I didn't really experience FF too much last year, and didn't do any houses/mazes last year.
I went Saturday and DID do all the paid attractions, and I was seriously impressed and surprized with how much attention t detail went into the houses, especially Jungle Apocalypse and Corridors of Chaos. I was seriosly amazed with how good they were, as much as more actors would have been nice. Scumshine was pretty decent, and Hotal Terror was the lowest on my list. Very few actors in it, and overall just not as well-themed as the others.
On the other hand, the scare zones around the park were a joke. Screampunk was pretty much nonexistent, and Voodoo Curse had maybe 2 or 3 actors. The final scare thing at the entrance was completely gone when I got there at 11:05.
Rides open until 11 was fantastic. That 11:00 front row RoS lap was pretty fantastic, as was the late night backwards SkyScreamer ride.
Overall, there's a lot that could be worked on, staffing, theming around the park, etc.....But there's a lot that was really good, specifically Jungle and Corridors, as well as the whole area around it, which was fantastic, given the usual half-a$$ing that we all know and love at Darien Lake. I'm excited to head back to FF hopefully in the coming weeks, as it truly was a very positive experience in my opinion.
Had to post this beautiful photo I got of SkyScreamer in all of its backwards glory
While all the other coasters were lights-off, RoS was fully lit up all night long!