Vertuccio Farms' Lights at the Farm Review

Vertuccio Farms' Lights at the Farm, Christmas Celebration

Unlike many of the Christmas light attractions in the valley, this family event is walk-thru rather than drive-thru. A typical stroll through the giant 10 acres display will take about an hour.

Location: 4011 S Power Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212, USA

Dates of Operation:
Open: November 22nd through January 10th
Closed: November 28th, December 24th, 25th and 31st

Hours:
Sun-Thurs 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Fri and Sat 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Ages 2 years and under free
Online Ticket Price: $10 per person Tickets on sale now
At Gate Ticket Price: $12 per person, last admission sold 1 hour before closing.

My  Two Cents:

My review of Lights at the Farm is pretty positive. 

My parents, my children and myself (ages 14-63) attended and all enjoyed the event. 

The pathways were wide enough that you were not fighting crowds, plenty of space to take pictures. No lines for anything (except Santa, had a small one). 

Additionally, unlike many places the refreshments were not overpriced and the food was pretty good. We had nachos and cheese, chips, drinks and a cheese burger. $3 dollars for a hot chocolate, is not bad!

The best part is the place was set up for families to connect and enjoy each other's company. There were games everywhere like put put golf, corn hole, ping pong and a bunch more which makes you want to hang out and enjoy your family as much as the lights.

We especially enjoyed the pallet maze. Since both openings are marked Entrance/Exit you can do it twice for a different experience or 1/2 the group can race from one entrance as 1/2 your group races from the other

The Smores kits were 2 for $5 and made 4 Smores (2 per kit) while you sit around cozy fires laughing, talking and taking pictures. Oh, and arguing about what the perfect roasted marshmallow is. I like mine on fire!

The biggest issue I had besides it began raining, was the Smores kits used the huge marshmallows instead of the medium ones, so we got pretty sticky and there was not really a sink to clean up!

Sadly, the event has been plagued with rain this season and even had to close on some optimal visiting times. The Vertuccio Farm team, though has gone over and above to ensure everything is dry and running proper when you do visit.

Overall Price VS Value I thought was great.

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.

Inclement Weather Puts a Scare into Fear Farm's Operating Dates

If you follow Fear Farm's Facebook page, you will continue to see notices posted this season "Fear Farm is closed tonight" due to weather.

Unlike the last few years where a general admission ticket was useable for any date and time the event was open, this year you are restricted to the date and time on your ticket and the website states "Tickets are valid only for the date you reserve. Should you fail to show up for your reserved date, your tickets will no longer be accepted. There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind.". I immediately saw this as a mistake on their part this year and felt it would create problems for their customers.

Shortly after reading that notice and purchasing tickets myself, over $530 worth. These tickets ended up being for a date which I was no longer able to attend (due to an emergency surgery in the family) and after contacting Fear Farm I was met with the response "Give them to a friend: and "Sorry that is our policy". Not much understanding at all from Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group's customer service team.

Well now the tables have turned and Fear Farm finds itself unable to operate or operate fully due to weather for a decent portion of the nights it sold advanced tickets. Some of these dates include October 4th, 7th, 13th and 14th. Additionally they have had to close one (1) haunted maze and so are only running 4 of the 5, as well as having closed the Haunted Hayride a number of additional nights.

They have posted "If you have any questions or have purchased tickets for tonight, Please contact: info@fearfarm.com". I am interested in knowing how they are responding to customers now? I expect they are expecting compassion and consideration in modifying ticket dates now that the issue affects them.



This was not meant to be a rant, as much as it was meant to be advice to Fear Farm and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group that General Admission should mean General Admission and should be good any date and time the event is operating. This would save customers like me hundreds of dollars if an emergent situation arises and surely would have saved their customer service a lot of man hours on resolving the issue of their closures.

I do see the the need for Fast Pass and Skip the Line tickets to be reservation date/time based because they should only be sold in limited quantities and so Fear Farm would still have to satisfy these customers due to these weather based conditions, but I also think pre-purchased tickets should be available for date/time adjustment by customers do to personal issues resulting in inability to use on original date. In short "There are NO REFUNDS or exchanges of any kind." is a bad policy, especially when it is clear both vendor and customer may have need for compromise.

