Friday the 13th [Archive] - Denver Haunted Houses

Big Perm

09-18-2006, 09:03 PM

Seeing how it's getting closer and closer to the season (and that the posts on here seem to be leaning in the same direction) I guess that it's time for the a$$#0le in me to wake up:

A) Why does EVERYONE on here seem to end up at the same conclusion, i.e.: "let's go to Scream Park" (okay, I know not literally everyone).

Secondly, as I recall HD did their ratings throughout the first two weekends of October and Friday the 13th would be the second week. Since the secret has been let out that HD will be at Scream Park that night I would sincerely hope that you do not plan to review them on this night. Just to be fair to all the other attractions maybe you should distance yourselves a bit from the candy that the Witch is throwing out and just remember that you are here to give unbiased and unscheduled reviews. As you said Rob, if a haunt is going to charge the same price every night then they should provide the same quality show every night and not just on the nights that they know HD will be there. Conversely, I am genuinely glad that Scream Park will be doing something special on Friday, 13th, I think all attractions should since this happens in October rather infrequently, but something is beginning to smell fishy and I'm starting to think that it may be more than just me.

SChaser783

09-18-2006, 09:10 PM

As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with Perm. Though, I'm willing to wait and let this play out a bit before I jump to any conclusions...

Scarica

09-18-2006, 10:02 PM

Tye and Real:

Gee fellas, what are you guys getting at? We will be impartial as always and if you've haven't been paying attention, we have 4 fresh new faces on the team. These people have no history with us and I don't even know if they have ever been to Scream Park or any others in particular. I, for one, am sick of the insinuation that we are somehow easily bought or swayed or don't have our readers' best interest at heart. Someone hasn't been paying attention, I guess.

Secondly, I am the Critic Team Lead now and only I, at this moment, know the schedule for the haunts. We will be showing up unannounced, as usual. Will we hit SP before or after HD Night? I will tell you that we won't be reviewing them on the 13th since, duh, they know we'll be there...but that doesn't mean we won't be reviewing any OTHER haunts that night.

We will always strive to be impartial and objective. Anyone who came to the final interviews will tell you...that was a major point we made with the potential candidates.

So, I guess if you have something to say, just come out and say it. Don't sit there and bait us or stir up the pot. Just because Welch Witch is running the show and she frequents the boards, doesn't mean we will treat her with kid gloves. She has SP's reputation on the line. I think she knows that. I hope that SP is as great this year as in years past, but we will do what we always do: Rate each haunt for the experience we have on the night of the review...not compared to last year, not compared to the two haunts we went to earlier in the evening and not thinking about the fact that we're looking at the third <fill in the blank here> that we've seen tonight. Objectiveness...that's what makes a good critic and that's what makes our critics team what it is. If you don't know that, then you haven't been paying attention!

Anybody who says otherwise will have to say it to my face.

SChaser783

09-18-2006, 10:25 PM

I'm not meaning to say that anything is going on, just that things like this could hurt Haunted Denver's credibility as an independent entity.

Scarica

09-18-2006, 10:40 PM

I'm not sure how it can hurt, except for people insinuating there's something going on. Like I said, if everyone doesn't know by now that our main purpose on this site is to give unbiased and unaffected reviews and tell everyone how we feel (as individual team members), then someone's not paying attention.

Frankly, I have nothing to gain from giving someone a higher score than anyone else. I don't see one penny from any of this, yet I spend a great deal of my not-so-free time working on the reviews, scheduling, interviews, etc. This is not a complaint, just setting the record straight.

I actually have a life outside of Haunted Denver. I own my own business and I hold myself to the same high standards, whether I'm representing my business or Rob's (Haunted Denver). People can say what they want about my opinions on a particular haunt, they can even disagree completely with me or tell me I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to my opinions...but the second someone questions my credibility, honesty or integrity I get defensive.

I guess, in the end, all anyone can go on is our word. Haunted Denver's reputation as an independent, unbiased source for all things Halloween is on the line...and the team and I take that very seriously. Remember, everyone is free to go to another unaffiliated and completely unbiased review site for Denver haunted houses...yeah, good luck with that!

