Leaderboard

So last night I got to experience my first ever Halloweekends at Cedar Point...or is it Haunt at Halloweekends at Cedar Point? Confusion abounds. In all seriousness, I did manage to get through all the mazes (except for Deprivation, screw that "it's just black" theme) once I splurged for the Fight Lane. Overall a mixed bag...some were very impressive, others not so much. Either way, staffing in each of the houses was more than adequate, with 15-20 actors per house (that I could count), and aside from Cornstalkers, they weren't just one big conga line. Crowds definitely came out for opening night of Haunt, with maze lines reaching 2+ hours, though ride lines were very reasonable as the night went on (30-45 minute standby for SV, 45-60 minute standby for Maverick, <30 minutes for everything else). Full report incoming.

I have a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a newborn so Santa's Village seemed like a good choice to visit next. It was much nicer then I was expecting. Lots of fountains and water features. Santa meet and greets. A good selection of rides and animals. The tiny water parked looked like enough to cool off little ones. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this place actually sold alcohol! Parking lot when we left was actually full! Even with a full lot lines were one or 2 cycle waits. The 2 standout attractions were the jolly trolly and the fire truck ride. Both were different but short. Jolly trolly goes through Christmas movie scenes that kids will never understand but parents will laugh at. The fire truck drives up to a fire which you can shoot water at. The larger coaster super cyclone has a pop of air but the comfort collars ruin it. The other credit is a wacky worm. Same area has an inverting pendulum and a larson drop tower Fun! Fun little park. If your in the Chicago land area I would recommend a visit

Theme Park Review was invited back into the fog at Knott's Scary Farm for 2021! Although down to 8 mazes this year, the event still brings the screams with returning maze favorites and one new maze. What was most appreciated it the amount of Scare Zone monsters that were out in the street! This was most likely a reallocating of monsters that would have been in the mazes to now be in outdoor area, which was a great option. Mazes were enjoyable, several show options were scattered throughout the park to enjoy when you found maze wait times to be on the longer side or just wanted to sit for a bit. Note that the last hour of the event sees very low wait time for mazes, so to maximize the event, don't be afraid to enjoy the shows between 9-11:45pm, and then enjoy the shorter maze waits when other patrons have departed for the night. Thank you to the Knott's team for inviting us, and congratulations on the return of Knott's Scary Farm! Staring with Pumpkin Eater: Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater. Had a wife... ...but couldn't keep her! Our 2nd favorite maze of the night, is this carney catastrophe! Origins: The Curse of Calico, featuring Ghost Town friends! Catawampus!!! Wax Works has returned. Wax Works, The Depths, Dark Entities and Paranormal Inc., are all conveniently located near each other near Ghostrider! Time to travel into.... Spooky sea! Almost Laval Monster! Celebrating the final year of Paranormal Inc. "What do you mean this is the last year for Paranormal Inc.?!?!??!?" Now let's blast off into space with Dark Entities: And now, the newest maze, Mesmer! A great play on sideshow acts like hypnosis and more! The Timber Mountain Log Ride has been transformed to Halloween Hootenanny, with a fun Halloween jug band music track throughout the ride. Spooky mountain! A look at a few shows around the park. This was a drum and witch show in Camp Snoopy: An 80's show about saving the planet from "Global Cooling", and has Jeff Tucker written all over it! When you find an ancient book, of course you open it and read the incantations! What else would you do with it?! A rock band is found at the Calico Stage in the heart of the park. Scare Zones can be found in Camp Snoopy: CarnEVIL is on the Boardwalk: And Gore-ing 20's is a brand new area in Charleston Square in the back of the park! "Step back into the dark decadence of a by-gone era as the newest scare zone, The Gore-ing 20's, terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. Here gangsters run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned. Tell the Bouncer the secret password, and you'll have the time of your life…for as long as it lasts." We loved the playfulness of this bygone era and the fun around prohibition! Outside the Walter Knott Theater was a flapper ground and swing band! Inside the theater is Puppet Up!, an adult improv puppet show, which we highly recommend! Ghost Town Streets of course come to live with plenty of fog: Knott's Scary Farm runs select nights through October 31st. https://www.knotts.com/events/scary-farm/tickets to plan your visit! Thank you again to the Knott's Berry Farm team!

Good report, Bert--thanks. It's always interesting to see how different parks in the chain do Howl-o-Scream. I'm looking forward to HOS in Orlando next month. Williamsburg should try the "ride with monsters" thing, too.

Looks like Lightning Rod was open today (Friday, 9/17/21). Is it possible it's only down during the Monday/Wednesday operating days for right now?

Happy to say that the park is reopening on 2nd October

oh, and they gave me some of my favorite Swag at the event too.. love it: