HAAALP! HHN USH vs FF SFMM vs KSF

[gearbm95]

Could really use some help deciding on an attraction to attend while out in LA in October. We'll be coming in for the weekend to go to the Bills v Rams game in LA and are looking to hit up a Halloween theme park event on the day before the game (Oct. 8). We have a group of 4 mid-20s-30s adults and are looking for something more adult-focused and scary. Alongside the mazes, are the regular attractions at each park open? Also, do any of these events serve alcohol?

 

Between HHN at USH, Fright Fest at SFMM, and Knotts Scary Farm, which event would you recommend?

 

Thanks!

[gerstlaueringvar]

Haven't even been to those and I would definitely choose HHN, but the crowd seems to be a big problem there.

[SharkTums]

For a more adult focused, scary event I would take SFMM out of the mix. That being said, if you're into roller coasters they have the best selection of the three by far.

 

If you're wanting a mix of rides and a decent halloween event KSF might be the best choice for you.

 

USH will have the best halloween scares, props, houses, etc. but not as much on the rides side of things.

[coloradocoasterguy]

Knott's is the original. It is still the largest in the world and the best. Crowds are an not an issue at these things because you aren't going for the rides, but the mazes and the scares. Ride lines can be super long but only a fool goes to ride rides. Mazes on the other hand are constantly moving.

[coasterbill]

To be fair even at the big haunt events it is fun to mix an an occasional coaster. We went to Howl O Scream at BGT and while we spent most of our time drinking and doing the mazes we mixed in a few coasters on the way by and ended the night from about 12:30 to 1am power riding Kumba. Nothing wrong with throwing in some rides...

[TheCoasterKid211]

For a more adult focused, scary event I would take SFMM out of the mix. That being said, if you're into roller coasters they have the best selection of the three by far.

 

If you're wanting a mix of rides and a decent halloween event KSF might be the best choice for you.

 

USH will have the best halloween scares, props, houses, etc. but not as much on the rides side of things.

Couldn't sum it up better. I personally prefer SFMM, because the houses are really fun even if you're not into haunted houses. However, the reason I go is for night rides in Goliath. But hey, that's just me.

[KBrylczyk]

Knott's. There isn't even a debate here.

 

Yeah, HHN is fun but Universal has really dropped the ball in recent years in terms of creativity. I'm not referring to the choices for the haunt but for the scares. Pretty much every scare now is someone banging on a wall right next to you or those loud drop-down panels with a person behind it. Sure, the haunts look good but when everything is just a sudden loud noise it loses it's flair.

 

Knott's gets creative, they have interesting ways to scare you and many of their haunts have a great vibe about them. Walking through them gives you the creeps. Walking through a haunt at HHN is just like walking down any corridor.

 

Also you can do VIP, front of line, early entry, and a buffet at Knott's for less than the cost of just walking through the gate at HHN.

[edgeboy]

Like others, unless you are really also looking for the ride selection aside from mazes, I'd skip SFMM. While their maze quality is going up, it's still pretty inferior to KFB and HHN. That said, it's also more affordable... so there's always a pro and con.

 

Between KBF and HHN, I'd consider the particular strengths and weakness of both.

 

KBF Pros: The original, and so much history. Very well organized. Lots of mazes (by far), lots of variety, and since everything they do is in house, you see lots of original props and ideas you won't find anywhere else. Also usually has more shows, and I wouldn't be surprised if Elvira is there yet again. She's worth seeing, even if it's just to rest your feet for a bit. You can also have the pre-scare buffet, which includes their famous chicken (all you can eat!) and early access to the park. I do believe their pass allows for multiple visits to mazes, and is a really good deal... you generally get right on the maze without any wait, as many times as you want (excepting the laser maze). Not to mention the bonus Skeleton Key rooms.

KFB Cons: Quality of the scare actors can vary widely, and you can occasionally go a long ways through a maze without seeing a single scare actor, or have one even attempt to scare you. Can have long lines, and does get crowded. Lines for rides can get very long, although many are manageable--though not all.

 

HHN Pros: The quality of the mazes are stunning. The amount of detail in each maze is remarkable, and parents repeat visits if possible. The energy is often quite high, and the quality of the scare actors are probably the best I've seen at a theme park. They really get in your face, and are quite unrelenting.

HHN Cons: Numbers of mazes is low. Lines are generally insanely long, and even if you get a pass, not only is it very expensive, it only allows for one visit per maze (at least, it did last year). Because of all that, it can be hard to see all the mazes, let alone repeats. Very few to no shows, so you're on your feet the entire time. Crowds can get insane. Lines for rides can also get very long.

 

Also, Universal has yet to announce if Harry Potter will be open for HHN or not. I imagine it may be, though probably not actually themed to Halloween at all.

