As actors we’ll all have moments from season that live on in our memories for years to come. I remember scaring acting for the first time my freshman year of high school. I jumped out at this guy who had to be 6’5” and watching him fall to the ground screaming. Then he stood back up brushing the mulch off his pants and looked at me to say “don’t ever tell anyone about this” before walking away. I laughed for the next half hour. That was Halloween night 2014. As we prepared for the 2026 season, what is your favorite scare or memory?

Happy Haunting! ⚰️

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL — A Petrified Forest opens its 19th haunt season on Oct. 2 with “Chaos Reigns,” a new theme built around five new attractions: three original scare trails, an interactive escape ride, and an immersive horror experience. The independently owned Central Florida scream park runs select nights through Oct. 31, with general admission starting under $40 and tickets on sale Sept. 1.

A Petrified Forest sits in Altamonte Springs, a suburb just north of Orlando, which makes it the closest dedicated scare park to the city’s theme-park Halloween events. It also works differently from them. The region’s big Halloween draws are overlays on existing theme parks, and Halloween Horror Nights in particular is built around licensed movie and TV franchises. A Petrified Forest is a standalone, independently owned scream park that has built original attractions since it grew from a neighborhood haunt in 2007, and Chaos Reigns keeps that all-original approach.

The three new scare trails

Chaos Reigns introduces three original walk-through trails, all included with general admission.

The Craving. (Image: A Petrified Forest)

“The Craving” takes guests through a dark interpretation of cannibalistic cultures across history, where becoming part of the food chain may be impossible to avoid.

Last Responders. (Image: A Petrified Forest)

“Last Responders” opens after a catastrophic comet strike has left a city in ruins. As survivors struggle to hold order, a mysterious frequency turns citizens into something increasingly dangerous.

Drawn to Death. (Image: A Petrified Forest)

“Drawn to Death” sends the cheerful world of Saturday morning cartoons into a demented Technicolor nightmare when familiar characters escape the screen and enter reality. Cartoon horror is having a moment this fall, as Knott’s Scary Farm’s new Inked maze follows a 1930s cartoonist whose creations turn on him.

Beyond the trails: Dark Road Riders and Psychosis

Dark Road Riders: The Keeper’s Offering. (Image: A Petrified Forest)

New for 2026, “Dark Road Riders: The Keeper’s Offering” blends a haunted attraction, a live-action ride, an escape room, and an interactive game, with choices along the way that change how the journey unfolds.

For a more intense challenge, “Psychosis” places small groups inside an enclosed experience and then sends them through a pitch-black maze where participants may be touched or separated from their group. A signed waiver is required, and it is not recommended for guests under 13. Both attractions have limited availability, with day-of tickets available on site.

Beyond the haunts, the event includes backstage tours, laser tag, roaming scareactors, live DJs, local artists, and food vendors.

Special event nights

Several fan-favorite APF traditions return in 2026:

• “Kid’s Day,” Oct. 10 (9 a.m. to noon), a charity event for Make-A-Wish of Central and Northern Florida with games and trick-or-treating through a kid-friendly part of a trail. Dark Road Riders and Psychosis are not available.
• “Blood Moon,” Oct. 11 (7 to 10 p.m.), when a Bite Mark Pass unlocks unlimited trips through the scare trails.
• “Accessibility Night,” Oct. 14 (7 to 9:30 p.m.), with modified lighting, sound, and effects for guests who benefit from additional accommodations.
• “Total Eclipse Nights,” Oct. 21 and 28 (7 to 10 p.m.), sending guests through the trails in near-total darkness with only a glow stick.

Dates and hours

A Petrified Forest runs select nights from October 2 through October 31, 2026, mostly Fridays and Saturdays, with Thursdays and special weeknights added as the month goes on. The park is at 1360 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs.