WelchWitch

09-18-2006, 11:57 PM

Ok..once again we become a paronoid group. I think its best if Ijust stop posting here.My comments are meant only to advertise something that is happening at a house that is a part of this town. Once again we have to go in a direction of distrust and paranoia. I think its a shame that I am more of a vocal person and am excited about what I am doing and want my fellow roommates here to know about it and enjoy it with me to get this kind of crap. So how about this real and tye...since you 2 are ones that seem to be the ones that know all.. see all and have these concerns, I will not post anymore from now till after the season. I never knew that I had the power to control haunted denver and others like you assume. Wish i did know that sooner I wouldnt have had to post as much and just be given supreme poster or something. It would have saved me alot of time to do other things. But I hope all come to scream park and all other featured haunts and have a great time with all they have to offer. My invite is open and sincere, I am sorry that my form of advertising is not accepted here by some and will let others do it for me. I think its sad when this happens, but non the less, I guess we cant handle a haunt speaking here and advertising what we do, only meant for people who visit them to talk. Because if we do, then we assume we know all that is happening and begin to distrust Haunted Denver. Its one thing to base our thoughts on facts but its something else to base it on our own defects. Some want to hide behind just being an a- hole, then that in it self just shows that we arent as smart as we portray. The only thing fishy here is the lask of knowledge before talking. If we all reread what was posted I didnt say anything TILL after one said to maybe come to SP on the 13th, I stepped in to say that will be a fun night to come. No candy there, just simple advertising and a welcome to attend. I would say more to throw out your theory but its just a waste of time. Maybe you just get more information before speaking and making yourself look like an a-hole .Rob and Erica. My intent was misunderstood and for that I am sorry.

Scarica

09-19-2006, 08:45 AM

No Witchy...your intent was to advertise your haunt and talk about how great it's going to be. This is absolutely the right place for it and I would sorely miss your posts...you bring such enthusiasm and humor to the boards.

As far as when you posted, you were just adding to the fact that one person said the 13th would be a great night to go to a haunt and someone else said, "yeah...let's go to Scream Park." And you just added that would be a great night to go, since it's also Haunted Denver night. There's nothing fishy or malicious there. Like you say, just paranoia.

To Real (Big Perm): I understand it's in your nature to have to play Devil's Advocate...and that's your opinion and that's fine. However...I think you're bringing a very negative vibe to the boards when there doesn't need to be. This is supposed to be a community...but you insist on playing the part of the cranky neighbor assuming all the neighborhood kids are out to get him. I'm not asking you to move out of the neighborhood, just maybe think about coming to a block party or potluck once in a while.

Witch (Kim) has been nothing but fun-loving and gracious and she wants everyone to come to her haunt...and why not? The fact of the matter is, so many people loved Scream Park last year that, naturally, there would be calls to go there on the 13th. If the call had been to go to Field of Screams or Frightmare (also high-ranking and popular haunts) would you have been so quick to accuse? Probably not.

Kim...I hope you stay...continue to do what you've been doing. Tye...I'm a little shocked since you're usually pretty fun-loving and easy going, too. Big Perm...you do what you think you need to do. I highly doubt I'll spend much time replying, however....you've formed your own opinions and there's not much I can do to change that. So I won't even bother.

Rob

09-19-2006, 09:15 AM

Holy crap, lighten up, you guys! http://www.octoberlounge.com/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif

Seriously, we don't need to deteriorate into "I guess I'm not welcome to post here" over one little message thread, especially from a tangent started by the Notorious BIG PERM. Remember how this works? He stirs things up. We discuss. Everyone still goes home happy.

Everyone is welcome to post, including haunt owners and operators.

As for impartiality, let me say this:

We function in the same capacity as the newspaper. And by that, I mean the newspaper will take your money (read: thousands of dollars) to advertise your haunt, movie, theater production, CD, or whatever, but when they publish their reviews, if your show sucks, they will say so. We're no different.

Our track record proves this. Last year, we had several haunts who advertised with us. I won't bring up names, but one of them in particular advertised with us and also got a very low rating because their haunt wasn't very good. The two have nothing to do with each other.

