haiderodes

We went this past Sunday (10/14). Bought our tickets ahead of time so we avoided that line. They opened the gates around 6:30p and held everyone much in the same manner they do during a regular park opening. I imagine they do this due to the relatively small size of the ticket plaza. We were able to hit the northern half the mazes including Black Widow's Cavern and Pyromaniax within the first hour (go to these first!). This also included a stop on Boomerang. Stopped to watch the Hanging and then hit the other half before catching HACKS! The wait times for the rides weren't that bad. The longest was 30 minutes or so for Silver Bullet, but we did spy quite a line for Xcelerator while we were on the SkyCabin. The longest wait was for 13 Axe Murder Manor at about 30 minutes. The line was deceiving from the outside due to the fact that they use the entire Mystery Lodge queue. The second longest was Doll Factory which is right across from it. One thing I think puts Knott's above Universal is the sheer amount of things going on and having most of the regular rides open. It helps disperse the crowds. THat said, Knott's needs to learn how to manage a haunted house line, people just cut in line where they please. I'd hate to see what a Saturday night would be like. Oh, and seeing the monsters text messaging and talking to the "guides/security". BAD SHOW! Word of warning...watch out for the horse poop walking toward the start of the Dark Realm maze. And for that matter, don't get your hopes up, it was the worst one of the bunch.

Disneyland first for me. I grew up in Las Vegas, so it was most likely a matter of convenience being less than 4 hours from the park. I have pictures of me being there as a baby and a toddler, but I don't really remember any visits before I was three (1986). The first time I went to Disney World was just in 2003 when I started my WDW College Program. And to this day, I have yet to have a true "Disney Vacation" to WDW...its either been for work or visiting friends.

That same quote is also featured in the most recent USH eNewsletter as well. Very cool!

^ My roommate and I were talking about that while we were there. How much it costs to put these things on. Even with there only being 4 mazes, thats a lot of money put into personnel let alone decorations. The liquid fog mixture is pretty expensive in itself! We were also thinking how much more money they could be bringing in if they sold liquor like they do in Orlando. In the interview John Murdy said it was a conscious decision to exclude it from the Hollywood park, I just wonder why it works for them in one park versus the other. I can't wait to see what they come up with for next year!

I totally can understand why it would be a saftey issue, but then again, some fake cobwebs or something along the top of the canopy wouldn't hurt anyone. Maybe a display or two on the landings. Something would be better than nothing.

So we made it to HHN on Saturday and a good time was had! Ended up not having to work Saturday, so we headed down about 1230p. Drove straight through with little traffic. Arrived at USH about 4-4:15 ish and decided to just get dinner at CityWalk (Buca Di Beppo). After dinner we walked around and eventually ended up at the security check about 6p. Quite a few people waiting, but no rediculous line, but it picked up during the wait at the turnstiles. Lots of nice thick fog at the entrance...LOVE THAT STUFF! It was getting dark, but not totally so we headed to the lower lot for Texas Chainsaw so we wouldnt have to go back down there. My roommate has been to HHN in Orlando the past few years, and I was a newbie so I was pretty excited to see how the haunts stacked up to the ones we have in Vegas. What really impressed me is pretty much the same thing that everyone else mentioned is the level of detail. Down to the smells (particularly that bathroom scene. We managed to hit all of the haunts in a resonable amount of time. We also saw Bill & Ted, Slaughterworld2, and the rediculously funny Chuck's Insult Emporium (great show!). My favorite maze had to be A Nightmare on Elm Street. Runner up was Friday the 13th. Let me say those queues are intimidating! They wind up and down and around. Especially that Friday the 13th one, it was the ultimate "think you are getting close, but not really" type line. The House of Horrors one was also tricky with that secret queue in the back. In speaking of House of Horrors, our first attempt through was marred by a fire alarm less than a 1/4 of the way into the maze. All the lights came on and we had to leave. This after waiting 30 minutes! The good thing is coming back later the line wasnt as long. It was interesting though to be evacuated from a haunted house. Now for my gripes... 1. I guess it comes with the territory of having so many people want to see these houses, but its irritating to stand in line for 30+ minutes to essentially stand in line for another 10-15 minutes walking through the maze. Instead of letting groups of people in, they just let the line snake its way through. I understand the need for capacity, but it greatly lessened the scare potential when you are standing in one spot for 2 or 3 minutes at a time and you see the actors "reset". Then again, if they did send in groups, the wait time would go up, so I don't know a good solution. 2. The Terror Tram ended up seeming like a poorly done maze. The area was too open to have such a narrow pathway. Granted some people still ended up getting scared and the Bates Motel area was cool, but the shaker cans...MY GOD! I was expecting more scares on the actual tram, you know people jumping out or something...ANYTHING! It has potential though, hopefully they make it longer next year and add more scares. 3. Gaps in the park were very apparent. Particularly on the StarWay. Add a smoke machine, some lights, something please! Overall I had fun, never really got a good scare or scream. They seem to have a lot of room to grow and make it scarier. While at the park we decided (since we were down there) to check out Knott's Scary Farm so it became a Super Haunt Weekend! I love Halloween!