Here are some comments on their Facebook from customers with similar concerns:

• Please email us back ASAP. I think you all should have proactively refunded tickets automatically after deciding to close for the night. We shouldn’t have to email and wait for a response.
• I don't live here, specifically bought tickets for fear farm as well as hotel near.. I emailed and was told I would get a refund if rain closure, as I saw weather reports several days ago. This is my daughters 18th b day and I sit here in a hotel room I couldn't cancel anymore and they seem to only respond and want to exchange tickets... :/ how am I supposed to come another day..I don't live here. Spent almost 400$ on tickets. None of us live here, we came here specifically for this. No rain in sight.
• This was the worst year yet! Not worth 10 bucks a ticket let alone 50 a piece. Not all the attractions we open, people smoking inside the houses and the actors were very young kids laughing mostly. Defiantly NOT scary and total waste of time and money.

My two Cents:
Now onto the actual Fear Farm Review... Yes, I purchased a ticket and went anyway to provide a review.

Admission varies based on date: $27.99, $29.99 & $33.99 (tax not included), last years rates were $26.99, $29.99 & $33.99, so price has increased slightly for the lowest cost ticket. Prices are up to $5 more at the door.

If the weather permits the Phoenix Haunted Hayride can be added for an additional $10. This is nighttime ride through the cornfields in a trailer of loose hay being pulled by a tractor while experiencing a themed haunt. This generally is the part of this Haunted Attraction that makes it worth going to for me, since the 13th Floor is actually a better haunted house in my opinion. However the hayride was closed when I went this year and I am unsure what the theme is.

Additionally Legends: The Witch was closed due to flooded fields as well. They did say you could go through one of the other Haunted Houses twice, but not sure that is an equal value in replacement, at least to me it isn't. There should have been a 20% refund maybe even as a food voucher or game voucher.

Fallout replaced the Clown Haunted Maze, which is good because who wants to see the same thing year after year. I like seeing when venues implement changes. I also think this was one of the best.

Slaughterhouse is basically strobelights and chain saws, nothing spectacular and my least favorite. I say it every year about most every Haunted Attraction, "chain saws are not scary, just loud and smelly", especially in enclosed spaces.

Undead and The Bunker: Area X are the other two Haunted Houses this year. They appeared to be modified slightly as the corn fields were flooded, which also was a nice change.

The scenes and props are decent, where the fear lacks at The Farm is in the scare actors who pretty much stand in a corner screaming at you, rather than hide and jump scare you. Also this year seemed to be lacking in scare actors (hiring events must have had less turn out than usual) some rooms had no one in them at all. The scariest Monster Award this year goes to The Weather.

Increase your cost vs value by not spending the money on front of the line tickets (Fast Pass and Skip the Line), as there are separate lines for each of the 5 four (4) houses, which reduces wait time especially if you pick the order based on the length of the line.

One advantage over The 13th Floor is food vendors. Between food vendors and a few carnival style games (extra cost) like  Zombie Brain Toss, you are able to hang out and enjoy all the scaredy cats running around screaming.

All in all what is normally an average attraction was disappointing due to closures and customer service policies and you may look to try something else in town! Here are some other local Haunted Attractions.

Winter WonderFest Organizers apologize to disappointed customers

Winter Wonderfest apologizes to discontented guests

My family and I were present opening night, see my Winter Wonderfest Review and other information regarding the event. I admit we were underwhelmed after reading the description on their web page, but we also did make the best of it and have some fun. I also admire the fact they have admitted they failed customers and are trying to improve the event for future guests as well as offer a revisit to those who found themselves disappointed. I will in fact be returning December 1st and will update this post with a new review.

On November 25th, Winter Wonderfest posted an apology to guests who participated in opening night on Facebook.

The apology is making the news and to try and win back customers, Peter Orr says admission, bounce houses and rides are free to everyone from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. this coming Friday, Dec. 1, 2017.

While Orr says refunds are not available for dissatisfied customers who came over this last weekend, he is offering another free visit for those who contact him.

He hopes the revamped park impresses future customers as they wish this to become a staple event for the Christmas Season in the future.

http://www.facebook.com/WinterWonderfestAZ/posts/1770803013219893

"First and foremost, we want to thank everyone who attended our opening night, Friday, November 24th.

While there may be several reasons; there is absolutely no excuse for the challenges and disappointments some our guests and their families experienced.

