HAUNTED HOUSE HOTLINE
a free public service from the
ZIOPTIS FOUNDATION (founded 1986)
WELCOME TO THE ZIOPTIS FOUNDATION HAUNTED HOUSE HOTLINE, your insider fast track to the hottest haunted attractions in Michigan and the whole nation! We are INDEPENDENT and NON-PROFIT. The website has large type and is dial-up friendly for maximum accessibility to all. Localities appear in red for easy identification. We also have an audio version available at (313) 438-3531. And the original, one and only Free ZIOPTIS DIAL-A-TRIP is available 24/7 at (313) 274-1111
AUGUST 18, 2010 - TURN OFF THE LIGHTS / WHEN LESS IS MORE
Ok, jazzed out lasers and programmed LED lights do look really cool. They can be really spooky when used correctly, but sometimes less is more.
Case in point: THE HOUSE OF FEAR in HAZEL PARK had a killer room a few years ago, and the only light there was a single, flickering incadescent bulb. That's it. But it was so perfect, it gave a whole different feel to the room. And everybody loved it!
Also, we just can't forget the feeling we got when we saw the Ghost Ship at THE REALM OF DARKNESS in PONTIAC. It was deliciously dark, with the perfect fog rising slightly from the water...
Oh, the website for the REALM has been updated with the new address and map. Looks like it's right off Telegraph which is pretty much the main drag, so it's probably easier to get to than the previous location. www.therealmofdarkness.com
AUGUST 17, 2010 330 PM - PUSHING SECRET BUTTONS / TWIDDLING MAGIC DIALS
We left off last time talking about the awesome "LiquidSky" laser lighting effect. The original approach is to have the laser projecting a conical shape giving the classic spinning tunnel effect, with fog or haze turning the beams 3D in midair. Green lasers are most often used, as they cut thru much better than most red lasers available.
THE HAUNTING in ADRIAN was the first to WOW the crowds with the classic conical LiquidSky years ago. Then EREBUS raised the bar, developing an ingenious LiquidSky variation for their highly effective SWAMP ROOM.
So we can't help but wonder what Secret Buttons and Magic Dials are being manipulated by the Great Masters of The Haunt Scene at this very moment! What kind of MAJOR NEW THRILL will pop up this coming season? Will it go from zero to 60 in 3 seconds? Will it dazzle your eyes with eye candy you can't forget? Will it leave permanent psychological stains that won't go away? Only time will tell, but he's not talking right now...we'll just have to wait...it's right around the corner now!
AUGUST 17, 2010 3 PM - First awards for 2009 now posted!
AUGUST 10, 2010 - PRIMO HAUNT OPEN NEXT WEEKEND / DANCING IN THE SKY
If you're reading this now, you're a die-hard haunt fan or a haunt operator...so this message is just for you! Here's your chance to get an off-season haunt fix next weekend at Darksyde Acres in Jonesville, Michigan. Oh yeah, there's a little thing called NASCAR that's happening the same weekend too nearby in Brooklyn at Michigan International Speedway.
But who cares about some guys driving round and round and round and round...when you could be haunting?!
This is a top notch haunt that's on a serious mission: to someday become the largest haunt in Michigan!!! They've got hundreds and hundreds of acres available, and the crew is a dynamic mix that could pull this off. Who knows, maybe they'll score their own Guinness World Record some day.
As you know, the incredible EREBUS already clinched their own Official Guinness Book World Record years ago! We can't help but wonder what other haunt will be able to pull off this amazing feat again.
And now that The Homer Mill is gone (see JUNE 1, 2010 entry), a new responsibility/opportunity is facing Darksyde Acres. We have every confidence they'll step up to the plate and deliver the goods...BIG TIME. www.darksydeacres.com
We went to DTE Energy Music Theater (formerly Pine Knob) a couple weeks ago for the Pink Floyd LaserSpectacular, now in its 23rd year from Paramount Studios. WOW!!! www.laserspectacular.com
Special lighting is a big part of haunting, so we're always curious as to what the current state-of-the-art lighting effects are. One especially impressive effect goes by the trade name "LiquidSky," which combines laser beams projected TOWARD the audience and fog machines or hazers. Often a fan is mounted behind the laser facing away from it, which draws air towards the laser...it looks like a spinning tunnel from the audiences view. (to be continued)
JULY 18, 2010 - BE THE FIRST ON YOUR BLOCK WITH A COOL HEARSE!
Hey, 'ya wanna really arrive in style at your local, neighborhood Haunted Attraction instead of just showing up? Well, here's your big chance... the always wild and crazy Bodybagging Entertainment has announced they're raffling off a custom Cadillac hearse that's been featured at Darksyde Acres.
One of you lucky haunters is going to win...why not make it YOU? Just click here www.winahearse.com
And don't forget the big event coming the weekend starting August 14th at Darksyde Acres in Jonesville coinciding with the NASCAR race at Michigan International Speedway nearby. They'll have free camping, live music, a hog roast, a car show and BEST OF ALL their way-cool Haunted House! Click here and go to "Special Events." www.darksydeacres.com
JULY 4, 2010 - HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY...KA-BOOM!
Happy Birthday America, thanks again George!
We'll be back to haunt info soon, but for now it's fireworks time! We went to Grosse Pointe Farms last night and it was awesome.
So many choices for tonight...we're going for the Westland show. We found an alternate route last year that gets you really close, without hitting the police roadblocks at the Ford Road area. Here's the directions, from Dearborn:
Take Cherry Hill west to Wayne Road and turn right. Continue to Marquette and turn left, then continue to North Crown Street, turn right and you're there. You'll be only a few hundred yards from the launch site for great impact!
JUNE 27, 2010 - SMOKE ON THE FERRIS WHEEL, FIRE IN THE SKY
Allen Park NAILED IT BIG TIME last night with an awesome fireworks show at Champaign Park totalling 28 super-charged minutes of pyrotechnic bliss. The Grand Finale had everybody spellbound and with jaws dropped!
Melvindale and Belleville also produced top-notch fireworks displays recently, and tonight you have 3 choices for fireworks shows with Livonia, Madison Heights, and Grosse Point Woods...provided the weather cooperates. And next Tuesday is Center Line's fireworks, which have been excellent in past years.
For the best and most complete fireworks show info, check with our favorite site www.michiganfireworks.com
JUNE 1, 2010 1PM - FIRE DESTROYS HOMER MILL / FREE NASCAR CAMPING AT DARKSYDE ACRES
A massive early morning fire completely destroyed the HOMER MILL HAUNTED HOUSE on May 17, 2010. What a horrible shame, see the full story here: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/05/homer_mill_fire_comple tely_dev.html
We just heard from Rob at Darksyde Acres and they too will offer a chance to get a haunting fix soon! It's part of their NASCAR tie-in, here's the press release:
DarkSyde Acres is Offering FREE CAMPING to all of our Haunt industry friends the weekend Of August 14th, which includes a Friday the 13th.... We are having a huge Nascar extravanganza party featuring Carshow, Hog roast, mardiGras party and of course haunted house, be sure to register with Rob at bodybagging@aol.com Campsites are limited and will fill in fast!
