Tulleys Shocktoberfest 2015
As one of the longest established Halloween events in the UK, we have been visiting Shocktoberfest since 2002, and we are constantly impressed with how the event has grown. When we first visited, the park had the fun hayride and a small walkthrough The Creepy Cottage. These are still present in the latest incarnation (although quite a lot more advanced than 14 years ago), and are joined by 6 other attractions that provide so much to do that any visit to the park becomes a whole evening experience. Fortunately the infrastructure is there to support this, and with live entertainment, roaming characters photo opportunities and copious amounts of food and drink choices, anyone visiting should plan to get there early and stay all night.
This year sees the addition of new attractions and some rebranding of previous ones. We'll cover the new attractions first:
The Chop Shop
Hidden away in the corner that housed last year's scare zone, The Chop Shop has one of the most impressive facades we have seen in a long time. Bathed in ambient purple lighting, the set is huge and completely hides the marquee/packing containers that the attraction is built in. Fortunately the impressive theming continues once inside, and the first half of our journey took us through some really detailed scenes where some US Southern rednecks teased and cajoled us about what would happen when we meet their brothers. Half way through, the theatrics were dropped and it was time for the real scares to begin, as the final section of this attraction is long, confusing, and very loud. The actors (and more importantly, their chainsaws) were relentless throughout, and with so many places to hide and cut-throughs for the actors, it seemed like we were being constantly attacked from all sides. All in - a very impressive new maze.
The Colony
The other new maze for this year is The Colony. Built on the site that has been home to the Field of Screams in the past, the attraction shares a couple of similar elements, but provides a level of theming and experience like no other. The post apocalyptic survivors that inhabit this attraction have regressed into feral creatures with a language of their own and in places were literally climbing the walls to get to us. The attraction took us in and out of the structures they have thrown together from the debris around them and attacks came from all sides and from some very unexpected places. The Colony is a VERY long attraction and just seems to keep you guessing as to when you will actually find the exit. Fortunately, as experienced Tulley's visitors - as soon as we entered one particular room, we knew the ending was in sight. Now, its really hard to be negative about any part of this attraction, as we loved the whole concept, design, setting etc but the chainsaw in a Freezer style room just didn't fit. The whole show had been really atmospheric with savage creatures with spears etc then all of a sudden they have a chainsaw?. We know chainsaws are scary, but that final scene really made no sense at all.
The Volt
The third new maze is the short, sharp, shocker called the Volt. The trick in this attraction was that at times it was so dark that you had to just feel your way around to find a way out. Of course, when sections of the wall contain mildly electrified panels you end up actually trying to avoid the walls as much as possible for fear of being shocked. The maze contained some simple character designs that were really effective when they suddenly illuminated themselves right next to you. The shock treatment was a cool effect/ distraction as most of the time we were so focused on avoiding getting shocked that we didn't notice the actors until they were right on us.
Nightshade Circus
Tulley's clown maze has changed a lot over the years, but generally Nightshade Circus is an amalgamation of all the classic clown features - a curtain maze, fun house elements, trommel tunnel etc . We've said it before, but the curtains maze works so much better in smaller groups, but the clowns were working really hard to scare and confuse the large group as we passed through. The fact that the attraction has so many different elements really works in its favour and with some new touches throughout - the maze has remained fresh and exciting. It's worth mentioning the new two storey facade that the attraction hides behind. Although unfinished on preview night - this set will look stunning when completed and joins The Colony and Chop Shop in taking the whole event up a level in terms of immersive theming.
The Cellar
The Cellar was Tulleys first big properly themed attraction and still remains an impressively designed maze that offers a great experience from beginning to end. The cellar creatures were as wild and crazy as ever and we had a number of great scares throughout. The extra rooms added to the start and the end of the attraction over recent years, have really helped to extend the length of the maze.
Hellements The Ritual
Despite the name change, Hellements felt identical to previous incarnations and still provides an intense experience that leaves newcomers wondering what the hell just happened. The only thing we really noticed was that the incredible fire effect at the end seemed even more powerful than before.
The Haunted House
As the smallest of the Tulleys's attractions, The Haunted House can still pack quite a punch. It is a great mix of family friendly haunted house but jazzed up with the addition of several live actors. It's easy to forget about the attraction as it is hidden away at the bottom of the park, but always provides some great jumps and laughs.