As new promoters, our intent was to be able to deliver 100% of our vision for this new holiday Arizona event. We are fully aware that we disappointed many of you, and we want to offer our most sincere apologies to you, and to your families.

We are making every effort possible to improve the experience moving forward and live up to the true potential of this event, both for those of you who attended this past Friday, and for all future patrons.

We are committed to the long term success and improvement of this event, as well as dedicated “to making it right” for those of you, whose experience at our event, did not live up to your expectations. For these folks, we are asking that you email us at winterwonderfestaz@gmail.com, giving us the ability to communicate and resolve these issues directly and personally with you.

Please be patient and allow us a few days to ensure we are able to respond to each and every one on of you.

Sincerely,
Josh Ahearn & Peter Orr
Managing Partners and Owners, Winter Wonderfest AZ."

My two cents

I went back for the free apology day, with one of my kids and had way more fun without spending a ton. 

There was some new decoration which did increase the atmosphere and the snow pit was a nice addition. Part of the issue I think is the venue, a dirt lot is hard to dress up. They also adjusted the hours so it is dusk and lights are on when people arrive, rather than opening at 2PM, which has upset some people, but you can't please everyone.

There were still only like 3 vendors selling things and not really 'Christmas Gift' type stuff. Even Glendale Glitters lacked in vendors this year. I am not sure if it was the event, the vendor fees or the number of attractions this year, but there just does not seem to be an event with vendors to find gifts. 

Now the cost VS value will have increased for those going the next two weekends, compared to the first weekend. However you still should expect to pay for rides, s'mores and crafts. Winter Wonderfest since having lowered their entry fee has started applying the difference in amount paid for pre-purchased tickets to the new $10 admission towards ride tickets.

Glendale Glitters Holiday Weekends in Historic Downtown Glendale

Glendale Glitters Spectacular and the Holiday  weekends

Visitors of all ages will find enchantment in holiday entertainment, food, shopping and holiday gifts, the children’s snow field and petting zoo and visits with Santa Clause at Glendale Glitters.

The holiday magic in downtown Glendale runs Friday and Saturday evenings from December 1st through the 16th from 6 – 10 p.m.

Historic Downtown Glendale is located at 58th and Glendale avenues.

Sixteen blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale will be illuminated with a display of 1.6 million lights, making it the largest free holiday light display in Arizona. The glittering of Glendale with the holiday light displays, remains lit nightly through Jan. 6, 2018, from 5 – 11 p.m..

PARKING for Glendale Glitters Holiday  weekends is available throughout the downtown area with the option and convenience of paying for preferred parking.

Here's a summary of the details of these weekends:

The festivities run the first three Friday and Saturday evenings in December (Dec. 1-2; Dec. 8-9; and Dec. 15-16) between 6 and 10 p.m., with free admission and family-friendly activities, entertainment, food and shopping in and around downtown Glendale.

Highlights for the weekends include:

• Dec. 1-2: Local bands will perform; Peppermint James Friday and Zimis Saturday.
• Dec. 8-9: Snowfield! Just $2 to play in the snow, make a snowman or throw a snowball.
• Dec. 15-16: Glendale Firefighters will be onsite to raise money for their holiday toy/food drive, running a 50/50 raffle both Friday and Saturday evenings.

Available Event & Non-Event Nights in Downtown Glendale

Looking for a festive holiday experience without the large crowds? Downtown Glendale offers select vendor nights and non-event evenings, making it a great spot to enjoy holiday lights, shopping, and dining at a relaxed pace.

📍 Location: Downtown Glendale, AZ
📅 Event & Non-Event Nights: Sunday – Wednesday evenings, 6 PM – 10 PM

Holiday Attractions & Shopping

• 🏬 Unique Holiday Shopping – Explore local boutiques, antique shops, and specialty stores offering everything from handmade jewelry to comic books and collectibles.

• 🎄 30-Foot Christmas Tree & 16 Blocks of Holiday Lights – Perfect for family photos and Instagram-worthy moments.

• 🍽️ Restaurants & Cafés – Enjoy cozy coffee shops, delicious bakeries, and local eateries for a holiday meal or treat.

• 🎠 Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides – Available Sunday – Thursday evenings from Nov. 26 – Jan. 6, offering a magical tour through the historic Catlin Court District (fee required).

