Scarefest was also my favourite last year (I've never screamed so much as I did in Sub Species [emoji23])! All three mazes were outstanding! The shocking difference in quality really bugged me, as surely both events should be consistent, and especially seeing Alton had to cope with the aftermath of The Smiler crash. I even went to a much smaller event with a very low budget in Hemel Hempstead, and even that topped Thorpe!
There was a group of around 6 roaming actors I saw dresses up as clowns or something, but they just walked on by with only one of them interacting with people. I had two actors come out of role in two different mazes (Saw and Cabin)! That kinda ruined the experience :/