What would Halloween be without a scary trip through a haunted house? This year's list of haunts is shorter than last year, but just as scary. Here are four frightening haunts full of terrifying zombies and shrieking ghosts. Check out their links for ghoul galleries and more information.
Callson Manor
Placer County Fair Grounds, Roseville
Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 8-11, 15-18, 22-31
Cost: $10-$30
Website: callsonmanor.com
Heartstoppers
800 All America City Blvd., Roseville
Hours: 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 8-11, 15-18, 22-31
Cost: $10 for The Deadlands /$20 for all four haunts/$30 VIP Pass good for unlimited access to all haunted houses.
Website: scaredyou.com
Heartstoppers and Callson Manor have partnered and are located next to each other. The VIP pass is good for extra perks such as shorter lines, a haunting section with tables and scare windows to heckle friends or other visitors and unlimited access to all of the haunted houses. This year there are four scary haunts, the Deadlands, Funeral Home, Vampire’s Crypt and Callson Manor. The recommended age is 13 and older. Prepare to be scared by amazing animatronics and a terrifying cast of ghouls and zombies created by professional make-up artists led by Bryan Patterson, owner of SacFX Studios a special effects company.
On October 23 and 24, special entertainment is provided by the Northern California Dance Conservatory performing "Thriller" just inside the main gate. Also, the last week of October, magician Dr. Solar performs his feats of magic for the waiting crowd.
Fright Planet
Location: 6130 Birdcage Center, Citrus Heights
Phone: 866-666-1313
Hours: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 11, 15, 18 and 21
7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 9-11, 16-17, 22, 25-27 (and Nov. 1)
7p.m. to 12 a.m. Oct. 23-24, 28-31
Cost: Weekday tickets $16.95 to $22.00/Weekend tickets $19.95 to $25.00
Website: frightplanet.com
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This is the 2nd year Fright Planet is at the Sunrise Mall. Family friendly haunts for those over 13 years of age. Children 13 and younger need to be accompanied by an adult. Four haunted houses fill 60,000 square feet with new haunts and bigger haunted houses. A Disneyland artist in part, created the elaborate sets and 124 scary cast members roam throughout the elaborate set up. For those faint of heart, there are chicken exits everywhere. The Blackout house is especially scary and should not be attempted by the claustrophobic. Podunk Hill is larger and more elaborate this year. Visitors mingle with patients and psychos wandering the halls in the Pennville Lunatic Asylum or take a stroll through Boondock Bayou’s swampy forest. Fright Planet is constantly changing and upgrading the houses during the entire haunting season so every visit is a different experience.
Fear Overload
Location: 547 L Street, Sac
Phone: 877-554-4048
Hours: Thursday to Sunday, 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until the week of Oct. 25 and then they are open every day till Oct. 31.
Cost: Regular Admission $14 at the door/$13 purchased online
VIP Admission $18 at the door/$17 online
Website: fearoverload.com
Unfortunately, Fear Overload’s opening was delayed due to unforeseen events. The new opening date is Oct.15. The zombie overrun chemical factory theme is a high shock scare not intended for children. Admission is for ages 14 and older. Zombies, created by professional make up artists, seek to implant fear and terror into those who wander across their paths.
Reviews of the listed haunted houses are helpful for future ratings. Please send comments and fright reviews to CT@webstudioc.com.
©Caroline Thompson 2009 All rights reserved (Copyright information is for all images included with this story.)
Comments
I've been to numerous haunted houses in my time, including at theme parks and small community ones. Of all the haunted houses, Fright Planet has been our favorite year after year. It's an extremely good deal for the amount of time you actually spend there getting scared and having fun. My only complaint is not to wait until the very last minute to go. Get there either during the week or in mid October to avoid to lines. Sometimes there is over a 3-hour wait. Although they do offer VIP passes that get you to the front. Might be worthwhile if you have other plans that night!
There were so many reviews that were great for Fright Planet so I took my 3 siblings and cousin who was looking forward to a good scare. We went on Thursday so there was no line...that part was great. I can't figure out if it was the acting that wasn't up to par or something else because the costumes and themes were great. We were all very disappointed in these haunted houses. The only scary part of this was the black room, it was left up to our imaginations. I don't recommend this at all; I'm hoping that we can find another haunted house that's good. After this, my hopes are not very high.
i'm really starting to get the fall itch! I drove over to best buy and was really excited to see fright planet haunted house sign up. We have been going to them for the last 4 years and they never disappoint. Last year was probably my least favorite but online it says they have all new attractions. I can't wait!!
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