Which is Scarier: 13th Floor VS Fear Farm

Looking for a haunted house in the Metro Phoenix Area, but not sure which to visit or which is Scarier?

Click Here for a review of Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attraction in Mesa.

This review will provide some pros and cons between The 13th Floor and Fear Farm. Click here for my past Fear Farm VS 13th Floor review.

Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group produces some of the world’s largest Halloween themed attractions, including Fear Farm and 13th Floor haunted houses in Phoenix. But which is scarier?

The 13th Floor is located at 2814 W. Bell RD. in Phoenix, Arizona.

The 13th floor this year is basically 2 Haunted Mazes. The first half is a continuous labyrinth of Jump scares, animatronics and well done scenery which changes themes as you stumble through. The second half is surviving a Zombie Apocalypse. Though they are advertising the theme of the first half this year as a Creature Feature of Classic Silver Screen Movie Monsters, there definitely was NOT an abundance of Werewolves, Frankenstein's Monster, Mummies or Vampires. Takes approx 45 minutes for both mazes, with use of a Fast Pass to skip most of the line.

Tickets range from $24.99 to $32.99, depending on the date. Fast Pass is an additional $10.

Pros:

• It is inside, so inclimate weather is not a concern.
• The fact it is inside allows for use of more elaborate scenery and animatronics.
• Far more "jump Scares" by the "scare actors" than Fear Farm.
• Scare actors interacting with guests.
• There is a Photo Opportunity at the beginning, this makes a nice souvenir.
• Additional photo Opportunities with props when you are exiting.
• Shirts and other souvenirs are not exceedingly expensive.
• Free Parking
• Overall better rooms and better scares than Fear Farm. Comparable to Knotts Scary Farm and Halloween Horror Nights in regards to special effects.
• Smoke free zone, Vaping was also barred.

Cons:

• Metal detectors, needlessly inducing the wrong kind of fear. I wasn't visiting a prison.
• Longer line than Fear Farm. Fear Farm is multiple smaller mazes which generally cuts down the wait in line compared to 13th Floor.
• Paying the extra $10 for Fast Pass offsets long line, but reduces the cost vs value.
• No Carnival games and No food vendors. This lack of additional content means unlike Fear Farm, there is no point to hanging around.
• The theme, Creature Feature was not represented well. 

Fear Farm is located at 2209 N. 99th Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona.

Fear Farm this year is 5 Haunted Mazes and a "back to the roots" corn maze. This year Fear Farm opted to not have a hay ride and instead do a corn maze "The Reaping". When I first heard this, I felt it was a mistake. The corn maze had hardly no line, and the hayride always had a long line. I think many like me were not willing to pay additional for a corn maze, where I would have paid for the hayride. Takes approx 3 hours to complete all 5 mazes, with waiting in line.

Mazes: The Bunker, Slaughterhouse, Pumpkin Witch, Fallout, Plague.

Tickets range from $24.99 to $32.99, depending on the date. Fast Pass is an additional $10.

Pros:

• No need to buy Fast Pass, being multiple mazes, the wait in line is manageable.
• Carnival games, food vendors, benches and a mini escape room make for the added benefit of hanging out before, in between mazes and after. This makes it a fuller night.
• There was less use of chainsaws in confined areas this year.
• The strobe lights in Slaughterhouse were not directly in your eyes this year.
• Smoke free zone, Vaping was also barred.

Cons:

• Metal detectors, needlessly inducing the wrong type of fear. I wasn't visiting a prison.
• All the games and activities cost, making it a more expensive night than 13th Floor.
• 90% of the attendees (when I was there) were tweens and teens without adult supervision, was like a daycare with kids breaking things, leaving trash everywhere and cutting in line.
• Nickel and diming, with "VIP" paid parking. There is no part of the lot so far from the entrance that paying $5 to park is an added value.
• No hayride (it was the best part), from the looks of the line (and myself not having added the corn maze) they have to have lost money this year compared to the hayride.
• Dust, dust and more dust.
• Seemed short on scare actors, many rooms were empty, many hiding spots in the fields vacant.
• No jump scares, there are very few hidden surprises. Most of the mazes are simply people in costume in the rooms basically being part of the scene and yelling things.
• Uneven ground throughout, watch your footing.
• Runs the risk of being rained out like last year.

Overall I love Haunted Houses, even bad ones, but if you ask me which is scarier, which is more worth the money, go to 13th Floor!

Review of the Haunted Swap Meet - September 28th, 2019

This year, The Haunted Swap Meet event was held inside Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix on Saturday September 28th, 2019.

I do not have an estimate on the number of Halloween enthusiasts that gathered to buy sell or trade props, costumes, decorations, and other Halloween related items. However, what I do know is the turnout was far larger than I think anyone expected.

The lines wrapped around the stairs and outside the mall down around the old Sears and there was standing room only inside the space rented for the event.

