The pressure is extraordinary and even the best of crews can easily buckle under the weight of expectations from both fans of Knott's Halloween Haunt and company management alike.

So, the big question is, did The Doll Factory 2008 hold true to the amazing debut it had the year before?  Theme Park Adventure feels that is a definite "yes" and that the '08 crew deserves props for not only continuing the awesome legacy set forth by the opening year crew - in many ways, we felt that the Doll Factory team in 2008 took the maze in new directions, weren't afraid to explore new characters and changed it up a bit.

There were familiar "faces" and a lot of new ones - all stepping up to make The Doll Factory a very strong Haunt experience in its second year at the Scary Farm.  Each monster really explored his/her character and from the Dolls to the Marionette Murderers and everything in between.  The energy flows tremendously throughout The Doll Factory, making it an instant classic with fans and industry vets alike.

Some folks said that The Doll Factory fell flat in 2008, making a disappointing showing after such a hot debut the previous year.  TPA disagrees.  The Doll Factory was everything it was in 2008 as it was in '07 except brand-new.  The only missing element was the edge of being "new" to everyone - but that shouldn't be held against the maze or its talent in any case.

The Doll Factory continued to deliver its dark, somewhat sexual image and served up chills, thrills and even some laughter along the way - completely sucking guests in and leaving them screaming, terrified and wildly entertained.  What more are people looking for?  In just two years, The Doll Factory has exploded onto the scene and rightfully takes its place next to true Halloween Haunt giants such as Dominion of the Dead, Nightmares and The Asylum.  That is no easy task after only two years - but The Doll Factory has done it with seeming ease.  Major props and kudos to all involved on all levels.

One thing that we heard a lot of that we feel needs to be publicly called out: many of the talent within the maze apparently were told by members of Knott's staff to be "more like The Girl" when in the maze.  No, no, no.  NO!

That cannot and must not happen, folks.  That is so damn wrong - and if there is one shred of truth or accuracy to that claim, then shame on Knott's.  Monsters do NOT mimic each other, nor should talent be told to act like someone else in their maze, etc.  That just simply is lazy and poor management of a team.  You need to inspire each and every talent in a maze to find his or her niche and groove.  NEVER should someone be told to be more like anyone.  That's not the way people operate, nor is it a way to bring any kind of self assurance or personal gain to any of your team members. 

What Jill has done as The Girl for two years in The Doll Factory is the stuff legend is made of.  She took a character, owned it and made headlines on fan sites and won peoples' respect and love through her hard work and dedication to the maze and her team as a whole.  However, the be-all end-all of The Doll Factory has not simply been Jill.  And everyone knows that, from fans to members of Knott's management.  However, to tell other people on the team to mimic and be more like Jill - that is ridiculous and a sure-fire path to ruin.  Everyone has the ability to become a well-known and loved Haunt icon.  We encourage everyone to dig deep - deep into their own character and become unique and amazing.  Do NOT try to be like anyone else - and definitely, do NOT let anyone tell you to do so.  That is just wrong, wrong, wrong.  And you're all better than that.

No more soapbox for now; we just wanted to get that out in the open and make damn sure that no one - fans or management at Knott's or Cedar Fair - expects or directs anyone on any maze team to "be more like" when each monster is a blank canvass and what should be expected in each case is a brand-new, unique and amazing work of art.  That is the spirit of Knott's Halloween Haunt and that is what sets this event above and beyond any other like it in the world.  Period.

The Marionette Murderers were in full form in 2007, getting even more into their characters than previously.  This brought a whole new dimension of terror to the maze and has secured them each spots as some of Haunt's creepiest and most sinister creatures lurking in the shadows.  Their masks may look the same - but fans should pay attention to their mannerisms, their quirks and their styles of terror; they are amazing and we love you guys!

The same goes for the Factory's Dolls... sexy, wildly entertaining, crazed and yes, sometimes as terrifying as any other monster - this group of women has absolutely become a modern cornerstone of the Scary Farm and without a doubt, have become a guest favorite - they each bring it and bring it hard and we think they are fantastic.

Without a doubt, the dark and twisted theme of The Doll Factory makes it one of Knott's Scary Farm's most adult and sinister attractions ever.  And everyone eats it up - from fans to fellow Haunt employees working elsewhere.  Its strong sexual overtones and almost gothic feel make The Doll Factory a must-see maze for anyone attending Haunt.

The music and soundtrack of The Doll Factory set the tone, the ominous and downright unnerving set design and decoration give it an incredibly rich feeling of dread and the cast - the men and women of this maze quite simply kick ass, folks.  There are no two ways about it.  The Doll Factory kicks ass and takes no prisoners.

Will the maze continue its strong showing in the 2009 Halloween Haunt season?  That depends completely on the passion of the next crew.  There will be departures of some very high-profile talent and there will be many new additions to the team.  Theme Park Adventure looks forward to seeing what the Factory's '09 team brings to the sewing table!  If the second year was any indication, then we should feel comfortable that the third year will be absolutely impressive and wonderful as well!

Props, love and kudos to all involved in The Doll Factory 2008.  You continued the legacy and have left us wanting more in 2009!  Now give it to us!

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