Park Journey
Menu

2016 Haunt Season Wrap Up 

11/2/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Well, it's finally here. The end of the Haunt Season. 

As a site, this was our third year covering Halloween and we've had an absolute blast. We attended more Haunts this year than any other year, and it still was just a drop in the proverbial bucket. 

Below are our rankings, this is by no means a complete list of everything that is out there. Some of these events still have some nights coming up this weekend so be sure to check them out if you haven't already. 

If you missed ANY of our Halloween Updates be sure to check them out.



Best Theme Park Haunt - Knott's Scary Farm
With the addition of new mazes and the freshening up of some previous years mazes it was another banner year for the amazing Knott's Scary Farm. 
Picture
Picture
Small improvements like the Skeleton Key rooms and new effects in mazes made the event seem fresh. The moving of Infected from Camp Snoopy to it's own maze not only made the overall experience for Infected that much better but freed up Camp Snoopy for an all new Scare Zone. 

Best Independent Haunt - Motel 6 Feet Under
This was a tough category as there were 3 amazing Independent Haunts that could have claimed this spot (we'll touch on those below). But this event works in every way, not because it's extreme, not because it's gory, but because it's just a FUN Haunted House. 
Picture
Photo: Albert Lam
Picture
Photo: Albert Lam
Motel 6 Feet Under is open this weekend (November 2 through 5) so if you missed this you still have a chance. 

Best Home Haunt - Backwoods 
So let's say you go to some imaginary "Haunt Graveyard" and get animatronics and sets that basically tells the history of Southern California Scary Events and put them all in your house. And then it all works in an amazing way. That's what Backwoods is and it's amazing. 
Picture
Picture
Picture

​Best Maze - The Exorcist (Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood AND Orlando) 
Yep, this maze was our favorite at two separate events 2500 miles apart. And for VERY different reasons. The Hollywood Maze edges out the Orlando maze EVER so slightly but this maze had the perfect blend of storytelling and amazing effects. 
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood and Unviersal Orlando are both  open November 4 and 5

​Best Scare Zones - Fright Fest - Six Flags Magic Mountain
This is now the third year SFMM has taken this award from us and for good reason. SFMM is HUGE but they manage to pull off filling almost every inch of their park with monsters and the best make-up team in the business. 
Picture
Picture
We will say that there were a few dead spots this year (namely on the back side of the park). We are pretty sure this was because the area around Riddlers was supposed to close prior to Fright Fest and then they decided to keep it open. The Suicide Squad scare zone was great and we hope we'll see the expansion of the DC Universe Scare Zone into Metropolis for next years event. We'd also like to see the expansion of The Ruins near Apocalypse. ​

​Best Talent - Queen Mary's Dark Harbor
This category wasn't even close. The talent at Dark Harbor has so much freedom it's really hard for the other events to compare. 
Picture
Picture
Not tied to any corporate structure they are free to interact with the guests as they see fit, free to do things that other parks would freak out about while still maintaining safety for themselves and guests. ​

​Best New Maze - (tie) Shadowlands - Knott's Scary Farm and Aftermath 2 - Fright Fest
We typically exclude Halloween Horror Nights from this category as they don't tend to repeat mazes, but that's not to take away anything from these two amazing mazes. One (Shadowlands) a completely original idea that we've never seen before and the other (Aftermath 2) a resurrection of a previous maze but on steroids. 
Picture
Picture

​Best Returning Maze - Reign of Terror
If you've never done Reign of Terror in Thousand Oaks you are really missing out. This event is on par and in some ways exceeds even the biggest and baddest theme park haunt maze. The talent here is amazing and the size of the haunt is staggering. It takes a good 20-25 minutes to get through the entire event. And something we've never seen before, in-maze line control that totally works. 
Picture
Picture
While this is the best "Returning" maze, they change it up enough each year to keep it fresh and exciting and you shouldn't miss Reign of Terror in 2017.

Best "First Year" Event - Gorlesque
With so many existing Haunts in Southern California you'd think there wasn't room for anything new. You'd be wrong. But you've gotta be different to make a splash, and Gorlesque found that happy place between interactive, scary, sexy and amazing. One of the most talked about events for 2016. We can't wait to see what they come up with for 2017. 
Picture
Picture

Best Haunted Ride: Crash Test Zombies - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
How do you make awesome bumper cars even better? How about adding Zombies and naming it after an obscure Canadian band from the early 90's with a hit song that still doesn't make any sense (not sure if that last part is actually true ... well, MmmmMmmmMmmmMmmm still doesn't make any sense). 
Picture
Picture

Best Family Event: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Haunted Events are getting better every year, but so are the family events. But there's something about this party at the Magic Kingdom that's just so special and fun each and every year. 
Picture
Picture

Best "New To Us" Haunt - Sinister Pointe: Fear The Mark
There are SO many events to cover that we only get to see so many each year, which is why we hadn't been to Sinister Pointe before. And now I'm sad because we had such a scary good time at this event and their 4 realms. To be fair, some of us on the staff had experienced Sinister Pointe before, but we'd never reviewed it as a website. 
Picture
Picture
Sinister Pointe is open the next two weekends (November 4 and 5 / November 11 and 12) so be sure to get your "Mark" before it's too late

Related Updates: 
  • Review: Motel 6 Feet Under - Anaheim, CA 
  • Sexy, Sultry, Sinister, Scary Gorlesque - Adults Only Halloween Event 
  • Review: Delusion - His Crimson Queen 
  • Queen Mary's Dark Harbor 2016 - Pictures and Video
  • Preview of Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks ​​


If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter and Instagram. 