On one hand it is extremely satisfying to see such a turn out of Halloween lovers, gives me hope the holiday is not as dead as some might think. For the last few years, when you walk into stores in October, you see Christmas, not Halloween. When you look for halloween events, you see churches running events in hopes of increasing attendance. Even in many neighborhoods, everyone has the lights out instead of handing candy out to the folks who put effort into dressing up and celebrating. But all that digresses from the subject at hand.

The huge turn out created an issue with ability to actually browse comfortably. As mentioned, there was standing room only and the space was not large enough for the thousands of people that showed up to find a bargain.

I do have some suggestions to improve upon on this issue which was posted to the Facebook Event's Page. Now some of these will increase the cost which may mean they will need to charge a nominal entry fee (which will also assist with head count).

Some of these suggestions are a bigger location, next year maybe rent out both floors of the old Sears and seperate the merchants/businesses from the home haunters/swap meet/used stuff. This will increase browsing space and make it easier to locate deals by identifying the used merchandise that may be cheaper or have the ability to be haggled over.

Do 2 days, Saturday and Sunday. This will help with overcrowding to some extent. Now, you should still expect opening on Saturday to be large as no one would really want to wait till near close on Sunday when most of the best deals would be gone.

Maybe even do March and September. Many Haunters work on their Halloween stuff year round, also having one in March would increase the deals as many are more apt to sell items no longer being needed at an off time of year.

Spreading vendors out more will allow buyers to access each vendor from all 4 sides for better less crowded browsing. This will increase the experience for vendor and buyer.

Maybe even Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attractions (who sponsors the AZHaunters Haunted Swap Meet) can have a mini haunted house in a store the size of the one the swap meet was in this year. This would not only increase the draw for people in the East Valley, but dilute the traffic at the Swap a bit by spreading the flow out. This haunted attraction could even be up the whole month, making it worth while for Sanctum of Horror to attempt the endeavour. Get a coupon to this haunted house here.

That is my two cents, lots of neat things to see, but little opportunity to purchase because of the crowds. Additionally, some of the merchants did not have signal and so could only accept cash.

I do think, this year's Haunted Swap Meet learned and improved from 2018, but I think some of the changes (being inside instead of outside) drew a bigger crowd which created other issues. I think they will take much of the insight given this year to make next year more enjoyable. In short, do not give up on them, we need this type of thing to help keep Halloween Alive.

I also liked the FREE picture with a Spirit!

Stay tuned for more information on The Arizona Haunted Swap Meet returning to Metro Center Mall on September 26th, 2020.

AZHaunters.com Haunted Swap Meet 2019 - Metrocenter in Phoenix, AZ

The AZHaunters.com website is an online community of individuals of all ages that have come together celebrate Halloween Haunting by sharing and learning with each other. AZ Haunters gather together in person and online to share prop making techniques and ideas, chat about Halloween, and help each other out with haunting plans. They also hold "Make & Take" crafting events approx once a month, this is where they meet in person and you learn how to construct various Halloween props.

AZ Haunters also holds an annual Haunted Swap Meet every September where you can buy, sell, and trade your homemade, gently used Halloween props and collectables to other haunters.

The Haunted Swap Meet event is a gathering of Halloween enthusiasts that buy sell or trade props, costumes, decorations, and other Halloween related items. Buy, sell and trade till you have the perfect yard haunt.

Along with Free Admission and Free Parking For Attendees, Last year they featured:

• Over 50 Halloween related business vendors
• Over 25 Private Sellers
• Live Demonstration booths, showing prop creations instructionals
• An 8 vehicle Hearse display
• “Photo Ops” for Attendees
• 4 Food Trucks

This year, the event will be held inside at Metrocenter mall in Phoenix on Saturday September 28th, 2019 from 10am to 4pm

9617 N. Metro Parkway W.
(between Sears and Dillard's)
Phoenix, AZ 85051

Parking is free!

Tips:

• Wear comfortable shoes, anticipate walking up and down every aisle
• Stay hydrated, Water will be available for purchase.
• Bring Cash, many of the vendors will accept credit cards, some may not
• Restroom facilities will be available in the main mall area.

Become a Vendor - Register to be a vendor

Artisan Exhibitor: for vendors who are selling their wares as a business.

Private Vendor: for members of AZHaunters.com that have personal props, costumes, etc. that they no longer need. Every day haunters looking to sell or trade Halloween stuff.

Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attraction Review

Finally had the opportunity to visit this Haunted Attraction. On 9/28/19 at the Haunted Swap Meet, Sanctum of Horror Haunted Attractions was offering a discounted ticket price of $13 dollars and you got a $10 shirt free. So essentially we visited this attraction for $3 each.

This Haunted House Attraction is 2 haunted mazes set up in the parking lot of the Superstition Springs Mall in Mesa, AZ.

Since 2012, Sanctum of Horror has been scaring the East Valley with incredible detail and great makeup that will surely frighten those daring enough to visit.

Discount tickets available on their website or Groupon.

