Did you know: Halloween is the second most celebrated holiday next to Christmas? According to the NRF (National Retail Federation) a scary $7 billion dollars is spent on costumes, candy, party goods and related items for this holiday.
It seems like the gateway to the world of the undead opens earlier and earlier each year. With roughly ten weeks until All Hallows Eve, haunted attractions all over the state, and indeed the country, are already preparing for what they hope will be the spookiest season yet! Here at Palm Beach Happening, we strive to bring you everything HAPPENING in the world of spooks, spectres, ghosts and goblins; not only in the Palm Beaches, but Central Florida as well.
In this freaky preview, we are featuring news and information about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Enigma Haunt, Halloween Horror Nights, Clematis by Fright, Howl-O-Scream, Brick-or-Treat, Fright Nights, X-Scream Halloween, our pumpkin carving contest, as well as some spooky stories to scare away the boogeyman!
The undead start their eerie rise on September 2 as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party begins it’s annual spooktacular at Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Eerie lighting, fall décor and Mickey Mouse-shaped Jack-O-Lanterns set the stage at the family-friendly after-hours event. Where else can kids of all ages enjoy trick-or-treating, meet and greets with favorite characters in costume, plus the must-see “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” and “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks display? Not to mention the enchanting Sanderson sisters who will once again be reincarnated to spookify parkgoers with their musical musings.
Admission to Not-So-Scary, which requires a special ticket, costs between $67-$105 each night. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling (407) W-DISNEY.
For those of you who want a little more scary than not, you might want to check out Enigma Haunt. Located at 21069 S. Military Trail in Boca Raton, they were just ranked #1 in Top Haunts in Florida and voted as #2 nationally in The Scare Factor’s 31 Must See Haunt List, the only other Florida haunt making that national list came in at #17.This season features three attractions under one roof – Pandemic, Into Oblivion and Realms of Terror.
“Expect chills up your spine, knots in your stomach and a thrilling adrenalin rush you can only get when you go through our haunt,” said Billy Groeneveld, owner and co-creator of Enigma Haunt with his wife Karen. “We push the edge of reality to question not only the sights and sounds but right down to the smells of each scene. We can’t wait to terrify everyone this season.”
Enigma Haunt, the only indoor haunted attraction in South Florida, prides itself in creating the ultimate experience with intense details in the design of each attraction, trained actors who know and practice various scare techniques, a professional makeup and costume team and integrated high tech special effects that tease each of the five senses. With the new attraction, the haunt expands its two floors to 20,000 square feet this season, with more than 80 actors all ready to submerge all who enter into the demented world of the insane, undead and supernatural.
It’s the screeches of horrific torture heard long before you even get close to entering the dark, swampland that fills you with terror, a backwoods inhabited with those affected by a zombie virus outbreak and remaining survivors of the cannibalistic leader Jedidiah, who is always looking for fresh meat. This is Pandemic, one of the new attractions unveiling this October at Enigma Haunt, celebrating 5 years of terrifying South Florida.
In addition to Pandemic, new this season is Into Oblivion, a post-apocalyptic world in a maze filled with visions and sounds of the unknown. Each step leads deeper in oblivion, providing a unique and encapsulating experience sure to thrill all.
Returning is a redesigned Realms of Terror and its various dimensions with portals that transform reality into worlds of nightmares filled with phobias and creatures and demons who thrive and live to terrify. In addition to the indoor haunted space, the Haunt has an outdoor staging area, The Pit, with cue line entertainment sure to warp the imagination of those awaiting entrance into the haunt.
Enigma Haunt’s iconic characters return, ready for each victim – Amara, who opened the Realm’s portals and still roams there; Otto the Clown; Sammy the Disturbed; and Jedidiah the Butcher.
“Once inside the haunted house, you will worry there is no end. Our haunted attraction really celebrates why everyone loves Halloween; it creates memories to share with friends for years to come,” Groeneveld said. “We all remember our first haunted house visit and at Enigma Haunt we get to create those memories for people every year. This is the real deal, we deliver a memorable show!”
Enigma Haunt is donating a portion of their online ticket sales to Don’t Be A Monster bullying prevention campaign.
