<p>The changing of seasons is always a great time to reflect on the past as well as look forward to seeing the parks transformed for Halloweekends/Haunt and then into Winterfest at select parks. As we get excited for Halloweekends and Haunt at Cedar Fair parks, we could not help notice some things that will be missing for this season.</p>
<p>Sure there are new mazes, scare zones, actors, and displays each year, which makes it exciting to see where the parks invested for Halloween. However, there are three things that have been around for some time that we discovered have gone missing from this years agenda.</p>
<h2>Skeleton Key</h2>
<p>A purchase of Fright Lane has always been a tremendous help to bypass the line during the extremely busy Halloweekends/Haunt days, especially on a Saturday.</p>
<p>First debuted in 2014, the Skeleton Key that came with Fright Lane got you access to special rooms and challenges that were unique to each park. </p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170922-Kings-Island-Fright-Lane-Skeleton-Key.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170922-Kings-Island-Fright-Lane-Skeleton-Key.jpg" alt="170922 Kings Island Fright Lane Skeleton Key" width="1024" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15948" /></a></p>
<p>Some may involve drinking vampire blood. Others involved sticking your hand into unknown substances to find the key out. The challenges were unique and exciting each year.</p>
<p>We used Skeleton Key (Fright Lane) at Knott&#8217;s Berry Farm and Kings Island so that we ensured we could experience everything in one night. Fright Lane was well worth the money and the Skeleton Key rooms always provided for a great extra experience. </p>
<p>Sadly, Skeleton Key will not return in 2018 at any of the Cedar Fair parks. </p>
<p><em>R.I.P. Skeleton Key (2014-2017)</em></p>
<h2>Boeckling&#8217;s Banquet</h2>
<p>One of Cedar Point&#8217;s longest standing traditions was Boeckling&#8217;s Banquet, located deep inside the Boeckling&#8217;s Eerie Estate haunted maze. </p>
<figure id="attachment_15949" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15949" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/171028-Cedar-Point-Boecklings-Banquet-©John-Volk.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/171028-Cedar-Point-Boecklings-Banquet-©John-Volk.jpg" alt="171028 Cedar Point Boeckling&#039;s Banquet ©John Volk" width="1200" height="900" class="size-full wp-image-15949" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-15949" class="wp-caption-text">©John Volk</figcaption></figure>
<p>Started in 2009, the Boeckling’s Banquet allowed guests to eat in style with character actors, dining on steak, lobster, and a variety of other options, and often included some really unique menu items like chocolate Frankenstein heads filled with brains (mousse). </p>
<p>As you will see below, there are other daytime plans for Boeckling&#8217;s Estate.</p>
<p><em>R.I.P. <a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/2017-cedar-point-boecklings-banquet/">Boeckling&#8217;s Banquet</a> (2009-2017) </em></p>
<h2>Maniacal Mechanical Screamworks</h2>
<p>Debuting in 2011, Maniacal Mechanical Screamworks combined the beauty of the Frontier Trail with a steampunk scare zone and it was wonderful! </p>
<p>Maybe the theme had runs its course over the 8 seasons it was at Cedar Point, but it was always one of our favorites. </p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170915-Cedar-Point-Screamworks-Entrance.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170915-Cedar-Point-Screamworks-Entrance.jpg" alt="170915 Cedar Point Screamworks Entrance" width="1024" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15952" /></a></p>
<p>This season Maniacal Mechanical Screamworks will be replaced with Trail of the Forsaken, and while the theme may be different, we are hopeful to see the return of the iconic sliders! </p>
<p><em>R.I.P. Maniacal Mechanical Screamworks (2011-2017)</em></p>
<h2>What&#8217;s New for 2018 Cedar Point Great Pumpkin Fest</h2>
<p>Each park offers their own take on Haunt and offers a variety of new maze and scare zone options each year to keep things fresh. </p>
<p>While the list is extensive across all Cedar Fair parks, below is a list of some of the Cedar Point options that we found of interest.</p>
<p>The Great Pumpkin Fest is the daytime festivities that offer family friendly entertainment for guests of all ages. </p>
