Sinister Pointe, a haunt in Brea, California, is auctioning "a number" of the props used in their 2009 Silent Hill haunt. The first on the auction block is a life-sized replica of the "Pyramid Head" creature.
The prop is 7 feet tall, and according to the listing, the head can be removed and worn as a mask.
(Photo above is NOT of the actual item for sale.)
Bidding starts at $300 and ends in a few days. This looks like a re-listing of a previous auction, so there might not be a lot of people in the market for this specialized item.
Of course, the REAL story behind this is what the auction means for the Sinister Pointe haunt. Last year, they had 2 walk-throughs: Silent Hill and Fear. Although Silent Hill was well-themed and had a great eerie atmosphere, Fear was undoubtedly one of the scariest (and most fun) mazes we attended in 2009. We can assume from the auction that Silent Hill, at least, will not be returning in 2010. We can't wait to see what theme they cook up for this year. The haunt hadn't been on our radar before 2009, but after our first visit, we DEFINITELY plan to make the trip to the O.C. to experience it again. Sinister Pointe is a "must see" for all haunt fans in Southern California.
The Darkness, St. Louis' premiere haunted attraction, will open its doors again this March during the annual Transworld Haunt Show.
The Darkness is consistently rated as one of the best haunts in the country and has been featured on the Travel Channel and National Geographic Channel, among others.
The Darkness is offering a behind-the-scenes "lights-on" tour on Thursday, March 25 (price: $100), as well as "full production" tours on Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27 (price: $50). The full production tour will feature live actors. Prices go up after March 1, so if you plan to go, be sure to buy early. Although the tour is created for those attending the Haunt Show (which requires registration with industry credentials), it doesn't seem that credentials are needed to attend the Darkness tours.
For tickets and more information, go to The Darkness Web site.
Hope everyone had a Happy and Bloody Valentine's Day. If you were in NYC this past weekend then you could have had a bloody good time at Blood Manor anti-Valentine's day haunt. Scare Zone was in the city to check out this haunt favorite.
Blood Manor is located on the (far) Westside of the city and was a little hard to find as 27th street which it's located on, doesn't connect direct to avenues 9-7. That is a minor detail but better directions from the website would have been appreciated. Blood Manor is in a fairly nondescript building and sets the right feeling of foreboding for a city haunt. Upon entering the building guests have to climb up 5-6 (lost count) stories to get into the Manor. Not sure if they have disabled access but even for those in shape it was a workout! On the main floor guests walk down a dark corridor painted with images of monsters and ghouls lit with florescent lights. People walking out of the Manor seemed to be very pleased and some very scared which added to the anticipation for those of us in line. The wait was fairly short (no need to spend the extra $15 for a VIP pass). There also were a few scareactors trying to spook guests in line.
After a brief safety spiel (no touching monsters, no pictures, etc.) we pushed through the dark curtains and entered the Manor. The first scene was a very detailed foyer which made you forget you were in a city building. The scares started right away with a monster jumping at out from a hidden doorway. From there you went through various scenes of the house with some good scares and sets. Being Valentine's Day there were cryptic message of 'love gone bad' painted in blood throughout the scenes. There was not a set story or theme but rather various scenes of horror, where even Michael Myers stalked a long dark hallway with a strobe light and Freddy was lurking in his boiler room. However, we wondered where was the miner from My Bloody Valentine or a Jason Takes Manhattan scene?
In other scenes aliens and 3D clowns ran amuck. A note on the 3D rooms, they give you 'used' paper glasses before you enter the 3D rooms and then take them back after. While this is eco-friendly and cost savers for the Manor, it isn't really hygienic and at $30 a ticket they should let guests keep the glasses perhaps with a coupon printed on them to return in October (?).
The Manor did have some kink horror which may not be suitable for children but it was marketed as an anti-Valentine's Day event for adult singles. In one scene there was a bondage session taking place which wasn't scary but very freaky as a helpless male victim locked in a cage in his very tighty whities, with back piercings, was being pulled in two separate directions by his female masters. There also was a scene with strippers and anatomically correct female mannequins. Freddy was also feeling frisky making some strong innuendos to both female and male visitors, but that's always been his style. Another scene in a bathroom included a guy in his underwear being threatened by a Mrs... err Mr. Roper-looking drag queen who was wielding a plunger in only a towel and daring guests to take it off. None of it was offensive and all in fun. It actually felt somewhat right for the holiday... love goes bad sometimes, doesn’t it (?).
Overall, Blood Manor was a Valentine's treat. It's nice to get some haunt action throughout the year. The scareactors had full energy, were in the moment, and tried everything they could to keep you scared. The sets and props were very detailed also offered some scares of their own. The crowd got backed up making a lot of the scares less effective, but controlling New Yorkers can be a difficult task so we won't hold that against them. The price was on the very high side (Regular: $28.50 adv - $30 on site, VIP: $42.50 adv - $45 onsite). The full value for the price didn't feel recognized as the prices should be dropped by $10-$15, or even a discount offer for same-night return visits or for October visits would add some value.
On Twitter, Halloween Horror Nights was asked if they have any movies yet which would be certain for the 2010 haunt and the somewhat cryptic relpy was "we're gonna be able to keep some of the WolfMan pieces that long".
This is interesting and one could believe that there is a strong possibility of there being a WolfMan maze this year. They filmed the movie on the Universal Studios Hollywood lot and it's reported that many of the set pieces are still set up which would make for a good maze if they can use the authentic sets. In addition, the DVD/BLU Ray release wil most likely be late summer/early fall making it a good time to cross promote.
