Cedar Point Halloweekends Review (2009)

HalloWeekends boasts a cast of 200+ each night! With so many people involved, expect varying degrees of enthusiasm and talent throughout the park. The great thing, however, is that an overwhelming majority of the cast love what they are doing and genuinely give their very best to scare you!

Many of the costumes tied perfectly into the theme of each haunt. Again, because of the high quantity of actors, there were some costumes that fell a bit short, such as multiple actors using the same mask type. What more than made up for this were the many costumes that had incredible realism and detail. Moveable latex appliances and full-body suits are a few of the highlights to watch for.

Navigating through the park is safe, easy, and accommodating. The staff is knowledgeable and kind, and it’s clear they love what they do. Be prepared, however, for lengthy lines during HalloWeekends, as some days can be busier than a summer weekend.

Creating a spooky atmosphere throughout the entire park is no easy feat, but it’s what Cedar Point does best. In addition, the detail put into every haunt is truly exceptional. In one particular haunted house, ‘Toy Factory’, there are close to 3,000 props used! When the sun goes down, the park truly transforms and the fear comes alive.

This place has more fog machines than a Spinal Tap concert! Throughout ‘The Fright Zone’, an open section of pathway dedicated to making you jump, utilizes lighting effects to provide the scare. Occasionally, it’s difficult to see what’s right in front of you! Many of the SFX are custom-built for each attraction, and give each haunt a unique touch. We were rather impressed!

Insert ‘theme park’ pun here. Seriously, Cedar Point nails every haunt’s theme with flying colors. ‘Cornstalkers’ is all you fear it would be, like living out a scene from Jeepers Creepers. ‘Toy Factory’ will enlighten you with a new perspective of baby dolls. With every subject undertaken, HalloWeekends will exceed your expectations.

Cedar Point refrains from using gore and bloody terror for its scares throughout every attraction. We can certainly understand this approach, and actually commend them for still being scary despite the exclusion. While the lack of gore may translate in fewer scares for some, there is an overwhelming sense of creepiness with every haunt, as well as a healthy dose of ‘surprise’ scares that will surely cause your heart to skip a few beats.

While travel accommodations, food vendors, parking, and a few rounds of ring toss can add up quick, there is no extra charge for any of the haunted attractions throughout the park. To break that down, a $44.99 ticket will get you 22 haunted attractions (which include all family-friendly haunts and shows), 17 rollercoasters, dozens more thrill rides, and enough walking to justify that delicious elephant ear!