We had looked forward to visiting “Vincent Price’s Original Haunted Hayride” since our 2001 season. Unfortunately as it often does, time ran short that season and we did not have the opportunity to make the trip, so the Feasterville PA haunt was automatically moved to our 2002 itinerary.
The haunt boasts 5 attractions for one price, but we find that questionable. We arrived at the site and noticed immediately that they were set up as many of the attractions are, complete with stage for performing bands and concession areas.
We obtained our tickets and set off on the path up the hill to the tractor area. Immediately we were surprised by the wagons we would be riding in. Sitting low, passengers were allowed to dangle their feet off the sides of the cart. We were accustomed to fencing between the actors and ourselves and having to “keep our arms and legs in,” and we found this atmosphere to be a plus for the hayride.
The cart pulled forward and stopped before the gates, where we were informed of the rules and regulations of the ride by a giant skull, smoke billowing forth, we slowly crept down the lane where giant jack-o-lanterns with glowing eyes loomed from above, this was another ride to make use of soundtrack as we moved forward thru the sets.
We encountered a “Jason and female victim scene,” that progressed thru the woods along with the tractor until we came to what this haunt lists as its first attraction, “Tombstone.” This was our first experience of the season with the hayrides employing “skits” as part of the ride. The story behind Tombstone was of Black Bart, who had come to town for GOLD. After murdering 45 people of Tombstone, the villain was caught, hanged, beheaded, and buried in hallowed ground only to rise again seeking revenge. The skit was done by soundtrack, the actors lip-syncing their parts, and was entertaining, though a tad long.
At the end of the skit, the ride progressed thru what is billed as the second of the attraction, the “Original Haunted Hayride.” Done in standard themes, including a hillbilly set, which seems to be gaining popularity, becoming an industry standard. The last stop on the hayride was a drive thru “barn scare,” where the tractor pulls into the barn and the doors were shut. Designed to overload your senses with loud music and strobe lighting, the barn was manned by several actors, who took advantage of passengers’ disorientation.
The ride let off at the Witch’s Cauldron (what we can only assume they are counting as one of the 5 attractions). At the Witch’s cauldron you are invited to partake in some “Spider Cider” and “Deadly Donuts,” before you venture forth thru “Miles Manor,” the fourth attraction.
Miles Manor was a small building on the way back to our starting point. The back story behind this house is a bit sketchy, a party of 13 has disappeared in the house, as well as an investigator who sought to find the answers to what had happened, but they never quite give an inkling as to who the ghouls were…. The house relies on “startle” cares more than elaborate prop scenes.
The fifth and final house would be Frightmares, another small building much in the same vein of the Miles Manor house. Arriving back at our starting point and not quite sure if we had seen the “5” attractions, we mingled about for a few minutes and realized we had covered them all.
Overall, it was a pleasant evening. A family event, though again, not a place for small children. There is little use of “gore,” and should be fine for older children looking to have their spine tingled.