A Special Haunt Review by Rick West

 

If ever there has been a theme in Halloween Haunt history, the on-going saga of the vampires is the one that hands-down has won the hearts of the fans, has continued to be a proud tradition at the Scary Farm and has become the stuff legend is made of over the past decade.

You'd think that would be a good thing.

Here's the deal... this is going to probably be the most challenging review of them all from this year's Haunt, because we have very mixed feelings about it that we're going to get in to for a bunch of different reasons.  If you're not looking for a lot of deep thought and reflection, here's the dummy notes version: Lore of the Vampire was very decent this year.  The Brides were very strong when they wanted to be and seemed to be a favorite again of Haunt fans.  The maze was not much different than the past couple of years, so there were no surprises.  If you liked Lore last year, you would have liked Lore this year.  It was... there.  For vamp fans, that's good news.  For those bored with the vampires, that was the bad news.  The good news for those folks is that this possibly was the last year for Lore of the Vampire, according to just about everyone associated with Halloween Haunt, although no official word was given (and we wouldn't tell you for sure anyway, so there).

Now, on with the detailed, reflection-laiden version that might interest our long-time readers, might piss off some die-hard vamp fans, will likely upset some of the Lore crew and will probably cause a decent amount of debate/discussion on our Message Board

Let's start at the beginning, because that is where all well-rounded stories usually are told.  In 1994, Dominion of the Dead was the hottest maze at Knott's Halloween Haunt.  Its beauty was stunning, the crew was top-notch and Theme Park Adventure fell in love with the whole enchalada.

In print, we went on about how gorgeous the maze was; in later years, we praised Dominion year after year for being the maze to beat at the Scary Farm.  For years, TPA was champion of the vampires.  Even as members of our staff became personal friends with many of the crew and designers of the maze and were tuned in to the always-teased-about "drama" that went on behind the scenes with this maze and its talent, we never brought that up publicly and never teased the vamps about it.

When we said farewell to Dominion of the Dead (still in our minds, the finest example of a brilliant Haunt maze) and reviewed Gothic Graveyard when the vampires moved to Camp Snoopy, we were most generous and loving toward the crew - many of whom insist year after year that they be part of the vampire maze (and in turn, Knott's has been more than fair keeping a lot of that crew together throughout the past decade).  Those who remember the year of the vampires' move will know that Gothic Graveyard was a Class A disaster.  It was thrown together in the 11th hour and was about as thrilling as watching the people in front of you in the funnel cake line.

Yet the crew acted their hearts out, we made sure everyone knew that and we poured on the love and said that because of the people working the maze, it was successful; without the staff that year, the maze would have been doomed to the same type of response as Curse of the Spider Woods back in its first year (it's safe to say that most shudder when they think of that mess).

Over the past several years, Lore of the Vampire has become the newest chapter in the vampire saga at Halloween Haunt.  A long way from Gothic Graveyard, but still a pale comparison to Dominion of the Dead, Lore has done a good job keeping the mystique of the undead alive and well at Haunt.  Many of the staff who roam the halls of Lore have been with the maze for a long time.  Many of the staff are very familiar with Theme Park Adventure.  And a lot of those people were thrilled in past years when we praised them publicly via our annual Screamy Awards, in our reviews and in general discussion.

Our support for the vamps has been complete and unwavering for ages.

You can imagine then, the personal shock and outrage we felt when there were people on the vampire team who blatantly snubbed Theme Park Adventure this year for reasons I'd really love to know.  These people know us, I thought they liked us and unless I am gravely mistaken, I believe that most of them have been very appreciative of our kindness and friendship in past years.

Without getting too involved in this, let me explain what went down and why I feel it's important that this is brought up.  When TPA covers Haunt, we go out of our way to spend a lot of time photographing and supporting the vampire team.  This is known and it's because this maze and its monsters have such a large fan base.  We also have always had a tender spot in our heart for these guys and gals.  Hell, it wasn't too many years ago when we bought the whole crew those BIG Pixie Stix (the ones in plastic) and passed them out throughout the maze one night.  That friendly little gesture cost us about $50 alone.  But we did it because we adored this maze and the staff.

