Introduction
A “scream-park” featuring numerous attractions and special events, Shocktoberfest (Sinking Springs, PA) is celebrating over thirty years as one of Pennsylvania’s premier haunted entertainment destinations. Featuring “four” core haunted attractions’ Shocktoberfest embraces diverse themes and creates a “gritty” almost unsettling atmosphere, a dark amusement facility set upon the backdrop of a public park. Shocktoberfest, the attraction features numerous attractions and additional activities, including the world-class “Prison of the Dead,” “Unknown 3.0” haunted house and “Zombie Safari Haunted Hayride” along with a creative “circus” midway that is heavily improved upon over past seasons. While the scream-park still embraces an overall “zombie” theme that was heavily promoted a few seasons back, the diversity of each attraction and style makes the entire experience more diverse in nature, not relying solely on one central concept. Each of the attractions is generally enjoyable, with “Prison of the Dead” and “Unknown 3.0” clearly standing out as the general favorites.
The “environment” itself adds to the fear generated, and Shocktoberfest genuinely generates a sense of “danger” and fear throughout its property. While we would like to see some updates to the hayride attraction, “Prison of the Dead” and “Unknown 3.0” are two of the best “indoor/walkthrough attractions” you can EVER visit!
While Shocktoberfest is overall one of the best “scream-parks” you can visit, it does have some faults and perhaps can use some upgrades. At one point in time, the attraction was heavily influenced by a storyline, “Zombie World,” a clever play on “Jurassic Park,” and while significant elements of this story/theme still exist, it feels out of place at times and disjointed. For example, “The Zombie Safari Haunted Hayride” is heavily influenced by a zombie-Jurassic Park style design theme and is driven by a story that involves “capturing a zombie” for ransom. In prior seasons, a “movie” was shown before the attraction, which set the storyline in motion and, while somewhat corny, at least made the scenes make thematic sense. Without the initial story, the added video interjected in the main hayride “scenes” seems out of place and, while not hard to understand the premise, adds a bit of confusion to the theme.
Furthermore, the hayride itself can use some upgrades as it a mainly composed of similar set designs and little acting. “Zombies” overall hinder the performer’s abilities to go beyond the basic “screaming” and bellowing of strange sounds, and scenes themselves are sometimes quickly glazed over as everything moves rather quickly. Despite some hiccups, however, the hayride still has some incredible, interactive scenes with larger-than-life animatronics that stand out from one’s visit to “Zombie World.” However, compared to “Unknown 3.0” and “Prison of the Dead,” the “Zombie Safari Hayride” pales in comparison and can benefit from similar upgrades and renewed focus.
Attractions
Unknown 3.0
“Unknown 3.0” is longer, more intense, and more detailed than ever, a classical haunted attraction that aims to play on each guest’s fears and phobias, several new rooms, periods of complete darkness, and brand-new special effects were added to this already first-class haunted attraction. Using immersive sound, smell, and lighting effects, each scene subjects guests to the common most fears such as “clowns,” “snakes/reptiles,” “rats,” “bees,” “dolls,” etc. Each room is richly designed, and the focus on sensory assault caused even more tension as we had to carefully explore each room. Shocktoberfest puts a great deal of effort into developing a first-class “sound system,” and the lack of light augmented each little noise and, in some cases, “smell” in each of the “phobia” themed rooms. A “science experiment” gone wrong, guests are plunged into an indoor attraction that feels “real,” not store, or vendor bought and filled with surprises. Sensory scares are heightened in the dark, and we still can distinctly smell the “cotton candy” as we recall entering the evil “carnival/clown” scene and the creepy sound of snakes hissing as we made our way; cautiously through the “snake room.” The level of darkness, misdirection and sensory assault create a real sense of horror immersion; scenes come to life and actors do a fantastic job engaging each guest in this “hands-on” experience. A surprising “ending” filled with gore and chainsaw-driven violence caps off a brand-new evolution of this attraction, and the “Unknown 3.0” is aggressive; it is scare-focused and is one of the genuine highlights at Shocktoberfest. A high-intensity experience, special effects, animatronics, effective jump scares, and a sensory-immersive experience makes the “Unknown 3.0” a funhouse-inspired laboratory of madness and sensory imposed fear.
Prison of the Dead
Many haunted attractions claim to create “immersive” experiences that place the guest in realistic scenes or horror sets; however, most generally fall slightly short of such a daunting goal. “Jail/Prison” themed attractions are somewhat familiar in the industry and usually account for a few scenes within a more immense attraction. Exceptions to this style exist; haunts such as Eastern State Penitentiary’s “Halloween Nights” operate in former operating, now abandoned detention facilities; Shocktoberfest has built a “model” abandoned prison from the ground up. “Prison of the Dead” may be one of the BEST indoor haunted attractions we have ever visited and continues to get longer, more authentic, and more detailed each season. Seasons ago, the attraction served as a “flag tag” type experience, but on our last two visits, this attraction has focused more on a traditional “scare-focused” approach.