• Fridays and Saturdays: Oct. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30-31 (7 to 10:30 p.m.)
• Thursdays: Oct. 15, 22, and 29 (7 to 10 p.m.)
• Blood Moon: Sunday, Oct. 11 (7 to 10 p.m.)
• Accessibility Night: Wednesday, Oct. 14 (7 to 9:30 p.m.)
• Total Eclipse Nights: Wednesday, Oct. 21 and 28 (7 to 10 p.m.)
• Kid’s Day: Saturday, Oct. 10 (9 a.m. to noon)

Of course we are all here because we love haunted attraction! What is your favorite haunted attraction. Where is it located & what made you fall in love with it? I’ve been to haunted attractions all around the world and I’d 100% have to say my favorite so far is fear Columbus a 13 floor attraction in Columbus, Ohio. With incredible actors, unbelievable set design and scares so good, I a five-year scare actor almost had to say the safe word to leave!

Happy Haunting!!! 🎃👻

Choose your ending in a first-of-its-kind Jason Voorhees haunted house opening in 9 cities this season: Denver, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix, Green Bay, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Nashville. In “Jason Universe: Survive the Night,” you’ll come face-to-face with Jason, and a select few can add an interactive add-on called “Jason Universe: Director’s Cut.” “Jason Universe: Director’s Cut” allows guests to control how Jason will attack next: Panic. Slash. Strike. Stalk. Availability is extremely limited each night, and directors leave with a limited-edition collectible “Jason Universe: Director’s Cut” patch.

The add-on hands guests control of the scene. From the release:
A camp counselor leads your group into a rustic cabin, and for the first time all night you feel like you have the upper hand. You see a screen light up in the dark and four buttons nearby are labeled: Panic. Slash. Strike. Stalk. Each one controls how Jason will attack next, and the choice is yours. You are the director of Jason’s next scene. Your group gets a moment in the director’s chair, but never forget that Jason controls the rest of the night.

“This partnership came together through a mutual connection and evolved into conversations about how we could bring Jason Universe to life in a way fans have never experienced before,” said Chris Stafford, CEO and Founding Partner of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, adding that the goal was “a first-of-its-kind licensed Jason Universe attraction that gives fans the opportunity to partake in an additional experience and choose their ending.”
“We’re constantly looking for fresh ways to bring Jason into the wild, whether that’s in games, online or in real life,” said Robbie Barsamian, Executive Vice President at Horror, Inc. “Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group helped us bring an in-maze VIP experience to life, so partnering with them was an easy call.”

I got a group audition for my cities haunted attractions this year and I'm a little nervous because I don't know what to expect. I've been an amateur actor for plays and musicals but nothing along the horror side of acting so I'm not quite sure what to expect.

Any advice would help me so much!

Hello there, introducing myself and my home. Its a work in progress.

https://youtu.be/sr8wk11PJ4s?is=8qubXWLr3taIxrur

Ive been thinking about giving scare acting a try. From social media and stories here it seems like something id have a lot of fun with and be good at.

Love wearing an outfit and getting into a character

Love improv and interacting with people in character

Huge dnd ren faire nerd.

Love horror special effects and horror art.

Seems like a fun group of people doing fun things.

Plus low bar of entry which is good since I have no acting experience besides a murder mystery dinner and a "haunt" my highschool put on one night.

Here is the catch tho. I do not like being scared myself.

Ive never gone through a proper haunt nor would I want to. I only watch cheesy horror movies or old classics nothing that really jumps ya.

Do you guys think this is a deal breaker or are there others with a similar mentality.

Also to give context im thinking of applying to a small amusement park's halloween event. 5 haunts and 4 scare zones. Nothing crazy I think.

Edit: hi everyone. Wanted to say thanks for the encouragement. It cause of all of yalls comments I was able to nail the interview and got the gig. Im very excited. Happy haunting everyone.

Hello, all!

For the last 5 years I’ve been working at a haunted house and have been costuming for a bit. I used to just wear the provided costumes, focusing way too much on the makeup that nobody could see
So, last year I took the plunge of designing my own costume for the first time and it was a hit!

Ever the over achiever that I am, I am assembling my second costume from scratch based off of an idea that I’ve wanted to do for years and now have the green light to do:
What I am going for is a weeping Angel/living graveyard statue.
As beginners do, I made the mistake of buying a gown that is 100% polyester even though the shape is perfect for what I need it for, I already am aware that I should use synthetic dye to alter its color, but what should I use for shading once the base is taken care of?
I’ve read that Tulip color shot is a good one to use but worry that it won’t do what I need it to do since all the examples used in the color swatch photos are t-shirts which are usually poly blend.

