Haunt convention season has officially begun with the TransWorld Haunted Attraction and Halloween industries show now open and in full swing this weekend through Sunday, March 10, 2013. If you’re near the St. Louis area you must be there!
For the last 17 years, TransWorld’s annual Halloween & Attractions Show featuring the Haunt Show, Holiday and Special Occasion Merchandise has been a “must attend” event in the Halloween & Haunt industries. This year is no exception! During this weekend, the Halloween and Haunt industry will gather to network, get new ideas and approaches, purchase products, compare horror stories and have a great time!
“Whether you are opening a haunted attraction for the first time, or are a seasoned veteran, the Transworld Halloween and Attractions show is a must see event. This is the only trade show that features vendors, from across the nation and overseas, that cover every aspect of our business, from ticketing to makeup and sound FX to giant animatronics. If you are a pro haunter, or want to become one, you cannot afford to miss this event.” –Randy Bates, owner The Bates Motel haunt
Take a look at what you can expect to see and experience at TransWorld this weekend.
As most of our Haunt Stalkers know, this year marks the 40th Anniversary of Knott’s Scary Farm. Over the past 15 years, since joining the Cedar Fair theme park family in 1997, the curse of Knott’s Scary Farm has spread throughout all of the parks creating the largest theme park haunt franchises in the country. While you’ll find common maze themes across the parks such as Nightclubbing Vampires (Club Blood), Cannibalistc Butchers (Slaughterhouse) and Sinister Sideshow Clowns (CarnEvil), each park offers it’s own unique ‘cut’ of these themes mixed with their own local offerings making them all worthy of a haunt stalking (if you can get to them all).
We’ve already provided some extensive coverage of the Knott’s Scary Farm 40th Anniversary Hauntofferings. Now here’s a look at the 2012 haunts taking place throughout all the other the Cedar Fairparks, which includes California’s Great America, Cedar Point, Valleyfair, Dorney Park, Worlds of Fun, Canada’s Wonderland, Kings Island, Kings Dominion, and Carowinds.
California’s Great America (Santa Clara, CA) has released full details for their2012 Halloween Haunt. This year, the event is adding another maze, Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor, bringing the total number of mazes to seven. Club Blood is also getting a new layout and some new scenes, to go along with its new name: Club Blood Re-Vamp’d. Great America’s Halloween Haunt opens September 28. Scare Zone visited the park last year and found the event to be a good value with some excellent actors and many solid mazes. You can read our 2011 reviewhere.
Mazes:
* New for 2012* Madame Marie’s Massacre Manor - Money does not always buy happiness. For Madame Marie, this could not be more true. As Louisiana’s wealthiest heiress, Madame Marie has perfected the art of Voodooism. Enter her Manor with caution as there is nothing richer in her eyes than blood. Your visit in her lavish home will leave you breathless.
*Updated for 2012*Club Blood Re-Vamp’d - Follow the creatures of the night to the hottest nightclub around, Club Blood. This club has it all, the latest beats, the hottest dancers, but there’s just one problem…it’s overrun by hungry vampires waiting to feast on their next victim. Watch your neck or you’ll be next!
Carnevil - Hurry! Hurry! Step right up and don’t be shy! The most gruesome carnival is back in town. Get ready to face your worst childhood fears as demonic clowns and other freaks of nature terrify guests at every corner where they have turned the tables to make you the attraction!
Cornstalkers - A cult of evil scarecrows lies in wait in this overgrown path of debris, hay bales and cornstalks. Guests must weave their way through this twisting maze of bedlam, dodging a series of dead ends and avoiding the stalkers who are “dead-set” on forbidding anyone to escape.
Slaughterhouse: Annhilation - There’s too many people in the world and not enough food. This Slaughterhouse takes care of both problems. A constant feed of humans are being subjected to the grinders which keep the river of blood flowing through this dark complex. It’s a virtual cornucopia of bloody remains as parts are ground into a tasty meat treat, using a very special recipe which includes one very special ingredient … You. Do not let the fear paralyze you as you attempt to escape from the edge of Annihilation.
