Happy Halloween. bert goes to Scream Hollow - a Renfair type park for those that want to have the crap scared out of them.

[bert425]

I know I'm in the middle of my massive Trip Report on the trip I took to Europe hitting parks and having fun with TPR. . . but interrupting that to gush about this fantastic thing I did last night.

and hey, 'tis the season, right?

my friends have been really trying to keep me pretty occupied, so I don't go under due to the grief of losing my spouse back in July.  With Halloween quickly approaching, they've been booking me up every Weekend - with last weekend at FrightFest at SFFT, and two weeks before that Howl-O-Scream at SWSA.

although I've lived in Austin for well over 35 years, I still have yet to do some of the "local" attractions that have popped up over the last couple of decades.   
(tho I'm really looking forward to COTALand opening up, as I'm sure I'll do that a LOT once they get more out there - tho I did go to the track/COTA occasionally with my late spouse for races and/or concerts).

what made me think of COTA (Circuit of the Americas)?   Well, it's F1 weekend here in Austin, but we also passed it last night on our way out to Scream Hollow.

I'd seen Scream Hollow mentioned on the Travel Chanel, but wasn't really sure what it was, other than a "spooky" attraction.   A haunted house for Halloween.  

Well, I was certainly mistaken.   

Located ~35 minutes from Austin, between Bastrop & Smithville - down a long, pretty deserted looking road (that passes right in front of "the Gas Station". . . where they filmed scenes from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre - and has been turned in to Slaughter BBQ & gift shop - so of course we stopped in there too on the way. . .LOL) is what's basically a permanent "Ren-fair" installation that's basically a theme park dedicated to all things "scare the shit out of you"   

the official tag for the place is "Wicked Halloween Park" - but I think my description better sums it up.

The owners live in a big castle (spookily lit at night) that overlooks the property.

And it's quite a large property - encompassing a Halloween Museum, several food stands, drink stands, gift shop, stage for live music, 4 very large houses, and a common area that's decked out in scary decorations & lights - not to mention the scare actors roaming freely among the patrons, very often scaring the crap out of them by sneaking up behind.

tho I called it a "theme park" the only "ride" they have is the Haunted Hayride - which is groups of 20 or so pulled behind a tractor thru the woods as creatures come at you from all sides.    It's brilliant, and had the longest line of the night (at about a 30 minute wait, and was still worth it). . . but damn this place is super immersive.

You aren't allowed to take pictures or film inside the houses, and although I did get permission from the owner's Son, when i was introduced to him by my friend Amy (who is the one who really convinced me to go last night), I only took a few in the houses.   Because really. . you need to experience them yourself.

the Four houses are all really well done, with tons of long dark hallways, really impressive "gotchas" sprinkled thruout,

my overall impression?

Food:  what we had was really good - tho they were out of a few things, and as it got later in the evening, and the place hit capacity (think the Manager told me it was 3000), many food items on the menus were sold out. 
Oh, we still found stuff to eat (the voodoo fries - french fries covered in Queso, pico, and brisket were fantastic, and are a great "sponge" to sop up an alcohol drank). And the Pizza seemed really popular and was still selling right up until closing time. the prices are super reasonable too.   But if you are gonna eat, eat early if possible - maybe the 1st hour they open, but before the houses really open.

Drinks: well below "park" prices, with water and soda only $2, and most drinks/beer in the $6 range.     I didn't notice any mixed drinks - but there are several bars, and it wouldn't surprise me if at least one of them was pouring by hand. . . tho vast majority of the crowd was drinking Beer, or canned Margaritas (surprisingly quite good), or Cider (locally made. . the Honey Cider is so good!).

the Haunts themselves/Scare actors:  As many places are these days ? They are very short staffed - resulting in only a few scare actors in the houses (that should have over a dozen - there were tons of nooks and crannies where I would think a scare actor would hide to scare guests).  But that means way fewer jump scares and you can enjoy the long (and really detailed) effects in the houses.
Each of the 4 main houses has at least one stand out feature that makes that house worth going thru.  

and these are not "quick" houses - each one took at least 12-15 minutes to go thru.   And in *more* than one of them, we got lost and had to backtrack to find the correct way to go in order to move forward - while a scare actor watched us from above and taunted/laughed at us.  

the only place there were "enough" scare actors is on the Haunted Hayride, which is where they clearly needed to put the most - it's a very large area - and they have been promoting as a new attraction (the storyline on the Haunted Hayride involved the Wendigo in the woods that has been killing people).    So no issue at all with the lack of "in house" scares. . I still feel like we absolutely were terrified in each house, at least a few times.