“Prison of the Dead” is so authentic that it rivals “real” abandoned prisons and facilities in design, scenery, and environment. From small rusty prison cells that rattle upon every step to a creepy 1940’s era soundtrack, the entire experience is awe-inspiring and times too terrifying (the attraction MASTERS the rather unclassified art of “urban decay” to create a period specific-abandoned feel to the structure). While the attraction itself is highly detailed, the actors themselves do a great job telling mini-stories and going beyond the “zombie” style grunts and moans featured during the hayride. At times we were plunged into complete darkness, and at other times, candlelight flickered and lit each scene, creating an even more intense effect while maintaining the integrity of each detailed set. 1940-1960s era design can be felt around every corner, and the scenes themselves feel alive and real. Walking upstairs on rotting, rusted stairs only to be stalked by a hulking-prison guard is an intimidating experience, and Shocktoberfest has created truly an unusual, truly immersive attraction that rarely gives away its secrets. From the moment the old “prison bus” drops guests off to the ending sequence, which features a long sewer/outdoor escape experience, the entire environment is transformed and genuinely builds anticipation and fear. Not enough praise can be heaped on this attraction, its aggressive and talented actors, and the overall almost near-perfect recreation of a hellacious prison that is correctly named “Prison of the Dead!”
It is important to stress how “real” this abandoned environment is. The entire sensory experience using sound, lighting, interactive rooms that force guests to crawl and duck, and a design, unlike any other, transforms the whole experience. The way actors “interact” with their environments and guests is, at times, genius, and some of the most talented performers are featured in the “Prison of the Dead.” As we entered the “shower” area and off-color inmate wanted to “drop” the soap and appeared at times out of thin air as slow strobe lights and moments of flash lighting obstruct vision, creating constant disorientation. Some of the actors reached out from inside brick walls, others blocked “escape” routes outside, and each did their best to engage small groups while playing out their twisted characters of undead inmates and escapees.
Psychological fear is built by each area’s overall design and diversity and strict adherence to “realism” featured by this custom-built “prison. “A “sense” and desire to “escape” from the undead prisoners, guards, and demented staff drives aggression, and even moments where we were outside in the “yard,” it felt as though “something” was regularly breathing down our backs. “Prison of the Dead” is an incredible, terrifying, and realistic experience the is relentless in design and is long enough to be its own stand-alone attraction. Each year, the facility seems to get more extended and interactive, and the ways actors hide, and their mature, twisted performances are constantly oddly engaging yet designed to create pure terror. Not enough praise can be heaped upon this one-of-a-kind attraction, which we feel is the centerpiece and most innovative attraction featured at Shocktoberfest.
Many haunted attractions claim to create “immersive” experiences that place the guest in realistic scenes or horror sets; however, most generally fall slightly short of such a daunting goal. “Jail/Prison” themed attractions are somewhat familiar in the industry and usually account for a few scenes within a more immense attraction. Exceptions to this style exist; haunts such as Eastern State Penitentiary’s “Terror Behind the Walls” operate in former operating, now abandoned detention facilities; Shocktoberfest has built a “model” abandoned prison from the ground up. “Prison of the Dead” may be one of the BEST indoor haunted attractions we have ever visited and continues to get longer, more authentic, and more detailed each season. Seasons ago, the attraction served as a “flag tag” type experience, but on our last two visits, this attraction has focused more on a traditional “scare-focused” approach.
“Prison of the Dead” is so authentic that it rivals “real” abandoned prisons and facilities in design, scenery, and environment. From small rusty prison cells that rattle upon every step to a creepy 1940’s era soundtrack, the entire experience is awe-inspiring and times too terrifying (the attraction MASTERS the rather unclassified art of “urban decay” to create a period specific-abandoned feel to the structure). While the attraction itself is highly detailed, the actors themselves do a great job telling mini-stories and going beyond the “zombie” style grunts and moans featured during the hayride. At times we were plunged into complete darkness, and at other times, candlelight flickered and lit each scene, creating an even more intense effect while maintaining the integrity of each detailed set. 1940-1960s era design can be felt around every corner, and the scenes themselves feel alive and real. Walking upstairs on rotting, rusted stairs only to be stalked by a hulking-prison guard is an intimidating experience, and Shocktoberfest has created truly an unusual, truly immersive attraction that rarely gives away its secrets. From the moment the old “prison bus” drops guests off to the ending sequence, which features a long sewer/outdoor escape experience, the entire environment is transformed and genuinely builds anticipation and fear. Not enough praise can be heaped on this attraction, its aggressive and talented actors, and the overall almost near-perfect recreation of a hellacious prison that is correctly named “Prison of the Dead!”