If someone pays to advertise, I will do all I can to get their name in front of potential customers. But when it comes to reviews, we call it like we see it, end of story.

As for Scream Park, let me say this:

Once you've hit that perfect-score mark once, it's probably going to be tough to maintain. As one other haunt owner recently pointed out to me, "I'd rather be somewhere in the middle, because if you're at the top, there's only one way to move." That's not to say Scream Park couldn't come out on top again, or even score perfectly again, but last year doesn't mean anything one way or the other.

Our critics are instructed to rate each haunt on its own merits the night we attend, without comparison to how good or bad the haunt was last year. Plus, half the team this year is different than last year, and I know that at least one of them is new to the Denver area, so I would imagine that the fresh perspectives will play into everything quite a bit as well.

So, as Cartman would say, "I'm seriously, you guys." Play nicely. We've all got a common love of haunted houses, and we don't need to get all pissed at each other.

Rob

PS -- One other thing I forgot to mention, Scream Park isn't the only place we'll be doing an on-site. All of our featured haunts have the opportunity to have a Haunted Denver night at their attraction as well, so we'll probably be at several haunts in the latter half of the month.

SChaser783

09-19-2006, 12:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WelchWitch @ Sep 18 2006, 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=660)</div>
So how about this real and tye...since you 2 are ones that seem to be the ones that know all.. see all and have these concerns, I will not post anymore from now till after the season.[/b]

I don't think this is what we meant, at least I was just expressing concerns of how being less of an independent entity would effect Haunted Denver's credibility.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WelchWitch @ Sep 18 2006, 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=660)</div>
I am sorry that my form of advertising is not accepted here by some and will let others do it for me. I think its sad when this happens, but non the less, I guess we cant handle a haunt speaking here and advertising what we do, only meant for people who visit them to talk.[/b]

I think this is perfectly reasonable advertising, at least you're are claiming that you are part of Scream Park and not trying to appear as some fan that doesn't get paid at all from one of the haunts; which seems to be an occurence every year.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (WelchWitch @ Sep 18 2006, 10:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=660)</div>
I would say more to throw out your theory but its just a waste of time. Maybe you just get more information before speaking and making yourself look like an a-hole .Rob and Erica. My intent was misunderstood and for that I am sorry.[/b]

To clarify I wasn't commenting so much on the deal with Scream Park, but more of the fact of HD becoming less of an independent group. Yes newspapers do take money from movie companies to advertise their movie, but one could argue this example is different as newspapers' sole goals are not to provide unbiased and independent reviews of movies. They will get paid from somewhere even if they always give one movie studio's movies poor reviews. And, newspaper critics work for the news paper and recieve their check from the newspaper, I don't believe any of them are directly paid for advertising from the movie studios. Either way, I'm looking forward to the season and everything it brings.

Big Perm

09-19-2006, 02:46 PM

Tye pretty much recapped my thoughts exactly but I wanted to give it from the Horses' mouth.

First and foremost: perhaps I was a little harsh in the way that I worded my opinion; like last year, I'm not inferring that money or goods change hands in exchange for a good review and this has been evidenced with the Starland haunts. I'm not saying that HD and Scream Park are "buddied up" to bolster ratings one way or the other. My intent was to point out that the relationship between Scream Park and HD gives off the appearance of a buddied relationship and could be to the detriment of both sides: It would be proper to differentiate between and HD night at Scream Park and the night HD will be there.

Here is my reasoning, take it or leave it: Suppose Scream Park is absolutely phenomenal and receives another 10, now maybe it is just me but couldn't it give off the appearance that it received it on a less than professional and more of a personal level, regardless of merits? It was a miscommunication and oversight on my part and I will apologize for not stating it correctly.

With you Witch; it would be a shame for you to stop posting and to stop advertising on here, this is an untapped resource by several owners - at least openly (by now we ALL should know that there are people posting under pseudonyms that "claim" they have no affiliation) - and they should utilize this space for such topics. I took a jab at you and I'm sorry for that one, I really wasn't (aside from where I cited you) talking to you about the Scream Park redundancy, these are people acting of their own volition that seem to be pushing SP over others, which there is nothing wrong with.

