The haunt season, though it seemingly grows longer every year, is still a very brief and happy time between the end of summer and the winter holiday season.  For the most part it is something that has really come into it’s own here in Southern California and its spreading all over the world and more and more major theme parks and independent haunters spread the fog and screams of terror through the night.  We are honestly blessed here to have some major players in the game locally. 

Knott’s Scary Farm – The Haunt that “started it all” and damn near evolved all of it too, about to celebrate it’s 45th Anniversary.  

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights have elevated the terror bar so high that their mazes had to explode out into the studo backlot to accommodate the crowds that now flock through the gates from the late September all the way through early November some years. 

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor brings rich characters like the cannot say enough good things about her “Ringmaster” and mazes that really are woven into parts of a ship that is one of the most purported haunted places on Earth.

And Six Flags, which continues to expand and evolve offering both coaster thrills and themed chills in their Fright Fest event. 

If it sounds like I am a fan…I am.  When my friend Norm announced he was starting HorrorBuzz, I literally forced my way onto the team to be able to help bring video of the haunts and the events he was planning because my family and I love them so much. 

Because you see, Norm originated the idea of VIP exclusive events at the haunts, and we had cherished them every year as a family.  My wife and kids actually always put a large chunk of our Halloween funds aside to be able to get to attend them and have the opportunity to get to the parks early, meet some of the rock-star designers who create all the scares, enjoy amazing food, and then get the front of the line escorted access to the mazes in the famous (imfamous?!?) “death marches.”

And we have invited friends and family to join us on these special nights because it’s really worth the small additional expense to have the opportunity to attend with other members of the HorrorBuzz community, who are some of the nicest people you are likely to meet. (all dressed in black and purple and such…who knew?!?!) 

Want to see some of the highlight from past years?

How about the time we took what was supposed to be just a behind the scenes lights on tour of the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, and after we did that, the Creative Director of the event J.J. Wickham, took us to usually off limits parts of the ship, like the the real paranormally active “Vortex” or all the way down the the tomb-like Boiler room #2.    Then of course we were welcomed up to the RIP lounge high above the event to enjoy the opening drinks and food in hand.

Or what about time we walked through both Trick or Treat, Toothfairy, and Voodoo and had Jon Cooke quiz us about the origins of some of the easter eggs he had hidden inside?

Or had the opportunity to experience Six Flags heavily themed and expansive Aftermath 2…multiple times before anyone else was allowed inside?

So this is more than just front of the line tickets and a buffet thing.   This is the opportunity to see these park offerings in ways that most of the public never gets a chance to, behind the scenes with the creative forces that shaped them.  The term V.I.P. gets thrown around a lot, but these events are the real deal if you want the red carpet haunt experiences.

This year Norm is doing something beyond ambitious…he offering a golden ticket for a single price per person that gives you access to his Knott’s Scary Farm, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest, and even a beyond exclusive Winchester Mystery House Friday the 13th special event.  If you do the math for what it would cost per person with admission and front of the line alone, then factor in the banquet food offerings you will see what a great deal this really is to experience the best of Halloween in Southern California. 

If you haven’t purchased your tickets already here are the links

I look forward to seeing all of you at the events and having the chance to talk about our special 4K 3D 360 degree videos we are putting online this year.