Toy Factory - Once a place where dreams were made, this toy factory is now a place where nightmares come true! The maniacal factory workers are manufacturing a variety of disturbing new toys and novelty items for their demented amusement, using any part available, including human parts. Buyers beware as your favorite toys have now been turned against you, or you’ve been turned into one of them.
Werewolf Canyon - Be careful as you venture deep into the murky woods through a hunter’s trail where the hunters have become the hunted. A pack of blood-thirsty werewolves have taken revenge on those who dare invade their domain. With only the full moon’s light to help you navigate through…can you make it out alive?
Black Widow’s Cavern - Dare to enter the old, abandoned loggers run, now overrun by deadly spiders.
An eerie howl echoes across the midway. Strange shadows skitter over the cabins along the Frontier Trail. Is that a fog rolling in from Lake Erie, or is it a presence from beyond preparing to materialize before your terrified eyes? Beware. The spooky chills of Halloween combine with the thrills of the world’s biggest collection of rides and roller coasters during Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends. Celebrating 16 years of “monster fun”, this year, Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends will include 4 haunted houses and 6 mazes (scare zones).
Dates:
Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, September 14 – October 28, 2012
Haunted Houses:
*New for 2012* Eden Musee: Wax Musuem & Chamber of Horrors - This “big new haunted house” is a creepy throwback to the traditional wax museum that was once located along Cedar Point’s main midway in the 1960s and ’70s. It’s an indoor haunted attraction that will be located within the Mean Streak roller coaster’s infield.
Eerie Estate – This stately mansion harbors deep, dark secrets guarded by ancient inhabitors seeking revenge and looking for more permanent residents.
Club Blood – The infamous vampire night club “takes another bite” out of your nightlife!
Eternity Infirmary – Patient’s can check in, but can’t check out!
Scare Zones:
*New for 2012* Cut Throat Cove- Meet the motley crews of sunken ships, left deserted on this island. But mind yer steps – they’ve been waitin’ for rescue for over 100 years.
Fear Faire – Step into a menacing, medieval marketplace.
Maniacal, Mechanical Screamworks - Journey into science fiction past and future to explore a sinister, steamy subculture of a world that never was, but might have been.
CornStalkers – Scarecrows ready for the new harvest of flesh.
CarnEvil – The crazy clowns and lurking sideshow freaks are waiting to share their special brand of entertainment with you.
Blood on the Bayou - Lurking along the dark fetid waters of the bayou are mysteries too dangerous to explore, too twisted to explain.
Every weekend night, evil takes over the park. Zombies, Psychotic clowns and other twistedness that will haunt you and your friend’s dreams. This event is too intense for anyone under the age of 13… or anyone, for that matter.
Dates:
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, September 24th through October 30th
Mazes:
Chateau du Damne (Lair of the Vampire) - Experience the many rooms of this Renaissance castle, and be prepared to be seduced by the blood-hungry vampires that are waiting to sink their teeth into you.
Mr. Cleaver’s Bloodshed – Murderous butchers and plant workers in a gruesome meatpacking plant.
Mangler Asylum – Dr. Mangler conducted dreadful experiments on the local unfortunates and now, a collection of living fears and phobias are waiting to wreck havoc on your innocent soul.
Carnevil in 3D – The crazy clowns and lurking sideshow freaks are waiting to share their special brand of entertainment with you.
Carnage at Crimson Isle – Pirates thought long dead, have turned the isle into a black and bloody battleground of shock and horror.
Hellside Farm - At sunset, the abandoned Hillside Farm transforms into Hellside Farm as the demented residents begin to look to harvest their next victims.
Camp Wekilou – After being temporarily closed due to the mysterious disappearance of campers, Camp Wekilou is ready to reopen its doors and welcome new campers. The only question now is will everyone make it out alive?
Scare Zones:
Blood Creek Cemetery – At night the fog thickens at Blood Creek Cemetery and the dead will rise to take your soul in order to enter the great beyond.
Abnormal Alleys - Bring your barf-bags, keep a tight grasp on your loved ones, and don’t drink the water! ValleySCARE condemns society’s most off, deranged and twisted to the odyssey of abnormailty.