JUNE 1, 2010 10 AM - TOP-NOTCH HAUNTED ATTRACTION OPEN NEXT WEEKEND!
Next weekend marks the 10th Anniversary of the Great Lakes FrightFest, being held at Totem Pole Park in Petersburg, Michigan. We've had a blast every time we went, and next weekend should be no exception. www.greatlakesfrightfest.com
It's a great chance to hang out with some cool haunters, as well as the incredible people behind the scenes of the Leading Haunted Attraction State...that's Michigan of course!
Saturday, June 5th will feature all kinds of great stuff like the secrets of the Zombie Crawler, making foam look just like wood, and even how to make a fog chiller from a kitty litter pail!
And the Haunted House will operate June 5th Saturday night only, but it won't even set you back $15 or $20 bucks like many haunts. In fact, leave your money at home...instead bring as many canned food goods as you possibly can! Haunters Against Hunger and St. Anne's Parish Food Bank will take care of the rest. Last time we brought over 100 cans, but were humbled when somebody showed up with a PICKUP TRUCK FULL of canned food! We hope they blow us away again...the gauntlet has been thrown down for the challenge.
APRIL 22, 2010 - HAPPY EARTH DAY / BONNYBROOK BUCKEYE BONANZA
It's Earth Day, get out there and hug a tree...after all we owe our breathing ability to them! They TAKE IN Carbon Dioxide and EMIT pure Oxygen. Obama says get rid of Carbon Dioxide emissions...but wouldn't that suffocate our harmless tree friends?!
We heard recently from Diane at BONNYBROOK FARMS in OHIO, and BIG THINGS are happening down there in Buckeye Territory. They've only got 350 ACRES to work with!! (more coming soon)
APRIL 5, 2010 - STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH, RUMORS LAID TO REST
You may have heard there's been a shakeup with THE REALM OF DARKNESS, and YES things are changing quickly! But forget anything you may have heard because here's the real deal, "straight from the horses mouth":
THE REALM OF DARKNESS IS NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!!!
THEY ARE MOVING to a new, improved location right off Woodward in Pontiac which they will own. Given the circumstances, it sounds like the right move to make. Let's see...at the Glenwood Street location they had a next door neighbor from Hell, the landlord was horribly negligent, the place totally flooded TWICE, and the resident spooks (REAL GHOSTS!!!) went crazy wreaking havoc with not only the crew but the patrons too, giving a whole new meaning to the term "haunters"!
Oh, by the way...we're NOT joking about the place REALLY BEING HAUNTED WITH REAL GHOSTS! full documention on www.therealmofdarkness.com
Too many people were freaking out at this haunt, they had to do SOMETHING. Even worse, some of the tough guy he-men dudes who delight in "protecting" their vulnerable girlfriends suddenly became wimpering scaredy-cats.
The smart haunt operator understands these dynamics of the patrons social interactions, but they also know that the haunted attraction should be in control of the scares. Leaving it up to real ghosts is just too risky anymore...last year's casualties proved that.
It's the responsibility of haunt operators to scare the BEJEEZUS out of even the toughest, skeptical haunt patron. And that's why they're busy every month of the off-season concocting new displays and developing concepts from beyond to astonish us all. But it's also their responsibilty to have control over the scares!
DECEMBER 28, 2009 - LAST NIGHT FOR FIREWORKS
Hope you all had a great Christmas! And there's one last chance tonight to see FIREWORKS at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. (see December 4th entry for details)
DECEMBER 18, 2009 - LIVING NATIVITY SHOW / FIREWORKS ABLAZE
Just saw a sign for a living nativity scene at New Hope Assembly of God at 14000 Racho Road in Taylor, it runs 630-930 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday. $5 donation.
And don't forget the FIREWORKS TONIGHT! Launch time has been 9:45 PM the last few times, not 10 like they say. The "Holiday Nights" show at Greenfield Village in Dearborn continues tonight straight thru next Wednesday, December 23rd so there's no excuse for missing out! For the Zioptis "Viewing Suggestion" see the entry from December 4, 2009.
DECEMBER 15, 2009 7 PM - "CRAZY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS" is showing right now on The Learning Channel, and will be repeated later at 2 AM. Looks cool!
DECEMBER 11, 2009 - NO RAIN TONIGHT, FIREWORKS INSTEAD
The fireworks continue tonight and tomorrow at Greenfield Village in Dearborn at the end of the "Holiday Nights" show. And there's ZERO PERCENT chance of rain to ruin it. Last Saturday they went off at 9:45 PM, so get there early if your're going. See the posting from December 4th for "Zioptis viewing suggestion."
DECEMBER 5, 2009 - EARLY BIRD IS THE WORD / GAGA OVER CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS
The fireworks show started early at 9:52 PM last night as we predicted, so get there early if you're going! They had some new effects we've never seen before, more details later...
When it comes to decorating homes for holidays, we've noticed people can get carried away sometimes. But we approve! Who remembers the Duncan Street Horror in Taylor 2002? (see "Wayne County - Cities T thru W") It was a full blown walk thru haunt with lots of pro stuff. They had some powerful passion for what they did, and people were blown away at what spectacular entertainment was right in the hood!
That's the kind of passion we look for at ALL times of the year here at the Zioptis Foundation.
The "latest and greatest" new Christmas home display tool is a clever, expandable system called "Light-O-Rama." Reminds me of the PLC stuff a lot of you haunt operators are using. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination! Well ok, there's those nagging budgets of course too.
Get out your GPS now and set it to this address: 29718 ROBERT DRIVE, LIVONIA, MICHIGAN
That's where you'll find the recepient of our winner for the BEST ANIMATED CHRISTMAS DISPLAY IN WAYNE COUNTY 2009!
You'll hear the music soundtrack on your FM radio in excellent fidelity while you eyes take a journey into Christmas Candy Land Supreme! They have over 65,000 lights controlled by over FIVE HUNDRED CHANNELS of Light-O-Rama. WOW. Now THIS is the kind of powerful passion we're talkin' about!
Like many other awesome shows we've seen evolve thru the years (think SLAUGHTER HOUSE in FOWLERVILLE), this sprang out of one family's creative energy that got too big for its' britches real fast. We approve! The guys daughter always told people, "I live in the house with a BAZILLION LIGHTS!" So their website is www.bazillionlights.com HOW COOL IS THAT?!
DECEMBER 4, 2009 - KABOOM! PAINT THE SKY TONIGHT
What better way to kick off weekends in December than with a PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS SHOW? If that sounds cool to you, get 'yer butt over to Greenfield Village in Dearborn tonight!