It is important to stress how “real” this abandoned environment is. The entire sensory experience using sound, lighting, interactive rooms that force guests to crawl and duck, and a design, unlike any other, transforms the whole experience. The way actors “interact” with their environments and guests is, at times, genius, and some of the most talented performers are featured in the “Prison of the Dead.” As we entered the “shower” area and off-color inmate wanted to “drop” the soap and appeared at times out of thin air as slow strobe lights and moments of flash lighting obstruct vision, creating constant disorientation. Some of the actors reached out from inside brick walls, others blocked “escape” routes outside, and each did their best to engage small groups while playing out their twisted characters of undead inmates and escapees.
Psychological fear is built by each area’s overall design and diversity and strict adherence to “realism” featured by this custom-built “prison. “A “sense” and desire to “escape” from the undead prisoners, guards, and demented staff drives aggression, and even moments where we were outside in the “yard,” it felt as though “something” was regularly breathing down our backs. “Prison of the Dead” is an incredible, terrifying, and realistic experience the is relentless in design and is long enough to be its own stand-alone attraction. Each year, the facility seems to get more extended and interactive, and the ways actors hide and their mature, twisted performances are constantly oddly engaging yet designed to create pure terror. Not enough praise can be heaped upon this one-of-a-kind attraction, which we feel is the centerpiece and most innovative attraction featured at Shocktoberfest.
Zombie Safari Haunted Hayride
Shocktoberfest features once again its long-standing “Zombie Safari Haunted Hayride” heavily inspired by a trip through a zombified-Jurassic Park, featuring several larger-than-life sets, pyrotechnics, and for the most part, “believable” zombies that do their best to engage guests with their limited acting performances. As mentioned previously, this is one attraction that perhaps could use some attention in terms of upgrades and focus. A storyline is loosely interwoven between scenes and sometimes doesn’t even make sense. Most of the sets in between the larger/more impressive areas are forgettable and composed of abandoned buildings and industrial-style waste. The core scenes, however, are still remarkable, seeing an “actor” eaten alive by a giant worm and a trip through a mutated “greenhouse” still have an impact, and the overall theme of desolation, a post-apocalyptic wasteland, and endless mutated zombie hordes is by and large nailed by the thematic design of this attraction. With upgrades, perhaps a slower pace to see scenes, more scene-specific sound, and emphasis on story alignment with more action in between the main sets, this hayride can quickly be one of the best in the industry.
Ground Assault
“Ground Assault” is a fun “laser tag” style game that adds an additional level of quality and length to one’s visit to Shocktoberfest. Teams are split up, and various “zombies” roam the grounds to “assault” and feed off each guest. A fun interactive “attraction” we enjoyed the team-based combat as well as the “zombies,” which added a layer of challenge to the experience.
Midway Massacre-Scare Zone
“Midway Massacre” is an impressive carnival-style attraction featuring clowns, barkers, etc. A diversion, the various carnival freaks and clowns did a fantastic job at “stalking” us as we cautiously made our way through the mini-midway. For some reason, the attraction this year was not separated from the others and was essentially a large walkthrough area featuring some random carnival sets and clowns. While relatively short, the attraction again added to the diversity and quality offered by the entire horror package presented by Shocktoberfest.
The Final Word
Shocktoberfest is genuinely scary, and for a “big-budget” scream-park, it continues to feature custom designed, unique themes that are atypical of similar attractions . “Unknown 3.0” strikes the core phobias, builds a constant sense of paranoia and an unsettling, foreboding sense of dread. “Prison of the Dead” is one of the most imposing structures found in ANY haunted attraction and features excellent scare performances. One creepiest is an “actor” who appears in multiple locations almost simultaneously, working tirelessly to “see us” again. Acting strength and passion are evident and adds to the intensity and pure disturbing creepiness of the indoor walkthrough attractions featured at Shocktoberfest.
Shocktoberfest continues to be one of the premier shows each season and genuinely embraces the “scream-park” nature of haunted attractions. In speaking with owner Mr. Patrick Konopelski, we discussed numerous topics. He shared some exclusive “historical” images associated with the monstrous construction known as “Prison of the Dead!” Konopelski is committed to pushing the envelope each year, providing a safe but scarier show, and is never resting on prior seasons’ success. New ideas and a desire to “scare” and continually investing in each attraction keep guests coming back for more. We have witnessed this attraction drastically improve over the past few seasons. While we hope for improvements to the hayride attraction, the “Unknown 3.0” and “Prison of the Dead” are worth the price of admission. The overall size, scope, and diverse style of each attraction give each guest a fantastic value. Shocktoberfest continues to once again stand out as a must-see mainstream attraction that is not afraid of embracing unique themes as well as catering to a wide array of horror fans.
Location: 94 Park Ave, Sinking Spring, PA 19608
Website: https://www.shocktoberfest.com/