It’s a good time

Entertainment: as noted, there are some scare actors roaming the grounds oustide of the houses, but the biggest entertainment aspect is right at the front of the property - next to the main bar/food stand:  a stage with live music.   That has a DJ spinning between sets, so there's always music coming from the front of the grounds.   I saw quite a few folks dancing out on the floor in front of the state, so people really seemed to like it.

Price: tho you can buy a ticket for just admission, or just admission and one attraction. . .   the way to go is the combo ticket.  Which we got on Saturday night.  For only ~$40, you get access to the grounds (pretty cool on their own), all 4 houses, and the haunted hayride.   That comes out to less than $10 a house.  it's really a steal, and no wonder they hit capacity almost every night.    So yeah, get your tickets online to ensure you can get in!

best part?  Tho they are only open from Mid-Sept thru end of year on certain days?    the weekend after Halloween, they do "Scream Hollow: Pitch Dark Experience" - where the houses all operate with NO LIGHTS AT ALL. 
(the one that's mostly dark was already terrifiying. . I'm excited, and really considering going back for this event to do them all in the dark).

and then in December?  they do an Overlay of the houses/park for "Twisted Christmas" - hosted by Krampus.   I'm *absolutely* going back for that.

this place doesn't get near enough publicity, for as great as it is. . so that's partly why I wanted to write up a Trip Report on it.    

if you're in Texas, anywhere near the Austin area (tho some of my friends that met up with us last night came from San Antonio. . so still not too far) - this place is WELL worth a visit.

now.. on to some pics!

where we were going (snagged from online. . just so y'all have the website in case you wanted to check it out)

Stopping at "the Gas Station". . where they filmed a key part of Tobe Hooper's original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

 

inside, is not only a place to order BBQ. . but a fantastic gift shop, filled with all things scary!

the main group of folks I met up with for Scream Hollow in the Gas Station gift shop.  (Clockwise from the front:  Amy, me, Russell, Spy, Paige)

 

a short trip down a deserted dirt road, into a massive field (free parking!!!). . and we were at the gates shortly before open.
Gates open ~6:40pm, houses open at dusk ~7:40pm

 

 

OPEN. . .time for food and drinks!

but first let's check out the place

 

 

the museum is a $9 upcharge, so didn't go into that (tho will on the next visit. . . it was my first time there, so wanted to do all the included stuff first, and knew it was a sold out night. . so focused on haunts, food, and drink  tonight.   And meeting folks that Amy knew thru Thrill Seekers United - several of whom work at Scream Hollow as fear actors, or were driving down from San Antonio to meet up with us.

as mentioned..it's a permanent installation, even if not open year round. . you can see what I meant by comparing it to a Ren-faire.

 

the mens urinals are "themed"   LOL

 

what's this?  I feel like I'm being watched while I'm peeing  (the sign outside DID say the bathrooms are "under surveillance"

HAHAHAHAHA. . brilliant!!
 

and I'll bet it freaks out a drunk or two every night. . .

ok. . twist my arm. . will get some food and drink.

NOTED!

the Igor dog. . .and the amazing Honey Cider (that I really didn't *need* 5 of. . but damn were so good.  The cider, I had 5 ciders. . only one wiener)

 

 

 

the four "houses" are all at the end of the main entry walkway:

 

the entrance to Sinister Circus.

not open until dusk, so the scare actors/ticket takers, mingle with guests out front.

 

 

 

 

 

 

oh hell yes. . I love me a throne!