Edited April 20, 2016 by edgeboy

[Manic Monte]

Oh My God please go to Knotts. It's a day you will never forget.

 

Between the original Haunt, revamped Ghostrider and Ghost Town, The Hanging, Chicken dinner, and just old fashion fun, Knotts just can't be beat imo.

[Jew]

I think it depends on what you are looking for...

 

HHN will provide the highest quality sets/costumes, but the scares themselves are limited to make sure you get that "walking through the movie" feel.

 

Haunt is the winner if drinking is a must. HHN does not serve alcohol, Haunt has beer gardens. The quality of the mazes is slightly below HHN in my opinion, but still pretty damn good (Paranormal Inc is spectacular though). I think you get repetitive scares there too (snarls, people hitting walls with their slider gloves), but you also get a lot more of them because of the amount of mazes and larger scarezone.

[coloradocoasterguy]

To be fair even at the big haunt events it is fun to mix an an occasional coaster. We went to Howl O Scream at BGT and while we spent most of our time drinking and doing the mazes we mixed in a few coasters on the way by and ended the night from about 12:30 to 1am power riding Kumba. Nothing wrong with throwing in some rides...

 

Not what I meaning. A ride or two is not my point. I was trying to say that if you are going for the rides then don't go during Haunt. SS, Jaguar, Timber Mountain, the Calico Mine Ride at Knott's are all fun during Haunt. TM, CMR, and the Jaguar temple are themed like a maze and in the old days so was Kingdom of the Dinosaurs.

[DBJ]

For a Halloween event, I would say Knott's Berry Farm. But, do buy the upcharge Fright Lane passes. It will make a world of difference on a busy night. They also serve alcohol at night in the park unlike Universal Studios.

[Arthur_Seaton]

I went to all three last year (first-time visit to HHN). Personally, I think Knott's is the most well-rounded and some of the mazes are comparable to HHN but they still have the right amount of cheese. HHN is very well done with some original ideas, but whereas Knott's feels like you're in a world, HHN is much more broken up — simply due to the layout of the park. Knott's feels more complete, historically as well as thematically. Be prepared for intense crowds — either suck it up and buy a front of line pass or make sure your group is diligent and strategic if you want to maximize on the experience.

 

SFMM's last haunt was abysmal. The year prior was a bit better, but I went to the 2015 one several times and it was consistently poor. Only go there if you're interested in getting on some of the rides.

[Mechanic]

If I had to choose only one, it would be Knott's.

[DoubleDown]

If I had to choose one, it would be HHN.

 

The quality of the mazes, costumes, and scares are above and beyond what Knott's provides. Like, the monsters ACTUALLY scare you.

 

There is A TON of nostalgia regarding Knott's and its Haunt, which is why it undoubtedly gets the nod among a majority of enthusiasts, but to be honest, I went last year, and don't remember jumping from being legitimately scared once. The past couple years at HHN, I was legitimately thrown off and scared several times through the night, and to me that really adds to the experience.

 

HHN feels like you're going through complicated made movie sets, while Knott's mazes feel like you're going through something at a home in the neighborhood that a bunch of teenagers put together (not quite to that extent, just exaggerating to kinda make my point).

 

Fright Fest is kinda sad.

[sxexaxn]

My vote goes to Knott's Scary Farm. It's the original theme park haunt and it's the one that has kept me going back year after year. The atmosphere you get walking through Ghost Town during haunt is pretty hard to beat. Universal may have the pretty mazes, but Knott's Street Monsters have the talent. Besides, Knott's maze quality the last 2 years has really improved (see VooDoo, Tooth Fairy and Paranormal Inc.) and that trend is likely to continue with new mazes.

[TXthrills2010]

I actually had the opportunity to visit LA in October. Our trip planned all around Knott's, USH and SFMM. I would stay away from Universal. While yes, the mazes are great, the waits are outrageously long. We waited 2 hours for Walking Dead until we gave up (and we were still far away from the entrance of the maze). We were at the park from 7 until midnight, we tackled the Halloween and Insidious mazes, rode Jurassic Park and the Mummy before we decided to leave, the park was getting unbearably overcrowded. We visited Six Flags Magic Mountain for the first time ever (and on a Saturday) The park was a pleasant surprise, there were a few great mazes (Red's Revenge, Aftermath and Willoughby's Mansion) the rest were just okay. Overall it was a fun day. Knott's Berry/Scary Farm however was unforgettable. If you are ever in LA from September-October, i would *HIGHLY* recommend visiting the park both day and night. The separate tickets (for KBF & Haunt), the waits for the mazes and the crowds are worth it. There's no other experience like it.