Local events & attractions, vacation destinations, theme parks and other things to do in Arizona, Southern California and Las Vegas. Articles and reviews on all kinds of entertainment, from comic book collecting, haunted houses & escape rooms to family vacations to Disneyland, Universal Studios & more.
Height requirements of at least 42" to experience mazes.
Celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2017 it is one of the top haunted attractions in the nation, this terrifying experience has been making people scream since 2003.
HAUNTED HOUSES
Lights Out
Zombie City
Chainsaw Massacre
Hex
Happy Hellidays
Killer Clowns in 4D
SCARE ZONES
Infectious Point
Marionette Madness
New World Disorder
Clown Havoc
4D THEATER
Horror fans will experience another dimension of terror in Friday the 13th™ 4-D
This past weekend, my daughters and I experienced both Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, and I want to share my first-hand comparison of these two top Southern California Halloween attractions.
From ticket prices and haunted houses to scare zones and overall experience, here’s everything you need to know before choosing the best Halloween event for you and your family!
🎟️ Price Comparison – Which Offers the Best Value?
💰 Total Cost Per Person:$229 (After 2 PM Day/Night Combo Front-of-Line Pass)
❌ Cons:
Front-of-line access doesn’t start until 7 PM, meaning you wait in lines from 2 PM to 7 PM.
Does NOT include parking – Costs $25-$50 (we paid $35 for preferred parking).
No food included – You’ll need to eat before arriving or pay high park prices.
Front-of-line pass is one-time use per attraction – No re-entry for favorites.
Total for 3 people:$779 (excluding food costs).
Upgrade to the R.I.P. Tour: Another $100 per person.
🎢 Knott’s Scary Farm – Cost & Benefits
💰 Total Cost Per Person:$153.99 (All-Inclusive Scary Farm Pass)
✅ Pros:
Unlimited front-of-line access from 6 PM until closing.
Includes FREE parking ($18 value).
Includes FREE Boo-fet dinner ($28.99 value) with monsters for entertainment.
Unlimited re-entry to haunted houses and rides.
Total for 3 people:$461.97 (including parking, food, and admission).
🔥 Verdict:Knott’s Scary Farm offers more value for less money. The included dinner, free parking, and unlimited front-of-line access make it a far better deal compared to Halloween Horror Nights.
👀 Haunted Houses & Attractions – Which Delivers More Scares?
Dark Ride – 5/5 ⭐ (Creepy abandoned amusement park theme).
Paranormal Inc. – 5/5 ⭐ (Great intro sequence).
Pumpkin Eater – 5/5 ⭐ (Surprise scare element that stops people in their tracks).
Shadow Lands – 5/5 ⭐ (Hard to find entrance, but solid maze).
Special Ops: Infected – 5/5 ⭐ (Interactive laser tag against zombies!)
The Red Barn – 4/5 ⭐
The Tooth Fairy – 4/5 ⭐ (Dark and disturbing theme).
Trick or Treat: Lights Out – 5/5 ⭐ (Interactive flashlight maze that dies out).
Voodoo – 5/5 ⭐ (Only maze that made me physically jump!).
🎡 Rides Open:10 total (with priority front-of-line access).
🔥 Verdict:Knott’s Scary Farm wins again. The mazes were more immersive, scarier, and had more hidden passageways for scare actors to interact with guests.
🎭 Overall Experience & Final Verdict
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights
🎥 Movie-Themed Mazes – Great for fans of horror films, but execution felt rushed. 💰 Overpriced – Too expensive for what you get. 🚶♂️ Long Waits Even with Front-of-Line Pass – No re-entry to haunted houses.
⭐ Final Rating:3/5 ⭐
Knott’s Scary Farm
🎃 More Attractions – More haunted houses, scare zones, and rides. 💵 Better Value – Lower cost, free food, and unlimited front-of-line access. 😱 Scarier Experience – More effort in costumes, themes, and scare tactics.
⭐ Final Rating:5/5 ⭐
🧐 Knott’s Scary Farm vs. Halloween Horror Nights – Which Should You Choose?
👉 Choose Halloween Horror Nights if: ✔️ You’re a die-hard horror movie fan. ✔️ You want to see movie-accurate sets and characters. ✔️ You’re okay with paying more for a shorter experience.
👉 Choose Knott’s Scary Farm if: ✔️ You want more haunted houses & better scare zones. ✔️ You want unlimited front-of-line access to houses and rides. ✔️ You want a full Halloween experience for a lower price.
🔥 Winner: Knott’s Scary Farm! 🔥
For less money, more attractions, better scares, and unlimited front-of-line access, Knott’s Scary Farm outshines Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights.
👻 Which Haunted House in Phoenix Delivers the Best Scares?
