Halloween Spooktacular at MGM Studios

[Timekeeper]

As someone who has enjoyed Universal's Halloween Horror Nights since its beginnings, I wonder why WDW doesn't do something similar.

The first comment will probably be that WDW is more "family oriented," meaning that it caters more towards the younger children. And at the Magic Kingdom, where Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween is held, that may be true. But why not set up a series of haunted "houses" at the Studios? At least the theming would fit in better, not to mention plenty of space with which to build. Going inside the Golden Girls' house would be scary as is, not to mention additional halloween theming. (Okay, I know the actual "house" is a false front, but you get the idea.)

Busch Gardens (Tampa) jumped on this wagon last year with Howl-O-Scream, which was very successful. In my opinion, their haunted attractions were very competitive to Universal's. Their production quality actually surpassed my expectations. I don't see why WDW is holding back.

Here are some ideas to get WDI started:

Tower of Terror Hotel - This alone would set the scene for one great haunted house, er, hotel. Guests are invited to tour the corridor of a hotel said to be saturated with paranormal activity. Guests check in, but never check out.

The Great Movie Ride could be converted in the evening to a haunted walk through - as is done with Kongfrontation at Universal. "The Haunted Movie Ride." Just walking through the interior of the Alien ship - filled with thick fog - would be pretty freaky. Evil munchkins from the Wizard of Oz... etc.

Play America's favorite new game show, "Who Wants to be a Cadaver"
Possible contestants enter a "soundstage" in which they will audition for the new show. As they walk through the dark, haunted halls, contests will be chosen as to who screams the loudest. Chilling voices from speakers play questions throughout, such as "Rigormortis is, A)......" Not to mention, "Is that your final breath?" Those who escape the soundstage - alive - will not have to play the game.

The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Death
This is the "other" family, as guests explore a dark street and a house which appears as though it were decorated by the prince of darkness himself, Ozzy. His music will no doubt play throughout (assume selections contain no explicit lyrics.)

Well, those are just some ideas to get them started. I would definitely get tickets to such an event. How about you?

Tk

P.S.

Should the event be held at EPCOT (against my suggestion),

- El Rio Del Diablo
-Journey Into Your Nightmare
-Fire Station Hell
-Tapestry of Death
-Torture Rack
-The Living Zombies
-6 Feet Under The Land

Should the event be held at the Magic Kingdom (heaven forbid),

-Kathy Lee Gifford Encounter
-The Grim Reaper's Graveranger Spin
-When Country Bears Attack
-Carousel of Congress
-It's a Small World (as is)

 

[pheneix]

>>>As someone who has enjoyed Universal's Halloween Horror Nights since its beginnings, I wonder why WDW doesn't do something similar.<<<

Because they would be KILLED by Universal. Disney tried this in Anaheim a few years ago at Disneyland, and Knott's quite simply slaughtered the event. They is why Disney has so many Christmas festivities now. The only reason the Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party is a success is the fact that it is supported by resort guests and really targets a different demographic altogether. HHN has really a local event, if you thnk about it.

>>>But why not set up a series of haunted "houses" at the Studios?<<<

Halloween Horror Nights at Islands of Adventure, that's why! It is a lost hope to go against them, really, it is. I liked you're ideas for MGM though, they were quite nice.

 

[MrPromey]

Halloween Horror Nights flirts with disaster... People are smoking everywhere (including where they aren't supposed to be like in lines or in attractions). The employees try diligently to keep it from happening but one night I saw a guy get his taken away by three different employees and as soon as they walked away, he lit up another one. (this was in line for Twister - don't ask why I was in the line from hell for this stinky attraction on a HHN).. Alcohol is served everywhere. Aside from the typical stands, there are tables set up all over the park serving hard liqour... There are references to drugs in the Bill and Ted's shows and most of the costumed characters are down right mean (and we aren't talking Queen of Heats mean, either)... My point is that Universal does stuff at these events that Disney can't do because of their reputation... Even if they did do it, it would take years for them to overcome their reputation and make the general public believe they can and are willing to do this kind of thing and even then, I doubt they would be willing to take it as far as Universal does in some cases... Between now and then, they would have to contend with angry parents in guest relations demanding refunds because their kid wet his or her pants while at Man-Eating-Bear in the Big Blue House... As Phoenix pointed out, HHN is mostly a local event anyway... Universal started doing it as a way to boost revenue during a very slow time of year for them... Personally, I would be rather concerned if Disney tried to do one of these...

 

[bearboysnc]

Knott's Berry Farm in CA, has been doing Halloween events for 20 years now. Knott's is light years ahead of US feeble attempt to cash in on the Halloween craze. Universal Orlando then followed suit. I attended USO's event last year, and I was not overly impressed. One "scary" attraction, was walking through a pitch black room with spooky sound effects playing. They had EXTREMELY poor crowd control, and every 5 feet was another place to buy liquor.

Disney already has the kids Halloween Event covered. Why should they go after a fickle audience like the 18-30 year olds? When there are plenty of people jumping on the GORE bandwagon.

 

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by bearboysnc
One "scary" attraction, was walking through a pitch black room with spooky sound effects playing. They had EXTREMELY poor crowd control, and every 5 feet was another place to buy liquor.

Ah yes, Pitch Black it was called. I accidentally walked into one of the passage ways where the employees were hiding and jumping out at people. It was totally dark except for their glow in the dark masks and when I felt the wall move, I thought it was a 'trap door' apparently it was a door that didn't have someone behind it because when I got to the other side, I was in a hallway of these people with the masks. I kept walking, assuming the rest of my group was behind me and when I got up to one of the masked people he sort of shoved me out his door back into the main area. I ended up about 20 people ahead of my group The one next to it... I think it was called "Scarry Tales" was pretty good, I thought. A lot better than that one at least.

Crowd control is very bad and the alcohol doesn't help.... Actually, that's what makes it scarry for me when we go. When some deranged person jumps out of the fog you don't know if it's an employee with makeup or some drunk idiot who might actually hurt you! :lol:

Last year the smell of a certain illegal substance was also noticeable in several areas... It sort of reminds me of a late night in Ybore City over in Tampa.

 

[pheneix]

>>>Alcohol is served everywhere. Aside from the typical stands, there are tables set up all over the park serving hard liqour...<<<

No kidding. I thought Seagrams was trying to liquidate their storage when they owned Universal Orlando.

>>>I attended USO's event last year, and I was not overly impressed.<<<

If that has been the only HHN you have ever attended, then you have my sympathy. Last year's event sucked badly. In fact, all of the changes made it downright silly at times ("The Ooze Zone" That sounds scary!).

 

[the_snow_prince]

I don't see anything like this happening. Disney's Holoween Party is at Magic Kingdom. Having one at MGM may not be smart since they would be having two parties that, most likely, would just be the NSSHP crowd divided between two different parks. The ones that want Universal will go to Universal, and those who want Disney will go to Magic Kingdom.