Serial killers, isolation take center stage as ScareHouse revamps thrills for new 2017 haunted houses

in Haunted Attractions, Theater

One of my favorite independent haunts in the country has just revealed the new horrors lurking within for 2017. ScareHouse in Pittsburgh, PA is breathing new life into two of its classic haunted attractions by injecting particularly sinister and rather adult twists.

When The Summoning debuted a few years ago at ScareHouse, it astounded visitors with its immense scale and surprisingly swanky feel. Now, that maze has been replaced with every Yelpers worst nightmare: a motel hiding more a few dark secrets. Enter The Sunset Lodge.

“The Summoning is gone, and has been replaced with The Sunset Lodge. It’s just as detailed and elaborate but, and I have to admit that this has been really fun, it’s particularly sleazy and nasty,” explained Scott Simmons, Creative Director of ScareHouse.

“We’ve gone from a sophisticated private club to a highly worn motel that’s past it’s prime and full of greasy secrets — now fully occupied by dozens of highly iconic serial killers. The trailer shows a sneak peek at our particularly tacky Honeymoon Suite. Complete with jaccuzzi!”

ScareHouse is also making big changes to its up-charge adults-only experience called The Basement. This personal experience changes year-to-year and for 2017, ScareHouse designers are going in an all-new direction.

“The video gives hints of our theme and reveals that ‘Maggie’ (one of our most popular characters from last season) has been elevated to icon status for the entire attraction,” said Simmons.

“This will be our 5th season of Basement, and I’m attempting to shake up the format considerably. The attraction will be as immersive, intimate, and adult as ever — but we’re designing new experiences that are much more interactive and isolating than previous years. More than ever, it will truly feel as if you’re the last survivor of your very own horror movie.”

The Basement contains high voltage effects involving electricity, very low lighting, tight spaces, strong scents, profanity, moments of complete darkness, water, violent situations, and high impact scares. As such, all guests must be 18 or older and must sign waiver before entering.

ScareHouse exists within a 100-year-old haunted building that makes it unlike any other attraction in the country.

Beyond The Sunset Lodge and The Basement, returning favorite mazes include Nocturnia 3-D (with new 3-D effects) and Infernal (featuring the famous ScareHouse demons).

ScareHouse kicks off its Halloween season in just over a month, running on select dates:
September 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 and October 1, 6-8, 12-15, 19-22, 26-29. 7 p.m. to 11:30pm Fridays and Saturdays 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays.

Tickets and more information about ScareHouse are available online at www.scarehouse.com.

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