The Haunted Hotel has been terrorizing travelers and guests in the San Diego Gaslamp area for years, delivering classic haunted house scares to thousands of patrons every season. This year is no different, as the same classic formula is delivered with a well-worn polish and brand new addition called Doll Island.
After purchasing our tickets for the haunt, we lined up in the queue. Protip: you will not be allowed into the line without a ticket from the box office, so no place holding. The monsters working the line make sure there are no ticketless travelers. The wait moved relatively quickly, clocking in at a very reasonable 20 minutes, despite the line stretching over to the other side of the street.
Monsters are such interesting people.
Once inside, visitors are asked to line up into one of 4 rows. Organized into single file, we were all then led to a final, smaller queue one story below. It was here that a random horror film played on the flat screens in each corner of the room. There was a lighted case with horror memorabilia, too. Soon enough we were escorted around another corner and into the elevator that would take us into the hotel, beginning the experience.
We soon realize that all is not right here at the hotel. Darkness abounds and creatures pounce around every corner. What’s more, the convention of being inside a hotel that is haunted is quickly dispensed with and we begin experiencing pretty much any scenario sort setting that can be crammed into the space. First we are in a dungeon, then we are in a murky doll island, then we are in a claustrophobia tunnel with lasers, then in a moving subway with clowns, and so on. This is classic haunt stew but it works beautifully.
There is a reason why Haunted Hotel has survived as one of San Diego’s prominent haunts. It is classic scares in all kinds of creative scenarios, with great scenes, wonderful props, clever lighting, and a cast that works hard at what they do. There wasn’t a single minute that the experience relented, there was always something coming, or something ready to pounce. All of that being said, we would highly recommend this attraction if you were in the area. It’s worth every penny.
Just the TIPS
Parking
Park at Westfield Horton Plaza Parking Garage : Show your Haunted Hotel ticket stub (with your parking ticket) upon exiting and get 3 hours for only $5! Please note, if you go over 3 hours you will be charged based upon their normal rate of $15.
Discounts
$3 OFF Discount Coupons are available at participating San Diego County Wendy’s and Metro PCS locations. Coupons are valid Sunday – Thursday from 10/1 – 10/27 Present coupon at Ticket Booth. Not valid towards online tickets. Not valid on Friday or Saturday. Cannot be combined with any other offer. One coupon per person.
Cash
Before you even step foot in the line, you will need to purchase a ticket. The actual box office is on Market Street, near the exit of the maze. THIS IS A CASH ONLY BOX OFFICE. Yes, there are ATM’s right next to the box office but they charge an arm and a leg in fees. Hit one of the banks in the area for an ATM before you get to The Haunted Hotel.
Front Of The Line?
The line for The Haunted Hotel moves at a surprisingly fast pace. This staff knows what they are doing and they keep things humming without sacrificing the experience. That being said, you will always wonder if you should purchase a front of the line pass or not. Here is how you can judge: The actual entrance to The Haunted Hotel is midway up 4th avenue, away from Market Street. When the line begins to grow, ticket holders line up all the way down to Market Street, breaking at the crosswalk, and making their way back up 4th street on the other side. If the line on the other side of 4th street ralings with the entrance to the attraction on the other side of the street, consider a pass.
LOCATION and CONTACT
424 Market Street
San Diego, Ca 92101
(At the corner of Fourth & Market)
Information Hotline:
619-696-SCARE (7227)
(Active September – November)
Phone: 619-231-0131
