Echos of FEAR: The Haunted History of Spooky Attractions
Ah, our fav season has “officially” arrived on the calendar. A moment to experience all the mad creations that haunted attraction creative teams have made the center of their attention long prior the frost of winter left has left the ground. Always exciting to see new techniques and streamlined methods of scare taking visitors to new heights – or depths of hellish – experiences.
Historical Evolution of Haunted Attractions
Spanning centuries, Haunted attractions have been thrilling even the most dark soul since 1915 when the Orton and Spooner Ghost House opened its creepy doors for the cost of a small admission. This scare experience born during the early years of World War I was the first to charge an admission. During a time of difficult labors and a multitude of disease the thrill of a safe scare was exhilarating.
In comparision of today’s standards, the scares were mild yet inventive. Incorporating rocking floors, air blasts from below and vibrating walls.
Creativity was again required during The Great Depression to bring home the money. Bringing birth to community involvement within the attractions, Charity haunts were brought into existence. Later inspiring various Jaycee haunts that rocked the area for numerous years – including Brookfield’s intense creatures who often scared the shoes off visitors.
In 1950, Amlings Haunted House opened their ghoulishly delightful doors to the public as a ploy to attract people to their greenhouse openings. Considered the first of its type attraction, this Melrose Park located haunt well utilized elements of surprise creating family traditions for Halloween freaks in the area. Incorporating pins to celebrate the survival of a giant gorilla and thrilling carnival rides, young generations shared these fond experiences of fear with their emerging families until the early 90s. Today, the creepy crew of 13th Floor Haunted House reside close in proximity to Amlings original location.
By the 60s and 70s, haunts began incorporating themed stories and elaborate sets to entice victims. As time has passed, along with mortal attention spans – the modern concept of a haunted attraction has found it necessary to evolve into more immersive experiences through out the decades. One of my favorite evolving trends was incorporating more than visual experiences and brought in a variety of smells. One spooky example was the creation of a swamp walk through by the mad minds at Dream Reapers in Melrose Park.
Today, haunt seekers can experience real fear through a variety of tactics used by creatures. From walk-throughs to the elaborate, haunted attraction operators understand the best utilized effects and interactive elements to encourage visitors. Including audio-visual, animatronics and augmented reality experiences create a variety of eye candy to fully grasp in one evening.
Today various scare options exist, such as:
- Traditional haunted houses featuring classic scares.
- Interactive experiences allowing guests to participate.
- Home haunts created by enthusiasts in their backyards.
Using technology to enhance the fear factor for visitors, modern haunts incorporate a variety of audio-visual effect, animatronics and immerse virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Immersive Audio-Visual Effects
Equipped with sophisticated audio-visual systems, Haunted Attractions are able to easily create an immersive chilling atmosphere using surround sound to create a 360-degree audio experience.
To create this experience in your haunt, may we suggest:
- Directional Speakers: These help focus sounds in specific areas, enhancing scare moments.
- High-Definition Projections: These create lifelike images that surprise guests.
By combining sound with visuals, attractions can engage multiple senses. This multisensory approach increases the overall intensity of the experience, making each scare more impactful and meaningful to the creature and their victim.
Advanced Animatronics and Robotics
With each passing year, animatronics have become additionally lifelike characters that move, react and mimic human actions and expressions. Proving ample opportunities to assist a creepy character to strike at the opportune moment and strike fear in their hearts.
Examples of features include:
- Facial Recognition Technology: Some animatronics can detect nearby guests and respond accordingly.
- Programmable Movement: These figures can perform specific actions, like lunging forward at unexpected moments.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences
Virtual reality and augmented reality are redefining how fear is experienced in haunted attractions. VR headsets transport guests to otherworldly environments, where they encounter digital phantoms and eerie settings.
- Immersive Storytelling: Guests become part of a horror narrative, heightening their emotional response.
- Interactive Elements: AR adds layers of digital content to the physical world, allowing guests to interact with their surroundings.
These technologies allow attractions not only to enhance scares but also to personalize each visitors experience, making fear more tailored to each individual scare.
The Psychology Behind Fright
Fright affects people in complex ways. The Zombie Army is a prime example of incorporating the fear of live creepy creatures within an interactive experience. An understanding how emotions like fear and thrill interact helps to explain the appeal of haunted attractions. The use of anticipation and suspense also plays a key role in enhancing the visitor experience.
Fear is a natural human response. It activates the body’s fight or flight system, causing an adrenaline rush. This rush can lead to feelings of excitement, which many people enjoy.
It is imperative to strike this balance right. Most perveyers of fear often seek an experience that is just right. Too much fear can lead to distress in individuals who may not expect such an extreme welcome.
This one of our fav methods of scare, we bequest a response to the following questioneer: Which scare tactic brings you the most joy during the haunted season and why. Share if you dare #hauntedemporiummagazine
Wanting more? Check out the first in our Behind the Curtain series that unmasks the true costs of Chicago’s music + horror events. Click on our guide below – A dare has been issued to join us behind the curtain for a hauntingly good tale of numbers, local benefit and gasp! ponderings for our DIY fiends who enjoy dabbling with the connection of communities.
This series is presented monthly and is accompanied by a variety of thoughtful and provoking selection of poisons available at Haunted Emporium Magazine – content guaranteed to thrill your mind and tickle your senses.
Enjoy your visit? We invite you to explore our Haunted Emporium. Catch up with our creatures, browse articles new and past tense and sign up for weekly haunted mailings.
Stay Spooky!