Dorney Park will transform into “the East Coast’s top scare attraction in the area” again this fall. This fall, Dorney Park kicks off haunt season early with Zombie Invasion II on Friday, September 14th and the Haunt VK Zombie Run on Saturday the 15th.
Zombie Invasion II, is the second annual takeover by zombies and costumed beings of all kinds! This event will be a preview of terrors to come during our Halloween season and allows guests to experience the event in costume, a HAUNT first. While the monsters will not be lurking around the midways just yet, guests will get a sneak peek at what HAUNT V will have in store for fear seekers this fall. Guests can come in make up or be zombified by professional make up artists at the park. In addition, guests will have access to our always thrilling ride attraction line up.
Then for those who survived, zombies will be unleashed for a morning run at the Haunt VK Zombie Run! Costumes aren’t required but are highly recommended!
Dates:
Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, September 14th through October 30th
Mazes:
*New for 2012* Desolation - this may be the park’s biggest haunt of all time, themed as nightmarish journey through a zombie apocalypse.
*New for 2012*Bloodshed - warning someone is home at this cannibalistic hillbilly house.
Backwoods – Ghost stories come to life at a summer camp.
Grave Walkers - Zombies rise from a cemetery.
Age of Darkness – Beware of the black plague and it’s victims!
Cutthroat Island – Meet the motley crews of sunken ships, left deserted on this island. But mind yer steps – they’ve been waitin’ for rescue for over 100 years.
Death Trap -Play a twisted game and make the right choices; all that’s missing is Billy.
Cornstalkers - Scarecrows ready for the new harvest of flesh.
Terror Square – These wild west outlaws don’t take kindly to city slicker folk
Mansion House Hotel -An elegant and mysterious hotel with deadly secrets.
The Asylum - A collection of living fears and phobias are waiting to wreck havoc on your innocent soul.
Psycho Circus – The crazy clowns are waiting to share their special brand of entertainment with you.
Every weekend night, evil takes over the park. Zombies, Psychotic clowns and other twistedness that will haunt you and your friend’s dreams. This event is too intense for anyone under the age of 13. Or anyone, for that matter.
Dates:
Open weekend nights, September 15th through October 27th.
Mazes:
*New for 2012*Zombie High - The hallowed halls of Zombie High beckon you back to a horrific homecoming of flesh eating hellions. Don’t be tardy. If you make it out alive, you can consider yourself “Saved by the Hell!”
*Updated for 2012* Lore of the Vampire Featuring Club Blood - Over a century’s worth of bloodthirsty vampires lurk within the walls of this catacomb of the undead. Venture underground into Lore of the Vampire’s Club Blood where human victims are drained of their life to nourish the children of the night.
Blood Shed – Processing at the Old McDonald Slaughterhouse has gone horribly wrong.
Outlaws Revenge – The spirits of Boot Hill Cemetary ascend each night looking for those who sentenced them to death.
Master McCarthy’s Doll Factory – In an abandoned toy factory a psychotic serial killer turns his beautiful victims into life-size porcelain dolls for his personal collection.
London Terror – Step back in time and into the fog-filled streets of London where the villains of the night are terrorizing the townsfolk.
Fright Zone – Hordes of Sceamsters lurk in the nightmarish shadows and blinding fog of the Fright Zone.
Corn Stalkers - Scarecrows ready for the new harvest of flesh.
Asylum Island - The fear factor intensifies at an infirmary where the criminally insane are in control.
Carnevil -Step back up as the killer clowns, freaks, and demented animals have returned to town.
Get ready… something evil is coming and everybody’s dying to get in.
Dates:
Open Weekend Nights, October 5th through 28th.
Mazes:
*New for 2012* Iron Empire - Desperate Rebels fight for control against oppressive Government forces seeking to enslave the citizens of a once free country. Forced into hiding to survive; the neo-Victorian steampunk movement is rising and the war is now on the Rebel’s doorstep. The Rebels take up arms and fight for their freedom, in a last attempt to escape the tyranny of the Iron Empire.
Blood on the Bayou – Lurking along the dark fetid waters of the bayou are mysteries too dangerous to explore, too twisted to explain.
