FRIGHTS & DELIGHTS
HALLOWEEN FUN AT CALIFORNIA THEME PARKS
This Halloween, ask yourself one question: Do you want to see something scary?
❚ You probably do, given the pervasive mood of the season. But even if you don’t believe in love at first fright, Southern California theme parks offer experiences from one end of the scare spectrum (”Just treats please”) to the other (”Bring on the chainsaws”).
❚ Once upon a time, autumn was a relatively dead time at Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott’s Berry Farm.
❚ Halloween now is one of the most popular times to visit. The parks have stretched the spirit of Oct. 31 over six to eight weeks.
❚ Here’s what to expect for Halloween 2018, rated by level of fear factor. (Chilling challenge: Visit early in the season before crowd sizes get really scary.)
Universal Studios Hollywood: Halloween Horror Nights
If any park could lay claim as Halloween’s official theme park, it’s Universal Studios Hollywood. In fact, it owns “Halloween,” the first movie franchise to make protective sports equipment scary. And it has licensed the (f )rights to such popular TV series as “The Walking Dead” and “Stranger Things,” cornering the market on chills.
The scene: This is where the cool kids go, exiting their Ubers with looks that say, “Scare me, I dare you.” As they exit each maze, that expression remains, as well as some noticeable stains around the armpit area.
The trick: Having enough time to see everything worth screaming about. Halloween Horror Nights will feature eight mazes, five scare zones, a live show and the Terror Tram (the usual studio tour stocked with shambling wanna-be actors as various creatures of the night).
The treat: Experiencing the Upside Down as seen in “Stranger Things,” then following Michael Myers in a maze based on “Halloween 4.” More fun is bugging your friends all the way through the “Poltergeist” maze by constantly saying, “They’re heeere.”
Something scary: As day turns to night, worlds will collide when those seeking monsters and serial killers mingle with robe-wearing pseudo-wizards waving their souvenir wands while spouting spells. It’s like back in high school when detention let out the same time as math club.
Details: Sept. 14-15, 20-22 and 27-30; Thursdays-Sundays in October; Oct. 31; Nov. 1-3. 7 p.m. (5 p.m. for tickets bought online). $67-$97 for general admission. hollywood.halloweenhorrornights.com.
Disneyland: Mickey’s Halloween Party
The fact that Halloween at Disneyland starts Sept. 7, two weeks earlier than last year, illustrates how it’s all treat and no tricks at the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure.
The scene: Parents attempt to absorb the decorative details as kids scroll through their apps looking for a strollerhailing service that will take them to the Haunted Mansion ASAP.
The trick: Navigating the crowds now that Halloween is one of the busiest times at both parks.
The treat: Enjoying the decorations and ride overlays. While some may prefer the Haunted Mansion in its original mortal state rather than done up for the Nightmare Before Christmas, there’s no arguing that Space Mountain is better with Ghost Galaxy.
Something scary: For those attending Mickey’s Halloween Party (select dates Sept. 19-Oct. 31) — where candy will be handed out in vast, corporatebacked amounts — good luck convincing your preschoolers to drop the chocolate bar for a yummy bag of banana chips, mmm, so good! Now that’s scary.
Fear factor: 2. Disney is way more about delights than frights.
Details: Sept. 7-Oct. 31. Mickey’s Halloween Party is Sept. 19, 21, 24, 26 and 28; Oct. 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29 and 31. $105-$130 (some dates sold out). disneyland.disney.go.com.
SUDOCK/DISNEYLAND RESORT
Knott’s Scary Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm, Southern California’s oldest and most easily overlooked Mickey and his friends at Disney California Adventure park.
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park, steps up its game for Halloween, transforming into Knott’s Scary Farm. Once the sun sets, the park is given over to the elaborately disfigured who perform socially acceptable stalking.
The scene: Fog-shrouded pathways conceal those who lurk there. Whether you’re entering one of the 10 or so mazes or simply wandering among rides, something will bump you in the night.
The trick: Feeling that you don’t have to defend visiting the Southern California’s least-respected theme park. As soon as you mention “Knott’s,” you can’t even get to “Scary Farm” without people thinking preserves and chicken dinners.
The treat: The “likes” and “wows” that will rain upon your Facebook Live walk through Ghost Town, especially when a shadowy figure appears out of the gloom. Unless that figure is your dad, which you will never live down.
Something scary: The fact you’re likely to come away thinking, “Knott’s sure has changed since I was last here 20 years ago.” You may entertain thoughts of returning in the somewhat near future. Knott’s may not be an annual destination, but you probably won’t want to wait another 20 years.
Fear factor: 7. Could be an 8 if Knott’s sold “boysen-bury” pie.
Details: Sept. 20-22 and 27-30; Thursdays-Sundays through October plus Oct 31. $42-$52. www.knotts.com/play/scary-farm.