Sanctum of Horror 

Enter the mind of Lenore as you experience the memories of her violent past and navigate her childhood home to witness the brutal murders of her family. If you survive you can make your way through an ancient graveyard filled with the undead and arrive at St. Charlotte Asylum. Be warned the inmates have taken over the compound and the only way out is through Lenore’s cell.

The Breach

In 1953, deep within the southern Arizona desert, lies a military research facility only known to the public as Bunker 16. With the discovery of a rare leech found within the waters of the Orinoco River, Bunker 16 began PROJECT: PESTILENCE. One night in October, the base abruptly sent a distress signal. Enter the base on that horrifying night and bear witness to the destruction caused by a creature focused on its own survival.

Blackout Event (November 1st and 2nd only)

Shadowy darkness will creep over the Sanctum of Horror. Enter Parallel domain in utter darkness and find a candle for light.

My Two Cents:

My first impression was, this looks a little small. I will tell you though, there was a lot of punch. They did great with the what appeared to be a small space. I believe I heard them say Sanctum of Horror had 22 rooms (was not counting when walking through).

There was great attention to detail in each room. The scare actors interacted well with those waiting in line (they focused on those who's screams entertained the rest of us). Not overly packed and the best part of all, they only send you in with your group and they pause you at the entrance with a small prologue allowing the group ahead to get ahead. This is one of the only attractions I have been to that is not a long conga line.

Hands down, you add that part of the experience to the detail and work that is put into the attraction itself and this place (though only 2 haunted mazes) gives great value vs cost, especially when comparing apples to apples with bigger attractions like Fear Farm and Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood.

In addition, there were 2 food vendor trucks, Both selling the bottles of water for $1.50, not $4-$6 like most places. My kids said the smoothie they got from MF Koffee was the best they ever had! French Me LLC is a Gourmet French Fry Food Truck, we just got plain fries, but they were good!

Here are the operating dates and hours of operation.

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights - Throwback Thursdays

Halloween Horror Nights Hollywood - Throwback Thursdays Event

Enter a terrifying world of imagination at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights: an intense, spine chilling event, now with more mazes than ever.

This year's Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood in Southern California time travels to the 1980s with it's Throwback Thursdays celebration.

The Haunted Mazes this year include classic 80s movies such as the Ghostbusters, Creepshow and Killer Klowns from Outer Space.

Some other Highlights Universal's Throwback Thursdays include classic '80s music from a live tribute band and a DJ dance party hosted by Beetlejuice. 80s songs and music videos playing throughout the event will make you want to dance! There is themed food and guests are encouraged to dress in their finest decade-worthy fashion. Don't forget the fanny pack, leg warmers and mullets.

Throwback Thursdays will take place every Thursday night during "Halloween Horror Nights" and is included as part of admission to the event.

Halloween Horror Nights starts September Friday the 13th.

Throwback Thursdays dates include:

• September 19th and 26th
• October 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st (Halloween)
• November 1

Tickets options for Halloween Horror Nights include:

• Universal Express One-time priority access to all mazes and theme park rides.
• After 2 p.m. Day/Night Combo Experience the park's popular daytime attractions (Harry Potter), and remain for the terror that awaits at Halloween Horror Nights.
• R.I.P. Tour Groups featuring a VIP guide, unlimited Universal Express access to all mazes, attractions, private VIP trolley transportation to backlot mazes, interactive themed photo ops and special tour of the Universal backlot, gourmet buffet dinner at the VIP Dining Room and complimentary valet parking.

This year's Halloween Horror Nights maze and attraction lineup includes:

• Us ☆☆☆☆☆ - Kind of mind twisting
• Based on the blockbuster film from Universal Pictures
• Ghostbusters ☆☆☆☆ - Nostalgia, well done story, not scary (not meant to be)
• Sony Pictures' classic 1984 film comes to life for the first time ever
• Stranger Things ☆☆☆☆ - Never started the show, but well done
• Based on seasons 2 and 3 of Netflix's supernatural thriller
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space ☆☆☆☆ - Fluorescent and fun
• A popular 1980s horror sci-fi film 
• Creepshow ☆☆☆ - I liked this one more than the kids did
• Inspired by the 1982 cult classic movie directed by George Romero.
• Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man ☆☆ - kind of boring, could have been great
• Inspired by Universal's original cinematic monster, Universal Studios invented the horror film genre
• House of 1000 Corpses ☆☆☆☆ - Very good scene I can't spoil made it go from 3 to 4
• Inspired by Lionsgate's 2003 cult classic film  directed by Rob Zombie
• Holidayz in Hell ☆☆☆☆☆ - I love this idea
• An original maze featuring demented versions of the seasonal holidays
• Curse of Pandora's Box ☆☆☆☆☆ - This was the best
• An original maze based on twisted Greek mythology
• The Walking Dead ☆☆☆☆☆ - This is a year round attraction
• Universal Studios Hollywood's permanent attraction inspired by AMC's popular television series