The "Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village" shows start tonight and continue thru the end of the month on Friday and Saturday nights. Show starts at 8 PM, or you can show up for only the fireworks and not pay for the show. They told me the fireworks start at 10 PM, but as I recall they said that last year too and they started earlier.
If you go for just the fireworks, here's our suggestion: take Oakwood Blvd. to the main entrance of The Henry Ford which is Village Road. Continue 6/10 mile to the last possible parking area on the right, and park there facing Village Road. This puts you about 200 yards away from the launching point, giving excellent proximity for the BIG IMPACT - KABOOM!
Coming tomorrow: where to find the
ULTIMATE ANIMATED RESIDENTIAL CHRISTMAS DISPLAY in Wayne County!DECEMBER 2, 2009 8 PM - PUNKIN CHUNKIN TIME AGAIN
The Science Channel is repeating the PUNKIN CHUNKIN shows right now, and they'll be repeated later from 11 PM - 1 AM. If you haven't seen this spectacle of silliness, turn on your TV now!
NOVEMBER 28, 2009 5 PM - HAUNTED ENCOUNTERS OF THE GOODFELLOWS KIND / HELPING YOUR COMPETITION
As you know, we at the Zioptis Foundation love fish. To look at and to eat. Twice a week for best mental hygeine.
Anyway, so I'm driving to Red Lobster today to meet my partner and another girl for lunch earlier today and I catch a red light. I see the Goodfellows are out selling their newspapers, so I rolled down my window and grabbed my money and let out a cheery "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" The girl started to hand me my paper and said, "Hey, you're the guy from the haunted house website that came to our haunt!"
Fazed but not confused, I asked which haunt she was with. She said it was the WESTLAND JAYCEES, and I suddenly felt a jolt of that strange desire that envelops our yearly quest to experience the finest in Haunted Attraction madness every October in THE HALLOWEEN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, DETROIT!
Oh, by the way Detroit is also THE HAUNTED HOUSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. Just sayin'...but you already knew...the whole world does.
Back to the story...I was going down Plymouth Road westbound when I caught the light at Beech Daly. I probably could've made it thru, but I didn't keep my chauffeurs license at zero points for over 20 years by zooming thru yellow lights!
But here's the thing - I was in REDFORD, not WESTLAND. So here's this girl from the WESTLAND JAYCEES helping out in REDFORD. Cool. Actually, it's WAY COOL. It's the mindset we wish we encountered all the time. But we'll settle for WESTLAND versus, make that NOT versus REDFORD for right now.
Good deeds have a way of spreading. I wonder how far this could go if just...(fill in the blank when the opportunity arises...you'll know when)
Coming soon: a review of the Wayne County Lightfest and info on the most amazing residential displays around town!
NOVEMBER 27, 2009 12 AM - AVOID THE CROWDS ON BLACK FRIDAY / 2 SURE-FIRE TECHNIQUES
The crowds are horrendous. Your time is valuable. Do you really need a toaster for $3?
Here's 2 sure-fire ways to avoid the madness, personally tested by our team of mad scientists working at midnight:
1. Sleep in instead, lounge around all day and don't go.
2. Sleep in instead, then catch up on your pocket lint sorting, and don't go.
There. See? We're good for something ELSE besides state-of-the-art insider Haunted Attraction info!
NOVEMBER 26, 2009 1 PM - CAREFUL WITH THAT PUMPKIN, EUGENE
Have you ever lied in bed, unable to sleep because you can't stop thinking about pumpkins as projectiles? Yeah, me too. It's something I've had to learn to live with, and sometimes I wonder if I'll turn into a pumpkin MYSELF at midnight. The legend says it's inevitable, can fate be fooled?
It's an unavoidable consequence of going to as many haunted houses as is humanly possible every year, one of those embarrassing psychological stains that won't go away. Not even after all the Baby Ruths are gone.
So join me tonight for emotional release from this delicious obsession on The Science Channel for TWO BLOCKBUSTER MUST-SEE TV EXTRAVAGANZAS: ROAD TO PUNKIN CHUNKIN and PUNKIN CHUNKIN 2009 will delight your soul with fellow Pumpkin Junkies galore parading across your TV screen with reckless abandon! A highly trained team of smart-guy engineers perfect devices to launch pumpkins at Delaware's annual PUNKIN CHUNKIN CHAMPIONSHIP Showtimes are 8 PM - 10 PM and again 11 PM - 1 AM.
DON'T MISS IT, or you'll suffer for another year and we don't want to be responsible for that. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. There, now it's official. Thank you.
NOVEMBER 26, 2009 1 AM - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
May your turkey be moist, and all your pizza deliveries be on time. I hate cold pizza, don't you?
more goodies coming soon...
NOVEMBER 19, 2009 3 PM - PLEASE LET IT RAIN ON THE PARADE!
What? LET IT RAIN FOR A CHRISTMAS SHOW? I just talked to a girl at the Wayne County Lightfest, and she said her most memorable trip thru the lightshow was on a RAINY NIGHT years ago. The rain produced a mirror-like reflection that's especially effective in the giant tunnel near the start. It gave a "wrap around" feel to the already awesome display! Give 'em a jingle if you want at (734) 261-1990.
The Opening Night festivities start tonight Thursday at 6 PM, and the fireworks go off at about 6:30 PM. FIREWORKS IN NOVEMBER! YAY!! And in December we'll tell you where to see even more professional fireworks displays in the Detroit area. And of course we'll alert you to off-season haunt activities as they approach. Stay tuned as usual, for the unusual...
NOVEMBER 19, 2009 2 AM - FIREWORKS TONIGHT!
The Wayne County Lightfest kicks off the 2009 season tonight, Thursday. Festivities start at 6 PM, including a full-tilt professional fireworks show! We went last year, and it was a little strange watching fireworks thru the snow that was falling. It gave a diffused look we'd never seen before in a fireworks show. You won't see that tonight though as possible rain is in the forecast.
Entrance to the show is off Merriman Road in Westland. Last year, they let everyone go thru free after the fireworks. They really needed to just to alleviate the massive, temporary traffic jam!
If you go, be sure to check out Santa's Workshop near the exit. Santa himself will be on hand, as well as some inspired wackiness packaged cleverly. One we bought was "reindeer dust," to attract Rudolph and crew. Sure enough it worked exactly as described and we had a herd of reindeer join us for Christmas breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They were delicious.
But you won't need the reindeer dust at all to see REAL reindeer here! Rudolph and his pals made special live appearances here on certain days last year...think it was Tuesdays. The kids loved it, and had no idea what cruel fate awaited them upon arrival at the trusty Zioptis Foundation. It's not cool to make children cry, unless it's at a haunted house!
CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOWS A GO-GO!
More coming soon about some awesome Christmas light displays in the Detroit area, including one created by a member of the very cool Motor City Haunt Club!
Many of the most advanced shows use a system call Light-O-Rama. It's an expandable system of light controllers, limited only by the number of channels bought.
There was a display on Robert Drive in Livonia that had about 250 channels of Light-O-Rama, and it was the best we saw last year. They had a low power FM transmitter broadcasting music the lights were synchronized to so you could hear it on your car stereo. One night we went it was snowing which diffused the rooftop lights for a different feel until obscuring them completely. Beautiful!
The last reviews are still under construction, and will appear asap!
NOVEMBER 17, 2009 2 AM - GUSHING TIME AGAIN / A VERY NICE PROBLEM TO HAVE
Here we go again with more SHAMELESS GUSHING about another haunt we didn't even make it to in 2009, HAUNTED HILL ACRES in SUMPTER TWP. We recommended it to a young family in Wayne County looking for some kid-friendly haunt action earlier this season, and they reported back they absolutely loved it! Hey, we've been to this haunt a million times...but there's no way we can always make to ANY given haunt EVERY year. THERE'S JUST TOO MANY OF THEM IN MICHIGAN, THE HAUNTED HOUSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD! And that is A VERY NICE PROBLEM TO HAVE!
New message just for haunt operators now posted on "What's Next."
NOVEMBER 17, 2009 1 AM - CATCH A FALLING STAR AND PUT IT IN YOUR POCKET
How many of you were up at 4 AM last August watching as many as 100 falling stars per hour during the Perseid meteor shower? Well, here's another big chance to wish upon a falling star...actually about 30 of them per hour during the North American peak. Check this out, just posted from NASA:
"This year's Leonid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday, Nov. 17th. If forecasters are correct, the shower should produce a mild but pretty sprinkling of meteors over North America followed by a more intense outburst over Asia. The phase of the Moon will be new, setting the stage for what could be one of the best Leonid showers in years.
"We're predicting 20 to 30 meteors per hour over the Americas, and as many as 200 to 300 per hour over Asia," says Bill Cooke of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office. "Our forecast is in good accord with independent theoretical work by other astronomers." (1)
Leonids are bits of debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Every 33 years the comet visits the inner solar system and leaves a stream of dusty debris in its wake. Many of these streams have drifted across the November portion of Earth's orbit. Whenever we hit one, meteors come flying out of the constellation Leo.
"We can predict when Earth will cross a debris stream with pretty good accuracy," says Cooke. "The intensity of the display is less certain, though, because we don't know how much debris is in each stream." Caveat observer!
The first stream crossing on Nov. 17th comes around 0900 UT (4 a.m. EST, 1 a.m. PST). The debris is a diffuse mix of particles from several old streams that should produce a gentle display of two to three dozen meteors per hour over North America. Dark skies are recommended for full effect.
(Zioptis sez - Get at least a few miles away from city lights. They pollute the sky horribly, get OUT of the concrete jungle! We like going to the edge of Wayne County and Washtenaw County where it's all dirt roads and NO street lights, in Sumpter Township or Belleville.)
A remarkable feature of this year's shower is that Leonids will appear to be shooting almost directly out of the planet Mars," notes Cooke.
It's just a coincidence. This year, Mars happens to be passing by the Leonid radiant at the time of the shower. The Red Planet is almost twice as bright as a first magnitude star, so it makes an eye-catching companion for the Leonids.
The next stream crossing straddles the hour 2100-2200 UT, shortly before dawn in Indonesia and China. At that time, Earth will pass through a pair of streams laid down by Comet Tempel-Tuttle in 1466 and 1533 AD. The double crossing could yield as many as 300 Leonids per hour.
"Even if rates are only half that number, it would still be one of the best showers of the year," says Cooke.
The Leonids are famous for storming, most recently in 1999-2002 when deep crossings of Tempel-Tuttle's debris streams produced outbursts of more than 1000 meteors per hour. The Leonids of 2009 won't be like that, but it only takes one bright Leonid streaking past Mars to make the night worthwhile.
Enjoy the show!
(1) Leonid forecasters use computer models to track the location of debris from Comet Tempel-Tuttle and to predict Leonid meteor rates when Earth crosses one of the debris fields. That is the basis for Cooke's predictions. Here are some others: Jérémie Vaubaillon of the Institut de Mecanique et de Calcul des Ephemerides in France predicts 25 meteors per hour over North America and ~200 per hour over Asia. Another forecaster with a proven track record, Mikhail Maslov of Russia, predicts 20 to 30 meteors per hour over North American and as many as 140 per hour over Asia. Earlier predictions of a "half-storm" of 500+ meteors/hr over Asia have been downgraded."
By Dr. Tony Phillips, Science @ NASA
NOVEMBER 16, 2009 - "Best haunted house in the country hands down." We hear that from lots of fans about many different haunts. But we just heard it from someone who should know, because he runs a WORLD CLASS HAUNT himself, the dauntless DEADLANDS in DAVISON. He made the trip from Michigan to NETHERWORLD in ATLANTA, which was open November 13th & 14th.
We remember seeing NETHERWORLD featured on "America Haunts" recently on The Travel Channel, and it looked awesome! JL from DEADLANDS also said: "They are doing stuff out there that no one else is doing. I strongly suggest you make it down." Thanks for the tip DEADLANDS!
FRIDAY THE 13th, NOVEMBER 2009 2 PM - THE TRIP THAT NEVER WAS / GUSHING TIME AGAIN
Oh wellski. We both have to get up early tomorrow so we're not going to Grand Rapids tonight. But there will be more off-season goodies we'll partake in, stay tuned for details later...
I need to gush again, this time about a haunt we didn't even go to this year, BLAKE'S NIGHTTIME SPOOKY HAYRIDE & 3 LEVEL BARN in ARMADA. :( But a black cat just ran under my ladder and broke the mirror, so I'm going back to bed until it's safe again. Good luck on YOUR Friday the 13th!
11/11/2009 10 AM - MOTLEY CRUE COMES TO FOWLERVILLE, SORTA
Have you ever been to a Motley Crue show? They're big on pyrotechnics as well as notorius bad boy attitudes. They do EVERYTHING BIG.
Kinda like SLAUGHTER HOUSE in FOWLERVILLE. Their new 2009 show has the THE MOST AMAZING THUNDEROUS EXPLOSION WE'VE SEEN AT A HAUNT! How big? How about a blast producing an explosion about 25 feet wide and 30 feet high? Pretty much like we saw at Cruefest last summer at DTE Energy Music Theater (but we still call it Pine Knob). And they conceived, believed and achieved this all on their own. That's why they have gags you won't see anywhere else!
Previously we raved about their "disappearing easy-chair room," which was precision engineered by this bunch of farmers hell-bent on producing the coolest haunt in the county where Hell is!