The haunt is seeking scare actors and have casting calls on Saturday, August 20th and 27th at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, August 24th at 7 p.m. For more information on casting calls, email info@enigmahaunt.com.
If it’s Hollywood quality scares, and the ever present conga line of thrill-seekers, then travel a few hours up the road to Universal Orlando for Halloween Horror Nights!
Recently, the official Universal Orlando blog unleashed new details about the terrifying original content coming to this year’s event. They include details on their new, original haunted houses; Lunatics Playground 3D – You Won’t Stand A Chance, Ghost Town – The Curse of Lightning Gulch, and Tomb of the Ancients, as well as this year’s scarezones – Survive or Die Apocalypse, Lair of the Banshees, Dead Man’s Wharf, Vamp ’55, and A Chance In Hell.
They also detailed this year’s live shows; Academy of Villains: House of Fear and the ever popular Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure. Check out the blog post for all the frightening information.
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights 26 will also immerse guests in some of today’s most popular horror films and TV shows, including American Horror Story, Krampus, Halloween II, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the Exorcist and the Walking Dead.
Halloween Horror Nights will run select nights from September 16 to October 31 at Universal Studios Florida. More information about the event will be released over time. Tickets are on sale now for this year’s highly anticipated event. For more information, including ticket offers and vacation packages, visit www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com/Orlando.
Of course, you can’t forget the ultimate downtown West Palm Beach fear fest, Clematis by Fright! Held on Thursday, October 27 from 6-9 p.m., this free, frightfully fantastic event features fun for all ages, including live music by Miami-based rock band Jason K & Signal Fire. There’s thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs during the annual costume contest with categories for kids, adults, couples, families and pets. The popular Haunted Hallows zone returns where children can safely trick-or-treat with candy provided by nonprofit organizations and local businesses. The city will provide a free Halloween bag for goodies.
Family activities include hay rides, face painting, caricaturist, balloon twisters, games and more.
This fall, for 21 select nights, no soul is safe from the Evil Encore at Howl-O-Scream 2016. Tampa Bay’s premier Halloween event returns with tormenting surprises and unexpected frights around every corner, two brand-new haunted houses and a bone-chilling storyline starring a disturbing cast of demon dolls.
Mr. Karver put his heart and soul into his dolls. After the authorities came to close him down, Karver locked himself in his “Hall Of Dolls” and burned it to the ground. Now, the dummies are back and they insist the show must go on. It’s the encore no one asked for, and it’s about to bring down the house, forever. It’s the Evil Encore everyone is dying to see.
Howl-O-Scream 2016 returns with seven haunted houses, two of which are new and creeper than ever:
Welcome to Motel Hell! Nightmares become reality at this deserted motel once you realize why it’s conveniently vacant. The paranormal presence of its former owners still lurks on the untouched property, mysteriously preventing the brave souls who are attempting to tear it down. Guests who dare to enter will find themselves face-to-face with their worst nightmares and inescapable fate.
When Saw Tooth Silas, an infamous pirate, decides that one should no longer exist, he marks them for death. Victims are then sent to The Black Spot, where they meet their horrifying demise. The trick lies within the dimly-lit corners of the mysterious hideaway, holding the secret to escape… or demise.
You’ll also be able to experience returning favorites, such as Circus of Superstition: The Last Laugh, Death Water Bayou, and Unearthed. Be sure to check out our interview with one of the creative team behind Unearthed, filmmaker and producer of the Blair Witch Project Robin Cowie.
Throughout the park and in between haunted houses, every corner will be deemed unsafe. This year, roaming hordes are infesting Howl-O-Scream at an unstoppable rate as the infamous scare squads return bigger and more horrifying than ever. From their screeching welcome at the front gates to the eerie traps in the depths of the park, no corner is safe from these merciless roaming hordes.
Guests can test their limits while braving thrill rides in the dark, including Cobra’s Curse, Busch Gardens’ new one-of-a-kind spin coaster. Plus, challenge North America’s tallest freestanding drop tower Falcon’s Fury®, Florida’s first and only triple-launch coaster Cheetah Hunt® and others.
