not think the storyline and route is outdated now? Saying that i wouldn’t mind that maze being free flow. One can only hope i suppose.
 
This Scarefest I went through Mine Tours at the front of the group for the first time, with a Haunted Lantern helmet which made all the difference, really enjoyed the experience. Without a hat I've always found it a little dull and lacking in scares
 
What's all this talk of HoM being replaced?
Its only on its 2nd year and has just got into the swing of things, I assumed they would give it 2 more years at least!
 
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