(2009 review coming soon)
NOVEMBER 11, 2009 12 MIDNIGHT - HAPPY ELEVEN ELEVEN FROM YOUR PALS AT ZIOPTIS! Enjoy the big day, more later...
NOVEMBER 10, 2009 - Here's 2 more haunts open this Friday the 13th:
THE DARKNESS in ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI www.scarefest.com
THE BONEYARD HAUNTED HOUSE in DALLAS/FORT WORTH, TEXAS www.theboneyard.com
Both of these haunts were recently featured on "America Haunts" on The Travel Channel. THE BONEYARD is the new Guinness Book World's Largest Walk Through Haunted Attraction at 20% larger than the previous holder of the record EREBUS. It was only a matter of time until someone else decided to "follow the leader," and imitation is the most sincere form of flattery! 'Nuff said.
NOVEMBER 9, 2009 4 PM - Now posted: preliminary review for ERWIN ORCHARDS BARN OF HORRORS & HAUNTED CORN MAZE in SOUTH LYON. 2009 was their first year back after a 5 year hiatus, and it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT. (see Reviews, 2009)
Coming soon - info on 2 more haunts open this Friday the 13th!
NOVEMBER 8, 2009 SUNDAY - TELL ME IT'S NOT OVER / GRAND RAPIDS GALLIVANT
First, I'll tell you it's not over. It's not over. The 2009 haunt season, that is! THE HAUNT will have a special Friday The 13th show next Friday! But the actors have abandoned the place, and I think they forgot to pay their electric bill. So you'll be wandering around alone in the dark which could become truly scary! www.the-haunt.com
I was just talking with my partner on the phone about WHAT A GAS GRAND RAPIDS IS! Then 10 minutes later my phone rang again. It was her again, informing me how she's re-arranging schedules so hopefully we can go! Good girl. Doing her job as usual. No wonder I keep her around, eh? Not just for eye candy, honest. She's the logistics specialist, I'm just the brains of the outfit - right up UNTIL the moment I push the wrong button! ): thanks Mr. Wizard, whew!
NOVEMBER 6, 2009 - TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN
What three simple words conjure up imagery of childlike innocence and magic feelings of role-playing aspiration? That's easy. "Trick or Treat!" Ah, those magic words...are they still echoing in your mind? I hope so.
In childhood we learned how make-believe and fantasy role-playing could enrich our lives largely thru Halloween. And it even tasted good!
My brothers and I used pillow cases on our way to collect our just rewards of laughter and sugar based thrills. Some naughty kids switched costumes and hit the same houses again for extra candy. But we never tried it, we couldn't risk Santa punishing us come Christmas time. He's always watching, you know.
We had a neighborhood costume contest each year. All the kids marched down the block in hopes of winning even more candy and bragging rights that lasted much longer than the Snickers and Baby Ruth bars.
I'm the youngest of four boys, and one year my oldest brother took first place in the contest with his homemade robot get-up. It was made from cardboard boxes, wire, switches, a battery, and light bulbs he flashed as fast as he could.
That was the only time I remember being allowed to tag along with him for Halloween. In fact, all four of us proudly marched to the rhythm of songs children sing in their hearts when happy and free from cares.
But todays world doesn't seem so care free, and is much crueler than when we waited for the next Halloween adventure.
It seems just too far away sometimes... but it's all a state-of-mind. In a world where the only constant is change, I can still experience that same joy and once again hear those same songs in the hearts of the kids on the sidewalks every October 31st.
So if some dreary day before next October you feel down and know that society doesn't care, just remember that the special day will come again. You'll role-play and fantasize without shame and relive childlike innocence. Or dress up like a tramp and get away with it, maybe even be commended and rewarded!
Whatever your little heart desires is ok! And you won't need ruby red slippers or to click your heels together three times. All you need is to keep in your heart and soul the spirit of those three magic and now timeless words: "Trick or Treat!"
And you'll feel like a kid again.
NOVEMBER 4, 2009 - WISH WE WERE THERE
We received an invitation we wish we could've accepted this season to check out the new show at SALEM'S HAUNTED BARN in CAPAC. We saw their debut in 2007, and were so impressed with the overall feel of the haunt we awarded it the BEST NATURALLLY OCCURING AMBIENCE AWARD 2007.
They have a walk thru barn and a HORSE DRAWN HAYRIDE. That's right, a real living creature powers the cart! It's the only of its' kind to our knowledge. The resulting quiet becomes almost deafening without engine noise. But nothing lasts forever, and when you least expect it...
NOVEMBER 3, 2009 - THE HAUNT in WALKER will be open FRIDAY THE 13th, 2009! If you didn't get enough haunting yet this year, here's your big chance to see A KILLER HAUNT. It's WEST MICHIGAN'S LARGEST INDOOR HAUNT! There's some serious attention to detail and an awesome original dance routine in the waiting area. You'll love it!
NOVEMBER 1, 2009 1 AM - ERWIN'S ROARS BACK / SLAUGHTER HOUSE SENSATION
After a 5 year hiatus, ERWIN ORCHARDS BARN OF HORROR & HAUNTED CORN MAZE is back and pumping up happy haunters! We asked a few of them what they thought before we entered, and they all gave it thumbs up.
The entrance area to the haunt is strikingly beautiful, yet strangely seductive. There's tons of tiny blue LED lights highlighted by fog rolling out the door.
15,000 SMILING CHILDREN CAN'T BE WRONG
Besides an excellent scary haunt, there's an awesome non-spooky barn for children. There's no live actors, but lots of clever action with sophisticated animatronics and great artwork throughout. It's so cool, 15,000 area school children have gone thru it this year!
SLAUGHTER HOUSE HAUNTED HAYRIDE has some really impressive new gags this year and you won't see them anywhere else. Why? Because they conceived, believed, AND achieved them all by themselves. No generic haunt-supply stuff you've seen a million times over because this haunt is one-in-a-million!
OCTOBER 31, 2009 6 PM - The History Channel will air "Halloween Tech" from 2008 at 7 PM tonight. Gotta run, much more later...
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
OCTOBER 31, 2009 4 PM - HALLOWEEN IN HELL (MICHIGAN)
"You know it well, it's a goin' to hell, it's a goin' to hell on a sled..." Remember that song? John Loudermilk I think. They played it on underground FM radio in Detroit many moons ago.
Well, Halloween seems like the logical time to visit Hell, so that's what we're doing tonight! The HAUNTED HAYRIDE IN HELL sounds like a blast, why not meet us there? lol
And the SLAUGHTER HOUSE HAYRIDE in FOWLERVILLE is running tonight too, so we'll be there. They've TOTALLY FLOORED US in the past! You really should check this out, these guys are ultra creative and make their own gags.