<p>This is a really well done event with so many new things to do. Returning favorites include things like cornstalk and hay bale mazes, rethemed rides to spooky music like the Monster, Skeleton Sky Ride, and new for 2018, Boo Streak and Spooky Express Railroad in Planet Snoopy. </p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170917-Cedar-Point-Hexed-Spellbound.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/170917-Cedar-Point-Hexed-Spellbound.jpg" alt="170917 Cedar Point Hexed Spellbound" width="1024" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-15947" /></a></p>
<p>One of the most exciting and FUN activities implemented in 2017 and back again this year is an interactive experience inside Hexed Spellbound (next to GateKeeper), where kids solved riddles to go further into the maze. With the lights on and no scare actors, it was a lot of FUN and perfect for kids as a gateway into Halloween.</p>
<p>New for 2018, Cedar Point will open up two more mazes for daytime FUN. </p>
<p><strong>The Mystery of Eerie Estate</strong> will take families into the Boeckling&#8217;s Eerie Estate maze and give kids the chance to solve puzzles as they make their way through the house. The game will resemble the board game CLUE, where guests need to figure out the crime suspect and the weapon used to commit the crime.</p>
<p><strong>Zombie Jr. High</strong>, which happens to be one of our kids favorite houses at night, will give kids the chance to enroll in school, but only if they can pass their tests by using their brains! </p>
<p>Guests will attend 6 classes while in Zombie Jr. High, where they will be tested with a Dance Challenge, Say Whaaat?, Speed Drawing, Bottle Flip, Word Find, and Warhead Challenge. </p>
<p><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/140912-Cedar-Point-Halloweekends-Hexed.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/140912-Cedar-Point-Halloweekends-Hexed.jpg" alt="140912 Cedar Point Halloweekends Hexed" width="1154" height="768" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3758" /></a></p>
<h2>What&#8217;s New for 2018 Cedar Point Halloweekends/Haunt</h2>
<p>As far as night time activities during Halloweekends, we are really excited to see how the new version of Hexed: Lights Out goes. This maze seems to get a tweak every year, and we are hoping this is the year that really captures the moment. </p>
<p>Knott&#8217;s Berry Farm implemented a programmed flashlight into one of their haunted houses in 2017, so we are really hoping that the technology is carried forward to Cedar Point to provide for a really cool new experience.</p>
<p>Also new for Halloweekends, Frontier Fling will add a new element. Guests can experience the up-charge attraction like they normally would on the Frontier Trail. However, new for 2018, Cedar Point is adding a new Buried Alive simulation. </p>
<p>For $8/guest, they get strapped into a 90 second simulation of being buried alive. </p>
<p>Frontier Fling: $10 for 1 Flyer<br />
Last Coffin Ride: $8 for 1 Experience<br />
Frontier Fling &#038; Last Coffin Ride Combo: $15 (Save $3) for 1 individual<br />
3 Frontier Fling &#038; 3 Last Coffin Ride Combo: $35 (Save $19) for 3 individuals</p>
<p>Lastly, we leave you with the 2018 Cedar Fair No Boo necklace&#8230;ADORABLE! </p>
<figure id="attachment_15962" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15962" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-Cedar-Fair-No-Boo-Necklace.jpg"><img src="http://cpfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-Cedar-Fair-No-Boo-Necklace.jpg" alt="2018 Cedar Fair No Boo Necklace" width="310" height="187" class="size-full wp-image-15962" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-15962" class="wp-caption-text">©Cedar Fair</figcaption></figure>
<p>What are you most excited to experience in the fog this season?</p>
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Whether my comments will make a difference or not however here are my thoughts.
I am very disappointed in the R.I.P. Boeckling’s Banquet (2009-2017). We have attended the banquet the last 2 years and it was the highlight, kickoff, of the Halloween season at Cedar Point for us. Please reconsider bringing it back for the 2019 season.
Very Disappointed!!
the entire event has so much missed potential compared to others. I'd love a total Autumn transformation throughout the park as so itd be more theme intensive with areas geared towards the Autumn and Harvest season too as opposed to 'just' gore and scare. The Cedar Point Nights on the beach could still be held with firepits and S'mores along with bobbing for apples and hayrides. As much as Id love these options, corporate doesn't even reply to emails or social media. This past season specifically has shown a sharp decline in Guest Service.