 Happy Wednesday dear Park Journey readers. Today we've got a look at one of our favorite places to visit, the Winchester Mystery House. Over the past few months we've experienced all 3 major tours of the house and today we're going to talk about each one. We hope you enjoy!! Written by Gregg Condon Back in May we did the Mansion Tour, you can find that entire report here. And this past weekend we did the Candlelight Tour and the extended Explore More tour. All three are definitely worth doing and below we're going to tell you why. Mansion TourYour tour begins in the waiting area, a nice shady area to enjoy a refreshment and prepare for the wonders you are about to see.  One of the many bizarre rooms and walkways in the house  Because the house has undergone so many changes through the years, some rooms are dedicated to showing off what was in rooms that no longer exist.  Some really tight squeezes   Some rooms remain un-repaired from the 1906 Earthquake    Explore More TourNext up is the Explore More Tour. I think this is probably our favorite of the three tours that we've done. Not that the other two aren't amazing (because they are) but this one takes you deep into the belly of the house (literally) and is a much more intimate tour which we appreciate.  The grounds are simply beautiful   At the beginning of the Explore More Tour you get to actually walk through the front door. A rare treat.     Our amazing tour guide  During the Explore More tour it seemed we got to spend a lot more time in individual rooms just exploring, exploring more. =)  The North Wing   The Crystal Bedroom  3rd Floor Corridors One of my absolute favorite rooms in the house  Witch's Cap Candlelight TourLast and certainly not least is the Candlelight Tour. This truly unique experience isn't anywhere close to a traditional "haunt" (in a good way), that's because there is nothing traditional about Sarah Winchester's House.   The house looks amazing all lit up for Halloween   Ghostly shadows on the house ... I mean "Greggly" shadows on the house. =)   You all see her up there right? =)     The Candlelight Tour really is exactly what the title says. It's a tour of the house, by candlelight. But instead of showing you the bizarre nature of the house like the other tours, this one concentrates more on the paranormal residents of the house.  There are a couple of "scares" throughout the tour, but nothing extreme or in your face. Which for us was a nice change of pace.  At day or night you can explore the rest of the grounds   We've loved our three visits to the house this year, and we will definitely be back for more exploring soon. It's quickly becoming one of our favorite places and when you visit you'll see why. Make your plans to visit this Halloween season before it's all sold out, because it's selling out fast. Related Updates:
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 Here we are Park Journey Readers, right in the middle of Halloween Season 2017. It's already been 4 weekends of scary fun for us and it's still only October 6. How crazy is that. Today we have our update from one of our favorite events of the season, Dark Harbor at Queen Mary Written by Gregg Condon Pictures by Scott Linder and Gregg Condon Welcome to Dark Harbor 2017 where the chef is waiting for you ...  Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots!!  This years cast of demented characters
  After a quick stop at the VIP Lounge it was time to start checking out the mazes. First up was Soulmate  Amazing character just as you walk in  Dude got me   We then moved over to B340 and I have to say, this was probably the best year for this maze yet. Incredibly fun and scary.  These "walls" creeped me out  "Go this way, I promise you'll be ok"  Lullaby ... always a favorite    Probably the favorite picture I took all night (Gregg)   Being on the ship is always creepy enough  Last up was the all new maze, Feast  Some behind the scenes, glamorous no? =)   I'm starting to think we shouldn't eat here    INTO THE OVEN!!   Seriously, into the oven!!   Some great views of Deadrise   The swings were back!!  Another one of our favorites   They moved this out of the come this year (in fact, no mazes were in the dome) and combined some of the sideshow acts  Yes, we are worthy!!  Hidden bar!!!   Of course we had to get a drink!! I promise, I hadn't had a drink prior to this ... lol. I'm about to get scurred ..  Our favorite monsters at the exit of Deadrise   Last maze of the night was Intrepid   This was kind of a mishmash of intrepid and voodoo ... it had some decent scares although the theme kind of got lost somewhere.  This was an awesome room  Slider Alley!!  Amazing props!  As sharp drop and a sudden stop ...  Thank you Dark Harbor for another amazing year!!   Be sure to check out Dark Harbor 2017. One tip, be sure to research parking prior to going. You can find more info on Dark Harbor here. Related Updates:  Last year when we did our Midsummer Scream updates we called it the "unofficial" kick-off to the Halloween Season. Judging by the growth of this event in just it's second year it's safe to go ahead and remove the unofficial moniker. The event was run like a well-oiled machine given the longer prep time vs last years event. Written by Gregg Condon Before we start diving into Halloween 2017, let's take a look back at the epic 2016 Halloween Season Welcome to Midsummer Scream!! Despite a couple of long lines to kick off the event (everywhere has security, get used to it, plan ahead) we have heard overwhelmingly positive things about this years event.  Our first stop was the amazing Hall of Shadows which was even bigger this year. Hey, we know those guys!!!  With all of the mini-haunts, monsters walking around and the Decayed Brigade shows this was definitely one of the more popular spots this weekend.  Somebody's about to get scurred ...  Despite being called "mini haunts" some of these were amazing and some of these independent haunts are going to have amazing years.  Some of the themeing is on-par with the big time haunts. Shows some of the amazing time people put into these events.  One of our favorite haunts last year is back ... they offered both PG-13 and rated R shows. I'll let you guess which one we saw. =)  You never know who you're gonna find just walking around Midsummer Scream. Hanging out with the legendary Bob Gurr.
Some awesome booths for things we all might want to check out, including Scream Box.  Here's Greggie!! (Seriously, where else can you pull an axe on your son and have him laugh about it)  Knott's Scary Farm PanelOur first panel of the weekend was for Knott's Scary Farm. Despite being a bit on the short side we did get some tidbits about this years event. Their full event will be unveiled on August 31. (click any of the pictures below for a larger version) Fright Fest (Six Flags Magic Mountain)Next up was Fright Fest at Six Flags Magic Mountain and there were some amazing things announced (click any of the pictures below for a larger version) Queen Mary's Dark HarborLastly on Saturday was Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, and they announced a whole bunch of new bars, a new maze, hidden bars, re-designed mazes, ice bars, Costume Balls and more bars. (click any of the pictures below for a larger version) Halloween Horror Nights (Universal Hollywood)On Sunday we headed to the Halloween Horror Nights panel which was easily the largest panel of the weekend. HHN fans are crazy dedicated.  Below highlights of the Ash vs Evil Dead maze along with some artwork shown during the presentation. (click any of the pictures below for a larger version) Below highlights of The Shinihng maze along with some artwork shown during the presentation. (click any of the pictures below for a larger version) This year, ORIGINAL SCARE ZONES!! And they look awesome!!! We really loved the Gauntlet of Fear last year although The Purge isn't scary. It seems to be coming back in some form this year on the Backlot. (click any of the pictures below for a larger version) Winchester Mystery HouseLastly on Sunday we attended the Winchester Mystery House panel, one of our favorite places. And this year they have expanded their Candlelight Tours!  The entire panel is a podcast on The Season Pass so be sure you check it out.  20 nights this year!!!  They also talked a bit about Winchester which is in theaters next February. We simply can't wait for this movie.  And because Winchester Mystery House is amazing, they gave everybody in the audience 2 tickets to the all new "Explore More" tour and an amazing print. There will be more of these so be sure you head up to the house and get yours!  And with that, the curtain has come down on another amazing Midsummer Scream.  We are SO ready for Halloween Season and we only have a little over a month until it all begins. Related Updates: |
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