criticalanalysis

Being stupid.

Thank you. Just watched it. Horrible.

PS Im trying to avoid spoilers as much as possible. Anyone know if the commercial was filmed in any of the houses? If not I will watch.

I can somewhat agree with you here

You're right, it does. But this year is so bad in terms of how they're handling the event that no one could deny it.

Agreed. People falsely equate, "Because HHN is most popular today, and today we have IPs, therefore IPs made the event." Nonsense. As you said the original content drove the event, largely. Its popularity also grew as a natural consequence of getting national recognition, as a consequence of increasing population, as a consequence of the fact people enjoy haunted attractions. So you got hooked by the non-original content but then claim HHN is where it's at because of the IPs? Hmm... Trust us, it's not nostalgia. The event was noticeably different in feel and quality. A bit fat bonus for when the Creative Director of the event went on a tweet spree saying, "We hear you fans!" because of how shitty the marketing was and still is?

Agreed

No, I would not. They got popular because of their original work. Then they started doing more IPs. The event would've grown in popularity regardless of IPs. It's not a good argument to say, "Event is popular, they have IPs, therefore IPs are popular with the crowds." I would argue that they would earn more money if they introduced IPs less frequently.

Because their original work made the event popular.

I mean that's certainly an opinion to have, lol. This year is all over the place. Bad ideas all around.

PM me if you want more info. I've been to all of those. Do not go to Terror Behind the Walls, if anything go into Philadelphia and just look at the prison on the outside. The haunt is literally atrocious. Most overrated thing I've ever done. If I were you, replace that with Hotel of Horror. * Pennhurst - the most adult of the bunch, just hope you're not in a conga line and you'll have a great time. Love being out there in the cold dark PA woods in the Fall. * Field of Screams - their newest attraction is actually pretty bad, but the other walk throughs and the hayride are good (tho the walk throughs feel cramped). Feels the most like a carnival grounds. * Bates Motel - pound for pound the best of the bunch. Only thing I dislike is that the hayride themes are completely all over the place but it's also cool because you get to see different themes. Very "Halloween" feeling haunt.

But I'm not wrong!

I'd normally agree, but when it seems like "lazyness" is the theme of this year. Website sucks, lazy scare zone names with rehashed ideas, lazy marketing, etc.

Anyone else disappointed by the scare zones as well? Even within the paragraphs it just sounds lazy. The only zone which I am finding to be interesting will be Invasion. The rest sounds like weak copycats of previous stuff, pretty boring thematically, or odd in execution. Why would we put the characters we will see in IP houses up front. That ruins the surprise. Bummed...weak as hell year.

Agree entirely. Good post. As I've said before, the event got popular because of their original work.

I actually think Central Park shouldn't be a scare zone. Just let it be the pumpkins and maybe tombstones with some fog for atmosphere and spend the resources elsewhere. It's never been that great of an area for a scare zone.

Agree!

What's MoM?

Yeah this year is horrible for HHN. * Bad marketing (that literally was mocking fans) * Shit website * Bad Soul Collectors idea * Non-cohesive theme * Average IPs at best and mildly interesting scarezones at best * B&T is gone - and this kills me. The show was very popular. If they said it's because pop-culture moves too fast that's a bullshit argument. Pop-culture ALWAYS changes, it's no different. If it got "too hard" to write for then that's tough for them and it's time to hire new writers. I gua-ran-fucking-tee it's because they pulled it since it wasn't politically correct enough and got all the sensitive losers upset. Talk about an off-year.

You're 100% right, thank you for correcting me. I saw a video on YouTube where I saw this exactly. Thanks again.

Look at the background behind the guy in the back. Looks like the skulls that are on the website (as well as above the image of the house). Tomb was not that wide at any point in the house. This has to be from a new house. Angels v Demons doesn't make sense...perhaps the formerly rumored Catacombs? Don't see how "Harvest" would apply here..

Is the picture in the email we received a shot from a new house?

Hell, I think that announcement was largely a dud, too. I don't remember people being excited like other IPs in other years.

I'd be more excited to see a Jumanji house lol.