Fright Fest 2008

[tp41190]

Just Wondering, but is anyone going to Fright Fest preview on Thursday?

[Coastermonkey61]

Well look at this site now. Nice job to whoever is behind it.

[sfgam1]

^^ What Fright Fest preview??

[Jackluver18]

They have preview night every fright fest, it's a thing where I think employees can bring guests or something of the sort, i may be wrong

[tp41190]

Yeah, I'm not going this year but employees buy tickets for $10 and its regular fright fest but Haunted Houses are free.

[sfgamguy]

thanks

ALSO today when I drove past the park I saw the there is a metal frame for Larry on STT. that means he HAS to be up tomorrow to be up for the first day of FF on saturday. ill try to post a video or pic today!

[andby77]

I like what has been done with this website. Very nice touch.

[demonbulleagle]

I love the thunder sound that play every now and then!

[BP317]

^^ What Fright Fest preview??

Dress rehearsal for the JPM people also used as an event for park employees so they dont have to miss work to experience FF. From the pics I saw it looked like they did an outstanding job of dressing up rides this year (which is what SFGAm has always done better than other park Halloween events) and the parks decorations/scare zones look the same as always with the exception of Area 51 which looks like it was moved to a pretty odd location.

[sfgam1]

o cool.

[sfgamguy]

larry the gorilla on STT is up

[demonbulleagle]

Speaking of STT has anyone else noticed the smoke coming from it on the banner? Thats cool.

[Demon_07]

I only noticed that effect on the ride itself last year.

[ThatsAllFolks]

In relation to some of the questions that have been circulating...

1. There have been several ride name changes with Halloween theming.. While I'm not familiar with all of them, here's what I can remember:

Viper: Snakes on a Train
Iron Wolf: The Predator
Revolution: Pit and the Pendulum
Chubasco: Terror Twister
Giant Drop: Helluvator

In addition, there are some new "shop" signs such as Bad Breath and Beyond (Bed Bath & Beyond)...

2. There is a fee for ALL haunted houses/ mazes, HOWEVER... The two walk through mazes (Rise of the Demon and Cell Block A) are free of charge to current 2008 or 2009 season pass holders.. All you have to do is flash your pass and you get in for free.. Otherwise these two mazes cost $5.00 each... There is an all access pass where you can gain entry to all four haunted houses/mazes but I do not know how much the pass costs.

3. Studio 13 has all the same movies

4. Once again, Dead Man's Party is located in Snowshoe Taphouse where Country Rocks previously was...

5. I don't remember who posted the lengthy post on what they saw during their visit, but nearly everything you stated has changed or been added. All of the decorations became complete this past week.. Everything is up and ready to go...

6. In addition, there are new que lines to enter Necropolis due to the overcrowding of the event.. The que lines wrap around the back patio of Claimjumpers Beefhouse..

7. Gotham City Square has been turned into somewhat of a Pirate themed area this year..

8. There are standing cornstalks once again to separate Southwest Territory into a scary and non scary zone.. Guests have the option to choose which route they take.

[coasterkidd100]

^I don't like the Gotham City Square being Pirate themed.

[Demon_07]

^Why? It's Yankee Harbor.

[coasterkidd100]

^O ya, never mind I don't have a problem with it anymore.

[Demon_07]

^Okay?? Anyway, Revolution as Pit and the Pendulum. Very clever. Was it like that last year because I didn't notice it.

[rico28]

News report from the Lake county News-sun
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... S1.article

Pictures from Preview Night in the Article.

[Demon_07]

Awesome! Thanks for posting that! Looks like they have some new characters this year.

[tp41190]

Revolution has a very weird program. It changes spinning direction at full high for the first half, then it spins full out the second half of the ride.

[Demon_07]

That is strange. I know you'll laugh at me but I've never been on it. I'll have to make sure I get it off my list for FF.

[tp41190]

I think it changes spinning direction probaly 3-4 times. Plus you can probaly feel some hang time while its not spinning and going full height.

[verybrite10]

thanx 4 the post of tha news article! it makes me even MORE excited!

what does the temperature have 2 do with extending the length of fright fest? because the article made it seem like they were real8d lol

[TonyMichaud]

Fright Fest has officially begun! Below I will go through my trip report from opening day, including what I would say are "Night Time" activities and what you can do during the day, while letting you know what was good.

I'd like to say that Fright Fest has nothing to do with riding coasters, at least to me. For Fright Fest, the coasters get pushed to the side and the themed rides get center stage. This is what Fright Fest is all about, and that is the only reason I go. Keep this in mind when I give my report on rides, as you will not find many coasters among them. Also keep in mind my rating system. The skulls do not mean the ride is "scary", it means the ride is well thought out, and gave a better than normal ride.

Let's begin with ride name changes:

1.) Chubasco = Terror Twister
2.) Viper = Snakes on a Train
3.) Ricochet = Ricoslay
4.) Rue Le Dodge = Rue Le Morgue
5.) Condor = The Birds
6.) East River Crawler = Monster Mash
7.) Fiddler's Fling = Fiddler's Flung
8.) Iron Wolf = Predator
9.) Revolution = The Pit and the Pendulum
10.) The American Eagle = The Black Widow

As someone else mentioned, Giant drop is NOT Hellevator. Giant Drop has zero theming for Fright Fest this year. V2 had no sign of possibly becoming the next Hellevator. We can all hope though.

It was a light Fright Fest crowd yesterday, nice weather, and what I will call the best Fright Fest set up in the last 5 years, hands down. If you do not agree, post your thoughts so we can compare, as I am just as interested in others thoughts.

