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Hunny-sempi's journal whatever i feel like talking about :P


Hunny-sempi00
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Tips for visiting haunted houses from a monster
With Halloween right around the corner, and this being my second year working as a monster at my local amusement park I thought I would give some tips on how to fully enjoy haunted houses/mazes and what not to do.

The first thing I would have to say is don't bring your kids in. I have had parents bring infants, toddlers, or kids that are kicking screaming and looking like they're going to throw up or pass out. We don't get any joy scaring your kids, but it's our job. Just know that we're all judging you thinking you're bad parents. Let's just say that this year there will be a lot of parents unable to hire a clown for their kid's birthday party.
Some little kids can handle it, we've had a few kids go through the mazes alone a few times and each time they enjoy it. Those kids I don't have a problem with. But don't drag them in if they show any resistance.
TIP: After two years I've only seen one smart set of parents. They took turns. One parent sat outside with the kids while the other went through the maze, and then they switched.

Second thing, walk at a normal pace, even if you're frightened.If you run you will injure yourself and the people working the maze. I know this from experience because last year I got kicked in the face because someone was running through the maze. The slower you walk the longer it takes, it takes longer to get people through the maze and people will have to wait longer in lines. When people take forever going through lines I get antsy because I cover two spots and having to bounce between them when the timing is off ruins it for everyone.
Tip: Walk at a normal pace. Don't run, or meander through the maze.

Third thing, put down the ******** phone. This is one of my biggest pet peeves. I have had people holding their phone up the whole time recording or taking pictures. For one if you just want pictures wait until we're off our shift. If you want to record the memory just file it away in your brain bank. A vast majority of places prohibit recording of any kind in their mazes, including the place I work, but people are stupid. I've also had people walk through my maze with their nose attached to their phone the entire time, completely oblivious. Not only is this dangerous because you can't see where you're going, but if you're just going to ignore us, you might as well have stayed home on your phone. Also we've had people throw their phones from fright, so if not for safety, please do it for your phone's safety.
Tip: Put the phones away, don't record or snapchat your experience.A monster may be tempted to snatch it.You paid to experiance in person, not through your screen.

Fourth thing, don't touch anything! I've had many people wander through the maze getting a good look. Normally I don't mind that because I'm a theater person, I do the same thing. What I really get annoyed about it when people touch everything. Don't touch or take the props, and don't touch the people. I've had people pants props, jab or mess with the fake bodies we've had hanging around, and just be jackasses. My sister even caught people humping on a bloodied couch we had in one of the rooms last year. I don't care if that's what you're into but don't do that at an amusement park. There's a time and a place for everything.
Tip: If it's not yours don't touch it. Keep your hands to yourself. Remove it or lose it. (Get the picture?)

Fifth thing, keep your group small. Mazes are designed with tight corners and cramped spaces to keep you from wanting to stay. When you arrive with twenty of your best friends we're going to have to split you up. If you all went in at once only a few people would get the full experience since we tend to work with the element of surprise. Smaller groups also prevent injury since people tend to jump, run or step back when surprised. You've can't really do that when you're in a conga line or in a sardine can.
Tip: Keep your groups small. It's easier for us to scare all of you and you'll get a better experience. Personally for me groups over five people get a little unmanageable, but three to five people in a group is perfect.

Sixth thing, please read the rules. A majority of mazes and haunted houses will have rules on the front. Please read them, it would prevent a majority of what I've already had to tell you. They usually have the basics such as; no running, no recording, no touching props or monsters, and also health information. Health information usually tells of smoke, strobes, moving lights and if you shouldn't go into the maze. I've many people over the last two years scream out as we scare them not to scare them because they have asthma. For one it states if you have asthma you shouldn't go in, and secondly why would you go into a haunted house if you know getting scared will endanger your health?
Tip: Read the rules, it protects you, us monsters, and the establishment. They're not up there for decoration they're meant to be read. READ THEM

Since I have the majority of what I wanted to say I'll just inform you of what not to do.

Don't try to hit us monsters. We're people. We understand people have knee jerk reactions, but we don't get hazard pay. Running away or hitting people more than once will get you kicked out. (Guess who's been hit a few times in the face so far this year?) Don't threaten violence verbally or physically because that will also get you kicked out. We know assholes as soon as they get into line. As a female that makes me nervous because you never know what guests will do to you. I've had guys make really uncomfortable comments to me while I'm all covered in gore. Don't do that, we'll just report you.

Don't harass the monsters, or roamers. They'll get you kicked out if they get uncomfortable or feel unsafe.

Don't run if you don't want the sliders or roamers to chase after you.

If you taunt or harass any monster they have their own twisted version of revenge. Anything from fright, water guns, to shattering your drums.

If you try to find the monsters in the mazes or point them out they will have their way with you.

Follow the damn arrows, they're all over the place. If all else fails the directions are on the floor. I've had many people go the wrong way this year... people can't ******** follow directions.

When a monster is standing in the way or won't move it's most likely you're going the wrong direction. Don't try and go through them. I'm 5'3", 100lbs and I'm tired of groups of people trying to go through me.

Finally, follow the actual open doorways. Don't go through the black curtains, those are our hidey holes. Go there and you will be forever lost.

You can ask for pictures and that's great. Ask away. But I am allowed to say no. People usually ask for pictures when I'm going to or from the break room for water and I'm under a time constraint. If you want pictures it's usually best to wait until the end of the night, we don't have to rush, and we don't mind getting paid overtime for it.

Hopefully this will help you when going to your local haunted house, maze or amusement park.
Remember us monsters are just people getting paid doing a job, which is to scare the s**t out of you. Just enjoy it! Get in a scared mood, you'll get more out of what you paid and we get a little enjoyment from making you scream.
Be safe and have a happy Halloween!




 
 
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