Scare Zone is going to check out the Wolfman movie and will update the post with a review. We will be watching for anything that could translate into good elements for a haunt. Share your thoughts too if you've seen the movie!
Knott’s has confirmed that The Gauntlet scare zone has (finally) been killed off and will now R.I.P. in the Ghostown graveyard. According to their Twitter, taking its place in 2010 will be a new scare zone with a Victorian Steampunk Vampire theme.
This could be interesting and very effective if they invest in the right costumes and props, but if it's done on the cheap, it runs the risk of looking like a Lady GaGa video (which actually could be horrifying in itself). Let's hope for the best!
One has to wonder if this means Knott's obligatory vampire maze will return to this section of the park (Camp Snoopy). If so, let's hope that the Club Blood theme goes away and they create a more foreboding setting for a vampire maze. This also could spell the end of the Labyrinth maze, which should also be put to rest.
Haunted Attraction Magazine is reporting that Molar Manor in Canyon Country, CA, will be open for one final weekend...January 29-31, 2010.
There's not much information available about what to expect this weekend, but The Scare Zone is making plans to check it out on Saturday night.
UPDATE: The Scare Zone was able to experience Molar Manor on both Saturday and Sunday nights. We were really impressed with their collection of amazing props and animated figures. The sets were really great. The black-light vortex nearly knocked us over, and the elevator ride to hell was fun. On Saturday, there were a few "scareactors" inside the maze, which heightened the scares. So we were somewhat disappointed to find that there were no actors inside the maze on Sunday night. But still, we had a great time. And you can't beat a $5 haunt in January!
We were able to speak just a little bit to one of the workers at Molar Manor. She indicated that the haunt could be back in the future, maybe at a new location. The haunt's future seems uncertain. We see great potential in this haunt, and we hope that it will live on, in one form or another.
Looking for something different this Valentine's Day? Blood Manor in New York City will be open Friday and Saturday, February 12 and 13, from 7:30 pm to 1 am.
Blood Manor is 5,000 square feet of themed rooms, corridors, and passageways.
Tickets are $25 if bought online; $30 if purchased at the door.
They're also offering a special Valentine's RIP Package, which includes express entrance and a special surprise gift package.
Blood Manor is located at 542 W. 27th Street in New York City.
To purchase tickets and for more information, click here:
Ultimatehaunt.com has just posted the "monster for the night"experience of the grand prize winner for their Ultimatehaunt.com 2009, 10 Years of Fear Contest. The winner had the amazing opportunity to be a 'monster for the night' in the Terror Of London maze which also was voted as the 2009 Ultimatehaunt.com Maze of the Year! Click the experience to read all about it!
Our friends at Theme Park Adventure have posted more pics of Universal Studios Hollywood's 2009 Saw: Game Over maze. Check them out here along with additional photos and coverage from the 2009 event.
May 9th, 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the orginal Friday The 13th. It's highly doubtful at that time the creators knew that they were launching a franchise that would take it's anti-hero from Camp Crystal Lake, to Manhattan, to Hell and ultimately space. The franchise has also brought us some great haunt cameos by Jason and even a two-year run of the the Friday the 13th: Camp Blood haunt at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.
For those Voorhees fans who can't wait until haunt season to experience some interactive Friday the 13th terror, you can go mingle with the O.G. Cyrstal Lake campers at one of the many upcoming conventions. Below is a list of upcoming conventions for 2010 that include Friday the 13th alumni. We'll keep you updated throughout the year when more people from the franchise are added to these conventions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 19-21, 2010 Saturday Nightmares Expo
Jersey City, NJ
1. Tom Savini (Make-Up: Friday the 13th 1980, The Final Chapter)
2. Harry Manfredini (Composer: Friday the 13th 1980, Part 2 through 7, Jason Goes To Hell, Jason X)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARCH 26-28 2010 Horrorhound Weekend
Indianapolis, IN
1. Miguel Nunez ("Demon”: A New Beginning)
2. Tom Morga ("Jason Voorhees” aka “Roy Burns”: A New Beginning)
3. Tom Savini (Make-Up: Friday the 13th 1980, The Final Chapter)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 23-25 2010 Full Moon Tatoo and Horror Festival
Nashville, TN
1. Ari Lehman: ("Jason Voorhees”, Friday the 13th 1980)
2. Steve Dash: ("Jason Voorhees”, Part 2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- APRIL 30 – MAY 2 2010 Texas Frightmare Weekend
Dallas, TX
1. Kane Hodder ("Jason Voorhees”: The New Blood, Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason Goes To Hell, Jason X)
2. Betsy Palmer ("Mrs.Voorhees”: Friday the 13th 1980)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JULY 30 – AUG. 1 2010 Fright Night Film Fest
Louisville, KY
1. Ken Kirzinger ("Jason Voorhees”: Freddy vs Jason)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST 13-15 2010 Camp Blood: Friday the 30th
Lewisville, TX
1. For full guest list, visit the link above.
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On January 26, Lionsgate will release Saw VI to DVD and Blu-ray in three different versions: an R-rated theatrical full screen edition, an unrated director's cut widescreen edition, and an unrated director's cut Blu-ray disc. According to the press release, all three versions will contain an exclusive look at the Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) 2009 Saw maze.
Both Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida featured a Saw maze last year. The footage for the DVD was filmed in Hollywood during HHN last October. Can't wait to see it and hear your thoughts!
The Scare Zone contains the latest news and rumors regarding Halloween haunts and attractions across the country. Check back frequently for updates about the 2010 haunting season!
