I’ll admit, I’m a huge scaredy cat. I was made to watch the film, “The Birds,” at the age of 5, and it pretty much scarred me for life. Any horror or suspense films I watched after that gave me nightmares. I believe I once jumped at a cupboard door opening.
So I was a bit reluctant to travel to Darien Lake this last weekend to experience their Fright Fest. It includes not just a haunted mansion, but a haunted corn maze and bus ride. I hid my inner coward and tried all three. I brought my friend, Carly, who braved the haunted tour a little better than I did. Here, I give you four features of Fright Fest you should check out. If you’re in the Halloween spirit, think of taking a trip to Darien Lake or other area haunted attractions, to see if you fare better than I do. Darien Lake’s Fright Fest runs through Sunday, Oct. 9.
FOR THE FEARLESS
Haunted Graveyard and Grim Reaper Barge
As we walked toward Nightmare Acres, we had to go around the lake, which had a graveyard by the entrance. The heart-thumping music, fog creeping in from the lake and bubbling water put us on edge and in the mood for the haunted farmhouse. Though part of the park is closed (past the Viper roller coaster), most rides were open, and each were decorated with pumpkins, hay and straw stalks.
WHEN TO GO After dark is, of course, the best time to visit the haunted attractions, but it’s open from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 3 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Nightmare Acres
The worst part of being scared is the suspense. And Nightmare Acres capitalizes on suspense. Carly and I got to the farmhouse before it opened, so we milled about. As dusk set in, the farmhouse ghouls, zombies and clowns (and other creatures I have no name for — but blood was a major factor) silently walked in from a field toward the house. Because my major fear is zombies, this scene — of slowly-walking characters dressed in bloody and ripped clothing — really got to me. A little shaken, I decided to go to the bathroom. But as I headed back out, a haggard zombie woman slowly stood in front of the screen door (‘It’s an actor!’ I kept telling myself). I, ashamedly, bolted out. But, when the farmhouse finally opened, Carly and I slipped immediately into darkness as we entered. The twists and turns made me lose my direction as I was pitched into room after room — one with a crazed woman asking for help, another with swinging bagged bodies. The unique effects and each horror-filled room made me scream and hide behind my friend more than once. After the nightmare was over, we entered a corn maze filled with even more characters ready to jump out or just slowly follow you.
COST Additional $4 to enter. Or, purchase a Fear Pass for $10, which includes admission and front-of-line access to both haunted attractions.
WHEN TO GO Because the haunted farmhouse is completely dark inside, it doesn’t matter if you go during the afternoon or night, but the haunted corn maze should definitely be traversed at night. It’s open from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 4 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
SCARE FACTOR This is not recommended for children 12 and under. I saw many younger kids fearlessly going in the house, though, so it really depends on the person.
I’ll admit, I’m a huge scaredy cat. I was made to watch the film, “The Birds,” at the age of 5, and it pretty much scarred me for life. Any horror or suspense films I watched after that gave me nightmares. I believe I once jumped at a cupboard door opening.
So I was a bit reluctant to travel to Darien Lake this last weekend to experience their Fright Fest. It includes not just a haunted mansion, but a haunted corn maze and bus ride. I hid my inner coward and tried all three. I brought my friend, Carly, who braved the haunted tour a little better than I did. Here, I give you four features of Fright Fest you should check out. If you’re in the Halloween spirit, think of taking a trip to Darien Lake or other area haunted attractions, to see if you fare better than I do. Darien Lake’s Fright Fest runs through Sunday, Oct. 9.
FOR THE FEARLESS
Haunted Graveyard and Grim Reaper Barge
As we walked toward Nightmare Acres, we had to go around the lake, which had a graveyard by the entrance. The heart-thumping music, fog creeping in from the lake and bubbling water put us on edge and in the mood for the haunted farmhouse. Though part of the park is closed (past the Viper roller coaster), most rides were open, and each were decorated with pumpkins, hay and straw stalks.