We just had a nice talk with ERWIN ORCHARDS BARN OF HORRORS & HAUNTED CORN MAZE in SOUTH LYON. This is their first year back after an extended hiatus. We remember going prior to the inception of the Haunted House Hotline, and then taking a chance going late to the GREAT FENTON BEAN COMPANY (anyone remember this?) and seeing a fantastic last show of the season.
So it only seems fitting that we go there tonight to see one of the last shows of the season. ):
If time allows, we'll finish at the FUNERAL HOME in INKSTER. We drove past it on our way to the WESTLAND JAYCEES HOUSE OF THE DEVIL recently, and it looked cool. We went last year, which was their first. We're always anxious to check out new haunts on the scene...the more the merrier!
OCTOBER 31, 2009 3:30 PM - GRAND RAPIDS IS A GAS!
First of all, A MILLION THANKS to the cast, crew, and owners of NIGHTS OF FEAR in GRAND RAPIDS! A traffic jam caused by a car fire delayed us, and they stayed open later so we could see their AWESOME SHOW! In fact, they won the recent Grand Rapids Press poll of 2,000 haunters for the best haunt in the Grand Rapids area. And they didn't even know it until a fan brought in a poster he made from the article!
We actually did know prior to our visit here, one of their friendly competitors we also visited told us! Now THAT'S the kind of talk we like to hear. But hey, if you've got a top-notch haunt yourself, you KNOW IT and shouldn't have any problem acknowledging other quality shows in your area.
THE HAUNT in WALKER has a dynamite new show and amazing dance routine performed in the indoor waiting area. Don't miss it! This haunt has never let us down, and sports some of the best actors we've ever seen. The planning and training involved is extensive here, and it shows. BIG TIME.
FRENZY HAUNTED HOUSE in ALLEGAN has ambience up the ying-yang! And lots more. There's some amazing true stories about this place that will BLOW YOUR MIND. All will be exclusively revealed in their 2009 Zioptis review, coming asap...
OCTOBER 31, 2009 3 PM - TO FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN (story appearing soon)
OCTOBER 31, 2009 - HAPPY HALLOWEEN from your pals at the trusty ZIOPTIS FOUNDATION!
We had an awesome Devil's Night in the GRAND RAPIDS area! details soon...
OCTOBER 30, 2009 3 AM - HOUSE OF THE DEVIL PERFECT FOR DEVIL'S NIGHT
Now posted: review for WESTLAND JAYCEES HOUSE OF THE DEVIL.
OCTOBER 29, 2009 11:30 PM - GETTING BACK TO OUR ROOTS
Tell the truth. How many of you have been to a Jaycee's haunted house? Ok, I saw every hand go up. Except for one, that girl in the back with a dead fish in her back pocket...she doesn't count. I think her name is Candy Fishalot.
Anyway, if you think about it, the haunted attraction genre OWES ITS' VERY EXISTANCE to the early haunts produced by the Jaycee's, Little Leagues, and various community organizations.
Who remembers Mutilation Mansion? Just saying the name was way cool, and lots of urban legends revolved around it.
Well, tonight we went to haunts put on by the Northwest Little League in Taylor and the Westland Jaycee's. Getting back to our roots never felt so good...
(still lots more to write, pausing for "America Haunts 4" on The Travel Channel)
OCTOBER 29, 2009 7 PM - Tune in at 8 PM or 12 midnight on The Travel Channel for "America Haunts 4," the THIRD new show in this series for 2009 alone!
OCTOBER 29, 2009 3 PM - DOWNRIVER ALERT
PAPP PARK in TAYLOR is open tonight and tomorrow, it's an excellent volunteer walk-thru haunt and hayride. (see not in FF/HG)
OCTOBER 29, 2009 11 AM - TELL ME IT'S NOT OVER
Boo hoo! The Final Weekend is fast approaching, last chance to get out and see the INCREDIBLE HAUNTS IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, MICHIGAN!
If you hit the Flint area, be sure to check out the bargain-priced but World Class DEADLANDS in DAVISON. (review posted under "Reviews," 2009)
OCTOBER 28, 2009 11:30 PM - Now posted: mini reviews for DEADLANDS in DAVISON and TERROR ON THE TRAIL in WHITE LAKE.
Any trip to the Flint area IS NOT COMPLETE until you check out the amazing DEADLANDS HAUNTED HOUSE! It's a bargain at only 10 bucks.
OCTOBER 28, 2009 10 PM - Now posted: review for HOME OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN in WHITE LAKE.
OCTOBER 28, 2009 6 PM - Tune in tonight at 8 PM and again at 12 midnight for the new "America Haunts 3" on The Travel Channel.
OCTOBER 27, 2009 9:30 PM - BLACK HOLE HEAVEN IN BUCKEYE LAND
We saw the TWO MOST INTENSE BLACK HOLES AT WALK THRU HAUNTS* Sunday night in Ohio at TERRORTOWN and CHAINSAW CREEK.
At TERRORTOWN they've got 3 set up end-to-end, which we've seen before. But there's an amazing new blue paint that gives a strange outer space feeling that's positively ethereal!
At CHAINSAW CREEK the black hole approach is completely different but also highly effective. It's one giant unit with a really slow rotation, which we've also seen before. But there's thousands of repeating individual designs instead of swirls or dots. And it gets better: those thousands of designs dance and float thru the air thanks to 3D glasses you wear. One of a kind to our knowledge!
*= There's an OUTDOOR haunt in Michigan with an INCREDIBLE BLACK HOLE SETUP - TERRORFIED FOREST in PINCKNEY.
OCTOBER 27, 2009 9 PM - HAT'S OFF TO THE TRAVEL CHANNEL
"America Haunts 2" just aired for the first time, and it was excellent! There was a piece aboout THE BEAST in KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI which we've heard many people talk about in past years. One of the is a Big Time haunt operator, who said it's probably the ULTIMATE EXTREME HAUNT IN THE USA! A pilgrimage may be in order...
Right now "Halloween's Most Extreme" is showing on The Travel Channel, an excellent repeat. Then the new "America Haunts 2" will be repeated at 12 midnight.
OCTOBER 27, 2009 4 PM - Tune in to The Travel Channel tonight at 8 PM for "America Haunts 2," which is listed as "New, 2009."
OCTOBER 26, 2009 2 AM - WILD, WACKY, & WONDERFUL WEEKEND
This weekend so many amazing things have taken place right before our eyes that CAN'T be...or SHOULDN'T BE! Gory details and more revealed soon...
OCTOBER 25, 2009 2 PM - BUCKEYE BLASTOFF TONIGHT!
