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Haunted Halloween Attractions in Toronto
Out of the hundreds of things that happen every year around Halloween in Toronto, my favourite attractions have been, and always will be, haunted houses. No two are ever the same, and they never fail to entertain. Even though I absolutely hate it when people jump out at me, the anticipation is always the worst and I end up laughing at myself. Or swearing under my breath. It varies.
After working at a haunted house last year, I've become slightly infatuated with the whole idea, and think they're far too underrated. This year there's quite a few major haunts I plan to check out over the next month.
Nightmare On Queen St 2 (Oct 24-26, and Oct 19-Nov1)
For the second year in a row, Nightmare on Queen St 2 is created by Playdead Cult and Darkside. They're well-known for doing things a little differently at the mansion. Not only are there the usual haunt monsters, but I'll also be able to get up-close and personal with blood and gore courtesy of some of the best SPFX artists in the city. I was a part of this last year, and if past experience has anything to say, it's going to be awesome. Admission is $10. All Ages.
The Haunted Adventure (Oct weekends, Fri-Sun except the 12th)
The Haunted Adventure at Magic Hill Farm in Stouffville has been tried tested and true for 18 years as one of the original haunts around. These tend to be the creepiest, since it's a forest and an actual old stone barn rather than a set up building. I grew up going to farm haunts, and they're very effective. Trust me. And who doesn't love a haunted hay ride? Just don't let Cavendish get ya. Admission is $14-$38 depending on how many attractions you want to see, kids cost less as usual. Parking is free.
Screemers (Oct 17-Nov1)
Screemers is the behemoth haunt in Toronto. Boasting six main attractions this year along with a mini-carnival fondly known as "The Field of Screams", Screemers has been running solid for 15 years at Exhibition Place. Features include "The Black Hole", "The Asylum", and apparently a chainsaw in there somewhere. I'm too scared to go to this thanks to my friends warning me about certain things, so I'll just...uh...wait here, you guys tell me how it is. Admission is $28.50. Ages 10 and up.
Canada's Wonderland (Oct 1-Nov1, Fri-Sun)
Canada's Wonderland is also becoming a major stop, raking up over 10,000 visitors last year. They claim it's never the same as previous years, so stay on your toes and don't be "that guy" who isn't scared because they "totally remember it from last year" (side note: those guys always get scared, haha). Features ten mazes and a live show. Admission is $24-$42 depending on if you want a meal deal. No, you can't get in for free with a Season Pass, as convenient as that would be.
Casa Loma's Haunted Mansion (Oct 29-30)
Haunted Mansion at Casa Loma is an option for the tamer crowd, and those with kids. The castle features a Spooky Attic, Dragon's Den, Magic Mirror, and Ghouls and Goblins around every corner. There are also a few live shows to see at various points throughout the day, such as "Magic Mike" the magician and "Frankenstein" presented by the Men in Tights. Admission is $12 for adults, $7.50 for seniors/youths, and kids are $6.76. "Frankenstein" is $2 for adults, $1 for kids. Get all that?
Feel free to add any haunts in the comments below I may have missed!
Photos by IrenaS, lockphilip, jefe46, and mountainhiker, and hauntedadventure.com.
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I hope they do it again this year!
I'm more interested in the "real" haunted houses. I always thought that my imagination was scarier than the bogeyman jumping out of the corner and screaming "boo".
Do you have any listings of "real" haunted houses or places we can visit on Halloween?!?
http://www.torontozombiewalk.ca/
@Eve: There will be a post dedicated to just that topic going up within the next little while.
@O: The shot was taken by jefe46 via Flickr. It's gorgeous, isn't it?
We ended up taking two sets of kids (the birthday party kids and another batch with the unrefundable tickets). Suggest the ideal age is 10 - 12. After that age they'll find it lame. Also, the it only takes 10 - 15 minutes for each attraction so $24 for three attractions lasts lasts less than an hour -- not a very good value.
The only truthful thing on their website is it is a terrifying place -- poor value and worse customer service.
Keep an eye out for me and my crew (yeah right-among the 1000's of zombies). I will be a dead fisherman!
See you Sunday (maybe) :)
I went to both Wonderland (am I allowed to mention it? it's not Toronto lol)and Screemers this year. I think both are worth checking out. That being said we could have different ideas about what is good! I went this past Saturday to Screemers and by 10 or 11 most of the indoor mazes had big line ups. I would recommend going this weekend if you can and be there when it opens. They have a $5off coupon on their site under the "all the chilling details" tab (not valid on Halloween). I thought the mazes were really good (the themes they chose and what they did in them). I did all the mazes but the Asylum (line up was too long). The 3D one had great effects (if you wear the 3D glasses they provide). Some outdoor carnival rides are also included in the price. They checked off the maze as you went in so I think you can only do each maze once but I could be wrong. I didn't try to go in anything 2x. Feel free to ask anything else you may want to know.