Boomerang - Knott's Berry Farm, last night 10/14/07.

If you like good, fresh french fries, the little hut across from Food Ect (basically under Superman) is a spot to hit up. Do they still have that roasted corn in Gotham City? That's good stuff as well that you just dont get everywhere.

Thanks for the help. Hopefully, I wont have to come into work very long tomorrow. I'm really excited about going! Anyone know of any discounts besides the advance purchase Coca Cola one?

Perhaps some of you that went to opening weekend can help me out with some info... My roommate and I are thinking about heading down there for Saturday, October 13th. Common sense, along with the website, tells us to arrive early. About how early would you recommend? I may have to go into the office for a few hours in the morning, hopefully wrapping up about 2p or so. Without heavy traffic its usually about a 4 hour drive, but seeing as how we wouldnt be getting into LA until a peak traffic time would it be worth it to try? I see its open until 2a, and I know USH isn't very big, but I want to make sure we'd get our money's worth. Any info would be appreciated.

I live in Las Vegas, NV. We are the biggest city in the state of Nevada with about 550,000 within the city limits and around 1.5 million in the metro area.

^Who cares what he thinks...unless he's the type to go running his mouth about things that he doesn't know. As much as we shouldn't care about what people think, it is important especially for us "younger folk" that are starting careers and what not. That's not to say its not okay to disclose your orientation, but sometimes its better to not say anything. It just sucks when people take it upon themselves to say things to people when they don't know what they are talking about. As for not wanting to go out with him, that seems a little off that he needs you by his side. Perhaps he wants to "prove" himself to you. Or maybe its nothing more than a mis-interpretation on both parts.

Rasberry Chipotle Chopped Chicken Salad from Quiznos....$6.45

^ Must be nice.

Matterhorn Bobsleds! Its a classic

^ If you do a search on YouTube there are a few good quality videos taken of the show as well as other Disney pyro-spectaculars around the globe.

I still long for the day we see something akin to the Crystal Beach Cyclone. There are a few rides that incorporate some aspects of it, but I'm sure the technology is out there to make a safer, modern version of this ride. Not necessarily a copy, but something along the same lines.

Cool trip report. Kings Island is one of those parks, along with Cedar Point, that I must visit someday. Must be that Brady Bunch episode or something. I still wonder what purpose those seatbelts on Cedar Fair "Arrows" serve. They seem particularly cumbersome considering the design of the cars. That said, I'm still suprised they haven't shown up on Boomerang at Knott's.

I can only remember myself falling out once. My cousin and I were on The Black Hole at Wet N Wild Las Vegas (RIP) we flipped over pretty early in the course. It was still fun nonetheless. It happens from time to time to all people big and small. If the raft hits a turn just right, out you go. I have a feeling they make slides so that if you fall out, its no big deal as long as you can orient yourself facing the correct direction. One ride everyone seems to fall out of are those "Raging Rapids-type" slides where its slide, then pool, then slide, then pool. Because there are so many people going at once, you get bunched up and flips happen all the time.

Not a traditional concert...we saw DJ Irene spin on Saturday night. Danced till we couldn't dance no more!

Somedays I wish I had that job.

Last night was the start of the New Found Glory and Senses Fail tour at the House of Blues. A good time was had!

I was there Saturday, Sept. 15th and the projections were working.

My collection is miniscule because I only purchase them if its a special occasion or it is a very special picture. Otherwise, I don't really see the value. That said I have only two... Tower of Terror (MGM) 2003 Jurassic Park: The Ride (USH) 1998

I have a feeling they run a pre-programmed cycle. When I was there back in June, I sat in a nice shady spot and watched a few cycles and they were all pretty close to the same. I didn't see the operators pressing any buttons or joysticks after the cycle started.