If any of you have seen us in person, there's a good chance you've also seen one of my curvy partner's favorite T-Shirts. She's got several, but they all have one thing in common. They ALL came from one of our ANNUAL MUST-SEE HAUNTS: TERRORTOWN in MAUMEE, OHIO. It's the LONGEST RUNNING HAUNT IN THE TOLEDO AREA, there HAS to be a good reason why! www.terrortown.net
And there's another KILLER TOLEDO HAUNT - CHAINSAW CREEK. This haunt has also FLOORED US EVERY TIME! www.chainsawcreek.com
OCTOBER 25, 2009 2 AM - NO STAND-OUT FAVORITE or THREE OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD
At the end of a night of haunting, we usually gush about the stand-out favorite from that evening. But not on Saturday night. Why? ALL THREE haunts we visited were TOP-NOTCH SHOWS! We visited NIGHT STALKERS in MILLINGTON, McCURDY'S REVENGE in CORUNNA, and UNCLE SCOOTER'S CHOP SHOP in FENTON.
Our apologies to SPOOK TRAIN in BRIDGEPORT for missing them this trip, we're hoping to re-schedule for next week. It's the world's largest quarter-size train, tricked out to the max! We had a great time aboard this crazy train in 2007, see "Reviews."
We pretty much knew that NIGHT STALKERS and McCURDY'S would not disappoint us. But we were floored by UNCLE SCOOTER'S CHOP SHOP too! We made a last minute decision to try UNCLE SCOOTER'S which is in its' first year making it a PRIORITY HAUNT.
OCTOBER 24, 2009 4 PM - THE HOUSE OF FEAR in HAZEL PARK has a great new show! Only $8.
OCTOBER 24, 2009 3 PM - BACK TO SCHOOL
No, not the Rodney Dangerfield movie...but that was great. The education we're referring to is the kind that might cause embarrassing permanent psychological stains that won't go away until long after the Halloween candy is gone. But we'll risk it tonight. Gladly. It might be a big mistake. Let me explain:
The same jokers that recently invited us to a new "University" once smooth talked us into paying them a casual visit. We ended up in a pirate's den we couldn't get out of. We tried, but resistance is futile, you will be absorbed...I think they called themselves the "Pirates of McCurdyville." Took years to recover.
Anyway, now we're getting an email from some guy claiming to be the "Dean of Admissions" at "McCurdyville State University." Claims his name is Dr. Earl Swanson. Sounds like a stage name to me. And his words seem to have dubious double-meanings. Here's what he says, verbatim:
"McCurdyville State University would like to invite you as a potential student to tour our campus in beautiful downtown Corunna. It is the perfect time to come back to school, our faculty is waiting to make you part of our family. Come get the hands-on experience that will change your life."
Ok, on the surface all seems kosher. But let's consider the possibilities. First, this is obviously a form letter sent to thousands, designed to lure those trying to improve their lives. A noble cause certainly, who could argue with that?
But we don't think we can trust these guys, their causes are probably NOT so noble as they're trying to sound. It says "our faculty is waiting to make you part of our family." But it doesn't specify HOW they'll accomplish this or WHAT PART of their family you will become. There's some pretty gruesome possibilities they're probably hoping you won't think of. That's our job, to help you imagine all the deliciously wicked ways these things can be accomplished.
But don't try this at home kids. Leave it to the pros, trust your local Haunted Attraction. www.mccurdysrevenge.com
OCTOBER 24, 2009 2 PM - OUT TO SEE / OUT TO SEA
We went out to SEE the surf...the HAUNTED SURF. They were closed, no sign of activity :(
So we went out to SEA instead. In a pirate's ship. And we ventured thru some caves dripping with realism to get there. :) Sound cool? Get 'yet butt over to the REALM OF DARKNESS in PONTIAC and check out their new show. This haunt has an AMAZING HISTORY that is partially documented right here - check entries from September 26, 2009 4 PM & October 6, 2009.
OCTOBER 23, 2009 5 PM - We're always anxious to check out new haunts so we're visiting HAUNTED SURF in BLOOMFIELD HILLS tonight. And we can't wait to see the new show at THE HOUSE OF FEAR. Then we'll finish with the "Two Giants" in PONTIAC!
Our buddy Lance who knows his stuff emailed us earlier raving about NIGHT STALKERS in MILLINGTON, which we're planning on visiting tomorrow. Here's what he said, verbatim: "hey, i went to Night Stalkers in millington friday night and it was great, VERY detailed and unique scenes with a ton of props reminded me of realm of darkness in their attention to detail, it's pretty long too! only $13 lance"
OCTOBER 23, 2009 2 PM - THE HOUSE OF FEAR in HAZEL PARK was totally gutted and remodeled for the new 2009 show! This has always been a TOP NOTCH VOLUNTEER HAUNT, and won our BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK AWARD 2007. It was only 5 bucks then! Ok, they had to defray their expenses to re-do the whole place so they raised their price - but only to a measly 8 bucks! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
OCTOBER 23, 12:30 AM - Just posted the review for ST. LUCIFER'S HAUNTED ASYLUM.
OCTOBER 22, 2009 12 NOON - HAUNTED ATTRACTION FRENZY HITS NATIONWIDE TV
We checked the listings for The Travel Channel and they have THREE NEW SHOWS in the "America Haunts" series! The write-up on all three is: "New, Touring the country's top horrror atrractions. (2009), (Travel)" There's America Haunts 2, 3 and 4. We'll give the show times when they're closer.
"What's Next" just updated.
OCTOBER 21, 2009 - We had a question via email recently that we're frequently asked, so we're including it and the answer here:
Hi Mary,
Thank's for your email question, it's a LOADED one...especially considering how short it is!
You asked: "Which is better/scarier, Erebus or The Realm of Darkness?"
This question is difficult at best to answer, these haunts are as different as night and day. Let's give a brief overview:
Erebus is a highly physical haunt. You'll FEEL as though damage is eminent more than once, and maybe even get buried alive totally immobilizing you. The monsters will lead you astray and fill your head with dangerous propaganda under the guise of having you participate in a "time-travel machine" experiment. Your brain might explode as you try to absorb it all!
The biggest Tesla Coil we've ever seen will assault your senses when you least expect it, AMAZING! In short, this haunt can chew you up, spit you out and blow your mind all in one convienient visit to the former Guiness Book World's Largest Walk Through Haunted House. Some yahoo expanded his haunt recently to edge out Erebus from this category, but that's ok. WE know who thought of this marketing genius tactic!
The Realm of Darkness has a totally different approach. You'll take a journey into days-of-old and have a specific mission to accomplish. The settings often thrust you mentally into the past, because there's lots of genuine antiques. And the attention to detail here is astonishing.
Fussling with these antiques after a flood here in 2007 caused a stirring of various spirits PROVEN TO INHABIT THIS HAUNT! Paranormal researchers documented them in 2008 AND ALSO PREDICTED MORE WATER DAMAGE COMING SOON AS WELL.