Miner’s Revenge -Murdered miners stalk anyone brave enough who digs in their haunted lair.
Cornstalkers - Scarecrows ready for the new harvest of flesh.
The Asylum – The fear factor intensifies at an infirmary where the criminally insane are in control.
Kingdom of Carnage – Let the brave of heart and noble of spirit beware! Chivalry is dead at Castle Carnage which has long been feared for its twisted reputation for using medieval torture methods on prisoners.
Mother Noose – When the Brothers Grimm set out to tell stories from the countryside, they never imagined the dark horrors and unhappy endings they would encounter.
Red Beard’s Rage - The ship is in dock and Red Beard and his undead crew await new victims to help them satisfy their bloodlust.
Clowns at Midnight - The 1937 big top fire doomed the circus and now the clowns and circus freaks are looking for fresh blood to continue their demented performances.
Club Blood - The infamous vampire night club ”takes another bite” out of your nightlife!
There’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Screams of pure panic pierce the night. There’s nowhere you’re safe in the most immersive horror experience around — Halloween Haunt at Kings Island.The bloodcurdling horror and nightmarish madness of Halloween Haunt features more than 500 ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, highly-intense and bone-chilling attractions and some of the most hair-raising rides on the planet like the Beast and Diamondback roller coasters!
This year’s Haunt features a line up of 12 haunted “mazes” (some sound more like scare zones to us) and 3 shows along with their signature thrill rides. Halloween Haunt is included free with park admission to Kings Island. Kings Island 2012 Gold and Cedar Fair Platinum Season Passholders can enjoy unlimited admission to Halloween Haunt.
Dates:
Open Fridays and Saturdays, September 21st through October 27th.
Mazes:
*New for 2012*Madame Fatale’s Cavern of Terror – Madame Fatale has just passed her final psychological evaluation after a decade of incarceration. Join her for the Grand Re-Opening of her museum of oddities and wax. You’re on her guest list; she and her friends will be dripping mad if you don’t show up!
Mysteria – Prepare to enter into a new dimension where nothing is as it appears. The world of Mysteria… your senses will never be the same! Enter at your own peril!
Holiday Horror – The holidays are right around the corner… EVERY corner! Get ready to experience all of the holidays like never before in this horrific attraction.
Carnevil- Join the circus like you wanted to when you were a kid… permanently! This is not your run-of-the-mill Big Top. Only the most determined will make it out alive.
Club Blood - This popular night club has never been so bloody good! The club’s exotic dancers are dying to meet you. Come in for a bite. Stay for as long as you like. In fact, you can stay forever!
Massacre Manor – The Manor is for sale. Never mind the rumors of murder and torture – it’s priced to sell! Potential buyers adescend into a fortress of fear and encounter many of the Manor’s inhabitants – most of them long since departed.
Slaughter House – Looking for a good cut of fresh meat? You’ve come to the right place. The butcher shop is open and you never know who – or what – is on the chopping block. A real meat-lovers delight!
Urget Scare – A deadly plague is spreading with destructive speed. At the local hospital, the virus has begun spreading from patient-to-patient. If the virus doesn’t kill you, fear might!
Wolf Pack – The moon is full and there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. There is something in the woods… and it’s hungry. Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? You will be!
CornStalkers - This frightful cornfield will scare the yell out of you! Countless scarecrows rule the overgrown ruins of this formerly vibrant community. Intruders beware! These guardians of rubble take their jobs very seriously.
Cut Throat Cove – Meet the motley crews of sunken ships, left deserted on this island. But mind yer steps – they’ve been waitin’ for rescue for over 100 years.
Tombstone Terror-Tory – Covered bridges and foggy terrain disguise the evil that lurks in every direction aboard this midnight train. But don’t be alarmed. You’re guaranteed to make it to your final destination!
There’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Screams of pure panic pierce the night. There’s nowhere you’re safe in the most immersive horror experience in the Mid-Atlantic region — Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion.The bloodcurdling horror and nightmarish madness of Halloween Haunt features ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, highly-intense and bone-chilling attractions and some of the most hair-raising rides on the planet like the Intimidator 305 and Dominator roller coasters! Halloween Haunt is included free with park admission. Kings Dominion Gold and Cedar Fair Platinum 2012 Season Passholders can enjoy unlimited admission to Halloween Haunt. Halloween Haunt is intended for mature audiences. This event is not recommended for children.
