Halloween Horror Nights: Carnival of Carnage
Roy, Pez, Tucker, and I went to Halloween Horror Nights. As guests! This was the first time I've gone, not having seen anything prior, not knowing all of what's in store.. I was actually excited! Not only that, but it had a bad ass carnival theme, and I knew that would be cool. But it was so much more amazing than that. Even before we got into the park we were all very impressed with it. There were lots of shiny lights against a dimly lit entrance.. As we got closer we saw how much detail was paid in the set, things like old skool theatrical light bulbs and subtly creepy things. Once we got in it was like a wicked trip on Pleasure Island or something. There was a guy calling out to the guests to see the attractions, people going everywhere, and colorful lights in the distance enticing us to our doom... And then there were biker clowns on motorcycle horses and unicorns.
The first house we hit up was the one I had been hearing the most about: Psychoscarapy: Home for the Holidays. This was the fourth time they've used the Pyschoscarapy house, and since Jack is the main character again, I guess I can't blame them. But they made it something totally different this time, it was Christmas themed! Pez and I were chuckling up a flurry in the line, cuz we knew we were about to enter a haunted house, but we're listening to "Holly Jolly Christmas" playing overhead. Inside it got even better; there was Christmas music, white snow with blood in it everywhere, body parts in the most unusual places, and all kinds of entertaining stuff. This house was definately the most fun to go through, and I have a good feeling it was fun to make on every level. Definately the most entertaining house to visit.
Next was the Freddy house, which Tucker was a big fan of. I, on the other hand, wanted to go through it cuz I knew about four people playing Freddy, and was hoping to see some. And I did! I got humped by Jordan and was high fived by Matt! I just knew it was them, and they made Freddy fun! What made Freddy scary, the set. Seriously, my biggest thing this year was the set design, and this house was one of the better examples of how good the sets were. I won't say anything to spoil it, but the concept behind the house and it's execution through the set was excellent. The house it set up to be a sleep deprevation clinic, and then Freddy makes it freaky as hell. Toward the end, there was a really cool moment when I looked up, and I just saw the illuminated silhouette of Freddy and his extented fingers. It was a visual that would make you shudder.
The third house we visited was the Dead Silence house. I was wondering why we were bothering, but it didn't have much of a line, so we knocked it out pretty quick. I have to say, it got me, it was a lot better than I expected. I still wouldn't say it was one of the best, but it was worth seeing. They had some really creepy and uncomforting things in the house, mainly the main character being everywhere. But what I really liked about it were some of the tricks it incoporated. The set itself employed some tricks that really got me and Roy, so in that respect, it gets my honorable mention.
Finally, I got to visit my house, Vampyr: Bloodbath. This was the only house I knew the story of, so I had my expectations on how much of a bloodbath it would be. Which I hate to say, was lacking, it needed more bloodbath. But still, I'm not a good judge of how good of a house it was, cuz I was there to see all my vamps! Not only was I the original vampire, but I probably knew half of the cast, and I got to see them all coming into the house! And then in the house of course. Jessi and I conversed a little bit, I invited Mendonca to violate me, got bit by Jessie and flirted with Elf.. and I thought of how much I missed being a vampire. So I hope to do it again a lot this year. As for the house, it was pretty darn cool. The sets and use of the New York alleys was pretty cool, but they needed to give the cast a little more to work with. Still, it had a damn good bang at the end none of us saw coming. The house was just badass throughout.
So now that we hit pretty much everything in the New York area, so we ventured across the park to see more of the friends we had in the houses and a street area. One the way we stopped to catch the last of Jack's shows for the night. The build up was cool, cuz you're looking at a freaky ass set and hearing carnival music. Then Jack's box slowly rises onto the stage, and he busts in with his ringmaster coat on and all kinds of energy going. It was much more exciting than I thought it would be. I dropped my lollipop. Jack was very energetic and the audience loved him. He was a very interesting character, like a Batman villian, so he pretty much was crazy awesome. As for the show itself, it had moments that you would think of something predictable, and it may or may not go that way, whether or not you saw it coming it was better than expected. It was a fun show involving gore and magic. Can't get better than that can ya!?
Immediately after the show we hit up the one actual street area, where the french cirque is, and I was really looking forward to that. It was really neat looking, and the costumes were awesome. I just wanted to be a part of it. We each found a friend of ours in that area and got pictures with them, it was sweet. I really want to work in that area at least once, just so I can wear a classy black circus outfit and carry an umbrella or something. So cool!
By this point we were joined by Joanna and her friend's friend or something, who turned out to be one of the original vamps with me, so that was neat. The whole group got together to see the tent houses, which are usually the underfuned dinky houses. In my opinion, usually one is really inovative and the other one is kinda subpar, but I had heard really good things about The Thing house, and the other was Jack's Fun House, and it was a fun house, so that had to be good. So, now that I've mentioned that, here's what I have to say. The Thing house was amazing! House of the Year! Seriously, I had herad things, and it delivered. The set was really well done, the concept was fantastic, the execution was not only something new, but it kicked ass, and the cast rocked it hard! I loved it, and it got me too, I actually jumped up at one moment. Plus, I got to see Topher and he clung onto me to save him from the monster.
And Jack's Funhouse... it was brilliant. They tried a new method of visual effects, kinda replacing the black out houses they've been using the past couple years, but asserting it as the mind**** house of the year. And in both aspects, they got it right. It was so cool. The house was very original, the most original concept. It had probably the best use of visual effects of any of the houses and it was just cool to walk through. I have to say, I was too giddy and excited to be scared by it, but it definately was freaky and the cast did a pretty darn good job of scare-acting. The house itself though was the best aspect, they went all out on the concept and there was always something to catch your eye or freak you out. It was certainly was a lot of fun, but it was so coool!
