With a great amount of anticipation and build up, Six Flags Magic Mountain began its 2014 season of Fright Fest last weekend.  Running every weekend in October, Fright Fest is a Halloween themed, night time event that promises to deliver plenty of scares and high energy entertainment. We are happy to report that Six Flags Magic Mountain is stepping up its game and is producing a much more polished and entertaining haunt than in years past.

Fright Fest is not sold as a separate ticketed event as other parks in the area do. Access to the scare zones is included with admission into the park, with mazes being an easy $20 up-charge ($15 for season pass holders).  Beginning at 7pm every night, the fog machines start up, the lights come on and the monsters begin to roam the park.

Guests are free to roam the park and venture through the 7 different Scare Zones.there are 6 returning zones including Demon’s Door, Zombie Xing, City Under Siege, Exile HIll, Nightmares – A Twisted Fantasy, The Wastelands, and the brand new Ravenstitch.  However, if park guests would like to venture forth into any one of the mazes they need to purchase a wristband to do so.  There is also, of course, an option to purchase front of the line access.

 

Feast With the Willouby’s

 Fright Feast with the Willoughby’s continues to combine food and fright for the whole family. Reserve your Fright Feast with the Willoughby’s now and dig in to an all-you-can-eat buffet in the company of the beloved Willoughby family. Limited seating for this devilish delight. Also included are desserts, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Reserve your seating time (5:00pm, or 6:30pm). Beer & wine available for additional charge. You won’t stop screaming about this meal!

If you are already in the park, and would like to save some time and money, the Feast with the Willoughby’s option is a reasonably priced deal.  Located on Samurai Summit, near the entrance to Superman: Escape from Krypton, the Feast offers a place to sit, eat, and be entertained prior to a night of scares.

The buffet is pretty basic but tasty fare, featuring salads, pizza, and pasta along with a variety of pies and pastries for dessert.  Unlimited beverages are included in the price. Beer and wine are available for an additional price.

While guests enjoy a second or third helping from the all you can eat buffet, the magic show by magician Michael Talorco is adequately entertaining and enjoyable.  The venue is particularly small and, by necessity, is limited to only two seatings a night.  The 6:30 seating is more preferable as the park switches over to Fright Fest as you dine.

MAZES

Over the past several years Magic Mountain has been promising multi-year revamps of its Fright Fest celebrations. Despite those reassuring words the event never really seemed to approach the quality of other local theme park haunts.  Finally, we are starting to see a noticeable change for the better in this event.

Garden of Darkness

One Sentence Review: Although the weakest of the mazes in this year’s lineup, this walkthrough is still worth a trip.

Willoughby’s Garden of Darkness, a dense labyrinth of man-eating plants and evil apparitions, is inhabited by Innocence, the Willoughby’s youngest daughter, who is always looking for a ghostly playmate…so keep loved ones close.

Situated in one of the many abandoned buildings atop Samurai Summit is the Willoughby’s Garden of Darkness maze.  A tight, winding walk through, this maze relies heavily on camouflage netting to create a seemingly endless hedge labyrinth where danger lurks at every turn.  There is some good here as the monsters, cleverly hidden in small corners, know just when to strike.  They could use just a little coaching however, as the repetitive shrieks they use to startle guests become a little numbing after a while.

Regardless of its shortcomings, it is evident that they are trying here.  This maze would do well if it had a little more fog, perhaps more “Moon” lighting.  Otherwise this is a nice place to start the night.

Willoughby’s Resurrected

One Sentence Review: Old fashioned scares that need a freshening.

Back for a third year along with new terrifying additions, Willoughby’s Resurrected is a reincarnation of the Willoughby family’s beloved haunted mansion that includes hair-raising horror down long harrowing hallways and around each nightmarish-turn.

Willoughby’s Resurrected is a classic haunted house type of maze in which visitors wander the halls of a creepy mansion, happening upon all manner of paranormal occurrences.  This is the most traditional of the “Haunted Houses” offered at Fright Fest and the one that seems the most substantial.  They have certainly had the time to polish this walk trough as it is now in its third year and has had a number of effects upgrades added including projections and air effects.

The maze makes excellent use of the existing space and the detail and expanse of the sets is impressive.  We may have hit the maze at an off time, but the talent seemed to be off their game.  There did not seem to be any particular reason for people to be doing what they were doing.  Yes, it’s a haunted house, but Willoughby’s has a storyline.  Albeit abstract this storyline should be reinforced, not reduced to a series of boo scares.

Regardless, Willoughby’s is still a great maze to venture through if for nothing else than to enjoy the amazing sets and atmosphere.  After that, head down the hill and see what else is out there.

Chupacabra

One Sentence Review: An efficient little maze with some attitude.

Also returning is Chupacabra, where guests come face to face with this elusive blood-thirsty creature as it petrifies the local Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival.

