Step inside Kings Dominion's Halloween Haunt — if you dare
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Earlier this year, Kings Dominion outraged hundreds of people after announcing that season pass holders now have to pay an additional $10 to access its Halloween Haunt mazes.
Why it matters: I stopped by the amusement park this week to see if the additional $10 is worth it.
The verdict: Yes, though I say that as a non-season pass holder who is only one person.
Zoom in: This year's Halloween Haunt, the second since KD's parent company merged with Six Flags, has six indoor and outdoor themed mazes with more special effects and new lighting and sound packages, says spokesperson Sydney Snow.
- I walked through the "Trick or Treat" one in Candy Apple Grove that's all about witches and lost souls and left out-of-breath from being chased — and screaming.
- On a usual night, one maze could have 20-40 "monsters" throughout it.
- Getting that and six mazes for the price of a cocktail? Yes.
But, but, but: If the mazes aren't your thing, there are five scare zones throughout the park that are included in the season passes, including a new one styled after the catacombs of Paris.
- There's also a new "secret nightclub" that takes place under the Eiffel Tower where vampires increasingly come out as the night goes on and a heavy metal rock show called "Terror Rising."
Plus: Halloween-themed cocktails, including:
- Blood Bags, with your choosing of cranberry juice, candied-orange or Granny Smith apple flavors.
- Poisoned Apple Margarita, with tequila, apple cider and hot honey.
- I Vant to Drink Your Blood, a vodka, lemonade and peach schnapps combo with a strawberry puree syringe.
If you go: Halloween Haunt runs Friday-Sunday through Nov. 2.
- Park admission plus access to the haunted attractions is $49. An express pass to essentially skip the line to the haunted mazes is $29.
- Visitors who don't want to be scared can buy a "No Boo" necklace so the "monsters" know not to scare them ... for $18.