When Los Angeles Haunted Hayride announced in August that it was both changing locations and formats for 2020, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As a long-standing Southern California Halloween attraction, there is an experience haunt fans have come to expect from the event, so reinventing yourself, even in the age of COVID-19 is definitely a risk. But CEO Chris Stafford, Creative Director Jon Cooke, and the rest of the folks at Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group took on the challenge and created something that still manages to capture the spirit of L.A. Haunted Hayride, albeit in a very different setting.
For their 2020 event, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride changed locations to accommodate the new format, setting up at Bonelli Regional Park, in Sam Dimas, CA instead of Griffith Park. When you first arrive, you are directed to separate locations based on the type of experience you purchased tickets for. VIP guests are sent down one path, while Standard and Preferred guests are sent down another. Thirteenth Floor was kind enough to provide us VIP Media tickets, so this review is based on that particular experience.
Once separated, attendants check each car in and explain the rules of the event. You’ll remain in this area until shortly before the previous show lets out before making your way down “All Hallows Lane,” a winding road featuring several familiar set pieces from Midnight Falls, which made its debut at last year’s Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. While no scare actors appear along this path, lighting, fog, and sound still set the overall experience tone. You’ll eventually come to a stop at the trailer of Monte Revolta, your master of ceremonies for the evening, and the manager of the Midnight Theater.
You’ll remain here for a brief period as guests from the previous show clear the drive-in. During this time, Monte does what he does best and makes wisecracks and comments over the loudspeaker about guests and what to expect. Once the drive-in is cleared, attendants direct you to your spot in the Midnight Theater, where you’ll wait for the experience to begin.
If you’ve ever been to a drive-in theater, this experience is very similar. Cars line up around the 40′ screen, and you turn your radio to a particular channel to get the full audio experience. Audio is pumped through speakers throughout the event, but for the best audio quality, you’ll want to be sure to turn your radio to the recommended station. As cars pile in, the event keeps you entertained by posting horror trivia on the big screen. Masked attendants make their way through the event reminding folks to remain in their cars with the engine and lights off and to wear a face-covering if you plan to experience the event with your windows down. Once everyone is in, the fun begins.
The lights dim, and Monte and his misfits take to the screen in a pre-recorded bit and musical performance to kick things off. During the video, the monsters descend upon the drive-in looking for ways to socially distance scare you as you sit comfortably in your car.
Monty’s performance is followed by the first of three short horror films from Crypt TV. This was really my only complaint of the night as all three films were previously released shorts that you can find on the Crypt TV YouTube channel, but considering this event was thrown together during a pandemic while studios aren’t really recording new stuff, I guess I really can’t complain that much.
The show then bounces back and forth between pre-recorded performances of Monty and a short film. Monty’s musical bits were amusing and if you’re a fan of Monty’s humor and music you’ll enjoy this. Scares are most prominent during the shorts, as you find yourself drawn to the screen to watch the film, meanwhile a monster lurks ready to jump out to make the scare. I admittedly was caught of guard once and one of the scare actors actually got me. I will say that experiencing this event with your windows down, likely enhances the experience as I do think it gives the scare actors a little bit of an advantage when it comes to trying to scare you with noise making props like chainsaws and other devices.
So what are my thoughts overall? It’s different. Don’t go in expecting the same experience you’re used to getting at a traditional Los Angeles Haunted Hayride. This isn’t that experience. You have to accept that Halloween events are going to be different this year and the fact that we’re even getting Halloween experiences amidst a pandemic is a blessing. There’s distance, the monsters are silent (minus their chainsaws and other props), and of course, you’re experiencing all of this from within your car. But Thirteenth Floor didn’t skimp on the production value, and the sets, lighting, audio, and video are all top-notch.
As I said in a quick review of the event in my newsletter earlier this month, the jump scares are fewer, if at all, but that smell of fog and chainsaw exhaust in the night air is going to remind you of what we love about this season and make you forget all the bullshit going on around us. To me, that’s worth the cost of admission alone.
Finally, to address the elephant in the room: Is it really COVID-safe? As someone who is fairly high risk due to underlying health conditions, I never felt uncomfortable during the experience. Everyone working the event wore face masks and kept a safe distance. Even the scare actors. None of the scares came from shouts, or vocal callouts, which means the risk of spreading germs through droplets weren’t an issue. That said, if you’re looking for the safest experience possible you can experience Los Angeles Haunted Hayride: Live Drive Up Experience with your windows up and still enjoy it.
For those considering the platinum experience where you can experience the event while seated in your own private hay wagon, I can attest to the safety here as well. Being in the second row I was able to watch the disinfecting process as they were getting ready for the next show. An attendant sprays down all of the seats with disinfectant while a second attendant wipes them all down. During my experience they were very thorough in their efforts and if I was considering a platinum experience I would personally feel safe.
Los Angeles Haunted Hayride: Live Drive-Up Experience is running on select nights through November 1st. Tickets to the event are still available and start at just $49.99. To purchase tickets and for complete details visit losangeleshauntedhayride.com.
*All Hallows Geek was provided complimentary VIP Media passes to experience this event.