Scarica, you should know by now that I absolutely would have been quick to accuse another high-ranking (or another low-ranking) haunt had it been hyped up under identical pretenses, moreso had it been Field of Screams but we all know that story. And you are absolutely right, there was insinuation there and that was because I was perterbed by the buildup and I was out of line.

Lastly, Rob, I for one would like to see a list of the HD meet and greets that will be taking place throughout the season and if anyone wants to know why I come down on Denver Haunts it is as Rob was told:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
As one other haunt owner recently pointed out to me, "I'd rather be somewhere in the middle, because if you're at the top, there's only one way to move."[/b] At least one appears to be content with mediocrity, and it is quotes like these that have me hoping Scream Park can repeat it's perfect 10 and actually give this complacent owner something to strive for.

Scarica

09-19-2006, 06:11 PM

Okay, good...everybody get everything off their chests? Excellent. And, let's all breathe in. Hold for 5 seconds. And breathe out. I feel better already!

I'm pretty excited about the 13th. I always enjoy Friday the 13th, but what better month than October? If it's a full moon, it's like the triple whammy!

If you (for some strange reason) want to meet some of the HD Crew, we'll be at Scream Park doing a Haunted Denver night. We did these last year at a couple of the haunts and people seemed to enjoy them. We'll be handing out shwag, HD stuff, and whatever other Halloween or horror type items we can get our hands on. If you can't make it up to Brighton that night, definitely take advantage of the magic the 13th brings and get out to your favorite local haunt!

See y'all 'round the haunts!

little spider

09-19-2006, 11:07 PM

For me, I'm just hoping for a "9". Marc

PS: But you havn't seen anything yet, try a Haunted Train ride in the middle of the Haunt, I'll scare even you Big Perm with a little kid sitting by your side. Watch out were coming at you this year!!!

Big Perm

09-20-2006, 11:52 AM

Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't waste your resources that just yet Marc - you won't have to try too hard to scare me since I'm more or less a big p**** when it comes to this sort of stuff. Either way, if it counts for anything your haunt is one of my "must hits" this year. I loved it 2 years ago, really liked it last year and am looking forward to it this year. Good luck on your 9 but if it's as Witch and yourself has advertised then I'm sure you'll get the 10 and I'll be sure to bring a change of draws because I may very well wet meself.

P.S. I'm planning on hitting it Oct. 6 if you want to ready the bars of soap in panty hose and the burlap sacks.

TheAngelInHell

09-20-2006, 09:28 PM

......i has a crayon.........

(real post was meant to note that they are making another Friday the 13th movie....but theres too much drama)

You love me but you dont
Ezekial

little spider

09-20-2006, 10:20 PM

Perm, your coming on opening night without letting us work out the kinks in a new House? I hope were're everything you are looking for. Ask for Marc or Kim. we'll give you the V.I.P. treatment. Get that spell ready Welch Witch. Marc

Rob

09-20-2006, 10:34 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (little spider @ Sep 20 2006, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=683)</div>
Perm, your coming on opening night without letting us work out the kinks in a new House?[/b]
That's what your dress rehearsal is for. http://www.octoberlounge.com/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

WelchWitch

09-21-2006, 08:33 AM

Oh god more stress.....lol yeah yeah ask for Kim real yeah ask for me, i WILL take care of you VIP like. http://www.octoberlounge.com/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif Real VIP like! ******looks at spell book*******Awe real you know I love ya!!!, your fun to keep around!

Big Perm

09-21-2006, 10:34 AM

Don't worry folks, it looks like there is gonna be a change in plans; now consensus says that it would be better to hit your haunt on the following Saturday, th 14th, so you'll have plenty of time to work out those kinks (like really light the camp Crystal Lake sign so that someone blind like me can see it). The original plan was to make a sweep of all the north end haunts on the same night but Scream Park may warrant a night on it's own so I'm also considering hitting it up on the 13th and just letting everyone take a piece. Unfortunately real life may get in the way but I'll be sure to let you know when I'll be there and I appreciate the hospitality (I think...) and will be sure to ask for Kim or Marc and if I think I'm in any real danger I'll just tell you my name is Tye!