Walking into Fright Fest, the pond is obviously blood red with torches all over it, but tons of tree branches and other items litter the pond, giving it more character. Fog pours out from the sides of the pond and from Pumpkin Head (whenever he is talking). Pumpkin Head did not start talking (his same speech from last year) until it was night time. Either he was having mechanical difficulties or he only talks at night.

Seven Sins Cemetery on the whole has not changed, but the themed rides within them are top notch. Rue Le Morgue is a classic - and this time, they overdid themselves. They had enough fog in there that my sister could not see me when I was merely 10 feet away, and it got dark enough in there that it was difficult, through the fog, to see an opponent coming at you more than 5 feet away. That alone made it so much more exciting. Rue Le Morgue can be ridden in daylight, leaving more time at night for other activities. Rating: 4 out of 5 skulls.

The Birds has a brand new sign (very well done, might I add), and is running the same cycle as last year. Again, fog pours out from under the ride, giving it a more "eerie" feel. Purple and Red lights shine faintly through the metal floor as all the lights shut off for your trip. As it was last night, the wind was nonexistent, so all the fog coming from under the floor slowly rose up, making our return trip amazing! Because S:UF has no lights on, nothing is coming from Rue Le Morgue, and Dark Knight has zero lights, it is quite dark when riding The Birds. This ride should be ridden at night time, as during the morning hours the fog "may not" be operational. You'll notice that I rely heavily on fog, (as it is the key ingredient to Fright Fest), and should that not matter to you, ride whenever you want! Just keep in mind Six Flags "could" possibly be doing an amazing thing but making riding at night just a little better! Rating: 4 out of 5 skulls.

Monster Mash is nothing more then East River Crawler with a new name. When I rode, no music or fog of any kind came out. Monster Mash can be ridden during the daylight hours. Rating: 2 out of 5 skulls.

Fiddler's Flung has bodies splattered along the walls, and that is about it. This ride can be ridden during the daylight hours. Rating: 2 out of 5 skulls.

Predator makes his return to Earth to transform "Iron Wolf" into his Haunted attraction once again. Like last year, during the day, it is basically Iron Wolf. At night, however, the green and blue lights cast and eerie tone throughout the ride and fog fills the line queue. This fog eventually makes it into the station making it appear trains get dispatch from nowhere! The Predator watches his victims from atop the little shop next to the ride. Predator should be ridden during the night. Rating: 3 out of 5 skulls.

Revolution wins "new themed ride of the year" in my book. Welcome "The Pit and the Pendulum, a music influenced, fog filled, and zero lights death ride. The pendulum swings back and forth, quite different from normal operation, might I add. (No, I will not give away the surprises that are in store for you). Fog fills the area beneath the ride and red lights shine through the fog making it look "The Pit" beneath you is tons of blood. The end to the cycle is intense, crazy, and makes the ride a Fright Fest classic. This ride should be ridden during nighttime. Rating: 5 out of 5 skulls.

Across from "The Pit and the Pendulum" is "The Black Widow." Tiny has totally taken control of the Eagle this year, you'll soon see how! Not only are she and her babies crawling up the helix to get you, but tons more spiders await you in the station. When the sun disappears from the sky, thick fog gets pumped out from beneath both trains docking positions within the station. As the fog rises from beneath, which will also engulf everyone in line, (especially the Blue side) it will eventually begin seeping through the cracks under each train, filling the station! This only happens at night, making The Black Widow an only nighttime attraction! Rating: 4 out of 5 skulls.

The Demon is back, and better than ever! When I talk about the Demon, I will include "Rise of the Demon" and the area outside the ride. Rise of the Demon is longer and better. Although last night there was only 3 Demons that were inside, but the music, fog, and unique walkways made it amazing. The Demon had all the torches, lights, fog and music to make it amazing. Make sure to get the black train and remember to ride this only "after" Rise of the Demon and only at night! Rating: 5 out of 5 skulls.

Ricoslay is nothing more than Ricochet with a new sign. The best part is the pig man drenched in blood toward the front of the ride, very nice! The can be ridden during the daylight hours. Rating: 2 out of 5 skulls.

Terror Twister! is hands down the best ride at Fright Fest, yes I know I say that all the time! Everyone knows why so I won't go into detail. The same songs from last year are used. They still use that lame "DJ Terror" announcement. NO lights are on DJ Terror inside the ride! Amazing! This attraction can be ridden at anytime, preferably many times. Rating: 5 out of 5 skulls.

Snakes on a Train is Viper with snakes all over. This ride should be ridden during the daylight hours. Rating: 2 out of 5 skulls.

Area 51 is VERY small - you'll see when you go. "Cell Block A" was small, and only had about 3 soldiers inside. Remember, Rise of the Demon and Cell Block A require $5 if you do not have a season pass! Cell Block A is underneath Space Shuttle America's spaceship. It is built exactly the same was Rise of the Demon is, fence and barrels, etc. As of last night, no "aliens" were inside, merely the zombie commando's that walk around outside. Must be done during nighttime. Rating: 4 out of 5 skulls.

Necropolis was VERY foggy, had lots of stuff to look at, and was super busy! Be prepared to wind your way through Logger's Run. I won't give away surprises. Only go inside at night, for obvious reasons. Rating: 5 out of 5 skulls.

I will not say anything about Studio 13 or Mausoleum of Terror. I want to keep the mysteries intact don't want to spoil the surprises and await you. Studio 13 - Rating: 4 out of 5 skulls. MOT - Rating: 5 out of 5 skulls.

I won't say anymore than this. Hopefully all of you have the chance to check out Fright Fest as it turns 18 years old. Be sure that you do, because this year is better than ever! SERIOUSLY!