In addition, Zombie Invasion will kick off this year’s haunt on September 28th. This event will be a preview of terrors to come during our Halloween season and allows guests to experience the event in costume, a HAUNT first. Guests can come in make up or be zombified by professional make up artists at the park. In addition, guests will have access to our always thrilling ride attraction line up.
Dates: Open Weekend Nights, September 28th through October 28th.
Mazes:
*New for 2012* No Vacancy - The guest rooms have been prepared and the staff is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Welcome to the Inn at Darkside Manor! Enjoy the best of yesteryear and take a break from the hectic pace of today. Enjoy a cocktail in the Gentlemen’s Lounge or sit back and enjoy a classic in our impressive Library. Just be warned – once you check in… you will never check out.
Outbreak: The Evolution - A virus has taken over a local town and there’s limited hope of survival.
Doll Factory – In an abandoned toy factory a psychotic serial killer turns his beautiful victims into life-size porcelain dolls for his personal collection.
Camp Killauee – With the mysterious disappearance of campers, the nights of fun are done and murder is the new camp game.
Club Blood - The infamous vampire night club ”takes another bite” out of your nightlife!
Slaughter House - A one of a kind factory tour to see how your favorite meats make it on to the table.
Cornstalkers - Scarecrows ready for the new harvest of flesh.
Blue Ridge Bloodbath – Welcome to a mountain family’s twisted home bloodbath.
Medieval Macabre – As plague ravages the land, the graveyards are full, but there is always room for more.
Toxic Plague – Brave the twisted tunnels of the putrid sewers as malignant millipedes and rotten rodents crawl out of their dank holes to feast on your flesh.
Scare Zones:
*New for 2012* Cleaver Brothers Carnival - Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls you have seen the rest now step right up and experience the best. The Cleaver Brothers have set up their midway and invite you to experience a carnival like no other. Enter a world where the extraordinary comes to life and your worst nightmares will seem like a pleasant dream.
*New for 2012* Primevil: Thw Kuru Curse -Set in a distant jungle, the inhabitants here have lived with one rule… eat or be eaten. In this cannibalism filled land you will get a chance to explore this long forgotten cursed village. Watch your step and steer clear of the locals – their idea of a great meal will be your living nightmare.
Ironworx – Journey into science fiction past and future to explore a sinister, steamy subculture of a world that never was, but might have been.
The Lair – A small clan of vampires has taken refuge in the dark.
Necropolis - At night the fog thickens and the dead will rise to take your soul in order to enter the great beyond.
Feary Tales - When the Brothers Grimm set out to tell stories from the countryside, they never imagined the dark horrors and unhappy endings they would encounter.
Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” to a “scream park” as it opens SCarowinds’ Halloween Haunt XIII, the largest, most horrific Halloween event in the Carolinas. The thirteenth anniversary of SCarowinds promises to be more tormenting, terrifying and bloodier than ever with the addition of more than 500 sinister monsters lurking to terrorize guests at every corner.
SCarowinds’ Halloween Haunt XIII operates on select nights from September 14- October 28 from 7p.m. to midnight and from 7p.m. to 1a.m. on Saturday, October 20 and 28. This event is rated PG-13 and may be too intense for young children and is not recommended for those under the age of 13. No costumes or masks are permitted in to this event.
Mazes:
Fury – An experimental military drug cocktail that mutates, disfigures and weaponizes its human subjects who are now pitted against mankind.
Cornstalkers - Scarecrows ready for the new harvest of flesh.
The Asylum – Insanity is your only hope of forgetting the horrific sights and sounds within this twisted Asylum.
Last Laff 3D – Clowns and circus freaks are looking for fresh blood to continue their demented performances.
Camp Killauee – With the mysterious disappearance of campers, the nights of fun are done and murder is the new camp game.
Defex- A “disassembly line” for defective toys.