SChaser783

09-21-2006, 11:20 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Big Perm @ Sep 21 2006, 09:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=694)</div>
if I think I'm in any real danger I'll just tell you my name is Tye![/b]

Haha, too bad Marc already knows who I am.

moodeous

09-21-2006, 12:23 PM

Not to poke at old wounds, but I would just like to reiterate as a HD critic that I will surely be giving impartial unbiased reviews. I've never been to Scream Park, I don't know Witchy nor any other Haunt owner and as far as I'm concerned this year is a clean slate!

And to stay on track with the thread....I'm really glad that Friday the 13th is taking place in October this year, it should prove to be a freaky fun time!

WelchWitch

09-21-2006, 12:29 PM

And that is good..Mood, it will be exciting to see what you can bring to Haunted Denver. I am noone. I was a member here long before being hired to run Scream Park. So its no biggie, your not missing anything. Real and I (and I guess Tye also) have this once a year love hate blow out. This year just came early. He better be good the rest of the season now...lol

Big Perm

09-21-2006, 05:12 PM

I'm sure you'll do a great job Moody but if you read anything last year you'll know that I am a pain in the a$$ when it comes to how Denver haunted houses rate particularly if they claim to be equal to or better than anything on a National level. I won't tell you how to review because everyone has their own way and I'll be rating everything myself but keep in mind that Denver, in the grand scheme of things, has a LOOOONG way to go before it can be considered a "top haunt town" and going out and giving an average score of 8.5 doesn't really lend any credibility to the situation.

That being said, I can't gaurantee that I'll be good for the rest of the season, particularly if the Zach Meyer cronies show up but I will do my best (as good as that can be) to be on my best and as far as you go Witch, you are okay in my book.

jasonbach

09-21-2006, 08:15 PM

I tend to agree with Big Perm. Coming from the midwest, we have some excellent haunts out there. Some I remember actually being in old houses that were remodeled specifically for the haunt - usually by a radio station or something. I'm not the keenest on the faux front/one level drywall maze types of haunts. I have high standards when it comes to these things, however you have to also separate yourself from your standards and rate the haunts as the general public would see them as well. especially the ones that are meant for a certain age group (young vs. adult). I think the ultimate goal is to provide feedback to the consumer audience so that they can acsertain the best bang for the buck, and to encourage the other haunts to fine tune and amp up their experience so that they can improve for next year.

And of course to get the crap scared out of you.

Witch - cant wait to meetcha.

hudzilla

09-22-2006, 03:51 AM

I love O.L. and Haunted Denver...............

in principle.

The problem I see with it is that it isn't capturing the "typical" Haunt goer audeince, Teen to twenty-somes with disposable cash. That's not to say that the folks on here aren't commited to thier Haunts. That's also not to say that the roughly six regular posters out of seventy-four "members" shouldn't be committed, literaly.
I would post on here more often if I thought that my voice would be heard by the group that mattered, the above mentioned "typical" Haunt goer. Insted my breath is wasted on the half dozen like minded people, whom I either already agree with, or who are just trying to hipe thier Haunt to the congregation.
Now I don't want to start a beef with anyone on here, but if this is that important to you, get involved in one of the Haunts (which MOST of the regular posters already are) or get out and advertise your favorite Haunt to the masses, not just to those that already are going to five or seven of them anyway. Here's another idea, get out and hipe H.D.

Oh... and don't be offened I don't imediatly reply to your reply, I just have to many things to do this season beside watch what happens here.

Big Perm

09-22-2006, 08:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
...however you have to also separate yourself from your standards and rate the haunts as the general public would see them as well. especially the ones that are meant for a certain age group (young vs. adult). I think the ultimate goal is to provide feedback to the consumer audience so that they can acsertain the best bang for the buck...[/b]

I fully agree, which, if you read last year, is what I was advocating in my roundabout way. Simply going out there and rating the majority 8.5+ then it would lead the consumer to think that there is not much difference as to which attraction to go to, at 8.5 across the board they are more or less the same which is absolutely not the case. Additionally Jason, if you missed it last year I also consider a 10 virtually unattainable, a 10 is flawless or as close as can be: According to haunt owners and operators, as well as consumers, Rocky Point is a 10. The Beast is a 9.5. Verdun Manor is an 8.5. If you've had a chance to see these then you will see why nothing in Denver is a 10 (as of last year) and 9's should be extremely difficult to come by.