Flash forward to this year.  LOTS of drama going on as usual even before Haunt started, but we stayed away from mentioning it or becoming involved.  And even more so this year, people discussed with me how difficult the vampire team has become; quirky, snobbish and in some cases ridiculous, claiming that they didn't need make-up because they are vampires.  Whatever.  Still, knowing all of this, we were prepared and excited to see this team in action this year and showcase them better than ever before.

The first time we went through the maze, we were a bit surprised to find monsters talking to each other in just about every room or area we entered.  They'd turn, see us, and quickly transform into their roles - flashing their fangs at us, hissing, etc.  Hell, some just kept on talking as we walked by.  I guess if two guys walk through the maze, it doesn't count.  We were initially really surprised by this - it was the second week of Haunt; you'd think that all of this beginning of the run behavior would have given way to people settling down and actually being in character 100% while on stage.  But, that was not the case.

Even with this first impression, we had all the faith in the world that the vamps would come through again as they had in previous years and be absolutely kick-ass.

Throughout the week, things did improve - but never to the point where we considered the crew for a Screamy Award nod as they've received in the past from TPA.  For the most part, the maze was fairly bland; for the first time, it felt old to us.

Again, regardless of how we felt about it personally, we were determined to take more photos than ever before of Lore for our readers and we felt that our video flow-through this year would be great, considering how good the Brides appeared to be this season.

So let's get to it, shall we?  When Theme Park Adventure comes to shoot a maze, it's not a big deal, but you are very aware that it's happening with the arrival of yellow shirts, the talent captains walking the maze to alert everyone, blackouts being prepped and finally, our cameras coming through with flashes popping or video lights glowing.  And I am happy to say that usually, it all goes off without a hitch.

Once in a while, you'll get the monster who doesn't know what to do with a camera in his or her face, so they freeze and look away like deer in headlights.  We always figure this is a rookie mistake - most vets we know become total camera whores, which is why we're shooting them in the first place!  We love monsters going nuts for the cameras and most have learned to when we come to visit quite nicely.

That is why I was concerned when I noticed several people in Lore looking away or ignoring the cameras when we made our pass.  I didn't think much about it at the time - but couldn't help but wonder why certain areas were void of talent as we came through with the video cameras.  It didn't make sense.

At least it didn't make sense until after the fact, when we were filled in as to what had taken place.

We were informed that as the yellow shirts made their way through the maze to let the staff know that Theme Park Adventure was coming through, certain individuals actually asked the management if they actually had to stay for the filming.

This jives with something that happened early in the week when I asked one of the guys if I could take his picture.  He sighed, all but rolled his eyes and said, "I guess" and posed for a blah picture (that didn't make it into this review, by the way - screw that).  That incident really bugged me because I honestly have never run into that before at Haunt.  But I brushed it off and figured it was one of the infamous "difficult personalities" I'd heard about over the years.

But when I learned that several individuals didn't want to be there when our cameras were coming through - I was seriously hurt and then royally pissed off by this.  First, I was shocked that anyone would honestly ask management if they had to participate.  Second, I was stunned that there were people who went there, as TPA has always given the vamps huge props.

This was all discussed with me after the fact.  I can guarantee you that if I had learned about this before the cameras proceeded through, there would be NO 2005 review of Lore.  I was and am still that upset by the ungrateful attitude.

Unfortunately, this action by a few ruined it for others.  Certain individuals - the Preacher, the Queen and of course the Crown Jewel always do a great job and tend to avoid all of the drama that runs rampant at Haunt.  However, you know the expression about the few bad apples...

It should be known that there were vamps who were very excited that we were there and who did a great job every time we came through.  This isn't a blanket dis on the whole group; just certain individuals who know who they are - they ruined it for the whole team.

Finally, what's with the attitude?  It was palpable this year; we felt it more than ever, especially with the stage being set by mister I'll-go-ahead-and-grant-you-a-photo.  Haunt monsters are there to entertain the masses, to uphold the proud tradition of the Scary Farm and in the case of the vampires - carry on a very special history.  Instead, for the first time, we felt that many of these people were there to entertain themselves.  Look at me!  I'm a vampire!  Look at my teeth!  They're as nice as yours this year!  All praise Lord of the Fangs!

