Galvan Investigates: Haunted Harbor Fright Fest 2.0

[Galvan]

Galvan Investigates: Haunted Harbor Fright Fest 2.0


The Following post does not necessarily reflect the opinions of SFGAmWorld.com, its webmaster, staff or its readers.


At Six Flags Great America, like all the other parks that feature one, Fright Fest is one of the busiest times of the year. The season is winding down, and there’s a chill in the air, but that doesn’t seem to matter when it has to do with Fright Fest.

And contrary to what many on this and other websites believed, Fright Fest 2010, has even with our JPM been a huge hit.

Sure Mayor Slayer might not be at the park, but the park has done a more than adequate job in filling the role that JPM left on the park.

But JPM/SF saga isn’t what this investigation is about. Far from it.

What I am proposing is a radical new idea in how we know Fright Fest. An idea that for all intents and purposes should have been done 5 years ago:

Use Hurricane Harbor for Fright Fest

But not an ordinary 2010 Fright Fest (again it is pretty good) But a Fright Fest that we’ve never seen before. One that could rival the events held at the major destination theme parks around the country, and an event that even Non-Theme Park patrons would flock too.

Here’s my proposal:

Since Hurricane Harbor after Labor day sits vacant. You have an amazing opportunity to make this concept work.

Immediately following the closure the transformation of the Haunted Harbor can begin, utilizing some of the props that are already used for Fright Fest, and obviously acquiring new ones, you’d have a month plus to transform a smaller (as opposed to the whole park) venue for Fright Fest.

But we are just scratching the surface, you totally transform the place, using the Locker rooms, Gift Shops, lazy river, pathways you name it, as scare zones. And I am talking about PG-13 TO R rated scaring, the ride park can be for the PG type haunts and trick or treating, but the Haunted Harbor will be direct from Hollywood type scaring, the type of scaring that you’d easily pay $25 for.

And that’s exactly what you would pay, $25 or $20 dollars to enter this ticket only venue, Haunted Harbor if done right and correctly, would be Northern Illinois’ biggest Halloween attraction, easily eclipsing events in other towns. But it has to be done right, A Haunted Harbor attraction would easily be a huge draw, and since it’s right on the property of Six Flags, it would make the park a ton of money.

And here is the best part of this, the Haunted Harbor could be open on nights the park isn’t open. And since Hurricane Harbor has parking lot access from the main lots, it is not totally out of the question that this could work.


Just imagine the possibilities for a second here:

$20 to $25 all access Hollywood Style PG-13 to R rated Halloween themed Haunted Harbor, the marketing prospects for such an event would be astronomical, and on days the park is open, MORE and MORE revenue for Six Flags and Gurnee, also people like me, who don’t really go to Fright Fest for the Halloween events, can utilize the rides and other dry-park side attractions more frequently.

Statesville Haunted Prison in Joliet for example charges $30 dollars for access into its events, and it is continually regarded as one of the best in Northern Illinois.

If Statesville can pull off $30 a pop, so can Six Flags especially with a corporate sponsorship idea and marketing rights.

Six Flags would be stupid NOT to consider this idea.

And it is not as though Fright Fest in the dry park would not exist either, It could, but the upcharge attractions and more of the scare concepts would go into the Haunted Harbor idea.

I know this is a pipe dream of an Idea, but when you consider the idea closely, it would really make a lot of sense for Six Flags to pull off. And open itself up to a bigger audience for Halloween fun.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to discussing this topic with you.

BTW: Please don't argue the point that 25 dollars for this event is too expensive, as the whole idea for the event would be that its worth that price.

If you have an idea for another Galvan Investigates topic, please do not hesitate to message me about your idea, if it is good enough to launch an investigation on, I will certainly credit you for the idea.

[Goku1910]

This is pretty interesting, but I don't see them using lazy river etc. as scare zones. I could see it being like an abandoned pirate ship bay. What's better than ghostly pirates? Not much ;p

[Jackluver18]

I like it

[monsterfan99]

Six Flags St. Louis used their Rpaids ride trench for haunts for the longest time. I don't see why a lazy river trench could not do the same.

[rct2wizard360]

I remember talking about this concept in 2005 when we first got HH and pondered if they'd use it. It's a shame they didn't.

I personally know a lot of families that will leave the park a little early to keep their kids from being terrified of scare-actors in the dark. I haven't been to FF this year, and I don't really know their presence, but from the JPM days I can say this would be a great idea. Families would be more inclined to keep the kids around a little longer and see all the lights and props while still being able to have them sleep at night. You keep them in the park later, you can have more stuff geared towards them at night instead of at one o'clock in the afternoon.