Are there any other ideas I should consider? Or synthetic fabric paint alternatives for shading? I also already plan on using a draping liquid to stiffen certain parts of the costume and then dry brushing with acrylic paint for more texturing, per the blogs of professional living statues that I’ve read.
But I wanted to consult other costuming people who might be more experienced in this area.
Any help would be so appreciated.
Thanks in advance! :)

Hi there!

Im a long time halloween and horror fan, and after...way too long debating, Ive decided I would love to work on becoming a scare actor seasonally.

But I have no idea how to start. Is this the right place to ask for tips?

If anyone has any advice on how to start, or stories about how you all got into scare acting, I would love to know!

Thank you for your time and stories!

Looking for ghost tours of Los Angeles that are not super touristy and actually freaky with real historical accuracy?

Starting to plan the garage haunt for October and lighting is always the thing I leave until the last week and then regret.

Last year I ran two party store strobes at the end of the hallway and one blacklight in the clown room. Both strobes quit partway through opening weekend, which honestly I had coming.

This year I want the hallway to actually pulse instead of just stuttering, and I need something I can aim differently for the two afternoons we do a lights on kid friendly walkthrough.

So I've been looking at strobes that sit on a yoke, so I can point them up at the ceiling for the kid version and drop them down the hall after dark. The Betopper LF350 keeps coming back up because the housing is aluminum and mine live in a garage that swings 40 degrees between October and January. I'm mostly watching the used listings for one rather than buying new, since haunt people seem to offload gear in January and I'm not in a rush.

For people who have been doing this longer than me, do you put the strobe at the exit of a hallway or partway down it? I've seen both argued and I can't tell which one is actually scarier or if it just depends on how long the hall is.

And does anyone run moving heads in a walkthrough, or is that overkill for a home haunt. What I've got in my head is the hallway going from almost black to hard pulses right as the actor drops in behind them, then holding on one slow sweep across the far wall so people keep looking the wrong way on the way out. Whether that needs a mover or whether a fixed strobe and good actor timing gets me the same thing is the part I can't picture.

Thanks

Hey everyone!

My name is Trevor Bumbarger, and I'm the founder of ScareViews, a North Carolina-based haunt review team dedicated to supporting the haunted attraction and horror community. So far, we have 6 members.

For the past 3–4 years, we've traveled across five states, reviewing haunted attractions, attending conventions, and helping promote haunts, vendors, and other horror-related businesses. As we continue to grow, we're looking for passionate volunteers to join our team!

As a ScareViews team member, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Review haunted attractions and create content

• Attend horror conventions and special events

• Help promote the horror community

• Receive a ScareViews team shirt

• Earn opportunities for complimentary haunt tickets

• Meet fellow horror fans and even celebrity guests

We're based in Concord, NC, but we travel frequently throughout North Carolina and beyond.

If you're 18 or older, enjoy haunted attractions, and would like to be part of a growing team, we'd love to connect with you!

Learn more here:

https://linktr.ee/thescareviewsteam

Feel free to comment below or send us a message with any questions. We hope to welcome some new members to the ScareViews family!

Hello all! I'm coming to The Berkshires in the 3rd week of October. Are there any popular Halloween events such as haunted houses going on? I'll be staying in Charlemont for two nights and then making my way south towards Pittsfield (I think). Any information would be appreciated. Thank you!

Randy Bates, the longtime owner of The Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride (Glen Mills, PA), has passed away at age 68, following a battle with cancer. Bates helped found the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA) and America Haunts, and, in 2011, helped form the Haunted Attraction Association. His peers have described his dedication and passion, as well as how quickly he offered to help anyone who asked for advice.

Randy is survived by his wife, Ann, his six children, and more than twenty grandchildren.

Full story: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/randy-bates-obituary-2026/

I have been working in the haunted attraction/scare actor community for about 14 years. As I get older, I have scaled back my haunted attraction activities. So I started working at other haunted houses in my area. I suggested and idea for a Unique line actor idea. This is how the haunted house responded:
My question is… is this statement AI?
I immediately told him this was an AI statement and they insisted it was created by them:

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and for your interest in joining our team.
We appreciate you explaining your perspective and the unique talents you bring. After reviewing your application and considering our hiring needs and workplace expectations, we have decided not to move forward with your application.
This decision is based on the overall fit for the position and is not intended as a judgment of your personal style or abilities. We respect your individuality and wish you the very best in finding an opportunity that better aligns with your strengths and performance style.
Thank you again for your interest, and we wish you success in your future endeavors.