They are both different in how they do things. Wonderland has more mazes but they are spread out all over the park so you could spend 1/2 your night walking around trying to find them (they did have people holding tall poles with signs on them at the entrance to each maze which helped).
The scare at Wonderland seems to be more about the people scaring and not the maze. The mazes are not as decorated or detailed as the ones at the ex (I think) but you can go through the ones at Wonderland multiple times if you want to. The rides are more extensive at Wonderland (there's about 14-16 coasters you can ride) and are fun to ride at night.
So (in conclusion lol) if you're into rides (or quantity of things to do) I would recommend Wonderland but if you like detail (which I do)or not having to walk around a lot or if you like being warm (the Screemers mazes are inside a building-except for the maniac maze) then I would go to the Ex.
Does that help? lol
I'm not sure (don't remember but didn't see any when I went) and the screemers site didn't say anything but I would doubt that you are allowed too,
Have a great Halloween!
http://phantomfarm.ca/
I feel like screamers will be PACKED tonight!..what do you guys thing?
www.screamworks.ca
www.screamworks.ca
Anyways, Magic Hill has since ceased operations. FYI
Don't let this being free fool you, this house is extreme!!!
Over 2800sqft inside and outside!
Check out our site for all the details.... Dates, Times, Acts and everything else you want to know!
www.hauntedtemhome.ca
THIS IS NO JOKE - COME IF YOU DARE, WE GUARANTEE A SCARE!
386 Taunton Road East, Ajax Ontario, L1Z 1V2
Running Dates :
Thursday October 18th 7pm - 10pm
Friday October 19th 7pm - 11pm
Saturday October 20th 7pm - 11pm
Sunday October 21st 7pm - 10pm
Thursday October 25th 7pm - 10pm
Friday October 26th 7pm - 11pm
Saturday October 27th 7pm - 11pm
Sunday October 28th 7pm - 10pm
Wednesday October 31st 7pm - 10:30pm
Some Details....
We don't want to give anything away....so....just know that as soon as you park your car, the experience starts! This haunted house is fully interactive....meaning....you will have to interact with the actors to move through the house, there may be points where YOU have to find your way....there may be points where you have to do something to reveal the next step or figure something out to be able to pass, you may have to remember something or save something...in this Haunted House, all you can do is expect the unexpected and hope for the best!!
Each year we make the Haunted House different, so there is no chance of knowing what is to come! The set is designed in house and takes about 3 months to complete! This is not a simple walk through house like at Niagara Falls and according to last years guests...better than screamers.....you could say screamers with a TWIST. When you enter the house, you become immersed in the moment and are actually part of the experience!
We strive to make things as realistic and scary as possible. Those who come thinking there is no way we will get you....well you couldn't be any *wronger! We Guarantee we will get you or your money back!! Did we mention that this event is free for the community? Well....it is, although, we couldn't make it possible without the support of our community, so we ask that if your enjoyed the event and want to come again next year, please leave a Donation!!
What else is different about this event you may ask....well not only do we have a Haunted House, we have anywhere from 10 - 20 actors inside, we also have live entertainment during the later hours from 7:00pm to 11:00pm. There is plenty to do as many of the sponsors of our event will be on display. There is food and drink for purchase. The sound system in this house is absolutely amazing and all the tracks are made in house! The light show is also stellar and will, with no doubt, be a highlight to the event, no pun intended!
During the daytime from 12:00pm to 4:00pm we open up the house sans actors....meaning no crew inside! This gives a chance to for the younger haunters to come and walk through the house while it is not tooo scary...but older people don't be fooled, you cannot get a chance to see what is going on during the day as several sections of the house are closed until the night showing....just so that you can't sneak a peek!
Here's a couple more things that we offer.....around the grounds there are FREAKY PHOTO areas set up which have been designed to make for great pictures of you and your family....we have camera's set up throughout the haunted house and you can purchase a video of your walkthrough....this is no short ride, the house takes at least 20mins to get through....longer if your get stuck!!!...."evil laugh".... The video will be emailed to you as a .mov file and is only $10 bucks!!
7-11 though is really intese, we also have live bands and DJ's a different one each night!