Top Haunted Houses Take Interaction And Technology To The Extreme in 2018

Say a prayer and think fast, because according to the Haunted Attraction Association (HAA), the surge of 2018 horror films will be the least of thrill seekers worries this haunt season. While horror films such as HellFest are expected to have an influence on haunts this Halloween season, many attractions are finding new ways to create adrenaline-inducing, heart-pounding immersive experiences.

As the only official association of the haunted attraction industry, HAA notes scares have progressed from scenes to scenarios, as attractions enhance the guest experience and “multi-attraction” entertainment centers expand. Beyond a single haunted attraction experience, many facilities have expanded to include escape games, paintball, laser tag, live concerts, food trucks and much more to give guests a longer, more thrilling experience.

Below are some of the most anticipated haunted attractions for 2018 that are “more than just a haunted house”…

• Topeka Haunted Woods in Topeka, Kansas gives guests 10 minutes to find the cure for the zombie virus during Zombie Laser Tag. As participants search the campgrounds for the cure, they must also protect themselves from lurking zombies with limited ammunition.
• Haunted Hollow in Rockwood, Pennsylvania is debuting a 15-minute Escape Room this season. Groups must race against the clock to escape Willie’s terrifying shack before he returns. Haunted Hollow also offers an industry first interactive covered hayride. While inside, guests watch a movie that coincides with the surroundings outside, all while traveling through the woods of Somerset County PA. Aside from the new escape room and interactive hayride, Haunted Hollow’s attractions have all been revamped for 2018 to include a more immersive experience for guests. This year they can feel the fear!
• Terror in the Corn in Erie, Colorado is a three-part event located on Anderson Farms. The attraction offers three-minute escape rooms, a virtual reality experience, zombie paint ball hunt, a corn maze, and much more.
• Frightland in Middletown, Delaware offers visitors a full amusement park of haunts. As the only haunted, multi-attraction destination that hosts a full amusement park, they offer rides, food trucks, live music, interactive photo booths and an interactive z-tag experience.
• Stillwell Manor in Anderson, Indiana is debuting its new attraction Forsaken, an interactive haunt with a different outcome each time you go through, as well as food trucks and axe throwing.
• Terror Behind the Walls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is enhancing the guest experience with four special VIP packages to choose from. Quick Pass, After Dark Tour, the Speakeasy, and Fright and Bite are upgrades that allow guests to skip the line, tour the penitentiary, visit Al Capone’s cell or enjoy a Halloween-themed meal.
• Shocktoberfest in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania offers thrill seekers several haunting options. Guests can shoot zombies with paintballs during the Haunted Hayride, tour a haunted house in their underwear by participating in The Naked and Scared Challenge, enjoy 60 and five minute escape rooms, and run for their lives during The Zombie Night Run.
• Factory of Terror in Canton, Ohio has set the Guinness world record multiple times for being the World’s Longest Haunted House, but being the longest isn’t their only niche. This event offers multiple escape games, axe throwing, and even party rooms! Still want more? Check out their sister haunt, The Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory in Akron, Ohio. There, guests will also find multiple attractions with high tech escape games and Axe throwing.

HOLLYWOOD HITS ATTRACTIONS

• Planet Doom Haunted House in Idaho Falls, Idaho is bringing a new location and larger footprint to the 2018 haunt season. New incorporations this year include que line dance routines and influences from Hollywood movies like “The Nun” and “It.”
• PrimEVIL in Norwich, UK is home to five scare haunts over 17 nights. For guests who loved the movie “The Nun”, PrimEVIL offers their experience in “The Crypt.” Guests can also enjoy live bands and food every night and a special firework show on the last two nights.

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES THE SCARE

• Creepy Hollow Haunted House in Rosharon, Texas is pulling out all the stops for the 2018 haunt season. In addition to food trucks, axe throwing, fire breathing, and an hour escape room, this season they’ve started incorporating Bluetooth technology. When in common areas of the attraction, eerie messages, videos, and music will pop up on a guest’s phone.
• Field of Screams in Mountville, Pennsylvania will debut four massive movie screens, which will play video clips while patrons wait on line for their chance to enter the attractions. Outdoor DJs will also provide entertainment for guests.
• Derailed Haunted House in Ramer, Tennessee has opened Terror Town in 3-D, a fully UV-lit attraction that requires guests to wear Chromo-depth glasses to get the full impact of the 3-D artwork painted by Stuart Smith of Stuartizms. The 3-D attraction adds a new level of immersion to the guests as their perception is altered by the lighting and the UV-reactive paints. Incorporating actors with UV-reactive make-up, costumes, and even UV-reactive masks adds to the fright level.
• The exFEARience at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio is home to six haunted attractions and an escape room, but the new “Scare”cade uses innovative technologies to allow individuals to help scare others while they are experiencing the attractions.

Wondering where to find the best haunted houses? The Haunted Attraction Association certifies haunted houses and haunted attractions that are making strides above and beyond to focus on the safety and education of their employees, while developing a world-class haunting experience for guests. Click here to see a full list of the top rated haunted attractions across the country!

To learn more about the Haunted Attraction Association and the experts behind the industry, visit their official website by clicking here.