The LA Haunted Hayride is back for 2024 and we are happy to report that it is better than ever. Journey back to the storied town of Midnight Falls, where it is Halloween every day. Cross through the pumpkin tunnel and come face to face with the crazy townsfolk as they celebrate their favorite time of year. This kitschy, cooky event seems to have finally found its footing again and we really couldn’t be happier. As visitors enter the colorful town square the will see a gift shop to the left, a stage just ahead, and the titular hayride just off to the right. Stay here a minute and get yourself acclimated while getting to know the citizens of this crazy place.
The event offers three haunted mazes, various additional-fee attractions and experiences, and of course the hayride itself. Here we will tell you what we experienced, which things are something you should not miss, and we also share info that will make your visit more enjoyable.
Mazes
There are three walkthrough attractions this year at LA Haunted Hayride. Two are returning and reinvented, one is entirely new.
Monáe Manor – DO NOT MISS
We love Janelle Monáe. Her catchy music and acting talent is noteworthy but it’s always a gamble when a celebrity wants to jump into the haunt game. Monáe does not disappoint with Monáe Manor. We begin the walkthrough by approaching the red-lit facade of a creepy mansion. Static figures outside give off a goofy vibe that had us concerned, but not to worry.
We enter the maze and it’s a floor-to-ceiling themed walkthrough. Beautifully lit, and technically advanced. Portraits of Monáe hang on the walls of this dilapidated manor and various monsters greet us along our walk through. Little video elements are built into the sets, depicting Monáe as a severed head in a cupboard, a ghost, a bloodthirsty maniac, and all the while actors play on the distraction to surprise.
We were very pleasantly surprised at the level of detail and tech in this charming trip though Monáe’s mansion.
Trick Or Treat: Ding Dong Dead
The Trick Or Treat maze at LA Haunted Hayride was partially inspired by the demand for a maze based on the popular film from 2007. It predates the other attempts that both Universal and Six Flags have made and returns this year revised and updated.
We enter the attraction through the front door of a normal, decrepit home. The monster at the front door taunts and shrieks as we venture further into the home. There’s the normal chaos happening here with a hint of Halloween night charm. the walkthrough allows visitors to venture past various front porches and scenes of horror. All of it was well laid out, and nicely produced, but there was little there in the way of the Trick or Treating, much less the promised moments to ring a doorbell here and there for effects. Very thankfully the maze works on its own without the interaction but it did leave us puzzled.
Hellbilly Halloween
The hillbilly theme returns here with Hellbilly Halloween. Cannibalistic countryfolk are having us over for dinner and we are the main course. What we have here is a classic, creepy walkthrough rife with hungry meat eaters and hanging corpses. We are lured into the experience and into the facade of a rundown home. it seems the denizens of this domicile are a little too happy to see us and we find out why.
Again, there is nothing new here, it’s a cannibal-themed maze. But it’s produced very well. The sets and path are inventive and disorienting. The fog was thick and the lighting was a saturated crimson wash. The maze was properly staffed and had actors jumping from nearly every corner. Well done.
Haunted Hayride – DO NOT MISS
It seems that 13th Floor took to heart many of the notes that guests seemed to have given regarding this flagship attraction. For 2024 it is a vastly improved experience that left me pleasantly surprised. After entering the boarding area we were guided to hop onto into a long trailer towed by a tractor. There is a big difference this year with improved seating. Guests are no longer asked to sit, on the bed of the trailer, in the hay. This year there are bench seats along either side of the trailer and a row of hay bails in the center for those still interested in the nostalgia of it all. We chose comfort over itchy fodder. We were loaded up and the ride began. What followed was a tightened ride-through that was tremendously improved over other years.
Huddled together in an open air trailer, we tour through various spooky scenes. The normal tropes are here, including clowns, aliens, and zombies. What made this year so much better was an overall tightening of the route and the collection of scenes. Gone were the long stretches of nothing. In place was one scene after the other, populated with actors attempting to terrify the crowds. During our ride, nearly every trigger effect fired up without issue. We were very impressed with the level of improvement here.
The Hayride format is a slow-moving throwback to the rural scares of the Midwest, but there is a charm to it.
TICKETS
We strongly advise that you pick your tickets up ahead of time to secure your date and times before arrival. The event can sell out. LA Haunted Hayride also utilizes dynamic ticket pricing based on dates and availability so nabbing your admission early could mean a better price. The tickets range in price from just over $40 for admission and the hayride only to an unlimited, “skip the line” admission that allows repeat access to the hayride and three mazes starting at $129.49.
