Chris
11-11-2008, 12:37 PM
This was written by Jonathan Bailey on his blog intelegantsolutions.com
For many, it is a tradition to head to a haunted attraction sometime near Halloween. For us, the scare of going the a haunt is just part of the spooky season much the same as looking at lights is part of the Christmas one.
But haunts can be expensive. High-end attractions charge $20 or more per ticket and even “budget” haunts routinely charge $10 or more. This prices them higher than a trip to the movies and most nightclubs in terms of entertainment expense.
Yet, the way some people go through a haunt, they seem to sabotage their own chances of actually having a good time. They essentially throw away their ticket price and some then complain that the haunt was a waste of money.
If you don’t know how to go through a haunt, even the best attraction will be a waste of cash. As a serial haunt attendee, haunt actor and haunt operator, here are my tips for getting your money’s worth.
Tip 1: Show Up at a Good Time
Typically, the best time to show up for a haunt is about one hour after it opens. No matter how early an attraction opens, there is always when the doors part. Standing in a line is a waste of time and makes it so that you are crowded as you go through, meaning you miss many things.
Go too late and the actors will be tired and “phoning it in”. About 1-2 hours after opening you get a good balance of small crowds and high energy, making it the perfect time to go through.
2. Go in a Small Group
Make your group four or less and, if you have to go in a larger group, prepare to break yourself up into smaller teams. The reason is that many haunts will not allow larger groups to go through, to help the actors and increase safety, but also to ensure that everyone gets the benefit of all of the scares.
With larger groups, only the few in the lead get to any of the effects, something that cheapens the experience for those in the back.
3. Walk Through at a Good Speed
Every haunt has seen this. A person or group gets hit by the first scare and they take off running, moving through the entire attraction like they are trying to catch a plane. The result is that they get through the whole haunt in minutes and see none of the scenery or the scares.
To prevent this, go through the haunt at a good pace. It’s not only safer, but it gives you more time for your money. On the other hand, keep moving forward so you don’t hold up other groups.
Remember, the fun in a haunt is not just being scared, but overcoming that fear.
4. Scardey Cats Go First
Granted, it sounds cruel but hear me out. If you have someone who is scared to go through, put them in the lead of the group.
First, this allows them to set the pace of the group.That way they are not holding up the others or pushing forward. Second, most scares are timed for the middle of a group, not the front. Finally, they have the comfort of knowing no one can go behind them.
It is counter-intuitive, but it works. I’ve tested this and it seems to usually pan out.
5. Laugh at Yourself
I’ve been haunting for over 15 years and there are still times I find myself getting startled. It happens to the best of us. Don’t get mad about it, laugh it up.
Haunted houses are both humbling and empowering at the same time. Humbling in that we see our senses being tricked so easily, empowering how we work through our fears and press on.
If someone gets you good, laugh about it and congratulate them, they did their job well.
6. Plan an Event After
Once you are done with the haunt, plan to go to another one. Going to several in a night is a great way to save money and time. Many haunts even partner with other attractions to offer cross-discounts.
When you are done with your haunts, find a place where you can go and talk about it. I’ve often found that, for me, the best memories of haunts come not from going through them, but rehashing them with friends and family over a cup of coffee or dinner.
This is part of what turns a haunt into a lasting memory and a tradition, something you come to again and again.
7. Don’t Go
Some people should never go to a haunted house. It is that simple.
If you are prone to fainting, panic attacks or any other kind of adverse reactions to being scared, don’t go. You will almost certainly have be escorted out before you finish the haunt.
Don’t tell yourself that it will be tame, don’t rely on your friends to keep you safe, just don’t go. Your low expectations will do you in and your friends will kick you under the bus. I know, I have have seen it. Besides, if you are with friends and have to leave, you’ll be hurting them too.
Also, don’t go if you’re drunk, high or otherwise under the influence. Why? Not only is it unsafe, but it often ends with a security escort.Even if you do make it through, you’ll pay full price and have half the senses to enjoy it with.
Conclusions
A good haunt provides a rush and an experience that you can not get anywhere else. No nightclub, concert or movie can provide you the kind of thrill that a good haunted attraction can.
However, unlike a movie where your only participation is to sit and a seat and much popcorn, a haunt requires work on your part for it to be an enjoyable experience. When it is all said and done, a good haunt experience is a partnership, good actors, good scenes and good customers.