Silver Scream Sinema: - A “sinematic” tour of some of the creepiest horror films ever made.
Dead Inn: - Bed bugs are the least of your worries as the over-attentive staff kills to ensure a good night’s sleep.
Scare Zones:
Feeding Frenzy -Blood-thirsty horde of hardcore vampires terrorize this gritty, high-impact scare zone.
The Cemetery - Unsettled spirits await you in the mist on the grounds of the Cemetery.
The Playground – It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Executive Graveyard: Watch your back while wondering through this sacred graveyard as the dead have their rotting eyes on you.
Hauntrepreneurs® Pioneer Brings Legendary Brand to the March Halloween and Haunted Attraction Show
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Feb. 24, 2012 – Haunted industry pioneer, Leonard Pickel, brings global fright brandHAuNTcon® to booth #940 at the TransWorld’s National Halloween & Haunted Attractions Show in St. Louis, Mo. at America’s Center, March 8-11.
Open to the public, the 9th Annual Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention, HAuNTcon® 2012, takes place May 3-7, 2012 at the Monroeville Convention Center near Pittsburg, Pa. “Designed by Haunters, for Haunters,” HAuNTcon® will host over a thousand haunted professionals and Halloween fans of all ages for a not-to-be-missed conference and trade show. Attendees can enjoy over 50 hours of seminars, hands-on workshops and product demonstrations of the latest scare props, techniques, and effects and a program packed with unforgettable networking events, local haunt tours, a decadent costume ball and much more.
“HAuNTcon helps haunters around world the take their vision to the next level by bringing together top industry experts, artists, owners, operators and haunted house fans together to share, learn and inspire each other,” explains HAuNTcon Founder and haunt industry legend Leonard Pickel, “It is the best investment you can make for your haunted event no matter how big or small.”
Leonard Pickel is notorious for his unique and visionary approach to professional haunting called the “Pickel Theory,” covered in literature and media worldwide. Over a million people in the U.S. alone have experienced his work. At his specialized haunt design company, Hauntrepreneurs®, Pickel has developed over 100 attractions for entertainment giants such as The Playboy Mansion, Universal Studios, Madison Scare Garden, Morris Costumes, Six Flags and Paramount amusement parks. His 30 plus years of experience in the haunt entertainment industry have earned him the undisputed title of “The Original Hauntrepreneur”. Pickel is an accomplished author, speaker, innovator, designer, and haunter.
This March, Pickel will be bringing three of his greatest contributions to the fright industry to the St. Louis America’s Center – HAuNTcon®, the premier haunted attraction trade show and convention (at booth #940),Hauntrepreneurs® Inc., leader in design and consulting for dark themed attractions, and FindaHaunt.com, the next generation haunted event locator (at booth #938). Pickel is available in St. Louis for questions and in person meetings .
Showcasing products and services in the haunt and attractions industries, TransWorld’s National Halloween & Haunted Attractions Show brings together buyers and exhibitors from across the nation to the America’s Center in St. Louis.
About HAuNTcon®
HAuNTcon is an acronym for the Haunted Attraction National Tradeshow and Convention. Founded in 2004 by haunted attraction legend Leonard Pickel, it has become a mecca for a lively global community of Halloween, haunted attractions and horror enthusiasts. HAuNTcon’s expo features the latest in fright services and equipment for professional haunters and enthusiast alike often at wholesale prices. To register and for more information, visitwww.hauntcon.com
About Hauntrepeneurs®
Hauntrepreneurs® booth (#942) specializes in design and consulting for dark themed attractions. From concept to completion, it is a full service company that can handle a project of any size and budget. Using a storyline as a road map, Hauntrepreneurs® develops haunt experiences from the inside out giving customers the best value while creating unique high impact attractions. From detailed architectural drawings and storyboarding through construction and set dressing to management training and support, Hauntrepreneurs®, turns haunting dreams into a reality. Visit www.hauntrepreneurs.com to request a bit or for more information
About FindaHaunt.com
The next generation haunted event locator, FindaHaunt.com (booth #938), is first to put the power of Internet mapping to work for haunted business owners and operators nationwide. The user friendly website allows visitors to quickly search and find top haunted destinations in their area. With detailed event descriptions including hours of operation, pricing, directions and more, FindaHaunt.com makes it easy for attraction owners and fans to connect and grow their community. Venues of all sizes get a fair chance without the need to purchase expensive banner ads. Visit www.FindaHaunt.com or e-mail sales@findahaunt.com for details, savings available prior to May 10, 2012.