But, you are right, it is to give information to the general public, the ones that will only see 1 or 2 this year and are looking for general information to, as you said get the most bang for their buck.

SChaser783

09-23-2006, 03:08 AM

Playing devil's advocate it could be said that a very minute percentage of local haunted house goers will ever take time to travel to a haunt outside of the state. Therefore to reach the majority of the public, haunted denver should focus its reviews on the Denver market which is quite different from others in the country. While there are 20 haunted houses close to Denver, how many more could be supported. Even if only 10 more haunts could be supported (which is many more than I believe could stay in business) that is still half as many as there are in Detroit or Dallas. Is it worth it for local attractions to spend the kind of money it would take to create a national haunt?

That doesn't mean grade on a curve, making sure several haunts are 10's, but realize that for the average haunt goer that is looking at going to 2 or 3 haunts a season, ratings like this can work. A 10 haunted house for the average haunt goer is very different than a 10 haunted house for haunt enthusiasts. If you wanted to make a ratings site for elite haunt goers, then great, but if you are appealing to the masses, who mostly want a good scare (and chainsaws), then I believe a rating system that issues 10's is suitable for the Denver market.

robokatt12

09-23-2006, 09:56 PM

Yeah, yeah-this is Coloraddy. I usedta live in Chicago and they support live theater in that town. We have to cater to the lowest common denominator nowadays...

Big Perm

09-23-2006, 10:18 PM

Absolutely. As Hudzilla and numerous others have said, the majority of people that actually post here are haunt enthusiasts and therefore DO NOT apply to the rating system, be it mine or HDs and really hold no relevance. HD is setup to provide a general guide to the public and render the verdict as a newspaper would. However, I still say that they should be ranking local attractions in comparison to others nationally for the sheer fact that we are paying comparable prices for lesser quality shows and have owners that are in the industry SOLELY for profit and believe in the business model of "build more, not better." If we are paying near the national average for top rated haunts then why should we settle for the "best of the rest," it's like paying prices for blockbuster movies and only getting B romantic comedies.

A peak at national pricing:
Rocky Point - $16
The Beast - $20
Thrillvania (Verdun Manor) - $25 (for 6 attractions)
Erebus - $19 (4 story haunted house)

Big Perm

09-23-2006, 10:32 PM

In retrospect I thought I should clarify: I do enjoy MOST of the Denver area haunts and think that they are pretty entertaining. I don't find anything atrociously wrong only that many seem content to put out the same product year after year after year (several of which have permanent facilities where they can work year round at improvement but opt to do so minimally if at all).

No, Denver is a good town, far better than most on the HH circuit. Maybe if I did live in Bumsville, ID I wouldn't care as much (but then again I may have an unhealthy attraction to sheep - no offense to Bumsville residents) but I know for a fact that here we have the time, resources and intelligence to do better and do not capitalize due to apathy or complacency or disdain.

P.S. sorry about the double post.

Rob

09-24-2006, 11:12 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Big Perm @ Sep 23 2006, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=770)</div>
However, I still say that they should be ranking local attractions in comparison to others nationally for the sheer fact that we are paying comparable prices for lesser quality shows and have owners that are in the industry SOLELY for profit and believe in the business model of "build more, not better." If we are paying near the national average for top rated haunts then why should we settle for the "best of the rest," it's like paying prices for blockbuster movies and only getting B romantic comedies.[/b]

You're comparing stationary, local attractions with a transportable product that receives national distribution. Apples and oranges, hence a highly inaccurate comparison. Haunted houses in Denver cost what they cost because people are willing to pay it. Period. If you want a haunt to drop its prices, the only effective way to make that happen is to not go, and to hope that a significant number of others will do the same.