As far as tickets, you could set up a booth by the HH gates in park and just use that queue and then stretch out a temp queue. People purchasing tickets from inside the park will get a handstamp. Once you've gone through the haunt, they'll check your hand at the re-entry point. You could then put another queue out by a parking lot entrance, and those people just wont receive stamps. Hours could also continue through the week, and have extended hours on the weekend possibly after the park closes since there wouldn't be any rides running. The more it could be open the better, considering I've heard of people waiting 3+ hours for Statesville.

As long as they really put some funding into this, and really, and I mean REALLY go all out on EVERYTHING, people would pay up for it.

[acquaz10]

Ahhhhh! Awesome idea Galvan!

This is pretty interesting, but I don't see them using lazy river etc. as scare zones. I could see it being like an abandoned pirate ship bay. What's better than ghostly pirates? Not much ;p

SFNE did this in '05 and '06 actually. A 1/3 of the water park was transformed. And they used the lazy river as "Nightmare Island." It had a ton of animatronics to. But I don't think SFNE actually did it, I think they hired a company.

GAm could definitely pull this off. This is one of the best idea's I've heard in a while, anywhere! Go Big. Go Six Flags Great America!

[6Flags4Evr]

Definitly a good idea. If people come to fright fest now even though its not that scary, imagine how many people would show a if it was the number one haunted attraction in Illinios! Definitly a huge money maker!

[Viper 88]

Over all I do like the concept but (and I am sorry to do this) the cost might get a lot of teens and older families 25.00 is a little steep. Actually have a substantial discount for season pass holders. And don't have it open on the days when fright fest is not in session have it open longer than fright fest like til 1 am or so. I would definately say from ages 15 on up if the fright would be that scary. But what else would it be just a massive haunted outdoor atmosphere? I mean there would not be any rides or anything if you held this on nights when the park was not open for regular fright fest, what else would you be able to do? In the Long run this might loose the park money rather than make it. Look at it like this way if HH is just open where will people get anything to drink, eat, or souveniers from? And as we all know that is a major part of any parks financial takings in. I just dont see a way unless the park was open as well. Besides think of it this way if people are going to be coming out of the main gates, you can have all the other actors still running around from the HH enterance to the main gates, and have them even more gruesome than they normally would be. Overall good concept but I think things would have to be looked over a little more carefully.

[Galvan]

This event would be geared more for adults then teens, and if Statesville can charges more for less, Six Flags certainly can charge less for more.

All you'd have to do is look at other successful haunted attractions in the area or region, Theres no theme park attached to those, so whats the difference if Six Flags held the event versus a haunted house attraction using an old closed Kmart building for example.

People pay money to get scared silly around Halloween time.

They'd surely pay the money in Gurnee.

[Bob O]

The concept could work and the price to me isnt that much for a professional event. But for me the probem is SF wouldnt spend the money to bring hollywood quality type people to put on the event, but would hire the same clowns who run FF. So i think it is a great idea that could work, but the problem would be in executing it properly.

[Necropolis]

Man this sounds like an awesome idea!! Where did you come up with this concept?? I am almost positive there is no place anywhere near here that has a haunted harbor/water themed place. Obviously people couldnt swim in HH, but the idea of haunted ships and such is totally cool. If thats the case then I would definitely not mind paying extra for this fantastic sounding event! Just everything about it sounds awesome and since the idea is new I know tons of people would get over excited about this event. It would be immensely be popular with the teenage and adult demographic. I know young kids wouldn't like to or can go but definitely the rest of the older people will go. Plus SFGAM can hold vast crowds unlike the Haunted Houses in the area where everyone has to wait in line for a good 2-3 hours. Its like waiting for Raging Bull on a very busy day over the summer. Plus HH adds only more room/areas for expansion and new ideas. Yes, there should be a discount for season pass holders. I strongly agree with that statement. Also, the ratings for this should definitely well be within the PG-13 to R rating. I mean, I know a bunch of people who don't go to Fright Fest because its lame and they don't scare you enough or at all. So something like this could also bring in first timers and people who want more thrill/scare who usually never go to SFGAM for its "lameness" and if they do end up going, theyre bound to purchase something or other and stay and ride coasters or flats. Sure they'll go for this event, but I know theyll be convinced or curious to go and ride coasters too. And bound to purchase something along the way such as food/drinks. Plus travel distance and gas money could also be convenient for many in the area. From where I live, if SFGAM did something like this then I'd probably end up going because its the closest thing to me. All the Haunted Houses that I see advertised are a lot further away than SFGAM. It takes me about 35-40 min to get to Six Flags while it'll take me about an hour or a little more to get to any Haunted houses from where I am. I went to the Dungeon of Doom up in Zion over the weekend and was that a drive. Again, id go to SFGAm instead because its much closer. Question: Would this be open only during Fri-Sun in October when FF is normally open? Or would this be open during the week in October as well? Im assuming only when FF is open? This is an amazing and unique concept that would lure many people and I hope Six Flags notices this and takes alert to how strong an event like this could be. Arent they in debt or a deficit right now?? They would surely be not smart to consider this idea.