Sunday, October 24, 2021

Dorney Park Scares Up Fun For Halloween Haunt 2021


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Dorney Park's annual fear-fest, Halloween Haunt, is back after taking a year off and scaring up frightening fun for park visitors.  The event has been especially popular this year, as we've seen with haunts all over, as guests are thirsty for some scares.  The event will run through October 30th, before the park transitions to their first ever November operating dates, known as Community Weekends.


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As in past years, the entire vibe of Dorney Park changes for Halloween Haunt.  The park is decked out in decorations and plenty of unique lighting effects all over.  Many of the park's rides also get a different look for the event, such as the Ferris Wheel, seen above.  There's also special food treats throughout the park, plus retail item unique to the Halloween season.


This year the park is not only offering a large amount of scare zones and haunted houses, but also several live entertainment options.  The night kicks off with the Overlord's Incantation, which features a surprising ending that just might change who the Overlord is in future years.  You'll have to check it out to see what I mean.


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The same stage that is used for the Overlord's Incantation is also used several times per night for IllumiNightmares, a pulse pounding drum show that features a "mixture of several drum stations, a complete LED drum set, and your favorite Rock and EDM soundtracks."  The crew keeps the energy high throughout, and if that doesn't get your attention the giant fireballs going off behind the stage are sure to!


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If you enjoyed the dueling pianos show that played this year at Center Stage (and is spreading to other Cedar Fair parks, too!) then you'll love Ghouling Organs, the Halloween version of the production.  The entire performance space got a spooky makeover and looks great - complete with new chandeliers, spooky lighting and other decorations.  The show is put on by some truly talented artists and is a great family friendly performance.


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A few years back Dorney Park took their giant pirate ship props and created a unique space that featured the Port of Call bar along with the Skeleton Crew live show, all in a spooky underwater atmosphere.  It was great... and it's back!  The set up returns this year and that means that the crowd favorite Skeleton Crew is as well.  The show features several unique acts - from fire balancing to aerialists, and ends with the energetic skeleton trampoline act that the audience goes wild for.


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As far as scares go, well the park has plenty to offer.  Returning this year are four indoor haunted houses - Trick Or Treat, Tourist Trap, Blood On The Bayou and Blackout.  These established houses offer a variety of scares within their elaborately themed interiors.  Well, maybe not Blackout, since it's pitch black in there the fear comes less from the themed sets and more from monsters in the dark!  I will say that the park switched up some of the rooms in these established haunts this year, adding in new looks and effects.  Keeps them fresh!


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The park's new indoor haunted house is Enigma, down at the far end of the park on the lower midway.  This one doesn't rely on a specific theme, instead it relies on a blast of confusing optical illusions, lighting, distractions and other tricks of the eye to let the monsters scare you when you least expect it.


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The park's outdoor haunts, some scare zones and some haunted houses that just happen to be outdoors, are strong again this year as well.  Returning outdoor attractions include Steamworx, CarnEvil, The Lair, Necropolis and Cornstalkers.  Many of these attractions also had some subtle changes done to them, keeping things unexpected for return guests.  It never ceases to amaze me just how scared some people are of clowns - walking through CarnEvil can be quite entertaining in that regard!


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This year there is a new scare zone, located on the lower midway near the Monster flat ride, named The Hollow.  This area has never been used before for a haunted attraction, and it's wonderful that the park finally utilized it.  The path has really grown in over the years and is now pretty covered in mature trees and lends itself perfectly to a scare zone like this.  The Hollow is set in a town settled in 1784, and the outdoorsy theme includes a ton of pumpkins, scarecrow and deer statues and other woods themed props.  The lighting is fantastic, and I was very impressed with how the final product turned out.


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Dorney Park is offering some neat Halloween Haunt merchandise this year as well, above is one of the displays of clothing made for the event.  The popular squishmallows are also decked out in their Halloween finest, and remain popular with visitors.


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It's important to remember that all these haunted attractions and shows are complimented by the park's lineup of family and thrill rides, which are also open during Halloween Haunt.  For more on the park's event, visit the official website.


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