Candy Wall of Death - aka Son of Candy Table of Doom

[Warrant2000]

A couple seasons ago I made a Candy Table of Doom where tot's had to reach inside the dark hole (a recessed pretzel jug with zipties pointed inward) to get their candy. I improved it this year and it was a hit. There were no moving parts or sounds, but the fear of the POSSIBILITY was enough to scare them. It's at the end of the video here.

Planning for next season on how to improve it, I came up with some wicked ideas while scrumming through Saw death scene video's on youtube. I present to you...

The Candy Wall of Death! death...death...death...

(Text Only Version) It will be an 8'x8' wall the tots stand in front, and have a choice of three dark holes, about the size of a paint can, in which to reach. They will have to go up to the shoulder to reach their goal. The front will be adorned with various things...body parts, electrical wires, toxic waste tubes and containers, saw blades (static), and generally be icky.

I've not figured out if there will be someone inside to move around traps (easier), or have it all sensor programmed (harder). I'll rig it up with various traps and surprises (still in the how-about-this-idea-stage):

- Air/water blast
- Full arm clamp
- Window above the hole at face level (drop panel)
- Sounds of high speed saws, screaming, monsters, insects, etc.
- A video screen above a hole connected to a hand-held camera. The ToT has to manuever the camera through the insides to find the candy.
- Reach in to pull a lever (Indiana Jones style), flip a switch, or hold onto something for XX seconds.

Haven't decided if they will get the candy inside the hole, or if it will be dispensed at the bottom after a "successful" reach.

Any other ideas on what to do to them?

Something like this:

[niblique71]

Man that is sinister as hell. I love it.......You could save a ton of money on candy using this concept. Keep us posted.

[RoxyBlue]

I think a water blast would be extremely unpopular unless the spray is confined to the inside of the wall and only the reaching hand gets wet.

Full arm clamp might be a problem if it freaks someone out enough to pull the wall down. If the clamping sensation is very brief (just enough to startle), that could be okay.

I love the idea of the camera because it's just plain cool, just a matter of how long it will take a ToT to maneuver it around and how much of a backup you'll get of other people waiting their turn.

[Dark Angel 27]

the video rocked! is this another ploy to get more candy to yourself? LOL

[Warrant2000]

Roxy, all good observations, I'm glad you're keeping me honest, and you're thinking just like I am. The water spray (more like a spritz) would be inside and on the hand. The arm clamp would be more like clamping 2 pillows together. All the sensation without the ripped flesh. We stagger groups of tot's through so there's at least 30 seconds between, making the CWoD available. (just now realizing) With 3 arm holes, that can accommodate 3 tot's at a time.

And expecting lots of shoving, heaving, and general quick extraction of arms, I'll be bracing the structure, and ensure no sharp points or edges that may cause injury. The sharpest thing inside will be a zip-tie.

How'd you guys know I'm just trying to keep more candy?

New idea! A panel at knee level opens, activate strobes and screaming sound track, out comes reaching hands, air blast, etc.

[BrotherMysterio]

Clever! Looking forward to seeing how this plays out!

[MapThePlanet]

Awesome....Dig the idea of knee/ankle level surprise

[debbie5]

I like the idea of holes of differing depths...so kids of all ages can stick their arms in. There should be a pull handle in the back that opens a chute allowing the candy to come out.(Hmm..but then you'd have to reload it each time...not good). The candy then drops down and kid has to then bend over to get the candy...or something like that...as they do that they would then activate a simple step on pad device that starts anther scare of some sort. I LOVE this idea. Many people dont realize the Power of Dread: when you dont KNOW what will happen.....THAT is what makes for a great haunt. Kudos to you.

[Warrant2000]

Dont mind me, just adding some notes as I use this as a scratch pad...

Video Hole
Maze Version
- Tilt tv screen slightly to left. Tilt internals slightly to right. Hang small icky things from strings (or just wet strings) - they will swing one way and not match visually.
- Add small shelfs inside enclosure to explore.
- Add stantions at odd angles.
- Insides: blood/guts, sharp() objects, insects/snakes, what else?
- Have second video input to TV screen of "screaming face" that will suddenly pop up as they are navigating. Actor (remote) controlled.
- Inlay speakers to wall, covered with scrim, painted to match wall.

Hallway Version
- Fashion miniature hallway with lifelike walls, carpet, hanging framed pictures, and doors. Haunted Barbie hallway, miniature LED lights (dollhouse accesories).
- Doors can open into rooms, each with a scene, but not necesarily lifelike. Different dimension in each? Jungle, black plastic hole, head with exposed brain cavity.

Lock and Key Version:
- Inside are panels with locks. Keys are hanging from ceiling on small chains. ToT must pick right key and unlock correct (1 of 3) locks to open door and access compartment inside.
- May be difficult to manage with one hand.
- Add timer so it must be accomplished in XX seconds.

Camera:
- USB camera in small wood or plastic casing with "funnel-view", narrowing field of view to <45 degrees.
- USB cable attached to flexible wire running the length for strength.
- Slightly out-of-focus?
- Black/white versus color?


Problem:
People may be let down by getting a relatively small piece of candy for the scare and trouble they had to go through.
--Get bigger, and more expensive, candy?
--Add prizes (i.e. party-favor fun things)? ...more expense...
--Actor at the CWoD plays it down, [german accent] "You're lucky you kept all your fingers."

[QueenRuby2002]

If you do the pull lever and get prize you can use old candy machine guts to do it. Which is basicly a spinning disk that uses gravity to refill it's self. Not sure where to find one but keep your eyes out you might be surprised.