I know people all around are upset about the Thing maze so I will add my two cents for whatever it's worth, and I know it is not much so here we go.
As for The Thing being a rehash, I feel that it won't be, or better stated they are not treating it as such. The Thing Assimilation was directly related to the film as we all know, and we know the films location. With this maze ( The Thing ) is a different film altogether. New film, new maze. So I wouldn't call it a rehash just because of the title. It is not The Thing revised, revisited, 2, etc.
Members of A&D did in fact say that they would stray from films. However they too have to answer to someone and to make a long story short, you have The Thing. Plus imagine yourself answering the same questions again and again. I grow tired of watching them answer them over and over and see the pain in their faces. So they go with the generic answers.
Also someone here predicted the coming of Wolfman before it was announced and strangely enough we had for the first time ever a maze before a film release. Universal saw the success of such actions and felt that it makes marketing sense having people walk through the " Film ". thousands of people, walked through and saw the film.
I personally don't like to debate as they can turn all shades of ugly so I by no means am trying to stir up the thread, I am just stating what many feel and won't say. We all love the event, and mazes based on Universal Horror films are great for the parks. So love it or leave it but in the end it is about choices, people will never be satisfied with everything all the time.
I love the idea of The Thing maze as I can't wait for the film as well.