The Horrorwood Hayride
What can we say about the Hayride that hasn't been said before? It really is the best of its kind in the UK and is full of laughs and screams throughout. The fact that the actors can get up so close to guests by joining the trailer makes the whole thing seem more personal yet the large scale effects and scares never fail to impress. The hayride is the heart of the whole event and remains as popular today as it did 15 years ago!
So, there we have it - several new attractions, a couple of rebranded shows and a return of some old favourites. When you add in the live entertainment (there are two band stages this year) roaming characters, rides and more, Tulleys Shoctoberfest really is the definitive Scream Park experience.
Finally we must just say congratulations to Esmerelda who has been an icon character at the park for years. To launch the new season, she got married - to a topless hunk! The ceremony was an amusing touch and is a perfect example of how Tulleys likes to mix humour with the scares!
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You Review
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I’d heard a lot about Tulleys Farm so i was focused when we arrived.
The first thing i noticed was, how right from the start the theme for Halloween was in full swing and how well the parking was laid out.
This gave me the first impression that Tulleys Farm was a professional Scare Venue.
From getting out of the car we was entertained. A group of Ushers, dancers and Banjo players with high energy were entertaining the crowd and not breaking character for anyone. The interaction was amusing and fun.
Past the ticket office i was surprised at how full this place was. Not just with people but with crowd pleasers, burger bars and live music. Seating arrangements were plentiful and open log fires seemed to be a hit, with groups of people all getting cosy.
Throughout all the mazes there was a mixture of Fun and boo scares, with some very entertaining actors who knew their surrounding really well. At one point we didn’t know which was we going and ended up in a very dark room all bumping into each other. That being said the layout even in the dark is very well planned. Sound effect and lighting, all subliminally take you where you need to go even if you don’t know it.
It was the first time we had experienced very claustrophobic surroundings, with walls getting tighter and tighter and a seemingly impossible to walk through soft openings. which whilst in the middle of it made you think that you was lost in a dark hell forever.
This gave hints of the Roloff Farm with the Haunted Hayride and pumpkins and a smaller scale of DisneyLand Paris with its Fast Pass style maze layout.
Impressed with the safety talk at the start of every maze and shocked (excuse the pun) at being electrocuted.
The only disappointment we had was throughout the entire evening was when we put on a black sack and held onto a rope. Slightly uninteresting when you are following the person in front of you and although there are things going on around you it still didn’t distract you from the fact that you had to follow a rope.
All in all the evening was incredibly enjoyable, i think even if we hadn’t done any of the mazes we would still have enjoyed ourselves. This is fun family entertainment, with the majority of the punters being 16 years of age. Easy to see why this appealed to them, with live entertainment, food, fun fair rides and entertainment.
The first thing i noticed was, how right from the start the theme for Halloween was in full swing and how well the parking was laid out.
This gave me the first impression that Tulleys Farm was a professional Scare Venue.
From getting out of the car we was entertained. A group of Ushers, dancers and Banjo players with high energy were entertaining the crowd and not breaking character for anyone. The interaction was amusing and fun.
Past the ticket office i was surprised at how full this place was. Not just with people but with crowd pleasers, burger bars and live music. Seating arrangements were plentiful and open log fires seemed to be a hit, with groups of people all getting cosy.
Throughout all the mazes there was a mixture of Fun and boo scares, with some very entertaining actors who knew their surrounding really well. At one point we didn’t know which was we going and ended up in a very dark room all bumping into each other. That being said the layout even in the dark is very well planned. Sound effect and lighting, all subliminally take you where you need to go even if you don’t know it.
It was the first time we had experienced very claustrophobic surroundings, with walls getting tighter and tighter and a seemingly impossible to walk through soft openings. which whilst in the middle of it made you think that you was lost in a dark hell forever.
This gave hints of the Roloff Farm with the Haunted Hayride and pumpkins and a smaller scale of DisneyLand Paris with its Fast Pass style maze layout.
Impressed with the safety talk at the start of every maze and shocked (excuse the pun) at being electrocuted.
The only disappointment we had was throughout the entire evening was when we put on a black sack and held onto a rope. Slightly uninteresting when you are following the person in front of you and although there are things going on around you it still didn’t distract you from the fact that you had to follow a rope.
All in all the evening was incredibly enjoyable, i think even if we hadn’t done any of the mazes we would still have enjoyed ourselves. This is fun family entertainment, with the majority of the punters being 16 years of age. Easy to see why this appealed to them, with live entertainment, food, fun fair rides and entertainment.
