park

The best nightmare experience at Six Flags Fright Fest

By Jenny Alvarez

Photos and video by: Alfonso De Elias

The mazes are back again however, better than ever! This year are more props and a lot more monsters. Most people like the pumpkin patches, the haunted houses, and the anticipation of special events that come with the witching season. Six Flags makes this time one of the best frightening experience. You go through these mazes which are basically just walls consisting of painted cardboards and took slightly longer than 3 minutes to get through (If you have the fast pass). The scare zones have real action due I saw being in Gotham City where clowns were running around scraping some sort of metal on the ground so it shot sparks everywhere. The fog on the rides and many monsters scaring and creeping was the best. The curious part of the mazes was the chupacabra maze by viper.  The scare zone walking over from Tatsu to the Chupacabra maze was awesome!  felt like we were in another world. Definitely, you have to do all the mazes. Personally, I really enjoyed this event and got on a few rides all in one night!  not bad at all.

Gwen Stefani visited Disney

Courtesy Disneyland

Gwen Stefani meets Sulley from the Disney-Pixar films ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and ‘Monsters University’ at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday. The ‘Halloween Time’ celebration at the Disneyland Resort, which features special attractions, decor and entertainment, continues through October 31, 2014. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

Gwen Stefani and her sons, Kingston (right) and Zuma, and niece, Stella, meet Sulley from the Disney-Pixar films ‘Monsters, Inc.’ and ‘Monsters University’ at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif., on Monday. The ‘Halloween Time’ celebration at the Disneyland Resort, which features special attractions, decor and entertainment, continues through October 31, 2014. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland Resort)

You will have the scariest night ever at Knott’s Scary Farm

By Jenny Álvarez

Photos and video Alfonso De Elías

For all my readers I’m not a big fan of horror and haunted attractions, but I have to say, that with the exception of only one other haunt, I would say that Knott’s was my favorite thus far. This year was surprising because the organizers decided to have only two shows: The Mistress of the Dark herself, Elvira – she will headline her all new show Elvira’s Big Top, in the 1,800 seat Charles M. Schultz Theatre twice nightly for the entire run of Knott’s Scary Farm and The Hanging: Everything is Gruesome: a live stage show in Calico Square irreverently looks back at the year’s pop culture with killer comedy.  Notorious for its special effects, pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts, The Hanging is a no-holds-barred assault on pop culture’s most infamous moments of the past year.  A real and creepy parody. However in my opinion, Elvira becomes the “Ring Mistress of the Park” dazzling audiences with music, madness and mayhem in her Sinister Circus of the Macabre, full of jokes. My favorite of both was Elvira because has performances by Brett Loudermilk, a sword swallower, and Bonnie Morgan, a contortionist, both of whom were really the highlights of the show.

Other of the best attractions for 2014 was the interactive Zombie war, where groups of guests will be armed with specially designed laser guns to fend off the zombie infestation or named Special Ops: Infected seamlessly integrates interactive gaming technology with an immersive mountainous landscape, delivering a breakthrough interactive haunted experience that is as terrifying as it is challenging.  Missions will take guests through a variety of wilderness terrains, including unpredictable barrel bridges across a rushing river, through dark caverns, and  mysterious backwoods.  Six acres of the beloved theme park is now home to mutinous, scream-inducing zombies, and the time has come for a harrowing Special Ops survival mission.

 I also have to remark El Dia De Los Muertos (created in 2013) some monsters do not hide, but stand there waiting for people in plain sight. Towards the end, it gets a little better with the Aztec-type skeletons coming at you this was really wonderful and people with Hispanic heritage will  appreciate a small tribute to this attraction. I liked how detailed some of their costumes were and make up as well.

Here are more details of the new attractions of this year:

Voodoo: Trudge cautiously through the cursed swamps of the Deep South, where creatures search the murky bogs for their next bloody sacrifice and demons curse the innocent with Voodoo hexes. Guests must choose their path from a number of foreboding choices, resulting in a different terrifying outcome with each journey into the swamp.

The Tooth Fairy: The joy of hiding a lost tooth under the pillow becomes a nightmare of pain and blood in this new maze that will leave teeth chattering.  This twisted tooth fairy steals more than just baby teeth as he drags his victims out their bedroom window and into a world of deranged dentistry.  Unbelievable special effects include a blackout room through which guests must feel their way out, a disorienting x-ray strobe light room, and a final encounter with the massive tooth fairy, himself.  Say aahhh.

Trapped: Lock and Key: This year Trapped returns with more rooms, more intricate puzzles and a shocking finale more extreme than any experience ever.

I loved the fact that most of the actors still haunt in that area even though its deserted makes it even creepier so becomes this place in a magical experience.

More of the attractions

The Gunslinger’s Grave: Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township.

Black Magic The veil between the living and the dead is severed when Houdini’s ghost materializes during a séance and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes on his theater.

 Dominion of the Damned: The Blood Queen’s reign has ended, but the seductive vampires continue to lure unsuspecting guests into this gothic lair of terror.  Ancient vampire lore decrees there shall always be one to rule the damned… Long live the King!

