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poisongrape

    Christopher Dancarlo Danan (he/him/his) | Southern California

    @EscRmSteph@leviathanwren@SlyRy

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    Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America [Season 2023]

    Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America [Season 2023]

    Halloween Horror Nights

    • Haunt
    • Haunted house
    A pleasant surprise, Monstruous was one of Universal's original offerings for the 2023 year. The maze benefitted from strong set design and memorable key moments. I will never forget the image of El Silbon ripping out a victim's spine with his bare hands, a la Mortal Kombat. While the story may or may not make sense (I am biased since I watched John Murdy describe the maze in great detail during Midsummer Scream), I felt that the pacing was nice and primed the viewers with enough info to signal that they would meet a different creature from folklore.
    Fangs!

    Fangs!

    Fangs

    • Haunt
    • Other
    Fangs! is an excellent immersive theater adventure that offers strong performances, story, and atmosphere, with plenty of opportunities to have a 1-1 experience. The setting alone, the Mountain View Mausoleum, perfectly sets the tone as guests creep through the dark marbled halls with nothing but a dimly lit lantern guiding them. Kudos to the staff and actors for perfectly navigating the labyrinthine corridors. There's nothing like hearing a distant scream echo from unseen chambers while surrounded by tombs. Performances remained strong throughout the night with energy and enthusiasm. It was great to see audience members start to build bonds with certain characters, making them all the more invested in the story. While I wasn't chosen for a 1-1 this year, I found multiple lucky participants plucked from their groups to go on a solo journey with another character. The engrossing plot had perfect pacing. The mystery and tension steadily built up as the night progressed, culminating in an exciting turning point and climax. Backstories are slowly revealed, uncovering deeply buried motivations and explanations. It is worth sticking around afterward to talk with other guests to fill in plot details, as one will not get the full story on their first runthrough. For those wishing to attend, expect to spend most time on your feet, as you will need to walk and climb stairs to reach different scenes. Those with mobility issues may find this experience difficult. Fangs! was a real treat this Halloween season - make sure to take a bite out of this morsel before it disappears.
    CarnEvil

    CarnEvil

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Scare zone
    Carnevil blends comedy and horror effectively. The playful scare actors here love to interact with people and entertain with their zany antics. It's always fun to watch a clown chase down a hapless victim. The music, characters, and props pair perfectly with its location.
    Ghost Town Streets

    Ghost Town Streets

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Scare zone
    The Ghost Town Streets remain a key mainstay amongst the scare zones. It is a reliable area that sets the tone for the entire night. Braving through one of the densest fog areas is a rite of passage, a tradition one must experience every year. The sliders are excellent and experienced, sometimes stopping mere inches from you for maximum effect. The old West buildings lend to the atmosphere, and the cemetery is always a treat to visit. Scare actors are dedicated in this zone and work hard to bring on the terror. Make sure to go through this scare zone at least once on every visit to Scary Farm and pay homage to the king of scare zones.
    Gore-ing '20s

    Gore-ing '20s

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Scare zone
    The Gore-ing '20s remains one of the best scare zones, filled with energy and story. Dance along with the revelers to the swinging tunes from the live band, or heed the warnings belted out from the Prohibitionists. Stop by the Blind Tiger and ring the doorbell for a nice little surprise. Making its debut in 2023, guests can finally partake in the Devil's Elixir, the mysterious drink that's making everyone go a little mad. The scare zone is one of the most highly interactive places in the park. Guests can engage in small chit-chat with the actors, learning tidbits of the plot. Actors encourage guests to dance with them in the streets, sometimes even forming a frantic conga line. The Gore-ing '20s is a fun festive environment with something sinister bubbling underneath.
    The Depths

    The Depths

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Haunted house
    The Depths still goes strong 5 years after its debut. The Lovecraftian tale mixed with jaw-dropping wow moments fully immerse the viewer into its murky waters. Its climactic scene still leaves a deep impact with its gigantic scale. The plot is easy to follow with consistent pacing.
    Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos

    Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Haunted house
    The set design stood out as one of the most inspired and imaginative. What amazed me was that they built an entire dark ride, fully complete with animatronics and story beats that harken back to dark rides of the past. The path weaved the audience from the main attraction to behind the scenes in the maintenance corridors, building the story and anticipation until it climaxed into a mad scene of murderous hobo clowns roaming a hellish landscape.
    The Chilling Chambers

    The Chilling Chambers

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Haunted house
    Truly a stand-out maze with plenty to offer for both new and old fans. Long-time Knott's fans will get the most out of this one, as it is filled to the brim with references, Easter eggs, and nods to all 50 years of Knott's Scary Farm history. I especially applaud the homage to Larry Vincent, aka Sinister Seymour, who was the first ever celebrity host for the very first Knott's Scary Farm. I gleefully shouted when I saw Elvis from Lost Vegas, as that was one of the first mazes I did during my first visit to Knott's Scary Farm back in 2007. And the trip through the Doll Factory, one my favorite mazes of all time, plucked all the strings for the fan boy inside of me. Nothing but love for this one. For all you fans out there, make sure to make time for this one.
    Mesmer: Sideshow Of The Mind

    Mesmer: Sideshow Of The Mind

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Haunted house
    Going on its 3rd year, Mesmer still hits hard as one of the most creative mazes in the park. Delving into the dark corners of the mind in a dilapidated demented carnival, each encounter with the circus' denizens was unique and packed with details. I do miss the theatrical intro it had in its first year. The story can also be difficult to follow, as maze-goers quickly hop from room to room.
    Origins: The Curse Of Calico

    Origins: The Curse Of Calico

    Knott’s Scary Farm

    • Haunt
    • Haunted house
    As one of the older mazes, Origins still stands out as one of the best, offering a peek into the past at the source of all the madness happening at Knott's Scary Farm: the hanging of Sarah Marshall aka The Witch. The special effects remain impressive, and the climax at meeting the witch herself still sends a joyful chill down my spine.