Six Flags Magic Mountain kicks off the 30th year of Fright Fest and it’s never looked better. Happening now select nights through October 31, the event blankets the thrill capital of the world in a layer of fog and frights as the sun sets. Parkwide announcements are made warning unsuspecting guests of the impending scares and then the monsters are let loose.
What makes this particular theme park haunt unique among its peers is that this isn’t a hard ticket event. The park remains open as things become scary. Guests can enjoy the whopping 7 scare zones and frightful entertainment throughout the park at no additional charge. For an additional fee and a lot more scares, guests can purchase wristbands that offer access to 8 haunted houses throughout the park, including the all-new mazes The Conjuring and SAW X.
Here we will let you know what we thought of the entertainment, the scare zones, and the collection of mazes. Suffice it to say we were thrilled with what we saw.
Entertainment
There are three entertainment offerings throughout the park for guests to enjoy.
Unleashed
Unleashed is the evening processional that originates from the D.C. Universe section of the park, aka City Under Siege. It is here that all of the monsters, creatures, and fog pour forth into the park to terrify and entertain. This only happens once a night as the kick-off to Fright Fest so, please check show times for the exact schedule on the day of your visit.
Invasion
Situated in the courtyard in front of Full Throttle is Invasion. This lively stage show and dance party continues through the night with revolving acts. This is a high-energy spot to hang, regroup, and build up more courage.
Sliders of the Night
The wickedly talented sliders of Fright Fest put on this spectacular show in City Under Siege. Here guests can gather and witness the skills and agility of the sliders ( you know, the scare actors that start running, then slide toward their victim to scare the crap out of them,) in an impressive display of dexterity and talent. Don’t miss this one. Again, check show times on the day of your visit.
Shopping
This year there is PLENTY of Fright Fest merchandise for visitors to pore over. There’s everything from general merch to maze-specific items including shirts for The Conjuring and SAW X. Check out the Fright Fest store at the back of the park near the Aftermath 2 walkthrough.
Scare Zones
Classics return and new favorites are back in the seven scare zones of Fright Fest. These areas, peppered throughout the park, offer a passive way to enjoy the haunt. You can breeze through or spend time in these spots.
The Devil’s Triangle
Returning is the maritime-themed Devil’s Triangle. Here denizens of the deep lurk in search of victims. This is one of the more impressive scare zones with strong talent and a striking lighting package that makes you feel like you are hanging with Davey Jones.
City Under Siege
This classic scare zone is improved this year with new lighting elements and the addition of the new Sliders of the Night show. Make no mistake, this is the area with the most active, high-energy performers. They never seem to stop in their pursuit to terrify.
Carnivhell
A little jaunt off the beaten path, Carnivhell returns for more circus-themed horror.
The Deadzone
Another high-energy spot, The Deadzone offers a fog-filled, neon-colored space to encounter monsters. The talent here was really working the crowd during our brief visit and it was wonderful.
Terrortory Twisted
Terrortory Twisted offers a steampunk twist on Halloween. You must brave this section in order to get to the SCREAM and Twisted Colossus coasters, so, good luck.
Exile Hill
Atop the peak at the center of the park is Exile Hill. Here the undead wander the paths around Willoughby’s mansion. Sliders make their home here too so, beware.
Nightmares: A Twisted Fantasy
One of our very favorite scare zones in the park, Nightmares is back. Situated along the path from Viper to Roaring Rapids and Tatsu, this neon-colored fever dream is home to twisted versions of your favorite fairy tale creatures. This is also home to the world-famous witch, Lorraine-Lurane. Stop by for a spell and see what beauty treatments she can offer. Just watch out for her cauldron.
Haunted Houses
This year, Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest swings for the fences with 8 haunted houses. Two are based on wildly popular franchises while the others return in various states of refresh. Thankfully, there are only two of the bunch that don’t quite work anymore.
SAW X
First up is the all-new SAW X. Based on the new film from the disturbing Saw franchise, we begin by entering the medical facility featured in the new film. What follows is more of the greatest hits from the franchise as opposed to an actual linear story based on the new film. While a little too bright for our taste, this is a big level-up for Fright Fest and a direction that we hope they continue to pursue.
The Conjuring
Situated across from Tatsu and Roaring Rapids is the new house, The Conjuring. Based on the Conjuring Trilogy, we enter The Warren’s collection of occult relics only to be thrown into a fight for our lives against evil spirits. As with the new SAW X maze, this plays more like a clip show with references to the films rather than anything that resembles a story.
The talent in this house was strong during our visit and were out for blood. Another thing to note here was the lighting that added just the right amount of mood for each scene.
Willoughby’s Resurrected
Ah, the classic walkthrough, Willoughby’s Resurrected. Perched at the peak of Exile Hill, just next to Ninja, is this quintessential haunted house. During our visit, the talent was serving spectacular scares. They knew the blindspots and used them well. In fact, on this visit, Willoughby’s seemed to have more life than in previous years.
Sewer of Souls
Sewer of Souls has seen better days. Once a brilliantly original walkthrough, Souls has become tired. Effects weren’t working, one of our favorite sections of the maze was closed off, and the talent was minimal. One of the few mazes left to utilize chroma-depth 3D, we are handed glasses, for free, that make the colors pop from the walls. This is a unique feature that can’t make up for what the experience used to be like. It’s a shame that this dazzling attraction has been allowed to fall into disrepair.
Aftermath 2: Chaos Rising
The epic AFTERMATH 2: Chaos Rising returns. This expansive walkthrough has been entertaining guests for years with its basic conceit of viral panic. While the set pieces continue to impress, it might be time for this pandemic to be over. That said, the talent was energetic on our visit, making the experience fresher than it has been in a while.
Truth or Dare
WOW! It’s the sophomore year for the haunted house Truth Or Dare and we were impressed. The walkthrough has been almost entirely reworked to offer more effective scares. There is only one show moment that opens the house, leading to a continuous walkthrough filled with sinister surprises. During our one trip through, the talent was minimal with some of the better scares left sitting vacant. Thankfully this didn’t affect the overall experience too much and we were left pleasantly surprised at the improvements.
Vault 666
It’s another great year for Vault 666. Here we enter a cursed lot from a forbidden auction only to find certain doom. Props to the casting for this year’s iteration of this popular maze. The cast really engaged the group that we were a part of on our journey. Most notably the actor in the first scene took the time to set the mood and tone for what we were about to experience.
Condamned Houseparty
A holdover from the amazing SCREAM BREAK event held earlier this year, Condamned Houseparty takes the dilapidated dwelling theme and turns it into a loud, hyper-kinetic free for all filled with college monsters. This haunted house is scary and hilarious in ways that few walkthroughs seem to achieve. While the energy was low on our visit, we still couldn’t help but have a good time. This is just a great concept that needs to be carefully maintained and added to.
Overall, Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest is a phenomenal theme park haunt. The event has never looked better and it is heartening to see the company lean into the event on its big 3-0. Keep in mind too that, while all of the Halloween fun is happening, most of the rides in the park are running and the coasters have had their lights dimmed or turned off entirely to add to the thrills.
What really sets this haunt apart from the competition is the value. less than half the price of other theme park haunts, visitors can stay for an entire day of coaster thrills, then stay to explore the haunted houses and scare zones at night.
If you are considering visiting a haunt for the first time, Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest is the perfect place to explore the world of theme park Halloween fun.