This is the maze where things begin to get interesting for Six Flags Fright Fest.  Situated in the old queue for Revolution, this walkthrough enjoys a wonderful preexisting facade and some wonderful talent.

This maze is a far cry from what it was before and the effort to improve it is clearly evident.  We all know the legend of the Chupacabra, a nasty beast that kills in the night.  There is really nothing much here but painted plywood sets and a few props, but somehow the conviction of the actors helps this mediocre maze rise above the others.  Nicely done.

Vault 666

One Sentence Review: This Vault is full of brutal, gory, scares, worth at least once trip through.

Vault 666 is an old abandoned research facility where genetic experiments crossing humans with animals were once conducted and just recently the frightening secrets have been unearthed, exposing terror and mayhem from deep within the unsecured vault.

This ambitious maze takes guests through a disturbing journey in a laboratory in which animal and human DNA is toyed with to disastrous results.  This walkthrough makes a very distinct departure from previous Fright Fest mazes in that it attempts to tell a compelling storyline.  Yes, that’s right, story.

The maze begins with an actual pre show where things go horribly wrong and we have to find our way out.  Acting-wise, the pre show was a little muddy.  We weren’t exactly sure what had happened, but this is a lab where nefarious experiments are being conducted.  Things go wrong.  We then wind our way around gruesome set pieces including a fountain of blood and an electrocution chamber.

Video projections are also used to heighten the insanity, nice effect.  What is remarkable in this maze are the effects and substantial sets.  Six Flags has really upped their game in delivering some clever effects and scares.  The only downside to this walk through was that a small handful of the actors seemed to be a little unsure.  When selling fear you need to be able to convince the audience that they should be scared.  It is spotty here, but the effects and environment more than make up for it.

Toyz of Terror 3D

One Sentence Review: A pleasant refresh of an old maze.

Returning for its second year but with a new demented 3D twist is Toyz of Terror 3D, the defunct toy factory haunted by wicked windups, freakish furries and deranged dolls…and if that’s not enough to scare the wits out of even the bravest, guests are now forced to experience the madness in 3D terror.

What was a tired maze has been revitalized by the use of eye-popping chroma depth 3D and a few wonderful touches.  The same layout sits in the building but a few things have been spruced up or altered.  We are still treated to a set up room in which we hear the maniacal Toy Maker inviting you into his factory.  But after that scare falls a little flat, we are let loose and the fun begins.

The talent in this maze knows what they are doing and seem to have a sickening, often gleeful tone, to their shenanigans.  This maze also features the correct use of Chromadepth 3D and one of the best spinning tunnels around.  It is wonderfully disorienting.

Overall, this is a solid reboot of a plaid out haunted house.  What is more, the 3D glasses required for the attraction are free.  Another plus here, as with all of the mazes at Fright Fest, is Six Flags practice of crowd pacing.  They don’t let a flood of people in all at once.  They carefully group and pace each crowd that enters. It truly enhances the experience.

Red’s Revenge

One Sentence Review: A maze with an impressive, but murky narrative that still holds scares.

Enter the world of Red’s Revenge…over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house you go, but in this fairytale, guests and the wolf are hunted by Red and her demonic minions.

Word on the street was that Red’s Revenge is Six Flags answer to Universal style set pieces and their cinematic approach to haunted walk throughs.  Yes, the maze is impressive, yes it is beyond anything that Fright Fest has ever attempted before.  But, its core storyline is muddled, confusing the overall feel of the attraction.

We enter a cottage and are told the story, via flat screen television, of how Little Red Riding hood has turned to evil. It would have been far more engaging to have an actor deliver the prologue for the maze, making the connection with the guests right off the bat.

Exiting the shack we wander though the most expansive set that Six Flags has ever produced.  Fairy tales have come to life in a nasty, villainous forrest with the now evil Red Riding Hood orchestrating the proceedings.

Let’s be clear, this is the most beautiful maze that Fright Fest has ever produced. It’s not Universal quality, but it is right up there with Knott’s.  That is a tremendous compliment, as Knott’s is a real leader in theme park haunts. The talent here is also pretty much on point as well, practically nailing the creepy fairy tale vibe. though, sadly, it is still a rough attempt and could stand a little polish. When reaching for perfection, there is always room for improvement. Red’s Revenge isn’t the triumph that Six Flags was hoping that it would be.  But it is a remarkable achievement for this year’s Fright Fest.  One that marks the arrival of Six Flags as as a capable powerhouse in the Halloween Haunt family of Southern California.

Total Darkness

One Sentence Review: If you are afraid of the dark, well, this is going to get to you.

Also returning for year two is Total Darkness, where the lights at Magic Moments Theater have unexpectedly darkened on the anniversary of the demise of the longest running show, leaving unsuspecting guests to find their own way out of the winding black abyss with only their pounding hearts to guide them.

