“The maze helps us books groups because we can package the golf, maze and climbing wall together, which gives us more summer revenue,” says Don Cullen of Big Don’s Wild River Mini Golf in Cicero, N.Y., Adding a maze to his miniature golf course attraction helped him bring in more revenue. Last summer Cullen added squirt guns to the maze for even more warm weather fun kids love. The maze is Big Don’s second biggest draw. “People come back and bring their friends.”
“We needed the ability to make runs all the time and we also wanted the flexibility to change the maze so people would try it again,” said Debbie Orr, one of the owners of the Orr Family Farm in Oklahoma City, Okla. A maze was a welcome addition to the barn, carousel, train, orchard and other family-friendly activities. Orr says they chose a plastic fence maze because of their long operating season from April to December.
The 4,900-sq-ft maze has lightweight 4x5-foot panels that snap together like Lego blocks. “Plus, it can't get trampled like corn,” Orr said. “It's fun when a group goes through the maze together because they can compare times.” Plus, the maze can be tailored for difference experiences. Church groups place Bible questions at each decision point, for example. Squirt gun fights and nighttime flashlight runs add to the fun during the summer.
“The maze adds an exciting interactive component to our Archway campus,” said Phil Kozera, executive director of the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument near Kearney, Neb. Located beside a major highway, the maze entices road-weary travelers to make impulse stops.
“The maze is a great new family destination with access from the hike-bike trail and picnic areas,” says Kozera. Incorporating historical questions from the museum makes the attraction more meaningful and gives kids a fun, active way to learn history. And the western-themed maze is the perfect addition to the Archway’s interactive adventure, which pays tribute to the pioneers’ journey west.
Losing customers is good for business. Just ask Greg Gallavan, founder and president of Amaze’n Mazes, who
builds, sells and operates giant mazes. As the public’s interest in mazes grows, Gallavan continues to find new markets for his versatile fence-style labyrinths.
“With hundreds of corn mazes sprouting up across the country, more people than ever before have been introduced to how much fun giant mazes can be,” Gallavan says.
He recently installed mazes at a museum, agri-tainment farm and state fair, proving that his business has grown beyond miniature golf courses and family fun centers.
“Mazes are perfect for places where you have families and kids looking for something fun to do that doesn’t cost a lot.”
Parents gave a thumbs-up to the Amaze’n Maze at the Texas State Fair where more than 12,000 people went through Gallavan’s 5,000-sq-ft-labyrinth in 24 days. Gallavan says parents liked the maze because it required kids to use strategic thinking.
“Parents said, ’Finally, a ride that makes kids use their brains!’” Families got hooked on the experience and repeatedly ran the maze to improve their times and win more prizes.
Fair officials liked the maze because people never had to wait in line and it helped dissipate crowds from other rides and attractions. A maze can accommodate 150 to 200 people at a time, or up to 1,200 guests per hour.