OhHaiInternet95

Guessing it will be more like 20. That doesn't HAVE to be a bad thing, mind you.

The headlining IPs. I've fervently argued the originals are as scary as anything they've ever done. But the headlining IPs are coloring people's opinion, especially when you see them on the marketing.

I feel like this year was a good one to do experimental stuff with. Year before anni, what’s to lose?

I’d love to see a haunted pizzeria original (keyword on original and not...you know) soon. “Fun Time: Ghosts of Lizzie Lemming’s”

Nice read Jim, even if I disagree with a lot of it. SotD would make more sense as a Universal property, but I prefer Zombieland personally. I get the angst over the loss of B&T, but man oh man I thought the show was abysmal in 2016. Not that I care at all about AoV either, mind you.

When are you going this year? I always anticipate your really long review.

Come over to IU. Active as ever.

Let me be clear and say that I do not think the event is at all perfect. That disclaimer out of the way... ...there’s seven other houses. And back in the day there would still be one lighter house. So same number of straight houses this year as, say, 18 and 21. Still, I definitely prefer the originals this year over the IPs (sans Killer Klownz). I present Nightingales Blood Pit to argue that they still do complex stories. Also, IU has as active a discussion each year as Vault did, IIRC.

See, I found IT and DoF scarier than both DEs. Gritty, tight, industrial, futuristic disasters are my horror niche, I guess.

Are any of those not off limits?

Feels very much like a house from 2008 to me too, but not the same one.

I know it's too early, but are they really putting Death Eaters on the table for next year?

Doesn't change the fact that there's less time they can take without using certain scare tactics. Also means they're going to have to streamline/simplify house design. More than 10 houses is a BAD idea, guys.

Hard, HARD pass. More houses = fewer scareactors per house, as well as a reduction in time they can take off from using certain scares, making the event feel more "samey." If you wish to spread out the crowds keep more rides open. Aside from which, it sounds like crowds are *somewhat* better this year, granted it's still early. Quality >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Quantity

For the IP houses, I'd say yes. For the originals, heck no!

I was never expecting to go in the actual arena in Nightingales because of its location, but you're right, it and Us should've swapped locations.

Wildfires too.

I'm glad marketing is actually embracing the '80s "theme" this year. Makes it feel closer to...you know, a theme.

I'm the King of the Woooooorrrrrrllllllld!

“DEADtime Stories” If not traditional fairy tales, I wonder what other bedtime stories would’ve been in it?

Well, they WERE warheads for Lex Luther.

https://youtu.be/hVzFXI_v9W8?t=7

"Soon..."

2 weeks. We didn’t get one last week for obvious reasons.

Now to be fair, I don't think the entrance was really decorated until 17-23. I know for a fact that 16 was no more decorated than 24-present. So on the subject of Stranger Things, I highly doubt season 4 comes before 2021. Would they take a year off of the property at 30 and allow maybe Haunting of Hill House to take its place for a year (and likely TWD for the movie)?