About Leonard Pickel
The “Original Hauntrepreneur,” Leonard Pickel, opened his first haunted house in 1976 to become a ground-breaking visionary and legend in the haunted attraction industry. At his specialized haunt design company, Hauntrepreneurs®, Pickel has designed over 100 attractions for entertainment giants such as The Playboy Mansion, Universal Studios, Madison Scare Garden, Morris Costumes, Six Flags and Paramount amusement parks. Over a million people in the U.S. alone have experienced his work firsthand, earning him high acclaim and a passionate following worldwide. A true pioneer, Pickel constantly experiments with new techniques, pushing the boundaries of the art of haunting. Pickel is an accomplished author, speaker, innovator, designer and haunter.
It’s a new year so it’s time to start planning our 2012 haunt stalking. With the haunt industry booming, there’s going to be even more ‘scare-tivities’ to endure… err enjoy in the new year. Looking at our past experiences and the highly anticipated haunt events of the new year, we’ve complied a list of 13 haunt destinations for 2012. So count up those frequent flier miles, put in for vacation time and keep your resolutions to set out on some terrifying travels. Remember this may be the last year any of us will get to haunt stalk.
1. Friday the 13th Haunts: Friday the 13th occurred only once in 2010 and ’11. However, this year, we get 3 unlucky Fridays in January, April and July! A few haunts will be open this month on Friday the 13th and we only hope that even more will be open during the other ‘Friday the 13th’ dates to give us some continuous mid season scares.
2. Valentine’s Weekend Haunts: More haunts are sharing the fiendish love with special openings Valentines weekend. Here are a few of the top haunts offering Valentine’s day massacres: Sinister Pointe (Brea, CA), Moxley Manor (Bedford, TX) and Blood Manor (New York, NY)
3. TransWorld Haunt Show(March 8-11, St. Louis, MO): For the last 16 years, TransWorld’s annual Halloween & Attractions Show has been a “must attend” event in the Halloween & Haunt industries. This year is no exception! This is the only trade show that features vendors, from across the nation and overseas, that cover every aspect of the business, from ticketing to makeup and sound FX to giant animatronics. In addition, local St. Louis Haunts open their doors to attendees. If you are a pro haunter (want to become one) or a True Blood haunt stalker, you cannot afford to miss this event.
4. Monsterpalooza(April 13-15, Burbank, CA): This is an annual convention featuring Hollywood’s award winning FX Artists, Monster and Horror related art work displays, presentations and special guests from horror and Sci-Fi. For us the highlight is the Walk-thru Monster Museum!
5. HauntCon(May 3-7, Monroeville, PA *Pittsburgh): We attended this event last year and believe it’s worth a visit if you’re a haunter or stalker living on the east coast. This is the first year HAuNTcon will be in a convention center rather than a hotel in Monoroeville, PA which just happens to be next to the Monroeville Mall, most famous for its appearance in the George A. Romero horror film Dawn of the Dead.
6. Midwest Haunters Convention (June 8-10, Columbus Ohio): This is the largest Halloween show of its kind in the US serving a primary audience of Haunted Attraction Producers, Actors, Artists and Home Haunters. It provides regional businesses and residents the opportunity to shop for professional quality Halloween related products along with educational seminars and workshops and networking activities for haunted attraction industry professionals. Of course, the main reason to go is for the world’s largest haunted attraction bus tour.
7. Tides of Torture(Dates TBD): We know that seeing Kathie Lee Gifford in a bikini could be scary enough, but this Caribbean cruise promises even more terrors at sea. This cruise convention will feature a Fangoria-sponsored film festival and some of your favorite horror actors including Jason actor Kane Hodder who really enjoys being on a boat.