Freaky Preview returns this year and will open Howl-O-Scream 2016 on Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24. The event then runs select nights from Sept. 29 through Oct. 30. Operating event hours are 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
This year, 4-Pack Ticket Deals start at $35.99 per person, plus tax. Reduced advance-purchase rates are available online, and special offers are available for Busch Gardens Pass Members. Additionally, out-of-towners can take advantage of great vacations packages, like the Overnight Fright or Wild & Wicked Weekends packages.
Howl-O-Scream 2016 is a separately-ticketed night event. No costumes are allowed. For guest information, visit HowlOScream.com or call 1-888-800-5447. Employee ticket information will be communicated soon.
Follow Howl-O-Scream on Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube where we will be revealing more haunted houses and event details. Plus, join the conversation using #EvilEncore
One of the attractions that helped put the South Florida haunt scene on the map returns for yet another scary season as Fright Nights takes over the South Florida Fairgrounds.
For the creative team behind Fright Nights at the South Florida Fairgrounds, led by the immortal, insane clown known simply as Eggman, every day is Halloween. They begin thinking of new ways to scare people out of their wits as soon as the previous year’s event is underway, and only slow down enough to perfect the art of the scare.
This year, they are going all out with four new haunted houses (Sunnyville Schoolhouse, Doll Factory, The Void and Pestilence.) In addition to the haunts, this year they will have 2 Escape Rooms: The Smiths Freak Show and Outbreak, as well as the crazy midway scarezones that will keep you on your toes all night long!
For more information, including ticket offers and special packages, visit http://www.myfrightnights.com/.
You don’t have to travel to a theme park owned by a movie studio for Hollywood quality effects. X-Scream Halloween at G-Star Studios (2030 South Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33406) offers up more thrills per square foot than any other haunted house in South Florida.
Celebrating their 11th year, the event features 2 all new haunted houses; “Dr. Bascomb’s Institute for the Criminally Insane” and “The ISland”! Also added for the 2016 season – Carnival of Carnage Scare Zone and Midway Games.
Fear, food, fun and fabulous entertainment await you at South Florida’s largest Haunted House Event! Open October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. til the last body is dragged out! For more information, visit XScreamHalloween.com.
Brick or Treat Presented by Shutterfly will be back for 2016 at LEGOLAND Florida with more spooky, kooky Halloween fun for kids. This year, the event takes place every Friday and Saturday in October, plus Monday, Oct. 31 (Oct. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 29- 31,) and as always is included with park admission – no extra ticket required!
The event features:
A special Halloween-themed fireworks show will take place on each event date except Oct. 31.
The 13-foot LEGO® “Vampyre Hearse” model introduced last year will return with working lights & sound effects
LEGO® Vampire Build
World’s Largest LEGO® Pumpkin Photo Opportunity
Brick or Treat Trail
Costume Parade through MINILAND USA
Meet & Greet with LEGO® Halloween Characters
Skeleton Scavenger Hunt
o Search for skeleton bones hidden throughout MINILAND to complete this scavenger hunt adventure
o Guests will receive a limited edition skeleton themed BOT Brick for completing the scavenger hunt (while supplies last)
Stay tuned for even more evil information as it becomes available.
If you are too afraid to venture to one of these haunted attractions, but are willing to let your imagination wander for you, you’re in luck! The staff of Palm Beach Happening have come up with some spooky selections to get your adrenaline flowing. You can pick a classic tale of horror, as chosen by Nicole Loughan of Little Spot for Stories, or pick a book that will keep you up at night from the Palm Beach County Library System, and their director of system services Adam Davis.
Last but not least – don’t forget to enter our PUMPKIN CONTEST! Entry deadline is at midnight on October 31st! http://palmbeach.happeningmag.com/contest-ugliest-pumpkin
Remember that Halloween is a time for fun and frivolity. It is a time to come out of your shell, and to acknowledge the mischievous spirit that resides within all of us. Be sure to keep following Palm Beach Happening for news on other spooky events in the Palm Beaches. If you know of another local event that would appreciate the undead light shone upon it, please let us know!