Haunted Houses: Beware of Costs, Lines, and Fright Factor

It’s that time of year when ghosts and goblins take center stage. Haunted houses frighten and terrify. Most everyone from small children to adults enjoy picking out – or creating – a Halloween costume and having fun.

This year Halloween falls on a Tuesday, so Halloween parties will mainly be on Saturday, October 28, whereas the Trick-or-Treating crowd will head out on Tuesday.

Children should always wear some reflective colors and always be accompanied by an adult. Don’t stray too far from your neighborhood and never try to cross busy roads or highways. Dark clothing is very difficult to see at night.

Know Before You Go

Cost. Most haunted houses will charge for admission. The typical charge is around $15 for an adult. There are some less elaborate haunted houses, but if you want to be scared you will need to pay for it.

Not for Little Kids. Most top-end haunted houses will scare the bejabbers out of teens and adults, so imagine what it will do for small children. Kids below age 12 should probably visit a corn maze or a haunted house when it’s kids’ time and lights are on.

Not for the Faint of Heart. Haunted houses are not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with heart issues or a physical condition who would be very frightened.

Long Waiting Lines. As it gets closer to Halloween, the waiting lines could get long, especially on weekends. To avoid long lines, plan to go in early October when the houses open or on weeknights if possible.

Length of Event. The time it takes to go through a haunted houses can vary widely. Some only take 10-15 minutes, while others can take over an hour! Much of it depends on the pace of the people ahead of you. You should plan accordingly.

No Refunds. Every haunted house has a strict NO REFUNDS policy. If you get scared and leave the event before reaching the end, or you don’t show because of illness or the weather you will not get your money back.