WHEN TO GO After dark is, of course, the best time to visit the haunted attractions, but it’s open from 3 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 3 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
Nightmare Acres
The worst part of being scared is the suspense. And Nightmare Acres capitalizes on suspense. Carly and I got to the farmhouse before it opened, so we milled about. As dusk set in, the farmhouse ghouls, zombies and clowns (and other creatures I have no name for — but blood was a major factor) silently walked in from a field toward the house. Because my major fear is zombies, this scene — of slowly-walking characters dressed in bloody and ripped clothing — really got to me. A little shaken, I decided to go to the bathroom. But as I headed back out, a haggard zombie woman slowly stood in front of the screen door (‘It’s an actor!’ I kept telling myself). I, ashamedly, bolted out. But, when the farmhouse finally opened, Carly and I slipped immediately into darkness as we entered. The twists and turns made me lose my direction as I was pitched into room after room — one with a crazed woman asking for help, another with swinging bagged bodies. The unique effects and each horror-filled room made me scream and hide behind my friend more than once. After the nightmare was over, we entered a corn maze filled with even more characters ready to jump out or just slowly follow you.
COST Additional $4 to enter. Or, purchase a Fear Pass for $10, which includes admission and front-of-line access to both haunted attractions.
WHEN TO GO Because the haunted farmhouse is completely dark inside, it doesn’t matter if you go during the afternoon or night, but the haunted corn maze should definitely be traversed at night. It’s open from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 4 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
SCARE FACTOR This is not recommended for children 12 and under. I saw many younger kids fearlessly going in the house, though, so it really depends on the person.
Fright Night Field Trip
As I strapped myself into the seat, I only had a tiny glimpse of the impending petrifying bus tour, as creatures stalked the bus. I took a window seat, and soon realized I couldn’t escape the scary scenes to come, as all the glass in the windows were removed. The music pounded and howled as the bus took off with a screech, veering around corners and into the woods. The bus passed shooting fire and crashed buses, as angry men with clubs bashed on the sides of the bus. A shattered circus was probably the scariest for me, as the ringleader let out a manic laugh and climbed aboard the bus. Most of the scenes on the bus ride were less graphic than those in the haunted farmhouse, so younger children may be able to handle it.
WHEN TO GO Definitely after dark, so the fog, strobe lights and blacklights have a better effect. The bus tour is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturdays and 4 to 8 p.m. Sundays.
SCARE FACTOR Not recommended for children 12 and under. And even if you sit with someone on an inside seat, the characters will climb aboard and shriek at you.
FOR THE FAMILY
Though Darien Lake dominates on the scary-end, it also has family-friendly events such as the Trick, Treat and Dance-A-Long starring Thomas the Train. Though I wasn’t the intended demographic, I could see kids would have a ball with all the Halloween activities. It started with Old McDonald’s Haymazing Adventure, where kids must find farm animals hidden throughout. Darien Lake’s Adventure Isle is also transformed into Booville, where kids can paint pumpkins, trick-or-treat, and snap photos in the wood face cut-outs of monsters. The rides at Booville are also open.
WHEN TO GO It’s open from 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
OTHER AREA HALLOWEEN ATTRACTIONS
Nightmare Manor
WHERE Southtown Plaza, 3333 West Henrietta Road, Henrietta
WHEN Beginning Oct. 1, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
DETAILS In its 10th year, Nightmare Manor has added 1/4 of a mile of new thrills and chills including new rooms: The Autopsy Room, Terror Truck, Vampire Attack and New Reaper’s Rage Cemetery.
TICKETS $14 for students, $17 at door, $15 in advance. Tickets are also $12 on Monday, Oct. 31 (open 7:30 to 10:30). Go online for combo packages.
TIP Go online for a $1 coupon, good for tickets purchased at the door.
WEB www.nightmaremanor.com
Haunted Hayrides of Rochester
WHERE 3329 Eddy Road, Williamson
WHEN 7 to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4:30 to 6:15 p.m. Sundays (Thursdays begin Oct. 20, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.) Check online for extra dates.
DETAILS 35-minute haunted hayride, family fun nights with relaxing hayride. Other attractions include the 3-D Maze, the Spinning Tunnel, the Screamatorium, and new this year, the Hellevator (extra fee) and Buried Alive (extra fee).
TICKETS Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, $15 at all area Wegmans locations, $17 at the door. Saturdays are $17 at all area Wegmans locations, and $20 at the door
WEB www.hauntedhayridesrochester.com
Verhulst Haunted Hayride
WHERE 5161 Ridge Road, West Spencerport
WHEN Hayrides begin at dusk, Fridays and Saturdays 7 to 10:30 p.m., Sundays 7 to 9:30 p.m.
DETAILS A 40-minute haunted hayride. Not recommended for children 7 and under.
TICKETS $15
WEB www.verhulsthalloweenhayride.com