8. London (UK) Haunts: Last year our friends at Theme Park Touristshared some great reviews of the UK haunts and with the 2012 Olympics taking place this summer in London we highly recommend the trip over the bloody pond to experience their renowned year round and seasonal haunted attractions.
9. New York Haunts: We now know why this is the city that never sleeps. It’s because everyone is having nightmares! NYC boasts some of the nation’s most extreme haunts and offers haunts in unique metropolitan locations all the way out to the dark woods of Sleepy Hollow in upstate. This is a “not to be missed” destination during the fall.
10. Pennsylvania Haunts: While in NY, you might as well head down to PA as well. Pennsylvania is home to some of he nation’s most highly rated haunted attractions including; Jason’s Woods, Bates Motel, and Field of Screams just to name a few.
11. Texas Haunts: Texas is a big state which provides a lot of room for haunts. Throughout the year and especially during haunt season Haunt Stalkers can find a haunt (or two or three…) in nearly every town with the Dallas-Forth Worth area and Austin leading the terror with their renowned haunts such as Cutting Edge, Hangman’s House of Horrors, and House of Torment.
13. Southern California Haunts: From Hollywood down to San Diego; Southern California offers just about every kind of haunt experience a haunt stalker would want. There are first class Theme Park haunts, hayrides, stand alone professional haunts, boat haunts, and impressive home haunts. You’ll need to plan at least a week long visit, covering two weekends, in order to sample some of the SoCal’s top haunts.
Here’s a sneak peek video of what The Darkness haunt has in store for next week’s Transworld Halloween & Attractions Convention. The Darkness owners have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to prepare the for the convention and hope to host an inspiring and educatational interactice experience. The Darkness is one of the top rated haunted houses in America comprised of three attractions, the Darkness haunted house, Terror Visions 3D’, and the Monster Museum.
Video Courtey of Halloween Productions, Inc.
If you own any type of amusement attraction YOU CAN NOT miss The Darkness Tour or the Halloween Haunt Show itself… this is a ONCE in a lifetime, ONCE a year event. R
In addition to The Darkness another haunted house ‘Lemp Brewery Haunted House’will open, which happens to be located just down the street from The Darkness. The Lemp Brewery haunted house is located five stories underground in REAL caves and caverns in what might be the most unique location for a haunted house in America.
GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY at www.TheDarkness.com for either the behind the scenes tour or the live with actors events. Follow them on Facebook or Twitter
Have you ever wondered what goes into making all the gory effects of a haunt? How do you make a room float or make a zombie puke up blood, over and over again? Well, a special episode of History’s Modern Marvels takes a look at how all of this is done at The Darknessin St. Louis, Missouri. From the technology to craftsmanship behind the “perfect” haunted house, this clip will give you a glimpse into how haunt designers get us to scream into the night.
In addition, here is a review of this year’s haunt from the local CBS affiliate, KMOX:
The folks at Scarefest deserve all the international attention they get for their haunted houses. My husband and I experienced the Darkness in Soulard last night and it was AWESOME!
The special effects, the monsters, the make-up, the various rooms and themes at the Darkness make you feel you’ve stepped into a Hollywood horror movie. The 3-D funhouse was totally mind-bending (with scary clowns!).
The Darkness was featured on the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” and Creepyworld in Fenton was featured on the Travel Channel. The haunted houses receive high praise from peers in the industry as well.
New this year from Scarefest is the Lemp Brewery Haunted Attraction. I have long wanted to get inside the Lemp Brewery and this sounds like sooo creepy! According to their website: Lemp Brewery Haunted House is DEEP underground inside real caves and caverns of the old Lemp Brewery built in the 1890′s. Over 100 years later the old brewery’s caves and caverns are opened to the public only prepare to encounter REAL ghosts and spirits in St. Louis’ ONLY REAL haunted house. Take an elevator several floors below street level and prepare to be dropped off inside area’s never before seen by the public where real ghost stories will unfold. The Lemp Brewery Haunted House is St. Louis’ ONLY NEW and REAL haunted house now part of the Scarefest tour of fright. I CAN’T WAIT! Opens September 24th.”