 Forevermore: The twisted mind of Edgar Allen Poe comes alive as the “Forevermore Killer” works his way through one haunting tale after another.  All the victims unwittingly find themselves a part of “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” The Masque of Red Death” among other horrific stories.

 Pinocchio Unstrung: Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, and Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters.  The purpose of his killing spree – human flesh to cover his twisted wooden body.  Revenge comes with no strings attached.

Trick-Or-Treat: Trick or treat, will step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell.  Oh, she is home, but where?  You are not quite sure.  Don’t be afraid, her minions will guide you.

 Witch’s Keep: Many years ago, The Green Witch uncovered a wicked source of power in the depths of the Calico Mine, and now she’s hell-bent on using this mysterious energy to capture and corrupt all who dare enter.

Scare zones were fun with the occasional seasoned monster screaming and sliding by. The best part is watching people being chased by them. There were a lot of families with kids so while I wouldn’t recommend taking your kids here but in general I appreciate and love the effort put into it by the actors and organizers who do the event every year so made it more intense and definitely you will have a fun time!

Knott's Scary Farm will be your best nightmare

By Jenny Alvarez

Photos by Alfonso De Elias

Special Coverage for GalaTView.com

For all my readers I’m not a big fan of horror and haunted attractions, but I have to say, that with the exception of only one other haunt, I would say that Knott’s was my favorite thus far. When I knew that I was going to cover Knott’s Scary Farm I noticed the monsters not trying as hard as other haunted attractions. Even some of the new mazes this year are usually the most popular, you will be part of the long queue lines but this is not a real issue if you are really interested in each attraction and most of them are worth it.

Some highlights

The Trick or Treat maze, where you can really trick or treat and the fog machines working overtime near the entrances, making for easy scares but lot more monsters too and they were enthusiastic. I usually get a little disappointed that the monsters seem to lose that toward the end of the night and the lack of lighting for some areas of the park.

I also have to remark El Dia De Los Muertos some monsters do not hide, but stand there waiting for people in plain sight. Towards the end, it gets a little better with the Aztec-type skeletons coming at you this was really wonderful and people with Hispanic heritage will  appreciate a small tribute to this attraction. I liked how detailed some of their costumes were and make up as well. Thankfully the employees and guides would shine their flashlights and kindness and help all Media team navigate thru.

Finally, I loved the fact that most of the actors still haunt in that area even though its deserted makes it even creepier so becomes this place in a magical experience for some prices may vary but you can get good deals on Knott’s Web site. Enjoy your creepy trip!

Knott’s Scary Farm is back with tons of fun and scares

By Jenny Alvarez

Photos by Alfonso De Elias

Special Coverage for GalaTView.com

 Knott’s Scary Farm pulls back the curtain on wall to wall terror this Halloween season from September 26 until November 2, 2013.  Event hours are 7pm – 1am; Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm-2am.

Since 1973 Knott’s Scary Farm has been the benchmark by which all Halloween events are judged.  What started as a handful of monsters and sparse decorations has grown to be the largest, most creative and most attended Halloween attraction in the United States.

12 mazes and haunted attractions has six live shows, and four endless scare zones.

These are all the New Mazes:

Trapped:  The New Experiment*

Making its debut in 2012.  Trapped: The New Experiment returns bigger and more intense than its predecessor.  Trapped will offer a longer running time, more challenging puzzles, more mind-bending contraptions, and more in-your-face scares.

Black Magic

The veil between the living and the dead is severed when Houdini’s ghost materializes during a séance and ushers a host of demonic illusions to play tricks on anyone who intrudes on his theatre.   Will you be part of the disappearing act?

Forevermore

The twisted mind of Edgar Allen Poe comes alive as the “Forevermore Killer” works his way through one haunting tale after another.  All the victims unwittingly find themselves a part of “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” The Masque of Red Death” among other horrific stories.  Guests will want to catch up on their reading to stay a chapter ahead of their demise.

The Gunslinger’s Grave

Return to the Old West and walk in the bloody footsteps of a betrayed and left for dead gunslinger on his path to retribution against a corrupt township.  This journey back in time takes guests on a trail of terror through abandoned gold mines, a treacherous corral, a seedy saloon and a final showdown at town hall.

Mirror, Mirror

Enter a world where madness is just a looking glass away.  What is real and what is an illusion?  A cursed mirror absorbs everyone into a mechanical wasteland of despair.  Hideous creatures of beauty and horror stalk the mirror world, hoping to draw another victim into a nightmarish labyrinth.

Dominion of the Damned

The Blood Queen’s reign has ended, but the seductive vampires continue to lure unsuspecting guests into this gothic lair of terror.  Ancient vampire lore decrees there shall always be one to rule the damned… Long live the King!

Returning Mazes

Pinocchio Unstrung

Years have passed since the blue fairy denied him his final wish, but Pinocchio has returned with an army of murderous marionettes intent on killing his former masters.  The purpose of his killing spree – human flesh to cover his twisted wooden body.

