Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Newberry Cornfield Maze 2011 Review

Newberry Cornfield Maze
Laugh by day....SCREAM by night..

 

Gainesville, FL- We arrived shortly after dusk on a Saturday night. The completely dark and near empty bumpy dirt road that led us to Hodges Farm got us in the mood to be scared that's for sure. We arrived and parked  in a huge lot beside the cornfield, parking was free which was a plus. We got into line and waited no more than 10-15 minutes to purchase tickets. If you purchase tickets online, you can skip the line when you arrive. The cost is $9 for adults and $7 for children 10 & under and an additional $5 for the hay ride. We opted not to do the hayride, though they do have a haunted house which is included with admission. Once inside we made our way to the cornfield as the sound of chainsaws roared in the background.



As we approached the corn maze, we were unable to tell where the entrance or exit was because people were both entering and exiting from the same place. We were told by security it didn't really matter where you did what. This was slightly disappointing since the point of a maze is to enter one way and find your way out through the other. Slightly disheartened, we entered the maze. Immediately we were greeted by a gentleman in a Michael Myers mask and a chainsaw, while we don't scare so easily, others didn't take so well to our greeter and ran past us screaming. This became a main point of frustration with the maze, other people screaming and running by, therefore taking away the element of surprise or fear when you approach the person they are fleeing from. The maze was a letdown in that aspect, as well as the fact that it was very hard to actually get "lost" in the maze. It seemed no matter what you would end up back at the entrance, or exit, whatever it was. We went through once rather quickly and later decided to try again. The second time we did get further into the maze, and even had a few points of isolation from everyone else. One time in particular as we walked, shining our flashlight at the corn around us, looking for one of those chainsaw wielding scare actors, the light landed right on one and he immediately burst from the corn chasing us quite a bit through the maze. That instant of running, slightly scared and hearing a chainsaw roaring behind you, is the feeling we were looking for this whole time. Unfortunately, those instances were few and far between. We never did accomplish the feeling of being lost in the darkness of a cornfield in the middle of nowhere, which was the goal we had in mind. That was a major let down in our opinion.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Warehouse 31 Review

Warehouse 31...Jacksonville's Scariest Haunted House?

Perfect setting for a haunted house
We arrived at Warehouse 31 right at dusk, what we heard was true, the warehouse was one of a few out in the middle of nowhere, a perfect setting for a haunted house. Parking is adjacent to Warehouse 31 and is free Monday through Thursday nights and $3 per car on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. There was no line to get in, which was very convenient. Warehouse 31 occasionally runs promotions discounting their ticket prices, on this night we received $3 off each ticket for bringing an empty Monster Energy Drink can. They offer a variety of ticket options and prices, which can be found by visiting their website at http://www.warehouse31.com/. We chose the Triple Terror Ticket which was a great deal at $25 per ticket granting access to all 3 trails. 
The ticket line not crowded at all




Sister Mary Lost Her Cherry
Once we were in, we went to the drink area where we encountered a lovely bartender by the name of Sister Mary Lost Her Cherry. The drink prices weren't bad and the bar was decorated festively. The smell of cinnamon in the air from something sweet was almost irresistible. We waited in line for maybe 15 minutes max for the first house to open. While in line they kept you entertained with fire spinners, as well giant costumed monsters on stilts, which made it an enjoyable experience. Around 8:00PM they began to let people into the houses. It's set up so that you basically go from one house right into the next which was convenient as well. 


Thursday, October 13, 2011

Zom-B-Rama Charity Carnival Event Returns to Monroeville Mall

"Zombie Carnival Proceeds Benefit “Save the Evans City Cemetery Chapel”


October 11, 2011 – Monroeville, Pa - You can't keep Zombies out of the mall! Back from the dead after a brief hiatus, Monroeville Zombies, a zombie-themed tourist attraction returns to the Monroeville Mall in Monroeville, PA with a Carnival Themed Grand Re-opening. The event named, Zom-B-Rama is an annual zombie Halloween celebration hosted by the mall based attraction. This year's event is scheduled for October 22, and will also coincide with Monroeville Zombies' reopening in a new larger location featuring more activities and exhibits.