Special Holiday Displays

🎁 Many shops participate in festive holiday window displays!

• 🏡 Bears & More – Transformed into a life-sized gingerbread house.

Pros & Cons of Visiting Downtown Glendale for the Holidays

✅ Pros:

• 🎇 Less crowded compared to larger holiday events

• ✨ Spectacular holiday lights – no paid entry required!

• 💰 Many year-round stores offer holiday discounts

❌ Cons:

• 🎪 Fewer holiday vendors compared to previous years

• 🎁 Limited options for purchasing unique Christmas gifts outside of existing shops

🎟️ Plan Your Visit to Downtown Glendale! For a charming, small-town holiday feel, Downtown Glendale is a hidden gem. Whether you're strolling under twinkling lights, sipping hot cocoa, or enjoying a cozy carriage ride, it's a wonderful way to experience the holidays in Arizona.

📅 Visit Sunday – Wednesday evenings for a relaxed, holiday atmosphere!

Winter WonderFest at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ

Winter WonderFest

Bring the entire family to Winter WonderFest and experience Chandler, AZ's own North Pole at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.

You and your children can write a letter to Santa, create ornaments for your tree in Santa's Workshop and relax by a campfire and roast marshmallows while enjoying a s'more.

Shop holiday vendors at Front Porch Pickens Vintage & Handmade market.

2PM-10PM Every FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY from November 24th to December 24th 

Admission: Ages 3+  $20
Children under 2 are free

Purchase Tickets 

Parking is not included in the ticket price and is $5 per car.

Admission price includes a visit with Santa in his house, a visit with the Queen in her Ice Castle, a ride on Santa's sleigh, writing a letter to Santa, and a light display. There are also various free backyard games like giant Jenga, giant Connect Four and Corn Hole Bean Bag Toss.

Southwest Digital Photography will be onsite to capture your memories with Santa and the Ice Queen at an additional cost. There is no obligation to buy, your child is free to see Santa or visit with the Ice Queen without purchase. No photos with personal devices are allowed.

S'mores: for $10 dollars get  a s'mores kit that makes 4 s'mores while sitting at a fire.

Participation Tickets for additional attractions not included in the above admission can be purchased; 25 tickets for $20. Extra attractions are 1-9 tickets.

• Including a 45 foot high inflatable slide and 185 foot long inflatable obstacle course.
• Zip Line: $9 (9 tickets) - Use the spiral staircase to get to the top of a 34 foot zip-line tower and then zip-line 300 feet.

Consider a VIP ticket ($49) to cut costs. VIP package includes a commemorative lanyard, grants you access to private area with tents, private portable toilets, tables, and seating.

• Private fire pits and s'mores for everyone (save $10) 
• The VIP area will also have its own Santa.
• 1 drink ticket good for soda, water, coffee, or hot chocolate (save $3 -$5)
• 1 ticket for food at one of the food vendors (save approx $11)
• Kids get access to all five craft tables (save $10) 
• write a letter to santa
• roll out clay and stamp out and customize a gingerbread man
• create a snowflake glitter ornament
• create a custom chalkboard ornament
• make your very own Christmas stocking
• 1 ride on both the Ferris Wheel and carousel (save $7)
• 10 tickets for inflatable attractions (save $10)

Winter WonderFest
WILD HORSE PASS MOTORSPORTS PARK
20000 S Maricopa Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226

My two Cents

First I want to say, we did have fun and it was the first day of the event, but in the end price VS value was lacking compared to Lights of the World 2017 or Illumination - Holiday drive-thru light show.

Pros

It is spread out and so when it gets crowded it does not feel like you will lack personal space. We also did not have an issue finding a place to sit and eat. Overall both the kids (tweens) and adults enjoyed themselves.

Cons

Overall the website in my opinion oversells the event and what is available as well as what you get for basic admission and I was underwhelmed when we arrived. Most pictures on the website are not of the actual event.

"Walk down Candy Cane lane and explore a life size Gingerbread House light display unlike anything you've ever seen. Candy Cane fences will tempt you to take a bite at each turn in this magical land. Become a Princess for the day when you enter the Ice Castle where you can visit and get your picture taken with the beautiful Ice Queen who has created an enchanting manor for all to experience. "

Be prepared to spend: parking, rides, food, drink, crafts,s'mores and gifts all cost extra. Food ranges from $7-$15 and drinks from $3 to $6, so for a kid to eat and drink will be about $10 and an adult up to $21. Rides are $1 to $9. We spent about $250 for a family of 5 for the kids to ride and us all to eat and would have got slightly more for the same $250 with 5 VIP tickets.