If you’re looking for the best haunted house experience in Phoenix, two names stand out: 13th Floor Haunted House and Fear Farm. Both offer terrifying attractions, immersive sets, and spine-chilling special events, but which one is worth your time and money?
In this guide, I’ll break down ticket prices, attractions, scare factor, and overall experience to help you decide which Phoenix haunted attraction is right for you.
📍 Address: 2814 W Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85053 📞 Phone: (602) 456-2250 🎟️ Admission: Prices vary by date: $26.99, $29.99 & $33.99 (+tax) 🗓️ Operating Dates: September 29 – October 31, 2023 🚨 Special Event: BLACKOUT (November 4th) – One Night Only!
🔥 What to Expect at 13th Floor Haunted House
Highly detailed, Hollywood-style sets inside a massive indoor building.
Animatronics, special effects, and immersive props that outshine Fear Farm.
Dancing mummies & entertainment to keep you occupied while waiting in line.
⚠️ My Recommendations:
Buy your tickets online in advance to avoid waiting in multiple lines.
Consider front-of-line access if you don’t want to wait for hours.
Prepare for REAL scares – This is one of the scariest haunted houses in Phoenix!
Those who enjoy outdoor haunted attractions & corn mazes
Wait Times
Long lines – Get front-of-line pass if possible
Multiple haunted houses = Faster lines
Special Effects
Hollywood-style animatronics, lighting & sound
More natural & farm-themed
Best Special Event
BLACKOUT – Haunted house in TOTAL DARKNESS
BLOOD HARVEST – Haunted corn maze with no lights
Price & Value
A bit more expensive, but worth it for the scares
Best if you love variety & open-air attractions
🚀 My Verdict:
If you want the SCARIEST haunted house in Phoenix, choose 13th Floor.
If you prefer an outdoor haunted farm experience with variety, go to Fear Farm.
👻 Looking for the ultimate scare? Try BOTH!
📌 Final Thoughts – Which Haunted Attraction Should You Visit?
13th Floor Haunted House is the undisputed winner for fear factor. If you want high-intensity scares, Hollywood-level props, and realistic haunted house experiences, this is your best bet.
Fear Farm, on the other hand, is great for groups who prefer open-air haunted attractions, corn mazes, and haunted hayrides. While less scary overall, it offers a unique rural horror vibe that 13th Floor doesn’t have.
🔥 For the ultimate Halloween experience in Phoenix, visit BOTH attractions!
📢 Have you been to 13th Floor or Fear Farm? Drop your reviews in the comments below!
If you're looking for the best escape rooms in Peoria, Arizona, Baffled Escape Rooms offers thrilling, immersive, and high-stakes adventures that put you and your team to the ultimate test! With mind-bending puzzles, high-tech clues, and adrenaline-pumping storylines, this escape room experience is a must-try for thrill-seekers, puzzle solvers, and team-building groups.
🏆 Top Escape Room Games at Baffled Escape Rooms
🕵️ Da Vinci’s Secret – Can You Uncover the Holy Grail?
For thousands of years, the Holy Grail has been the subject of legends, mysteries, and secret societies. As treasure hunters, you and your team have discovered a hidden chamber belonging to Leonardo Da Vinci. Your mission? Decipher the clues he left behind, solve the riddles, and unlock the "Room of Souls".
⚠️ But be warned – Once you find the hidden chalice, you’ll only have one chance to choose the correct one. Can you escape before it’s too late?
🕰️ Escape Time: 60 minutes 👥 Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 💡 Perfect For: History buffs, mystery lovers, and treasure hunters!
☢️ Nuclear Meltdown – Stop the Countdown Before It’s Too Late!
A rogue hacker has stolen nuclear launch codes, putting the entire world at risk. As the FBI’s top cyber-crime team, your mission is to break into the mainframe, crack the hacker’s encrypted messages, and disable the launch sequence before nuclear war begins.
⚠️ The clock is ticking – You only have 60 minutes to prevent a global catastrophe!
🎭 The Trap – Can You Survive the Madman’s Twisted Game?
Your team has been kidnapped by a psychotic mastermind who has designed a series of deadly puzzles for his own entertainment. He’s watching your every move.
To survive, you must work your way through his terrifying house of horrors, starting in his dark basement before making it to the Hall of the Slain and finally, his living quarters.
⚠️ Will you outsmart him and escape, or become his next victim?
🕰️ Escape Time: 60 minutes 👥 Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 💡 Perfect For: Horror fans, adrenaline junkies, and teams looking for a high-intensity challenge!
🎟️ Pricing & Special Discounts
💰 Standard Admission: $28 per person 🍂 Fall Special Discount:Use code "FALL50" at checkout to save 50%!