Total Darkness is simple.  It’s pitch black and six people at a time are given a rope to hold on to as they wander and fumble through a pitch black maze filled with monsters.  This simple conceit works so well that it is almost irritating.  It’s dark, there are monsters, and you are lost, AND you are scared. Terrifying fun.

Aftermath

One Sentence Review: Cinematic scope helps and hinders this gargantuan walkthrough.

One of the largest and most popular mazes in Southern California, The Aftermath, returns in 2014 to strike terror into the brave souls entering a post-apocalyptic city inhabited by nomad warriors who rule with bone-crushing iron fists and the dead stalk the living.

Aftermath is a spectacle.  Plain and simple.  This maze takes advantage of the old Batman Stunt theatre and makes its path through the wreckage from that stage show.  Zombie mutants have taken over and are marauding through the city in search of human flesh.

There really isn’t much for the talent within this maze to do other than chase guests and lunge. The horror-scape is so expansive that there are few hiding places for the actors to really surprise guests.  The one stand out exception is the barker character at the front of the maze called The Diva. This character engages the crowd with a flair and bravado that is electrifying. 

Scare Zones

Wasteland

One Sentence Review: A serviceable entrance to a maze.

Throughout the Wasteland, barbarian humanoids dare guests to enter the carnage of The Aftermath.

Not too much to see here as this zone pretty much leads up to the Aftermath maze.  Things look appropriately tattered and worn, but the aesthetic is numbing after a while.

Exile Hill

One Sentence Review: A traditional scare zone with the garden variety of monsters.

Freak out on Exile Hill when unimaginable sinister souls appear without warning

Exile Hill is a hike to get to, but worth the trip.  Situated atop the titular Magic Mountain, this area features some wonderful sliders and actors roaming the inclines.

Nightmares – A Twisted Fantasy

One Sentence Review: Psychedelic, spooky, and funny, Nightmares is a fun place to visit.

 In Nightmares – A Twisted Fantasy, childhood fears and favorite bedtime stories take on a perverse twist

Nightmares plays out like a disturbing version of Alice in Wonderland or a very Grimm fairy tale.  Awash in fog and backlights, the fluorescent tones of the costumes and make up really pop.  The actors are particularly good in this area and seems to really relish their rolls.  In particular, the witch was outstanding.  Her inquisitive, high-pitch tone, leering eyes and playful demeanor were on point.

Pure fun.

 

Demon’s Door

One Sentence Review: A nice way to begin your visit to Fright Fest.

Demon’s Door is a another backlight scare zone at the entrance to the park.  Unfortunately, it suffers quite a bit due to the ambient light from the surrounding stores. Thankfully this is another area where the actors were more than making up for the shortcomings they were faced within the lighting and set department.

Zombie Crossing

One Sentence Review: This crossing could use a little more direction.

The Zombie Xing area was an acceptable scare zone, with actors that were giving it their best shot. Not the most remarkable scare zone to be sure, as the sets were more of the same wreckage and mayhem you would see in other areas of the park.  This section might have benefited from some clever set pieces and a bit more gore.  If it’s a Zombie Xing, why not have some zombies directing traffic?  Perhaps one walking around trying to direct the flow of traffic, or maybe some strewn in the wreckage?  Have some real fun with the idea.

 

City Under Siege

One Sentence Review: Berserk and off the chain scares here.

Experience a City Under Siege where insane and unruly comic-like characters run amuck.

If you have the time, make sure to visit CIty Under Siege.  This is an oddball scare zone that has a rather muddled identity but it works somehow.  Located in the DC Universe area of the park, the section is filled with nasty comic book villains and nefarious clowns. There are some real stand out actors in this part of the park too.  Nice work here to be enjoyed.

Ravenstitch

One Sentence Review: The weakest of the scare zones that could use some expansion.

Reach the land of humanoid ravens and larger-than-life scarecrows in the new scare zone 

The quiet, for boding Ravenstitch area is a fog-shrouded, scarecrow filled, area that could stand a few more actors to sell the idea.  What is here is fine, but hardly enough to give a sense of place.

 

New this year is the exclusive Monster VIP Tour which includes Fright Fest admission, parking, Fright Feast, and front-of- line entrance to the eight mazes and six pre-selected coasters for $200 per person. Each tour will be limited to fifteen guests and will include a guide. Tours for each night will be sold first-come, first-serve.

Fright Fest Operating Hours and Days:
10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.: October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, 31, November 1
10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.: October 5, 12, 19, 26

Is Fright Fest as good as the big players?  No, not yet.  But we have a clear signal here from Six Flags that they are dead serious about building this event into something that competes head to head with Universal, Knott’s and Queen Mary.  They appear to have dipped their toe into the deep end of the pool, swimming with the big guns of Halloween in Southern California.  Most importantly . . . we had a great time and look forward to next year.

Have you attended Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest this year?