Read their FAQS page for more information: http://www.winterwonderfestaz.com/faq/

"With holiday music and local performances" Could not hear music except over by the adult beverages and no live performance.

"light display unlike anything you've ever seen" Display was about what most people have in their yards during December.

More like 30 vendors (including food trucks), not 50 and I counted 11 inflatable rides, not 20.

Again, this was opening night and there may be more to come.

________________________________________________________________
Winter Wonderfest posted an apology to guests who participated in opening night.

Halloween Review - Knott's Scary Farm VS Halloween Horror Nights

Knott's Scary Farm at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park   

VS   

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

👻 Which Haunted Theme Park Is Worth Your Money?

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?

🎬 Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights – Cost & Hidden Fees

💰 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?

🎬 Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights (2023 Lineup)

👻 Haunted Houses (8 total):

• American Horror Story: Roanoke – 3/5 ⭐
• The Shining – 3/5 ⭐ (Good, but not as impressive as expected).
• SAW: The Games of Jigsaw – 5/5 ⭐ (Best maze—immersive and intense).
• Ash vs Evil Dead – 1/5 ⭐ (Lacked creativity and wasn’t scary).
• Insidious: Beyond the Further – 3/5 ⭐
• Titans of Terror – 4/5 ⭐
• The Horrors of Blumhouse – 3/5 ⭐ (Purge, Sinister, Happy Death Day).
• Terror Tram (Bates Motel & Friday the 13th theme) – 3/5 ⭐

🎡 Rides Open: Transformers, Jurassic Park, The Simpsons, The Mummy.

⚠️ Disappointments:

• Too many people at once – Actors couldn’t reset between scares.
• Costumes & makeup felt rushed – You could see actors' real necks under masks.
• Less attention to detail than previous years – 2016’s Krampus maze was far superior.

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🎢 Knott’s Scary Farm (2023 Lineup)

👻 Haunted Houses (10 total, including Timber Mountain Log Ride transformation):

• 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 ⭐

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🧐 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.

Check out other Haunted houses around the country!

Fear Farm VS 13th Floor - Arizona Haunted House Review

👻 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.

🎃 13th Floor Haunted House – Phoenix’s Ultimate Indoor Horror Experience

📍 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!

🌽 Fear Farm – Phoenix’s Iconic Haunted Corn Maze & Hayride

📍 Address: 2209 N 99th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037
📞 Phone: (623) 866-5378
🎟️ Admission: Prices vary by date: $26.99, $29.99 & $33.99 (+tax)
🗓️ Operating Dates: September 22 – October 31, 2023
🎃 Special Event: BLOOD HARVEST (November 3 & 4) – Experience Fear Farm in the Dark!

🔥 What to Expect at Fear Farm

• 5 Haunted Houses + A Massive Corn Maze spread over acres of farmland.
• Phoenix Haunted Hayride: Add $10 to experience a 10-acre haunted tractor ride.
• Friday the 13th Fest (October 13th) – Includes themed actors, giveaways, and more!

⚠️ My Recommendations:

• Skip front-of-line passes – Separate lines for each house reduce wait times naturally.
• Go on a weeknight or early in the season for shorter lines and better value.
• Expect loud chainsaws and lots of screaming actors, but less jump scares compared to 13th Floor.

🎭 Special Events – Which Haunted Attraction Has the Best Experience?

🔦 13th Floor’s BLACKOUT Event (November 4th) – Total Darkness!

• One night only! Navigate the haunted house with just one glowstick per group.
• The monsters have night vision – they see you, but you can’t see them!
• Perfect for thrill-seekers looking for an extra terrifying experience.

🌽 Fear Farm’s BLOOD HARVEST (November 3 & 4) – Haunted Corn Maze

• Explore acres of cornfield with only a glowstick and the moonlight to guide you.
• Back to Fear Farm’s original horror roots – More natural scares, fewer animatronics.
• If you love the classic haunted farm experience, this is a must-try.

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🆚 13th Floor vs. Fear Farm – Which One Should You Choose?

