Frightening Fun: The Haunts of 2011 - 5

Universal Studios Hollywood's Halloween Horror Nights (HHN) is another scarefest that's bigger and better than ever for 2011.  Using its strong ties to the movie industry to its advantage, HHN at Universal Hollywood is able to feature attractions based on films like The Thing, Wolfman, Hostel, and the Scream franchise.

Actually, all those movies have an attraction at the event this year, whether it be a maze or the park's famous Tram Tour, which is especially devious this time of year.  The maze themed to La Llorona has received especially great reviews this season.

A visit to HHN isn't complete without catching a viewing of Bill and Ted's Excellent Halloween Adventure as they skewer the Hollywood elite we all love to hate.

Time for screams to fill the night at Six Flags Over Texas' annual Fright Fest.  If you're heading to the park looking for a scary-fun time, then you've made an excellent choice.

This year's Fright Fest celebration features mazes such as Cirkus Berzerkus, where murderous clowns are running rampant, and Skullduggery, filled with undead pirates that are less than pleased to have you as their guests.

Patrons can also check out the latest Sega games at the Game Zone, including the latest in the horror genre.  Plenty of shows are also presented, not the least of which is Dr. Fright's Final Freakout, featuring zombie performers, hit music, and "red-hot" choreography.

Busch Gardens Tampa's Howl-O-Scream 2011 takes place in a very crowded theme park market, meaning the park has to step up more than ever before to compete.  That's great news for Haunt fans!

New this year is Nevermore, a house dedicated to the demented stories of Edgar Allen Poe, complete with beating heart and calling crows.  The Vampire Casino also sounds interesting, with the vamps ready to take a table at the all-they-can-eat buffet.  Can you guess what they're serving?

Howl-O-Scream features a dance club, named Club Virus, where you can get your groove on with the dead.  Also back this year is Alone, the ultra-scary haunted house that guests must sign up for, only to be forced to travel through completely alone.  Awesome!

If you're looking to head to an event that offers the most mazes and haunted attractions for your dollar, then Kings Dominion just may be exactly what you're looking for.

This year's Haunt offers an amazing total of 16 different attractions, spread between haunted houses and scare zones, along with one re-themed ride.  With that many, there's always something new at the park.  CornStalkers, a popular maze at other parks, along with Outbreak: The Evolution are new this year.

A new scare zone, named IronWorx, features elaborate mechanical props and costumes from an industrial style nightmare.

Las Vegas might not be that scary (unless you lose all your cash!) except for this time of year, when Circus Circus presents the Fright Dome. 

Advertised as being one of the top 5 scary attractions in the country, Fright Dome features not one but two haunted houses devoted to Michael Myers and the Halloween movies.  Also new for this year is a maze called Fright High - Knock Em' Dead Class of 2011.  As if high school isn't scary enough on its own!

In all, the event has five different houses, along with several haunted midways and plenty of the park's rides included with admission.