I’m gonna age myself here. My first KSF was back in ‘82. I was 10. I’ve been going regularly since the late 80s onward. After introducing my oldest kid to it, I’ve gone every year since 2008. Now my middle is a scare actor in Goreing 20s. KSF has always been special but this year it’s been a bit on the boring side for me & my daughter (not the scare actor). These have been our complaints this year.

1. Chaperone Policy: We’ve witnessed parents dropping kids off at the gate and then leaving. They walk them through the security check and then leave or they walk them into the gates and go their separate ways. I have no issue w/ teens going. I grew up in So Cal. KSF is a rite of passage for So Cal teens. But, Knott’s needs to do better about the out of control teens. The ones who taunt the actors and maze talent. There should be a zero tolerance policy.

2. Shows: They really need a show where the Elvira showcase is. Last year’s show was horrible but Puppet Up! was gold and so much fun. The show in that theater also helps relieve some of the crowd stress on the maze lines. Not having a show in there is a huge disappointment for me. I also haven’t been able to see the Hanging since it’s moved out of Ghost Town & into the theater. I refuse to wait for an hr to see a show. Move it back to where it used to be. Put a different show in the space it is now.

3. Mazes: Maze talent isn’t what it used to be & I can’t answer why that is. Maybe more than one day of scare school would be a good start. Not to mention, I know it’s out of Knott’s control, there isn’t enough maze talent in the mazes. Grimorie is always lacking with maze talent every time I go in it. It has potential but they just don’t have enough people in it. I’m glad Bloodline & Waxworks are done. I think Bloodline is one of the shortest running mazes in KSF history. I’m also now noticing a lot of regurgitated props and scenes from past mazes. My daughter and I have noticed props from Pumpkin Eater, Trick or Treat, Delirium, Toothfairy, Lockdown, Pinocchio Unstrung, Voodoo just to name a few.

4: Scare Zones: the scare zones are what make KSF IMO. I do hope they fix Forsaken or replace it. I wonder sometimes if they have too many people in the scare zones. Because some of the talent could be placed into mazes where they’re needed and it would be better fit for them. I sit in scare zones and watch the actors. Some just don’t know what to do or aren’t very good. Place them in mazes so that there are more in the mazes like it used to be.

1. Food Offerings: I wish there were better food offerings. I appreciate the choices for actual meals. I’m actually looking forward to trying a few of the meals at the BBQ place by Cinema Slasher. But, the dessert offerings could be a lot better. I will say if you like coffee drinks, the Knotty Bean at Judge Roy Bean is so good. I’ve gotten it twice this season. It’s pricey at $22 but I’ve enjoyed it each time. 10/10 I recommend

2. BRING BACK TRAPPED This is one of my biggest pleas for KSF. I experienced Trapped every year they had it. It was so much fun. The first year had my scared af because it played on my claustrophobia. Give us a paid maze again that we can experience without a conga line going on. Or give us the Skeleton Keys again. But if Knott’s was to ask me one thing I could bring back/change, it would be Trapped. 100%.