Steps had been taken to ensure the previous flooding scenario could not be repeated, so they were skeptical. But it DID happen in 2009 amazingly enough! (see website entries from September 26th 4 PM and October 6th)
So if you happen to feel something brush up against you here, it's NOT the actors. They aren't allowed to touch you which is standard procedure at haunts. That's not to say this haunt is NOT physical, it IS but not in the way Erebus is.
Which is scarier/better? It depends on your point of view. BOTH offer lots of scares and gags of many different kinds, but you should be aware that at the Realm you may also be subject to scares that are NOT part of the show. Because all haunts have a "We Are Not Responsible" disclaimer statement posted outside, they're off the hook if you fall victim to something or someBODY unplanned.
Thanks for your question Mary, I hope this helps you decide where to go. But if you're STILL having difficulty, we have a sure-fire method to ensure you wind up at a great haunt. It's really simple - just flip a coin...heads it's Erebus, tails it's the Realm. Either way, you can't go wrong!
Happy haunting Mary, and how about an EASY question next time?!
OCTOBER 19, 2009 7 PM - OBSERVATIONS FROM LEFT FIELD
Last night when we arrived at DEADLANDS we noticed a poster for ST. LUCIFER'S / CELLBLOCK 13. Also in the Flint area at THE CRYPT we saw the ticket lady hand a flyer for EXIT 13 to patrons with their tickets. And at EXIT 13, they have a table set up inside with stacks of flyers and brochures for various other haunts, tattoo places and the such. Then there's THE HAUNTING in ADRIAN where we found out about their staunchest competitors and they even enthusiastically recommended them.
Are they nuts? Telling haunters their competitor has a great haunt? No, they're NOT nuts...they're SMART. Let me draw an analogy:
Have you even seen a Burger King open across from a Wendy's? And perhaps right down the street from a Mcdonalds and Checkers, no less? Are they nuts? No, they're SMART too.
Instead of driving one burger joint OUT of business, this brings MORE TOTAL BUSINESS OF THAT KIND to the area.
The haunt industry can do the same thing by CROSS-PROMOTING. Needless to say, we fully endorse this! Let's get EVERYBODY on board with this and EVERYBODY WINS. Besides, it's the nice thing to do. Makes 'ya look good too! WIN-WIN WHY NOT?
OCTOBER 19, 2009 5 PM - SO MANY GREAT HAUNTS AND ONLY SO MUCH TIME...
We're REALLY glad we made the time to experience HAUNTED FOUNTAINS in CLARKSTON Saturday night. This AWESOME HAUNT is the only stretch golf cart haunt in the USA, but that's NOT what makes this a truly unique haunt! (mini review posted, also see "not in FF/HG")
OCTOBER 19, 2009 11:30 AM - Just updated: reviews for SCAREFEST SCREAM PARK and HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR, both in LENOX TWP.
OCTOBER 19, 2009 11 AM - GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS
Bad news: Even our GPS unit couldn't save us from a horrible traffic-jam-from-hell for one and a half HOURS that prevented us from making it to NIGHT STALKERS in MILLINGTON last night.
GOOD NEWS: DEADLANDS DELIVERS THE GOODS - BIG TIME! Any trip to the Flint area is NOT complete without a visit to this highly dynamic haunt, now in only their 3rd year. And it's only ten bucks, making it a WORLD CLASS HAUNT ENTERTAINMENT VALUE! Fantastic makeup, story line, monster mannerisms, vocalizations, attention to detail, etc. There's TONS of awesome gags, props and all the rest you need for A GREAT HAUNT AT A BARGAIN PRICE! (review coming soon)
OCTOBER 18, 2009 3 PM - The youngsters with us Friday night only made it thru one haunt, but they were EXPLODING WITH EXCITEMENT after they went thru ST. LUCIFER'S HAUNTED ASYLUM! We hope to have them join us again soon.
OCTOBER 18, 2009 2 PM - HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR review updated, still more to come.
We got a dubious looking invitation from the "Dean of Admissions" at McCurdyville State University....(stay tuned)
OCTOBER 18, 2009 2 AM - We had a great Saturday night of haunting! details soon...
Another CREEPY CLYDE TV show will play Sunday morning (today) at 8 AM on WKBD-TV 50. Many thanks to CC for producing an ad for Zioptis appearing in the show!
OCTOBER 17, 2009 3:30 PM - We just talked to THE HOME OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN and they've got a unique new approach for a forest haunt. RIDE OR WALK, the choice is yours! You can take a wagon ride if you're weary, or fasten your shoelaces and fend for yourself. First time we've seen this!
OCTOBER 17, 2009 3 PM - We're taking advantage of the dry weather tonight to check out HAUNTED FOUNTAINS, A TERROR IN TOWNSEND FOREST, TERROR ON THE TRAIL, and HOME OF THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN all in OAKLAND COUNTY.
OCTOBER 17, 2009 3 AM - FLINT ROCKS!!
Where else can you find so many quality haunts in such a small radius? FLINT area, THAT'S WHERE! It takes AT LEAST 2 nights to get to them all. Our only regret from last night is we didn't make it to EXIT 13, which has CONSISTENTLY had great shows.
But we made it to THE CRYPT which we missed in 2008, and it BLEW US AWAY! And both ST. LUCIFER'S & CELLBLOCK 13 were ROCKIN' BIG TIME. In a great move, they've teamed up on one site to help streamline and maximize the total haunt experience. Hey, either one of these haunts can easily stand on its' own as they did for years and years. But to have them BOTH TOGETHER AT PLAYLAND? Not too shabby! (reviews coming soon)
OCTOBER 16, 2009 Friday - THRU THE EYES OF A CHILD
Do you remember the VERY FIRST haunt you ever went to? Without checking, I'd be hard pressed to tell you the first haunt we went to LAST YEAR! But the VERY FIRST ONE? Yup. I remember it clear as a bell. It was a makeshift haunt behind the Dearborn Youth Center, thrown together with a trailer or two and some last minute carpentry. Not too spectacular of a haunt by today's standards, but it made its' mark deep in my being.
TONIGHT WE HAVE A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY! We have a local young family of 4 coming with us, and they have 2 daughters ages 11 & 13. These girls have NEVER been to a haunted attraction! We can't wait to get their reactions and document it all. Stay tuned for a whole new viewpoint THRU THE EYES OF A CHILD!
OCTOBER 15, 2009 - We heard from our buddy Lance who always has accurate info to share. He said THE DEADLANDS in DAVISON has an excellent show this year, their third. We saw them in 2007 and 2008 and were also impressed.
If you go to DEADLANDS, you'll also want to cruise a little further north to MILLINGTON for NIGHT STALKERS which blew us away in 2007.
OCTOBER 14, 2009 - Partial reviews for HAUNTED FARM OF TERROR and SCAREFEST now posted. Other reviews still under construction and will be posted ASAP.