The Fremont Corn Maize was pretty durned great. But my expectations were somewhat amended, and I picked up the following tips you might find useful if you decide to go this weekend or next year.
1. Go early. We arrived at maybe 8 pm (ticket sales close at 9) and they closed the ticket line right behind us. Our first close shave of the evening, booahahaha. Then we stood in line for an hour. The ticket lady recommended, if Fremont is convenient to you, coming by early in the day to get tickets, then when you show up at night you can jump right to the maze entrance. As it was, we queued for about an hour. (Get in the maze by 9; everyone out by 10.) No complaints, because this gave us a chance to catch up with friends, but if you'd rather catch up later, on the couch, over gingerbread and cocoa - that's how you avoid the line. For fewer crowds throughout, you could also go any of the many weekends the maze is open that's not the two weeks before Halloween. Obviously.
2. Expect a crowd. No crickets chirping, that's for sure. We could hear screams as we pulled into the parking lot. There were enormous roaming packs of teenagers and moms. But it was all very good natured - everyone was there to have a good time.
3. Get all riled up beforehand. In our case, everyone in our party had a spooky rubber mask, so we were (or at least I was) on edge/yukking it up before we even went in. (They also had the satisfying bonus effect of scaring other customers once in the maze.) The screams emanating from the maze were also helpful.
4. Prepare for chills. Booahahaha. No, really. You might run around in the maze or clutch onto your honey, but while you're standing in line it gets cold. We packed hot apple cider in a thermos, which kept us warm and sugary, but note - there's nowhere to put it unless you run back to your car, so then you're lugging a thermos around the maze.
5. Understand that it's not about the maze. I mean, it's a good concept and all for inherent freakiness, but you won't ever really get lost - they have signs periodically with puzzles or riddles, where the correct answer tells you which way to go. It's kind of a giveaway when two out of three of the answers point left and the remaining one points right. Surprisingly, the packs of other patrons didn't seem to be any more inclined to take the correct turns than would a random coin flip.
6. Cell phone is a good idea if you think you might get separated from your party. You may be surrendering some excitement of risk, but can also avoid potentially boring solo wandering if you make a wrong turn.
7. Go with a good group of friends. People who are game to really get into the concept.
Primarily because of hewing closely to Rule #7, I had a great time. The kind of laughing and shrieking that's recommended daily for a healthy cardiovascular system. Aston called Monday and we agreed to make this Year One of an annual tradition. I'm thrilled.
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