And I think that was the last house we did, cuz the park was closing after that. So we all went home, satisfied with the time we had spent. However, there's still a lot I didn't do, so I have to go back and hit up the remaining houses and shows. But really, I'm fine with what I saw, cuz what I saw was good.
Now I get it! Horror Nights really is awesome when you're a guest!
The first house we hit up was the one I had been hearing the most about: Psychoscarapy: Home for the Holidays. This was the fourth time they've used the Pyschoscarapy house, and since Jack is the main character again, I guess I can't blame them. But they made it something totally different this time, it was Christmas themed! Pez and I were chuckling up a flurry in the line, cuz we knew we were about to enter a haunted house, but we're listening to "Holly Jolly Christmas" playing overhead. Inside it got even better; there was Christmas music, white snow with blood in it everywhere, body parts in the most unusual places, and all kinds of entertaining stuff. This house was definately the most fun to go through, and I have a good feeling it was fun to make on every level. Definately the most entertaining house to visit.
Next was the Freddy house, which Tucker was a big fan of. I, on the other hand, wanted to go through it cuz I knew about four people playing Freddy, and was hoping to see some. And I did! I got humped by Jordan and was high fived by Matt! I just knew it was them, and they made Freddy fun! What made Freddy scary, the set. Seriously, my biggest thing this year was the set design, and this house was one of the better examples of how good the sets were. I won't say anything to spoil it, but the concept behind the house and it's execution through the set was excellent. The house it set up to be a sleep deprevation clinic, and then Freddy makes it freaky as hell. Toward the end, there was a really cool moment when I looked up, and I just saw the illuminated silhouette of Freddy and his extented fingers. It was a visual that would make you shudder.
The third house we visited was the Dead Silence house. I was wondering why we were bothering, but it didn't have much of a line, so we knocked it out pretty quick. I have to say, it got me, it was a lot better than I expected. I still wouldn't say it was one of the best, but it was worth seeing. They had some really creepy and uncomforting things in the house, mainly the main character being everywhere. But what I really liked about it were some of the tricks it incoporated. The set itself employed some tricks that really got me and Roy, so in that respect, it gets my honorable mention.
Finally, I got to visit my house, Vampyr: Bloodbath. This was the only house I knew the story of, so I had my expectations on how much of a bloodbath it would be. Which I hate to say, was lacking, it needed more bloodbath. But still, I'm not a good judge of how good of a house it was, cuz I was there to see all my vamps! Not only was I the original vampire, but I probably knew half of the cast, and I got to see them all coming into the house! And then in the house of course. Jessi and I conversed a little bit, I invited Mendonca to violate me, got bit by Jessie and flirted with Elf.. and I thought of how much I missed being a vampire. So I hope to do it again a lot this year. As for the house, it was pretty darn cool. The sets and use of the New York alleys was pretty cool, but they needed to give the cast a little more to work with. Still, it had a damn good bang at the end none of us saw coming. The house was just badass throughout.
So now that we hit pretty much everything in the New York area, so we ventured across the park to see more of the friends we had in the houses and a street area. One the way we stopped to catch the last of Jack's shows for the night. The build up was cool, cuz you're looking at a freaky ass set and hearing carnival music. Then Jack's box slowly rises onto the stage, and he busts in with his ringmaster coat on and all kinds of energy going. It was much more exciting than I thought it would be. I dropped my lollipop. Jack was very energetic and the audience loved him. He was a very interesting character, like a Batman villian, so he pretty much was crazy awesome. As for the show itself, it had moments that you would think of something predictable, and it may or may not go that way, whether or not you saw it coming it was better than expected. It was a fun show involving gore and magic. Can't get better than that can ya!?
Immediately after the show we hit up the one actual street area, where the french cirque is, and I was really looking forward to that. It was really neat looking, and the costumes were awesome. I just wanted to be a part of it. We each found a friend of ours in that area and got pictures with them, it was sweet. I really want to work in that area at least once, just so I can wear a classy black circus outfit and carry an umbrella or something. So cool!
By this point we were joined by Joanna and her friend's friend or something, who turned out to be one of the original vamps with me, so that was neat. The whole group got together to see the tent houses, which are usually the underfuned dinky houses. In my opinion, usually one is really inovative and the other one is kinda subpar, but I had heard really good things about The Thing house, and the other was Jack's Fun House, and it was a fun house, so that had to be good. So, now that I've mentioned that, here's what I have to say. The Thing house was amazing! House of the Year! Seriously, I had herad things, and it delivered. The set was really well done, the concept was fantastic, the execution was not only something new, but it kicked ass, and the cast rocked it hard! I loved it, and it got me too, I actually jumped up at one moment. Plus, I got to see Topher and he clung onto me to save him from the monster.
And Jack's Funhouse... it was brilliant. They tried a new method of visual effects, kinda replacing the black out houses they've been using the past couple years, but asserting it as the mind**** house of the year. And in both aspects, they got it right. It was so cool. The house was very original, the most original concept. It had probably the best use of visual effects of any of the houses and it was just cool to walk through. I have to say, I was too giddy and excited to be scared by it, but it definately was freaky and the cast did a pretty darn good job of scare-acting. The house itself though was the best aspect, they went all out on the concept and there was always something to catch your eye or freak you out. It was certainly was a lot of fun, but it was so coool!
And I think that was the last house we did, cuz the park was closing after that. So we all went home, satisfied with the time we had spent. However, there's still a lot I didn't do, so I have to go back and hit up the remaining houses and shows. But really, I'm fine with what I saw, cuz what I saw was good.
Now I get it! Horror Nights really is awesome when you're a guest!