Scary - Well organised event. From the parking to the set up, it was professionally done.
The Chop Shop - Great set, good actors. The set up started well enough but quickly descended into a chainsaw guy appearing every few minutes. It got boring to be honest.
Horrorwood Hayride - Fantastic hayride. The route was full of different characters who jumped on the trailer and amused everyone. There were noise and fire effects to give you a real jump. Excellent effort.
The Cellar - Good quality haunt. Lively actors, and good set design.
Nightshade Circus - This was very good! Different sets, and it felt like a regiment of actors to chase, scare and harass you through the maze! Well done.
The Volt - If you love to walk around a series of dark corridors, this was the haunt for you. Nothing much seemed to happen, it was a waste in my opinion.
The Colony - A massive haunt with impressive sets but someone seemed to forget that the entire point was to scare people, not to show off large set designs. Too many long spaces between actors. Another haunt that preferred to use dark spaces instead of actor scares. Our group spent a lot of time walking into each other. A total waste of space.
Haunted House - A small haunt, but good actors and decent sets. Good fun.
I think I would give it a few years before we return. £34 was a punch in the gut, especially after the Volt and The Colony.
The Chop Shop - Great set, good actors. The set up started well enough but quickly descended into a chainsaw guy appearing every few minutes. It got boring to be honest.
Horrorwood Hayride - Fantastic hayride. The route was full of different characters who jumped on the trailer and amused everyone. There were noise and fire effects to give you a real jump. Excellent effort.
The Cellar - Good quality haunt. Lively actors, and good set design.
Nightshade Circus - This was very good! Different sets, and it felt like a regiment of actors to chase, scare and harass you through the maze! Well done.
The Volt - If you love to walk around a series of dark corridors, this was the haunt for you. Nothing much seemed to happen, it was a waste in my opinion.
The Colony - A massive haunt with impressive sets but someone seemed to forget that the entire point was to scare people, not to show off large set designs. Too many long spaces between actors. Another haunt that preferred to use dark spaces instead of actor scares. Our group spent a lot of time walking into each other. A total waste of space.
Haunted House - A small haunt, but good actors and decent sets. Good fun.
I think I would give it a few years before we return. £34 was a punch in the gut, especially after the Volt and The Colony.
Mildly scary - The event certainly looked well presented. Most of the haunts looked very professionally put together. They have really gone to a lot of trouble to catch the eye.
GOOD
Haunted House, The Cellar, Nightshade circus and Horrorwood hayride.
I like haunts like Haunted House and The cellar. Nightshade was a walk through a clown themed hell! Brilliant. Horrorwood was good fun, but I heard more than a few people say it was the same as last year. Pity
NOT SO GOOD
Chop Shop, Hell-elements
Chop Shop started well, but soon became a ear splitting walk past chainsaw wielding nutters. It was ok, but repetitive.
Hell-elements is a great concept, but it needs something to keep it alive.
WHY BOTHER?
Colony and The Volt
The Colony was a long walk through nothing. A series of dark passages and inflated walls. For a haunt that took about ten minutes I think I counted four actors!
The Volt was completely pointless. Dark corridors and the occasional actor. What a waste of our time.
We will not go this year. If you are going to build haunts that take 10 minutes to complete, put sufficient actors to keep it interesting. The Volt could have worked, but include startle scares, not a couple of actors with torches.
GOOD
Haunted House, The Cellar, Nightshade circus and Horrorwood hayride.
I like haunts like Haunted House and The cellar. Nightshade was a walk through a clown themed hell! Brilliant. Horrorwood was good fun, but I heard more than a few people say it was the same as last year. Pity
NOT SO GOOD
Chop Shop, Hell-elements
Chop Shop started well, but soon became a ear splitting walk past chainsaw wielding nutters. It was ok, but repetitive.
Hell-elements is a great concept, but it needs something to keep it alive.
WHY BOTHER?
Colony and The Volt
The Colony was a long walk through nothing. A series of dark passages and inflated walls. For a haunt that took about ten minutes I think I counted four actors!
The Volt was completely pointless. Dark corridors and the occasional actor. What a waste of our time.
We will not go this year. If you are going to build haunts that take 10 minutes to complete, put sufficient actors to keep it interesting. The Volt could have worked, but include startle scares, not a couple of actors with torches.
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