👥 Group Size: 2-8 players 🔒 Private Room Option: To guarantee a private escape room experience, you must book all 8 slots or select the Private Escape Room Experience.
🔥 Want to maximize your chances of escaping in time? Follow these escape room strategies:
✔️ Communicate Clearly – Share clues with your team to avoid repeating efforts. ✔️ Search Everywhere – Look under objects, behind paintings, and inside drawers. ✔️ Divide & Conquer – Assign different team members to different types of puzzles. ✔️ Think Outside the Box – Not all answers are obvious—try new perspectives. ✔️ Use Hints Wisely – Don’t be afraid to ask for a clue if you’re stuck for too long.
🚀 Want more expert escape room strategies? Check out our complete guide to beating escape games!
🎭 Why Choose Baffled Escape Rooms in Peoria, AZ?
✔️ 3 Unique & Immersive Escape Games – With thrilling storylines & movie-like sets. ✔️ Challenging Puzzles – Designed for all skill levels, from beginners to experts. ✔️ Perfect for Team Building – Great for friends, families, birthdays, & corporate events. ✔️ Highly Rated in Peoria, AZ – Customers rave about the creativity & excitement.
🔥 Do you have what it takes to escape? Book your adventure today!
📢 Have you tried Baffled Escape Rooms? Share your experience in the comments below!
Get ready to trick-or-treat at this not so scary event on select nights in September and October 2017. The Anaheim, CA Disneyland Halloween event features Trick-or-Treating, a Halloween Parade, spectacular fireworks, and photo ops with some popular Disney Villains.
Sold Out: Tickets for this event are no longer available for online purchase.
Purchase of a separate event admission ticket is required to join the Halloween fun.
(NEW in 2017) Your ticket lets you enjoy both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park for up to 3 hours before Mickey’s Halloween Party starts.
Then you’ll be treated to 5 hours of Trick or Treating fun at Disneyland Park with Halloween themed attractions, Character Greetings, fireworks, the Ride of the Headless Horseman and more.
Ride of the Headless Horseman: The haunted herald leads a Frightfully Fun Parade down Disney's Main Street, U.S.A..
Halloween Screams: Fireworks celebration.
Trick-or-treat stations: Offer a safe and fun environment to Trick Or Treat for candy and healthy goodies (loved the apple crisps treats when went).
Meet Disney Villains: A chance to meet, greet and pose with some Disney Characters decked out in Halloween costumes.
Watch the zombie barbershop quartet perform a host of spook-tacular hits. Ghosts ‘n’ Guests alike can sing.
From September 15, 2017 through early January 2018, the Haunted Mansion will be transformed with jack o’ lanterns and wreaths, terrifying toys and kooky characters from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
New for Mickey’s 2017 Halloween Party: Souvenir Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the event.
Trick-or-Treating at Mickey’s Halloween Party
At Mickey’s Halloween Party, you’ll be handed a small souvenir treat bag to collect your night’s candy collection. Use a special map or the Disneyland app and follow along designated Treat Trails to locate the trick-or-treat stations and claim your Halloween treats, no costume required.
Disneyland Halloween Parade
The Headless Horseman will rise from the shadowy depths of Sleepy Hollow this Halloween Season as he holds a flickering jack-o-lantern to lead a procession of Halloween festive friends down Main Street, U.S.A..
Mickey’s Halloween Party Dates and Times
6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Friday, September 22, 2017
Monday, September 25, 2017
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Friday, September 29, 2017
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Friday, October 6, 2017
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Friday, October 13, 2017
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Friday, October 20, 2017
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
Friday, October 27, 2017
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2017
If you’re a horror fan looking for the ultimate Halloween experience, Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2017 is the must-visit haunted event in California. With movie-quality haunted houses, terrifying mazes, scare zones, and the infamous Terror Tram, it’s a spine-chilling adventure you don’t want to miss.
This Halloween Horror Nights survival guide covers ticket prices, crowd tips, must-see mazes, showtimes, and insider hacks to help you maximize your experience and avoid long wait times.
One of the most terrifying parts of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
is the fear of not getting to experience all of the mazes due to long
lines. So here are some tips.
🗓️ Halloween Horror Nights 2017 – Dates & Best Times to Visit
📍 Location: Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608 🎟️ Event Dates: Select nights from September 15 – November 4, 2017 ⏳ Event Hours:7:00 PM – 2:00 AM (Arrive by 5:00 PM for early entry)
📅 Least Crowded Days to Visit:
✅ Best days to go: Sundays & Thursdays (lowest crowds & cheaper tickets). ✅ Best month to go:September & early November (discounted tickets & fewer visitors).