If you have any comments, please share them below. ​
0 Comments

LA Haunted Hayride 2016 is back and bringing the Halloween Fun

10/12/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
This past weekend we were invited to check out the Los Angeles Hayride for 2016 which has undergone some pretty significant changes this year, all for the better as far as we're concerned. 

​Below check out all of the pictures and video of this years event below. 

Written by Gregg Condon
Welcome to the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, a truly unique haunt in Southern California 
Picture
While the hayride is always fun and unique, I have to admit that last years event was kind of a let-down. They had expanded to New York last year and it felt like the LA event was kind of an afterthought. While we had fun at the event, we just felt it didn't quite live up to previous years.

We are VERY happy to say that this is most definitely not the case in 2016. 
Picture
Hmm, where should we start first? 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Let's go check out the Hayride of course 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
In order to get the proper number of people in each tractor they pre-load you in cages prior to the ride, where of course you're given a safety spiel. 
Picture
Below is our highlight video of the Hayride, which had an all new element this year, the ability to actually leave the ride and do a maze in the middle of it. And it worked brilliantly. 
The sets seemed much bigger and better this year 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Some incredible effects 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Once you leave the safety of the tractor it's open season 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Welcome to the secret society 
Picture
Picture

Back this year is the always fun Scary Go Round 
Picture
The past few years the LA Haunted Hayride has tried a few different kinds of mazes, some worked, some didn't but all were unique. 

This years version is not only unique, but also is a LOT of fun. It's basically Trick or Treating through a small neighborhood and you actually get candy. 
Picture
Of course, tricks could be in order 
Picture
Picture
Picture
The sets and talent are fantastic 
Picture
Picture
And some nice old school special effects as well 
Picture
Picture
Be careful where you knock 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Trick or Treat? 
Picture
Picture
The blackout maze is also back and was also much improved this year. Not only was there the maze part where you can totally get lost but there were some nice show scenes added that really added to the overall experience. 
Picture
As always there was a celebrity black carpet and the LAHH was kind enough to send us some pictures. 
Overall this is a return to form for the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride and if you've been putting it off this year, don't. It's a great night of fun in Griffith Park. 

For more information on the LAHH you can click here for the press release, also be aware that there are some Groupon offers available for you to check out. 

​Related Updates: 
  • Queen Mary's Dark Harbor 2016 - Pictures and Video
  • Halloween Spooktacular at Sea World Orlando 
  • Preview of Reign of Terror Haunted House in Thousand Oaks 
  • Opening at Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa 
  • FearVR Experience at Knott's Scary Farm and CA Great America - Review


​If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter and Instagram. 

If you have any comments, please share them below. ​​​​
0 Comments

LA Haunted Hayride now open for the 2015 Halloween Season

10/8/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
This past Sunday we were invited out to the LA Haunted Hayride for their Red Carpet Premiere and a trip through the hayride. 

Below you'll find our pictures and highlight video of the Hayride. For more information visit their website. 

We'll start off with some Red Carpet pictures. 
Picture
Actor Bryan Greenberg attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet premiere night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Dancer Allison Holker attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Actress Ryan Newman attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet premiere night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Liz Milian attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Actor Frankie Grande attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Actress Luna Blaise attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Singer Sky Ferreira attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
TV personality Bridget Marquardt attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Picture
Singer songwriter Adrienne Bailon attends the Los Angeles Haunted Hayride Black Carpet Premiere Night in Griffith Park on October 4, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
Below is our highlight video and pictures from the event. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


​If you enjoyed this update please share with your friends and make sure you "like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter and Instagram. 

If you have any comments, please share them below
0 Comments
Forward>>

    Categories

    All
    Boo At The Zoo
    Candlelight Tour
    Chill
    Dark Harbor
    Dark Horizon Orlando
    Delusion
    EA
    Evil Twin Studios
    Explore More Tour
    From The Mind Of The Editor
    Ghost Train
    Griffith Park
    Halloween
    Horror Made Here
    Kingdom Hearts
    LA Haunted Hayride
    Las Vegas
    LA Zoo
    Legacy Of Arrow
    Mandalay Bay
    MGM Life
    MGM Resorts International
    Midsummer Scream
    Motel 6 Feet Under
    Nintendo
    Plague Productions
    Queen Mary
    Reign Of Terror
    Rise Of The Jack O' Lanterns
    Roaring Nights
    Ronald Reagan Library
    Scream N Stream
    Sinister Pointe
    Skyslide
    Skyspace LA
    Star Wars
    Star Wars Battlefront
    Star Wars Celebration
    The 17th Door
    The Getty
    Video Games
    Walt Disney Family Museum
    WB Studio Tour
    Winchester Mystery House
    WonderCon
    Zoo Lights

    Archives

    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Six Flags
  • Cedar Fair
  • Universal Studios
  • Disney Parks
  • SeaWorld Parks
  • Other Parks
  • Beyond The Parks
  • The Other Side of the Tracks
  • Industry News
  • Cruise Journey
  • Park Journey Shop
  • Theme Park Art
  • Past Updates
    • 2019 Updates
    • 2018 Updates
    • 2017 Updates
    • 2016 Updates
    • 2015 Updates
    • 2013 and 2014 Updates
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Six Flags
  • Cedar Fair
  • Universal Studios
  • Disney Parks
  • SeaWorld Parks
  • Other Parks
  • Beyond The Parks
  • The Other Side of the Tracks
  • Industry News
  • Cruise Journey
  • Park Journey Shop
  • Theme Park Art
  • Past Updates
    • 2019 Updates
    • 2018 Updates
    • 2017 Updates
    • 2016 Updates
    • 2015 Updates
    • 2013 and 2014 Updates
  • Contact Us