This evening Knott’s quietly announced the returning scare zones coming to Knott’s Scary Farm for the 2016 season. Of course there are no REAL surprises here with the announcements but the comfort comes in knowing that two very solid scare zones are coming back with a third that could still really rock if it were given a fighting chance.
To get to the point, Ghost Town Streets, CarnEVIL, and Dia De Los Muertos are all coming back to the original Halloween Haunt event that began scaring visitors in 1973 and has become the nation’s standard for theme park haunt events.
Of course, Ghost Town Streets is returning. Haunt without Ghost Town would be like Disneyland without the Castle. No, Ghost Town will be thick with fog and monsters once again and slithering with sliders around every turn. This is usually the first taste of haunt that anyone sinks their teeth into and for good reason. It’s old west scares with a backstory to boot.
Then there is the terrifying CarnEVIL where killer clowns run amok, tormenting guests with scares and other tools of disturbance. One of the more lively areas, CarnEVIL is an interesting dichotomy of plain as day scares and surprise attacks. There are few places for the clowns to hide in waiting. So, instead, the charge through the area in full view. Will they strike when you pass by?
Finally we have Dia De Los Muertos in the Fiesta Village are a of the park. Situated at the front of the park, this area will again feature the souls who have returned from the other side to torment the living. With its distinct Latin flavor, this area has always had the potential to really become something but has never really taken off. A sort of mix between the traditionalist Ghost Town approach with themed scares and the more broad CarnEVIL tactics, Dia would do well to focus on a macabre sense of play and mystery, luring guests in for the kill. Let’s hope they get it right and keep the DJ out of there this time.
More hair-raising news will be unveiled for Scary Farm’s 44th season at Midsummer Scream and ScareLA. The world-renowned event features mazes, sinister shows and spectacular interactive experiences. Both events will host exclusive panels featuring the Scary Farm creators and designers.
The Midsummer Scream presentation will be held on Sunday, July 31, 2016 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. PST in the Grand Ballroom
The ScareLA presentation will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2016 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. PST at the Main Stage