It was not cool, and it's time that someone said something about it publicly because it has to come to an end one way or another.  Whether you're working streets or are in a maze, you are there for the sole purpose of getting enthused about the event and entertaining your guests - not yourselves.  And that went on way too much the week we were there every time we visited Lore of the Vampire.

If these people wouldn't get into it for our cameras or video cameras, I shudder to think of how other guests were ignored.  Again, it needs to be stressed that this is not targeted at the team as a whole.  We saw lots of vampires busting their butts each time we went through the maze - and some even said hello.  Our hats are off to them - and we love you guys right back.

However, the few bad apples ruined the whole thing for the rest of the team and left a very poor taste in our mouths this year.  This likely being the final year for Lore, it breaks my heart that it ended up this way.  Typically, we give our Classic Haunt Maze or Attraction nod to a maze or ride that is on its way out.  While we did not give this to Lore via our 2005 Screamy Awards this year (I heard several people say, "What?  LORE!" during our Screamy presentation), I can assure you that the poor attitudes we encountered had little to do with that decision this season.  Sure, it didn't help - but we take the whole of the maze's run and weigh that against other mazes, etc.  We weren't necessarily looking to ignore Lore of the Vampire out of spite.

And so that's about it.  We feel betrayed, belittled and basically, completely dissed by the vamp team this year.  Considering that this may the maze's last year, we honestly say good riddance.  I sincerely hope that people like The Queen and Preacher wind up in whatever vampire maze may come next in places of high honor.  As for the rest of the vamps, I think it would be a great excercise for Knott's management to scatter them in the wind and let them be something other than a fang-flashing goth for a year.  How would some of these folks do being a Feary?  How about a spider?  I imagine some would do well anywhere because Lore does have some kick-ass talent.  In turn, I think others would throw a tantrum and would walk off the job rather than being anything but a vampire.  It's those people that Knott's needs to weed out in a bad way; don't let the door hit you in the cape!

The sets in Lore of the Vampire were decent, although very mediocre now in the age of 13 Axe Murder Manor or Feary Tales.  Several years ago, the show lighting used in Lore was outstanding - especially in rooms such as the conservatory with the harp.  In recent years, for whatever reasons, the only show lighting used there has been white floods.  Why?  It kills us, because we know what great show lighting can do for this maze.  It's frustrating, to say the least.  Kill the whites and bring back the reds, blues and greens, please.

The soundtrack in Lore is always fine - but being that it's all outside, unless the volume is cranked, it is all but forgotten or lost between the screams coming from The Gauntlet or the Montezooma's Revenge train blasting by.  That's a shame - there used to be nothing better than entering Dominion of the Dead to the haunting tune of Host of Seraphim by Dead Can Dance.  Music plays such an emotional role in anything we do in life - it is extremely critical to something like Lore of the Vampire which is supposed to rely more on mistique than gore or in-your-face scares.

The Brides like I have said, were very strong this year.  More than in recent years, we heard many great things about them, so a nod has to go in their direction.  They looked great - some of the prettiest ladies at Haunt can be found in Lore, hands-down.  We appreciate them and thank them for maintaining a much-loved tradition within the vampire maze.

The club - which apparently went from "Club Blood" to "Club Lost Boy" at some point, was okay - but not nearly as exciting as its been in the past.  There was great music thumping away, the monsters were mostly into it - but it was just missing something.  Maybe it was just the maze getting a bit old for us in general.

The big Wraith at the end of the maze is always awesome - and is a gag that never fails to get the biggest scare response of the whole maze consistently throughout the night.  Our props to the big guy - kickin' ass and taking names all night, every night.  That's the way it should be.

It saddens me tremendously that Lore's run perhaps hit such a personal clinker with us.  I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles; it certainly shows us that no matter how much support you give a group or maze, there will always be those who feel that they are there for themselves rather than the guests and fans.  And that's a shame.

To those vamps new and long-time vets who worked hard this year, we love you and appreciate your effort.  To those who opted out of the filming or felt it was beneath them to pose for some pictures (pictures ultimately for your biggest fans online) throughout the week... you let your team down in the end.

We hope to see some of you next year!