 

Mansion of Terror House:

Mansion of Terror on the left, Wicked Darkness on the right

Asylum house

a better view of Wicked Darkness. . . .won't spoil any of the houses, but they are NOT kidding when they say darkness.

this is one of the houses were were completely lost in, and a scare actor friend had to come direct us on the right path. . LOL

 

two of the bars. . tho the one on the left also sells the hot dogs.

on the far right is the pizza place.

any good Halloween Attraction needs a black cat.

this is Salem

peeking into the Halloween Museum

 

I really did like many of the shirts and most of the merch they have avail. . but I did NOT need another T-shirt, so settled for a pic of this one.

free roaming scare actors. . tho it was starting to get dark, and the houses were about to open.

first more drinks tho. . (the fangs were the "fun" gift if you ordered Margaritas. . which some in our group did)

Adrian. . a new friend I met last night, and a boss (and scare actor) at Scream Hollow.

he was dressed as a dead/demon Victorian girl doll?  LOL.. I dunno, but it was creepy.   very effective!

yeah. . we're a bit buzzed now. . not bad, but just enough to start heading to the houses!

just look how amazing this place starts to look at night!

Live music already going near the front gates/bar.

 

an Electric Chair photo op?

Don't mind if i do. . ..

starting to get busy. . let's hit the houses

 

 

Paige is a giant scaredy cat. . . Russell had a ball sneaking up on her all night and scaring the pee out of her (and Amy). . . managed to catch this pic, while Paige is completely oblivious!

the lines for the houses are all out in the open. . with the lighted trees being VERY effective in setting atmosphere.

inside the houses are probably 80% indoors, with some outdoor sections connecting the buildings, as the houses all have multiple buildings to wind in and out of.

 

and take her anywhere. . .

 

one of the few indoor pics I took - all from Sinister Circus (and yes, had permission to take/post. . but not posting many, because don't want to spoil).

 

but look how well done!

our friend Erica showed up, as we were getting in line for Asylum.

and more of our friend (this time from Houston) showed up

 

NOTED!

and ignored - cant turn this fabulous flame off! 

in front of the Horror Mansion house.    It's over in a dark corner of the queue..but my night vision camera lights it up. . . and it is. . . ummmm. . maybe a bit awkward.

that face!

 

yup. . can def. tell they hit capacity!

That's Kelly behind me making the face when I took this picture.

I didn't know her, but she thought I didn't catch her making the face and was trying to photobomb my pic.   I took it anyways, and when we passed her in the queue a few moments later, I asked her, her name.
"why?"
- oh, because I want to call you by name when I post the picture you were making the face in
"I didn't make any face"
- yes you did, in the picture I was taking, but you thought I didn't notice?
"I didn't"
-- shows her picture --  I'm going to do a trip report and use this pic, so I want to note your name.
(sorta embarrassed I called her out, I think) "oh. . . . Kelly"

LOL

 

Wicked Darkness. . probably my favorite house.    almost Pitch Black in there.. . for 15 minutes. . wandering a meandering trail, in the dark.

loved this one.

 

random scar actors mingling in the main square

 

the entrance to the hayride

LOL.. forgot about this. . . . in the Sinister Circus line.. with a clowns rubber chicken

 

 

 

 

 

Tractors pulling trailers thru the woods, while attacked by zombies and wendigos. . . . so good!

Adrian even joined us on our hayride.

can't take him anywhere either. . .

 

 

and then we hung out and drank and munched on Voodoo fries until it hit midnight, and they told us "you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here'

one of the staff was wearing the Twisted Christmas shirt. . that one I DO want to buy.   so *have* to go back for this in Dec.

 

 

hope you enjoyed the pics.

it's a great place, and I can't believe it took me THIS long to discover it.   I'll certainly be a return customer.

 

 

 

[bert425]

oh. .the "scary' swag I got from the TCM Gas Station store:

 

the pumpkins spin!   bwaaaa-haaaa-haaaaa

the rotor spins!

a gift from Amy. . she saw me eyeing it and bought it for me!!!

 

 

[bert425]

^ Best part of those figures?  the interchangable heads. . so you can display them with the creatures killing the kids, and coming from the masks!

awesome.

[Hilltopper39]

Nice report Bert, this event looks awesome. I love HHN and HOS as much as anyone but these "corporate" events do have kind of a cleaner consistent feel to them to the point that I kind of miss these grittier homemade style haunts. I would go to something like this in a heartbeat if it was around here. Thanks for sharing, looked like a great time.