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Theme Park Adventure receives a great deal of feedback - both via e-mail and in written notes through snail mail. We absolutely love hearing from our readers and in this section, we'd like to share our reader mail with you and our responses! We can't promise that every letter or email will be answered privately, so be sure to check the Mailbox often to see if your question or comments have come up! |
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Walking around London and I took
these snaps for you. Not going in, but… hope you enjoy this!
These images are from our friend Nick Hutson, who lives in London and is part of The Season Pass Podcast team that Theme Park Adventure has partnered with. Thanks for the images, Nick! |
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I honestly do not know how to put it. Haunt at Knott's Berry Farm was different for me and not in a good way. Lack of talent and lots of open space kinda killed it for me. Just thought I'd tell you guys that before you went on October 3rd. Early in the season, Haunt (as with all haunted attractions usually) is very hit-and-miss experience-wise. We're not saying that is acceptable or right - but that is the way it is. We'd suggest going later in the month for a more solid impression. Theme Park Adventure actually thought this was a very strong year for Halloween Haunt and had a blast the five nights we covered the event and the one night we hosted our fans. It definitely also helps to be with a group of Haunt fans as well - perhaps you should join us next year for TPA Night; we imagine you would walk away a much happier and satisfied customer! |
| I just want to say keep up the good work! I used to work at Knott's and Haunt, and haven't been able to the last couple years due to scheduling issues and what not, so it's nice that there is a site where I can see pics of the first nights and dress rehearsals and feel like I'm there somehow. Thank you! Katy M. Thanks for the nice words, Katy! We're glad that you have found an online home here on Theme Park Adventure, and that you continue to stay with us year-round (although Halloween is never too far away here on TPA)! Maybe you can join us next year for the 2010 TPA Night at Haunt event! We'd love to have you! |
| Rick- My obsession with Haunt is so that I would like to attend every weekend! Finding friends and family to go with every week has become a challenge (some have told me they flat-out refuse to go to Knott's with me anymore - LOL - and want to commit me to KBF rehab!)... I see you have a TPA night. Do people attend by themselves? If so, I'd love to join the group for your event. Are people generally friendly? Randy Montgomery Randy, sorry - but there is no one here that can help you. KIDDING! If you're looking for a tremendous group of fellow Knott's Halloween Haunt fans, Theme Park Adventure is the place to be! Each year we do host a TPA Night at Haunt and is it awesome fun. This year's event has come and gone (sorry for the late posting here on the site - stupid "spam" catcher), but there is always next year to think about! And as sick and twisted as it may be... I have a date to give you. 2010's TPA Night at Haunt will be held on Saturday, October 2nd (of course that could change as life happens and we get closer to that date - we'll keep everyone posted). We really want to see a very large increase in first-time TPA fans coming to join us next year, and so our public push for the event will begin in early summer 2010 to get the word out. People have come each year alone and go home with new friends that they have made during our event. It's absolutely solo attendee-friendly and we encourage everyone that wants to be a part of this to come on out - you won't feel awkward or alone at all. It's a fantastic night for everyone! |
| Rick, Hope all goes well with you and the site. Read your article on DCA and wanted to say good job. It will be interesting to see if Disney can get it right this time. This, coming from someone who actually likes the park. Most people I talk to wonder on the wisdom about doing a park themed on California and point to DCA to prove their argument. But the problem wasn't the theme, it was the execution. Unlike most states, California is a magical place, at least in peoples' heads. Some relatives of mine wanted to see Hollywood, and I was thinking, why the heck would they want to see Hollywood? They went and came back chanting "Dealers, Pimps and Whores, Oh My!" It was then I realized that their vision of Hollywood was that of what they saw on I Love Lucy. Disney could have played on this California "fantasy world" that the rest of the world sees us as, but they didn't. Soaring is the only thing that they did right (Okay, I love the Grizzly area, but that's more to do with my love of the North woods then any great attraction there). When you get into Soaring, you don't go over the ugly parts of California. That's all left out. I am hopping with the re-design to the California of yesterday, that they will do a better job this time. The blue sky looks good, but only time will tell. Take care, and keep up with the non-Haunt articles. Wolfy CS Streets Hi, Wolfy! Thanks for dropping in and writing. The support means a lot - and your letter has some great points I want to comment on. I totally hear what you say about California - or at least, peoples' ideas about it. And I agree, although I imagine someone out there might throw a shoe at you for inadvertently down-playing their state! But yes, California has the image - "Hollywood", "Beverly Hills", "movie stars", "everyone's beautiful and happy". The list goes on. And in fact, we living here in California know how nasty it can be on all levels - from economics to aesthetics. California is just as beautiful a state as any - but we are sick, sick, sick. When I lived in Las Vegas, everyone knew and agreed that California was a nice place to visit but would be a MESS to live and try to work in. The quality of life vs. the almighty dollar simply is NOT here at the moment. And I don't know when it ever will be. I grew up in Southern California, love it to death, lived in San Francisco for 10 years and then moved to Las Vegas for about three years before returning. The quality of life in Vegas absolutely kicks the snot out of "life" here in California. Everything is too expensive. Rent is beyond stupid. Traffic is a nightmare almost 24/7 (although rush hour in Vegas is a HORRIBLE beast, jamming surface streets as well - get those odd casino shifts, kids - spare yourself the hassle). It's funny how perspective works - I was always curious about the lure of Vegas. And when I lived there, it was everything I imagined it would be - and more. I do miss it, and I miss the relaxed quality of life and the CLEAN, new areas of the valley there. Anyone that thinks Vegas is a trashy place to live - doesn't know what he or she is talking about. Granted, you have to