Looking For A Local Way To Get Into The Halloween Spirit? Valley Of Fear Is A Close Haunt
by Alex Lloyd Gross
There are only a few days left before it’s Halloween. Many people are interested in getting the crap scared out of them but they don’t want to travel too far to do it. One place is close to Eastern Montco and Northeast Philadelphia. It sits off of Bristol Road in Feasterville, Bucks County. It’s in the woods,which is a huge plus.
The place is called Valley Of Fear. There are three attractions on the compound, a hayride , a haunted house and an area dedicated to a shipwreck where pirates and others lost at sea can make sudden appearances. On this attraction, you walk through the woods and there are several different scenarios. It’s dark and the lights illuminate what is next. Is it just a static display? Or will someone jump out at you?
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com What is that coming towards you?
Before you even get to the attractions, you walk through the campground, which has food trucks, and a snack stand. There is also a bonfire and you can get marshmallows or Smore’s kits at the snack stand. While you are waiting for the ticket window to open, you come in contact with characters. Some will chase you, others, like Beetlejuice mingle among the guests, interacting with them. Everyone wants a photo with Beetlejuice . He is like a rock star.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com People react after meeting Beetlejuice.
The hayride is different that others. You can sit with your legs dangling over the edge of the wagon , which is covered in hay. No matter what side you are on, there is something that will jump out at you. Without giving too much away, you will meet Willy Wonka, you do through a summer camp scene and the night of this review, Uncle Freddy Kruger was there, keeping people in line as they boarded the hay ride.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo-Delaware Valley News.com You have to walk down this wooden bridge , past these pirates in order to teave an attraction.
Here is a hack for this place. Get their early and do the hayride first, get your tickets quick and then get in the que for the hayride. You may wait about 20 minutes at the crew gets ready, but then you are on. If you don’t, get there early, the line is about 90 minutes during peak times. According to Mike Dagrossa, a manager who has worked there for 24 years, “We keep it going until everyone has had a ride”.
The other hack is to get familiar with the Beetlejuice movies. You could be at the end of the line and get asked a trivia question. Get it right and Beetlejuice brings you to the front of the line. “It’s only happened four times this year”, he said. Or you can buy a VIP pass to line jump.
Once people start working there,they don;t want to leave. It’s fun. “We start training in June, we have about 120 paid actors that are there to scare,” Dagrossa said. Some children , especially smaller ones are petrified and when they happens, the actors are instructed to tone it down, according to Dagrossa.
Everyone has their favorite part of the compound. Some like the hayride, others like the haunted house, which has an elevator that people have to go on. Is it real? Is it an illusion? “A lot of people don’t like elevators, which makes this even more fun,” said 24 year old Eric Habermeth, who is the one responsible for loading up the elevator. Those that are apprehensive, go in and there is a bit of an unease about that is going to happen next.
Valley Of Fear does have a new merch stand that hoodies and t shirts are custom made. The haunt runs through the start of November. You can check out the website for more information.