Feature	13th Floor Haunted House	Fear Farm
Scare Level	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (High-intensity jump scares, immersive sets)	⭐⭐⭐ (More atmospheric but predictable scares)
Best For	Horror fans who love detailed sets & animatronics	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!

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📌 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!

A review of The Marvel Experience in Scottsdale AZ

The Marvel Experience Review – Was It Worth the Hype?

📍 Location: Touring Event – Various Cities in 2015
🎟️ Ticket Prices: Starting at $27.50 (too expensive for what’s offered)
⏳ Total Experience Time: Estimated 90 minutes but actually took 6 hours due to long wait times

Is The Marvel Experience Worth It?

If you’re a die-hard Marvel fan, The Marvel Experience: The Hyper-Reality Tour sounds like a dream come true—a high-tech, immersive superhero adventure packed with interactive training missions, VR experiences, and 4-D attractions. However, after attending with my kids, I can confidently say that while it had exciting moments, the cost, long wait times, and lack of activities left us disappointed.

With ticket prices starting at $27.50 (plus $10 for parking), the value simply wasn’t there. The entire experience should have taken around 90 minutes, but we spent over 6 hours waiting in lines for short, underwhelming activities. While some of the interactive elements were enjoyable, this event needed better organization, shorter wait times, and more engaging content.

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What’s Included in The Marvel Experience?

✅ Marvel Superhero Origins Briefing – A multi-screen intro covering the origins of Iron Man, Spider-Man, Hulk, Captain America, and Black Widow.
✅ Interactive "Training Missions" – Includes Iron Man Flight Simulation, Hulk Smash, Photon Blaster Training, Spider-Man Climbing Wall, and Black Widow Laser Maze.
✅ 3-D Dome Experience – A short, standing-room-only Marvel movie where guests spin in circles to follow the action.
✅ 4-D Ride Finale – The most immersive part of the experience, but lacked 3-D visuals, making it less impressive.
✅ Gift Shop – Limited merchandise with only posters, shirts, and hats—no Marvel action figures or comic books available.
✅ On-Site Café – Overpriced food ($7 for a basic hot dog, $3.50 for frozen bottled water).

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Major Issues & Areas That Need Improvement

🚫 Excessive Wait Times for Minimal Experience

• Most activities were less than 2 minutes long but required 30-60 minute waits.
• The Black Widow Agility Laser Maze had a 1-hour wait—while fun, it wasn't worth the time investment.

💰 Ticket Prices vs. Value

• $27.50 per person (plus $10 parking) felt overpriced. This event should have been $15-$20 max with free parking.
• The RFID tracking bracelets didn’t enhance the experience, making them feel pointless.

🎮 Low-Tech "Training" Games

• The Hulk Smash and Iron Man Flight Simulator were essentially Xbox Kinect games, which was disappointing given the "Hyper-Reality" promise.
• The Photon Blaster Training (laser shooting gallery) had too many players at once, making it impossible to track your score.

🎬 3-D Movie & 4-D Ride Could Have Been Better

• The 3-D dome experience was too short and required standing.
• The 4-D ride was entertaining, but should have used 3-D visuals to be more immersive.

🛍️ Weak Merchandise Selection

• The gift shop lacked variety, offering mostly shirts and posters—no Marvel action figures or collectibles.
• The 3-D printed statue souvenir was a cool concept, but there weren't enough customization options.

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How The Marvel Experience Could Improve

🎟️ Lower Ticket Prices – $15-$20 would be a more reasonable price for what’s offered.
⏳ Reduce Wait Times – Fewer tickets per time slot or more activity stations would prevent 6-hour experiences.
🚀 More Interactive Features – Additional VR elements, motion-sensor games, and better simulators would increase engagement.
💦 Fix Overpriced Food & Drinks – $3.50 for frozen bottled water is a gouge—offer affordable drinks or free water stations.
🛍️ Expand the Gift Shop – Include action figures, comics, and exclusive collectibles to appeal to Marvel fans.
🎬 Improve 3-D & 4-D Experiences – The 4-D ride should include 3-D visuals for a true hyper-reality experience.

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Final Verdict – Would I Go Again?

I’m glad I attended, and my kids enjoyed parts of it, but I wouldn’t return unless they significantly improve the cost, entertainment value, and wait times.