Add-ons
There are additional experiences throughout Midnight Falls that you can purchase. These range from digital photo albums to axe throwing and allow folks to create a custom experience. As media, we were allowed to experience one of the add-ons, the Madame Aurora Seance Theater. We share our thoughts below.
Madame Aurora Seance Theater – $10.00 – DO NOT MISS
Drawn to the thin veil between the living and the dead, the world famous Madame Aurora brings her talents to Midnight Falls. Witness as she conjures up spirits before your very eyes, but stay alert, not all are benign.
We were guided from the queue and led to the entrance of a red and black striped tent. As a film reel churned away on a screen outside telling of Madam Aurora’s many psychic talents, our guide asked for six volunteers to sit at the table in the performance space. Once this special group was in place, the rest of the audience was invited into the tent.
We were guided to sit on tiered, bleacher seats facing a performance space. Before us was a worn-looking room lit with candles and flanked by video screens that doubled for windows. At the center of it all was the table of six guests. Soon, Madam Aurora joined them at the table and greeted the audience to begin the seance.
You can guess what happens next. It happens anytime contact with the other side is attempted. Things go horribly wrong. I think what impressed me about this little 15-minute show was the technology behind it. The audio was directional and crystal clear despite the audio from outside that permeated the space. There were also some other fun surprises that I will not reveal, but the show certainly exceeded my expectations for a temporary installment.
Digital Photo Album Access – $5.00
Pre purchase and save. Digitally access photos taken at the event for digital download.
Zombie Splat – Gellyball Experience – $10.00
Defend yourself from the army of the undead with our exhilarating GellyBall experience! GellyBall employs electric devices, similar to airsoft equipment, to launch 8mm colored water balloons, providing a safe and enjoyable encounter. Rest assured, GellyBall offers a secure and entertaining activity, using smaller projectiles compared to traditional paintball. All guests will receive complimentary protective eyewear for their safety. You’ll be placed in a range-style booth, where you can engage with live actor zombies in an exciting zombie apocalypse simulation.
Scary-Go-Round – $5.00
The iconic Scary-Go-Round has reawakened. Choose your skeleton steed and ride off into your nightmares; just be careful not to get stuck in the eternal loop of this haunting melody.
Midnight Falls Axe Throwing – $7.00
With the curse of the witch plaguing the city of Midnight Falls, learn to protect yourself from the less-than-friendly ghouls. The Axeperts at Midnight Falls will train you up and for only $5 you can try your hand at hitting the bullseye 5 times.
Escape Rooms – $7.00
Mini Escape Games are a fully interactive and immersive experience, unlike anything you have ever done before! Race the clock: Your group enters a room and has only 5 minutes to use clues and riddles hidden throughout the room that provide the tools necessary to meet the objective. As the clock ticks down and the pressure mounts…can you stay calm, can you escape? Admits one person into one Mini Escape Game attraction. Purchase multiple tickets to play multiple Mini Escape Games. Enter anytime during haunted house operational hours. Subject to waiting in the Mini Escape Game queue line, wait times vary. Limited Capacity.
S’mores Package – $8.00
Indulge in the ultimate autumn experience with our exclusive S’mores Package! With this golden ticket in hand, you’re granted the delightful opportunity to craft your own mouthwatering s’mores surrounded by a twinkling pumpkin-lit night.
Parking
Three words. GET. THERE. EARLY. By early we mean at least an hour before your scheduled hayride time or more. Why? The parking situation at Griffith Park is confusing at best. Hayride does its very best to guide and warn. But if you don’t have your tickets in hand, and your route dialed in, you might be in for some frustrating conversations with the well-meaning attendants on where to go. There is also a parking shuttle that will get you relatively close to the entrance if you are guided to park too far.
Study the location and parking page here and be prepared.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- No costumes, facepaint, prop or handheld items are allowed inside.
- No smoking or vaping – items will be confiscated and thrown out. Please leave these items in your car.
- While outside the haunt, feel free to take photos and grab food and drink at one of our vendors (info below). While inside the haunt, no food, drinks, bottles, recording devices, flash photography, or flashlights are allowed.
- Small bags and purses ONLY – these items will be subject to inspection.
- Mistreating any performer or staff member will result in you being sent home.
- Wearing heels or flip-flops is discouraged.
Overall, The LA Haunted Hayride was a vastly improved event over previous years. The production level was consistent, the talent seemed to be well-trained and capable,
Share This Story