Furthermore, comparing Denver haunts to national attractions would be an extraordinarily stupid idea. The point of the Reviews section of Haunted Denver has never been to bitch and moan about the state of haunted houses in Colorado as compared to other states. That would accomplish absolutely nothing. How would you even define the benchmark? Start comparing Denver haunts to, say, Rocky Point or Headless Horseman, and suddenly every haunt in Denver is a 1, with maybe a couple of 2's. That wouldn't be helpful at all.

The point of the reviews is that those who live within the Denver area will have a better idea as to which are the best shows in town, and I firmly believe that the system in place accomplishes exactly that. Last year, regardless of average score, if you looked at the list of Denver haunts arranged by score, they truly were (in my opinion, as a Denver haunted house critic of six years) aligned in the perfect order of the best to the worst haunts.

Tightening the criteria and comparing to national haunts would basically be the equivalent of dropping our rating system to a five-point scale instead of a ten-point scale. And with that, you would end up with LESS -- not more -- distinction between the haunted houses.

Perm, you said that if the average score is an 8.5, you would assume that all the haunts were the same. I emphatically disagree. If I look at ten haunts, and I see the scores of 10, 9.5, 9.5, 9.0, 8.5, 8.5, 8, 8, 7.5, and 7, it doesn't matter that the average score is 8.5. I can clearly see which haunt to choose if I'm going to go to just one haunt. I can clearly see which haunts to choose if I'm going to three haunts. Or six.

If the scores were 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1, it might make a statement about how I feel about Denver haunts in comparison to national haunts, but as a hauntgoer, it tells me absolutely nothing.

Rob

Scarica

09-24-2006, 11:40 AM

Rob has hit the nail on the head...go Rob!

I was going to post a theatrical analogy...if I am reviewing theatrical offerings in Denver, the average theater-goer (the one reading the reviews to see where to spend their money) know that there's the Denver Center calibre of shows, the Arvada Center and Country Dinner, then community and high school shows. That's a wide offering, and maybe a reader knows they're looking to go to a semi-professional theater show. They read the paper's reviews and grades and make their best guess based on that info. You don't look at a grade given to a particular show and think, "I wonder how that compares to the show my friend told me about playing on Broadway in New York. Or London's West End." What would be the point if you live in Denver and are looking at something to do in Denver this weekend?

The last time I looked, this site was called HauntedDenver.com, not HowDoDenverHauntsStackUpToTheRestOfTheCountry.com.

Like Rob said, that would be comparing apples and oranges. And that would just be stupid.

Are you done beating the poor old dead horse, yet? My question is this: If you're such an enthusiast and/or expert on national haunts...why do you bother ( A ) giving away your self-admitted hard-earned cash on Denver haunts and ( B ) wasting your time with us, the people who like Denver's offerings and don't have the time/money/whatever to go all over the country every weekend, just to go to a haunt? If nothing else, start a new topic since this no longer is dealing with the original topic.

Luv2BScared

09-24-2006, 11:49 AM

Perm, you said that if the average score is an 8.5, you would assume that all the haunts were the same. I emphatically disagree. If I look at ten haunts, and I see the scores of 10, 9.5, 9.5, 9.0, 8.5, 8.5, 8, 8, 7.5, and 7, it doesn't matter that the average score is 8.5. I can clearly see which haunt to choose if I'm going to go to just one haunt. I can clearly see which haunts to choose if I'm going to three haunts. Or six.

If the scores were 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 1, it might make a statement about how I feel about Denver haunts in comparison to national haunts, but as a hauntgoer, it tells me absolutely nothing.

Rob
[/quote]

Rob I agree wholeheartedly. If I were looking at reviews to decide which haunts I would visit, I would, and have as a haunt-goer, skipped the haunts with the lowest ratings. The haunts that rated 10 were on my list to see, the lowest rated haunts were not.

If I was looking at a ratings system based on Denver area haunts compared to other cities, and they all had low ratings, I wouldn't visit any of them. The average haunt-goer is not going to visit haunts in other cities, and a ratings system like that would mean nothing to them.

Skelterbet

09-26-2006, 10:53 AM

I am definitely going to see Rocky Point now. The best Denver Haunts would rate as a 1 or 2? Wow.