So have fun, get a few chills and years worth of laughs. It is worth every dollar spent.
For many, it is a tradition to head to a haunted attraction sometime near Halloween. For us, the scare of going the a haunt is just part of the spooky season much the same as looking at lights is part of the Christmas one.
But haunts can be expensive. High-end attractions charge $20 or more per ticket and even “budget” haunts routinely charge $10 or more. This prices them higher than a trip to the movies and most nightclubs in terms of entertainment expense.
Yet, the way some people go through a haunt, they seem to sabotage their own chances of actually having a good time. They essentially throw away their ticket price and some then complain that the haunt was a waste of money.
If you don’t know how to go through a haunt, even the best attraction will be a waste of cash. As a serial haunt attendee, haunt actor and haunt operator, here are my tips for getting your money’s worth.
Tip 1: Show Up at a Good Time
Typically, the best time to show up for a haunt is about one hour after it opens. No matter how early an attraction opens, there is always when the doors part. Standing in a line is a waste of time and makes it so that you are crowded as you go through, meaning you miss many things.
Go too late and the actors will be tired and “phoning it in”. About 1-2 hours after opening you get a good balance of small crowds and high energy, making it the perfect time to go through.
2. Go in a Small Group
Make your group four or less and, if you have to go in a larger group, prepare to break yourself up into smaller teams. The reason is that many haunts will not allow larger groups to go through, to help the actors and increase safety, but also to ensure that everyone gets the benefit of all of the scares.
With larger groups, only the few in the lead get to any of the effects, something that cheapens the experience for those in the back.
3. Walk Through at a Good Speed
Every haunt has seen this. A person or group gets hit by the first scare and they take off running, moving through the entire attraction like they are trying to catch a plane. The result is that they get through the whole haunt in minutes and see none of the scenery or the scares.
To prevent this, go through the haunt at a good pace. It’s not only safer, but it gives you more time for your money. On the other hand, keep moving forward so you don’t hold up other groups.
Remember, the fun in a haunt is not just being scared, but overcoming that fear.
4. Scardey Cats Go First
Granted, it sounds cruel but hear me out. If you have someone who is scared to go through, put them in the lead of the group.
First, this allows them to set the pace of the group.That way they are not holding up the others or pushing forward. Second, most scares are timed for the middle of a group, not the front. Finally, they have the comfort of knowing no one can go behind them.
It is counter-intuitive, but it works. I’ve tested this and it seems to usually pan out.
5. Laugh at Yourself
I’ve been haunting for over 15 years and there are still times I find myself getting startled. It happens to the best of us. Don’t get mad about it, laugh it up.
Haunted houses are both humbling and empowering at the same time. Humbling in that we see our senses being tricked so easily, empowering how we work through our fears and press on.
If someone gets you good, laugh about it and congratulate them, they did their job well.
6. Plan an Event After
Once you are done with the haunt, plan to go to another one. Going to several in a night is a great way to save money and time. Many haunts even partner with other attractions to offer cross-discounts.
When you are done with your haunts, find a place where you can go and talk about it. I’ve often found that, for me, the best memories of haunts come not from going through them, but rehashing them with friends and family over a cup of coffee or dinner.
This is part of what turns a haunt into a lasting memory and a tradition, something you come to again and again.
7. Don’t Go
Some people should never go to a haunted house. It is that simple.
If you are prone to fainting, panic attacks or any other kind of adverse reactions to being scared, don’t go. You will almost certainly have be escorted out before you finish the haunt.
Don’t tell yourself that it will be tame, don’t rely on your friends to keep you safe, just don’t go. Your low expectations will do you in and your friends will kick you under the bus. I know, I have have seen it. Besides, if you are with friends and have to leave, you’ll be hurting them too.
Also, don’t go if you’re drunk, high or otherwise under the influence. Why? Not only is it unsafe, but it often ends with a security escort.Even if you do make it through, you’ll pay full price and have half the senses to enjoy it with.
Conclusions
A good haunt provides a rush and an experience that you can not get anywhere else. No nightclub, concert or movie can provide you the kind of thrill that a good haunted attraction can.
However, unlike a movie where your only participation is to sit and a seat and much popcorn, a haunt requires work on your part for it to be an enjoyable experience. When it is all said and done, a good haunt experience is a partnership, good actors, good scenes and good customers.
So have fun, get a few chills and years worth of laughs. It is worth every dollar spent.