The Parkz Update: Warner Bros. Movie World, Halloween 2010

Movie World really ups the anti this year with what we view as the first real attempt to 'play with the big boys' in terms of a Halloween event in Australia.

Update By Richard Wilson
28 October 2010

Previous years at the park have been more family orientated, and last year's effort could hardly be considered a serious attempt at stepping up to the plate against what the US parks have on offer. This year however is a VERY different story. The park has enlisted well known scare man Lynton V Harris to work with them on the event, and the combination of him, the company's new American grown management, and having someone from an Entertainment background now also running the operations side of the business seems to have worked out a winning combination. This year's event pulls out all the stops, is not for kids and is going for real scary, not just play nice scary. The event is spread out over 4 weeks, with your last chance to check it out this weekend!

The main entrance to the park has been given a Halloween makeover and the result is impressive to say the least! Top notch theming combined with lighting effects and smoke really set the tone for what lies within 'Hell's Gate.'

You only have to look at last years effort to see that things have been taken to a whole new level this time round.

The Fright Nights theme has been extended right out to the edge of the property where even the main road entry sign has been given a Halloween lighting scheme.

One thing the park does well is fog! Fog machines are EVERYWHERE in the park this year, with the rising smoke from the drains in main street always a hit. The darkened lighting and smoke in the area really sets the mood well. There are plenty of cast on hand this year wandering the streets and scaring guests.

The detail in the theming this year couldn't be better, easily up there with the best on offer.

The fountain of fame takes on a blue glow this year, as does much of the park.

Well except for the red bits!

It seems all of the park has been 'touched' with the Halloween brush, Scooby Castle receives enhanced lighting.

Our pick for favourite area of the park has to be western town. We struggled to find any light fitting that hadn't been changed for Halloween. The area is dark, real dark, and with the smoke makes for an atmosphere very different from the usual Captain Safety Sports Stadium look we've come to expect from the park at night.

The biggest improvement this year above all else is the large number of atmospheric actors roaming the streets. Barely a few seconds go by without the screams from guests being frightened to death, chased with chainsaws, or having an encounter with a scary clown being heard across the whole park.

Plenty of entertainment is on offer too. The Zombie Motocross show plays twice nightly in the Hollywood Stunt Driver Arena. The show is a combination of high flying motocross stunt action mixed with zombies and cheerleaders. It's a solid entertainment offering, with both action and comedy thrown into the mix.

Judging by the fact both shows were full it seems pretty popular too.

Whilst all rides are open until 9pm, Scooby Doo and Batman The Ride remain open until closing. The Scooby Doo que is also home to the first of the three haunt mazes.

The Pysco 3D Maze. You are given 3D glasses to wear and the combination of cool painting effects, a disorientating maze layout and cleverly disguised actors makes for a great experience.

Over at the old Show Stage the loony tunes have been evicted and Freddy's Nightmare has moved in. Detailed sets, well trained actors and long winding passageways had groups running from the exit screaming on more than one occasion throughout the night. If you're coming to this event expecting foam machines and palm trees in the dark think again, this years mazes are the real deal.

The big ticket item at the event is the Saw maze. The maze itself is buried out backstage behind the Wild West and with the line easily reaching all the way to the front of the ride this maze is definitely the crowd favourite. Our advice is to get in early.

The final entertainment offering for the night is just that "The Offering." Movie World have gone to great lengths to (firstly find, and then)provide a sacrificial virgin to be offered up to the gods on a bloody stake each night at 10pm. Be sure to check it out.

Our only complaint is that there is possibly not enough happening to soak up the crowds and as a result the maze lines can get very long. Lethal Weapon Alley has been given the dark dingy lighting overlay too, but is a ghost town after 9pm when the coaster closes. This would be the pefect place to add in a 'scare zone' as many of the US parks have scatted throughout. With this lighting scheme a red light district staffed with zombies could work out great!

There are little theming touches everywhere in the park, even just simple decorations in the food outlets just add that little something extra.

Even the garden and que area for Batman The Ride has been dressed up for the night. With the ever depleting popularity the ride itself this could be another great scare zone.

Our final verdict is one of much praise for what the park has pulled out for Fright Nights this year. They are well on their way to holding their own against the big Halloween events overseas. Hopefully next year sees the addition of another couple of mazes and even more atmosphere in the park. With this event following closely on from the success of the DC comics parade earlier in the year we can't wait to see what the park offers up next.

There are 3 nights of Halloween left so if you haven't yet been, now is your last chance to go and get a ticket.