LOVE Las Vegas, because there is NOTHING else around for miles - but if you do love it and can handle it, there is nothing better. California has everything - and I guess, as a result, we are forced to pay higher rent, face challenging traffic most of the time and deal with an economy that isn't primarily fueled by mega-resorts and entertainment. The result is a fantastic state - but one that is just not a lot of "fun" on a daily basis at the moment to live in, you know? I think the DCA projects will really improve the park. Now, whether it will be enough for forever erase the stigma of DCA's beginning - we won't know for years and years. But I do think it is a major step in the right direction. And I agree with you 100% about the Grizzly area; it's gorgeous and the rockwork on that attraction specifically is some of the best faux rock I have ever seen from Disney or any other company. Always have been impressed by that. Here's where I am going to disagree - and hopefully not soapbox too long. I think that while Soarin' Over California certainly is one of the better attractions that opened with DCA, I feel that it fell very short compared to what could have been done with that attraction. The concept is great. The ride system is fantastic. Yet, NO effort was made to "theme" it. Instead, we're ushered into an IMAX-like domed theater and strapped into these massive "arms" - and if you look, you can see the entire mechanism before getting settled. Then, as everyone else gets in to their seats, you sit and stare at the blue screen in front of you. The only "surprise" at all, is when you lift up and forward toward the screen area itself. It would have been so cool to look like you were IN a hangar. Then, when the lights go out, have a pair of hangar doors "open" and at that point, you are lifted up and out of the hangar and into the California sky. The clips they used for the film are pretty good - and the scents are cool as well. The major problem I have with the film is that it is just cut, cut, cut; bang, bang, bang. No attempt at all for subtle change, no passing through clouds to transition each piece, etc. Just hard edits - and for me, that is really hard to swallow; it's very jarring to me, just the same as the HORRIBLE edit in Star Tours as you enter the comet has always been. It's just sloppy, in my opinion. And it rails against the "Disney magic" that I know WDI is capable of and knows how to implement into even new attractions today. The end of Soarin' is bad, unless you happen to be visiting the parks during Christmas time. Otherwise, when it's 95 degrees outside and you've sweat your ass off all over DCA and Disneyland, seeing the film end with it being Christmas - what a weird decision that was. It wasn't actually weird at all. It was budget. That is when Soarin' was shot with the rented cameras, and so we have only Christmas. How hard would it have been to film two endings - one regular Disneyland for MOST of the year and then the Christmas shot to switch over for the holidays? Not hard at all - but money talks, and so that is why we have what we have as a Soarin' finale, which in my opinion, has always been so strange that it really distracts from everything else I have just seen as a rider. And thanks for the non-Haunt articles mention. I appreciate that more than you may know. Everyone knows me well enough to not question my love and support of you guys at Halloween Haunt - but for a long time (too long), Theme Park Adventure's main focus has been just Knott's Scary Farm. That has cost us readers and even has created staff tension here behind the scenes over the years. We are trying very hard now to break away from that and become more well-rounded now that I have returned to Southern California. I think we're on the right track. Your comment confirms what I want to hear from people, so thank you. |
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Please let me know
whether Theme Park Adventure Magazine considers article
pitches. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joe Zentner
Hi Joe! Thanks for thinking about us! In short, TPA does want to know what our readers want more information about, and we do accept content from time to time from "freelance" writers. However, it is a non-paying gig and is solely done for the byline credit and the love of this industry and interacting with other fans. If you have an idea you'd like to pitch, you may contact us the same way you did via email or you may post it as a suggestion on our Message Board so that others there could chime in and tell you whether they'd be interested in your idea, etc. Both avenues are open to you and we'd love to hear what you have in mind! |
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To whom it may concern, My name is Nicholas Hooks. I'm 19 years-old and am currently attending Cal State Channel Islands. For the last two years, I have attended the Halloween Haunt at Knott's Berry Farm and have enjoyed reading your commentary on the event for a number of years before ever attending. My dream job is to someday be a part of the team that creates the event and designs the themes for the mazes. That being said, I was wondering if you have any information regarding possible internships or jobs at Knott's or if you knew anyone I could contact that might be able to help me. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I hope you continue your coverage of the event for years to come. Sincerely, Nicholas Larry Hooks Hi Nicholas, and thanks for writing! And thank you for the compliment of being a reader of ours for a while. We appreciate that support! There are only a very select few that actually have a say in what goes into Halloween Haunt each year at Knott's, and they are full-time employees at the Farm that during the "off season" wear many other hats, from Entertainment to Tech work, etc. The chance of becoming a Haunt designer for Knott's is an uphill battle through a very narrow canyon, I'm afraid. However, a good place to start would be to establish yourself as part of the Build crew or another group that actually creates the physical aspect of Haunt. To be part of the Build crew, you would need to apply through Knott's directly. They often will post positions such as this toward the beginning of summer at Knotts.com. You should keep an eye on that and consider that to be a stepping stone move. Of course, there may be no chance of advancement to the design team from that step - but I guarantee you will meet some amazing people and have an awesome time. Good luck to you. And yes, keep watching - our Haunt reviewing and writing will continue for years to come. While you're at it, we'd love to have you participate more with our other readers on the Message Board here at TPA and in the Chat Room. FYI, there are a LOT of Haunt folks here that could also further explain the process to you and talk to you about Build, etc. We'd love to have you as a regular participant, Nicholas. See you online! |