If you’re considering going to The Marvel Experience, be prepared for long lines and limited activities. While it has potential, it needs major upgrades to be worth the price.

⭐ Overall Rating: 5/10 – Fun for Marvel fans, but overpriced and poorly executed.

🚀 Are you a Marvel fan looking for a better superhero experience? Consider visiting:

• Avengers Campus at Disneyland California Adventure
• Marvel Super Hero Island at Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Fear Farm - Haunted House Review: Glendale Arizona

Fear Farm Haunted House Review – Phoenix, AZ

📍 Address: 2209 N 99th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85037
👻 Overall Rating: B
💰 Admission: $18

A Must-Visit Haunted House in Phoenix?

Fear Farm Haunted House is one of Phoenix's most well-known haunted attractions, combining creepy corn mazes, indoor haunted houses, and live scare actors for a thrilling, old-school Halloween experience. With four unique haunted mazes, Fear Farm offers a mix of traditional horror themes, immersive sets, and spine-chilling encounters—all for a reasonable price.

The Fear Farm Haunted Attractions – What to Expect

💀 Fatal Valley Mortuary – One of the most immersive mazes, featuring a headless horseman, a foggy bridge, a haunted church, and open graves for a truly eerie walk-through.

🤡 Carnevil – A twisted circus nightmare complete with hanging cotton-candy body bags and a crazed monkey-man in a cage. If you have a fear of clowns, this maze is designed to push you to your limits.

🩸 The Asylum – Possibly the scariest of the four mazes, featuring a disturbing bathroom scene with two suicidal girls, eerie medical instruments, and a gruesome surgery room. This haunt plays on deep psychological fears.

🔪 Apocalypse – The weakest of the mazes, this haunt takes place in a post-apocalyptic trailer park overrun by cannibals. Unfortunately, the overuse of chainsaws makes it more noisy than scary, taking away from the overall experience.

Final Verdict – Is Fear Farm Worth It?

✅ Pros:

• Classic haunted house experience with live scare actors
• Four unique haunted mazes with immersive set designs
• Affordable ticket prices compared to other haunted attractions in Phoenix
• Strong themes in Fatal Valley, Carnevil, and The Asylum

❌ Cons:

• No animatronics or high-tech effects, making it feel less modern than some other haunts
• Overuse of chainsaws, which are more loud and annoying than actually scary
• Apocalypse maze feels like a letdown compared to the others

Best Haunted House in Phoenix?

While Fear Farm remains a solid choice for horror fans, those looking for more high-tech haunted experiences may want to check out other top-rated haunted attractions in Phoenix, like 13th Floor Haunted House or Sanctum of Horror.

If you're looking for an old-school, scare-actor-driven haunted house in Phoenix, Fear Farm is still one of the best budget-friendly haunted attractions in Arizona!

For additional information on Fear Farm here is a comparison to 13th Floor.

Ghoulfland's The Gauntlet - Haunted House Review: Mesa Arizona

Haunted House Review: Ghoulfland

📍 Address: 1511 S Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210
🎃 Overall Rating: C

A Closer Look at Ghoulfland's Haunted House Experience

Ghoulfland’s "The Gauntlet" Haunted Maze is an indoor haunted attraction designed with tight corridors, eerie props, and scare actors waiting to deliver unexpected jump scares. While it offers a fair number of frights, it falls short in terms of immersion and set design. The excessive lighting in some areas detracts from the spooky atmosphere, making certain scenes feel less convincing—almost as if the props were straight from a Spirit Halloween store rather than a high-end haunted attraction.

Admission Prices & Value for Thrill-Seekers

💀 Haunted House Admission: $12
👻 Best Value: The Unlimited Fun Pass ($30) grants multiple haunt entries and access to bumper boats, go-karts, and miniature golf, making it a better deal for those looking for a full night of entertainment.

Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Visit?

For casual haunted house fans, The Gauntlet offers some decent jump scares, but seasoned haunt enthusiasts may find it lacking in detailed set design and length. If you’re in Mesa, AZ, and looking for a budget-friendly haunted attraction with extra activities, Ghoulfland may still be worth a visit—especially with the unlimited pass. However, if you're searching for a truly immersive, high-production haunted house, you may want to explore top-rated haunted attractions in Phoenix for a scarier experience.