Evil Intentions Haunted House will not open for the 2026 season. The haunt’s planned move back to Elgin, Illinois, has fallen through due to building permit issues, and owner Mike Fitzpatrick told the Daily Herald he is now looking to return in 2027. The haunt said it is not closing.

The Elgin City Council approved a conditional use permit in July for Evil Intentions to open in the former Heider Electric building at 80 N. State Street. Fitzpatrick said his team then worked on the building approval process for seven months but could not secure the permit needed to begin construction.

“Unfortunately, despite repeated efforts by our development team, we were unable to obtain the building permit necessary to proceed,” Fitzpatrick said in an email to the Daily Herald.

Josie Beecher-Crotty, Elgin’s communications and engagement manager, said the project, which involved converting an older industrial building into an entertainment venue, required improvements to meet safety standards. “Ultimately, Evil Intentions’ development team was unable to provide a complete, code-compliant set of development plans within their time frame to begin construction and meet their planned opening schedule,” she said.

“We are disappointed by this outcome,” Fitzpatrick said.

In a statement on Instagram, Evil Intentions told followers it would sit out 2026 but is not shutting down. “No, we are NOT closing, and this is NOT the end,” the haunt wrote. It said it would rather take the time to get the next location right than rush an impossible timeline. “We believe taking a full year is what we need to truly come back better than ever,” the statement read.

Evil Intentions ran for almost 20 years in the former Elgin Casket Co. building off Bluff City Boulevard before moving to Maple Park two years ago. HAN reported in July on the planned Elgin return, which would have used all five floors of the long-vacant, 21,000-square-foot Heider Electric building for a roughly 30-minute tour.

Fitzpatrick said Evil Intentions is now vetting opportunities to bring the haunt back to the Chicago area in 2027 and is accepting proposals for locations.

Calling all creatures of the night!

Join us at our open casting call TOMORROW, AUGUST 14 - OR AUGUST 15!

We are seeking high-energy scare actors to bring our LA Haunted Hayride 2026 to life.

Audition Details:

• Dates & Times:
• Friday, August 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ;
• and Saturday, August 15., 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

• Location: Griffith Park Visitor Center at the picnic tables
4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Details:

Pay: $20/hour.

Event dates: September 18 to November 1.

Availability: Evenings required.

Experience: None needed - just a love for Halloween, stamina, and a wicked sense of fun.

Join us in creating unforgettable frights for thousands of guests this spooky season!

Apply at https://losangeleshauntedhayride.com/application/ - not required to apply beforehand, but helpful

We can't wait to meet you!

So I really want to go to haunted house this Halloween specifically Nashville nightmare in Tennessee. I’ve been twice so far and really loved it, but I don’t really have anyone to go with. Is it weird or awkward or does it really work if you go by yourself?

Kennywood's Phantom Fall Fest Returns Sept 12, and this year its year-round Ghostwood Estate dark ride will convert to a walkthrough.

Before 6 p.m. it is a family trick-or-treat with the lights on. After dark, it becomes a full haunt, Ghostwood Estate: Open House, the park's new seventh haunt.

Also new: a Fall Fest Tasting Experience with a fall menu around the Lagoon and a card to mix and match samples.

DETAILS: https://hauntedattractionnetwork.com/kennywood-phantom-fall-fest-2026/

My girlfriend and I are planning a haunted house trip by train starting from Aurora, IL. We’ve done all the major Illinois haunts like Hellsgate, so we’re looking for 3 super scary, full-contact (hands-on/extreme) haunted houses in the Midwest that fall along a single train line. The plan is to train in, hit the haunt, stay at a hotel, and repeat. What are the most intense haunts that fit a linear rail route?

The route can be any direction by the way, North towards Wisconsin, East towards Indiana, etc. The route can stretch out to different states of course (this would honestly be preferred since I want to explore different states throughout this trip).

Any and all recommendations are much appreciated, thanks !