Delirium

In the deep recesses of the mind, on the clouded brink of insanity, lies the hellish wasteland of delirium; a place so gruesome that your imagination fails to comprehend the horrors.  Illusion and paranoia are your only anchors to reality.

Trick or Treat

Trick or treat, which will it be?  Step forward and ring the witch’s doorbell.  Oh, she is home, but where?  You are not quite sure.  Don’t be afraid, her minions will guide you.  I am sure that the tales of the many Hallows Eve victims are just that.  You can come away with a treat, but is it worth it?

Endgames: Warriors of the Apocalypse

The world as we know it has ended.  The survivors in this barren desert have scavenged to rebuild society.  The rich and the powerful have turned all others into slaves for sport.  Enter the post apocalyptic arena where gladiators are forced to battle to their deaths for entertainment.

Uncle Willy’s Slaughterhouse

Folks near and far come a-runnin’ for Farmer Willy’s world famous BBQ!  Guests are welcome to venture through the Slaughterhouse where Uncle Willy will feed them full of BBQ, slather them with special sauce, tenderize them with his chainsaw and grind them into a tasty treat.  Bone appetite!

The Witch’s Keep

Many years ago, The Green Witch uncovered a wicked source of power in the depths of the Calico Mine, and now she’s hell-bent on using this mysterious energy to capture and corrupt all who dare enter.  Could this be the origin of her wretched Tricksters?

Scare Zones

New for 2013, those brave enough to shake off the fear in “Fiesta De Los Muertos” will encounter the grim fusion of dance music, colorful costumes, and larger than life stilt walkers.  This scare zone is the ultimate late night celebration of Dia de los Muertos.

“Necropolis,” a vampire world of flesh and machine, of gears and steam offers a journey through the streets of a steam punk influenced city of the dead where blood is power.

There is no place quite like “Ghost Town,” home to a whole cast of night stalkers including the notorious Sliders who lurk in every fog-filled corner.  Guests attempt to navigate the winding streets that may just lead to the graveyard!

Knott’s Boardwalk is taken over by “CarnEVIL,” where the freak show is the main event and clowns crave your undying attention.

Shows

A trip to Knott’s Scary Farm would not be complete without the shows and you will have many choices.

A Knott’s Scary Farm legend returns to the Ghoul Time Theatre – Elvira, Mistress of the Dark – stars in her all-new stage show: ELVIRA’S SINEMA SÉANCE. Elvira is back in all her ghoulish glory bringing her own brand of sexy sass and comedy to a fast-paced, multi-media extravaganza featuring the unique hip-hop/freestyle dance team The Academy of Villains direct from America’s Got Talent. Appearing live 9/26 – 10/31.

Mystery Lodge will be the site of the new show, “Possessed” where guests experience a new kind of terror as ghosts of the past are released and possession is their goal.  “Possessed” is filled with evil spirits and ghastly special effects that will bring a new dimension to your nightmares.

At Necropolis Theatre guests can watch the ghoulishly great performance of Street Drum Corps “Blood Drums” show.  This high energy drumming quartet is known for their unique blend of amazing percussion skills.

In Knott’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, “Carny Trash” offers up Aye Jaye, a sideshow comedian and magician with impeccable comedic timing who is a master of the unexpected. The Gypsy Camp will present “Cursed” featuring the magical and hypnotic powers of the beautiful belly dancers.

A daytime non-scare celebration in Knotts Berry Farm

Redaction, Photos and Video By Alfonso De Elias

Knott’s Halloween Haunt takes over the theme park after dark with over a dozen mazes and all the coasters running in the dark. This one had a press conference to present different tales from the crypt.  In this presentation introduced many members of staff and wardrobe had a live conference which presented each of the sets with a distinctive name for each other. Below we have an exclusive video with more details about this great event and all fans of “This Scary Haunt” will be open in different dates:

 August 5: Knott’s Scary Farm Open Hire Event

September 16-20: Scare School

September 24-25: Dress Rehearsal

September 26^th: First Night of Haunt

The Grinch and Max the Dog Present Celebrated Actor

By Redaction Galatview.

Photo Courtesy Universal Studios

Betty White with the ‘Who-Manitarian of the Year’ Award as

Universal Studios Hollywood Prepares to Ring in the Spirited Wholidays with 19 Snow-Filled Days of ‘Grinchmas’

The illustrious Betty White—seven-time Emmy Award, Grammy Award and Screen Actors Guild Award winner; star of the blockbuster film, Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax,” and the TV series “Hot in Cleveland,” author, producer and animal activist— will be presented with the “Who-Manitarian of the Year” Award by The Grinch and Max the dog to officiate Universal Studios Hollywood’s very, merry “Grinchmas” holiday celebration.

Hailed as “Ambassador to the Animals” by the City of Los Angeles for her lifelong work on behalf of animal welfare, Ms. White was recently named Chairman of the Greater LA Zoo Association.  She also serves as President Emeritus of the Morris Animal Foundation, a world leader in funding groundbreaking veterinary research.