I see where Big Perm is coming from. In my weird way of quantifying things, I think a rating system should apply equally (i.e. Movies should be rated using the same scale whether they are Hollywood Blockbusters or local enthusiasts with a camera).

I also see the other side - if the difference between the best haunts (nationally) and the Denver haunts is that big, Haunted Denver would be doing a disservice to local consumers by using a haunt like Rocky Point as an example of "10" rated haunt.

I went to several haunts last year that Haunted Dener rated 8-10 and they were great fun (though how Asylum received a better rating than Realm of Terror is a mystery to me). I will be road-tripping to Rocky Point on Thursday and will hopefully have a better perspective after that.

One thing though: if the best haunts nationally are that much better than the Denver Haunts, what do you think it would take to get a local haunt to that level?

robokatt12

09-26-2006, 11:18 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Skelterbet @ Sep 26 2006, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=815)</div>
I will be road-tripping to Rocky Point on Thursday and will hopefully have a better perspective after that.

One thing though: if the best haunts nationally are that much better than the Denver Haunts, what do you think it would take to get a local haunt to that level?[/b]

Arrrgh! I am beyond jealous, skelterbet. I saw the website for Rocky Point and it seems that they have loads of money and most of all, talent, in order to create a truly horrorgasmic haunt experience.
Plus, this is the last year for Rocky Point, so it's the end of an era, as they say.

Skelterbet

09-26-2006, 11:49 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (robeaukatt12 @ Sep 26 2006, 10:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=816)</div>
Arrrgh! I am beyond jealous, skelterbet. I saw the website for Rocky Point and it seems that they have loads of money and most of all, talent, in order to create a truly horrorgasmic haunt experience.
Plus, this is the last year for Rocky Point, so it's the end of an era, as they say.[/b]

I know! I can't wait for Thursday. Big Perm said that Rocky Point is in a whole different league than our local haunts. I can't find the words to express how excited I am to see it now.

jasonbach

09-26-2006, 12:38 PM

I might want to road trip this one late october just to catch the hype. after seeing their website - wow - I have to say it looks very promising.

http://www.rockypointhauntedhouse.com/

it's in Salt Lake City, correct?

Mordred the Eld

09-26-2006, 12:48 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Skelterbet @ Sep 26 2006, 09:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=815)</div>
One thing though: if the best haunts nationally are that much better than the Denver Haunts, what do you think it would take to get a local haunt to that level?[/b]

Unfortunately it comes down to one thing, money. We all have the desire to make the best haunt around but we lack funding so until I win the Powerball or someone gives me a huge pile of cash or a suitcase full of money falls from the sky we are stuck with what we have and that's not bad, we have around twenty haunts in the area that are entertaining.

Skelterbet

09-26-2006, 01:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mordred the Eld @ Sep 26 2006, 11:48 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=826)</div>
Unfortunately it comes down to one thing, money. We all have the desire to make the best haunt around but we lack funding so until I win the Powerball or someone gives me a huge pile of cash or a suitcase full of money falls from the sky we are stuck with what we have and that's not bad, we have around twenty haunts in the area that are entertaining.[/b]

That makes sense. I wonder though - don't you think Rocky Point and similar haunts started out like the ones we have now? I agree that our local haunts are not bad (not bad at all in my opinion). I'd love to see them get the national recognition that these other ones get. Until I see Rocky Point I don't have a good perspective on the differences between them.

Maybe we should start another topic for this...

Big Perm

10-02-2006, 01:06 AM

I hope everyone enjoyed their BP reprieve but to jump right back in:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
One thing though: if the best haunts nationally are that much better than the Denver Haunts, what do you think it would take to get a local haunt to that level?[/b]

It comes down to motivation to not only bring in money but to provide a superior service. Several out there, The Asylum and Dracula's Castle coming first to mind, have temporary locations that involve setup and tear down annually which make it exponentially more difficult to provide "10 star" service while others, Haunted Mansion and Scream Park, have permanent locations and could easily work year round and should find it much easier to provide said service yet only Scream Park utilize their year round ability to improve. Complacency is the enemy and forward thinking is key, this is why Scream Park will always provide a better quality show than Alien Terror until Effectech change their business model.