🚫 Peak Nights to Avoid:
❌ Most crowded nights: October 7, 14, 21, 27, 28, 29, 31 ❌ Saturdays & Fridays – Expect maximum crowds & highest ticket prices.
Halloween Horror Nights requires a separate ticket from regular park admission.
👻 General Admission Tickets
💰 Price Range:$65 – $95 🕰️ Includes: Admission to all haunted houses, scare zones & rides.
🎟️ Front of Line Pass (Express Pass)
💰 Price Range:$169 – $219 ✅ Skip the line ONCE per maze/ride – Highly recommended for crowded nights. ⚠️ Limited availability – Sell out FAST! Buy in advance.
🎫 Day/Night Combo Ticket
💰 Price Range:$95 – $139 (General Admission) | $199 – $259 (Front of Line) 🌞 Enter Universal Studios at 2:00 PM, explore daytime attractions, then stay for Halloween Horror Nights. 🚨 Must-see before 5 PM: Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (CLOSED at night).
Universal Studios is famous for movie-themed haunted houses that bring iconic horror films to life.
👹 2017 Haunted Maze Lineup:
🎥 The Shining – Experience Jack Torrance’s madness in the Overlook Hotel. ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 🔪 SAW: The Games of Jigsaw – Face twisted traps straight from the SAW movies. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 – Best maze!) 👻 Insidious: Beyond the Further – A psychological horror experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 🧛 American Horror Story: Roanoke – Inspired by the AHS Roanoke season. ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) ⚔️ Titans of Terror – Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface & Chucky all in one maze! ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 🧟 The Walking Dead – Year-round attraction, do this last. ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5) 🧙 Ash Vs. Evil Dead – A mix of comedy & horror. ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (2/5 – Least scary maze) 🧛 The Horrors of Blumhouse – Features The Purge, Sinister & Happy Death Day. ⭐⭐⭐☆ (3/5)
📢 Pro Tip: Start at the Lower Lot first—mazes fill up fast.
😈 Scare Zones – Where You Can’t Escape the Fear
Universal Studios Hollywood has three terrifying scare zones.
🔥 Urban Inferno – Hellfire & demonic creatures. 🎃 Hell-O-Ween – A twisted Halloween-themed nightmare. ☣️ Toxic Tunnel – Radioactive mutants in an underground tunnel.
🚨 Warning: There’s no safe zone at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights—monsters can chase you anywhere!
🚌 Terror Tram – Titans of Terror Take Over the Backlot!
🔪 Hosted by Chucky, featuring Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees & Leatherface. ⏳ Experience time: ~1 hour (not recommended as first attraction). 🚨 Last ride times:11:15 PM (Sun-Thurs) | 11:45 PM (Fri, Sat, Halloween Night).
📢 Pro Tip: Visit the Terror Tram later in the night when wait times drop.
🎤 Halloween Horror Nights Show – Jabbawockeez
🔥 Jabbawockeez Dance Show – High-energy dance, music, and visual effects. ❌ Skip this show if you’re short on time—focus on the mazes first!
🎡 Open Rides During Halloween Horror Nights
✅ OPEN RIDES:
Jurassic Park: In the Dark
Transformers 3D
Revenge of the Mummy
The Simpsons Ride
🚨 CLOSED RIDES: Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Mayhem, Studio Tour.
📢 Pro Tip:Do NOT waste time on rides until you’ve finished the haunted houses!
🚗 Parking at Universal Studios During Halloween Horror Nights
💰 Parking Costs:
General Parking: $25 before 6 PM, $10 after.
Preferred Parking: $35
Front Gate Parking: $50
🚶 Walking Distance From Parking Lots:
Curious George & E.T. Garages – 15-20 min walk (General Parking).
Jurassic Park & Woody Woodpecker – 8-10 min walk (Preferred Parking).
Frankenstein Garage – 5 min walk (Front Gate Parking).
📢 Pro Tip:Arrive early to park closer & avoid long walks late at night!
📌 Final Halloween Horror Nights Survival Tips
✔️ Arrive by 5 PM for early entry. ✔️ Start with Lower Lot Mazes before moving to Upper Lot. ✔️ Buy Front of Line Pass if visiting on a busy night. ✔️ Skip rides until after haunted houses. ✔️ Wear comfortable shoes – You’ll be walking a LOT. ✔️ Stay hydrated & eat before you arrive (no outside food allowed).
🔥 Don’t Miss Universal Studios Hollywood’s Biggest Halloween Event!
Halloween Horror Nights 2017 is one of the best Halloween events in California! Whether you're a horror movie fan, thrill-seeker, or just love a good scare, Universal Studios delivers an unforgettable Halloween experience.
👻 What’s your favorite haunted house at Halloween Horror Nights? Let us know in the comments below!
